Arsene Wenger reveals Andre Santos could be sidelined for a while with an ankle injury. Andre Villas-Boas’ change of tactics left Frank Lampard out in the cold, while Brede Hangeland urges Martin Jol to settle on a consistent back-four:
With the Gunners already through to the knockout stages of the Champions League, Thomas Vermaelen and Andre Santos were the only two players to retain their places in the starting XI as Arsenal travelled to Olympiacos. While the 3-1 defeat proved ultimately insignificant, Arsene Wenger was left ruing his decision to play Santos; the left-back picked up an injury that could force a reshuffle of the Arsenal back-four over the next few weeks, according to his manager:
Santos suffered a bad ankle injury. He looks like he will be out for a while. We have Gibbs coming back in two to three weeks. Hopefully Santos will not be too long but, for Saturday against Everton, he looks to be short. We have as well Vermaelen who can play in his position.
Frank Lampard’s omission from the Chelsea first XI was the only change for Andre Villas-Boas in the Blues crucial clash with Valencia. A comfortable 3-0 stroll vindicated the Blues manager’s decision to replace Lampard with Raul Meireles, mirroring the same switch he made on the hour mark against Newcastle at the weekend. Villas-Boas’ comments after the match, where he admitted his side have altered their tactical approach of late and defended deeper, perhaps suggests he is looking for more energy from his midfielders. As a result Meireles, in addition to the continued first-team role of Oriol Romeu, is currently benefitting, but Villas-Boas made a point of praising Lampard’s contribution, admitting he is still central to his thoughts:
We made changes to the way we played. We tried it at Newcastle the other day. We kept our [defensive] block a little bit lower down the pitch – a medium/low compact block with not a lot of space between the lines. It worked quite well. Frank has been fantastic but our choice fell to those three midfielders because of their technical ability to keep possession, keep the ball down and play out from the back. Frank will continue to threaten for starting selection again. He is one of the greatest players in the world and for sure on Monday he will be in contention to come back.
Brede Hangeland reckons constant tinkering to the Fulham back-line is affecting the Cottagers form. Martin Jol has selected eight different defenders this term and Hangeland, the only ever-present, has begged his new manager for a more settled look to the defence in what has been a difficult debut season in charge at the Cottage for the Dutchman:
So far this season there’s been a lot of changes in the back four. I think I’ve played every league game but the other three positions have been changing quite a lot. Ideally you would like a back four that’s really settled and know each other well. Hopefully we can get that as soon as possible.
Alex McLeish has revealed he is less than optimistic over Jermaine Jenas’ prognosis after the midfielder limped out of last weekend’s game with Man United. Jenas lasted just over an hour and Big Eck has revealed that, as he is a loan player, it’s down to parent club Tottenham to examine and reveal the full extent of his injury:
I am bound by the fact Jermaine is not an Aston Villa player to reveal any news about him. We have left it in the hands of Tottenham and they will probably make a statement later on. So obviously it’s not good news. I think Jermaine has ruptured his Achilles and that will take some time to sort out.
Martin O’Neill has admitted he is willing to offer a clean slate to the Sunderland squad but hinted that changes are afoot ahead of next month’s transfer window. With just two wins from their first 14 fixtures, the Black Cats have been distinctly underwhelming this term and despite the number of summer acquisitions made by Steve Bruce, have failed to kick on from last season’s tenth place finish. Fantasy owners of Black Cats players could be left frustrated over the next few gameweeks, with O’Neill admitting he’s set to utilise the majority of his squad as he rapidly assesses the players:
There will be changes. I assume I will be using most of my senior players and they will have some sort of chance – some a better chance than others. We have a number of games and the Christmas period, which is not as congested as it used to be, but four games in quick succession, and I would imagine we will have to use a number of players over that period. We will see what develops. But it is going to take me a few weeks before I realise the abilities of the team and individuals, and perhaps the potential of one or two.
