This game feels huge. A good performance and a win will calm nerves and ease the pressure Le Bris is under in certain quarters, while if only one or neither of those things happen the rumbling of discontent will grow louder. I do feel it’s been the manner of performances, rather than the results that have been most concerning – albeit we need and should expect to have more than four points from seven games. At this stage it’s completely rectifiable – a couple of wins in the next two will have us
on 10 points from nine, which is something to build on. So, while this isn’t a literal ‘must win’, it feels pivotal in our season. Team wise, a few players played themselves into contention on Thursday, while the reality is any outfield player who played on Sunday couldn’t complain if they lost their place, the performance was that poor. Here’s how I think we might line up today.
Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs
Roefs has looked back to his old self in the last couple of games, and a fantastic double save on Thursday will have done wonders for his confidence.
Defence: Trai Hume, Nordi Mukiele, Luke O’Nien, Dayann Methalie
With Kevin Danso suspended, Ballard out and Meunier still seemingly sidelined, changes will come at the back. Alderete was awful last weekend, which came as a surprise to me as his performances last season meant he was largely first choice, and I feel we miss the balance he gives, however he missed out on Thursday and I’m not sure he’s right after the injury he picked up in the World Cup. That means our central defence will likely be Nordi Mukiele and Luke O’Nien, with Trai Hume at right back. On the left, I wonder whether we’ll see Dayann Methalie. The summer signing’s not set the world alight, but offers a more attacking threat down the flank than Reinildo does, and in a game from which we need three points we may go more attack minded from the start, and shore things up later, rather than vice versa.
Midfield: Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Jules Ahoka
Jules Ahoka is so close to a Premier League start, and I wonder if he’ll get it today? He’s been excellent in every game he’s played for us, and adds a bit of additional energy and physicality to the midfield. Habib Diarra’s close too, however given he’s had hamstring issues and started on Thursday, I reckon we might see him off the bench today rather than chucking him back in for a second start in four days. Xhaka will play, and hopefully he can be sharper and more ‘at the races’ than he’s been for most of the season, while Sadiki will complete the midfield three.
Striker: Nilson Angulo, Timur Tutierov, Enzo Le Fee
I thought Angulo did well on Thursday – he pressed effectively and has cut out the ridiculous rolling around and going down easily that he was doing in the first few games this season. If we beef up the middle of the park with Ahoka, it pushes Enzo out to the left, which isn’t ideal but will create space that Methalie can attack. Through the middle, we all want to see Brian Brobbey come back as soon as possible, but I think if we do see him it’ll be from the bench today – with Isidor out too it’s a massive risk if he’s not 100%, and I think it’ll be Coventry when we see him back in the starting XI. Hopefully he’s fit and raring to go from the off today. We could see Angulo Mk2 given a start, but I reckon he’ll give Timur another run – he’ll be bursting with confidence after his goal on Thursday.
