We acquitted ourselves well at Brighton last time out, and with a big game against Leeds today the squad will be tested again. Chris Rigg was the surprise inclusion last weekend, and while he did OK I
think his inclusion was more tactical than anything else and I’d be surprised to see him in the line up for a game where we’re going to need more attacking intent. Here’s how I think we’ll line up today.
Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs
Another clean sheet for our Dutch keeper last week – and another one today would be very welcome indeed!
Defence: Nordi Mukiele, Dan Ballard, Omar Alderete, Trai Hume
I think it’ll be the same again in defence, with Trai Hume deputising for Reinildo at left back. With Leeds playing a back five there is a chance we could match them up, but given we’ve not got a natural wing back available I think it’d be a unnecessary risk. Ballard and Alderete are two of the most physical centre backs in the league, and it’ll be a great battle against Calvert-Lewin, who is in good goalscoring form.
Midfield: Granit Xhaka, Lutsharel Geertruida, Enzo Le Fee
I thought Geertruida did excellently against Brighton, and he’ll surely keep his place in midfield today alongside Xhaka and Le Fee. With Geertruida in it allows Xhaka to push on a bit further than usual, and he’ll be critically important today. With Leeds likely to play three at the back, there could be more room in midfield for Le Fee to exploit, and hopefully he can take advantage of that.
Forward: Simon Adingra, Brian Brobbey, Romaine Mundle
It’s going to be a physical game today, and Brian Brobbey is tailor made for such a contest. As well as his physicality, I think he looks our most dangerous potential scorer – he gets in good positions and we need to get the ball into him more. On the wings, Simon Adingra will likely keep his place in the team, but he could move over to the right to replace Rigg, with Romaine Mundle, who’s been the next in line off the bench in recent weeks getting a start on the left. With our numbers depleted by AFCON, I can’t see many other realistic options, unless we bring Mayenda in from the cold or push Isidor out wide, and I don’t see either of those things happening today.
