I’m looking forward to seeing what we do with our depleted squad. While I’d much rather have our AFCON players available, it’s a great chance to see other players step up into the team with a point to prove,
and we know Regis Le Bris really loves the challenge. Today’s game will be tough – Brighton are a good side – but the lads who play will definitely fancy their chances of getting something on the South Coast. Here’s how I think we’ll line up.
Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs
Roefs was brilliant again last weekend – calm, composed, aggressive in claiming the ball. Fantastic.
Defence: Nordi Mukiele, Dan Ballard, Omar Alderete, Trai Hume
With Reinildo unavailable, it’ll be interesting to see whether we go with a back four or a five, and who the left back will be. I’m playing it safe here and predicting we’ll see Trai Hume switch over to left back, although with Dennis Cirkin fit again he’s got competition. While there’s been some talk of us reverting to the back five for this game I can’t see it given neither Hume or Cirkin would be majorly comfortable at wing back; Cirkin is probably more suited, but asking him toplay his first game after 7 months out, and play his first Premier League game, in an unfamilar position, would be too much.
Midfield: Granit Xhaka, Lutsharel Geertruida, Enzo Le Fee
With Sadiki out, the question is who replaces a player who’s established himself as an integral part of the midfield. Dan Neil, Chris Rigg and the fit-again Habib Diarra are contenders, but I think we’ll go in with Geertrudia here. He’s played a couple of times in midfield, and I can see Le Bris wanting to give him a chance. Alongside him will be Xhaka – who we need to keep avoiding yellow cards for a few weeks yet – and Enzo, both of whom were brilliant last weekend. I do expect Diarra to get a run out off the bench for the final 20 minutes, and it’ll be great to see him back in action.
Forward: Simon Adingra, Wilson Isidor, Romaine Mundle
Brobbey did really well last weekend, and I can see him retaining his place in the team; however, I reckon that for an away game where we’re really going to play on the counter, the pace of Isidor will be vital. Either side of him is going to be interesting. I can see a scenario where Rigg comes into midfield and Enzo Le Fee plays wide, but I think Le Bris will be reluctant to change too much in midfield. So, I think Mundle will start on the left after making a few sub appearances, and Simon Adingra on the right against his former club.
