Once again we host Boro, and despite it not being a derby (as much as they want to call it one) it is still a big game. Following on from the Plymouth defeat last week, here is how I think we'll lineup for the Smoggies.
GK: ANTHONY PATTERSON
Our keeper has faced some criticism in the past week for the Plymouth game, which in my opinion has been a touch too harsh. Yes, I think he had a poor game, but not poor enough to where he should be dropped. A massive stroke of misfortune denied him what would have been save of the season for their first goal, fine margins. For me, he stays in.
RIGHT BACK: TRAI HUME
Options are limited for this position, and like Patto he didn't have a great game last week but I think the international break could have played a factor in that. Keep him out wide with the overlapping runs and I think he can really punish Boro.
CENTRE BACK: LUKE O'NIEN & CHRIS MEPHAM
Personally, I'd drop Ballard for this one. He had a poor game at Plymouth, and he limped off the pitch at the end. If we have the depth, which we do now, as well as experience in Chris Mepham I think we should swap them out. Like Hume, the international break had to play a part in his performance levels.
Mepham has Premier League experience, Championship promotion experience and I think he'd slot in no problem. He's an older head in the group too, and with Alan Browne being ruled out for Saturday he could be the experience we need.
O'Nien was solid for us and has been all season. I see no reason to drop him.
LEFT BACK: DENNIS CIRKIN
He was quiet last week, but for the most part of the season it has been so refreshing to have him back in the side, both offensively and defensively. Would like to see him offer more than he did against Plymouth, and I think we will on Saturday.
MIDFIELD THREE: JOBE, NEIL AND RIGG
For this one I'd opt for the three that started our other home games. Last week I'd have preferred we kept Alan Browne in ahead of Dan Neil, but hindsight is a lovely thing. And with Alan Browne out for this one, I think it makes sense to go with these three. Neil was poor last week, but in our two home games this season the youthful midfield has been strong, I'd say Burnley are a stronger side that Boro and we started them then and they all played great. Same again this time around.
FRONT THREE: ROMAINE MUNDLE, ELIEZER MAYENDA & PATRICK ROBERTS
This front three would remain unchanged for me. Mundle has been on fire, long may that continue. Mayenda is improving and looking bright, as long as he can get in the right positions which we'll be working on, he's dangerous. And then that leaves Paddy, he's looking like he's back to his mini Messi best. Tricky, cunning, he also grabbed his first goal of the season last week ending a long goal drought, albeit through a penalty but they all count. Hopefully now that he's got his goal he can kick on even further, he came very close to getting a second last week too.
I'd also like to see more of Wilson Isidor, perhaps from the bench for this one. He's hardly played and I'm already a massive fan of the lad. He's looked decent when playing with the U21's, and his attitude and character seem great. He's always smiling, laughing, cracking jokes and it looks like he'll fit right in on Wearside. My first glimpse of him came in the U21 game against Sheffield Utd, during the warm ups he needed to use the restroom, but instead of going to the toilets he simply hopped the barrier and did his business against the back of a fence. He had only been here for about two weeks! It won't be long before he's scranning pink slices, drinking double maxim and blasting The Futureheads in the changing rooms...
Salis Abdul Samed is another one who'd I'd like to see involved once he's up to full fitness. He's got top flight Ligue 1 experience, aiding them to qualify for the Champions League, which he also took part in as they claimed victories over Arsenal and Sevilla despite not reaching the knockouts. He's clearly a talented player, and he could be quite the coup so I'm eager to see him play for us.
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