Gustavo Hamer of Coventry City
Gustavo Hamer is expected to start for Coventry City against Plymouth in the Cup
Tonight’s Carabao Cup match at Plymouth Argyle presents the perfect opportunity for Coventry City boss Frank Lampard to get match minutes into the players who didn’t feature so much or at all against Arsenal at the weekend.
Forget playing his best XI to get through to the next round, the Sky Blues’ priority is staying in the Premier League and therefore making the best use of the squad. That said, even playing a seemingly second string line-up should, with all due respect, be enough to get the job done against the League One side who haven’t had the best of starts to their campaign.
First and foremost Lampard has the opportunity to give the likes of Gus Hamer and Taiwo Awoniyi – both of whom started on the bench at Arsenal – 90 minutes to help get them up to speed, along with the other substitutes from the Emirates and players who didn’t quite make the matchday squad for the season opener. It’s also the perfect opportunity to rest City’s more front line personnel ahead of a huge game against Hull on Saturday, particularly bearing in mind the long midweek trip.
That being the case, Ben Wilson will be favourite to come in in goal in place of Carl Rushworth, although Lampard could hand latest signing Dan Bentley his debut, albeit a bit harsh on Wilson.
It’s unclear if Kaine Kesler-Hayden has recovered from injury but, if not, Joel Latibeaudiere could deputise at right-back if the manager wants to rest Milan van Ewijk. Latibeaudiere might otherwise partner Liam Kitching at centre-half, assuming Luke Woolfenden also continues to be sidelined with injury. That leaves Jake Bidwell to come in for Jay Dasilva at left-back to complete the back four.
Josh Eccles and Victor Torp will likely come into the midfield, although Eccles could fill in at right-back if Kesler-Hayden remains out and Lampard wants to make eleven changes, while Hamer is expected to start his first competitive game since his return to the club.
It’s also a perfect opportunity to give Jack Rudoni some much needed game time in his usual number ten slot following his recovery from shoulder surgery, which leaves Tatsuhiro Sakamoto to occupy the right wing and new signing Sidiki Cherif to operate off the left at some stage of the evening.
As for leading the line, the obvious choice is to hand Awoniyi his full City debut, all of which is a pretty strong side to face the Pilgrims at Home Park.
Predicted City team v Plymouth: Wilson; Eccles; Latibeaudiere, Kitching, Bidwell; Hamer, Torp; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Cherif; Awoniyi.
What's your predicted team? Put your selection in the comments section below.
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Coventry City writer Andy Turner
Coventry City writer Andy Turner
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