Two weeks ago, Regis Le Bris made a couple of surprise selections against Manchester United, and it’s fair to say they didn’t really work. We only came into the game after switching to three at the back,
which matched up United. However, we were two down at that point, and the game was pretty much done.
In the build up to today’s game, we have international-break injuries to Alderete and Sadiki to contend with, as well as Reinildo’s continued absence due to suspension. Arthur Masuaku has been given a tough challenge in the two away games he’s started in place of the former Atletico Madrid full back, and it’ll be interesting to see whether he keeps his place today, while Dan Ballard is making it almost impossible to to pick him in the starting team. Here’s how we think we’ll line up today…
Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs
One of the easiest positions to pick with certainty today – Roefs will be in goal today, barring any last minute scares. He pulled off a great save at Old Trafford, and will need to be on his guard today.
Defence: Nordi Mukiele, Dan Ballard, Omar Alderete, Trai Hume
This is where the selection challenges begin for Le Bris, and I’m working on the presumption that Omar Alderete is fit and available – his injury picked up in midweek doesn’t seem that serious. Famous last words, I know. The first thing to consider is Dan Ballard. He’s been brilliant in the games he’s played this season, and had a great game for Northern Ireland, too. Against Wolves’ big strikers, we’re going to need a physical presence, so I think he’ll start. You can’t leave Mukiele out, so I think he’ll go to right back, and at left back it’s a straight shoot out between Masuaku and Hume. I think that decision will largely be based on who plays in front of the full back, so I think it’ll be either Adingra and Hume, or Talbi and Masuaku. I feel it could be the former.
Midfield: Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Enzo Le Fee
Noah Sadiki will also hopefully be available, and if he is he’ll take his place in midfield, slightly in front of Xhaka, with Enzo Le Fee likely to be in the centre too. Chris Rigg is the obvious replacement for Sadiki if he doesn’t make it – if that happens, expect Le Fee to play the Sadiki role, and Rigg to take the ‘Diarra’ position.
Attack: Chemsdine Talbi, Brian Brobbey Simon Adingra
I reckon Le Bris will give Adingra a ’vote of confidence’ game after he was hooked early on against Manchester United, and he’ll start on the left, with Talbi coming back into the team on the right. Centrally, I expect Brian Brobbey to start – because, if he doesn’t get a chance now, when will he get it? We’ve signed him to play, and I think it’s the perfect time to get him into the team. Le Bris has talked about ‘starters and finishers’ and in the last 20 minutes, Isidor and Mayenda could be crucial.
