Defence

GK – Alex Palmer

First and foremost, your goalkeeper, Alex Palmer. Obviously, nobody else starts the matches and despite conceding two against Sunderland there wasn’t a lot he could do. I thought he came back well from his concussion and made a couple of crucial saves. It’s odd that we will always get to talk about Joe Bursik, the one-game wonder who helped us through that first leg, but Palmer has been a 47-game wonder in the league (and a few times in the cup). Tomorrow, we couldn’t wish for a safer pair of hands and if pushed I’d say there’s only one keeper of his quality playing in League One this season – Chris Maxwell of Blackpool!

RB – Regan Poole

I imagine Poole’s versatility might have been a thought this week with Eyoma and Walsh both 50/50 but closing in on fitness. He can play centre back and there is an argument that is his best position. I beg to differ, I really like Poole at left wing-back and despite the mistakes he did make in the first half against Sunderland, he is definitely my pick. He was excellent in the first leg and I find him a sound defensive option when called upon. He will be even better next season with the benefit of a full Michael Appleton pre-season under his belt too, hopefully as a Championship full back.

LB – Tayo Edun

When I say Tayo is underrated I don’t mean people don’t give him enough praise, they do, but I think his contribution is often overshadowed by others. Some of you like Bramall because he is quick, that is a trait you can quantify and praise, and I get that. Elsewhere on the pitch other players score goals, make thunderous tackles, assist and dictate play and none of those are directly Tayo’s remit. What he does do is apply himself constantly, with tenacity, and he starts many moves which result in good things for City. He’s tireless in his running and he has quality on the ball that would easily befit a role in a Championship side. I also think he’s a bit of a fighter, he’s willing to scrap, battle and fight to get a win. There are shades of Terry Fleming in Tayo, I see similar qualities mixed in with that exquisite control and upbringing he got with Fulham and England.

CB – TJ Eyoma

TJ couldn’t get near the centre back position earlier in the season, but I think it is a measure of the man how he simply adapted when called upon. I’d go as far as to say he’s one of the key reasons we’re in the final – that block for Wyke’s effort was as good as a goal at the other end and his first leg performance was utterly dominant. Like Tayo, he’s got a future higher than this level and maybe if we win the game tomorrow, it could be here. I prefer him at centre back to right back, especially if he has the right partner, a slightly older head with experience on his side. Let’s hope ’50/50′ becomes a starting place for the Spurs loanee.

CB – Joe Walsh

To put it simply, we’re better when Joe Walsh is fit. I’m not sure if he’s made of glass or what the ongoing problem is, but it seems like a huge bonus if we see him for 30 minutes at a time this season and that is a real shame. I think, pound for pound, he is the best central defender on our books and he adds a certain balance and gravity to the back four when he is in it. It shows how our side has evolved: at the start of the season, Montsma and Jackson would get the nod as first choice, but it’s now surely Walsh and Eyoma. I really hope the Welshman is fit and ready tomorrow because he could be a key figure in the battle with Simms and Yates.