Starting XI: Fringe players get a chance — is this the team to play Bradford tonight?

After Matete, Bennette and Hemir were dropped to the reserves at the weekend, Regis Le Bris’ squad is starting to take a bit more form. I think we will see big changes tonight from Saturday’s game at Blackpool and before our return to Valley Parade on Saturday to play Marseille.

Here’s how we might line up tonight.

Goalkeeper: Simon Moore

Patterson’s understudy should sell out tonight.

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Defense: Timothee Pembele, Zak Johnson, Leo Hjelde, Joe Anderson

Aji Alese’s injury (and injury record) means there is a centre-back spot in the game at the moment and it was interesting that Le Bris opted to bring on Zak Johnson on Saturday. He has impressed in Ireland and could be the extra centre-back we need. Alongside him, Hjelde will also get a chance to impress if he recovers from injury, while Pembele and Anderson are likely to start in the full-back positions.

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Midfielder: Chris Rigg, Pierre Ekwah

I think Chris Rigg deserves to be in the squad to start the season, however, judging by last Saturday’s selection, it seems unlikely. He’ll get another chance to impress tonight, probably alongside Ekwah if he’s recovered from injury, however Embleton could be another shout here.

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Attack: Abdoullah Ba, Adil Aouchiche, Romain Mundle

Ba was on the bench on Saturday and you’d think he’d get a half today, with Poveda playing the second 45. Aouchiche will get another chance to impress (to be honest, if I picked the team, Aouchiche and Rigg would have preferred in that 10 role in place of Jobe), while Mundle, who has been impressive in pre-season, will play on the left.

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Striker: Naz Rusyn

I feel sorry for Hemir. Apparently if you score a goal it sends you to the reserves. So Rusyn will have a shot at the top tonight. We’re still in desperate need of a proper marker – will we get one before the real action begins?

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