So with the end of January window in sight our squad is currently down 2 more players (Van Aanholt and Kakuta). Even if we tie up the Luiz deal (which I'm not going to count on until its official) we would still be down 1 player and possibly even 2 if Bruma also goes on loan. Based on the problems we encountered in November/December when presented with a growing injury list I'm wondering how wise it is to further decrease the squad. I know that Kakuta and Van Aanholt have only been used sparingly so far but they were still available as replacements. If we hit another injury crisis we could see some even younger faces on the bench before the end of the season. On the positive side both players will hopefully get the chance to show what they can do against decent opposition during their loans so they we will hopefully have a much better idea of whether they are going to make the grade.

So the question is are we taking a massive risk or is it worth the chance since these players were most likely only going to warm the bench for the rest of the season? I think hat we will probably manage without them as players like Yuri and even Yossi will hopefully return in the next few months. However it is a calculated risk and certainly one that could backfire if we do hit another injury crisis in the near future.

Too risky in my humbled opinion unless we are buying players within the next few days to make up the numbers. The squad will be knackered playing in three competitions which will only add to our woes. I say keep the kids till the end of the season, then lend them out, but then it sort of flies in the face of our new 'youth' policy...oh well life at the Bridge. If we fail to make the Champions League then Roman and the management team only have themselves to blame ...not Carlo.

I stand slightly corrected as I forgot Bertrand had returned from loan. So he cancels out the loan of Van Aanholt leaving us a net 1 player down. Still doesn't really change much. I guess we do at least have cover for Ash. Although I wouldn't be surprised to see Paulo get the nod over Bertrand at left back should Ash get injured in the near future.

If we get bertrand back, and Yuri back to full fitness, then I think we're ok. But we certainly do need to strengthen, that's something we can all agree on.

I think sending Kakuta and PVA on loan is a greatmove and it gets them ready for coming back next season, both firing - game ready, and raring to go

If we get bertrand back, and Yuri back to full fitness, then I think we're ok. But we certainly do need to strengthen, that's something we can all agree on.

I think sending Kakuta and PVA on loan is a greatmove and it gets them ready for coming back next season, both firing - game ready, and raring to go

IF we manage to finalize things with Benfica on Luiz I think we are okay for the rest of the season. Yuri and Alex are not that far from getting back. Only Benayoun is out probably rest of the season.

We should keep in mind that there are still going to be injuries. Hope no one major and nothing major.

Truth is the fact that the squad is very sparingly rotated means that we don't really need another player to come in. (assuming Luiz does)

Only Benayoun is out probably rest of the season.

Thats where I think we need improvements though, although much better vs Bolton.

My take on the Kakuta and PVA loans is it is to get them ready for next season where hopefully they will see much more game time. They will both come back ready for the step up to first team much beter with 3 months or so of intense football rather tahn a few ressie games and the occasional 1st team appearance.

We still have enough to fill the bench with decent quality for the next game , without counting the injured players.

Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, JT, Cole, Essien, Ramires, Lampard, Malouda, Anelka, Drogba

Subs: Turnbull, Bruma, Ferreira, Mikel, Sturridge, Kalou, McEachran

Injured: Alex, Benayoun, Zhirkov

Reserves: Hilario, Borini, Bertrand, Sala

Even if we kept the likes of Kakuta and PVA, they would see very few minutes now that we're into the business end of the season. I think its a great move sending them out on loan, especially Kakuta who will get some valuable league time.

We still have enough to fill the bench with decent quality for the next game , without counting the injured players.

Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, JT, Cole, Essien, Ramires, Lampard, Malouda, Anelka, Drogba

Subs: Turnbull, Bruma, Ferreira, Mikel, Sturridge, Kalou, McEachran

Injured: Alex, Benayoun, Zhirkov

Reserves: Hilario, Borini, Bertrand, Sala

Even if we kept the likes of Kakuta and PVA, they would see very few minutes now that we're into the business end of the season. I think its a great move sending them out on loan, especially Kakuta who will get some valuable league time.

We might have enough 'bodies' on the bench but the quality is not there hence not playing the kids very much, but at least they are good temporary fill ins. I agree they need some playing time but it should be with us not abroad or to a cross town rival....catch 22 I guess?

Truth is the fact that the squad is very sparingly rotated means that we don't really need another player to come in. (assuming Luiz does)

Sparingly rotated through necessity not choice though. I'm sure Carlo would love to swap things around more, but he doesn't trust the youngsters.

I think sending Kakuta and PVA on loan is a greatmove and it gets them ready for coming back next season, both firing - game ready, and raring to go

If past record is anything to go by then its safe to presume that irrespective of their performance in their loan stint they are highly unlikely to get too much game time next season. Having sent these two yougsters on loan makes are bench look ever so weak with the likes of Chalobah/ Mellis being asked to step up. With 3 more players leaving the club (makes the tally to 8 including summer departures) it makes me wonder how good is Carlo at mathematics.

We might have enough 'bodies' on the bench but the quality is not there hence not playing the kids very much, but at least they are good temporary fill ins. I agree they need some playing time but it should be with us not abroad or to a cross town rival....catch 22 I guess?

Again, he has Kalou, Sturridge and McEachran ahead of him on the bench now, so I don't see how he could get any playing time here now that every game we have coming up is like a cup final.

If we win our game in hand we'll only be a point behind Man City.

Chin up everyone.

If we win our game in hand we'll only be a point behind Man City.

Chin up everyone.

And that game in hand happens to be at Goodison park :)

And that game in hand happens to be at Goodison park :)

Isn't it against Manyoo at the Bridge?

Isn't it against Manyoo at the Bridge?

You are right. The Everton match is an FA Cup tie.

Shrinkage? It must be the cold

And that game in hand happens to be at Goodison park :)

Sorry..My Bad...checked the fixture at soccerway where they hadnt mentioned it specificly as FA cup....and I didnt mean the In hand match..I was concerned about the very next match , by winning which we can overtake Citeh.

Edited January 27, 201115 yr by Jawan

I know he's not a left back, but young Jacob Mellis signed a new contract today until 2013, and he's been on the bench a few times, expect him to be on the bench on Saturday again.

Truth is the fact that the squad is very sparingly rotated means that we don't really need another player to come in. (assuming Luiz does)

That is a disaster waiting to happen in my opinion. Drogba has been out, as well as Alex, JT, Frank, Bossie, and Yuri. Of those, only Frank and Alex have/had long layoffs.

Now we are embarking on the second half, and there hasnt been a christmas break or any extended period off besides the week or so for snow. I am no expert, just a fan, but I would think the lack of rotation just made our recent malaise worse, as we had no option to take the heat off these guys or give them a break. As far as youngsters, well, two defenders, one a leftback who was never going to replace A Cole, and two midfielders, of whom Josh saw alot of time and Kakuta always looked nervous. Outside of that there was Danny who, IMO has been shortchanged for minutes.

Its still the same horses for the second half. Drogba, Nico, and Malouda. If they cant get it done we have Kalou or Danny. If something happens to one of these guys, or there is another injury to Mikel, or JT, or Ash, we would be in the same boat as two months ago where we were fielding 1 fit defender and 1 youngster as cover.

If its an issue of "well, we cant add more players and risk increasing payroll" then we need to shed some more high earners.

That is a disaster waiting to happen in my opinion. Drogba has been out, as well as Alex, JT, Frank, Bossie, and Yuri. Of those, only Frank and Alex have/had long layoffs.

Now we are embarking on the second half, and there hasnt been a christmas break or any extended period off besides the week or so for snow. I am no expert, just a fan, but I would think the lack of rotation just made our recent malaise worse, as we had no option to take the heat off these guys or give them a break. As far as youngsters, well, two defenders, one a leftback who was never going to replace A Cole, and two midfielders, of whom Josh saw alot of time and Kakuta always looked nervous. Outside of that there was Danny who, IMO has been shortchanged for minutes.

Its still the same horses for the second half. Drogba, Nico, and Malouda. If they cant get it done we have Kalou or Danny. If something happens to one of these guys, or there is another injury to Mikel, or JT, or Ash, we would be in the same boat as two months ago where we were fielding 1 fit defender and 1 youngster as cover.

If its an issue of "well, we cant add more players and risk increasing payroll" then we need to shed some more high earners.

Good points WW, and in principle I agree with you. However, the evidence from this season suggests that rotation is not something Carlo does regularly out of choice. Given the financial state of things it is hardly worth it to bring players in as cover when they'll most likely not get much of a go anyway.

As far as shedding high earners go, who would you propose? JT, Drogs, Lamps, Ash? I'd prefer any one of those to having 3 second tier players to make the squad a little bigger. We trimmed the fat last season, maybe even excessively there isn't much left to trim.