RWB: Dom Jefferies
Graft and fight will beat Premier League teams. You’ll never go toe-to-toe in terms of technique, but heart and desire, coupled with being decent footballers, is the route to success.
Dom Jefferies is a decent footballer, but he fights and runs all day long. I can see him playing right wing-back for us this evening, especially as he didn’t start on Saturday.
LWB: Josh Honohan
Maybe a bit left-field this, but Josh played here for Shamrock Rovers, and we really need to be getting minutes into his legs. I don’t know if Chris and Tom will agree, but a full 90 for Josh would be huge for us overall. His ability to play on both sides of the field could be a big advantage.
I fear a little that he may become something of a forgotten man, especially given his limited exposure early in the season. Tonight could be pivotal for him.
CM: Yunus Konak
I think eventually, Yunus Konak starts ahead of either Conor McGrandles or Ivan Varfolomeev. He’s clearly a huge talent, and maybe the other loans have come here for experience; Konak doesn’t need that. He’s proven in the Championship; of all the loans (bar Ogbene), he is one who is here to affect, immediately.
We saw him Saturday, and I am convinced beyond any doubt that we’ll see him tonight.
CM: Tom Bayliss
I feel I have to champion Tom a bit at the minute. Last season, early on, he was in that top 12 players, but as we’ve evolved, he’s maybe dropped down. Eventually, what you want is each season you add five at the top and five drop off the bottom. That’s evolution, but I don’t think Tom is ready to drop off the bottom.
Is he a starter, week in, week out in the Championship? No. Is he a valuable squad member who can input extra legs and a bit of ability into games? Yes. One assist, one second assist and one goal already this season underline that to me.
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