Swansea City defender Federico Fernandez ruled out for up to three weeks http://www.southwales-eveningpost.c...nandez-ruled/story-24528736-detail/story.html Personally I think it may well be bu this injury is a big blow and an even bigger worry. A blow because I think he's the best defender we've got A worry because this is his second injury since he's been here and we're not a third the way through the season yet. He turned up injured and to have muscle issues so young and so early on in the season has to be a major concern. Bartley can step in yes? but he's effectively still a rookie, with us anyway. Amat can too but do we want to curtail his rehab to stop gap him back into the starting 11. A big worry this I think?
Mate, we can read alsorts in to it. Just probably one of those things that players pick up. I am staying confident he isnt another Pablo. Saying that Amat is back fit and has another 2 weeks, was more than impressed with what he has done this season, more than adequate coverand as for bartley didn't do himself any harm on Sunday.
Opportunities , after last game , opened for a lot of players ...Bartley , Emnes , Barrow , Monteroof , Gomis Carroll ...they opened theyre own doors of opportunity with theyre well timed chances to play and spirited play . Monk has more to work with than he ever knew.If Monk made the same subs against Arsenal and we got overan , he would have been berated , hindsight makes everyone smart .
Have you any idea of his injury history ? , we are currently blessed with back up and Bartley and Amat have both proved their good enough but as you say Amat is just coming back into contention and not match fit . You really don't want to rearrange your defence certainly during a game unless it's due to injuries but perhaps Amat should get a game or two in with the U21's before starting a 1st 11 game as Shelvey has .Bartley probably will start v Citeh and it'll give him more unexpected game time and a chance for Monk to further assess his qualities .
I echo Dai's sentiments. Bartley was solid. Same with Amat and looked ready to come on when Ash took that knock in the second half. Same with Carroll - I don't think we missed Shelvey at all. Leon looked fit and ready to go when he came on. Hopefully Fed will be back much sooner than later. We will need all available bodies of the Christmas / New Year period.
None at all Matt, Like you I'm happy with Bartley, who'll probably start next, and I've nothing but admiration for our boy Amat. Agree he's a couple of games short of fitness, but as you say, a few starts in U'21 should help with that. I am concerned about Fernandez though, simply because he was starting to show us what we paid for. Also, we don't need this, just before the busy Christmas period when, due to our small squad, we'll need all hands on deck. Add to this Williams hobbled off in last game and you can see my concern. Also, what we don't know is whether this a new injury or a recurrence of the one which curtailed his world cup. If he and Ash go down, we could be in for some problems. Am I seeing an the invisible snag that's going to unravel us Hope not, more like I'm just worrying out loud, that's all
I agree. We have 4 quality CBs. I think this could be Ashs last season as a guaranteed starter. I'd like to see Amat and Fernandez at some point together.
