Town continue their pre-season friendly programme with a visit to Championship Millwall on Saturday afternoon (KO 3pm).

With the opening game of the League One season at home to Bolton Wanderers only a week away, manager Kieran McKenna was asked whether the team which would line-up at the Den would be close to what might be considered his first XI.

“I think with the strength of our squad, I’m not really interested in the thought of a first-choice XI,” he said, speaking after last week’s 3-0 win at AFC Wimbledon.

“I think if you want to have really, really good depth like we have, you can’t play the same XI every week.

“I’m not interested in what our first-choice XI is, I’m interested in having a really strong group of players and having the right team available for different games.

“At the moment, from this week we’ll start turning our eyes towards Bolton a little bit and what that game will look like and what team will play, and obviously we’re going to want a good amount of those players on the pitch against Millwall next weekend because it’s going to be a great challenge.

“But we’re not looking for that magic recipe of a first-choice XI because we’re going to have a strong squad, we’re going to have very capable depth of two players in each position and I’m going to have to use that squad over the course of a season.”

Is the idea of managers having a first XI or a best team perhaps a dated one these days? “Yes, at some clubs it is, obviously at the higher levels of the game it may be more prevalent. If you look at the top couple of teams in the Premier League you’d probably struggle to name their first XI.

“That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the only way to do it but I think if you want to have a strong squad and have equal depth across two good players and two really strong people competing for each position.

“You don’t necessarily have to have a first-choice XI, I think you can train and develop the team in certain ways that certain games are going to suit some people more than they’re going to suit others and pick your team accordingly and that can enable you to stay fresh over the course of the season and people contribute in different ways at different times.”

As at Wimbledon, it’s likely most of those that start will play the full 90 minutes with the players not involved or making only brief appearances probably playing against Southend United in the final friendly of pre-season at Portman Road on Tuesday.

McKenna will hope winger Kyle Edwards is back from the knock which has kept him out of action since prior to the West Ham match, although the former West Brom man seems more likely to play against the Shrimpers than the Lions.

New signing Marcus Harness could make his first appearance in a Town shirt.

The game will see the Blues reunited with former goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski, while another former Town glovesman, Andy Marshall, is their keeper-coach.

Fans travelling to the game should note that Greater Anglia will be impacted by strikes on Saturday.

As of earlier in the week, the Blues had sold 420 tickets for the match with 40 remaining for sale and with a further allocation available on the day. Prices are £11.50 for adults, £8.50 for seniors (64-plus and under-22) and £6.50 for under-18s.

Photo: TWTD

EricsGate added 11:38 - Jul 22 Need another forward in before next Saturday Forget about Celina
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Edmundo added 12:03 - Jul 22 Good to see a nearly completed squad this time round, given we definitely have 2 players for each position. COYB. Let's get this season started!!
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chanteledatractorgal added 12:04 - Jul 22 Good test before the season starts. Let's start the season on a high, couple more signings (striker and a Left back then we should be ready to go. Feeling very confident about this year but then again I was last year.
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Barty added 12:11 - Jul 22 Should be a good test against a decent championship side and agree with Chanteledatractorgal regarding a couple more signings. Really looking forward [ with great optimism ] to this season. COYB.
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RobITFC added 12:17 - Jul 22 Any news on squad numbers ?
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Fat_Boy_Tim added 12:30 - Jul 22 I looks to me like our permanent signings now will be late in the window. As for Celina (I'm desperate for him to come back and be that overseas star player in the Champ next year) it is dragging on but there are 20,000 reasons every week to incentivise Dijon to get a deal done so (unless one of the Glasgow clubs make a move) I think they may come to see Ashton's way of thinking a bit sooner.

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Help added 12:44 - Jul 22 Is it me or is Kieran looking a lot greyer already
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Orraman added 13:39 - Jul 22 I have no doubt that whatever the outcome of the first 3 or 4 games, the regular moaners on this site will be moaning about rotation, no fixed team, etc. However football is no longer about a First XI when you could forecast Sir Bobby's team 3 games in advance. I expect the vast majority of old timers reading this could still roll out Cooper, Burley, Mills etc etc. With 5 subs from 7 being allowed to take the field it is now going to be a First Team match day squad now and with the undoubted tactical ability of KMcK and our strength in depth compared to many teams in Lge1 we should start with a fair advantage over others

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burntmybuns added 14:07 - Jul 22 We need to protect our players in this fixture. Millwall were dirty against Colchester.
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readtheleaguetable added 15:32 - Jul 22 Orraman, I can still reel off Bailey; Carberry, Malcolm; Baxter, Nelson, Elsworthy; Stephenson, Moran, Crawford, Phillips and Leadbetter. But I think nowadays “doesn't know his best eleven” has become one of the most hackneyed and misguided criticism of a manager. Knowing his game-ready team ‘on the day' is much more important.
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Bazza8564 added 15:35 - Jul 22 The squad rotation may be a bit more prevalent this season, and the impact of 5 subs will be huge to a club with such depth, but I cant see a starting XI at the moment that doesnt have Walton, Donacien, Wolfenden, Edmundson, Morsy Leigh and Burns in it. I think the forwards and attacking midfield will all rotate but that core was largely establish last season and stability at the back will only be achieved through consistency of the players. Looking forward, the options are endless though, and all good. Still praying we land Hirst tho.....

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Positive_Vibes added 15:56 - Jul 22 I am optimistic that with KMK at the helm we will be successful.. Whilst I'm happy with the transfers in to date, from a pure maths point of view, I can't say our squad is any stronger in depth than last year. We've seen 8+ players leave (loans and perms) and 4 come in. (3 freebies and a loan if my memory serves me right) Time will tell whether our new intake provide more assists and score more goals than Bonne, Norwood & Celina. At least we won't have to wait for the team to “gel” this season. Don't get me wrong, I'm not being negative, I fully expect us to be challenging this season, I just want to remind some people that it's not a foregone conclusion and it will only take a couple of injuries (God forbid) and the lack of depth may impact our results. On a bright note it sounds like we are spending time on set pieces, so fingers crossed we will be fine. COYB

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Barty added 16:03 - Jul 22 Positive vibes - to date 5 have come in [ Freddie Ladapo , Dominic Ball , Greg Leigh , Tyreece John-Jules & Marcus Harness ]
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Orraman added 16:17 - Jul 22 @ readtheleaguetable I bow to your knowledge of teams earlier than Sir Bobby's. I didn't arrive in Suffolk until 1975 having lived in various locations around UK. So good I've never moved on
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Roo added 16:36 - Jul 22 @bazza8564 I agree regarding those core players that are likely to be playing most weeks however I do wish a centre forward was also a nailed on starter as we need consistancy up top too. I always think the spine is key and we are almost there !! Remains to be seen if Ladapo or JJ are the answer - I hope so !
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ringwoodblue added 16:40 - Jul 22 Let's hope we do better tomorrow than we did in the friendly last pre-season when we didn't trouble Bart, our midfield was outplayed and their attackers made us look lightweight at the back.
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Nomore4 added 16:55 - Jul 22 Quality not quantity. The new players thus far have the quality.
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ButchersBrokenNose added 17:25 - Jul 22 We haven't signed a proven centre forward, and that concerns me. Our biggest failing last season was our inability to finish off teams that we dominated. We're a week out from Bolton, and we're no better off than we were a few months ago. So,yes Orraman, forgive me, but if it's the end of August and we're not scoring goals, I will be one of those moaners asking, "Why didn't we sign a centre forward?"

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Nomore4 added 17:42 - Jul 22 Don't panic new arrivals will be incoming.
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gosblue added 18:41 - Jul 22 I think the urgency to sign new players has passed. Any new signing will probably not start v Bolton but it would be a biggy if they could be introduced before the game. Maybe some minutes from the bench v FGR and a start in the EFL cup would be a good way to blood them.
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bluesteal74 added 19:13 - Jul 22 As we all no all we need to complete the jigsaw is that left back and striker and most importantly my season ticket to arrive so I can watch what I hope will be a beautiful season for the Town COYB 🚜💙💙🚜
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blueboy1981 added 19:56 - Jul 22 Orraman - I think some of you need reminding that yes, the Game has changed - but WE are in the Third Division. Squad rotation is an unheard of at this level - and certainly non productive, as we have found out previously. One week to go until POINTS really matter - and we still need Two Players in my opinion - if not another opportunity missed. Some will always be optimistic whatever, but equally so many some Supporters will now have squeaky bums about where the GOALS are coming from.

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gosblue added 20:21 - Jul 22 BB81 - I agree that a lack of goals has been an issue for a while now but I'm sure the club is doing all it can to plug the gaps. There is money to be spent and players out there with the right CV. I'm going to go out on a limb and predict 80+ goals and 80+ points. That definitely requires bringing in a quality striker.
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Dissboyitfc added 21:02 - Jul 22 if you can't look forward to the start of the new season then probably best to start following a different path, Some supporters will always be negative, even if we get promoted this season with record points those negative ones will be back on here next season being negative again! I am disappointed that as of yet we haven't signed another striker but there is still time for that signing to happen! I feel there is loads to be positive about! Cant wait for the Bolton game!

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DifferentGravy added 07:55 - Jul 23 Of course with the ability to use a greater number of substitute you are going to use a larger number of players....hence the need for a squad. The reason more players werent used back in the 'old timers' days (as someone referred to) is because the rules didnt allow this....and yet they still nearly won three major trophies with a small squad. Any goalkeeper....making save/clean sheets.....or a forward scoring goals....should playing on a consistent basis. Its no good having another player coming into that position just for the sake of 'squad rotation'....particularly if that player isnt nearly as effective. Fans keep preaching modern football blah blah. Yes, football now has a far greater knowledge of sports science, nutrition/diet, physical and mental health and, as a consequence, players can run further. But they have superior equipment, on vastly improved pitches, with considerably less physical contact. It is utter nonsense that players cannot play 30+ games at the peak of their levels, season in season out...and the most consistent do just that...even at the highest level. Personally, I feel that the individual skill level of football has devolved. So few with the ability to take players on with 'skill' (watch 10 minutes of Maradona/Messi/ 'El Phenomenon '...the best Ronaldo... on Youtube for genuine skill) Ultimately, the aim of the game is still exactly the same as it was back in the 60s when Ipswich were winning the league....the dizzy heights of the 70s/early 80s......the Dozzell years.....the class of 1999/2000...........to quote another group of other 'old timers' who were also fairly good themselves - 'Hit the ball.....and put it in the back of the net'

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