Written by kirsikka
With Jefferson Lerma out of the equation that leaves a big dilemma for our next match. After that first-half performance against Aston Villa, the logical thing to do would be keep the same set-up, but I’m not sure it will be nearly as effective without Lerma screening in front of the defence.
If Joshua King is back and considered fit to start then I don’t think there will be any debate, AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe will go 4-4-1-1 with him in for Lerma. If he isn’t then it looks a straight choice between Lewis Cook into the midfield with the same formation (4-5-1) or Dominic Solanke into the more forward role.
Tough one to call. L Cook hasn’t covered himself in glory but then has been played out of position a lot. Solanke’s best performance for us was in his last league game against Brighton & Hove Albion, but prior to that, he was in danger of giving Chukki a good name.
I think I’d go the Lewis Cook option. As much as it’s a shame to shift Philip Billing around when he’s started to look effective again, he seems to be the only option to fill in the Lerma role.
Before anyone suggests it, if Andrew Surman is dropped in there I think they’ll just manoeuvre the ball around him and tear us apart. He simply doesn’t have the mobility.
Your say…
Monmouthred wrote…
Cook can play the holding role. That’s where he played for England u17 etc, wasn’t it?
We need to go into both the next two games, with a mindset that a point is a good result. Ironically, I think we are more likely to nick a win that way as Burnley did to us, and we did to Chelsea?
As you say if King is fit, straight in, but is it worth the risk, with a two week break to follow? – Join the conversation, click here.
