Planet Swans ArchivesTwelve months ago it was David Moyes and it was at the Liberty, this time around it is Louis Van Gaal and the game is at Old Trafford but it couldn’t get much tougher for the Swans on the opening day as they head to the home of the most decorated team in English football history.
And without a doubt the Swans head there as the outsiders to get a point let alone a victory to start their season off but it presents a first challenge of the season for Garry Monk and the Swans as all the preparation goes to one side and for the first time this season, our attention turns to who Garry may turn to to make up his first starting XI of the season at Old Trafford.
I am a firm believer this week that many of the team picks itself with the likes of Fabianski, Taylor, Rangel, Williams, Shelvey, Gylfi and Bony picking themselves but there is some doubt around the formation and whether Garry may stick with his plan against Villarreal yesterday to keep Gomis and Bony into the side together.
That is possibly something that you could see happening for future games at home – maybe Burnley and West Brom before the month is out – but I just cannot see it on the opening day of the season at such a tough place to go and get a result.
As mentioned above, I can see 7 of the 11 players almost picking themselves which see some holes to be filled by four more players so what does that look like?
Firstly we look for a central defensive partner to line up alongside Ash. Chico for me was an absolute certainty to start this game before he departed these shores for Qatar so that leaves – unless we move into the transfer market this week – either Kyle Bartley or Jordi Amat to take the other place in the central defence position. We have, of course, been linked with a move for Fernandez and if that does come off this week then expect him to make his debut but I believe at the moment that given his longer game time yesterday Kyle Bartley is at the front of the queue to take a starting place next week so I expect to see him line up alongside Ash.
Then there is the defensive midfield position. Again, I have to take an assumption at the moment that we will not have a new face next week so I cannot see anyone other than Ki Sung-Yeung taking this place lining up alongside Jonjo and Gylfi in the three main midfield positions. In fairness he does not have much competition for this place with only really Jose Canas being an option but he is not destined to stay at the club so there is – in my view – no chance of that happening with any form of U-Turn.
That just leaves the two wide men. Neither Nathan Dyer or Wayne Routledge were in the squad yesterday as both have knocks at the moment and Marvin Emnes has already been confirmed as missing the opening games of the season. Jefferson Montero therefore you would assume is set for a start with either Dyer or Routledge taking the other flank position depending on the fitness of both (Dyer would get my vote if both were fit) We have to face the possibility that neither will be fit which opens a door for Bafetimbi Gomis to come into the starting line up but please leave Gylfi in the middle if this is to be the case.
So there you have it in our view a starting team of Fabianski, Rangel, Williams, Bartley, Taylor, Ki, Shelvey, Sigurdsson, Montero, Dyer and Bony is our prediction assuming fitness and no new signings which would change the outlook completely as we see it.
What would be your team selection for this fixture if you were Garry? You can use the Planet Swans selector feature to make your own selections for the game and post them in the comments boxes below and also on our forums.Click Here to make your selections
ENTER OUR 2014/15 PREDICTION LEAGUE HERE
How do you fancy joining the Planet Swans team of writers? You could share your views with the thousands of people who visit daily and make this site the only real place where you can discuss the Swans in depth 365/24/7? Simply send an email to phil@jackarmy.net to discuss further
<#jackarmy #mufc>
