After a controversial outing for an injury hit squad at Dean Court on Saturday, it seemed as if we’d come through unscathed. At least, that’s what Regis Le Bris told a depleted press corp at the regular pre match gathering. However, last night, news was leaked to some fella on X that Robin Roefs is definitely out for a couple of weeks, and Granit Xhaka is doubtful for this one too. First of all, if it’s true, whoever at the club is leaking this information needs to be handed their P45, given Le Bris clearly
didn’t want it made public. Secondly, aaaaaaaaaarggggghhhhhhhh. So, if we take this news as true, which we’re led to believe it is, here’s how we could line up.
Goalkeeper: Melker Ellborg
If Roefs is out, our young January arrival will come in to make his bow, and what a game to do it. He’s played Europa League so he’s hardly a novice, and he’ll be wanting to grab this opportunity with both hands. Pun firmly intended. Hopefully he’ll have a really quiet night…
Defence: Lutsharel Geertruida, Dan Ballard, Omar Alderete, Trai Hume
Geertruida did well in his more accustomed right back position on Saturday, and will continue there in an unchanged defence that will be made up of Dan Ballard – fresh from signing his new contract – Omar Alderete, and Trai Hume. We looked a lot more composed at the back on Saturday than we had done for a few weeks, and we’ll need all four defenders to be at their very best tonight.
Midfield: Granit Xhaka, Habib Diarra, Enzo Le Fee, Noah Sadiki, Bertrand Traore
Xhaka’s struggling apparently – hardly a surprise after that ‘tackle’ on Saturday – but I think he’ll play here knowing he’ll have ten days to recover before our next league game. Diarra and Sadiki will play centrally alongside him with Le Fee on the left. On the right, I expect Bertrand Traore to play after having a run out on Saturday. While Talbi has potential he’s not as effective on the right and gave away possession an awful lot on Saturday, so I think he’ll be back on the bench.
Forward: Eliezer Mayenda
Mayenda’s inclusion on Saturday was a clear indicator as to who’s where in the pecking order, and to be fair to the young Spaniard, he played exceptionally well, and got his goal, too. So I can’t see any way Le Bris leaves him out of the line up tonight. Isidor will be itching to get a run out though – he played well here last season and scored, so it’d be no surprise to see him at some point.
