Slaven Bilic has to make a decision on whether to risk Andy Carroll at Villa Park this afternoon as ClaretandHugh has learned the striker has been in full training this week.
AC is being reported to us as being medically fit but the decision whether to launch him into action against the relegation-threatened Villaims will depend entirely on our manager’s approach to AC’s injury record.
Word is that both he and Manu Lanzini are ok but the manager may adopt a safety first approach refusing to take an sort of risk with either of the players.
Carroll is more likely to return for the match against Saints on Monday with Lanzini possibly appearing off the bench for the game.
We were told: “Both have been training well but the manager is extremely cautious with returning players from injury, particularly AC so it’s more likely we will see Jelavic or Valencia up front.
That may role may not suit the Ecuadorian striker who, with little support, could spend a frustrating afternoon if he’s asked to adopt the front running role.
Firstly, can everyone stop making Andy Carroll out to be a starter in our team. At best he is an impact player from the bench, he does not and never will suit our system. When Sakho is fit he is our number 1 C/F. I would play Antonio, Zarate or Valencia up top any day ahead of Carroll. I would like to see the following front 4 today, Valencia on left, Antonio on right, Kouyate through the middle and Zarate up top. I am afraid our manager will start with Jelavic but I hope he proves me wrong. We will never score with Jelavic up top. Secondly why do people write off our opposition as if we are some kind of super team. I personally will be happy to take a point from Villa today considering the amount of players we have missing. Of course I would be ecstatic if we win but unless he plays the front 4 above then we wont be winning today.
Villa will be desperate not to lose and so the tackles will come flying in from every imagine able angle … So yes , best to leave Carroll out for the moment . For a big center forward he does seem rather delicate . But at full toss he is a handful ,, but not proving it just yet .
Valencia should be given the nod ahead of Jelavic ,, and I would love to see Oxford getting involved .. He has to be played at some stage and today seems ready made for him .
No excuses today ; we should be beating Villa even with the line up we can put out .
Holding back and hanging in there for a draw would be fatal in my opinion .. We were fortunate against Swansea with that approach , but won’t be against a Villa fighting for thier Premiership survival .
If it means they stay fit for the foreseeable, don’t rush/risk them, bench at best.