[The Saucepan Man]

Formation: 4-3-3

GK:
Ulmo (Gondolin)

DF:
Maglor (Tuna) (replaced Manwe 19 July)
Goldberry (Bree)
Maeglin (Gondolin)
Chief Warg (Misty Mountains) (replaced Elros 21 July)

MF:
Beleg (Doriath)
Thuringwethil (Angband) (replaced Legolas 19 July)
the phantom (The Barrow Downs)

FW:
Mormegil (Nargothrond)
The Saucepan Man (The Barrow Downs)
Sauron (Mordor) (replaced Pippin Took 19 July)

I'm quite happy with this team. Valinor, Bree and Numenor had the best defensive records in last year's competition, and Gondolin (having reclaimed Maeglin from Angband) appear to have bulit a solid defence this time round.

Beleg, Legolas and the phantom are all good attacking midfielders who like to get forward and will hopefully provide goals as well as assists. I believe that Beleg was the top scoring midfielder last time round.

Mormegil is a no-brainer for me, having won the Yellow Boot Trophy (in the guise of Turin) last year. Logic tells me to pick Sleepy, as he takes the penalties for the Downs, but I have gone with my heart and picked myself. We both scored prolifically in the 2006 competition. Pippin Took is a bit of a gamble, however. He was the surprise package last year, and his pace and guile were breathtaking. But, with the transfer of Merry to Buckland, he has lost his regular strike partner and it remains to be seen how well he will combine with his renowned ancestor. Their performance in the recent friendly bodes well, though.