Predict the team for Bognor

[BenE]

Despite the better competition for places I think the strongest team is becoming fairly clear. I would like to see some more invention in midfield but no one has really stepped up to make sufficient claim on a place. Hence I think the team will be:
Cafer
Welch Hayes, Case, Jones, Straker
Murphy, Artus, Rigg
McCootie, Morgan, Watkins

[2weirdtown]

I think he'll stick with Batten (for Case) to start with

[Liam Shaw]

Think he'll opt for 4-4-2 and go with:
Cafer
Welch-Hayes Case Ball Straker
McCootie Artus Murphy Watkins
Morgan Jarvis

[Luton Roman]

Cafer hasn't played last 2. Southwood for Jo Jo and to start?

[Peter Newman]

I have seen a few of the friendlies and I have no idea what our starting 11 will be. I think it is likely to be only Welch-hayes, Straker and McCootie (assuming all fit) are certain to start. Strange that we can not even be sure who will be in goal and with there being real competition for all positions there seems to be no guaranteed places for players who were automatic choices last season.

[LB]

I was surprised that we didn't play more of the team that is likely to start at Bognor in the game at Yate - this close to the first game we still don't seem have firmed up on a keeper with Cafer having missed the last two. I would be surprised if Jones starts as he has only played one half of each of the four games so far.
I have a feeling that team selection will be a bit 'horses for courses' and might be varied depending on the opposition so bearing in mind that Saturday is away I think it will be 4-4-2:
Cafer
Welch-Hayes, Case, Batten (or Ball if he is not fit), Straker
McCootie, Rigg, Artus, Murphy,
Morgan, Watkins

[Dusty Lynfield]

I think Gary will go with:

Cafer
Rigg, Jones, Batten, Welch-Hayes
McCootie, Murphy, Case, Straker
Morgan, Watkins

Straker will drop back to full back when Compton is fit.

My son thinks it will be 3-4-3:

Cafer
Batten,Jones,Case
Welch-Hayes,Murphy,Artus,Straker
McCootie,Watkins
Morgan

[shaftesbury18]

Gary's team for Saturday

Cafer, Welch-Hayes, Batten, Case , Straker, Murphy, Artus, Rigg, Lucas, Morgan, Watkins.

I've got a feeling that 3 to 4 games in we will know our best side

.Just hope we have points on the board in the first crucial games!

[yuffie]

Here we go then:

Cafer
Welch-Hayes, Jones, Batten, Straker
McCootie, Artus, Murphy, Watkins
Jarvis, Lucas

Though given that Lucas had prolonged treatment to his ankle near the end of the Yate game (he did carry on to the end of the match) if he's not fit I could see Gary going:

Cafer
Welch-Hayes, Jones, Batten, Straker
McCootie, Artus, Murphy, Watkins
Diallo
Morgan

I think if he plays one up front it's Morgan with someone playing off him but if he plays two it will be Jarvis and Lucas.

[stillmanjunior]

Here we go then:

Cafer
Welch-Hayes, Jones, Batten, Straker
McCootie, Artus, Murphy, Watkins
Jarvis, Lucas

Similar to mine, but I think Case will be slotted in somehow, maybe in front of the back four with Jarvis missing out.

Rigg would be very unfortunate to miss out but hard to see where he fits in.

Looks like the strongest squad we've had for a while, even having three potential goalkeepers is remarkable. I'm not including Woolacott as Gary dropped a few hints that even if he's fit, he isn't likely to suddenly throw him in for the opening game having not played for us pre-season.

[Manchester Romans]

I 'll go with the following starting XI

Southwood
Welch-Hayes Jones Batten Straker
Case
Murphy Artus
McCootie Morgan Watkins

[Roy D Hacksaw]

I get the feeling that Jones will start pretty much any game where he's still just about able to walk this season. He's been given the captain's armband for the games he's played in so far, and seems to be the kind of presence at the back that a lot of managers like at this level.

The punters, however, might not be as keen, as he seems a bit slow and immobile from what we've seen so far - although hopefully that's more down to his state of fitness than any indication of what he's going to be like when the season kicks in.

[kermit]

And of course we need Jones for the free kicks just outside the box

[westonpundit]

My feeling is that we will want to keep it tight for a first run out this season and for once we have plenty of options on the bench to freshen it up more offensively mid way through the second half.

May opt for some security in front of the back four until game beds down and start with :-

Cafer
Welsh-Hayes, Batten Jones, Straker
Case
McCootie, Artus, Murphy, Watkins
Morgan.

All the best lads..............up the City !!

[2weirdtown]

You can 'vote' for your prediction in the Chron by entering your selection here, about halfway down the piece.

http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bath-city-boss-gary-owers-276808#du_top

[sned]

Southwood

Welch-Hayes; Jones; Ball; Straker

Murphy; Case; Artus

McCootie; Morgan; Watkins



Really tricky. Hard to decide the front 3.

[2weirdtown]

Southwood

Welch-Hayes; Jones; Ball; Straker

Murphy; Case; Artus

McCootie; Morgan; Watkins

Really tricky. Hard to decide the front 3.

Yes, I'd be surpised if the front 3 were any different from that tried and tested - unless McCootie's injury hasn't cleared up.

[comrade powell]

final table, showing number of correct predictions...

9 manc romans*
------------------------
9 sned
8 benny
8 liam
8 son of dusty
8 weston pundit
7 lb
7 dusty
7 shaftesbury
--------------------
7 yuffie
7 junior

* awarded title as he presumably saw none of the friendlies

[Manchester Romans]

Cheers! Good to get some silverware in the cabinet so early in the season!

[Luton Roman]

Awaiting international clearance for Cafer and Crompton.

[BenE]

I didn't realise it was a compo when I started the thread off.

I actually knew Nick wouldn't feature as I spoke to him at the open day but couldn't be @rrised to change my prediction.

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