Wooders wrote:This is why we have a big squad that means we can still field quality even with at least 3 key first teamers out of the picture
Wooders I agree to an extent. Missing 3 attacking players in the form of Robinho, Tevez, and RSC, and then add the likelihood oh Ade being banned, I am not so concerned there as Bellamy is still around, and in a pinch Benjani playing would not concern me, because for a 5th option at striker we are doing better than most.
My concern here is that we do not have a lot of players that can do what Ireland does, especially since Elano left/sent away. It would be nice to see Johnson as an option, but he is not there yet. So what happens Sunday if Stevie is indeed a scratch?? The depth is not there. Does SWP move inside and either Petrov or Weiss comes in on the wing? Do you move Toure up to midfield and play Ned in the back? Does Zabaleta play in the midfield again? There are a lot of options, but all involve moving someone out of position or in the case of Weiss, a tough test for a young player, or in the case of Petrov a drop from what Bellamy did Saturday, since he will not mark back (and before anyone bites, I love Marty, just he is one dimensional)?
None of the above is as appealing as if we had been able to placate Elano or brought in cover. The depth was never there in the first place, we have 6 strikers (10 if you ask Baconface), we have 8 men experienced and very capable in the back (when Kompany is finally fit), but we do not have a glut of depth talent in the central midfield at this time. Johno would be helpful, but still, another one is clearly needed.
I've come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I am all out of bubblegum.