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Topic: First eleven
1. Author: BlackLight Date: Sun 18th Jan 2026. 06:31 What a game. We were discussion NL`s performance as manager yesterday. Surely we`re now at the point where everyone can see the difference he`s making. One criticism could be that he`s not been able to settle on a consistent starting eleven, although we have had a lot of international call ups and a few injuries. Was yesterday the point at which the strongest starting eleven emerges? It would be pretty difficult to drop anyone from that defence. Maybe Matty Todd drops out with Kearney starting in that position? TOB played well, but I`d tend to start Amade instead of him, although not everyone likes Amade as much as me. Fraser and Gilmour were both immense. AJT, Zac and Olly Thomas look like a pretty formidable front three, but Morrison looks like he`s going to play himself into a starting role fairly quickly. I don`t know who I`d drop to fit him in though. I don`t really see where Bene walks back into the team, or Chris Kane or even John Tod. Terrell probably has a decent chance of getting the jersey back from Deniz at some point. Reply
2. Author: AdamAntsParsStripe Date: Sun 18th Jan 2026. 16:46 BlackLight, Sun 18 Jan 06:31 What a game. We were discussion NL`s performance as manager yesterday. Surely we`re now at the point where everyone can see the difference he`s making. One criticism could be that he`s not been able to settle on a consistent starting eleven, although we have had a lot of international call ups and a few injuries. Was yesterday the point at which the strongest starting eleven emerges? It would be pretty difficult to drop anyone from that defence. Maybe Matty Todd drops out with Kearney starting in that position? TOB played well, but I`d tend to start Amade instead of him, although not everyone likes Amade as much as me. Fraser and Gilmour were both immense. AJT, Zac and Olly Thomas look like a pretty formidable front three, but Morrison looks like he`s going to play himself into a starting role fairly quickly. I don`t know who I`d drop to fit him in though. I don`t really see where Bene walks back into the team, or Chris Kane or even John Tod. Terrell probably has a decent chance of getting the jersey back from Deniz at some point. Matty Todd was outstanding yesterday. He might lose the right wing back role but as we saw with the subs yesterday, he can play elsewhere on the pitch. It was a good call from Lennon not to simply replace him like for like but put him in his preferred position. Zwei Pints Bier und ein Päckchen Chips bitte Reply
3. Author: Rigger Al Date: Sun 18th Jan 2026. 17:08 AdamAntsParsStripe, Sun 18 Jan 16:46 BlackLight, Sun 18 Jan 06:31 What a game. We were discussion NL`s performance as manager yesterday. Surely we`re now at the point where everyone can see the difference he`s making. One criticism could be that he`s not been able to settle on a consistent starting eleven, although we have had a lot of international call ups and a few injuries. Was yesterday the point at which the strongest starting eleven emerges? It would be pretty difficult to drop anyone from that defence. Maybe Matty Todd drops out with Kearney starting in that position? TOB played well, but I`d tend to start Amade instead of him, although not everyone likes Amade as much as me. Fraser and Gilmour were both immense. AJT, Zac and Olly Thomas look like a pretty formidable front three, but Morrison looks like he`s going to play himself into a starting role fairly quickly. I don`t know who I`d drop to fit him in though. I don`t really see where Bene walks back into the team, or Chris Kane or even John Tod. Terrell probably has a decent chance of getting the jersey back from Deniz at some point. Matty Todd was outstanding yesterday. He might lose the right wing back role but as we saw with the subs yesterday, he can play elsewhere on the pitch. It was a good call from Lennon not to simply replace him like for like but put him in his preferred position. My thoughts are we prob wont see a steady starting 11 ,NL seems to prefer using the squad and each game on case by case scwnaio Reply
4. Author: 87Par Date: Sun 18th Jan 2026. 17:30 Hammy coming on shoring up the ship and how he wins headers as consistent as he does at his height is beyond me. Thats the extra inch you get from the local boys. Genuinely be boaking if any of them left us. Reply
5. Author: wee eck Date: Sun 18th Jan 2026. 17:30 I don`t think football today allows successful teams to get away with having s `first eleven`. With stricter time-keeping extending the playing time and the ability to make up to 5 substitutions teams must have a squad which gives the manager multiple options he can make without weakening the starting X1. Reply
6. Author: Indiapar1 Date: Mon 19th Jan 2026. 16:06 Agree wee eck. It's a squad game where the basis of the squad is equal competency, with variations in tactical approach. I think gone are the days where the same 11 start week after week. It's nuances of tactics, style of play and horses for courses. G Wardrope Post Edited (Mon 19 Jan 16:29) Reply
7. Author: neils Date: Mon 19th Jan 2026. 16:39 NL frequently changes tactics mid game, and the players know what to do, speaks volumes for the training, he knows what the individual players can do I agree it`s a real squad game now, the fitness levels needed even at our level have increased. Look at Matty Todd and Kieran Ngwenya, both have been outstanding, and I thought they were done. Reply
8. Author: Steviethepar2 Date: Mon 19th Jan 2026. 17:22 wee eck, Sun 18 Jan 17:30 I don`t think football today allows successful teams to get away with having s `first eleven`. With stricter time-keeping extending the playing time and the ability to make up to 5 substitutions teams must have a squad which gives the manager multiple options he can make without weakening the starting X1. 100% and given injuries — other teams changing tactics and rotating squads along with more scouting / video analysis of opponents we are in a dynamic times almost need to wait till team line ups to see how a game will go Without doubt ever manager wants the best 11 on the pitch for the game being played / tactics and they plan for how they use subs or change the a game as it goes and how opponents are really set up (especially when at full strength) Reply
9. Author: Ahoy!Ahoy! Date: Mon 19th Jan 2026. 19:08 The Raith and Hibs gave are the best I’ve seen Tash playing. Looked a real player in both games and appears to have found a good level of performances. I’ve never been his biggest fan but he’s impressed me massively over last couple of games. Same can be said about Ngwenya and Mehmet. Ngwenya needs tied down to a new contract, unsure when his current one is up, but what a centre half he’s been last few games. Definitely his position. Reply
10. Author: RossDAFC88 Date: Mon 19th Jan 2026. 21:30 Ahoy!Ahoy!, Mon 19 Jan 19:08 The Raith and Hibs gave are the best I’ve seen Tash playing. Looked a real player in both games and appears to have found a good level of performances. I’ve never been his biggest fan but he’s impressed me massively over last couple of games. Same can be said about Ngwenya and Mehmet. Ngwenya needs tied down to a new contract, unsure when his current one is up, but what a centre half he’s been last few games. Definitely his position. I’m happy to see Ngwenya finally putting in good performances, but that doesn’t mean he should be getting a new contract. Right now he’s got a platform to showcase himself and earn a move elsewhere, and that’s fine. Fans have been calling for a proper clear‑out for years, and for some players it’s simply time to move them on. If there’s anyone we should be tying down, it’s Mullen. Mehmet, Hosler, Ngwenya, Kane and Otoo can all be allowed to leave. We need fresh faces and real quality coming in to keep the project going. Reply
11. Author: PARrot Date: Tue 20th Jan 2026. 04:00 RossDAFC88, Mon 19 Jan 21:30 Ahoy!Ahoy!, Mon 19 Jan 19:08 The Raith and Hibs gave are the best I’ve seen Tash playing. Looked a real player in both games and appears to have found a good level of performances. I’ve never been his biggest fan but he’s impressed me massively over last couple of games. Same can be said about Ngwenya and Mehmet. Ngwenya needs tied down to a new contract, unsure when his current one is up, but what a centre half he’s been last few games. Definitely his position. I’m happy to see Ngwenya finally putting in good performances, but that doesn’t mean he should be getting a new contract. Right now he’s got a platform to showcase himself and earn a move elsewhere, and that’s fine. Fans have been calling for a proper clear‑out for years, and for some players it’s simply time to move them on. If there’s anyone we should be tying down, it’s Mullen. Mehmet, Hosler, Ngwenya, Kane and Otoo can all be allowed to leave. We need fresh faces and real quality coming in to keep the project going. I don`t see why you would include Ngwenya in that list. Surely the whole point is to bring on young players and improve them. He has definitely turned the corner, so why sell him just when we are benefiting from the effort. Reply
12. Author: GG Riva Date: Tue 20th Jan 2026. 08:34 I can`t see the logic in suggesting Mehmet and Ngwenya should be moved on, two days after both produced outstanding displays against a team comfortably in the top 5 of the Premiership. Not your average Sunday League player. Reply
13. Author: Bandy Date: Tue 20th Jan 2026. 09:55 Football fans are so fickle. People wrote of Ngwenya, now he`s one of the first names on the team sheet. Likewise Matty Todd. Tash is on something of a redemption arc, despite being described as a waste of a jersey. Now people are writing off Otoo who, this time last year was one of our best players. Lennon seems to be very adept at helping players regain their confidence and form. I don`t think we should be writing anyone off, or planning a clear out just yet. Reply
14. Author: wee eck Date: Tue 20th Jan 2026. 09:58 Well said, Bandy. Reply
15. Author: king lad Date: Tue 20th Jan 2026. 10:58 It`s all dependent on the interest in our players and the risk attached to letting them go. Maybe the management team have in their eyes, better players lined up in the summer and are willing to let them leave, or perhaps recent performances have persuaded them to keep them around for another year if the contract can be agreed. Ngwenya and Mehmet have played really well the last couple of games and I`d argue Mehmet has been the most consistent keeper of the three we`ve used this season disregarding recent years. In my eyes we could do a lot worse than having him as a backup/experienced mentor, I`d still want a standout #1 but that`s difficult to find at this level at times. On Ngwenya he was basically bombed out of the squad and has seemingly made LCB position his own since coming in, capitalising on players like Otoo struggling to perform there. This is all healthy competition in my opinion and so far Lennon has done a good job of not having "favourites" and trying to play the hot hand. It`s steady progress but I`m confident both Lennon and the new owners have been getting things right on the whole. Reply
16. Author: AdamAntsParsStripe Date: Tue 20th Jan 2026. 11:35 Bandy, Tue 20 Jan 09:55 Football fans are so fickle. People wrote of Ngwenya, now he`s one of the first names on the team sheet. Likewise Matty Todd. Tash is on something of a redemption arc, despite being described as a waste of a jersey. Now people are writing off Otoo who, this time last year was one of our best players. Lennon seems to be very adept at helping players regain their confidence and form. I don`t think we should be writing anyone off, or planning a clear out just yet. Always thought Otoo was better in midfield tbh. Driving forward and has a sweet shot on him as well. Zwei Pints Bier und ein Päckchen Chips bitte Reply
17. Author: Indiapar1 Date: Tue 20th Jan 2026. 15:14 I think its too early to talk about who will move on. I think NL will give everyone a chance rather than jumping to conclusions at this stage. G Wardrope Reply
18. Author: Sacktheref69 Date: Tue 20th Jan 2026. 17:03 Bandy, Tue 20 Jan 09:55 Football fans are so fickle. People wrote of Ngwenya, now he`s one of the first names on the team sheet. Likewise Matty Todd. Tash is on something of a redemption arc, despite being described as a waste of a jersey. Now people are writing off Otoo who, this time last year was one of our best players. Lennon seems to be very adept at helping players regain their confidence and form. I don`t think we should be writing anyone off, or planning a clear out just yet. Otoo has been poor since the apparent interest from LO. This is Andy Tod`s world and we are lucky to live in it. Reply
19. Author: NMCmassive Date: Tue 20th Jan 2026. 22:51 Tash was excellent against Hibs. Showed all his qualities but that doesn’t take away from Hammy or Amade. We are strong there, horses for courses. Terrell obviously has greater potential than Mehmet. I don’t know what the off field stuff is but he’s been benched for a reason, NL will be doing the right thing. Mehmet played well against Hibs, the 1v1 being the highlight. I still don’t think he’s good enough if we are serious about promotion. I’m more than happy with him as a backup. I think that was the first time I’ve heard NL getting a proper chant from us. He deserves it as well. I hope it gives him a boost. COYP Reply
20. Author: Jock Par36 Date: Thu 22nd Jan 2026. 07:08 I don`t think there is such a thing as a 1st eleven. Neil Lennon will pick his team according to the opposition we are playing against. He`ll pick his team tactically. Reply

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