I'd personally have raddi or pato in the middle if were playing 451 (from what ive seem pato likes to blaze through the middle as well).

Maybe run a:
--------------geddy--------
pato-----raddi-----abdoun
----mackie-------------------
--------------------hendo----
if laying all the chips on the table.

Its a strong team regardless

It's a nice problem to have.........whatever the combination, we're going to have some quality on the bench

I'm looking forward to this season and BD really has no excuses. We have enough decent players to put two good Championship teams out, apart from at left back. We have the midfield players to play 4-4-2, 4-5-1, 4-3-3 too.

---------------De Vries-------------
Jara--Hobbs--Halford--Harding
-------------Guedioura---------------
Lansbury---Majewski---Abdoun
--------Henderson---Cox-----------

or

----------------Darlow--------------
Lichaj--Lascelles--Collins--Cohen
---------------Moussi-------------------
Paterson-----Reid-------Mackie
--------Blackstock---Mackie-----------

Oops, I meant D***yshire instead of Mackie up front in the second team!

still baffles me tudgay got a contract. we have hendo, cox, dex and probably derbyshire and maybe even miller all ahead of him in the pecking order atm. should have got rid and should still get rid of derbyshire and miller alongside him so we can free up squad space for a new striker

It's confusing, BD likes him though. As far down the pecking order he is he has the habit of popping up with goals so no big deal.

D***yshire is worth sticking with and Miller has talent. I'm not keen on getting rid of either with Blackstock in the form he's in.

When u set the two sides out that like Lloyd it's amazing to think how big the squad is. We can hardly complain about players coming in but maybe sometimes a bit of quality over quantity would be better

Really, I'm happy with any of that lot playing. I think the obvious gap is left back....still. Also though I think Guedioura's wasted in a deep midfield role and although we've got strong midfielders that's a gap too and I can see why we're after Leadbitter.

I am guessing that Billy Davies wants to use a system of rotation this season, as he has always complained about tired players in the past, and looking at the current squad there's more than enough talent available for that.

If that's the case then I would expect a few more new faces (possibly loans now), and although I can't see it happening, if Austin signs for us we'll have a fantastic chance to finish in the top 2.

Whatever happens though, Fawaz can't be faulted for his efforts.

Interesting how everyone seems to have Henderson up front. What about Derbshire and his goals?

I think we'll start tomorrow with a team something like


-------------------------Darlow---------------------------

Lichaj ---------Hobbs------Halford---------Cohen


Mackie--------Guedioura--Lansbury-------Reid

------------------Cox-----Derbyshire---------------

Subs

De Vries
Collins
Jara
Patterson
Abdoun
Majewski
Henderson

De vries to cover Darlow
Jara gives us full back cover,able to replace Lichaj or cohen,or shuffle them around if needed.
Collins gives us centre back cover.(though hope we find a replacement)
Patterson and Abdoun allow us to change to more width,where mackie can move further up front if needed,allowing us still 4 forward options in the squad with Cox,Derbyshire and Hendo.
Maj covers Lansbury,even Reidy can be moved over to that position,and Cohen can be moved into centre midfield if anything happens to Guedioura.

I don't think Billy will start this season much different to last seasons formations and tactics even though he has more width at his disposal.I think billy will add more width to the team during games,when what we are doing needs changing up or when Reidy runs out of steam.

I think Derbyshire's preseason efforts have earned him a start tomorrow,though I don't think it'll be long before dex or hopefully a new striker replaces him in the starting squad.