Injury Update

[andy]

The injury update on the official website carries little in the way of good news for the short-term.

Hits us especially hard in the midfield area, with Findlay (definitely) and Colley (likely) to miss the start (thats my interpretation regarding Nick), with the likelihood that Clarke and Wardy will have to drop back to cover for Smudger (likely out) and Shabs (definitely out).

Would suggest the following as probable starting line-up

Danny

Hodnett, Raps, Clarke

Ward and Burlo as wing-backs

Gary Walker, Macca and Clegg

Webster and Danks

Possibly Wilding in for Walker in a 3-4-3 which looks a strong 11 especially if Smudger can make it back and start instead of Danny Hodnett.)

Who does that leave on the subs bench?

Well, one of Walker or Wilding, Troy, AP plus Who have I forgotten?

Suddenly, an 18 becomes 14. Looks like another 2-4 weeks before it becomes a 17, although Smudger and Nick may come back earlier.

Of the triallists, only Kamran Abassi has had any real continuity, but right back isnt really the issue (unless it allows Wardy to push forward to strengthen midfield).

Seven tough starting games - better look to the stars to hope we dont pick up any more injuries, especially longer-term ones.

[Deleted]

The problem is four out injured isn't an unusually high number. There won't be many weeks when we have less out than that. At least this squad looks like it can adapt.

[Oogly Boogly]

Four out is often a low number of injuries and we'll probably lose another player before those 4 come back. Suddenly that good looking midfield becomes paper thin. I just hope those still standing have learned each others games, have we ever had a less expereinced defencive line?
I think it would be difficult to justify Wilding on the bench and Walker in the team, exspecially if one of the forwards could drop into a midfield role.

[andy]

I can barely recall four being out injured simultaneously in the past five years. I'd be interested to learn further down the line why Shaun Findlay gained a place in the squad ahead of Tom Warmer. Perhaps it wasnt clear at the end of last season that hip surgery was required.

I agree about Craig.


IF Smudger can make it back in time, then it looks better as

Danny

Clarke, Raps, Smudger

Ward Nwadike Clegg Burlo

Wilding, Webster, Danks

Bench: (say) Abassi, Walker, Hodnett, Troy and AP

[Deleted]

I'm looking forward to seeing that line up or similar.

[andy]

With no disrespect to Troy, Danny or Gary, I would say they are second line players if everyone else is fit.

If we stay free from injuries, the line-up is likely to be mostly like that, Ealing, with Shabs and Nick Colley pushing others for starting places.

But I'm sure AP will think differently and say that in a squad of 18, those who would normally be on the margins in a larger squad have to be pushing for places, and performing when they are selected.

Carry 4 injuries throughout the season within a small squad, add in the suspensions issue, and I reckon lower mid-table would beckon.

[andy]

I would add that the more times the first-line 11-13 are available, the better we will do.

[Oogly Boogly]

Yes that looks stronger. I'd drop Adam Burley into his natural role as a fullback in a 4 man back line and try a 4-3-3 . Strong foundation at the back and Macca looks strong enough to hold his own in that middle of the field role.

[andy]

I think what this small squad plus injuries does is to highlight the importance of the ground move. We are not going to become rich all of a sudden when that happens, but the annual interest payments on the debt are probably equivalent to having three players such as a JT, a Darren Middleton and a Gareth Seddon added to the squad. Possibly a 4th as well. In which case, the injuries that we currently have can be better borne, and still have decent players pushing for places.

Mmm, I like the look of that

Danny

Clarke Smudger JT Burlo

Ward Nwadike DM

Webster Seddon Danks

Subs: Wilding, Clegg, Raps, Hodnett, Walker

Coming back from injury: Colley, Findlay, Shabs

... Alarm Clock ...

[Oogly Boogly]

andy, I don't think we could be any more in agreement on this one.
The ground move is so so critical. We can't rely on Cup runs to keep us stable and in the league you can see from the lack of depth that we are just treading water. If the move doesnt start materialising soon my worry is that even the most hardcore of supporters will despair of the lack of progress.

would it be in the interest of the club to highlight their plight a little more? After all, even all the regular fans don't appear to understand the present situation in terms of the debt. And you're right, that interest payment alobe represents 3 players (or maybe two extremely good ones) We no longer have the pulling power to attract and pay for the likes of Martin Gill or Conference players looking to star in the Worcester revolution. We would do at a new ground.

I also like the look of that team, but STILL feel a bit sorry for poor old Craig mind you, you look at that team and figure on using 3 subs over the 90 minutes and telling the likes of Macca and DM, Danks and Seddon to give it everything in the first half and get the game won, and rest them during the second half. Even enjoy a bit of squad rotation.

If only?

[andy]

The thing is that Webster, Danks or a Seddon are likely to get injured at some stage, lack form, and with Saturday/Monday games there would be very reasonable opportunities for those not in the starting eleven. And if he wasnt starting, Craig is certainly a player I would like to see coming on.

I don't mean to say that we should sign Seddon, DM and JT - they were examples of the 'kind' of player. I dont know if the debt equates to 2,3 or 4 - but you get the general point.

Like I said, I think this squad can do well if we avoid injury. But I fear injuries will certainly raise their head. If they do so moderately, we can look at upper mid-table. If they do severely, then I fear a relegation battle, especially if injuries combine with a poor Cup run, and the two are not mutually exclusive.

[wh]

More good news.. Nick and Smudger trained yesterday without suffering any immediate problems, and it is now thought that they may both come on for a few mins tomorrow.

[B*ue dragonstander]

That is good news. I think we will see one or two changes to this squad by Christmas but 18 does look very thin when you get one or two drop out. I still don't believe we need 5 subs even if the rules allow. What we can't afford in the squad are injury-prone players. Maybe this is the season when the whole-hearted Danny Hodnett shows us what he can really do?

[andy]

Cleggy felt his hamstring after the Stockport game and so didnt play today. Sounds like they'll see how it goes over the next few days.

Troy is also out with an injury (not sure what).

Smudger played about 20 minutes today, and Shabs was doing some light work on his ankle. Nick Colley was named as a sub, but didnt come on.

As a consequence, we failed to create anything much going forward today, and chances were few and far between. Unfortunately, the midfield has been hit very hard pre-season, and, lets be honest, we've not yet got our scoring boots on, as five in six games (of which three in one) demonstrates. Against a decent Forest XI (Youthful and skillful, without any physical presence), I was hoping we'd get a chance to see more attacking play, but the players available didnt really enable that, but we also played very deep at times.

I dont think it will be until we get a settled back three that we'll be able to get a more settled midfield/wing-back arrangement. Looks like that is going to have to be during the first league games.