Ok, so Ashley was on the bench today, which is a great sign. Not that Yuri has been performing poorly, but the form of Cole and Malouda down our left hand side earlier in the season was simply a joy to behold. To have him back for the final 3 games is a huge boost for us.

However, our midfield continues to look lethargic, and we really need something different in there. I just odn't have faith in the Mikel, Lampard, Ballack defensive slugfest, and it appears that Deco's form is inconsistant. So, I want to know is there a chance of Essien being back in time for the last 3 games? Even the last 2?

I think the Anfield away game is going to be one hell of an important game, as I doubt very much taht Spuds will continue this form into their match against man U. Therefore, we need to win every game we have left, no draws allowed. And this is taking nothing against Wigan or Stoke, I just foresee this game against Liverpool being huge.

It is the size of this game that makes me wonder about the strength of the team we could potentially put out. Needless to say, I'd feel much better with Essien in the side.

So, is he close to fitness? And, woulc you put him back into the midfield even after his prolonged absence?

Scott

I think that whenever we have lost this year we have spoke of Essien not being there. Surely this shows that we dont actually have the quality in depth. Granted we havent lost THAT often, but with it becoming more and more obvious that Essien is an injury prone player we need a QUALITY player to bring in that is CONSISTENT to replace him. Someone we can rely on in the big games if/when Essien is not there. For me ballack isnt there anymore and Deco isnt consistent enough

This is going to be a massive decision for Carlo.

Cole is a possibility if you gets some playing time next week and is deemed fit, but I don't think his backup option, Yuri, is as bad as Essien's backup options on full form. Still, I'd be much less comfortable with Essien though... too long of a lay-off to come in to such an important match from the off.

Although if the alternative is Ballack...

Yuri's been our best player in last 3 games. Our left side is strong. Bigger question is the right side. Joey and Paulo were abysmal.

Essien is important and we surely have dropped points without him..

I do not see the need for which Ashley would fall into the first team instead of Zhrikov. Zhirkov played really well in the last three games.

The main point over pretty much the whole season is that our midfield is far too slow, Mikel, Deco, Ballack all slow down our game far too much. Lamps tries to run faster, but those legs of his don't work like they used to.

Essien will imject some much needed attacking imputence in our midfield, with much more pace about it too. Come on Essien, be back for Liverpool, we need you to do a job on Gerrard!

Ash will come straight back in against Stoke because JT is suspended and we need him back there as a reliable performer against a strong Stoke forward line. With Paulo, Alex, Ivan and Yuri as the back four I'm not sure this lineup has ever played together. Ash back on that left side can give everyone else confidence because he is experienced and solid.

Honestly if Essien is close to fit I'd have him on the bench for Stoke as well. If we're in trouble we can send him out and if we're not it'd be good to get some match fitness into his legs before Liverpool. He isn't adverse to having great games when coming back from injury, last year against Juve showed that.

Come on Essien, be back for Liverpool, we need you to do a job on Gerrard!

The way starfish is playing this season, I think my granny can mark him out of the game.

Essien will be wasted as a marker. He needs to be on the right of the middle three. Going forward as well as helping the right back.

Hope he plays at least the last two games of the season.

If Mikel does a job on Gerrard, hopefully that'll be the final step towards his development into Mikelele, the best DM in the world.

Of course, he'll develop a hunch immediately after the game, but he'll get used to it.

Essien should be back in the team if fit, no doubt. He could yet play a key role in the remaining games, but we shouldn't rush him back.

Cole being back is great news, but Zhirkov and Malouda have been fantastic lately - I think there's a case for trying to get a system with all three playing if possible