Instead of just having the XI that I would pick for the games I will start collecting some views from the fans via various networks and will publish them either the evening before a game or the morning of the game. A few fans have been in touch for the Birmingham game and here are the teams they would go for, and why they have gone for that team.
Fan XI’s
Michael Barnaby XI
GK – Felix Wiedwald
RB – Luke Ayling (close call with Berardi).
CB – Pontus Jansson/Liam Cooper
LB – Cameron Borthwick-Jackson – (Like Berardi but Borthwick-Jackson needs a chance and we need more of an attacking threat overlapping on that side)
CM – Kalvin Phillips – (Tempted to give Klich and Anita a chance in here as I think they could both do a job and would definitely bring one of them on if not both from the bench)
CM – Ronaldo Vieira
LW – Gjanni Alioksi
CAM – Samu Saiz
RW – Pawel Cibicki – (Playing well at the minute, again, close call with Hernandez)
ST – Kemar Roofe (Although Ekuban when fit)
“I would bring on Hernandez, Anita or Klich and Lassoga or Grot. Berardi and or Pennington if defending a lead”
Kevin Bowman XI
I would change the formation for this one to a 4-1-2-3 to accommodate two attacking midfielders. Two reasons for this are we are playing a team who concedes a lot of goals and we have two great players in this position.
GK – Felix Wiedwald – (The best option right now. He is learning with each game that comes)
RB – Gaetano Berardi – (Big fan of Ayling but he has not been cutting it in the last few games so I’d give him a rest)
CB – Pontus Jansson – No questions with this choice, top quality)
CB – Conor Shaughnessy – (Cooper has been great bit I’d use this game against lowly opposition to give him a rest and give Shaughnessy some more game time as he looks promising)
LB – Cameron Borthwick-Jackson – (I thought he looked decent in the games he played and deserves a shot)
CDM – Ronaldo Vieira – (Perfect for the role)
RAM – Samu Saiz – (Enough said)
LAM – Pablo Hernandez – (Enough said)
RW – Pawel Cibicki – (I feel he’ll continue to grow as he gets used to the league more)
LW – Gjanni Alioski – (Always gives 100% and is top class on his day)
ST – Kemar Roofe – (I’d have him in the team every week. Top class talent and he will get into double figures soon enough)
Jorgen Severin Breck Eunarsen XI
GK – Felix Wiedwald
RB – Vurnon Anita – (Needs his chance, and Ayling needs a rest)
CB – Pontus Jansson/Liam Cooper
LB – Gaetano Berardi
CM – Ronaldo Vieira/Kalvin Phillips
RW – Gjanni Alioski
CAM – Samu Saiz
LW – Pablo Hernandez
ST – Kemar Roofe
“The four up front play great together, and can probably make Birmingham suffer. Saiz should be rested by now, and top motivated to reclaim “his spot” in the team. Ayling and Berardi need some rest, and the next match could provide the opportunity for one of them. I also feel Anita has a big part to play this season if he gets some game time. Would also like to see Dallas back on the pitch soon.”