News coming out of Hammers 'Goose Green' training ground yesterday is that veteran Angelo Ogbonna is being 'fast tracked' back from his ACL injury in order to provide emergency cover for the Premier League game against Chelsea AND more importantly, the UEFA Europa League semi final 1st leg against Eintrecht Frankfurt at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium.
Ogbonna had been pencilled in to make an appearance for a couple of games before the end of the season, but the cataclysmic*' injuries to Kurt Zouma AND now Issa Diop have left a massive centre back vacuum to be filled with only Les 'Balon' Dawson available as a recognised first teamer.
Youngsters Alese and Baptiste are both highly rated, but it is believed that Ogbonna's experience could prove vital, particularly against 'ZE Germans' and therefore he might well be risked. Hammers next opponents are Chelsea this coming Sunday at the Bridge, the host side have their own injury problems and will be 'smarting' from their home defeat by rivals Arsenal yesterday evening.
David Moyes HAS to now deal with a problem partly of his own making, how does he approach the Chelsea game? send out the kids and get tonked? Or send out a strong team, risk injuries and add to the work load of an already stretched squad ahead of the club's biggest game in forty years?
Something's got to give, hopefully NOT The Og's ACL! -Ed
* Ouch bad pun!
Comments
I think Moyes has to go for
I think Moyes has to go for it against Chelsea. For me finishing 6th and qualifying for Europe is an easier route than winning the Europa League. We only have to finish above Man Utd who are woeful and Wolves.
If we don't qualify it's our own fault. We've lost a ludicrous amount of points to last minute goals this season. 3 points against Chelsea would be most welcome but Antonio needs to start banging in a few.
and there's another last
and there's another last minute goal to add to the season's collection!