Season 2011-12 Fan Articles

Healthy Competition for Places

By Sam   Hoare  ::  07/02/2012   48 Comments (»Last) For the first time this season, with some new players coming in and some others returning from injury, I am beginning to feel like there is a healthy look to the squad with some good competition for most starting berths.

Goalkeeper
This is one of two positions that is uncontested. Howard ? despite Saturday's blunder ? is the clear frontrunner with Mucha and Hahnemann only back-ups.

Left-Back
The other uncontested spot with Leighton Baines the clear choice. Garbutt and Bidwell may challenge in seasons to come but not yet. Neville or Distin can fill in if needed.

Centre-Back
Good depth here with Heitinga really coming into himself recently; Distin arguably our best defender over the last 2 years; Jags an assured international; and Duffy showing much promise and maturity in his short run.

Right-Back
Probably room for improvement but Hibbert and Neville both have plenty of experience and nous between them. Hibbert has been the better bet this season so far.

Left-Midfield
Pienaar might never have left, so assured was his second debut, and with Drenthe and Gueye in reserve, we have some decent options. McFadden must wonder why he is here...

Centre-Midfield
Gibson has been solid if not spectacular while Fellaini has returned to his dominant best recently. Rodwell was beginning to deliver on his potential before injury while the calls for Barkley to be included continue. Osman and Pienaar are also options. Hopefully not too much more of Neville and Heitinga here please.

Right-Midfield
Donovan will no doubt continue whilst here, after which the position will be contested presumably by Drenthe and Coleman with Osman and Anichebe having also played there in the past.

Attacking Midfielder
Cahill is currently in possession of this spot but Osman will soon return. It could also be a position for the likes of Barkley or Drenthe... or Moyes could surprise us all by playing two out-and-out strikers instead. Baxter also thrived in this role on loan at Tranmere.

Striker
The emergence of Straqualarsi as a hard-working hold-up man seems like a genuine possibility while Jelavic comes with the promise of goals. Anichebe is now our top scorer despite minimal game time and a similar claim could be made of Vellios. I'd also be interested to see more of McAleny.

All-in-all, my team in general (post Donovan) would be:

Howard
Hibbert Heitinga DIstin Baines
Drenthe Rodwell Fellaini Pienaar
Osman
Jelavic

Jagielka, Barkley, Stracqualursi, Cahill and Coleman all have good claims and no doubt will play their parts but i feel the team above is solid at the back whilst possessing a combative hard-working core with enough flair and creativity to make things happen.

In particular, I feel that playing Osman in the hole with Pienaar and Drenthe buzzing around him will create the chances for Jelavic to hopefully put away.

Either way, I feel quite happy with the makeup of our squad, even if four of our current senior roster are here only on loan, and hopeful that we might still finish the year looking up rather than down.

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