OK, 2 parts to this... 1) Is Alonso fully fit yet? 2) Is there any chance he's going to get into the team? The way Hollands (the natural guy to sit out) has played the last 2 games makes him undroppable... is Powell going to resort to squad rotation, or simply wait until Hollands has a bad run for Alonso to get his chance?
I think Hollands might pick up a few yellows after this tackling yesterday. Alonso may also feature if we play 5 in the middle? Also I think young Dale will struggle away from home when the pitches get heavy and people start kicking him. Not sure that he has ever played a full season, so i think Alonso will get more than his fair crack this year.
From when i was at the training ground, he is not fit yet, he only did some light jogging around the grounds, no ball work (this was mon-wed last week)
If we are ever 2:0 up 20 to go I think Powell could do BWP fo Alonso to make 5 in midfield to see the game out,
By all accounts, he took a real whack at Carshalton, but the beauty of having so many good players this season is that he can take his time to get fit and recover from the late end to the Spanish season, then come back fully fit and refreshed to take the opposition apart and give one of the incumbents a rest. With the weight of players in midfield though, it does make you wonder what's going to happen to Bradley Pritchard and RB-I. I thought Pritchard's cameo against Bournemouth was beautiful, but now Green's back (and couldn't even get on Saturday) and when Alonso's fit, when are we going to see him again?
Whilst the lads so far have got off to a good start, there will come a time for his experienced noggin to help steady the expectations / nerves. I heard he won't be ready til the end of September, but we do have quality cover for the central midfield spot in Pritchard and potentially Euell. Alonso will play an important part in our promotion aspirations.
yes there will come a time where numerous players will be injured / suspended that's when the likes of Alonso, Euell, Benson, Evina etc will step in without hopefully not much impact on the 1st team
This whole topic is a great thing. He could be more quality to add depth and competition, whilst also Pritchard is aspiring and working hard to live up to the competition and he seems to be doing that well, very very pleased. Definitely agree with potential strength of 5 man midfield
I am very pleased that we have players of Alonso's quality trying to get into the team. it shows that the starting 11 show real character and want to stay and keep their place. Certain players like Solly & Waggy have stepped up to the plate and I have been amazed that contract rebel Elliott has started and played extremely well, maybe he will eat a large chunk of apple pie before long. I wil be at the Valley for my first game and can't wait to see our championship chasing team knotch up another win.
Their very quickly seems to be a real fight and enthusiasm in the squad, from what i have seen solly has been very good too.
Yes, can't fault Solly... great ball to pick out BWP for the 2nd goal on Saturday, similarly involved in the first goal the previous week. Worried that we don't have anyone who can cross with him and Waggy on the right, but if we're playing a different style then fair enough.
