Coping with injuries....

[Blue and White Toucan]

Talking to a mate , who's a Geordie, and he said that we are doing well, but just wait and see how you get on when you get a few injuries to key players.!!!

I then said that we had lost our main forward (no disrespect to Doyle, who may lay claim to that now), and an International Winger for most of the season so far. As well as our Captain being out for a number of games as well.

All I have heard this morning is how badly West Ham have been affected by the injury to Dean Ashton at the start of the season!!!!

There are many people who criticise some players (lita, Bikey to name 2) and you are entitled to your opinion, but no one from the Club has complained about missing players and the rest of the squad have just got on with it, and done there best.

So in January we will have 2 'new' signings in the shape of Kitson and Convey plus I am sure Mr C has his eye on a one or two more, and in addition a Fit, talented and hungry squad of players around them, who believe in everyone around them.

[Vision]

I think we can sometimes make too big a deal about our supposed lack of depth in the squad. Take out the big 4 and basically all Prem clubs will struggle with a couple of injuries to key players. Not having Kitson, Convey & to a lesser extent Little ( our top goalscorer and 2 most creative players from last season ) in theory should have seen us really struggle badly if we had as little in depth as some claim but that hasn't proved to be the case.

The Newcastle injury situation has gone on far too long for it to be a coincidence. Whether its training methods or forking out huge sums on injury prone players they certainly have a problem.

West Ham have struggled even more in recent weeks without Gabbidon and obviously miss Ashton.

Everton aren't anywhere near the same team without Johnson, Cahill and Arteta.

I actually think theres an argument for saying that having a smaller squad actually is more benificial in terms of protecting against and covering for injuries. A tight knit squad all train together and prepare exactly the same way for each match day thus ensuring that if someone has to come in they will be familiar and will have worked to the exact routine of everyone else. We very very rarely bring anyone into our side from completely out of the cold.

[higher]

Maybe once were mathematically safe Sir Steve may feel relaxed enough to blood some of the youngsters and give them premiership experience at least from the bench .Any that do take their opportunities and rise to the occasion will effectively bolster competition/cover.

[Dirk Gently]

Maybe once were mathematically safe Sir Steve may feel relaxed enough to blood some of the youngsters and give them premiership experience at least from the bench .Any that do take their opportunities and rise to the occasion will effectively bolster competition/cover.

If he's allowed to - the extra prize money for finishing just one place higher in the Prem is substantial, so not sure JM woud let him risk that sort of dosh.

[higher]

Dirk Gently wrote:

If he's allowed to - the extra prize money for finishing just one place higher in the Prem is substantial, so not sure JM woud let him risk that sort of dosh.

True money talks and you may well be quite right there Dirk but I would hope Mr Mad is savvy enough to realise that bringing some youngsters through could proove cost effective in the longer term and justify the cost of what is after all an excellent academy which must be costing a few bobs.I`m not suggesting mass blooding of youth just a few bench slots when safety is in the bag.

[Forbury Lion]

Our squad is small, therefore players get more time with the physio's, fitness, diet and medical experts.