Let's look forward - Squad for 2007/2008

[dibo (pron. "DIB-OH")]

wyomingtiger said:

Now that we have Heff, if we sign an experienced/quality right-sided defender we will have the best squad in the league imo.

maybe i'm missing something really important, but what about this guy?

[marinermick]

dibo said:

wyomingtiger said:

Now that we have Heff, if we sign an experienced/quality right-sided defender we will have the best squad in the league imo.

maybe i'm missing something really important, but what about this guy?

has to play centre back - way too an important player to be on right, especially as he is captain

[marinermick]

also, partnering boogs with vidmar there is a serious concern about pace in the middle of the back

[skilbeck]

would it be feasible to play brown on the right?

[dru]

3/4 trial games to find out

[skilbeck]

my squad

---------------------------vukovic
brown-------wilkinson -------- vidmar --------heffernan

owens------gumprecht/jedi--------pondeljak---------kwasnik/hutch

--------------------mrdja------------petrovski

bench: trott, boogaard/o grady, osman/jedi, hutch/kwasnik, simon

[Bearinator]

------------------------------Danny

Clarky----------Wilko-----------Vidmar-----------Heff

Tommy P------Jedi--------------Owens---------Hutch

--------------------Kwasnik------Petrovshi---------------

Redmane, Stringers, Gumpy, Mrdja.

Mrdja must EARN his starting spot from now on.

[skilbeck]

thats wats preseason is for as well

[brett]

marinermick said:

dibo said:

maybe i'm missing something really important, but what about this guy?

has to play centre back - way too an important player to be on right, especially as he is captain

Exactly.

It's pretty obvious that Lawrie made Wilko captain because he is an ever-present, ever-reliable player. That's not to mention his leadership qualities but I'm sure some older players have those too.

Since last season Lawrie has been all about Wilko starting at centre back where he can run the show, and playing every minute of every game there. Frankly I agree with him. The guy has Socceroo written all over him and is an obvious point to build our team around.

I do agree that we have one too many centre backs and one too few right backs...but moving Wilko is not the answer!

[mickeverton]

Gumps has to be in starting lineout....always gives 110%.

[DJ]

mickeverton said:

Gumps has to be in starting lineout....

disagree

IMO Tommy and Jedi in the middle is our best option, with Hutch or Brown on the left and Kwas or Owens on the right. Having Gumps off the bench plus Kwas or Owens shows some great depth there.

I'm very happy to see Heffo back here, signing until 2010 shows his commitment and I can't wait to see him back in action.

[marinermick]

djgrounsell said:

mickeverton said:

Gumps has to be in starting lineout....

disagree

IMO Tommy and Jedi in the middle is our best option, with Hutch or Brown on the left and Kwas or Owens on the right. Having Gumps off the bench plus Kwas or Owens shows some great depth there.

i tend to agree as well if v.2 form is any guide

if he can recapture v.1 form then he has to start, but that was two years ago and he has lost a certain cutting edge

jury is out for me

[jazasydneyfc]

Squad is still built for a back 3...

A-League needs more back 3...

[Bearinator]

He is not getting any younger either people.

[marinermick]

jazasydneyfc said:

Squad is still built for a back 3...

A-League needs more back 3...

without a doubt:

--------------------danny---------------------------
-------wilko--viddy--stringers/boogs-------
-----------------------mile--------------------------
kwassy----------gumps/tommy -----------heff
----------------------tommy/owens---------------
-------------------saso----mrdja--------------------

[pjennings]

If need be Viddy can play as right back to cover Clarky. He played there in the WC Qualifier I think

[Foriegnmariner]

----------------Vuko---------------
-----viddy----wilko----boogs-----
heff------------jedi------------brown
---owens/gumps---pondels----
-----petrovski-------mrdja

Bench
trott
O'grady
owens/gumps
hutch
kwasnik

[roonytunes]

what is so pleasing is that every lineup put up here looks strong, right down to the last bench place. Squad rotation anyone? (only joking).

[bobandbill]

I think gumps should play - from what i have seen he always plays his guts out - at times he even tries to hard, if that's possible. I guess his form was lacking a bit in season 2 as he got injured for serveral weeks.
I also think that when he plays, the teams seems to lift with him as well.

Anyways I think:
Vuko
O'Grady/Boogs Vidmar Wilko Heff
Jedi
Gumps Owens Tommy
Petrovski Mrdja

Bench:
Trott
O'Grady/Brown
Hutch
Osman/Simon/Other Youngster e.g. Holland, etc

You could always move Heff forward as he can play mid as well from what i've heard. O'grady is good with his head and height but with injury and with boogs doing well recently i'm not sure who would be better.
Bench can swap with any of the players starting as well if they are better after this off-season

[marinerbhoy]

mickeverton said:

Gumps has to be in starting lineout....always gives 110%.

although no starting place should be guranteed, i agree with you. he has nothing to prove unlike some other players and deserves to be in the starting lineup come beginning of the season