It was an important three points last week – albeit the performance wasn’t necessarily something to write home about. With three new additions this week the team announcement at 1.45pm is going to be eagerly awaited. Will any of the new signings come in? This is how I think we could line up at the GTech Stadium.
Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs
A clean sheet last week, and I thought he looked confident and composed on Sunday, especially in the latter stages when he was put under a bit of pressure.
Defence: Thomas Meunier, Nordi Mukiele, Kevin Danso, Reinildo
Meunier has been excellent in his
first two games, and Nordi Mukiele reminded everyone – not that many needed reminding – of just how good he is at centre back; so those two should keep their places. Reinildo’s under pressure from the now available Methalie, however our young Frenchman will likely have to settle for a place on the bench, given Reinildo’s form so far. The one place in question for me is the left sided centre back spot. Ballard’s looked unfit/injured/out of form so far, and struggled playing on the left of the two – we all know what a great defender he is when he’s on song, but with Alderete and Danso competing for a place it’s hard to make a strong case for Ballard to keep his spot. Given Alderete’s fitness struggles, I think we’ll put Danso straight in for this one. Danso played and scored for Spurs in the league cup last week, so he’s fit and ready – which should get him the nod.
Midfield: Trai Hume, Enzo Le Fee, Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Nilson Angulo
There’ll be some debate in Le Bris’s mind about whether to throw Fofana straight in or let him watch the first hour from the bench. While writing this I’ve added and removed his name three times… but I’ve got for Angulo to start this one. Nilson has come in for some ridiculous criticism over the past couple of games (why do we need a player to get stuck into all the time?). Yes, he’s not played fantastically well in the first two games, but he’s certainly not alone – he’s a young lad who’s shown he’s capable of some good stuff. Let’s get behind him. I think he’ll start, and depending on how the game is going either he or Hume will be replaced by Fofana around the hour mark. This game is a good one for Hume in midfield, while the rest of the line up pretty much picks itself.
Striker: Brian Brobbey
I thought Isidor should have started last week, but got that wrong – and this is the type of game for Brobbey. He’s not really got going yet, so hopefully this is the game he begins hitting his straps.
