Let's look forward - Squad for 2007/2008

[marinermick]

since when has "having nothing to prove" and "always gives 100% when he is out there" is a prerequisite for a starting berth?

under that criteria fergie should be in our straiting lineup as well

[skilbeck]

its a competitive environment, everyone has something to prove, they have to prove that they are better than everyone else playing in their position so if gumps is lacking in form dont start him, if he isnt lacking in form, do start him

[DJ]

I love Gumps don't get me wrong, but IMO if we play 4 in midfield (which I have no doubt we will) our best 2 options in the middle are Jedi due to his strength and defensive ability, plus Tommy due to his attacking flair.

The argument I have had in the past is that Gumps isn't as good going forward, but in the past he has had to cover Spencers rubbish in the middle of the park which has meant we have relied heavily on the wings to push forward. Having Jedi next to him IMO should allow Gumps to push more forward? However, when Tommy is up for it not many people can catch him, and after seeing his first 2 pre-season run outs I'd have to him playing in that position.

[marinermick]

djgrounsell said:

I love Gumps don't get me wrong, but IMO if we play 4 in midfield (which I have no doubt we will) our best 2 options in the middle are Jedi due to his strength and defensive ability, plus Tommy due to his attacking flair.

The argument I have had in the past is that Gumps isn't as good going forward, but in the past he has had to cover Spencers rubbish in the middle of the park which has meant we have relied heavily on the wings to push forward. Having Jedi next to him IMO should allow Gumps to push more forward? However, when Tommy is up for it not many people can catch him, and after seeing his first 2 pre-season run outs I'd have to him playing in that position.

tommy has looked possessed in those trials games

the few conversations i have had with him he said that he hasn't performed as well as he should have in the first two seasons

anyone who has been fortunate to witness tommy in the old nsl knows this is true

i think he is really up for a massive v.3

on top of that he is off contract and in his early thirties- a big season could land him a very healthy three year deal with any a-league club and a dud season could find him looking for alternative work

given how lean, quick and fit he is i think he could stay competitive heading towards his 40s as petrie and vidmar has

[uncleyellow]

I agree Tommy P is pumped for this year, I love the Gump, a bit of a favourite for mine nad we need his fight in the middle alot (especially when spenny was on the pitch). But when Tommy P is putting on a show he will leave guys standing. Cant wait for the first home game!!!

[mustapha_beer]

For the first time in a while, I'm having difficulty selecting which players to keep in the starting XI, and which to put on the bench.

I agree that Wilko should be at centre half. I also think that BOTH Gumps & Jedinak should be in midfield. Gumps maybe didn't quite play to his high standards last season, but he's still one of the best midfielders in the league for me. And, I still think Tommy is best as an attacking midfielder playing between Gumps & Jedinak and the front 2.

I'll probably have changed my mind by the time I hit 'Send', but I'll go for something like

Vukovic
Clark Wilkinson O'Grady Brown
Gumprecht Jedinak Heffernan
Tommy P/Owens
Mrdja Petrovski

Subs: Trott, Vidmar, Boogaard, Osman, Tommy P/Owens, Kwas

......or then again, maybe.......

[marinermick]

mustaphabeer said:

For the first time in a while, I'm having difficulty selecting which players to keep in the starting XI, and which to put on the bench.

I agree that Wilko should be at centre half. I also think that BOTH Gumps & Jedinak should be in midfield. Gumps maybe didn't quite play to his high standards last season, but he's still one of the best midfielders in the league for me. And, I still think Tommy is best as an attacking midfielder playing between Gumps & Jedinak and the front 2.

I'll probably have changed my mind by the time I hit 'Send', but I'll go for something like

Vukovic
Clark Wilkinson O'Grady Brown
Gumprecht Jedinak Heffernan
Tommy P/Owens
Mrdja Petrovski

Subs: Trott, Vidmar, Boogaard, Osman, Tommy P/Owens, Kwas

......or then again, maybe.......

i was thinking about that left side a fair bit and it is possible that browny may play at left back and heff at left midfield

[Pete]

I mentioned Heff playing at left midfield quite a while ago, and I was corrected by Brett (I think) who said that Heff needs the room that attacking from the backline gives. I think, also, that either Lawrie or Heff himself said as much in a past interview.
His speed does enable him to get to the front line of attack pretty quick, in V1 that was often before the opposition's defense had had a chance to stabilise their own backline from an attacking stance, ie he counter attacks very well.

[marinerbhoy]

marinermick said:

since when has "having nothing to prove" and "always gives 100% when he is out there" is a prerequisite for a starting berth?

under that criteria fergie should be in our straiting lineup as well

just settle down and think about it. until he shows he doesn't deserve a starting berth then he wont have one. its pretty simple. i dont see what he has done to lose his starting spot. guess i am not that 'well informed' of a supporter?
cant believe some of the comments on this forum

[skilbeck]

marinerbhoy said:

marinermick said:

since when has "having nothing to prove" and "always gives 100% when he is out there" is a prerequisite for a starting berth?

under that criteria fergie should be in our straiting lineup as well

just settle down and think about it. until he shows he doesn't deserve a starting berth then he wont have one. its pretty simple. i dont see what he has done to lose his starting spot. guess i am not that 'well informed' of a supporter?
cant believe some of the comments on this forum

if we are talking about gumps, i dont think that anyone is saying that he doesnt deserve a starting spot. im just saying with the quality of players that have joined our midfield this year i.e. jedi and owens, he (and all our midfielders) might have to fight a lot more for their spots and with the quality of our midefield, as well as defense and strikers its no surprise to me that some high quality players are being left out of some of the fans 2007-08 lineups. the preseason cup will also tell us which lineups work and which dont.

[DJ]

marinerbhoy said:

marinermick said:

since when has "having nothing to prove" and "always gives 100% when he is out there" is a prerequisite for a starting berth?

under that criteria fergie should be in our straiting lineup as well

just settle down and think about it. until he shows he doesn't deserve a starting berth then he wont have one. its pretty simple. i dont see what he has done to lose his starting spot. guess i am not that 'well informed' of a supporter?
cant believe some of the comments on this forum

IMO after last seasons injury hit performance he probably doesn't deserve 1 if all midfielders are fit

Being a 'well informed supporter' has nothing to do with someone having a different opinion than yourself. Any comments made towards Gumps has been an individuals opinion, never has there been any negative comments about him (unlike 1 or 2 other players). Everyone loves him on the Coast and we always will, but just because he is loved doesn't mean he's a) our best midfielder, or b) deserves a starting spot.

Gumps, like Jedi, Tommy, Smitta and Owens will all to fight for their spot this year.

[dru]

No ones spot should be a given, not even Wilko's.

Everyone has to prove themselves to the gaffer and I trust he'll pick the best players week in week out.

[robc]

Have i missed this.. has Boogaard been signed? I see several have him listed in their squad.

[Foriegnmariner]

He's still under contract just that he hasn't resigned past i think next month? i think i'm right

[clarence]

foriegnmariner said:

He's still under contract just that he hasn't resigned past i think next month? i think i'm right

I think he must be signed up for this season. We have OGrady getting over that car accident of his, and OGrady missed the match against the Malaysian team -sohe's not yet fully fit.
Also we have Vidmar who seems to be nursing an old man's back and Clark had calf strain problems last season too. Boogard willbe keen to prove he's worth the contract, so give him a chance.
Also bare in mind that Heffernan had some groin strain problems in Germany in their last season, so if he comes down with that another defence line shuffle would be needed.

[marinermick]

marinerbhoy said:

marinermick said:

since when has "having nothing to prove" and "always gives 100% when he is out there" is a prerequisite for a starting berth?

under that criteria fergie should be in our straiting lineup as well

just settle down and think about it. until he shows he doesn't deserve a starting berth then he wont have one. its pretty simple. i dont see what he has done to lose his starting spot. guess i am not that 'well informed' of a supporter?
cant believe some of the comments on this forum

again there is a presumption that he is guaranteed a starting berth

no one has that guarantee - even more so based on the strength of our midfield

ultimately most players will be given every opprtunity to claim a starting berth during pre-season and it will be up to them to demand selection - not presume it

[Jeff (LouMacari)]

marinermick said:

marinerbhoy said:

just settle down and think about it. until he shows he doesn't deserve a starting berth then he wont have one. its pretty simple. i dont see what he has done to lose his starting spot. guess i am not that 'well informed' of a supporter?
cant believe some of the comments on this forum

again there is a presumption that he is guaranteed a starting berth

no one has that guarantee - even more so based on the strength of our midfield

ultimately most players will be given every opprtunity to claim a starting berth during pre-season and it will be up to them to demand selection - not presume it

An excellent position for us to be in I think. Lets hope that remains the position for the entire season!

[kevrenor]

Boogs and Matt Simon officially signed. Lawrie quoted as only having 2 under 20s) Can anyone list the 22 that Lawrie is supposed to have said will be all he'll sign?

www.ccmariners.com.au/default.aspx?s=ccfc_news_item&id=18057

There are 20 listed on club site, but that includes Matt & Boogs. Who are the extra 2? Redmayne & Holland?

BTW - in Lawrie's Perth interview he said Gumps was training out of his skin.

[brett]

jazzman said:

marinermick said:

again there is a presumption that he is guaranteed a starting berth

no one has that guarantee - even more so based on the strength of our midfield

ultimately most players will be given every opprtunity to claim a starting berth during pre-season and it will be up to them to demand selection - not presume it

An excellent position for us to be in I think. Lets hope that remains the position for the entire season!

Yep! Too true!

All this picking of likely lineups is great fun but in the end injuries, suspensions and to an extent form is unpredictable, and our team will change weekly.

The main point out this whole conversation is that our depth is so strong that no one starting XI is 'better' than another and that injuries etc will now only provide opportunities for other great players to shine.

Depth Depth Depth!!!

[brett]

kevrenor said:

BTW - in Lawrie's Perth interview he said Gumps was playing out of his skin.

Gumps and Tommy are fit and coming off contract, two great reasons for them to be in cracking form compared to 06/07