Now it’s not like ClaretandHugh to normally ask such a question but we have to wonder whether the manager has been reading these pages overnight! 🙂
For yesterday in this story https://www.claretandhugh.info/time-to-give-this-iron-real-game-time/ we pleaded the case for record signing Andre Ayew of given a run of games.
The £20 million record signing has been brought on for 20 minute bursts and has contributed goals and assists during his limited game time.
Now today in his ‘Manager on Monday ‘ column on the official site Slav appears to be talking up the Ghana international and suggesting an extended run of games is at hand.
He said: “Andre had a couple of major things which happened to him, which affected his season so far
“The first was that he had a massive injury in the first game of the season, then when he came back it was a little bit too early, so he was searching for fitness and form.
“Then he went to the Africa Cup of Nations and now he looks really good. That’s the reason we bought him – he has that sense to be in the right place at the right time.
“He scored like that against Swansea, he scored like that against Watford and he scored a similar kind of goal again on Saturday. That’s a big quality for the strikers to be in a good position, so now he’s back in good shape and of course we expect him to improve us.”
Er, no he does not. Happy to clear that up for you 😆
So Snodgrass plays with an injury; Ayew, who the manager thinks is back to form, doesn’t start; Kouyate continues to be played out of position; Noble struggles to make a difference; and Lanzini doesn’t start in his best position.
We need a fit and determined Sakho back asap and to bite the Noble bullet.
In the mean time: Kouyate back to midfield with Obiang, Lanzini playing the central two thirds to allow him to drop back and start attacks and Ayew up in support of Carroll.
This management lark’s a doddle!