JERSEY manager Dave Kennedy is not expected to name his starting XI for Monday’s Cimandis Muratti final against Guernsey at Springfield until later this weekend.
Indeed, he still has to reduce his squad from 20 to 18 players, but whatever its make-up it will be a group packed with pace and quality.
With a handful of previously injured key players all coming through a trial match at St Ouen on Thursday night, the former professional will definitely be in a more confident mood.
And having watched that trial match I believe there could well be a surprise inclusion or two, as opposed to what Kennedy has stuck to for the majority of the season.
Players like defender Scott Devlin and striker Paul Aitken have recovered from injury but are they are short of match practise for such a big game?
The decision obviously lies with the manager who will, I’m sure, have been delighted with the performance of junior Jack Boyle, who had an excellent match and who created many chances for his team mates.
Talented Boyle could start following on from his Muratti debut as a substitute in Jersey’s 7-0 semi-final win in Alderney back in March.
Jimmy Styles is expected to get the nod over Craig Fletcher as a result of having played six Muratti matches and keeping clean sheets on three of those occasions.
Jersey’s back four in Alderney of James Scott, captain Stuart Andre, Scott Devlin and Jack Cannon would all feature again although Dave Lloyd has pressed hard for a starting position having had an outstanding season for Trinity.
Kennedy’s squad is packed with talented midfielders, all who have given good accounts of themselves in recent competitive friendly matches against reserve/youth sides from Blackburn Rovers, Reading and Alloa Athletic.
Chris Andrews, Russell Le Feuvre, Mark Brown and new cap Mark Lucas played in Alderney but I think he will change it against Guernsey as a result of Andrews being pushed into attack alongside Craig Leitch.
Boyle or Dave Le Roux, who is having a good end to the season, could feature on Jersey’s right while Andrews is likely to take over from Paul Aitken, again purely because of match fitness.
Kennedy’s possible starting line up could therefore be: Jimmy Styles; James Scott, Stuart Andre, Dave Lloyd, Jack Cannon; Dave Le Roux, Russell Le Feuvre, Mark Brown, Mark Lucas; Craig Leitch, Chris Andrews.
It’s a well balanced side; strong in defence with Russell Le Feuvre to play the holding role in midfield with the others pushing on.
Guernsey are sweating on the fitness of attacking midfielder Dave Rihoy and manager Steve Ogier will leave it a long as possible in the hope of getting him fit.
Jersey have an impressive home record in recent Murattis with their only home defeat coming 3-2 after a penalty shoot-out following a 3-3 draw in the Centenary Muratti replay in 2005.
Before that the last Guernsey win in Jersey was in 1992.
I expect Jersey’s good run to continue on Monday with them winning 2-0.
Article posted on 3rd May, 2008 - 12.00am
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