23 player squad, with three GKs, and 20 outfielders - two for each position.
Maybe this:
Formation
'Twin CAM' with no striker; Nichols expected to get forward. Wingers encouraged to move infield and link with the CAMS; Fullbacks to overlap. I believe those four will score goals.
Positions
Smith - the ruthless option (as used with Parkhouse) would be to have him play Handa Prem this year and bring in another keeper (and another under 20 player for the squad - three are needed). IMO whoever threw him in to the squad last year did no-one any favours.
Cacace vs Doyle - Cacace a better attacking option. Doyle overlaps well, but Cacace is better at creating and sustaining attacking moves.
Fox vs Durante vs Taylor - who starts is TBC.
DR - while Fox, Lowry and Fenton have all played there, there's a hole there - need a quality RB and cover.
DM - Quality DM needed, worth using an import slot on. Also cover for Kopczynski
Cover for Singh - another skilful creative playmaker... who?
Cover for Nichols - maybe a big strong traditional striker (with a good touch and awareness of the off-side rule), and good in the air, to give another attacking option.
Cover for Krishna - who?
Williams vs Burns - Williams starts on end-of-season form, IMO.
Fenton - being used as attacking mid in trial games; has played FB. I don't see him as a CAM though. Could cover FB, wing and DM (all R). A good sub?
Already there is genuine competitions for some positions - Burns on Williams, Krishna and Nicols, and between the centre backs. Rudan will be aiming to have pressure on all positions by the time the squad is finalised.
Would be interesting also to try Cacace at L DM, and Doyle at LB... like this:
I like this. Cacace, Singh, Nicols, Krishna and Williams are all creative skilful players. Maybe Kopetc too, TBC.
