Slaven Bilic appears to have three midfield options to partner the now clearly returning Mark Noble when we go into action against Hull City in a fortnight’s time.
He will be looking at Edmilson Fernandes, Havard Nortveidt or Cheik Kouyate as his options and one can only hope that he returns ‘Ginge’ to the back four because the Senegal high energy action man is surely required in the middle of the park.
There have been calls for Nortveidt return but alongside Noble, the lack of pace looks frightening from where I’m sitting.
However, Fernandes is probably favourite for the job given his regular appearances off the bench with Kouyate moving in alongside Jose Fonte.
Personally, I believe in times of crisis – and this may be one – it is a far better idea to keep players in their natural position which for me means Collins and Kouyate.
I see Cheik as the man required to launch attacks from out of midfield whereas a combination of Noble, Frenandes or Nortveidt hardly represents penetrative thinking.
Give us your thoughts guys – it’s a tricky one!
If Ginge is fit he will slot in next to Fonte as far as im concerned.I dont really see this as a crisis.
We might not have options as strong as Ant,Reid or Obiang but we have options.
We are hardly down to ‘arrys famous bare bones he loved to tell us about nearly every week lol
Collins,Noble,Snodgrass/Feghouli.Where the crisis???
I don’t know what the terms of his loan deal is but getting Oxford back from Reading may give options or at least cover. I agree that horses for courses should prevail and I would also go for Ginge in defence and Kouyate/Noble as midfield axis.
Can’t be done mate – can only return during the windows
Im sure Nobes will come straight back in if ready.I was in neither camp on the Noble debate but i think it rather stoopid how some have gloated about Nobles absence and us losing without him as if it proves them right by defending him to the hilt.
We had not won the previous four with him either!
No one won or lost that debate though a few seem more preoccupied with that situation than caring that we actually lost as a team.
Surely it’s just a case of whoever is fit, bring your boots lol.
Ginge hasn’t played for a while and is not match fit ( unless he gets a run-out with Wales ), so I would have to say Kouyate at CB, and Fernandes in holding role going forward. He will need Nobes to guide him ( if Nobes is recovered in every way ). I think this would still be a good enough team for Hull, and it would have to be good enough for Arsenal too.
I really rate Fernandes, and he has shown in his last 2 games that he can put it about a bit now. Pity Domengas is also out for a while. Snods or Feghouli would have to step up to fill Antonios boots.
Very very disappointing news . Collins at the back in a 4 is not a problem but it is a tragedy that the the correct selection in midfield has been decimated . To recall a clearly out of form ( finished ) Noble is a big backwards step . We need a midfield that takes the game to the opposition and keeps them occupied not reverting to the sideways / backwards passing a la Noble . The lack of pace and fast transition invites the opposition on to our very creaky defence . Bring in Fernandez for Obiang and see how it works . We know what Noble has to offer ( not a lot ! ) so it must be worth a couple of games . If Noble comes back in we will be fighting against relegation as I can’t see us getting any supply to Lanzini and in turn the striker . COYI
Please shut up. This constant Noble rubbish is really tiresome.
Adrián
Byram, Nordveidt, Fonte, Masuaku
Kouyaté Noble
Feghouli, Lanzini, Ayew
Carroll
” Slav faced with tricky midfield options after injuries ”
He’s been making unnecessary tricky decisions ( of his own making all season ) whether we had a injury problem or not .
No reason to keep banging on about Noble either . He can only play according to how the side is set up and told to do .