http://www.cafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10267~2523945,00.html this is bad news. one more unknown about mondays game - will the new boy be stable and reliable as jacko?
The key problem I think we will have is that if Ephraim is played on the left wing, there will be nobody there to cover Wiggins defensively when he surges forward meaning either a) We will be prone to attacks down the left side, or b) Wiggins will not be given the warrant to go on his surging runs. I'm also not too big a fan of having a right-footed player playing on the left wing, if we really wanted a fast right-footed winger who can play on the left then Waggy would have been fine with me. Wondering whether CP will dip into the loan market just in case.
I used to be a right footed left winger. Couldn't strike as well across the goal and much preferred cutting in. Something the QPR fans said was hogan will run himself in to the ground- I just hope he is fit enough for that.
That is a benefit of having a right-footed left winger, they can cut in and score goals - Nicky Bailey is a great example of that. But all too often they are passed the ball onto their weaker foot or else play with their back to goal in order to gain possession. Lets just hope Ephraim can cut the mustard, if not I think you may have to give your old boots a good polishing Super
I am sure that, if fit, Ephraim is good enough to fill the gap for home matches. Away from home Evina might offer more stopping power. If Ephraim is not match fit yet, put Evina or Waggy in against Huddersfield. Powell is certainly a lucky manager, to have arranged the Ephraim loan before Jackson was injured.
"a number of weeks" - sounds to me like he's going to be sidelined for a lot longer than a couple of weeks. I'm more confident in Ephrahim than I have been in any loan player for a while, not sure why though, he seemed to talk the talk in his interview just after he signed
Evina would be fine if Ephrahim isn't match fit, I remember that (at the time) Kelly Youga's injury wasn't that bad and he would only be out for a few weeks
Huge loss for the club, not only his scoring ability but he in my opinion is the complete package, at this level. He can shoot, pick a pass, cross, good at set pieces, composed and is able to read a game. This is a massive loss and especially that we have a biggest game of the season next, I just hope it won't make to much of an impact. In reality who ever comes in, will have a massive job on their hands, its going to be a tough game and who ever it is will not have had much competetive experience with the other players on the pitch, so I would want Waggy to play but he will have to do his bit in defending if Wiggins is to bomb forward. All in all I think we still have good enough cover to handle the lesser teams, but a team like Huddersfield could be difficult.
I really rate jacko, but I'm not as worried as say if morro, BWP or Hollands were injured. If Hogan is as good ad to be believe, then he should be more than good enough. Just hope the balance is still there.
A big loss, but it's quite uncanny how he got injured immediately after Powell brought in a loan player who plays in his position! If Powell had brought in a right back, would Solly have got injured instead? After Monday, the fixture list is fairly kind, the FA Cup game, then a series of winnable looking games, so hopefully we won't need to rush him back. Having Pritchard back to fitness is a major boost too.
A big loss Imo lads. Jackson goes about his work with the minimum amount of fuss, but with maximum effect. He is without doubt our calming influence in midfield. I sincerely hope we don't miss him as much as we did when he was out last season!! This is our first real injury concern thus far this term. Yet I for one trust the gaffer to make the right call on Jackson's replacement. On we march towards the title... COYR...!!
It would be nice to see Cedric step up to the plate and say to Hogan "I'm the cover for left midfield you can stay on the bench"
Couldn't agree more. I've seen enough of him to be convinced he can be equally effective at both LB and LM. I've always favoured a left footed player on the left and a right footer on the right. For me it stretches the opposition back line more that way. As the player on either flank is more likely to favour going outside instead of cutting in. Evina gets my vote!!
I'm torn between who I would prefer A) Waggy has been in the team enough to maintain a good understanding with those on the pitch, however he doesn't track back as much as I would prefer and is right-footed. B) Ephraim seemingly has bags of pace and is good enough for a Championship-winning team, so should be able to walk this league, yet is lacking fitness and is right-footed (whilst lacking any *gelling* with other players) C) Evina is a natural left-footer, has pace and can defend well so would seem the natural choice, yet I just can't see him playing/doing well/having much impact. Let's not forget young Callum Harriott as well, though reports from last week seemed to suggest he had a poor game. Also, I doubt he's in CP's first team plans just yet.
Evina should play IMO - he's done nothing wrong but has barely played for us. If he isn't picked he would have every reason to be mightily p****d off. Just because we don't have Ephraim for very long doesn't mean that we 'should' use him if there are better options.
I think I'd go with evina too. Think he and wiggins down the left could develop in to a very exciting partnership- plenty of pace, with both possessing the ability to defend and attack. That said, I think hogan will get the nod.
Agreed. Evina has looked good whenever he's played, but I fear Ephraim his leapfrogged him in the pecking order.
Powell did say he wants Evina as a LB, so I would put money on Ephraim starting, or possibly Waggy. Ironically I think the most suitable option at LM would be the one who slows down play the best, and is the best defensively, to help counter Wiggins' weaknesses.
I'd be happy for Pritchard or Evina to take JJ's place. If necessary, put Ephraim on the bench. Just not sure that a player who's hardly had a serious game in nearly 18 months should be included from the outset in a game as significant as this one. This is The Big One. WWOCB, I think I read that Harriot got crocked in the last U18 game.
