Rotherham United Manager Paul Warne has told iFOLLOW that the selection problems he has ahead of the play-off final on Sunday are good ones to have.
‘The lads are pretty relaxed,’ Warney said, ‘though that might change. We’re going down Saturday and hope to get there in time for the Championship play-off, then watch the Champions League game and then I think the nerves might start kicking in a little bit more.’
The Gaffer has always said that he’s got a good set of lads saying, ‘The downside to that is that everybody always wants to play and are always fit to play. But that’s a nice problem to have. I will just pick the best eleven for the game.’
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again I’m just pleased it’s not me who’s got to pick the starting eleven for a game at Wembley when ninety-eight per cent of our squad could play.
Personally, and I’m sure I’ve said this before too, I like to see two up front. But which two? I think you’ve got to start Michael Smith because I feel that lad can play football, perhaps not scored as many goals as we were expecting (well, I was expecting) but he seems to me to be a natural footballer. So, who beside him? David Ball is the top scorer this season but I do like to see Caolan Lavery up there with Smith. So that would already be a dilemma for me.
Would you start Joe Newell? To my mind yes I would and I’d also start Jon Taylor because he will be so wound up when the whistle goes he’ll be like a bee, buzzing around getting on the oppositions nerves.
After Marek Rodak in goal, Josh Emmanuel would be the second name on my team list. One of my biggest problems would be whether to start with Joe Mattock or Ben Purrington at left-back, both on their day can be outstanding although similarly both can have off days. Another problem would be Michael Ihiekwe or Semi Ajayi again both have saved games and both have put games in jeopardy. Richard Wood and Will Vaulks will start and I would think Matty Palmer will get the nod, simply because I can’t think who else could play there. Anthony Forde or Richie Towell? Towell for me.
Of course, there is a couple of days to go and I could change my mind! I could change my mind a few times!
But, what about you? Who would you start?
