Mikey Antonio’s injury woe has thrown up a selection dilemma for David Moyes: Jarrod Bowen or Jesse Lingard?
The striker felt his hamstring against Wolves and is unlikely to be risked against Leicester this weekend in another major game in the battle to finish in the top four.
The Irons need to find a replacement from their squad but there isn’t another striker available, so it seems nailed-on that David Moyes will pick a false nine.
That means either Lingard or Bowen in the role, with the pair having the pace and the finishing ability to do the job.
The answer looks clear, with Bowen surely the best option.
He has seven goals to his name in the league this season and he has the ability to both hold the ball up and allow Lingard to thrive in his own role as an attacking midfielder.
As we’ve seen this season, the 28-year-old is best when he has space to run into, not when he’s being marked tightly by a central defender.
Bowen may not actually score against the Foxes in the role, but Lingard will surely have more opportunity to break through, and add to his remarkable tally of six goals and four assists in eight games.
Bowen may be a bit of a sacrificial lamb in this system but it’s our best option of beating the Foxes!
Looks right to me Dave. Definitely Jarrod Bowen to fill the Michail Antonio void. Jarrod will do a tremendous job for us even though playing ‘out of position’. But he has no position – he’s a football player just like Antonio, making the most of where he is and what he can do to help. Leaves Jesse lingard to play his usual game. Crisis – what crisis?
COYI
Agree & imagine they will swap out playing up front like before. Wonder of we stick with 4231 if Antonio is out or go 433 with or back 3 with Lingard on the wing…