Do we automatically go with Defoe now or is there a case for putting Kranjcar in in the VdV role?
I don't think we'll get third anyway, but without VDV for any large amount of time I can't see us getting 4th either. We got fourth before as City weren't the force they now are.
Also besides being effective, VDV is my favourite player, so I'll be really sad if he's out even for a week, let alone a season. Sandro also went off with a possible injury for Brazil,, it's very worrying times again during the internationals.

I don't think we'll get third anyway, but without VDV for any large amount of time I can't see us getting 4th either. We got fourth before as City weren't the force they now are.
Do we automatically go with Defoe now or is there a case for putting Kranjcar in in the VdV role?
Rubbish! We got 4th without VDV before now, and we can do it again. We are not a one-man team. My betting is that without VDV, Harry will be reminded of just how creative we are with Defoe poaching off the shoulder of the last defender, and with both our wide men being used to their full effect.
We have been brain-washed into believing that we need VDV in order to win anything, when clearly that is hogwash. My believe, anyway, is that the only reason VDV plays every game he is fit is because there is a clause to that effect in his contract. Now that he is forced into not being able to play, Harry will be able to set the team up differently and get us playing how we played in the season we got 4th, before VDV joined.
And as for City being a different team now, that may be true; but, by the same token, Arsenal is no longer the team that it once was. It's swings and roundabouts. Plus, I truly believe that Chelsea is there for the taking.
Niko is injured. I think we'd go for JD v Villa, but it's too early to tell.
Think it's a little early for doom mongering, no one knows the extent of these injuries, the fact that both walked off rather than being carried suggests that the injuries could be worse. We have a squad for a reason, and we are not a one man team, so there's no need to get too worried![]()
Unfortunately, both Arsenal & Chelsea are liable to buy heavily in Jan, if they are lagging us. They both have sufficient funds to do it, too!
Rubbish! We got 4th without VDV before now, and we can do it again. We are not a one-man team. My betting is that without VDV, Harry will be reminded of just how creative we are with Defoe poaching off the shoulder of the last defender, and with both our wide men being used to their full effect.
We have been brain-washed into believing that we need VDV in order to win anything, when clearly that is hogwash. My believe, anyway, is that the only reason VDV plays every game he is fit is because there is a clause to that effect in his contract. Now that he is forced into not being able to play, Harry will be able to set the team up differently and get us playing how we played in the season we got 4th, before VDV joined.
And as for City being a different team now, that may be true; but, by the same token, Arsenal is no longer the team that it once was. It's swings and roundabouts. Plus, I truly believe that Chelsea is there for the taking.