Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Albion face injury crisis at right-back
Wednesday 4th May 2011, 11:29AM BST.
Albion are facing a potential injury crisis at right-back for Sunday’s Black Country derby at Molineux.
Steven Reid, Gonzalo Jara and Gianni Zuiverloon are all still sidelined from trainingm with the Baggies expected to make late calls on the trio.
And that could open the door for either rookie defender James Hurst or makeshift full-back Gabriel Tamas to step in against Mick McCarthy’s men.
Assistant manager Michael Appleton said: “We probably won’t have a firm idea on the likes of Reid and Jara until the end of the week.
“They have both had scans and nothing has been shown to be too serious, but come Friday and Saturday we will probably have a better idea on who is fit and available for the game.
“It’s not ideal because there are three players injured who can do very similar roles in two or three different positions.
“But that’s what you have a squad for and over the next two or three days the gaffer and ourselves will be putting plans in place just in case they’re not right.
“Hurst is definitely an option because Zuiverloon is also injured at the moment and we’re not sure whether he’ll be fit.”
Jara (knee), Reid (calf) and Zuiverloon (shoulder) are joined in the treatment room by captain Chris Brunt (hamstring) and midfielder Graham Dorrans, whose ankle problem is likely to keep him out for the remainder of the season.
But boss Roy Hodgson was given a boost yesterday when Jerome Thomas and Marek Cech (both groin) returned to training.
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Shorey to right back and slot Cech in on the left, not ideal but an option??
The injury situation means i am glad we have enough to stay up, although obviously i would like us to go to Wolves with a fully fit squad. It does allow some of the fringe players to show what they can do, Tchoyi, Hurst, Tamas, Ibanez, and Barnes must now show they have the same determination to play as what Cox has shown recently.
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I’d go for Tamas in a game like this but would have no worries about Hurst coming in either as he seems a very confident lad. Could Tamas play the Scharner role if Jara isn’t fit?
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I won’t lose any sleep over this-whoever plays there will only be up against Ward so it’s not a problem.
Boing Boing
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I JUST HOPE WE DONT GET TO EXCITED AND SOMEBODY GETS SENT OFF BECAUSE IT WILL CARRY FORWARD TO NEXT SEASON IT WILL BE A TIME FOR COOL HEADS WE WANT TO WIN YES BUT NOT AT ALL COSTS GOOD LUCK LADS DONT FORGET THE FANCY DRESS FOR THE HOME EVERTON GAME !!!!!!
COME ON YOU BAGGIES.
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Apparently Roy is playing St Peter at right back – he said it’s an idea he got from Mick !!
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I’d go for Hurst. Looked promising in games so far and I’d really worry about Tamas’ temper for this game if the wolves are planning on playing a ‘physical’ game
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I’d go with Tamas, i thought he did well and was solid when he came on on Saturday. I’d even contemplate Tamas if Jara was fit, he makes me nervous when he goes in for a tackle, and im never quite sure what hes going to do.
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Give Hurst a start, I know it’s a big game for him to come in but he’s looked good when he played earlier in the season and it will be a good test for the lad.
Changing the subject, I wondered if any of you who sit in block E8, row UU around seat 184 in the Brummie Rd will not attending the Everton game? probably none but if you don’t ask you don’t get.
I want to take my 3yr old grandson to his first match together with his brother obviously I want him to sit by me and I’m sure they are all season tickets around me, I don’t want them for nothing I’ll pay the going rate.
I know it’s a shot in the dark but you never know.
Adéu
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I’d be okay playing Hurst, he did pretty well when he’s played. I like the idea of Tamas in for Scharner, seems like it might suit his temperament.
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I think we have played Shorey ar right back before and he wasn’t very convincing. If Cech is fit it may be an option to play him in place of Scharner. Cech always seems to play better when he has been sidelined for a spell. The fact that Jerome Thomas is back in training eases our problems somewhat giving us several options. It’s just unfortunate that several right backs are injured but I am sure that James Hurst would not let the side down.
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Tamas did well there at the weekend when he came on and I’d have no worries with him there. Would also like to see Hurst given an opportunity but you can bet you life if Mick sees the young lad’s name in the starting line-up, he’ll have Jarvis on the left and send everything down that side.
TRBH- Interesting shout about Tamas in midfield. I think we’ll need a physical presence alongside Mulumbu. Starting a game like that with Thomas, Vela, Morrison and Cox worries me.
Call me negative but I don’t have a great feeling about Sunday. I don’t think there’s any question that we’ve got the better attacking players and a new-found resolve to compliment it, but being in the situations we both are, Wolves will be happy to turn it into a scrap and grind out something from the odd chance. I hope we don’t rest on our laurels now we’re safe.
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3 – Baggieinexile…you must be Big George is left back these days…CRUNCH
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Whoever plays will have been well drilled for the job. I’m much more concerned with both teams starting and ending with 11 players on the pitch. Frankly, I’d take the attitude, ‘We’ve got a point, let’s keep it’ and let The Wulfies have to come out at us. That would make an interesting game and maybe keep the tackles down to sensible, (legal), level.
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Hurst was the best player on the pitch when we played Fulham with 4 wing backs. Give him a shot, plus he is probably the only option who can keep apace with Matt Jarvis.
Might as well give the youth a shot whilst there is nothing to play for.
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For me, round pegs in round holes, so I’d leave Nickey S. at left back.
I’d be very comfortable giving Hurst the shirt at right back, especially if Bruntie is back in on the RHS.
Yes, he is young, though his previous suggests he is keen and competent, and will be focused for the day.
Slightly tongue in cheek for the Scharner option … howz about Big Boy Tchoyi?
The way the Wolves lumped it high over the midfield at the Blues Debris, sorry, Derby, I think we may need someone tall & strong to intercept :)
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Hurst would cover right back, for me. Wolves are a clogging team, who think big talk frightens other clubs. Stoke nor Birmingham were frightened and it will be the same Sunday. Never forget, wolves can’t play any other way. Got a feeling, there will be a few penalties against wolves. What was it (12) Cheso?), oh crunch.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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Just read the Paul Scharner, Simon Cox blogs.
Paul,
Nice news of you wanting to stay at the HAWTHORNS. Please let Laughingwolf know, as he’s rabbited on all season about the get out clause in your contract. I’m sure he’ll be delighted.
Simon,
You’ve mentioned reasons why ALBION players want to beat wolves on Sunday, but forgot the win bonus.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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Worth a cheeky punt, Bookies are offering 5-1 Odemwingie being first scorer, and 9-4 on Albion win, thats got to be worth a fiver accumulator! £56.25 if it comes off.
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Unless Wolves have a player of Ashley Cole’s calibre hidden away, which I doubt, I dont think it really matters who we play! tea lady anyone?
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lets just play with 10 men,we did agenst vile and blues did agenst dings aye boing boing
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Mick states in his latest blog. (Wolves lose to ALBION.) “Worst state-scenario, Wolves would be four points adrift with nine to play for”. He’s found another game from somewhere. I believe the worry is getting to him, just like the rest of the Dingles. So correction needed, four points adrift also worst goal difference, with six to play for, how’s that, E&D. So Wolves, when we win, it’s curtains.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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Could always put a cone down.
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17 Jack.
After that article I’d keep Paul Scharner as our PR man when his playing days are over.
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5 Happy.
Back on form. Brilliant.
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6 Dan.
I’d worry more about having players who can stand up to a bit of intimidation as that sounds as though it’s going to be their main tactic. I think we need Tamas on the pitch somewhere.
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I have a concker tree in me back garden. Put that at RB as Wolves wont get past that either.
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22) brierley.. sheer class mate. love it. short, sweet and very funny. i’d given thought to one of the mannequins found in closed down clothes shops. or how about a subbuteo player, if he scored he’d celebrate with the fans after flying over the goal after being flicked. not only are west brom fans full of football savvy, we’re quite brilliant at the surreal too.
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If Calsberg did predictions…………
I definately do not do predictions personally, but i have looked on the Wulf threads, and their favourite son, Stephen Ward, has ACTUALY stated that he hopes Wolves play as well as they did against us as they did against the Blues…………..OH Stephen…..So do i
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Few typos there people, but you get the gist, now that IS the Carlsberg.
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For me it has to be Hurst at right back and Tamas in place of Scharner.
We will win 2-1 Meite to score the winner just like mardon in 1994.
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21 JTH, i think he was on about after saturdays results with them losing to us on sundee,aye boing boing
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I’d use a closed ranks system, the longer it goes at 0-0 the more frustrated will be the crowd, then the players. It also gives the ref a chance to issue a few warnings for one-sided intimidation. It may also be a blessing in disguise that Scharner and Jara won’t be on the pitch. Both can be a touch irresponsible under pressure.
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(31)
Sir Terry,
Now doh yo get conflumoxing him. He doh no woris on abaert onyroad. Shaerm they ay gorreny stoikers f Sundee. Weem gunna win, ay we. So lung f now, gunna stetch me shommocks.
BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.
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