In a 4-2-3-1:
-----------Kenny
Byram-Lees-Peltier-Warnock
-------Green-Austin
Diouf---McCormack---White
-----------Varney
The back 5 picks itself, having been the 'solidest' defence we played last season - though still leaky when the opposition started putting balls in the area. Although a new centre back is still needed. Austin is preferred to Murphy because, while he's not as good a passer, he still has a pretty good long pass on him (on his day
) and he provides power through the middle with his direct running. While Diouf is very poor defensively, he links up well with Byram and is, arguably, the best crosser at the club. Green's energy will hopefully be able to cover Byram and Diouf. White is preferred to Hall or Poleon because I feel he's had the best pre season as a winger out of the three (although one hasn't exactly had a pre season). Varney has a good work rate, while also being more mobile than Hunt and Smith, so just pips them to the striker position.
Obviously there are other striker combinations, for instance: McCormack as the main striker with Murphy behind him, or Noel Hunt playing a role similar to Andy Keogh.
In a 4-1-2-1-2
------------Kenny
Byram-Lees-Peltier-Warnock
-----------Green
-------Austin-Murphy
--------McCormack
--------Diouf-Varney
The midfield and defence are obvious due to previous games. I have chosen the front three because Diouf can hold up the ball well, with McCormack or Varney playing off him, while Varney provides the most aerial threat and mobility next to the less than speedy Diouf.
Due to the lack of width and reliance on the full backs to get forward in the 4-1-2-1-2, the 4-2-3-1 is my preferred formation.
