It’s been a LONG time since Eddie Howe had the luxury of selecting his best possible 11, with injuries and suspension causing issues all season.
When everyone is fit and available, what is our strongest XI? A debate that will divide opinions, I’m sure, but this is what I’d go with.
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Livramento – Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton – Gordon, Isak, Barnes.
It shows how stretched we are that SIX of these players didn’t start our 4-4 draw with Luton last weekend.
Starting in goal, it has to be Nick Pope. Martin Dubravka’s distribution is better and the Slovakian has performed well since the turn of the year after an unconvincing December, but Pope’s shot-stopping, speed off his line (allowing us to play a higher line) and ability to claim crosses gives confidence to our back four and proved key last season.
Three of the back four picks itself, then there’s Tino Livramento vs Dan Burn. The latter is a great squad player and has earned to right to be a big favourite of Howe’s, but Tino’s ability to snuff out quality wingers and progressiveness in possession make him a superior option at both ends.
At the time of writing, our midfield is sorely lacking options due to injury and suspension, but we have plenty of exciting options when everyone is available. Bruno is the first name on the team sheet, Joelinton is our midfield destroyer and Sandro Tonali will soon make that right-sided No 8 role his own when eligible to return next season. That sees Joe Willock, Lewis Miley, Sean Longstaff and Elliot Anderson miss out. That may seem harsh on Miley and Willock – who is a huge player for us when fit – but it shows the quality of our squad when we finally get players back.
In attack, the elite Alexander Isak leads the line and I believe there’s a route to Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon starting in the same team. The former Leicester winger has played the vast majority of his football on the left and Gordon’s ability with both feet mean he’s more than capable of operating down the right; something we could see more of over the second half of the season now Barnes is back up to speed?
Plenty of debates and dilemmas. Post your strongest XI in the comments section below!
I think Miggy is still our RW with Gorden our LW
I think it’s more instructive to look at our second eleven.
Dubravka – Krafth, Lascelles, Burn, Hall – Longstaff, Willock, Anderson – Barnes, Wilson, Murphy.
Which still has room for some more quality
PremAndUp(Quote)
I’d have Gordon RWF and Barnes LWF.
I think Tino is class, but I’m not sure he’s natural LB – he’s probably a season away from being first choice RB once Trips is done.
I think Target would still be first choice LB if all fully fit. I’m not sure where Hall is in his development or what Howes plans are for him.
I think Prem makes an excellent point though – there’s a gulf in the players behind them. Not a big concern if it’s short term filling in – but this season has proven the depths not there for longer term cover – and injuries to our CFs are a problem.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’d switch out Tonali for Willock otherwise agree
Keith Armstrong(Quote)
So if we’re assuming 433 and at this point ..
I love the front three suggested and have said for a while that’s my preferred 3. Barnes looks excellent and at RWF Gordon is good and the best option at the club right now. Those two with, isak, are very smart players so can rotate fluidly in game.
The point on 2nd string well made and is why I think last summer was a good window.. injuries/ suspension and availability aside
Next year ideally I’d prioritise LB, striker and RWF in that order and play Livramento before trippier
That said in the 2nd string prem quotes, only hall, anderson and miley ( did you really miss him prem 😉) are new and so I would not consider their futures away from the club. Willock is ready made for coming in (and as I’d have Barnes in my first team ) it’s the other names on that list that may be moving towards fringes of squad or other clubs. So any of those areas may be a good shout for investment
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
As to investment, we need a new striker in the summer, we need three, and another one the following year to replace Wilson. I also think we need three GKs.
Defence need a young partner for Botman and LB needs clarification. Midfield is good this summer.
A RW this summer and perhaps Minteh next summer.
As to Miley, no I didn’t miss him, but his game is similar to Longstaff and I fully expect Miley to replace him. It wouldn’t be fair to do so today. Too soon.
PremAndUp(Quote)