This is a really important game for us – which might sound daft given it’s only our second of the season, but with the fixtures we have coming up, and that ridiculous defeat last weekend, we need to get some points on the board for everyone’s sake.
Key decisions for Regis Le Bris today seem to be around the centre of defence – Ballard, O’Nien and Alderete failed to cover themselves in glory last week – and on the wings, where Hume, Angulo, Talbi and Rigg were all below par.
Here’s how I think the lads
might line up this afternoon.
Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs
Roefs was left badly exposed for both of Ipswich’s goals last week, but coming off the back of signing a new contract he’ll be hoping for a clean sheet and three points to celebrate.
Defence: Thomas Meunier, Nordi Mukiele, Omar Alderete, Reinildo
Meunier was the bright point last weekend and will keep his place at right back, while given Methalie’s absence through a suspension picked up in France. Reinildo will be a shoo-in at left back. The centre’s where it gets interesting though. Mukiele and Alderete were the partnership during our strong run-in at the end of last season, and the reality is if Nordi is fit he plays. After being the stand out performer last week it would be incredibly strange to drop Meunier, so if he is at right back Nordi will likely come in at right centre half – Ballard looked really off the pace last week, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him drop out. Alderete looked severely lacking in match sharpness last weekend, but hopefully he’s had a good week of training to enable him to take his place in the team this afternoon.
Midfield: Trai Hume, Enzo Le Fee, Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Nilson Angulo
Personally, I’d consider Rigg or Talbi coming in for Hume, however I don’t think Le Bris will make any changes to the midfield, with Hume once again playing the hybrid defensive rold, and Le Fee, Xhaka and Sadiki operating from the middle. Sadiki started well last weekend but faded, as did Le Fee, while Xhaka was another who didn’t seem quite right last time out. Hopefully, normal service will be resumed today. On the left Angulo will likely keep his place after his lovely free kick at Portman Road, although he’ll be looking for a major improvement in his all round play, which was pretty ordinary last Saturday.
Striker: Wilson Isidor
Listening to the Fulham guest we had on the pod this week made me think this is a strong possibility today – we will have the opportunity to counter attack and break at a very high defence, and Isidor’s pace could be a game changer for us. Brobbey should have scored a couple last weekend and may have to settle for a place on the bench today.
