Your REALISTIC First XI 2013/2014 season

[Blake Griffin]

Sorry, but Rose will never be good enough to start for us.......ever.

he will and is.

 

[Snarfalicious]

--------------------- Lloris -----------------------
Walker --- Kaboul ------- Vertonghen --- Rose
---------- Sandro --------- Dembele -----------
Aubameyang ----- Bale ------------ Townsend
------------------- Benteke ---------------------


I think we will look at LBs a ton but I think BAE is most definitely gone and Rose very well could (should?) be our starter next season. Regardless, depth will need to be added there and any of the young guys like Ben Davies, Luke Shaw, or Lucas Digne (if the contract isn't a huge stumbling block as he recently re-upped) would be incredible.

 

[EnfieldYiddo]

--------------------- Lloris -----------------------
Walker --- Kaboul ------- Vertonghen --- Rose
---------- Sandro --------- Dembele -----------
Aubameyang ----- Bale ------------ Townsend
------------------- Benteke ---------------------


I think we will look at LBs a ton but I think BAE is most definitely gone and Rose very well could (should?) be our starter next season. Regardless, depth will need to be added there and any of the young guys like Ben Davies, Luke Shaw, or Lucas Digne (if the contract isn't a huge stumbling block as he recently re-upped) would be incredible.

Is there enough guile in that team?

 

[Snarfalicious]

Is there enough guile in that team?

I don't think the creativity is the biggest problem our side has had. I think the biggest shortcoming is having guys who can finish consistently. Obviously the main culprits being our strikers. But, with guys like Aubameyang, Townsend and Benteke entered into the fold, we're talking about three guys who can single handedly create space for themselves and also put in shots on goal. In that side, Benteke would have a hard time not scoring 17-20 goals. He'd get his fair share of beauties but I think he could really benefit from the types of shots that would be raining in on goalkeepers from a trio of Bale/Townsend/Aubameyang not to mention a general increase in surrounding talent than what he's seen at Aston Villa.

It's a big ask to throw Townsend out there and expect him to be a consistent starter. But, with guys like Siggy or even Aubameyang on the left and Lennon on the right, we'd have tons of attacking options and the ability to make quality substitutions.

 

[KaribYid]

Lloris
Walker Dawson Verts Rose
Sandro Dembélé
Azza Holtby Bale
Benteke


Bench: Archer, Kaboul, Shaw, Carroll, Eriksen, Ceballos, Defoe


Note the starting XI is based on merit and not name.

 

[not_tenth-again]

In - Heung-Min Son, Vydra, Classie (I've tried to stick to the number of players and value given, my preference would be Higuian, Son & Moutinho otherwise)

Out - Gomes, Bentley, Huddlestone, Naughton, Gallas, Parker, Defoe.... EDIT Dempsey can go too.

Promoted - Townsend, Carroll, Coulthurst, Archer

 

[spivmaster]

--------------------- Lloris -----------------------
Walker --- Kaboul ------- Vertonghen --- Rose
---------- Sandro --------- Dembele -----------
Aubameyang ----- Bale ------------ Townsend
------------------- Benteke ---------------------


I think we will look at LBs a ton but I think BAE is most definitely gone and Rose very well could (should?) be our starter next season. Regardless, depth will need to be added there and any of the young guys like Ben Davies, Luke Shaw, or Lucas Digne (if the contract isn't a huge stumbling block as he recently re-upped) would be incredible.

One of the most powerful, quick and generally athletic teams in the world that, if not the most.

 

[rabbikeane]

Berbatov would give us instant quality we need up front,​

allow someone new to the league time to settle.
If not Aubameyang, then perhaps Éder.​

It's a good time to sign both Sebastian Rode (1yr left on contract) and Christian Eriksen (Ajax agreed to sell), Rode should be rather cheap with Eriksen at a cut price compared to what Ajax used to ask for him. Defoe swap and a cut price on Huddlestone enough to land Berbatov?​

Not afraid to play younger players, see no point in having more than double senior cover.​

As an example I'd rather play Luongo than Livermore, rather Carroll than Huddlestone.​

​

​

BALE – BERBATOV – LENNON​

ERIKSEN​

DEMBELE – SANDRO​

ROSE – VERTONGHEN – KABOUL – WALKER​

LLORIS​

​

​

​

DEMPSEY – AUBAMEYANG – TOWNSEND​

SIGURDSSON​

HOLTBY – RODE​

SHAW – CAULKER – DAWSON – SMITH​

FRIEDEL​

​

​

​

Archer​

Fryers​

Luongo​

Carroll​

Bentaleb​

Pritchard​

Ceballos​

McEvoy​

Kane​

Coulthirst​

Coulibaly​

 

[TheAmerican]

Purchases Objectives:
-Utilize value
-Find players suitable to play around current stars

Players:
Eriksen
Estimated price: reports are saying 12m, but I'd expect as high as 15m for him.
Gameiro
Estimated price: probably around 10m or less, as he has been pushed out of PSG's lineup and doe not look to be returning anytime soon
How: Get CL and use Lloris to help draw the Frenchman to our club with guarantee of competing for trophies and appeal of being the lead striker.
Why: He's a smart, fast forward who has a good scoring record


2 formation options

Stick with a 4-2-3-1, with interchanging from 3 CAMs, Bale, Eriksen and Lennon (mostly overlapping Bale and Eriksen, as both are capable of playing central and either wing).

4-3-3 (False 9), utilizing Bale and Lennon as high wingers. This would create a middle where Eriksen, Dembele and Sandro can dictate the pace of the game, and a front 3 that can inter-exchange with runs, playing off the midfield and each other. This formation plays similar to the Barcelona 4-6-0.

If there were still money in the budget, I would look to replace Lennon with a proper winger if we are going to utilize a more attacking formation. He would fit in fine for the time being in either of the formations, and next year could be another step in the right direction without any over-spending.

 

[ItsBoris]

I think our transfer business needs to be conducted strategically, we don't have the resources to put together a world class team in one transfer window so we need to think about which areas we can strengthen, and there are two sort of 'blueprints' to look at imo. First is Bayern - World class midfield and pretty good but not world class strikers. Second is Man United - world class strike force but only pretty good midfield. At Bayern the strikers score because the service to them is so good from midfield (and other areas as well tbf, Alaba and Lahm provide great service to Bayern's attackers). United's strikers score so many goals because of their excellent movement and technical skill, not exactly because they have great service from midfield. I think Alex Ferguson has shown how effective a top class strike force can be in a league campaign, they win you games while sub-par strikers can cost you games. I think we are closer to the Bayern model though, we play a more similar formation and system to them and we are far closer to having a world class midfield than strike force. That doesn't mean I don't think we need new strikers, but perhaps I wouldn't spend our entire transfer budget on strikers.

I think Benteke would be an excellent option for what he would cost especially if Villa are relegated. We would still need at least one more striker, and I think we would need someone who is strong in the air and used to premier league defenses, so possibly Dzeko or Michu could be good options. We should sell both Adebayor and Defoe imo.

Then I think we should put together a really strong midfield. If Bale stays in the center and we play a 4-2-3-1 formation that would mean buying a new player to play on the left - perhaps Julian Draxler or Andre Schurrle. If we intend for Bale to play on the left and play a 4-3-3 formation then we need to bring in a midfield player - which could be Moutinho, Erikson, or Clasie. We should also bring Townsend back instead of sending him on loan again as I think he can be a very good player for us. I think the 4-2-3-1 might be a stronger formation but I think AVB is more keen on 4-3-3 and probably still wants Moutinho for that role. I would be more excited by Schurrle or Draxler though since they can interchange with Bale and play in the center as well.

In defense, I think we are obviously in good shape in the GK and CB department, not great in the fullback department, but I would still keep Walker and hope he returns to last year's form. I also think Adam Smith could be good enough to displace Walker next season if given the chance.

I think BAE is probably on his way out so I would buy Luke Shaw as many people have suggested.

So then here would be our first choice and second choice teams imo:

 

[ItsBoris]

Title challenge:

....................Lloris.....................

...........Kaboul....Vertonghen.........

Walker...............................Baines

.............Sandro.....Dembele...........

Lennon.............Bale..............Nani

....................Berbatov.................

1. Baines - £15 million

Established proven premier league quality.

Moyes looks like he may be off in the summer, and Baines surely must be interested in a big money move sooner or later.

We will face stiff competition from united but we could stand a chance, if we went in with strong interest and a big bid.

2. Nani - £10 million

Seemingly not in SAF's plans - particularly with Zaha, Young, Valencia, Kagawa, Welbeck, Giggs, Rooney, Hernandez and RVP etc etc on the books.

The fact that he is Portuguese with Porto connections could allow AVB an angle.

The pace and guile of an attacking 3 of Lennon, Bale and Nani interchanging would terrify defences.

3. Berbatov - £3-5 million

At 32 he is still tearing defences apart and as he doesn't rely on pace, is likely to have a few more years in him.

A great platform to play off and would offer genuine craft to compliment the guile and pace of Lennon, Bale and Nani.

Didn't celebrate his goal against us, and there appears to still be some genuine affection towards the club - at least on his part.

Forgot about him, he would be a great addition for not such a high price. Berbatov would be great imo and I would like him back but I just can't see it happening.

 

[AberdeenSpur]

No new players in my XI

 

[alex3]

correct me if am wrong but isn't nani a free transfer in the summer

 

[michaelden]

LLoris​

Walker Kaboul Verts Naughton​

Sandro Dembele​

Lennon Holtby Bale​

Damiao​

​

Subs: Townsend, Sig, Ceballos, Dawson, Friedel, Caulker, Falque, Coulthirst​

​

 

[michaelden]

LLoris​

Walker Kaboul Verts Naughton​

Sandro Dembele​

Lennon Holtby Bale​

Damiao​

​

Subs: Townsend, Sig, Ceballos, Dawson, Friedel, Caulker, Falque, Coulthirst

​

I'd like to see players like Son, Shurrie etc... targeted, realistic with great potential and to see our youth step up.

 

[chris scottspur]

Lloris
Walker kaboul vertoghen rose
Sandro dembele
Lennon bale eriksen
Benteke/Remy

Friedel
Dawson
Bae
Defoe
Townsend
Sigurdsson
Parker

 

[Spurs1960]

correct me if am wrong but isn't nani a free transfer in the summer

You are corrected.

There are 67 players out of contract and he is not one of them.

 

[Blake Griffin]

correct me if am wrong but isn't nani a free transfer in the summer

next summer.

 

[Hoddle_Ledge]

Lot of people putting Rose in at LB, have to say I haven't watched a single Sunderland game all season, so I'll take your word for it!

 

[Gassin's finest]

Only one signing required this summer...

------------------ Lloris --------------------
Walker -- Dawson -- Vertonghen -- Ekotto
----------- Sandro --- Dembele -----------
Lennon --------------------------- Bale
--------------- Holtby -----------------------
---------------------- Rooney ----------