Many people talk about the Premier League being a marathon. I see it as more of a voyage, so the international break allows us the luxury to drop anchor and take stock of the situation.
After seven games we are sitting eighth in the league with a respectable eleven points. I think we can all agree that is a solid start.
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Reports are suggesting that Ricardo Vaz Te is going to be missing for up to twelve weeks. I do not think this is a disaster, as I believe the team has been carrying him.
Sam Allardyce has persisted with Vaz Te, but is having his hand forced by the injury – although he doesn’t seem to be that concerned about it when he said (concerning the injury) “it’s a bit of a shame.”
Our next port-of-call is Southampton at home, and we have to win that game. Southampton has conceded a lot of goals this year, and that is why we have to be attack minded from the start. We do not want to tough it out against them and get dragged into a championship type of game which would play straight into their hands.
We have to believe that we are going to score more goals than them no matter what happens. The injury to Vaz Te has opened up a whole new debate on the side we should play.
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I suggest that we play Yossi Benayoun for Vaz Te and give Kevin Nolan a rest and play Modibo Maiga off Andy Carroll.
My team to play against Southampton is: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Collins, Reid, McCartney; Noble, Diame, Jarvis, Benayoun; Maiga, Carroll.
I doubt BS will drop Nolan, and as much as I’d like to see Yossi start, I doubt that will happen either. Though Maiga can play as a winger, so maybe he’ll be the new face along with Cole. That could be interesting.
Was disappointed but not surprised by the result at the weekend, but a home tie against Southampton will be a better test of how this squad will fare this season.
I think your right, Southampton could well be a defining game for us this year.
Nolan ditched? C’mon. Never gonna happen. But keen to see Maiga play.
Without sounding harsh, losing RVT is not a big problem. I can’t see Sam resting Nolan, and i’m not sure he should, as he brings such a presence to the midfield. Benayoun is my preferred replacement for RVT. I also think Tomkins should replace Collins, who is starting to look a little bit short on concentration and easily rattled.