Best Current Starting 11?

With no matches to discuss but having now played 9 matches (including 1 Cup & 1 Trophy match) we’ve been able to see the new players in action and see how last seasons players have adapted to the step up. We still have some injures but by the time Oxford rolls around who would you pick to start if the power was in your hands?

My starting 11 would be:

Belshaw

Gibbons Ness Bedeau

Tsaroulla Palmer Finneran Samuels-Smith

Cooper Mustapha

Kanu

The keeper and defence picks itself for me, but one of the tougher decisions was at left wingback. I think Lipsuic has been solid but being on the ‘wrong-side’ hampers him a bit, especially going forward. I would like to see him play on the right-hand side. I’ve not seen a lot of Samuels-Smith but he is very athletic and naturally left-footed I just have a hunch that he could be most suited here.

In terms of the midfield, I think Evans is great in terms of tenacity and pressing, but with Palmer back in the middle it potentially frees up Finneran a bit more to do this. I think a partnership of Palmer and Finneran allows us to be more in control and build out from the back more effectively.

Finally the last attacking spot was between Mustapha and Roberts. I think the athleticism and dynamism of Mustapha just shaded it, but I’m pretty 50/50 because Cal has been more of goal threat and his set-pieces are more often than not very effective too. I genuinely wouldn’t mind either or even both starting.

Upfront I went for Kanu, he was really impressive on loan at Walsall and I don’t think we have seen the best of him yet.