Play Off Finals

So who would you swap out? I’ve got to say there’s not many I would. This team seems to have a decent balance as mentioned earlier. Up front we are very different but probably fairly even. Likewise at the back.

Tell you one thing though it’s be a decent game between the two sides

Quoted from Theimperialcoroner

So who would you swap out? I’ve got to say there’s not many I would. This team seems to have a decent balance as mentioned earlier. Up front we are very different but probably fairly even. Likewise at the back.

Tell you one thing though it’s be a decent game between the two sides

You'd have to make room for Disley.

Don't know who he would replace though. Probably Holahan from the current set up.

Quoted from Theimperialcoroner

So who would you swap out? I’ve got to say there’s not many I would. This team seems to have a decent balance as mentioned earlier. Up front we are very different but probably fairly even. Likewise at the back.

Tell you one thing though it’s be a decent game between the two sides

I think Tait ,Toto,Robertson ,Nolan ,Disley Bogle, and almond would have a good shout for selection

My combined best XI I reckon;

Macca (pre this season version)

Tait
Toto
Gowling
Amos

Disley
Clifton
Nolan

McAtee
Podge
Arnold

Bench:
Waterfall
Holohan
Smith
Manni
Bogle

That was tougher than I thought actually but shows what a god team 2016 was, and just how well Hursty has done to build the current inside one season, considering this is probably the 3rd or 4th version of the team we’ve seen this year!

You’d have Gowling over Waterfall? I wouldn’t.

Quoted from chaos33

You’d have Gowling over Waterfall? I wouldn’t.

I really liked Gowling when he played for us as a player and person, Waterfall has done better though.

One thing to note/question to pose. We’ll never be able to tell but how well would the 2016 Team have done in a much more competitive and overall better standard of National League in 2021/22?

For what it’s worth….

Macca in for Max
Tait ahead of Cropper
Dis for Gav
Nolan for Clifton
Arnold for Sousa

Controversy I guess is that I wouldn’t pick Podge & Bogle that’s purely based upon Taylor & McAtee not really putting a foot wrong this term.

This is pure make it up stuff, overall I think the current team is better in terms of blend and certainly when the best 11 are out the ability to break sides down as they have more than one way of playing.

Some might think this is controversial, but Craig Clay returning to the side was the biggest factor in us turning around the 1st Leg deficit and then winning the Final. We were a much better side with him in the team that season than without him.

He started 31 league games (29 league & 2 play-offs)...
Won 17 (54.8%)
Drew 8
Lost 6 (19.4%)

The 18 games (17 league & 1 play-off) where he didn't start...
Won 7 (38.9%)
Drew 6
Lost 5 (27.8%)

Compare that to the much heralded Jon Nolan who started 17 league & all 3 play-off matches...
Won 9 (45%)
Drew 4
Lost 7 (35%)

Any way, my combined XI...

                Crocombe
Tait    Waterfall    Nsiala    Robertson
Arnold       Clay        Fox       Nolan
          McAtee         Bogle

Subs: Gowling, Disley, Sousa, Amond & Taylor

Not much between the two squads and this season’s probably shades it with a stronger bench. I bet Hurst would love to have to pick two or three of Bogle, Amond, McAtee and Taylor though.

I think the main difference between the 2 teams is the confidence that tomorrow’s team have at the moment, the never give up mentality of the present team maybe makes up for their skill levels of 2016 team, I’m so optimistic that this team will not disappoint tomorrow and I don’t believe Hursty will allow them to, the big thing I have noticed in recent games is the introduction of subs at a much earlier stage of the game if things were not going to plan which was very much against what Hursty wanted earlier in the season.