Starting XI: Roll up, roll up for the Millwall v Sunderland selection lucky dip!

Yesterday at 01:00 AM

Regis Le Bris has got some big decisions to make this afternoon.

After weeks of relatively predictable starting XIs, we're into unchartered territory here, with Alan Browne and Romaine Mundle injured, and Trai Hume, Patrick Roberts and Jobe Bellingham missing through suspension. We're effectively missing half of our outfield, which makes an already challenging fixture even more difficult.

But, let's focus on the positives here. We've got some strong players to come back into the team, and Regis loves a problem to solve, so it's not all doom and gloom.

There's been plenty of talk leading up to this game about not only who'll play but also what shape we'll play. If you look at the players we have available, you can make a strong case for a back five. However, our set up has been key to the way we have played this season, and I think changing that, as well as so many changes in personnel, could be a step too far. But we'll see. There's also been a lot of talk about Ba and Aouchiche coming in – I think they'll be on the bench, but cannot see either of them starting.

Given Millwall's style of play, I think we'll try to keep as strong a core as possible and build from there. I do worry we'll play Isidor out wide – I really hope not as he's nowhere near as effective as his is through the middle, and we'll need him up top. Anyway, here's what I would do / think we might do this afternoon.

Goalkeeper: Anthony Patterson

We've heard rumours this week that Patterson's still not ready to play, and if so Moore will start, but hopefully our number one is ready to come back into the team. If it is Moore though that's not an issue, he's been pretty impressive since he came into the team.

Defence: Chris Mepham, Dan Ballard, Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin

I'd be really reluctant to break up the Mepham/O'Nien partnership in central defence, but needs must today, and Ballard's aerial strength could be a real plus here. Mepham's played at right back before, so he'll be able to fill in here. If Mayenda does start ahead of him on the right, we probably need someone to sit in at full back, and we've got the added bonus here of the defence being able to shuffle along to make a five if we need it to, with O'Nien screening ahead of the defence. The big question here of course is Alese's fitness – but if he's ready he could get an immediate return to the left side of defence, where he excelled earlier in the season. Cirkin's been one of our best players this season and if Watson's ahead of him we'll need some stability at left back.

Midfield: Luke O'Nien, Dan Neil, Chris Rigg

As mentioned, I think having a strong spine is essential today, and I reckon keeping O'Nien central is key. I actually think this midfield combination could work really well. O'Nien can sit in the deeper role, and drop into the middle of defence when needed, while freeing up Dan Neil to play a bit more forward. Chris Rigg will start for certain – he's on four yellows, so that's one to watch today. Having that aerial strength that O'Nien gives us in that position could work well today, and provide a platform for Rigg to damage further up the field.

Attack: Eliezer Mayenda, Wilson Isidor, Tommy Watson

First decision here for Le Bris is whether to keep Isidor through the middle or push him out onto the left. For me, it's a no brainer – he's simply got to stay through the middle as his strength and pace could be the difference today. If we work on that assumption, then I think Watson's got to play off the left, and I reckon Mayenda could play from the right – he's left footed, so it enables us to retain the balance we usually have, and he came to the club initially as a wide forward, rather than a central striker. This also enables us to do keep our 4-4-2 out of possession too, with Mayenda pushing up alongside Isidor, and Watson dropping in to make a four, with Rigg pushing right (as shown below)