This is an article about some changes I would like to see next week against Fulham. With Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea winning over the weekend, we’re unlikely to move any higher in the Premier League table and it will be close with Liverpool. There doesn’t seem a better time to give others a chance. Let me first state that this is in my opinion and that I don’t usually call for changes after one game. I’m not fickle and I know players can have off games, but the two main changes I would like to see are players who haven’t turned up for months. I also know that this isn’t going to happen.
Firstly, Steven Pienaar. The South-African hasn’t had a good game since Reading at home, and even then he only put in a good 20 minutes after scoring a great solo effort. Even in the game against Man City, where he got sent off, he was the one player that was actually quite poor in the side that day. His link up play with Baines hasn’t been great since Christmas, and against QPR and Sunderland it looked like they were forcing it. When there are better passes across the field, Pienaar chose to pick out Baines who had a man tracking him and our attack petered out. Another recent Pienaar trait of recent is to attempt balls that are just too clever, balls that often don’t come off.
I’d like to see Bryan Oviedo come in for Pienaar. This is my first shout of the season asking for Oviedo, where others have been shouting for the Costa Rican all season. From what I’ve seen, he is a bit weak and susceptible to giving the ball away. But, with Pienaar giving the ball away as well, I’d like to at least see a bit of pace and someone that can deliver that final ball, two things Oviedo has shown in his short appearances for the Blues. I would play Oviedo on the right, offering decent protection to Coleman and giving Mirallas his preferred role on the left.
Secondly, Leon Osman. Bar the England International’s top performance against Man City, you have to look back to the week of the 2nd of January for good performances, where he shone in performances against Newcastle and Cheltenham away. Since then and more so in recent weeks, the central midfielder has been completely anonymous and games have passed him by. He looks majorly jaded, he looks like he’s treading water instead of running. Osmans passing was dreadful against Sunderland, he seemed to give it away an awful lot.
This is where I’d like Ross Barkley to come in. This is again my first shout of the season for Barkley to come in. This shout has only come from Moyes actually playing him against Tottenham and Arsenal and bringing him on against Sunderland. Against both Spurs and the Gunners, Barkley grew and grew into the game and threaded through some extremely good balls, while not being afraid to shoot.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not writing Pienaar or Osman off. In fact, I’d have them both straight back in for the derby. I think Pienaar is a fantastic player, his link up play with Baines is great and he can link up play brilliantly. He also wins us a lot of fouls. As for Osman, I think he is dependable, scores his share of goals and has a short number of excellent games in a season. Unfortunately they don’t happen regularly enough, but I agree with Moyes starting him the majority of games. There is also another point, you can’t fault either player for a lack of trying or shying away.
I just believe that we need to give both players a kick up the backside. We need to show them that they’re not safe and it does matter how they play if they want to stay on the team sheet. What message are we sending out to Barkley, who does reasonably well when he comes in but is dropped immediately for a half fit Osman?
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Pienaar and Osman need competition for their places and, given their ages, their successors. We must determine if Velios is worthy or not – can he add to the a strike force that lacks hunger energy and pace. We’ll need to replace Fellaini and possibly Baines now we’ve lost out on the CL. Transfer priorities are pretty much self-suggesting, but who to get is one for the manager – and critically that depends on who that will be.
Good shout on Oviedo but play him on the left, Mirallas is good on both wings! Definately bring Ross back in place of Osman he was dire at Sunderland, as was 7 others!
excellent piece,osman has been terrible since chriatmas,as has pienaar,but this is a direct response of not buying anyone in january(kenwright) we have to play out of form players,but i do agree,oviedo and barkley have to be introduced as well as vellios because if moyes thinks naismith is a better option than vellios then the lad has no chance here