Yeah but no Winks . It definitely misses a proper Hojbjerg backup there though, next season we should be fine with Skipp back but there’s a huge DM hole at the moment, when Hojbjerg went down last week clutching his ankle I feared the worst. Shows how important he’s already become. It’s rough on Bergwijn, his confidence has taken a battering. Dropped harshly last season when on fire and never really gotten his spot back, not had a tonne of chance though mind.
Albeit CB is still an issue, Dan Kilpatrick quite rightly said that (a fit) Lo Celso for Sissoko and that’s our strongest first XI possible if everyone’s firing. Looking forward to that front three together from the off though, think it’s where we can hopefully see Bale really shine when playing alongside two other elite players.
Should get a starting XI slot in the home EL tie against the Ludos. As I have said all season, those are the games to set out your PL starting XI credentials.
Bale played well for the first half in the week, but I think it's a bit of a stretch to start him in this one. He's still miles from being 100%, in my opinion.
Agree he’s nowhere near 100% but I’m a firm believer that regular starts will help towards that. Don’t expect him to play the full 90 but a solid 60-70 mins should help boost that match fitness. The internationals have probably come at an ideal time for once providing he’s managed properly in them, a couple more games under his belt in those and he should be in a lot better condition to face City.
Looks like Sanchez is finished with us too, couldn't get in the Europa league side on Thursday and not even in the squad today. Another one for whom January departure could be on the cards.
I hope you're right, but West Brom are likely to park the bus and I'm not sure that's ideal for him. I'm sure the Ludogorets match was good for him, but a start so soon after it might be taxing.
Today, and two internationals (plea to the god of injury < standards > ) are the only opportunities now for Bale to be PL starting XI fit for when the Citeh game comes. You decide whether you want that to happen (I do want it) .
Think it was you who initially said he could be a casualty a while back too. At the time I thought not but looks like you were bang on the money. I guess from a financial perspective it makes sense, albeit constantly being dropped isn’t helping issues on that
I think with that front three we’re going to have to get used to sides that will park the bus anyway. I’m not expecting him to perform any miracles yet though but I do think these regular starts will serve him better going forward than 20 minute cameos in the league.
Quality starting eleven., with Lucas to come on for Wales if needed and Lo Cels to come on for Tanguy if he gets tired. COYS.
10 minutes in and we're yet to test their keeper. Looking tidy on the ball, but that final pass has been just short, so far.
