An enthralling Boxing Day victory over Charlton has provided a boost that this team is in desperate need of. It was a high intensity, hard-running performance that hopefully sets the tone for the rest of the season. With such a short period of rest between the Charlton game and this upcoming meeting with Southend United, there is no time to dwell on an encouraging performance nor much of an opportunity to recover the energy levels that have surely been expended.
Possible Line-Up
Expected Line-Up
The big team selection decision for Mark Robins is how Luke Thomas is replaced in the starting XI after the winger picked up a concussion at the end of the Charlton game that rules him out for both this game and the trip to Wycombe Wanderers on New Year’s Day. With Michael Doyle reportedly available for selection, there seems a strong likelihood that Tom Bayliss will be pushed out to the right of midfield as Thomas’ replacement, despite all the evidence this season pointing towards this being a poor decision.
The alternatives involve either taking Jordy Hiwula away from the striker position in which he impressed against Charlton to play on the right wing, pushing Dujon Sterling forward from right-back, or handing Reise Allassani a first league start. While Mark Robins has options, it underlines just how important a player Luke Thomas has become that he cannot be replaced without massive altering the balance of the side. It would be huge blow were Thomas to return to his parent club in January.
Elsewhere, Brandon Mason’s injury-enforced substitution on Boxing Day suggests that Robins may be forced into restoring Junior Brown at left-back. While Mason looks a bright prospect, he was again targeted physically, which cost us a goal. It’s unfortunate as Mason will only learn from experience, which this injury may prevent him from doing so, but Brown, despite his error-proneness, provides a more solid presence at left-back currently.
https://sidewayssammy.com/2018/12/29/preview-southend-united-5/