Michail Antonio looks to have a key role to play as the Irons get ready for their ‘scary’ clash with Manchester City this weekend.
After a run out against Everton, the Hammer of the Year is now set to start for the first time since damaging his ribs at the end of October against Brighton.
The odds could be that he will be playing back down the right – a problem position this season – and that would allow him to give protection to Pablo Zabaleta who has been struggling for pace this season.
However, although latest reports are that Andy Carroll should be available, nothing is certain in ‘AC world’ and should he prove to be unavailable again then Antonio could play through the middle given David Moyes’ regular and historic use of a big man in that role.
The game will probably come too soon for Chicharito who is understood to be back in training but given the likely defensive nature of formation required this may not have been the game for him anyway.
Having said that, we have plenty of injury problems at the back where Winston Reid is almost certain to miss the game along with James Collins and of course Jose Fonte. This may see Kouyate dropped into defence alongside Rice and Ogbonna.
Joe Hart misses the game under the terms of his loan deal meaning that Adrian makes his return to the team – the one clear cut situation as David Moyes sifts his limited options.
City are dodgy at defending set pieces. Only problems there are 1 Getting the ball down their end. 2 Finding somebody who can actually take a decent free kick/corner/penalty. Oh yes & where is AC when you need him? Same as at Everton- they had conceded two on Sunday from crosses & if ever a game was set up for Carroll it was that one. In this case it probably will make no difference tbh, but we are not going to have much chance playing through them. In the words of the Springsteen song I’m ‘Counting On A Miracle’…….But expecting a massacre!
Yes 64 !! Moyes will be lord cardigan for a hour and half !! 😂
No matter what keys we have up front ? We will have our locks picked at the back ? Noble must not start v city lol it will be embarrassing for him and us regardless of who else Moyes plays, sakho must start you would think ? But Carroll if picked as #1 will show there’s still a internal problem relating to his constant inclusion ! Please sell in Jan 😉
I know circumstances have dictated this, but Kouyate, Ogbonna and a well past his sell-by date Zabelta in defence; have we ever put out a more inept back-line??? Which one will give away the first penalty?? Feel sorry for Rice, as he’s class.
Sakho has to start even if Carroll is on the pitch, we will be defending deep, so we need the pace of Antonio and Sakho on the counter if we can earn some set plays in good position we might have half a chance of scoring, the way they press route one with balls over the top of a high line or long diagonals bypassing the press is the way forward, in midfield judging by the Everton game it is going to be tough to compete, they move the ball and players so fast and deny space so the back pass and hoofball is probably more likely to result in something than trying to pass the ball through the midfield, just make sure we have support to win the second ball COYI !!!