Forward

RW: Hakeeb Adelakun

Of all the summer signings, Adelakun was the one I thought would leap to the top of the first-team picture with goals and assists. Instead, he’s struggled to impose himself on matches, and this weekend looked afraid, at times, to make the killer run. I’m not sure if he wants to do well so much he hangs on to the ball, or if it’s the style we want him to play, but aside from the odd flash of brilliance, he’s been largely underwhelming. I really don’t want to sound cruel, but at the moment he isn’t a player I consider as being almost ready for the first team, and that’s criminal given his background. If he plays, he need a huge performance to get some confidence. I’ve met him and interviewed him and I think he’s a confidence man, just like Remy. If he gets a goal or an assist, he might just catch fire.

LW: Chris Maguire

Part of me wants to see us try some new faces, but who would we play here? The option would be Cohen, with Jamie Robson playing left-back, which is plausible. Michael might want to give Robson a rest, which is the formation I’ve gone for, so that means Chris Maguire in on the left. Besides, they might be so-called minnows, but the last thing we want is to be complacent; look where that got Ipswich, Brighton and Burnley a few years ago. No, whilst we want to give players a rest, the week off afterwards means, in my opinion, Maguire plays. He’s got the magic, the tenacity and the character for a cup tie. He should have too much class for part-time players, but if it gets physical he will help ensure our young players stay focused.

ST: Freddie Draper

We all held a collective sigh on Saturday, didn’t we, when the ball was played into the box and stabbed clear with Draper looming. The academy graduate already looks like a man in a man’s world, and he’s unlucky not to have two goals; he was fouled whilst through against Wigan, 100%, and he could easily have scored this weekend. My head says we’ll start with Dan Nlundulu and bring Freddie on, but this team has been picked partly with my heart. I want to see Maguire play, I desperately want to see Max Sanders play and do ell, and Freddie Draper completes a trio of players on my wishlist.

FINAL PREDICTED LINE UP