Alvaro Arbeloa is likely to fill in the left back role on Sunday with Arthur Masuaka out injured for at least six weeks and Aaron Cresswell not due to return until mid October at the very earliest.The 33 year old veteran right back is said to be very comfortable on the left side and has frequently played in that position in emergencies for his former teams. The former Liverpool defender showed his versatility on Wednesday when he switched to left back late in the game after Masuaku was forced to leave the pitch through injury.
With Arbeloa almost certain to fill the left back role, the right back position becomes the next big question. Sam Byram would be the obvious choice although his lack of Premier League experience has been displayed in some of the early league games. Everyone will be hoping that Slaven Bilic doesn’t use this latest injury setback to return to his failed experiment of Michail Antonio at right back. Antonio is the Premier League’s joint top scorer with five goals and Bilic would likely face heavy criticism from the fans if he tries to move him back to a defensive position.
I would rather see Ogbonna at left back, and leave Arbeloa to cement himself at right back. Neither Antonio nor Byrom at rightback inspires me much at this time.
Sorry Fishes but I can’t agree. I don’t think Byram has played that bad this season. The problem at the back is the central defenders who have been making schoolboy errors. Particularly Ginge. Another reason to play Oxford alongside Ogbonna. Read has also been awful this season looking overweight and short of pace. I would also find room for Fernandez after his performance Wednesday and would certainly play Fletch in front of Calleri or Zaza. They are both very short of confidence and lack any sort of pace. COYI
Good call kenny. Reid and Collins have been left totally exposed by Noble and the Norweign who are in a race for worst player of the year . The centre of midfield needs strengthening to give cover and then the full backs will not be pulled out of position . Happy with Fernandez…100% better bet than Torre and ZaZa can pack his bags and trot of home as soon as . Come back Sacko .. he is twice the player that Gabor or Calleri will ever be .
COYI
Byram was ok when played at left-back earlier in the Season, leave Arbeloa at right-back and let Antonio do his stuff up front.
A stronger midfield performance is badly needed – the midfield has gone missing so far this Season and is offering no protection to the Defence, which has been badly exposed.
But Mike, you cannot blame midfield for the basic schoolboy errors we have seen from Reid and Collins in particular. But on the other hand, I do agree we need to change midfield personnel. Christ, if Morrinho can drop Rooney, hopefully Slav will have the guts to do the same with Nobes. Everyone, and I mean everyone, must feel under threat if they do not perform or, in particular, put the effort in.