DW says he already knows his team for our first game against Luton on the 11th. I'm not sure what formation he is likely to choose, 4-4-2 or 3-5-2, but I reckon it may be the latter option. But, if he goes 4-4-2, Ben Clark could lose out..

Budtz
McCunnie Antwi Nelson Elliott
Brown Liddle Boland Humphries
Barker Moore

Sweeney could also be unlucky if he errs on the side of caution. If he goes for 3-5-2 then maybe;

Budtz
Clark Antwi Nelson
McCunnie Liddle Brown Boland Humphries
Barker Moore

I can't see him playing 4-3-3 away from home. Whatever team he picks I tip us to get at least a draw

I really hope he picks Porter after his peformance against Alkmaar.

We have that many good players these days its gonna be tough to pick a final 11. A great headache to have though

Particularly after the other night I'm convinced that in Wilson's mind, Ben Clark is now a defensive midfielder and a backup defender.

I reckon we'll see the following team against Luton


Porter - Barker
Humphreys - Liddle - Clark - Brown
Elliot Antwi Nelson Barron (maybe McCunnie)
Zola Budd

Humphreys to be replaced by Monkhouse as soon as he's available.

Surely he favours McCunnie over Micky Barron!?

Check the stats for games won when Barron played against those when he didn't.

Oh, please, lets not

We have been inundated with stats about Sweeney in another thread, lets not start with Micky Barron too.

In any case those stats are ir-elephant given that we did not have McCunnie at the time. I reckon he looks a better bet than Micky Barron

*Cue onslaught of the Micky Barron fan-club who go on and on about him being a great servant blah blah blah

Barron won't figure, he's slowly being pushed away from the first team. Great player to have in reserve.

I can't believe Wilson know his XI, I genuinely wouldn't know where to start with that team and f**king glad I'm not the manager.

The problem is, if things go badly it will start an onslaught of 'why isn't he playing X' etc.

I know he has been a great servant, in this day and age few players stay with a club for longer than a few seasons. I was glad he got a coaching role but his loyalty is no reason to play him if we have a better, more youthful player on the books.
McCunnie has far superior distribution and a bit of pace, Micky does not have the legs for Division 1 im afraid, certainly not as a right back.

I think that he will go with the team and formation that started against AZ.
I made my mind up that that was what he had in mind when he sent the same team out after half time. Apart from the injured Brown that is.

i agree i'd also start with A.L.B in goal

I was just about to ask why you were going to play A Left Back in goal, when I realised you meant Arran Lee-Barratt

i was gunna say ALBie but then you would of been fekked

I think the big problem this season will be who to have on the bench! There will be dissapointed players, not making the 16, who we would have been more than happy with in previous seasons.

My choice would be :-

Budweiser

McCunnie Nelse God Elliot

Brown Boland Liddle Humphries

Moore Barker

subs: Lee-Barrett Clark Sweeney Porter Foley

good shout P-I-B, the most difficult decisions for the team possibly being either Monkhouse (when available) or Humphreys at left mid - Elliott or Humphreys at left back - Clark, Sweeney or Boland alongside Liddle in the centre - and the front pairing which could be perm any two from Barker/Moore/Porter. That's assuming he doesn't switch to three up front, which would bring Brown into the equation as a candidate.
Obviously everything depends on form etc, but assuming everyone plays well when given their chance it gives DW an ongoing selection problem that's not a bad one to have.
A few of those players have the capability to put pressure on one or two other areas of the team, should anyone's game fall below the required standards.

I think Monkhouse will be preferred to Humphreys and Mcunnie will be preferred to Barron. Both Humphreys and Barron will probably have lesser roles from now on - theyre not getting any younger and we are in a higher league now. Bit of a shame for two great Pools players but it happens to all footballers eventually.

I also reckon Budtz will be preferred to ALB - he will have been bought as the senior goalkeeper and I think he'll start as no 1. Up front it may be Porter or Moore to partner Barker. My biggest worry is none of these three look like they are capable of getting 25+ goals next season. Hope I'm wrong but this one, key ingredient might be the difference that costs us another promotion next campaign.

after yesterdays game im not sure who i'd have in goal now