Well, after that debacle on Sunday we have an opportunity to get into some form ahead of a big gme at the Stadium of Light on Sunday. Unfortunatley it’s impossible to look at this team selection in isolation as Sunday’s got to come into the manager’s thinking – so here’s the team I think he’ll go with this afternoon.
Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs
A bright spark on an awful afternoon last weekend, Roefs will be hoping for another solid game tonight as he regains his form.
Defence: Trai Hume, Kevin Danso, Luke O’Nien, Dayann Methalie
Danso barely had time to stretch his legs on Sunday, and
given our injury concerns at the back and he’s not available for Sunday, I think Le Bris has to play the big Austrian defender today – probably alongside Luke O’Nien. We know Alderete is far better than what he’s shown recently, but given he’s only just come back from injury asking him to play a third game in a week is likely too much. At full back, we’ll probably see Hume and Methalie – it’s a big opportunity for the latter to play his way into the team. After an impressive display at the Etihad he was disappointing last Thursday, so hopefully we’ll see more of his marauding runs forward as I think he could be a valuable attacking weapon down the flank.
Midfield: Jules Ahoka, Enzo Le Fee, Habib Diarra
It’s a difficult one with Xhaka. Is he knackered, or just out of form? If it’s the former he needs a rest, the latter he needs to play. I think he’ll be on the bench again today, but personally I’d play him. Jules Ahoka is a cert, having played so well last Thursday, and there’s a real chance a good showing today will get him a starting place against Leeds. Le Fee was on the bench last Thursday so could come into the starting line up today as Rigg was poor on Sunday and Sadiki’s minutes need managing (I don’t think he’s looked anywhere near his best yet this season, either). One player who could get a chance is Habib Diarra – I reckon he will get an hour from the start as he looks to build back to fitness. Again, a good display from him will have him in contention for Sunday.
Striker: Nilson Angulo, Trey Ogunsuyi, Malick Fofana
Angulo and Fofana need games to get them into some sort of form, and both will likely start on the wings. The big question is who plays through the middle? Brobbey and Isidor won’t make it, so the options are Tutierov or Trey Ogunsuyi, or play a midfielder out of position. I think we might give Ogunsuyi a chance. Is it ideal? Probably not, but he’s 19 and if he’s going to have a future with us he needs to prove himself sooner rather than later. He’s a more natural striker than Tutierov, was on the bench on Sunday, so could well get a start.
