First XI for Saturday

[Simon Pieman]

A more rationale argument would conclude that our starting XI at the tail end of last season is likely to be worse. There was a reason we finished bottom of the pile.

However, this starting XI is by no means better as nobody actually knows what it will be like. On paper possibly not, but conversely we have some experienced players who have done a decent job at this level.

Promotion is the goal, I am expecting it but not due to the strength of the playing side but simply because I think the size and stature of our club is a league one team and that's where we should be.

[Reg Smeeton]

So surely Alexander is no different to Connell now? Davis is Caddis? Hewlett is Smith? (though I can't see how he could be any worse) De Vita is Grazioli?

There are a lot of parallels!

For me Alexander was the punt on a young player from a higher level, who we paid a chunk for in the hope he might increase in value...it didn't quite work for him at the CG in a Parkin/Cox way, but he has shown himself to being a decent enough player in the lower leagues.

Connell has been around some years in the lower leagues and never done that much....I've seen him play against us 6 times and he's never impressed.  Connell has to work straight away, he's not one for the future.

Sol Davis was a good defender, but crap going forward...Caddis the opposite.

The key point in my assessment, is that Shears side looks weak on paper individually, it might click collectively, this is the alchemy that a good manager provides. We'll have a better idea on that at 5:00 pm Saturday.

[Bob's Orange]

For me Alexander was the punt on a young player from a higher level, who we paid a chunk for in the hope he might increase in value...it didn't quite work for him at the CG in a Parkin/Cox way, but he has shown himself to being a decent enough player in the lower leagues.

Connell has been around some years in the lower leagues and never done that much....I've seen him play against us 6 times and he's never impressed.  Connell has to work straight away, he's not one for the future.

Sol Davis was a good defender, but crap going forward...Caddis the opposite.

The key point in my assessment, is that Shears side looks weak on paper individually, it might click collectively, this is the alchemy that a good manager provides. We'll have a better idea on that at 5:00 pm Saturday.

Connell played in the leagues and was utilised on the left wing. Similar to Ball who was signed as a striker and played on the wing. Connell as a striker with Grimsby last season scored 30 goals. Lets hope he clicks in our team and carries on where he let off last season.

[juddie]

I havent a fucking clue if this side is shit or not.  I also dont have a clue as to whether crewe, pox, rovers, etc etc are shit.  Im not going to comment on whether this is the best or shitest side on the evidence of one match against long ball merchants from the zamaretto league.  I am, however, not going to make comment on a team before a ball is kicked in the league.  Frankly Im excited about seeing whether they are shit or great, who knows?  Its STFC, its not going to be a smooth ride, but STFC never give us a smooth and easy ride do they?

this

[Reg Smeeton]

Connell played in the leagues and was utilised on the left wing. Similar to Ball who was signed as a striker and played on the wing. Connell as a striker with Grimsby last season scored 30 goals. Lets hope he clicks in our team and carries on where he let off last season.

This kind of proves my point, I don't think Connell is strong enough to be a main striker, neither is De Vita....di Canio has acknowledged we need a strong man up front....we just haven't got one yet.  Which is part of the reason why the team especially up front looks weak.  A fit Esajas, would certainly make it look a lot stronger.

[Ƭ̵̬̊: The Artist Formerly Known as CWIG]

The most annoying part of reflecting on Gary Alexander is that King had scouted both Bobby Zamora and Alexander for Todd, advised him to go for Zamora and that cunt Todd spent more money on Alexander instead.

[Mark Hanrahan]

Smithy

Kennedy
Devera
Flint
Caddis

Ritchie
Risser
Smith (J)
Timlin

Connell
Rafa

The one surprise package I believe will be Esajas (just scraping a place on the bench) who'll probably come on for Tims around the hour mark, unless he's having a stormer or OR is blowing and Tims moves back inside.

[Mark Hanrahan]

One thing to add. Whilst it may be convenient to draw parrallels to previous sides but I'd be willing to bet a month's earnings that we're going to see more fight and desire from these guys than any other Town XI since Lou's time at the helm. The crucial difference is the change in reigime both in the dug out and the ambition (and prudent investment) remaining in the boardroom.

I have full belief that Paolo has - and will continue to - drive the boys harder and to better levels of personal and collective achievement than those we have become accustomed to watching over the past 15-odd years. At this level, that commitment will go a very, very long way.

[Highland Robin]

Just as I was about to weigh in with my opinion, Reg S said what I wanted to say:  The emphasis from di Canio seems to have been on teamwork with a strong work ethic and fitness to see them through 90 mins.  If that has been achieved, I think it may cover for any lack of individual skill.  What seems to be important for the strikers is that they know how to score (!!) - the level of their experience is less important.  What matters for them is the quality of the delivery to them.  (Having said that, I was talking to a certain quite well-known Livingston player at the weekend, and he rates de Vita highly both for skill and for poaching.)

So where Reg sounds a bit of a pessimist, I, on virtually the same grounds, remain eternally and irritatingly optimistic...(and i was one of those who believed longer than most that we would stay up last season!!!)

[Notts red]

Agree with Marks team. Would start Esajas before Timms though but don't think he will make next couple of games. Probably see a completely different starting 11 v City but still a strong side.

[Barnard]

We look weak down the left flank and up front to me.

I don't see that Devera is an unknown quantity and Caddis is an U21 Captain and should shine at this level. Ritchie will be very good and I can't see us losing the battle in the middle with Risser and Smith (assuming Smith can stay on the field for 90 minutes).

Kennedy as 1st choice left back worries me as does the lack of a real physical presence up front.

[Parkin09]

Will Callum be 1st choice once Cibocchi is fit?

[Arch Stanton]

I've not seen any of the new guys so I can't decide whether they're good or not, but with Timlin on the left it makes the side look massively unbalanced - which worries me.

Hopefully we'll all have a better idea of how good they are come 1700 on Saturday. Crewe are a seasoned lower division outfit and certainly no mugs so it'll be a good test - and yardstick.

[Barnard]

Will Callum be 1st choice once Cibocchi is fit?

I'd completely forgotten about Cibocchi. Do we know how long he's likely to be out?

[Doore]

I've not seen Kennedy, but I'm really hoping he'll come good.  There are far too few players to have come through the youth system and really broken into the first team in recent years.  The only two of the last few years are Morrison and Jutkiewizc.  Before that, Pook. 

I'm arguing with myself now - we've had a few successes but it would be nice to see another.