The powers that be wouldn't have allowed for Championship teams playing on Friday when they set the latest round of International 'break' fixtures. So, how do you reckon losing a day will affect our lads? Some thoughts: Relaxed Cyrus Christie, Ollie Norwood and Floyd Ayite were all back in training on Monday. Should be raring to go, especially Ayite after his 2 goals at the weekend. Aleksandar Mitrovic has played two games in five days. No travel involved yesterday though and a nice bit of rehab before the trip to Norwich. Indeed the game time, not to mention 2 goals last night, should do him more good than some training sessions at Motspur Park. In Between Stefan Johansen has had two games in four days and a trip back from Albania this week. A couple of good wins while captaining his country should have his confidence high but not a lot of rest time before travelling to Norwich. Ryan Sessegnon only played in one England U21 game and that out of position. There lies the rub. Although no real travel involved and in theory should be fresh enough, he has to be a tad disappointed at not being given a better opportunity to show the England bosses what he's capable of. Stressed Tomas Kalas will be happy to have gotten a game and a goal. He'll be lucky to get back from China in time to catch the train to Norwich though. Tom Cairney and Kevin McDonald went up to Scotland with high hopes, only for both be played out of position in a dismal defeat. Then they traipsed all the way to Budapest just to sit on the bench. Might need more than the physio table to get them back in the right frame of mind before Friday.
Cottager, does that mean the remainder of our 1st team didn't play or get called up during the break? If my assumption is correct, it could have been much worse as we have a/the back four fully refreshed.
That's pretty much it 2whites and yep, the 'current' back four all stayed at home. Neeskens Kebano was off with the Congo and back training at the beginning of the week. Didn't mention him since the Gaffer clearly has him well down the pecking order for the right wing spot. Also Ibrahim Cisse was off somewhere with Guinea but .. probably leave that one there.
