Alese
David Moyes may be forced to do what many fans have been calling for during most of the season in one of the toughest games of the season this weekend.
We go to Stamford Bridge with only the heroic Craig Dawson as a central defender fit enough from the four on the books to play.
With Kurt Zouma, Angelo Ogbonna and now Issa Diop injured it may of course be that David Moyes decides to play Declan at the back but if we are truly looking to win the game he will surely be required in front of a back four,
And should that be the case then the case then the time may well have come for him for launch either of two under 23s Aji Alese or Jamal Baptiste into action.
It’s easy to argue that either should have had a chance at either FA Cup or EFL Cup level rather than being launched into action against such opposition as Chelsea.
Having said that I for one hope it happens as I wouldn’t expect either to do anything less than a top job and let’s not be blaming the manager for any lack of action in the transfer window as to have three central defenders go down with injury in a season is just rank bad luck.
However, a top display at the weekend and beyond by either of the two under 23s may well save the club some money in the transfer market although Moyes has made it clear in the past that he has players in that position to have experience.
Interesting moment!
We are in a totally unnecessary position . There have been numerous occasions to give them game time But the manager has preferred to bring on Yarmalenko or Noble etc who have nothing to prove and contribute nothing for the future. These young players have not even been on the bench with two goalkeepers selected instead .
dO ANY OF actually know if they are good enough? Moyes would know surely
Hugh.
Baptiste has not played for over a month. He was sent off against Chelsea. Off the ball incident . Doesn’t bode well. Rules him out.He has age on his side. Alese is make or break, he won’t have a better chance than against Chelsea. What do we have to lose if he plays on Sunday. A good performance and the choice is up to Moyes. But does that then not stop Dawson and Johnson from performing an understanding ? I think Dawson and Johnson should know each others game by now. It’s a hard call.
Playing Rice there I think is Moyes’s preference tbh, safety first but that is taking our best player out of his better position.
Let’s hope Arsenal run Chelsea ragged and still lose.
Then we put Chelsea away with a much changed side.
Neither were on bench for Burnley so assume he will go Coufal, Daws, Jophnson Cress
As you said in the piece, Moyes wants experience in the c/b positions. Quite why he has given none at all to Alese and others is beyond me. I suspect he will play Johnson with Daws, his third position this year, and let him take the flak for any shortfall. If he doesn’t play Alese, what is he saying to all those U23 defenders? I hope he plays Alese with Johnson as a back and Cress also. Courage please.
pete
Considering we didn’t buy anyone particularly a defender we only 3 available not playing Alese or Baptiste was crazy. Once we were through the group stage and in the FA Cup we should of played them. Crazy to carry on regardless. Now look at were we are
Totally agree Boleynirons. Also agree that moving Dec back is moving our best player out of his best position – no thanks. I don’t like the idea of playing Johnson as a centre back either. Play a centre back – Alese. There is only so much shuffling he can do -try trusting others – if DM can trust Masuaku then why not Alese?
spot on no6