I'm bored. So it's prediction time for the opening day starting 11.
GK: Ripley - Nothing needs to be said.
RCB: Clarke - Has to play. Club captain and much needed leadership. Don't see much of a future for him here in a midfield 2, so it's going to have to be at centre back.
CB: Wright - Given the license to spray the ball around as the middle centre back.
LCB: Wilson-Brown - Will get the nod over Delaney. Will add much needed recovery pace to this defence.
RWB: Snowdon - This will come too early for McGregor. No other realistic options here.
LWB: Munroe - I am JUST giving him the nod over Kirkman. It's harsh - I'm not fussed either way who he goes with, but I imagine we'll be under pressure from Villa to play this kid.
CM: Kilkenny - Has to play for me. Oldaker will feel hard done by, but he will get plenty of opportunities as the season progresses.
CM: Nichols - Holloway will play him. His work rate, his pressing, his intelligence to take up clever positions. I was particularly impressed with how well these 2 played together away at Grimsby. I think he'll go for tried and tested.
RW: Drinan - No brainer. Is he more talented than Bodin or Glatzel? absolutely not, but we are a better side with him in it. Another who will press all day and bring the best out of others. Can be sacrificed in the second half for more flair.
ST: Smith - Obviously.
LW: Ameen - This kids time to shine. He will almost certainly start.
Bench: Ward, Kirkman, Ball, Oldaker, Glatzel, Tabor, Bodin
Left out of squad: Minturn, Delaney, McGregor (fitness), Mabete, Mitchell, Butterworth.
Pretty much how I see it although Ball to start as part of a back 3, with Clarke moving in to midfield and either Nichols or more likely Ameen on the bench. Increased height may well be a factor in the selection as IIRC Walsall are a fairly direct and physical team. Tabor, Bodin, Ameen, Glatzel and Oldaker as subs offer us plenty of options later on if the cavalry are required.
Poll
