Essien out until at least Jan/Feb. Cech out 3-4 weeks Luiz out for one more week looks like Ivan may be fit again
maybe it seems he will definitely miss West Brom and Norwich at home but with the International break he may be back in time for Sunderland- A on Sept. 10 as that is approximately four weeks away. Utd- A is the following Sunday. never good to lose Cech at all but we should have enough to get past West Brom and Norwich at home and hopefully he will be fit enough for a tricky fixture at Sunderland before the Utd. match
If our defense isn't as shaky as it was last year (the stats will tell you we conceded very few goals, but the reality is Cech had to make a ton of saves), then I don't think Cech's absence will affect us too much.
Looking at De Gea, may not be a bad idea to give him some full time seasoning and not throw him into the deep end Hilario looked shaky in pre-season but far more often than not he has stepped in, even in huge matches, and done decently enough (would not have wanted to see him battling Shawcross and Stoke though) (now Turnball makes me nervous)
Yeah Hilario is pretty ok as a shot stopper. Not that good at crosses but I think we can handle that. His distribution is pathetic though.
The crosses really scare me. Based on the Stoke match, it looked like Cech had been instructed to be more aggressive in coming out on corners, free kicks, long throws. Not sure that Hilario has the same speed and reach as Petr, which may be a problem if our defenders don't compensate to attack balls he may not get to.
excellent point, didn't consider that(the new expanded role not the crosses), but still take him over Turnball on those points as well, calmed poise does not seem to be Ross's strong point, barely seen the the new guy we loaned out so no comment on how he would do, but as it is a short Cech out, loan still the best idea
1732: BREAKING NEWS An update on that Dider Drogba injury from Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas: "He will have a full exam. He was completely unconscious. The doctor did a great job. He is showing progressive signs of recovery but we need a full exam which is being done. We hope for his wellbeing as a person first."
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11668_7137639,00.html Drogba to stay in London and miss the Ivory Coast match. Smart idea imo.
Drogba back in training but not ready for Utd Turnbull carrying an injury and listed at 80% Hilario picked up a knock as well and is questionable for Utd Essien still out
not that I mind the view on the bench but I was angered to see that our current Doc does not have the required paperwork/license sorted out through the GB Medical Board to practise in Britain embarassing if you ask me and something which should have been sorted quite a while back
having first-hand knowledge of the failings of a British bureaucracy, i'm slow to pass judgement against the club
Shaktar Doc. The female Doc has been with us for a litttle while now and is on the bench as the Shaktar Doc. does not have his license yet.