Second XI

[Sooper Steve's shin]

I was watching one of the Premiee League preview shows looking at the strength in depth of the top teams. Man City’s second XI could probably win the league, others are noticeably weaker. They did not go outside the top six but it got me thinking about ours and I think it must be the strongest reserve team we’ve ever had - using the same system as we’ve played with to date you could make the following sides without even considering players on loan:

 

First XI:

 

Schmeichel

 

Ricardo

Morgan

Maguire

Chilwell

 

Ndidi

Mendy

 

Gray

Maddison

Ghezzal

 

Vardy

 

Second XI:

 

Ward

 

Simpson

Evans

Soyuncu

Fuchs

 

Iborra

Silva

 

Albrighton

Okazaki

Diabate

 

Iheanacho

 

Unlike many times in our past, I would not be too upset if we fielded that “second XI”. There are a few arguable cases, perhaps only Schmeichel, Maguire and Vardy as absolutely nailed on starters. We don’t seem to have a group of untouchables and the competition must be good, plus we have others even outside this 22 (Choudhury, Barnes, James, Jakupovic, Benkovic). 

 

Always dangerous to post this kind of thing three hours before kick-off on a Saturday - it won’t feel quite so rosy if we fail to turn up this afternoon and Bournemouth smash us, but with the depth we now have there should no longer be an excuse for something like that. Outside the top six, it’s difficult to think of teams that could put together a similar second string. 

[StriderHiryu]

It's the best squad we've ever had. That's why we should really be pushing on and hopefully getting European football. Once our current younger players are 1-2 years older we should be able to handle 2 games a week with different teams for Europe and the league.

 

I expect a few fringe players will leave again at the end of the season due to the lack of games they will get this year, but it's likely we will 1-1 replace where needed. Recruitment seems to have gotten much better of recent.

[Langston]

26 minutes ago, Sooper Steve's shin said:

I was watching one of the Premiee League preview shows looking at the strength in depth of the top teams. Man City’s second XI could probably win the league, others are noticeably weaker. They did not go outside the top six but it got me thinking about ours and I think it must be the strongest reserve team we’ve ever had - using the same system as we’ve played with to date you could make the following sides without even considering players on loan:

 

First XI:

 

Schmeichel

 

Ricardo

Morgan

Maguire

Chilwell

 

Ndidi

Mendy

 

Gray

Maddison

Ghezzal

 

Vardy

 

Second XI:

 

Ward

 

Simpson

Evans

Soyuncu

Fuchs

 

Iborra

Silva

 

Albrighton

Okazaki

Diabate

 

Iheanacho

 

Unlike many times in our past, I would not be too upset if we fielded that “second XI”. There are a few arguable cases, perhaps only Schmeichel, Maguire and Vardy as absolutely nailed on starters. We don’t seem to have a group of untouchables and the competition must be good, plus we have others even outside this 22 (Choudhury, Barnes, James, Jakupovic, Benkovic). 

 

Always dangerous to post this kind of thing three hours before kick-off on a Saturday - it won’t feel quite so rosy if we fail to turn up this afternoon and Bournemouth smash us, but with the depth we now have there should no longer be an excuse for something like that. Outside the top six, it’s difficult to think of teams that could put together a similar second string. 

 

I'd have Wilf as a nailed on starter too, Ricardo as well (although he might start in different positions game-to-game).

[fazzyfox]

If and when they're all available, bearing in mind that with only seven of the second 11 making the bench it means Simpson, one of the CBs, Diabate probably but then a difficult choice as to which other - currently looking like Iborra or Silva would all miss out. It allows a horses for courses approach where it can be rotated to suit the circumstances. Just noticed there's Amartey to consider too. There's a few unknown things, can Mendy avoid injury, will Ghezall and Gray become the regular starters, it will be interesting to see where Soyuncu fits in the CB pecking order and hopefully Evans is capable of offering more than he did vs Wolves.

Debatable perhaps whether we need a CB on the bench if Fuchs can cover in an emergency.

 

All in all a younger squad, ability to interchange (wingers swapping wings, Ricardo playing on wing etc), creativity and spark of Maddison, attacking full backs, all looking comfortable with the style of play. Nice to have options, will come in handy over Christmas period and during our long long cup runs....

[foxes_rule1978]

Looks strong, be nice to win a cup this season and we do have the depth to challenge