Starting XI: Who will replace Chris Rigg today as we face managerless Stoke?
12/29/2024 01:00 AM
Will that be the only change to the team this afternoon?
At the time of writing, we don't know exactly how long Chris Rigg will be out for, but he'll definitely be missing today as we take on managerless Stoke looking for our second win over them in the space of a few weeks. Given our upcoming game against Sheffield United you could argue for a bit of rotation, but I don't think we'll see it, with Le Bris playing his strongest XI. Shape-wise, we saw Jobe drop a bit deeper alongside Dan Neil at Ewood Park, so that's something to watch today. Here's how I think we'll line up.
Goalkeeper: Anthony Patterson
Could Patterson have done more with Blackburn's equaliser? He maybe could have got out faster, but almost pulled of an incredible save. In truth, he had little to do at Ewood Park, but unfortunately still conceded two.
Defence: Trai Hume, Chris Mepham, Luke O'Nien, Dennis Cirkin
Same again in defence today, and hopefully Chris Mepham's back on form after a poor showing at Blackburn. Hume, O'Nien (who showed just how important his progression from the centre of defence is the other day) and Cirkin will make up the back four.
Midfield: Dan Neil, Jobe, Adil Aouchiche
Neil and Jobe played more as a pair at Blackburn, with Rigg given more of a free role – this allowed Dan Neil to have a superb game, and I think we might see this subtle change again today. The big question is who replaces Chris Rigg and I think the smart money is on Aouchiche. He's looked good off the bench in recent weeks, and a good game today could earn him a place in the team on a more permanent basis, or a move away. Either way, we'll hopefully benefit from that this afternoon.
Attack: Patrick Roberts, Wilson Isidor, Elezier Mayenda
Mayenda's predictably come in for some way over-the-top criticism from people who seem to think slagging our players off on social media is a great way of supporting them, but he'll more than likely start again today in the Potteries. Patrick Roberts – back in good form after daring to have a small dip in form and thus incurring the wrath of the aforementioned social media intelligentsia – was excellent at Blackburn and will again line up on the right, with Isidor playing centrally.
