https://www.a-love-supreme.com/single-post/ba-selection-headache BY BEN THIRKELL BA SELECTION HEADACHE please log in to view this image After another great performance for the French youngster at Loftus Road, Abdoullah Ba seems to have stapled his place into the side now, but with Patrick Roberts providing a good cameo of the bench, does Tony Mowbray have a bit of a selection headache on his hands? This very question was asked before our trip to London this weekend, with Tony opting to go with Ba and have Roberts on the bench, which for me was the right decision. It was a decision that paid off as he showed on multiple occasions, he is starting to gain some confidence, including a Jewison Bennette-esque roulette turn in the build up to Jack Clarke’s equaliser. Ba continued to flourish in the second half, which including a fantastically taken goal, with a bit of French connection between him and new signing Adil Aouchiche. Patrick Roberts did come on but did not replace Abdoullah Ba, who played the full game. The tricky winger made a very positive impact linking up nicely with Alex Pritchard for the Black Cats second goal. One thing that I would point out though is that Ba actually looked a lot better when Roberts came on. The two linked up on a few occasions causing the QPR defence all sorts of problems. This adds another question, do you potentially play Ba in the Amad type role and put Roberts back out wide? If you do that though, who do you drop? If Ekwah is not fit, do you play Bellingham deeper, or if he is fit do you harshly drop Bellingham. There is also the fact Alex Pritchard performed fantastically and is well within a shout of a start at Ewood Park. It is certainly a headache for Mowbray, but a nice one to have. It is very rare Sunderland have so many players playing well in similar positions and unfortunately somebody is going to feel hard done by, but with two games in a week, Tony does have a chance to utilise his squad depth and have a bit of a tinker around. If it was me in Mowbray’s shoes, I would probably keep Roberts on the bench against Blackburn. I just feel like it would be very harsh to drop anybody at the moment, especially a young player like Ba, who with a run of games could continue to get better and better. No matter what the decision is by Mowbray, it will be far from an easy call and I will back whatever decision he makes, but for the sake of Ba’s development, I hope he continues to back the Frenchman against Blackburn on Wednesday night.
He's got some thinking to do for the Blackburn game has uncle Tony. Does he go to a back 3 or keep it as a 4? I'd have been looking to give Jobe a rest personally but he will have to play the deeper role with Neil if Ekwah is injured. Pritchard was superb when he came on, Ba was great second half, Dack should be fit again, does young Burstow keep his place or does Hemir come in to the side. Great to have so many options.
Can’t drop Ba for midweek. Lads been superb 2 games in a row the potential confidence knock is massive. He should play for sure.
We have a squad where every member will be used. There are loads of games and injuries and suspensions pile up quick. If Ba is full of confidence and is rested enough then I think he’ll carry on, Patrick will come back in soon enough in time
He has to play considering his form, if you want to bring Roberts back into the side, find a way to start them both.
Roberts has shown he can perform at a high standard over a period of games ... ... Ba has yet to do that so Mowbray needs to be clever. We were all hoping Roberts would stay but he hasn't done to sit on the bench. Glad these aren't my problems.
On the flip side of that Smug though, Ba is in possession of the shirt and has done nothing to warrant being dropped
I totally agree mate although I think we'll have to learn how to look at things a little differently ... ... with three games a week, quite often, we'll have to think about rotation rather than dropping. We really do have options now, great innit?
Ba hasn’t had the run of games to prove it. Let’s see what he can do now he’s in, nothing to learn from putting Roberts back in. Ba looks to have more end product in terms of goals which Roberts is lacking. If Roberts responds to the competition and starts to add more goals to his game that would be a massive upside. No brainier for me.
Hes the best Ba none... I really thought he wasnt ready aswell after seeing him against Pools pre season. Its upto Mogga to keep everyone happy, and hes blessed to be in this position.
Yep,real selection headaches for Tony. Also,consider we've scored 8 goals in our last two matches...none of which have come from a recognised striker,,,,and we have four of those,mostly unseen by us yet....waiting to come in,establish themselves and contribute! The future's bright!
As fans we have to think squad not team now. rotation and how we utilise the talent available will be as important for TM as tactics as it should reduce niggly injuries and help maintain a style of play that we are all enjoying at the minute.
Players are going to need a rest, as the games come thick and fast. It's nice to know we can swap players around and still see the team perform well Rotation is the key.
These training ground injuries are a worry. We've discussed it on here before...I'm not sure...but it is happening a lot. Denis and Dack the latest and Pierre aggravated a dead leg picked up in training!
I blame Rigg! Mowbray has already said he never holds back in practice matches and training ... ... I think he's trying to eliminate the competition
