Strongest XI

I would go East at right back from what I saw of him on Saturday and I would put Toto in for Pearson. I would plump for Robertson at left back purely because he his left footed.

East is better on the ball but Robertson is the better defender, tough call to make really. Still think East is learning positionally when playing on his wrong side.

I think Robertson is a better left-back than East due to his experience and also the fact that he is left-footed. I can't remember East putting in a decent cross when playing on the left in the first two games at BP though he certainly did his best to get forward and won a good few corners. Not easy to play on your wrong side and it is no coincidence that full-backs are invariably played on their correct side. When you've got to clear the ball up the line on numerous occasions during a game it's so much easier on your stronger foot.

Judging by Saturday's performance, I'd say East perhaps looks a better prospect for right-back than Tait though both look capable enough defenders. East's extra pace might be more of an asset going forward and he did put in one or two good crosses from that side on Saturday.

nobody as mentioned JPP to me a fit Pitman could easily play up front.

Robertson every time for me - defenders need to defend first and foremost and he has great experience at a higher level than this

Marshall will push Monkhouse when he is fully fit

Toto suffers cos he is one of three pitching for two places - I would have Pearson every time

If East and Robinson continue to shape up I would go

Macca
East, Pearson, Gowling, Robertson
Arnold, Disley, Robinson, Monkhouse
Bogle, Amond

It's very harsh on two or three who will be on bench..but it's a strong bench
Clay, Toto, Pittman, Tait, Marshall

If we are challenging for top spot come Feb/March I expect Marshall to replace Monkhouse and Clay for Robinson (if latter not with us any more) or another loanee

Quoted from devs

Robertson every time for me - defenders need to defend first and foremost and he has great experience at a higher level than this

Marshall will push Monkhouse when he is fully fit

Toto suffers cos he is one of three pitching for two places - I would have Pearson every time

If East and Robinson continue to shape up I would go

Macca
East, Pearson, Gowling, Robertson
Arnold, Disley, Robinson, Monkhouse
Bogle, Amond

It's very harsh on two or three who will be on bench..but it's a strong bench
Clay, Toto, Pittman, Tait, Marshall

If we are challenging for top spot come Feb/March I expect Marshall to replace Monkhouse and Clay for Robinson (if latter not with us any more) or another loanee

No No not Robinson a non tackling midfielder against Lincoln, Clay every time and save Robinson for Monday

Might be unfair to judge him too quickly but Robinson does not look half the player Clay is. Yes, he might not be fully fit but can we afford to wait 2/3 games to see the best of him? Clay had had his wings clipped (if that was the intention) back to the team below for Saturday-

                                Macca
East            Pearson           Gowling            Robertson

Arnold         Dis                    Clay                 Monkhouse

                   Bogle                Amond

Subs- JP, Marshall, Robinson, Tait, Venney (assuming Toto is unfit)

Macca
Tait Nsiala Pearson East
Arnold Clay Disley Monkhouse
Amond Bogle

Subs: Gowling, Robinson, Marshall, Mackreth, Pitt man

I like Robertson but East gets up and overlaps Monkhouse (who isn't gonna fly past players himself).

And I rate Toto more than most it seems. Would have him in the team at centre-back all day long. Seems to be an easy bandwagon to jump on to claim he always makes mistakes but I see him as being calm on the ball with good distribution from CB. For me doesn't really make any more mistakes than Pearson does but Pearson has the Mr Grimsby image. Don't get me wrong I love Shaun but he has the odd mistake in him too and the amount of time he shanks a simple pass out of play frustrates the life out of me.

Quoted from smokey111

Might be unfair to judge him too quickly but Robertson does not look half the player Clay is.

You're comparing a LB with a CM?  

Quoted from pizzzza

You're comparing a LB with a CM?  

guessing he means Robinson