Definite starters

[Coach]

After the preseason tour so far who would be your definite starters?

Based on form so far, mine are,

Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Gibson, Fellaini, Mirallas, Jelavic, Naismith.

That's 9 players and probably Howard.

One place up for grabs for me. Either three at the back (Stones/Heitinga) or 451 (Osman/Barkley). Pienaar seems to have dropped off the radar.

 

[dannyboy]

Howard, Coleman, Baines, Distin, Jagielka, Mirrallas, Pienaar, Fellaini, Gibson.

Only the third midfield slot and forward position that's got question marks. I think they're the two places that will cause us problems all season as well.

 

[Maestro Haze]

Surely Oviedo should be in there, him and Coleman have been absolutely brilliant this pre-season.

 

[dannyboy]

Surely Oviedo should be in there, him and Coleman have been absolutely brilliant this pre-season.

Instead of Baines? No chance. And I'm not really a fan of him playing further up on the left, reeks of what we did with Coleman for 12 months.

 

[Furey1878]

Howard, Coleman, Jags, Distin, Baines, Gibson, Fellaini, Mirallas.

 

[Coach]

Surely Oviedo should be in there, him and Coleman have been absolutely brilliant this pre-season.

He has impressed but won't ever get in ahead of Baines. Naismith has also been much better in LM than Oviedo for me.

 

[Hilga]

Barkley has got to play.

 

[dannyboy]

Barkley has got to play.

Meh, I like Barkley and I'm really excited to see him get more game time but I wasn't too enamoured by the set up of the midfield three tonight. Fellaini and Gibson were nowhere near fluid enough with the ball and it left Barkley looking isolated and at times anonymous.

 

[ToffeesAndDynamo]

If we are saying "definite", then there certainly isn't nine. Baines, Jagielka, Distin, Coleman, Fellaini, and Mirallas as definite. With Howard, Gibson, Pienaar and Jelavic as likely. Last spot is up in air. I would put more definites, but its a new manager and no one is certain as to what he will do.

 

[itsnowak]

i think its good for howard to have some competition but robles isnt good enough to take his place. his decision making with distribution this preseason has been highly questionable in my opinion. way too quick to release the ball sometimes and his accuracy leaves something to be desired at times. i think howard has the starting spot without a question

 

[somuchfun]

i think its good for howard to have some competition but robles isnt good enough to take his place. his decision making with distribution this preseason has been highly questionable in my opinion. way too quick to release the ball sometimes and his accuracy leaves something to be desired at times. i think howard has the starting spot without a question

I thought Joel and Howard did quite similiar in the few appearences they had. Both had some good saves and when Howard opened with throws his normally awful distribution became bearable. I think Howard edges it with his experience but I can't see him start every league game this season.

 

[sanctioned]

Baines, Jagielka, Fellaini, Gibson, Coleman and Mirallas. Maybe Howard but that is about it. With Distin's age I can see him getting replaced but unlikely.

 

[Great Dane]

This should be our team:

Howard

Coleman - Jags - Distin - Baines

Gibson - Fellaini

Mirallas - Barkley - Naismith

Jelavic

 

[Kurt.]

Fellaini will be off to the mancs......

#vimto

 

[ijjysmith]

Fellaini will be off to the mancs......

#vimto

I get this feeling too. Which means my worst nightmare might just happen.

#PandaPop