Town's Strongest XI

By: Will N
Date: 28/08/2015

THERE has been much debate on the current XI and how it could be improved. I thought I'd outline my strongest XI, and why. I'll also talk about the 'super subs' that I believe in. If you like my articles, and would like more please give me a 'thumbs up' on my Forum Users Identity (MARINERSMAN22).

THERE has been much debate on the current XI and how it could be improved. I thought I'd outline my strongest XI, and why. I'll also talk about the 'super subs' that I believe in. If you like my articles, and would like more please give me a 'thumbs up' on my Forum Users Identity (MARINERSMAN22).

                McKeown
Tait - Gowling - Pearson - Robertson
Arnold - Disley - Clay - Monkhouse
            Amond - Bogle.

I believe this to be our strongest line up. McKeown is an obvious choice, due to his class and lack of rivalry for the role. Tait is a great RB, his pace and skill going forward would make him a great winger, but not only that but he can also defend like a warrior. His experience gives him an edge over many conference level wingers, and so he is a definite for me. There is much debate over our strongest centre-back pairing. Last term, I was raving on about Toto and how he is class, but for me Gowling is just outstanding at this level; he puts his boot in every time and does not scare from a tackle, sometimes even putting his face on the line. Pearson is one of the first names on the sheet, as he is slowly getting back into the rhythm after losing his stride earlier on in this season, but his form last season was out-of-this-league (quite literally), as when his contract was up potential suitors came from leagues above ours, but he has stayed loyal to Hurst and to Town. At left-back I favour Robertson simply due to his defending ability; he is left footed and has an eye for defending. East is undoubtedly a bright aspect for Town, as his ability to run forward and work well with Monkhouse, who doesn't have the greatest pace, will come in handy, but we need a strong defence, and our offensive options are great.

In midfield I had to put Arnold on the right immediately, as he has come on leaps and bounds since joining us, and is one of, if not the top, player we have. His pace and hunger for goals are second-to-none. Disley is the captain, the ever-reliant player; he can pick a pass on a sixpence. Clay was swapped for loan signing Robinson, who was unlucky to score an own goal on his debut, but in the second half looked a great prospect; but to me he is a sub, as Clay has been in wonderful form this term, and should be playing there every game. Monkhouse is a great signing, as he brings a whole new dimension to our squad, not only can he pick a pass that Pirlo would be proud of, but he is also confident in front of goal, be it a strike or in the air.

Our attack has always been a weak area, with our best player here last term being 'The Shop' who did not exactly set the world alight, but now we are in abundance of quality players, who Hurst has shrewdly been signing. Amond, a league veteran, is great ' having put nine goals in pre-season, it was worth putting a tenner on him to be the league's top scorer; surprisingly left out last game, but made an instant impact as soon as he came on. Bogle, the rumoured £70,000 man, was a wanted man after putting nearly 30 goals in last term for National League North team, Solihull Motors, is growing into a great, great player. He is great on the ball, confident to take people on, and is big enough to not be bullied of the ball in one of the roughest leagues going...I have high hopes for Bogle (and the rest of the team for that matter), but if we do not go up we will struggle to keep hold of Bogle for sure.

Marshall, when fit, would be a deadly player to bring on in the dying minutes of the match, if anything to cause chaos in the final third. He has the pace to drive at tired defences, so would be a good impact sub.

MacKreth has neither the pace or ability to make an impact in a game like Marshall but would be good if we needed a defensive winger on to keep the opponents at bay.

Pittman will be dying to prove his haters wrong since his penalty miss in the play-off final last term, would be good when fit, but that is a rare occurrence.

Toto would be in rotation with Gowling and Pearson as he is class, but his little errors get a big response from the crowd so the pressure may affect his play in big games, but against a fast offence he is ideal, as his pace for a centre-back is second-to-none. But please, Mr Hurst, he is most definitely not a right-back!

The youngsters will inevitably only get game time in cup matches, but they all look like they have good ability, may be worth a few more places...

Please remember to give my profile on the forum a 'thumbs up' if you liked my article ;)

MARINERSMAN22

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