Head scratching time as Newport leaves big questions

Diop could face the axe

Manuel Pellegrini’s team selection will be particularly interesting this weekend after a midweek game which probably provided more questions than answers.

They are all made by now of course but for those of us sitting on the sidelines some fascinating scenarios were thrown up by the Newport game.

In normal circumstances one would wonder whether Jack Wilshere had done enough to justify inclusion and if so where, because it’s very difficult to see how Mark Noble could be replaced after an impressive first game of the season against Watford.

Michail Antonio’s absence leaves a gaping hole on the substitute’s bench where the guy has come on in the last two games to make an enormous difference.

Looks ready for a PL return

The return of Zaba was  impressive for me and the old boy gave us more going forward than we have had so far from the right back position this season.

He may be in the last year of his Premier League career but for me he’s still the best full back at the club.

The other two question marks I have are over Issa Diop and Pablo Fornals with the central defender having his worst game for a long time in Wales, and in trying to decide whether the young Spaniard is ready to complete 90 minutes.

I’d go with Zaba at right back for sure but the midfield conundrum between Wilshere and Fornals is a tough one to call other than knowing how big a fan the manager is of Jack.

Is Fornals ready for 90 minutes ?

Yarmolenko looks the player most likely to be able to emulate Antonio’s contribution but clearly not to the same extent whilst the central defensive position is a head scratcher.

However, given the manager’s past record with seemingly out of touch players it seems possible  that Diop may be on the bench with Balbuena and Ogbonna making up the central defensive pairing.

If that were to turn out to be the case it would be our third switch at central defence in four Premier League games reflecting all the issues we have at the back – not good!

Personally, however,  I’d restore the No 1 partnership of Diop and Balbuena and keep everything crossed despite the young Frenchman not yet showing his best this term.

Beyond all that expect Arthur Masuaku to return.

Here’s our team: Fabianski; Zaba, Diop, Balbuena, Masuaku; Rice, Noble; Fornals, Anderson, Lanzini, Haller. Bench: Roberto, Fredericks, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Yarmolenko, Wilshere, Ajeti.