Starting XI: Is this the Sunderland team to take on Coventry today?

Yesterday at 02:00 AM

The lads head to the Midlands this afternoon – will Regis make changes?

It's difficult to predict the starting XIs at present, with Regis Le Bris seemingly prioritising getting fitness built up ahead of the play offs. That approach backfired a little with Tommy Watson on Tuesday, but he'll be better for it in the long term. Up front, we paired Mayenda and Isidor in a two on Tuesday and that didn't work – so we'll surely go back to the formation that's worked for the majority of the season. The biggest selection question is Mayenda or Isidor – other than that, I think the team's relatively straightforward (he says, confidently...!)

Goalkeeper: Anthony Patterson

Patterson will be in goal again today – I did read some criticism of him for Preston's goal in midweek, but I don't think there was much he could do about that one, it was a great strike!

Defence: Trai Hume, Chris Mepham, Luke O'Nien, Dennis Cirkin

The defence picks itself really – Hume was good again on Tuesday and has really picked up his form from earlier in the season, while Mepham and O'Nien will continue at the back. Cirkin came back in at full back on Tuesday and did well too – with Hjelde being out for a few weeks we need Cirkin to stay fit!

Midfield: Dan Neil, Chris Rigg, Jobe

I was really surprised Alan Browne sat the game out on Tuesday – I thought he was a certainty to start against his former club, and I think there's a strong argument to say he should have. But I reckon Rigg will come back into the starting XI today – he impressed when he came on in midweek and I think we'll go back to the midfield three that's served us so well so far this season.

Attack: Patrick Roberts, Elezier Mayenda, Romaine Mundle

I thought the decision to play Tommy Watson – after being out for so long and with no reserve games under his belt – was 'interesting' to use Le Bris' favourite term, and I thought Watson looked miles off it. The good thing is it means Romaine Mundle should be firing on all cylinders today. On the right should be Patrick Roberts, while through the middle I reckon Mayenda will get the nod over Isidor. I'm only basing this off Isidor's poor showing in midweek and Mayenda's early withdrawal – if he wasn't thinking he's start Mayenda today, he should surely have left him on the field on Tuesday...