Lincoln City return to Championship action at Bramall Lane on Saturday, and the international break gives us a few interesting decisions to make over our starting XI.
By the time we kick off, it will have been 21 days since the Swansea game. That is a long time to sit with a defeat, particularly one in which we played so well for large parts, but our away performances before the break give us plenty of encouragement.
Sheffield United have had a difficult start, sitting 18th with two league wins, although I would be wary of reading too much into that. They have had the same opportunity to work on things during the break, and with three matches coming up in a week, I think our selection needs to account for both this game and the demands that follow.
For me, that means a back three, two wing-backs, a familiar midfield pairing and three forwards. There are alternatives throughout the side, but this is the team I would go with.
GK: George Wickens
George Wickens obviously gets the nod in goal. We have already shown that we can go away from home, keep things tight and come back with the points, and I see no reason to change the goalkeeper as we try to pick up where those away performances left off.
United have struggled for goals at times, but their games against Cardiff and Bolton showed that they can strike early. George and the players in front of him need to be switched on from the first whistle.
RWB: Daniel Oyegoke
I would start Daniel Oyegoke at right wing-back. The break should have given him a useful opportunity to work with the players around him, and this feels like a chance to build those relationships in a competitive game.
With three centre-backs behind him, there should be opportunities to support our forwards when we get possession. We will need that outlet, because spending the afternoon defending without giving United something to think about would make this a much harder assignment.
LWB: Adam Reach
Adam Reach is my choice on the other side. His experience is useful in a fixture like this, and I would want him providing both support for our attacks and protection when United look to get forward.
Callum Elder should have recovered from his concussion to offer an alternative at left wing-back. Having him available would give us another option as the game develops, but Adam would be my starter.
LCB: Ryley Towler
Ryley Towler starts on the left of the back three. I like the balance of having him there with Adam outside him, and I would keep that side of the defence familiar as we return to league action.
There is no need to make changes everywhere simply because we have had a break. Some players have been away with their countries, but for those who have remained here, this has been a chance to prepare properly for the next run of fixtures.
CB: Sonny Bradley
Sonny Bradley would be in the middle of my defence. I want his experience at the heart of the back three, particularly away from home against a side who will be looking to change the mood after their results before the break.
United have conceded late goals in their recent league defeats, but they have also shown that they can threaten at different stages of a match. We need to maintain our concentration throughout, and Sonny has an important role in organising the players around him.
RCB: Deji Elerewe
Deji Elerewe completes my back three on the right. Andrei Coubiș played four times for Romania during the international break, which makes this a reasonable opportunity to give him a rest, especially with a busy week ahead.
That would be a decision about managing his workload, rather than anything to do with his performances for us. Deji gives us a strong option to make that change without having to alter the whole shape of the side. If Andrei comes in, then I see Deji starting elsewhere. He’s undroppable.
Tom Hamer might also be back in contention, which would be welcome news. However, I would be surprised if he went straight into the starting XI after his absence, and I would expect any return to be managed rather than asking him to start immediately at Bramall Lane.
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