Sagna out for three weeks

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 07:54:05 -0500

A recurring theme of this season seems to be our form players being struck down with significant injuries, from RVP early on, to Eduardo and Rosicky later on, and now Bacary Sagna who is likely to be our for around three weeks with a rather unfortunate ankle injury. With three huge games against Liverpool coming up and a rather big fixture at Old Trafford all within the next three weeks, Bacary 'the rock' Sagna's injury could not have come at a worse time, not to mention the fact that with him on the pitch for the full ninety against Chelsea we may well have escaped with more than zero points.

Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy have been two of our best players this season, they are arguably the best two full backs in the premiership. They have been consistently solid, both so pacey that they very rarely get beaten defensively, but also rather useful raiding forward down the flanks. What are the options without Bacary fit?

One option is to convert Eboue back to right back, against this would be his propensity to being caught napping defensively, however he has done a decent job there in the past. Another option is to bring in Justin Hoyte, however he has been shown up regularly against decent opposition when playing for the first team. An option that could also be considered is to switch Big Phil back in at centre back in place of Kolo, and move Kolo to right back.

There remains a lot to play for this season, and this injury to another key player could not have come at a worse or more critical time. Big decisions need to be made by the manager. Will he play both RVP and Ade up front or will he go for 4-5-1 with Hleb floating behind the striker? How will he deal with Sagna's absence and will he bring big Phil back in to add a bit more physical power to our back four? Our season may well be decided by these decisions.

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Sagna out for three weeks