Change The Record

Played 12, Drawn 2, Lost 10. Hardly makes good reading does it ? Our record in the Premier League against ManYoo is frankly appalling. Half decent performances have been few and far between and mainly they have been disappointing to say the least and none more so than last season’s capitulation at The Valley. This needs to change, and now. Another defeat at The Valley will see our good start to the season merely become an okay one and the prospect of another season of mid-table obscurity.

It remains to be seen where AC will tinker with the team but some tinkering is both necessary and unavoidable. With the unavailability of Jon Spector a change at left-back is certain but whether that will see the return of Chrissy Powell or the switching of Hermann across the back line remains to be seen. The latter would not only mean that we would lose probably our best centre half from the heart of the defence but it would mean the recall of Karkouri whom I am far from convinced about. The former at least would mean that the centre half pairing would not be disrupted and Powell can be relied upon to put in a dependable performance. In the long term, as previously stated, I remain unconvinced by Karkouri whilst no-one has seen enough of Sorondo to be able to judge whether or not he could make one of the positions his own. Fortune is dependable but far from being capable of being able to perform the role on a regular basis. Perhaps the linking of Aston Villa left back JLloyd Samuel with a move to The Valley in January would suggest that Curbs sees Hermann as a centre half long term.

Elsewhere the side practically picks itself except from the goalkeeping position perhaps. In my opinion Stephan Andersen has done nothing wrong and to replace him just because Deano is unhappy with his lot would be unwise although many seem to think otherwise. The midfield will pick itself especially with Jerome Thomas injured and Smertin fit again. Hughes will drop out from the team that started at Ewood Park two weeks ago and the 4-5-1 formation will be persevered with for at least another week. With Thomas injured Lloyd Sam may get the nod for a place on the bench especially after his omission from the reserves this week. Expect Holland, Bothroyd, Karkouri and a keeper to make up the bench warmers.

Talking of the reserves I’m a tad confused. I thought that players such as Bartlett, Sorondo and Euell were on their way back from injury and others such as Bothroyd, JJ and Lisbie were lacking match fitness but none of them appeared for the reserves this week. Either they were given time off during the international break which, for the reasons stated above, seems strange, or our injury situation is really a crises. If so, our squad now looks pretty thin on the ground.

Roll on Saturday; a good fry-up down the café and three points off the Mancs. Up The Addicks !!