The Heart of the Team

[flatback4]

We talk - rightly - about the importance of having a settled team. But however settled and blended our first-choice starting XI is, they obviously can't and won't play every game.

Question is, who will Ramos regard as the heart of the team...the key group of players that'll automatically feature whenever possible ?

I'd suggest:

Goalkeeper - hasn't arrived yet !
Defence - King, Woodgate, Hutton
Midfield - Modric, Dos Santos
Strikers - Keane, Berbatov/AN Other
To that group, add a defensive midfielder.

Fringe - Bale (though he'll probably move into the core group once he's proved his fitness/form), Jenas, Huddlestone, Gunter, Malbranque, Lennon, Bent, Kaboul or Dawson, Gilberto, Zokora, no2 keeper, maybe O'Hara.

As for the likes of KPB/Taarabt - maybe a season on loan somewhere ?

 

[Real_madyidd]

I would say woodgate only.

 

[torquay spur]

i would say woodgate, king when he is fit and hutton think midfield and strikers will be rotated

 

[Kyras]

i would say woodgate, king when he is fit and hutton think midfield and strikers will be rotated

Yeah I agree, not because the midfield and strikers are shit, but just that defenders and keeper need to be kept as a core unit. If the midfield and stirkers are rotated it keeps them fresh and on their toes, especially the strikers. I don't mean wholesale changes every game, just one or two now and again.

 

[Montasura]

Yup, agree with the defence having to rmain constant. I would imagine Woody/King (fitness?), and possibly Modric as the team's heartbeat.

 

[Real_madyidd]

Question is, who will Ramos regard as the heart of the team...the key group of players that'll automatically feature whenever possible ?

See, for me the only answer is Woodgate, since King, even when possible to play him should (or could) be rested for the biggest games. I really believe King is the best and most vital player we have on our books.

 

[yawa]

I also expect Dos Santos to pretty much be rotated with JJ in the first season. I cant see Ramos wanting to kill off a 19yr old by playing him in pretty much every game hes fit.

 

[flatback4]

See, for me the only answer is Woodgate, since King, even when possible to play him should (or could) be rested for the biggest games. I really believe King is the best and most vital player we have on our books.

Yeah...wouldn't disagree. It is a fact that whenever he plays, the entire team ups their game. I've been massively impressed by Woodgate tho - much negative comment about his injuries etc when he arrived, but I think he's been a massive talent for us and really pleased for him he's back in England side. His and King's fitness and form the keys I think to next season.

 

[LadieK]

King, Woodgate and Hutton for me!

Ramos is quite clinical, he isn't afraid to chop and change. If Modric cuts in the Prem like we hope then I think he will be a first choice too.

 

[spurslenny]

assuming everyones fit (yes, that means you young Ledley!)

-------------GK?-------------
--?-----woody--king------?--
--?-----zoko---DM?---modric
--------berba?---?----------

 

[PLTuck]

Billic called Modric the 'Alpha and the the Omega' of the Croatian team.

I think he can be our 'heartbeat' once settled.