A number of our first team players will return for the Rotherham game tomorrow afternoon after they had a game off on Wednesday night in the 3-1 win over Birmingham in the 3rd round replay of the FA Cup.
Rafa made eight changes to the side for that game and started three youngsters who did well on th night and that will be great for their confidence and experience.
But it’s likely to be all change tomorrow for the league game against Rotherham which we must win.
With Isaac Hayden picking up an old groin injury – probably because of all the games (24) he has played this season – he could be rested again tomorrow and jack Colback could come in to partner Jonjo Shelley.
And we expect Daryl Murphy to be leading the line with Mitrovic still not available because of his knee injury.
This is the side Rafa could start tomorrow and there are with this side:
Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles (c) Clark Dummett
Shelvey Colback
Ritchie Perez Gouffran
Murphy
That looks like 7 changes from the side that started on Wednesday night with Yedlin, Shelvey, Ritchie and Gouffran keeping their places.
Rafa could surprise us by giving an outing to right-back Jamie Sterry and resting Yedlin, who has played the last two games in Anita’s absence through injury.
And even Sammy Ameobi could see some action tomorrow.
Both players are in the squad for tomorrow’s game.
Brighton play at home to Sheffield Wednesday tonight and then have their make-up game on Tuesday night at home to Cardiff City so it’s very important we win this game tomorrow.

Comments welcome.
202 comments so far
G
Jan 20, 2017 at 2:35 PM
Comment #1I suspect Sterry wiil be cover, not a starter. Maybe Sameobi too
Oldgit1
Jan 20, 2017 at 2:52 PM
Comment #2I fancy Sammy and Sterry to start to give gouffram and Yedlin a break. Got a feeling Sammy could come good. Depends how he performs in training.
Jib
Jan 20, 2017 at 2:54 PM
Comment #3Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles (c) Clark Dummett
Shelvey Colback
Ritchie Perez Gouffran
The team actually picks itself the only thing is whether Dwight is fit or not.
If 100% it’s Gayle all the way.
If not Murphy as replacement.
I think Barlaser and Findlay may make the bench for the matchday experience.
Jib
Jan 20, 2017 at 3:07 PM
Comment #4Rob Elliot is not selected for the U23’s today could be on the bench tomorrow
Our Toon
Jan 20, 2017 at 3:11 PM
Comment #5Belfast
If shelvey gets injured and is out for 6 weeks, Rafa should look to change the formation and play 2 upfront. Crosses will replace the lack of a creative force in central midfield.
The rut come along with our insistence to continue with same tactics without the right players to play that way.
Any signings in this window will be panic buys in my eyes and won’t improve the team for the prem. Loan deals would be more acceptable for the right player/s
Moonraker15
Jan 20, 2017 at 3:14 PM
Comment #6Jib
Hayden??
Jail for Ashley
Jan 20, 2017 at 3:21 PM
Comment #7The guy who has scored six of Rotherhams ten away goals is out according to .com, they have Gayle as unavailable, so definitely a risk putting him in your bingo team, Murphy took his chance well on Saturday and deserves a chance if theirs any doubt over Gayle, I don’t think Gayle will be ready though, they already said you don’t rush that type of injury and would Murphy have been rested on Wednesday if there was a chance Gayle could play. I’m leaving him out.
Bobbybee
Jan 20, 2017 at 3:23 PM
Comment #8As long as we’re not complacent tomorrow, whatever team we put out we should win. Of course should and will ain’t the same, but complacency is our only real threat. Rotherham haven’t won away yet, but remember, this is the biggest game for them in years. They’ve sold their entire allocation of 3200 and will treat this as their cup final. That is our main danger. When they’ll play before 52k people again is anybody’s guess. They’ll be loud, we need to beat them on the terraces and on the pitch. Fair warning.
Jib
Jan 20, 2017 at 3:26 PM
Comment #9Moonraker15
Isaac has slight groin strain that needs rest
Jib
Jan 20, 2017 at 3:29 PM
Comment #10Training this morning
SPRINGY
Jan 20, 2017 at 3:30 PM
Comment #11Think most people will have the same side so could be a few picking points up on rafa bingo….but here goes
______________________darlow______________________
Yedlin________lascelles_____clark_________dummet
______________colback______shelvey________________
Ritchie_______________perez_________________goofy
_____________________murphy______________________
Could be hayden for colback.
SPRINGY
Jan 20, 2017 at 3:34 PM
Comment #12Bobbybee
Aren’t u meant to let visitors take grapes in to hospital for ya….ya not meant to take them in ya sell! Lol
Bobbybee
Jan 20, 2017 at 3:43 PM
Comment #13Springy. I’m there now waiting to give some grapes back mate. Waiting rooms are strange places. Everyone looks worried. They probably think the same about me though! 🙂
Bobbybee
Jan 20, 2017 at 3:48 PM
Comment #14I’m going with a slight alternative to the obvious. Thinking that we want crosses for Murphy and as The Gouff played so well…
Darlow
Yedders Lascelles Clark Dummett
Shelvey Colback
Ritchie The Gouff Sammy
Big Murph.
lesh
Jan 20, 2017 at 3:49 PM
Comment #15Bobby
Are you sure that playing in front of 52k will frighten Rotherham? Steve Harper’s another former player who’ve said that our crowd can work against us – especially when things aren’t going well. He reckoned visiting teams are working that out and stifling our game to frustrate our fans – not you of course Berb! 😉
So, surely what Rafa ought to be doing is dumping his containing game at home and just go all out to stick as many past Rotherham’s as possible? But will he?
Bobbybee
Jan 20, 2017 at 3:50 PM
Comment #16Gulp! My turn. Later.
phoonck
Jan 20, 2017 at 3:53 PM
Comment #17Rafa Bingo:
Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles Clark Dummet
Shelvey Hayden
Ritchie Perez Lazaar
Gouffran
Howay the Lads!!!
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:04 PM
Comment #18Ed
I reckon that that is the team that most of us will be selecting for the bingo.
Seems to be the obvious one.
The bench is going to be more interesting IMO, with the possible inclusion of Barlaser, Finlay, Sterry and Sammy. Elliot looks like he might get the nod over Selz, Hanley and Lazar could be the other two with Hayden and Gayle being given more time to recover from their injuries.
Plenty of competition for places even without any new signings.
hibbit
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:06 PM
Comment #19i know toon fans have a soft spot for anything Ameobi but lads this is Sammy
i will be shocked if he’s on the bench never mind the pitch his head and feet just aren’t connected
JamesToon
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:06 PM
Comment #20Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles Clark Lazaar
Shelvey Hayden
Ritchie Perez Gouffran
Murphy
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:08 PM
Comment #21Makes a pleasant change to see most of us thinking we can beat the Mighty Rotherham.
chicousa
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:09 PM
Comment #22Rafa bingo lineup:
Darlow
Sterry Lascelles Clark Dummett
Shelvey Colback
Ritchie Perez Gouffran
Murph
Not sure of Gamez’ current fitness so am thinking Rafa may give Sterry the start, while resting Yedlin. Anyone have any recent news on Jesus Gamez?
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:10 PM
Comment #23Hibbit
Sammy is a match winner and Rafa seems to rate him so that’s good enough for me. And he has more or less said he”ll be on the bench if I read it right.
hibbit
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:16 PM
Comment #24Essex
over the years i’ve seen a lot of Sammy and believe me he’s no match winner the odd flash in the pan yes but a match winner no
as for Rafa rating him i very much doubt that
Jail for Ashley
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:17 PM
Comment #25Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles (c) Clark Dummett
Shelvey Colback
Ritchie Perez Gouffran
Murphy
I think my first bingo win will be on the day that there are fifty other winners.
dem
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:18 PM
Comment #26Jail – Re Bingo
Am I the first to get the team and score correct in the same game? Happy to be on the podium at present.
Rafa Bingo for Rotherham
Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles Clark Dummett
Shelvey Colback
Ritchie Perez Gouffran
Murphy
Going for 3-0
lochinvar
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:18 PM
Comment #27Rafa Bingo –
Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles Clark Dummet
Shelvey Hayden
Ritchie Gouffran Perez
Murphy
lesh
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:21 PM
Comment #28Dem
Don’t be daft man. Jail’s superior knowledge means he’ll always be on the bingo leader podium. 😀
Ron Knee
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:21 PM
Comment #29hibbit
“his head and feet just aren’t connected”
That’s how he’s able to fool the opposition sometimes!
WWSBRD
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:23 PM
Comment #30Think I may be on a role with this bingo thing
Darlow
Yedlin Lascelles Clark Dummett
Colback Shelvey
Ritchie Perez Gouffran
Murphy
Watch Lazaar start and huff everyone who plays this game
Jail for Ashley
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:23 PM
Comment #31dem,
Firebug666 has one as well, you’re one win behind him on three points.
Do we think Legolas should be awarded points for posting his line up so close to the team being announced.
WWSBRD
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:23 PM
Comment #32hibbit
Sammy will be on the bench mate we’ve got no one else
lesh
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:27 PM
Comment #33Essex
If Rafa did rate Sammy, he wouldn’t have put him out on loan to find another club for him.
Ashley, doubtless advised by his football expert, Carr, one of the games best ever managers, and Ashley’s grubby grabbing paws are all over Sammy’s return from loan.
I’ve no doubt that Rafa’s been told to use what he’s got thus risking promotion for the sake of a spending on a player who’ll add value to the squad.
Why Ashley should listen to Carr over Rafa beats me. Ah, maybe it’s because Carr won’t argue with him?
hibbit
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:28 PM
Comment #34Ron Knee
the problem is he fools his self more often then not …….
dont get me wrong here Sammy is a lovely lad in fact his whole family are very nice generous people but a match winning footballer never
WWSBRD
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:29 PM
Comment #35lesh
Ur really not a fan of Carr are u
lesh
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:31 PM
Comment #36Jail
Maybe Legolas’s getting early wind of Rafa’s team selection from the Russians who now that Trump’s in the bag. NUFC could be Putin’s next project!
Jail for Ashley
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:31 PM
Comment #37Rotherham are almost league one anyway so Sammy could do.well against them, wouldn’t do any harm to give him half an hour if we’re comfortable.
lesh
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:34 PM
Comment #38WW
I would say that if he’s a confidant and advisor to Ashley, he surely can’t be trusted by Rafa.
Despite the failures, relegations and managerial changes he’s survived and that worries me.
Legolas
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:34 PM
Comment #39Jail,
Of course you should. It was well before team was announced. You already took off points when I changed my selection. Lol.
Our Toon
Jan 20, 2017 at 4:37 PM
Comment #40I’d be shocked if Gayle was in tomorrow, I’ll have a go at the bingo though
Darlow
Yedlin, lascelles, Clark, dummett
Colback, Hayden
Ritchie, shelvey, gouffran
Perez