If there was one line that intrigued the boys more than most from Colney this morning, it was this little one from the Gaffer:
“We had an 11 v 11 at the training ground this week because we didn't play a game this weekend and we tried someone else in there – and it worked very well.”
Cos all of a sudden, everyone started to guess who Johnny X might be.
Glenn steadfastly refused to join in the fun and games.
“That's for my knowledge only – not for Paul Sturrock. Good try…”
Back on the radio afterwards and the City boss was again doing his best to dismiss the obvious – that you just drop Rusty back into his favourite role and slam Sibi into the hole alongside Lupoli.
That suggestion was met with something along the lines of 'If I was a betting man, I wouldn't put my money on it…'
It is an intriguing one.
Because the clear impression that Roeder was giving was that it wouldn't be someone you would normally expect to see in there.
Which would – in theory – rule out both Matty Pattison and, say, Luke Chadwick who has firmly dropped off the radar this season. He has played in there before; to some effect, on occasion.
But whether pairing him with Fotheringham would give you all the bite you'd want away at Home Park on a wet afternoon is another matter. Besides, it would be a difficult one to 'sell' Russell if he found himself back on the bench and Chadwick coming so far in from the cold.
Perhaps Sibierski's match fitness is such that he'll start on the bench; minus that little bit of extra sharpness, Russell will get his start up front. Again. And, therefore, leave that hole vacant for…
Mmmm.
Adam's back with his metal plate; switch Bertrand inside? Otsemobor at right-back; Omosuzi inside?
But then on the basis of if it ain't bust don't fix it, I'd be of a mind to go with your first choice back four and bring a relative outsider in.
Well, if old Ferret were a betting man, what about Troy Archibald-Henville to get that gig? He's a big, rangy unit and must have watched Ledley King play that role before now down the Lane.
There's height; there's power. Sits in front of Kennedy and Stefanovic and just mops up. Presumeably as Spurs Reserve skipper he's got a bit about him; probably not one to be bossed about. And being a decent Spurs boy, he should be able to play a bit.
The kid's also got to get games. That's why he was let out to play in the first place. And if Kennedy and Stefanovic are set in stone till at least the window, the teenager ain't going to get a game at centre-half. Push him up 20-yards and maybe he's got a chance…
Just a thought. No more.
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