I would swap Ward for Clyne or Ferguson if fit, No problem with Ward Defensively, but could do with a bit more attack minded, if its a game we expect to win

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn

No way Kouyate's part of our best 11. For me it looks something like this. Feel bad leaving Luka out as I think he's mustard, but when Eze is back fit...I just don't know where he fits!

Lots of people prematurely putting Olise in. We have no idea really how he'll step up yet. Also making use of OE as a wide forward, which PV said he has experience playing and is open to. (So not my idea.)

Guiata

Ward - Andersen - Guehi - Mitchell

Gallagher - McArthur

Eze

Eduoard - Benteke - Wilf

Edited by sprites (19 Sep 2021 9.13pm)

Amazing how good players become by not playing.

Who knows what Pat will go for, but this would be mine

Guiata

Clyne- Andersen - Guehi - Mitchell

Gallagher - McArthur

Eze

Olise - Eduoard - Wilf

But in the tougher games, I'd drop out Eze for Luka, and maybe Olise for Ayew

Just so nice to have options!

Which I assume is everyone that doesn't share your opinions

I'm not sure there's such a thing as a fixed starting XI these days. With squads, selection is at least in part based on the opposition. Saturday was a case in point; had we played, say, Southampton I think Olise might have got the start. At Anfield, it was always likely to be Ayew. With that said, Guaita, Anderson, Guehi, Gallagher, and Wilf I would expect to be the more or less ever presents barring injury. I think PV will always play with a DM which means one of Luka, Kouyate, and maybe even McArthur will have a role in every game. Ward and Clyne will probably be interchangeable; ditto Mitchell and Shlupp, depending on form and the opposition. By the end of the season I'd expect Olise to be playing more than Ayew and Edouard more than Benteke, particularly if the former hits a vein of goalscoring form. The most interesting question is where and how Eze is accommodated if and when he's back, and back to his best because I don't see a defensive midfielder being sacrificed to play Gallagher, Eze, Olise, and Wilf, in the same line-up. All that said, broadly I expect the starting XI will be:

Guaita

Ward
Guehi
Anderson
Mitchell

Kouyate or Luka (not sure who's ahead)

Gallager
McArthur (then Eze when fit)

Zaha
Edouard
Olise

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.