We need a core 9-10 players that can start every game. All of the top clubs do it and to provide any sort of consistency in our play we'll need to do it as well. You rarely see Arsenal, scum, Chelsea changing their starting 11 outside of maybe 1-2 players occasionally (Chelsea drop Deco occasionally, scum drop Berbatov, Arse drop Diaby/Eboue for Eduardo/Bendtner if more attack minded.).
For us imo
Given (obvious)
consistent starting back 4 depending on injuries/maybe switch for rest in Cup games.
Barry as lone DM (two DM against teams like Birmingham is madness.)
Ireland (best attacking mid by a distance)
SWP (best right winger/right mid by distance -- though Tevez can play there as well).
Adebayor (best striker)
Robinho when fit (best left winger/left mid. If underperforming can easily be dropped for Petrov/have Bellamy move over).
Bellamy as CF behind Ade (in the form of his life and certainly out performing Tevez)
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De Jong could come in for the bigger games and when we need to hold a lead, he was key in shutting down Arsenal when we played them and had Fabregas in his pocket the entire game, also did well as a sub in the first few games.
Tevez brilliant sub and could fill in at any attacking role.
Petrov/Johnson/RSC all good subs or cup starters.
Of course the problem is the number of defenders that will want a starting spot. Toure and Lescott are pretty nailed on to have their spots as is Bridge but then we can only fit two of Richards/Zab/Kompany/Nedum into the last defending spot and also the subs bench, leaving unhappy players. Don't know how Hughes is going to work that one out since Kompany and Ned are approaching full fitness now.
