Giovanni van Bronckhorst could be set to make a surprise selection on Thursday after Scott Wright’s impressive showing v Motherwell in light of the loss of Kemar Roofe, Aaron Ramsey and Alfredo Morelos.
The Scots winger, 24, has been acknowledged as limited but with a great attitude, and his work rate hasn’t gone unnoticed – but adding goals to this of late may have helped Gio with a bit of a selection issue.
The manager faces the loss of those three key men for the trip to Germany, and the only attackers he now has are Fashion Sakala, Ryan Kent, Wright, Scott Arfield and Joe Aribo, with everyone else either injured or omitted from the UEL squad.
There is of course Amad Diallo as well but he has struggled to impress and is unlikely to be used for this one.
Which means Wright has a strong case, and it’s probably down to him or his namesake Arfield, given the near-certainty Kent and Aribo will be the other two behind Sakala.
Who would we choose?
Normally Arfield, but he’s operating better at the moment as an impact sub, and of course scored the winner v Celtic as one. He is also needing the bit of rest he’s currently getting.
But Wright has energy to burn, and will run for the ends of the earth if that’s what it takes.
Unfortunately he does completely lack end product, with that clinical goal v the Steelmen the first time we’ve seen him being that ruthless.
Maybe he’s finally clicked?
It’s down to Gio though, and it’s a big big call.
Might be worth starting with Arfield then having Wright as a sub. I would seriously look at Aribo further up possibly as a 10 in the centre. Skala should be given a free role . Itten might have a job to do in this match at some point.
Motherwell and Leipzig are two totally different kettles of fish though. Ced the Ted used to score for fun against Motherwell but he cannae even get a look in for the B Team just now. Also, I think Arfield getting his rest was probably due to him most likely being expected to play most of the game on Thursday but as you say he has been great as an impact sub. I’d personally go with Arfield due to his experience at the highest level and he usually seems to love the run in period.
If you could get an end product from Wright i think he’d be one of our best players. I’d go with:
Gk.McGregor
Rb.Tav
Cb.Goldson
Cb.Balogun
Lb.Barisic
Dm.Lundstrum
Dm.Jack
Am.Arfield
Rw.Wright
Lw.Kent
Cf.Aribo
Sticking by my Aribo as Striker lol. I know it looks mental but i think he could do it.
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