Thomas could do with sitting out Birmingham visit
BIRMINGHAM City take the journey north to West Yorkshire tonight to face a Huddersfield Town side in form and looking to add to their 20 points this season.
Brum are dangerous and have played below their level this season to date so caution is required, but the Terriers are buzzing. With that in mind it’s time to look at our predicted line-up.
On paper you would think picking a Town XI would be easy - don’t try to fix what isn’t broken after all.
This is slightly different for a few reasons. Matty Pearson came off injured on Saturday and may not be risked, Sorba Thomas looked tired for the first time this season even against a Hull defence who were very average, and there’s a Duane Holmes/Josh Koroma question too.
Formation-wise the 3-4-3 stays with Lee Nicholls in goal. It’s not even up for debate at this stage so let’s not waste time on that.
Pearson is fit, then the Pearson-Lees-Colwill back three is also as set in stone. If not because of the threat Birmingham have out wide and how they use it, I might be tempted with Turton-Lees-Colwill over bringing Sarr in and moving others to accommodate him.
Harry Toffolo, Lewis O’Brien, and Jonathan Hogg all start, but on the right I’ve gone for Duane Holmes.
I know that’s not his position, I know he’s been covering the left really well and brought O’Brien back into attacking positions as a consequence, but
Thomas looked a bit sluggish on Saturday.
Understandable with the amount of football he’s played and his first-ever international duties, a midweek rest might do him some good.
He’s obviously the first sub you bring on and he starts at the weekend, but an hour off will do no harm. So Koroma comes back in on the left of the front three with Holmes switched and Danny Ward and Danel Sinani keep their places. As an aside, that Town bench with Thomas on it looks as strong as most in the division.
So my team in a 3-4-3 is: Nicholls: Pearson, Lees, Colwill: Holmes, Hogg, O’Brien, Toffolo: Sinani, Ward, Koroma. Subs: Bilokapic, Sarr, Turton, High, Aarons, Thomas, Campbell.