Competition v Consistency

[JM Fan]

My take on the OP is that AN has kept his promise to choose the squad tactically while also choosing players on merit. The fact that we don't have a 'best team' as such is a positive in my opinion, as it means we have quality players on the bench who are hungry for a chance. Rudd, O'Neil and Bennett have all taken their chance well and worked hard to keep their place. Brady and possibly Tettey are about the only certain names on the team sheet but that doesn't suggest that the rest are 'squad players'. I'd say that easily 20 players are at least lower half of the PL players and that means AN has difficult choices to make. Howson, Mbokani and Mulumbu all looked very lively and effective when they came on. The fact that Jarvis is now back in training may indeed have forced Redmond to 'up his game' on Saturday.

Yes, that sounds quite likely and I'm sure I read somewhere that Jarvis is expected to be fit and available for selection after Xmas!!!!

 

[THURNBY YELLOW]

He has been sadly missed for sure and will be a welcome return. Saturday apart his not being involved has been obvious.

 

[Oxcanary]

It's a shame for Wisdom as he was starting to grow and become more consistent, I can only hope that it does not result in a recall for Whittaker and that we go as was in the second half on Saturday. If I see Whittaker in the starting XI on Saturday I'm going to angrily tear up my imaginary team prediction coupon in a fit of pique!

Bah!

Isn't it amazing - I had managed to completely forget about Whittaker. Unfortunately all this has just reminded me. Fire sale in January please?

 

[THURNBY YELLOW]

Although he has scored a couple of decent goals for us Ox, his main role as a defender is questionable. The one at Derby last term was outstanding!