What lessons have been learned from Saturday? What have the honest and frank conversations produced? We’ll find out in a matter of hours as the lads are back in action against Zagreb. Hopefully, we’ll see a huge change in attitude and application, as well as our intent and team cohesion, which has been sorely lacking in recent weeks. Le Bris has been given a stay of execution – will he take advantage of it? We’ll soon find out.
Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs
Roefs can’t be happy at present playing in front of a team that’s continually
leaving him exposed – he’s produced some great saves in recent European games and hopefully he has a good night tonight.
Defence: Thomas Meunier, Kevin Danso, Luke O’Nien, Dayann Methalie
Trai Hume has played a lot of football recently and with an international break looming that’ll continue. Meunier needs a game so should hopefully start at right back, while Methalie will start on the left. A good show from him tonight could see him line up against Chelsea. In the centre, we’re likely to see Danso return – Mukiele is still out – while O’Nien could play alongside him. The other option is Alderete, but he’s completely out of sorts and needs to be taken out for a while.
Midfield: Nilson Angulo, Granit Xhaka, Jules Ahoka, Chemsdine Talbi, Malick Fofana
Talbi’s inclusion in the squad is a boost and he will surely come into the team – I’d like to see him play in the 10 as he looked good there against Brentford. I think this is a game Xhaka ideally would sit out, but his form and the troubles the team’s having means he probably should play; hopefully alongside Ahoka, who can provide legs and energy around him. On the wings, we need to go with two proper wingers, so hopefully Fofana will produce a good display on the left, and Angulo can carry on his good work against Poznan on the right.
Striker: Wilson Isidor
We don’t need to risk Brobbey, so Isidor should get an hour after 30 minutes at Coventry – he’s more than capable of causing teams problems, as long as the set up behind his is decent.
