As the opening game of the season approaches Big Sam will have in mind his preferred starting 11 however there could be a few surprises.
We will start from the back, Adrian or Jussi?
Jussi is a fantastic shot stopper, however his inability to catch and his kicking could hinder his first team chances this season. I haven’t seen much of Adrian, but what I have his kicking looks to be superior to Jussi’s! However I think Sam will stick with Jussi.
At the back I think the only two dead cert’s are Hammer of The Year Winston Reid and new left back Razvan Rat. That leaves Guy Demel and Joey O’Brien to fight for the right full back position and James Tomkins and Jimmy Collins to fight for the right to partner Reid. As much as I want Tomkins to play, I think Demel and Collins will be given the nod which could be unfair on Joey as he rarely made a mistake last year playing in the wrong position!
Last season the preferred trio in central midfield were Noble, Diame and Nolan. I fully expect that to stay the same, however with Ravel Morrison impressing could he push for a starting position ahead of Diame who came back late due to international duties. We also have Jack Collison, Diarra, Joe Cole and up and coming youngster Seb Lletget who impressed me in the friendly at Colchester. I expect it will continue from last season though with Noble holding, Mo roaming and King Kev poaching!
Left wing, Matt Jarvis. I don’t think anyone will disagree with that.
Right wing, last season it was main Ricardo Vaz Te who struggled to get going after dislocating his shoulder early in the season. Joe Cole also featured on the right though struggled for form and fitness come the end of the season but has shone in Pre season notching a number of goals. Jack Collison could also play there as he did the season before last! We now have our new signing in Stewart Downing thrown into the mix. With Big Sam bringing in the man from Liverpool, who should link up well with Andy Carroll in future games, he will most likely be looking to start him on Saturday.
Up front, big Andy Carroll if fit which at the moment seems unlikely from what I have read! If he’s not I imagine the burden will fall to Modibo Maiga who has limited game time last season and failed to pick up after going to the Africa Nations Cup, though he has scored a few in Pre season playing in his natural position. We also have Elliot Lee who has featured a lot in Pre season but I think it will be a little early for him, however I would love to see him playing off Carroll in a year or so’s time!
So at 3pm this Saturday I think the team will come out as follows;
Jussi
Demel, Collins, Reid, Rat
Noble, Diame
Downing, Nolan, Jarvis
Maiga
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