2022/23 Best XI?

[Snowflake Royal]

With (almost) everyone approaching something like match fitness for what feels the first time this century, what do you think is our best first XI?

Maybe a version in Ince's preferred 5-3-1-1 formation and if you fancy, a version in a different shape if you think that would be better.

It feels like forever since we've had a clear and obvious first XI. I expect we still don’t.

[Hendo]

Personally, I am enjoying the formation Ince currently has and with everyone fit, I'd be playing:

Lumley

Hoilett
Holmes
Sarr
McIntyre
NGW

Loum
Fornah
Hendrick

Ince

Joao

[Snowflake Royal]

God this is hard. There's a lot of good players, and as usual for us, we suit different and incompatible shapes in different areas of yhe pitch. For example, you pretty much have to play Ince, and he's best sitting behind the striker(s), but none of our strikers are working well on their own and two leaves us narrow and short in midfield or defence combined with Ince.

5-3-1-1
........................Lumley
........Yiadom, Holmes, Sarr
Hoilett.........Hutchinson.....NGW
.............Hendrick....Fornah
.................Ince
..............................Joao

4-4-2?
.....................Lumley
Yiadom, Holmes, Sarr, NGW
Hoilett, Loum, Fornah, Ince
...............Meite...Carroll

3-4-3?
.........................Lumley
..........Yiadom, Holmes, Sarr
Hoilett.....Loum......Fornah....NGW
..........................Ince
...................Joao......Long


Yikes. Tough job for Ince.

[Whore Jackie]

Personally, I am enjoying the formation Ince currently has and with everyone fit, I'd be playing:

Lumley

Hoilett
Holmes
Sarr
McIntyre
NGW

Loum
Fornah
Hendrick

Ince

Joao

Agreed on enjoying the formation and, in general, the team this season thus far. I'd slightly tweak to this:

Lumley

Hoilett
Yiadom
Holmes
Sarr
NGW

Hutchinson
Fornah
Hendrick

Ince

Long

Harsh on Meite and McIntyre admittedly.

[Hound]

Proper hard to pick - we have a squad of solid players with prob only Ince genuinely and consistently above that - maybe Holmes as well at a push. Not just the first 11 but who you leave out altogether is tough

Think I’d go for some sort of 3-4-1-2 formation looking like this

Lumley
Yiadom Holmes Sarr
Hoilett Loum Hutchinson NGW
Ince
Meite Joao

Bouzanis, McIntyre, Carroll, Long, 2 of Hendrick/Fornah/Ejaria, Mbengue

Leaving out but first team squad

Dann, Azeez (sadly), Tetek, CBC, Baba, Ehibatiomhan, Abbey, Scott, Camara.

Tough

[blythspartan]

God this is hard. There's a lot of good players, and as usual for us, we suit different and incompatible shapes in different areas of yhe pitch. For example, you pretty much have to play Ince, and he's best sitting behind the striker(s), but none of our strikers are working well on their own and two leaves us narrow and short in midfield or defence combined with Ince.

5-3-1-1
........................Lumley
........Yiadom, Holmes, Sarr
Hoilett.........Hutchinson.....NGW
.............Hendrick....Fornah
.................Ince
..............................Joao

4-4-2?
.....................Lumley
Yiadom, Holmes, Sarr, NGW
Hoilett, Loum, Fornah, Ince
...............Meite...Carroll

3-4-3?
.........................Lumley
..........Yiadom, Holmes, Sarr
Hoilett.....Loum......Fornah....NGW
..........................Ince
...................Joao......Long


Yikes. Tough job for Ince.

Christ alive it’s tough which is a good thing. Sadly, I still like 4-4-2 and would pretty much go with your choice but for me I’d have to squeeze Hutchinson into the team. There’s probably no facts to back it up but in my head we’re a better team with Hutchinson than without.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

The best squad I can come up with I think.

Lumley
Yiadom Holmes Sarr
Hoilett Loum Hendrick NGW
Ince
Meite Joao

Subs: Bouzanis, Rahman, Hutch/Mbengue, TMac, Fornah, Long, Carroll.

That's not based solely on performances this year, otherwise Joao wouldn't be there, but under a certain system I think that would be our best team. I'd be tempted to put Azeez on the bench instead of Rahman and possibly Mbengue instead of Hutchinson, but I think it's a tough choice to make. I'd even say maybe Sarr could easily come out the first team as well for any of the 3 other defenders on the bench or not in the squad.

Similar story, think you could easily take Joao our and have either Long or Carroll come into that team, so it's not an easy decision to make but it's a good option to have. Plenty of flexibility and plenty of options.

Ejaria gets left out for me, talented footballer but not sure where he fits into the side, the only person he takes the place of is Rahman on the bench. Azeez is harsher because he can easily give a different dynamic, same with Mbengue if you decided not to take him. Dann there's no real point in having, we have better defenders currently, Tetek is on the fringes and needs a loan spell and the rest more minutes with the U21's or out on loan.

[Snowflake Royal]

God this is hard. There's a lot of good players, and as usual for us, we suit different and incompatible shapes in different areas of yhe pitch. For example, you pretty much have to play Ince, and he's best sitting behind the striker(s), but none of our strikers are working well on their own and two leaves us narrow and short in midfield or defence combined with Ince.

5-3-1-1
........................Lumley
........Yiadom, Holmes, Sarr
Hoilett.........Hutchinson.....NGW
.............Hendrick....Fornah
.................Ince
..............................Joao

4-4-2?
.....................Lumley
Yiadom, Holmes, Sarr, NGW
Hoilett, Loum, Fornah, Ince
...............Meite...Carroll

3-4-3?
.........................Lumley
..........Yiadom, Holmes, Sarr
Hoilett.....Loum......Fornah....NGW
..........................Ince
...................Joao......Long


Yikes. Tough job for Ince.

Christ alive it’s tough which is a good thing. Sadly, I still like 4-4-2 and would pretty much go with your choice but for me I’d have to squeeze Hutchinson into the team. There’s probably no facts to back it up but in my head we’re a better team with Hutchinson than without.

He's a nasty oxf*rd who adds some real bite to the team. So alongside his experience, very useful.

Essentially, centreback is strong, if a bit sluggish. I'd be happy to see any one of Holmes, Hutchinson, Sarr or McIntyre start, but some of the combinations are quite slow and immobile to play together. Midfield is solid, if not hugely inspiring. Full backs / wing backs are pretty good. Ince is excellent and the strikers all have a lot of potential, but none are performing more than about adequate right now.

[Hound]

Yeah it’s interesting as none of the teams put forward stand out as brilliant. Still issues all over the pitch in terms of being a top side but it should be capable mid table

Think you could swap in any of the first 20 players and still be much the same. But it’s nice to have options to change the style etc

[YorkshireRoyal99]

God this is hard. There's a lot of good players, and as usual for us, we suit different and incompatible shapes in different areas of yhe pitch. For example, you pretty much have to play Ince, and he's best sitting behind the striker(s), but none of our strikers are working well on their own and two leaves us narrow and short in midfield or defence combined with Ince.

5-3-1-1
........................Lumley
........Yiadom, Holmes, Sarr
Hoilett.........Hutchinson.....NGW
.............Hendrick....Fornah
.................Ince
..............................Joao

4-4-2?
.....................Lumley
Yiadom, Holmes, Sarr, NGW
Hoilett, Loum, Fornah, Ince
...............Meite...Carroll

3-4-3?
.........................Lumley
..........Yiadom, Holmes, Sarr
Hoilett.....Loum......Fornah....NGW
..........................Ince
...................Joao......Long


Yikes. Tough job for Ince.

Christ alive it’s tough which is a good thing. Sadly, I still like 4-4-2 and would pretty much go with your choice but for me I’d have to squeeze Hutchinson into the team. There’s probably no facts to back it up but in my head we’re a better team with Hutchinson than without.

With Hutchinson in the team this season (involvement, not just starts or anything:

P10 W5 D1 L4. Points 16. PPG is 1.6 (73.6 points over a season)

Without Hutchinson:

P13 W5 D1 L7. Points 16. PPG is 1.23 (56.6 points over a season)

Obviously tough to say how much of an impact Hutchinson has had on those figures, as the team in general was just better in the first 12-14 games (where he's been most involved) than from game 15 to now and there are probably a number of factors for that. But still, I don't doubt having an experienced leader in the middle of the pitch, be it midfield or defence, and having an aggressive player with more bite than bark has its benefits. Sometimes I see him as a bit too slow and a bit too rash, although that can be outweighed by bravery and a bit of steel in some scenario's.

The only reason I lean towards having him on the bench is for those reasons I've suggested, a bit slow and a bit rash. But obviously reasons to have him in over the likes of Sarr, Mbengue, Yiadom etc at CB or Loum, Hendrick or Fornah in midfield, but also reasons to have the others in as well. Suppose that's the beauty of having plenty of strong options.

[Zip]

Personally, I am enjoying the formation Ince currently has and with everyone fit, I'd be playing:

Lumley

Hoilett
Holmes
Sarr
McIntyre
NGW

Loum
Fornah
Hendrick

Ince

Joao

Hutchinson instead of Hendrick. I would have Yids in for TMac too.

[Hendo]

Personally, I am enjoying the formation Ince currently has and with everyone fit, I'd be playing:

Lumley

Hoilett
Holmes
Sarr
McIntyre
NGW

Loum
Fornah
Hendrick

Ince

Joao

Hutchinson instead of Hendrick. I would have Yids in for TMac too.

Hutchinson was the one I struggled to leave out.

Totally forgot about Yiadom

Yiadom for Hoilett.

[Zip]

Personally, I am enjoying the formation Ince currently has and with everyone fit, I'd be playing:

Lumley

Hoilett
Holmes
Sarr
McIntyre
NGW

Loum
Fornah
Hendrick

Ince

Joao

Hutchinson instead of Hendrick. I would have Yids in for TMac too.

Hutchinson was the one I struggled to leave out.

Totally forgot about Yiadom

Yiadom for Hoilett.

I'm ashamed of you Hendopops.

[SCIAG]

On one hand I want to drop Lumley, the worst goalkeeper in the league who doesn't play for Wigan, but it isn't like Bouzanis is much better. Hope we get Southwood back in January.

Centre backs - Yiadom and Holmes are musts. Probably go with McIntyre to provide some balance, and he's the best on the ball. Sarr not yet really had much time.

That means Hoilett and Rahman at wing back.

In midfield I'm going to go with... this is hard... I think Hutchinson and Loum will be the most "solid" pairing, so they're who I pick. Fornah to come on if we need some more energy, Hendrick to come on if we need a goal.

Front three of Ince and Ejaria behind Meite. Or if we want a strike partnership, Ince behind Meite and Joao.

If we played a back four I'd pick Yiadom, Holmes, Sarr, and Rahman. Hoilett and Ince would definitely play, and I'd have the same midfield... plus two of Meite, Joao, and Ejaria. Not sure how I'd balance the side.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

On one hand I want to drop Lumley, the worst goalkeeper in the league who doesn't play for Wigan, but it isn't like Bouzanis is much better. Hope we get Southwood back in January.

Centre backs - Yiadom and Holmes are musts. Probably go with McIntyre to provide some balance, and he's the best on the ball. Sarr not yet really had much time.

That means Hoilett and Rahman at wing back.

In midfield I'm going to go with... this is hard... I think Hutchinson and Loum will be the most "solid" pairing, so they're who I pick. Fornah to come on if we need some more energy, Hendrick to come on if we need a goal.

Front three of Ince and Ejaria behind Meite. Or if we want a strike partnership, Ince behind Meite and Joao.

If we played a back four I'd pick Yiadom, Holmes, Sarr, and Rahman. Hoilett and Ince would definitely play, and I'd have the same midfield... plus two of Meite, Joao, and Ejaria. Not sure how I'd balance the side.

I think it's hard to put Ejaria into the team really and I've actually been hoping he can display the talent he's obviously got, but he isn't doing. Think he is one that needs to be moved on, possibly in January if we can although it'll be tough.

Hendrick to come on if we need a goal made me chuckle, he has one all season. Harsh on Lumley as well, don't think he's the worst goalkeeper in the league and certainly don't think Southwood is the answer either.

[Hound]

A fully fit, on form and focussed Ejaria would be in my 11 without a doubt. Prob in CM with Loum or potentially at 10 with Ince moving to CF

But he seems a long long way from that atm

[YorkshireRoyal99]

A fully fit, on form and focussed Ejaria would be in my 11 without a doubt. Prob in CM with Loum or potentially at 10 with Ince moving to CF

But he seems a long long way from that atm

I think he was best during his initial loan spell in CM. I think we've tried to do that at times, but probably a combination of factors (including fitness as mentioned) has meant he hasn't been able to perform to his level. I don't think he's a wide player, not even coming inside off that channel.

But I don't think he suits how he play and I don't really think it's worth persisting with him. Even a loan deal away for half a season to help trim our wage bill so we can get someone in for the remainder of the season would be good enough business for me. Not sure we'd get a permanent transfer for him, but if we did I'd honestly take a hit on the price just to clear his wages as well.

[URZZZZ]

A fully fit, on form and focussed Ejaria would be in my 11 without a doubt. Prob in CM with Loum or potentially at 10 with Ince moving to CF

But he seems a long long way from that atm

I think he was best during his initial loan spell in CM. I think we've tried to do that at times, but probably a combination of factors (including fitness as mentioned) has meant he hasn't been able to perform to his level. I don't think he's a wide player, not even coming inside off that channel.

But I don't think he suits how he play and I don't really think it's worth persisting with him. Even a loan deal away for half a season to help trim our wage bill so we can get someone in for the remainder of the season would be good enough business for me. Not sure we'd get a permanent transfer for him, but if we did I'd honestly take a hit on the price just to clear his wages as well.

Ejaria spent most of his loan spell playing off the right/left, not in CM

Credit to him, he works hard and makes a number of interceptions. But I thought he was massively overrated in his loan spell here and nothing he’s done since (aside from the odd spell here and there) has convinced otherwise

[YorkshireRoyal99]

A fully fit, on form and focussed Ejaria would be in my 11 without a doubt. Prob in CM with Loum or potentially at 10 with Ince moving to CF

But he seems a long long way from that atm

I think he was best during his initial loan spell in CM. I think we've tried to do that at times, but probably a combination of factors (including fitness as mentioned) has meant he hasn't been able to perform to his level. I don't think he's a wide player, not even coming inside off that channel.

But I don't think he suits how he play and I don't really think it's worth persisting with him. Even a loan deal away for half a season to help trim our wage bill so we can get someone in for the remainder of the season would be good enough business for me. Not sure we'd get a permanent transfer for him, but if we did I'd honestly take a hit on the price just to clear his wages as well.

Ejaria spent most of his loan spell playing off the right/left, not in CM

Credit to him, he works hard and makes a number of interceptions. But I thought he was massively overrated in his loan spell here and nothing he’s done since (aside from the odd spell here and there) has convinced otherwise

His first loan spell in 18/19? The stats I'm looking at show 16 games, 11 games in CM/AM, 4 games on the left and 1 game on the right. In the first half of that season when he was at Rangers, he spent every game he played in CM/AM for them in the league and Europe.

At this point I'd probably take a million for him and just clear his wages, utilise that money elsewhere and bring someone else in if we can, or worst case scenario tie down Carroll and Mbengue to longer deals as well.

[Snowflake Royal]

A fully fit, on form and focussed Ejaria would be in my 11 without a doubt. Prob in CM with Loum or potentially at 10 with Ince moving to CF

But he seems a long long way from that atm

I think he was best during his initial loan spell in CM. I think we've tried to do that at times, but probably a combination of factors (including fitness as mentioned) has meant he hasn't been able to perform to his level. I don't think he's a wide player, not even coming inside off that channel.

But I don't think he suits how he play and I don't really think it's worth persisting with him. Even a loan deal away for half a season to help trim our wage bill so we can get someone in for the remainder of the season would be good enough business for me. Not sure we'd get a permanent transfer for him, but if we did I'd honestly take a hit on the price just to clear his wages as well.

Ejaria spent most of his loan spell playing off the right/left, not in CM

Credit to him, he works hard and makes a number of interceptions. But I thought he was massively overrated in his loan spell here and nothing he’s done since (aside from the odd spell here and there) has convinced otherwise

Easily the weakest of the magic loanees at the time.