What a relief! The game on Sunday is off, giving us more time to get Parker, Noble, Ilunga and, vitally, Cole fully fit. And who knows, if the takeover happens, we may have an extra player or two available come the rescheduled game.
I was sensing a degree of complacency as we approached the game, based on our performance against Arsenal and the return of Parker. The truth is, without Cole we are still very lightweight up front and defensively we are still vulnerable, as both Tottenham and Arsenal demonstrated. The breathing space of the postponement was just what we needed: Wolves would far rather face us without Carlton than with him in the team!
The trouble is, of course, we remain one injury away from a crisis. Carlton hasn't returned yet and that knee could give way again if we rush him back too soon. But after Villa, we go into a round of games that will determine whether or not we stay up. We need a strike force for those games, which is why Zola, Nani and co must pull a rabbit out of the hat from somewhere. Trusting to Cole and Franco simply is not an option during such a make and break period. We know now that Nouble isn't ready. Sears is a desperate option. Dixon, it seems, isn't an option at all. Harewood may not be ideal but at least he has a physical presence and has scored in the Prem. I would have him rather than nobody.
Meanwhile, I bet McCarthy is cursing his luck!
I would have Marlon Harewood at West Ham, anytime! He has the strong physical presence, has been scoring goals in the Premiership and when confident he can devastate defences. I also think he will fit well in the team, plus he will have a point to prove by coming back. I hope there is truth in this and that we don't miss the opportunity to get him back. We need him, badly!
ReplyDeletesavvakis? did u watch marlon play for us before? hes a big lump yes. but could not win a header. he hardly tried to either. sort of jumped but without effort. didnt have a storng physicall presence. someone who does is a player like cole recently. chases it down barges defenders out the . puts their body infront of the ball and dont let the defenders get to it. Marlon just stands up there with his big self and gives up when theres less than a 100% chance hell get the ball yer he scored a few goals for us but was never classed as a good player in most peoples books. dont thikn i saw him "devastate defences" EVER. he hasnt been scoring goals in the premiership. hess been on the bench behind hesky and carew. and went on loan to newcastle in the championship for about 15 games scoring 5 or 6 goals. There a team that have been tearing other teams apart and are top of the league and are by far the best team in the league soi dont think that scorig a few goals there is that impressive. i would have him as a last resort if cole stays injured and we dont get anyone else but we do not need him BADLY as u say.
ReplyDeleteI never meant he is the perfect striker, but he can give us a lot more than what we have available at present (as HF points out). Moreover, he is someone we can afford and realistically go for. Yes, I have watched him before when he was our first pick choice as a striker and although he has his shortcomings, as you say, he can save us just as Hartson did when we were in a similar situation a long time ago. I would prefer Tevez but I don't think it is the time for dreaming.
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Let's hope that the "rabbit out of the hat" striker is not another Savio eh?
ReplyDeletedoes no one else remember the frustration of watching marlene in the championship ? - he was completely anonymous when we needed to roll our sleeves up, he'd have an explosive few minutes if you were lucky and then tire too quick, not track back, put pressure on the team and get the crowd right on everyones back. it werent that long ago - fell over far too much the sadsack
ReplyDeleteHold on...
ReplyDeleteThe latest article claims conspiracy... crystal ball foggy when you wrote this as great news or the weekend without football gnawed away at you?
lol
lol @ fonzie
ReplyDelete