Spoilt for Choice!

Canary Legend and one my all time favourite Norwich City legends Darren Eadie (@eadie11) just sparked a very interesting Twitter debate over people's ideal starting XI based on the current Squad of players...

There are some consistents obviously in John Ruddy and Ricky Van Wolfwinkel but everywhere else seems to be a free for all...

To put it into context here is my ideal Starting XI:

GK - John Ruddy
LB - Javier Garrido
RB - Russell Martin
CB - Sebastian Bassong
CB - Michael Turner
LM - Anthony Pilkington
RM - Robert Snodgrass
CM - Leroy Fer
CAM - Nathan Redmond
ST - Ricky van Wolfwinkel
ST - Gary Hooper

Bench:
GK - Mark Bunn
RB - Steven Whittaker
CB - Ryan Bennett
LB - Martin Ollson
CM - Bradley Johnson
CM - Johnny Howson
ST - Luciano Becchio

But here is the problem:

Elliot Bennett - had a fantastic close to the season and has started very brightly in pre season. Pacey, good crosser, not overly consistent but still worthy of a spot but who do you take out? Pilks? Snoddy? Seems hard doesn't it!

Steven Whittaker - had a great run when he came back from injury his link up play with Snoddy against Swansea in particular. He's pacey and is good when going forward but I could never take Martin out of the starting XI so what can you do?

Bradley Johnson - Fantastic for us last year but Leroy Fer is a better box to box mid and a better defensive mid.

Alex Tettey - had some moments of genius last year but again who do you take out, Fer? Johnson?

Johnny Howson - was fairly average for most of the season but when allowed that free attacking role in the final couple of games he came to life... but again who do you take out? Redmond who is currently the stand out player from pre season?

Wesley Hoolahan - Norfolks Messi... for me he's easier to lose just because I don't think he is consistent enough and hasn't been for almost a year. But still I can't even get him on the bench?!

Ryan Bennett - He was magnificent when he came in for the injured Michael Turner and it is hard not to include him over Turner BUT I think at this stage he still has a little development to make.

Daniel Ayala - somewhat easier choice but still he has been fantastic in pre season showing maturity and class at the back. I think one or two more seasons and he could be a regular starter for sure!

Martin Ollson - I can see him and Garrido sharing the left back role next year, I suspect that Ollson would be utilized in away games because he has more pace so we can play counter attack better... but at home I can't see Garrido being nudged out.

So you can see the problem!

We really are spoilt for choice. Sure we could field a different team each week but that doesn't allow anyone to gel...

If you think about it though our cup dreams could be realized this year in that our cup team could look something like this:

GK - Mark Bunn
LB - Martin Ollson
CB - Daniel Ayala
CB - Ryan Bennett
RB - Steven Whittaker
LM - Elliot Bennett
RM - Josh Murphy
CM - Bradley Johnson
CM - Johnny Howson
CAM - Wesley Hoolahan
ST - Luciano Becchio

All in all I think we have a very exciting year ahead of us... and yeah it's horrible to have to bench of drop people who we like a lot but we have to play the best team and it's a good thing that we are spoilt for choice! Would rather that than not have enough players.

Let me know your thoughts by commenting or tweet me @chrisdeighton

'till next time

ON THE BALL CITY!