David Moyes has a terrible poker face and is not a man to whom managerial mind games come easily. However, I do wonder if he’s played a bit of a blinder with the Alphonse Areola situation?
It’s widely confirmed that Jarrod Bowen will miss tomorrow’s Europa League quarter-final against Bayer Leverkusen. He went down heavily in the 2-1 Premier League win against Wolves and was sent for a scan on Monday.
The results revealed bruising to the spine, which ordinarily takes 2-3 weeks to heal properly. Therefore, it had been assumed that Bowen would miss the first leg against Leverkusen. Let’s be honest here… nobody wants to sit on a plane with back pain, so many had counted him out.
Nothing to see here: Moyes hurries through customs with a suspect package
I’m sure that David Moyes would like to pull the wool over Xabi Alonso’s eyes with Jarrod Bowen, the likelihood is that he’ll remain in England.
Areola on the other hand is a different matter. Whilst Fabianski is an able deputy and regular cup keeper, the Frenchman is the better option. He’s crucial to our counter attacking game which will be our best chance of scoring at The Bay Arena.
But only this afternoon, the club reported, “Jarrod Bowen will be assessed after being withdrawn in the early stages of the second half against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend, as will goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.”
Now, far be it from me to get everyone’s hopes up, but it would be a massive lift if Areola were announced in the starting line-up. Not just to us fans but to the team too. With Bowen and Edson Alvarez missing, the team will need all the help it can get.
#COYI