он мог и карьеру здесь доиграть

Goalkeeper
Spencer is unchallenged here. He looks the real deal and I predict that he'll provide quick justification, if it were needed, for his arrival. Sad to see Ashton leave but this guy looks a more than adequate replacement. Shenton has gone back to Ramsbottom on a deal believed to be similar to last season in that he'll be on a dual registration and could be recalled if needed by us.

Fullbacks
Jacobs and Neville seem like automatic first choices. Armstrong and Horne both have looked solid in pre-season but will be unlikely to get in ahead of the incumbents. Further cover is provided by Stott who has played more RB in his career than CB. Cottrell could do an emergency job at LB but it would weaken us both in midfield and at LB if he were forced to spend any real time there.

Centrebacks
Jones and Stott look like the best bets for me but I appreciate that many advocate that Chadwick should still start. Parker has also done perfectly well in preseason with Munroe also looking decent in his few appearances. Can't see how we could carry 5 into the season so would have to imagine that someone (maybe 2) will move on.

Wide right
Wolfenden seemed the first choice here during much of last season and may well get the nod again this. Roca always strikes me as a great weapon to bring off of the bench for the final 20 minutes but he'll surely get his starts here too. The biggest and best surprise, for me anyway, this preseason has been the emergence of Edwards. If selection was based simply on preseason performances then he deserves first run in the 7 shirt.

Wide left
Jerome's boots were always going to be tough to fill. Metcalfe seemed to be the guy brought in to do just that but he's had a mixed preseason. All started well enough with a well taken goal at Broughton but since then his form has been patchy. Torpey has, perhaps, emerged as the 'most likely' but his preseason has been impacted by a coaching assignment in the USA so he will have little time to stake his claim before the first whistle at Stafford. Cheetham has done nothing wrong in preseason and is clearly a real talent. Despite being predominantly left-footed he doesn't seem like a prototypical winger to me - his cameo in central midfield at Clitheroe illustrates that there's much more to his game.

Central midfield
Cottrell must take one of the 3 places available here. His energy is irreplaceable and he does bring that bit of steel. Similarly I'd judge Platt as also having done enough to warrant his shirt, he seems to provide the best goalscoring threat from all of those who would be most likely to be positioned in the engine room. Then I'm really struggling to choose the final starter here. New arrival Carr has loads of experience and seems tenacious but somehow hasn't completely convinced me yet. Holden and Battersby have both shone at times in a kind of 'quarterback' position sitting deeper in central midfield. They are probably the 2 best passers in the squad and seem to be blessed with extraordinary vision to allow them to pick the killer pass from time to time. Grimshaw has also looked very good at times in the preseason. He seems full of energy and can also do a job on the left flank. Devenney looked impressive at Broughton but has been absent from recent squads. Carden has made sporadic appearances so far but has shown few glimpses to suggest that he'll warrant inclusion in the starting XI, he'll always be a legend but it looks like his time might have come. I would think that we'd be able to afford to lose 3 of these if we're looking to trim the squad down, glad that I don't have to choose which 3!

Striker
Norton will clearly get his share of goals as he has throughout his career as long as injury and suspensions don't get in the way. Deegan has scored one or two in preseason but still looks to me like he would need to play as one of a pair in order to do the most damage. Watson made a fleeting 45 minute appearance and has since fallen off of the radar. I have to say this is the only area that I see us not having the depth that I would prefer in our squad. Wolfenden, Torpey and Roca could all fill in up front - blimey even Parker could do a job there - but it would be great to see another 'proper' goal-scoring centre forward come on board.

All in all I'm convinced that this is the strongest squad that we've ever assembled. Now it's just down to Margy and Soulie to pick the right XI every week and we'll be right. My optimism, at this point in preseason, knows no bounds. Bring on United!

Ставочки на новый сезон:

Chester 2/1
FC Utd 7/1
Bradford PA 7/1

это на первое место или на проход?

Грыжа?