Our strongest 11 now we know our squad.

[jayfox26]

Assuming everyone is fit, what do we think is our strongest 11 this season? I'd say certain positions are nailed on when fit, like Stolarczyk, Fatawu, Ricardo but it could be argued every other position is up for grabs. Of course with the amount of games we'll have, the team will change slightly from game to game.

 

For me using Marti's 4-2-3-1

 

Stolarczyk,.Ricardo, Okoli, Vestergaard, Thomas, James, Soumare, Ramsey, Fatawu, Mavididi, Carranza (hoping he's good as we don't want.Daka or Ayew starting regularly). 

 

Next 11 Begovic, Hamza, Nelson, Faes, kristiansen Winks, Skipp, Page, Ayew, Monga, Daka

 

I've gone with Mavi as starter over Monga as I feel Monga can offer so much more off the bench against tiring defences as we saw against Birmingham. Winks could be a challenge for Soumare if he gets his head sorted and gives his all. Same could also be said for Faes as we know he's good at this level but his relationship with the fans seems an issue. 

[HighPeakFox]

I think it's currently impossible to say, given 3 players have just signed.

[Lambert09]

what i like most about these signings, is that let’s say we get an injury to fatawu. Ramsey can play comfortably on either wing and JJ can play as a #10. between them we have added a great deal of depth whilst reducing the squad size. 

 

im not sure on the best 11 until we see everyone in action but on paper i still have concerns with soumare being the defensive minded cm. I may actually lean skipp … although best probably would have winks 

Edited 2 September 2025 by Lambert09

[The Horse's Mouth]

5 minutes ago, HighPeakFox said:

I think it's currently impossible to say, given 3 players have just signed.

We didn’t sign them to play in the u21s did we 

[HighPeakFox]

Just now, The Horse's Mouth said:

We didn’t sign them to play in the u21s did we 

That doesn't mean we automatically know the best XI, does it?

[dylanlegend]

Jakub

 

Ricardo

Faes

Okoli

Thomas

 

Winks

James

 

Monga

Ramsey

Fatawuu

 

Daka

[MaidstoneFox]

56 minutes ago, jayfox26 said:

Assuming everyone is fit, what do we think is our strongest 11 this season? I'd say certain positions are nailed on when fit, like Stolarczyk, Fatawu, Ricardo but it could be argued every other position is up for grabs. Of course with the amount of games we'll have, the team will change slightly from game to game.

 

For me using Marti's 4-2-3-1

 

Stolarczyk,.Ricardo, Okoli, Vestergaard, Thomas, James, Soumare, Ramsey, Fatawu, Mavididi, Carranza (hoping he's good as we don't want.Daka or Ayew starting regularly). 

 

Next 11 Begovic, Hamza, Nelson, Faes, kristiansen Winks, Skipp, Page, Ayew, Monga, Daka

 

I've gone with Mavi as starter over Monga as I feel Monga can offer so much more off the bench against tiring defences as we saw against Birmingham. Winks could be a challenge for Soumare if he gets his head sorted and gives his all. Same could also be said for Faes as we know he's good at this level but his relationship with the fans seems an issue. 

Still too many players. You've got BDCR, Souttar, Marcal, Golding, S.Thomas, Aluko, Evans, Cover, all kicking their heels and not in that 22.

[Trav Le Bleu]

2 hours ago, HighPeakFox said:

That doesn't mean we automatically know the best XI, does it?

Nor do we ever really and in truth, does such a thing exist? Horses for courses, etc.

 

The OP is merely speculating on the impact of our transfer business and asking who we think are here to be starters and who are here to be backup. It's nice that Marti will have the best part of 2 weeks to integrate them - the next team selection will be interesting!

 

All that said, I really have no idea, but I'm interested to see what other people think they think they know.

[jayfox26]

2 hours ago, HighPeakFox said:

That doesn't mean we automatically know the best XI, does it?

You can have an opinion on what you think our strongest 11 is but I get that we have 3 players that haven't actually kicked a ball for us yet 

[jayfox26]

2 hours ago, MaidstoneFox said:

Still too many players. You've got BDCR, Souttar, Marcal, Golding, S.Thomas, Aluko, Evans, Cover, all kicking their heels and not in that 22.

Marcel, Golding, Thomas and Cover aren't good enough in my opinion. Evans probably would have benefited from a loan and I'd rather forget we have BDCR. Souttar is out until November/December. 

[BeaumontFox]

3 hours ago, dylanlegend said:

Jakub

 

Ricardo

Faes

Okoli

Thomas

 

Winks

James

 

Monga

Ramsey

Fatawuu

 

Daka

Are you on crack!?

[Pliskin]

I think Faes will be worked back in, and Winks. If those two come back in, and the three new lads hit the ground running, this team is more than capable of being top two. 

[Sly]

Technically, the transfer window still isn’t shut worldwide.

 

Netherlands - Today at 23:00

Belgium - 8th September

Switzerland - 8th September

Greece - 12th September
Turkey - 12th September

Serbia - 17th September

Saudi Arabia - 23rd September

 

I could maybe see Daka, Faes, Kristiansen or even Winks going out yet to Turkey, Greece or Saudi. 

 

 

Edited 2 September 2025 by Sly

[Collymore]

4 hours ago, HighPeakFox said:

That doesn't mean we automatically know the best XI, does it?

 

2 hours ago, jayfox26 said:

You can have an opinion on what you think our strongest 11 is but I get that we have 3 players that haven't actually kicked a ball for us yet 

With Carranza, our track record with players means I wouldn't be surprised if we see him come on for 30 mins and then never see him make an appearance again! 

 

I hope that doesn't happen but it is quite possible! 

Edited 2 September 2025 by Collymore

[Sly]

Just now, Collymore said:

 

With Carranza, our track record with players means I wouldn't be surprised if we see him come on for 30 mins and then never see him make an appearance again! 

 

I hope that doesn't happen but it is quite possible! 

Worryingly, you’re not wrong! 

[Ted Maul]

Think we'll see a lot more of Ayew as a 10 than a some on here are expecting.

[Finn Claw II]

The squad feels much more balanced,  one top of the players in the original  post there is 

 

Souttar,, BDR, Marcal, Golding as well as Aluku and Bausor

 

Marcal and Golding need a loan possibly Aluku also

 

 

[MC Prussian]

Stolarczyk

 

Ricardo/Choudhury

Okoli

Vestergaard (yikes)

Thomas

 

Mavididi

James

Skipp

Fatawu

 

Ramsey

 

Carranza

 

Subs: Begovic, Faes (yikes), Ricardo/Choudhury, Soumaré (yikes), Winks, Ayew, Monga, Daka (yikes)

Looking a lot better, albeit maybe a bit "lightweight" in terms of defenders.

[Richmondfox]

1 hour ago, Ted Maul said:

Think we'll see a lot more of Ayew as a 10 than a some on here are expecting.

If that’s the case then the manager has learnt nothing. Unless he wants a greedy cheat who will stink out play over a pass to a team mate. 

 

The team seems more balanced in favour of players wanting to get the ball forward rather than donkeys too scared or useless at passing the ball. 

 

Get Faes and Ricardo back in the team and the right side will get the balls quickly to Fatawu.  Hopefully JJ will be pinging balls across the pitch for Mavadidi and Monga to run into space. 
 

 

[Spudulike]

1 hour ago, Collymore said:

 

With Carranza, our track record with players means I wouldn't be surprised if we see him come on for 30 mins and then never see him make an appearance again! 

 

I hope that doesn't happen but it is quite possible! 

It is quite possible but it's low risk though as he'll be returned to sender in the summer if he bomb's. Might work out and might score a few important goals. Need to start on a positive note and give him a chance. 

[CrazyKopCorner]

3 minutes ago, MC Prussian said:

Stolarczyk

 

Ricardo/Choudhury

Okoli

Vestergaard (yikes)

Thomas

 

Mavididi

James

Skipp

Fatawu

 

Ramsey

 

Carranza

 

Subs: Begovic, Faes (yikes), Ricardo/Choudhury, Soumaré (yikes), Winks, Ayew, Monga, Daka (yikes)

Looking a lot better, albeit maybe a bit "lightweight" in terms of defenders.

What about Nelson? 

[Finnegan]

Impossible to say because two of our signings are unknown quantities. 

 

The "dream" is probably:

 

Stolarczyk

Ricardo, Nelson, Vestergaard, Thomas 

Winks, JJ

Fatawu, Ramsey, Mavididi 

Carranza 

 

I have a suspicion next game will probably be:

 

Stolarczyk 

Hamza, Okoli, Vestergaard, Thomas

Soumare, JJ

Fatawu, Ramsey, Ayew 

Carranza 

 

Or if Ramsey isn't deemed ready, Fatawu, Ayew, Mavididi. 

 

[MC Prussian]

1 minute ago, CrazyKopCorner said:

What about Nelson? 

As long as Faes is still here, Nelson won't get past a Belgium international.

 

I suppose the same goes for Souttar in the case of Vestergaard.

 

And Kristiansen and De Cordova-Reid ought to find another club, too.

[Finnegan]

Yeah I think fans probably need to get used to the fact there's a lot more Faes to come. He's probably still out best centre back if people can put their personal feelings aside. I acknowledge that says more about our squad building than his ability. 

 

I think he'll get his starting place back alongside Vestergaard now the window is closed. 

 

Tbh, I hope Winks does too and I know that'll be unpopular as well. With JJ giving us a bit of strength in the middle I hope we can drop Bouba and properly get Winks back on board. Again, however unpopular he is, he's just better than the alternatives. 

 

[TonyN11]

Too early to say.

Cifuentes won't yet know either