All Clayton Beerman is saying, is give youth a chance!
However you dress it up this season has not been good. Half way through the West Ham game I thought why have we sacked Jose. The club is out of the papers but we are out of everything else as well. The team was back to its unbalanced defence, turgid midfield and passive performances.
Then something happened. Youth appeared and we had some pace and desire. It was no coincidence that the team caught fire when first Traore and then RLC appeared. Whatever delusions Guus has we are not getting a European place and so there is no risk in playing more kids.
Much as I think Remy has been appallingly treated in terms of team selection it’s fair to say every time he has played recently he has stunk the place out. We all know, including him, that he’s off at the end of the season so from now to the end of the season play Traore, even when Diego is fit. Also watching Rashford in the Manchester derby it is interesting to reflect that he was in the United youth team beaten 5-1 by our boys earlier this season. Our scorers that night were Ugbo; Abraham; Mount; Dasilva and Ali. What chance any of them getting a game before the end of this dead season?
As much as I like Obi, he has done his job and I would start RLC. It’s fair to say he did not impress against Stoke but yesterday it looked like he wa
s given freedom and when he ran at people he looked menacing. I don’t think anyone knows where his best position is but running form deep he looked good.
Until his injury Kenedy looked good too. Indeed he was the only thing that did. Personally I would start Baba behind him and those 2 would cover for each other.
Let’s face it our defence has been a shambles and so this combination couldn’t do any worse.
On twitter on Saturday night there were lots of calls for Thibault to be dropped. I agree he has not been great but how horribly exposed has he been? Yet again Brana was skinned or nowhere to be seen at right back. Personally I can see no benefit in dropping Thibault apart from rewarding Begovich’s patience.
So yet another draw on Saturday but it could have been so much worse. Great spirit to come back led by Cesc. Many are calling for him to be skipper next year. I’m not sure about that but really cannot point to anyone else. When he scored, for me it showed how much it mattered. If Conte is our next manager , he can be our Pirlo, we shall see.
The one thing which showed clearly on Saturday was how when you are not used to being in an elevated position there is no substitute for experience. There was no one in that West Ham side who could direct that team to the 3 points. They should have had the game won long before we got back into it. I looked at Payet and wondered what exactly is missing from Oscar, an undoubted talent who gave another lacklustre performance. I am willing him to do well and in a no pressure game on Saturday he was flat and disappointing. A mystery.
I can’t let Saturday go without a special mention for the worst refereeing performance this season. He was hopeless , lost control and got most decisions wrong but don’t they all.
So please Guus forget about your unbeaten record. Let’s see some passion, youth and pace. “Play the youth” has been a statement mocked on social media by many. No one is saying we want 11 youth players but each side until the end of the season should have at least four. I said a couple of months ago if we have a transitional season it would be bearable if we got some kids in the squad. We are heading that way, if he recovers, Kurt, Kenedy and Traore is 3. Let’s get at least one more. So if any of them mis-control the ball; get caught offside; shoot wide – give them some slack, they are learning and we will benefit.
Enjoy the international break.
