For me Bent is the one player who has to start. If Jol thinks he's short of match practice, this is a chance to give him some ahead of Saturday. If Jol thinks the team needs time to get used to his runs, this is a chance to give that. The only way he shouldn't start is if Jol doesn't intend him to have a role at the weekend.
Personally, I'd play Kaca on the left, and either Dejagah or Ruiz on the right. Between them, you can make a case for Berbatov (building up their understanding), Taarabt, Kasami, or Ruiz. To go back to an old theme that some of us (okay, me) keep banging on about, this could be a chance to see how Kasami does in a deeper central position. If he can't cut it there against Burton, he won't be up to snuff in the Premier League. This would be my preferred team:
Stockdale
Reither Hangeland Amorbieta (if fit) Briggs
Boateng Kasami
Ruiz Taarabt Kacaniklic
Bent
Hangeland and Reither are there to add a little continuity to a much-changed line up. Parker and Berbatov are rested rather than dropped - we know all about them in their positions and, for now, they are both secure as starters. If Kasami isn't working out in the centre, Karagounis, Sidwell or Parker could come off the bench to rescue things. It's a shame to deny Mesca and Grimmer their chances, but I think the greater priority is to build a bit of cohesion amongst the first-team pool. Everyone in this line up (except Stockdale and , perhaps, Briggs) could conceivably be a contender for a place in our strongest eleven.
