There has been a lot of talk about how we will miss Drogs (and to a lesser extent Kalou) during the ACN and of course we will without doubt. Still we may have Anelka or another striker in place by then to help cushion the blow. My concerns lie with the defensive midfielder though. Losing Mikel and Essien leaves us with a big gulf to fill. I think that leaves Maka left as our only other recognized holding midfielder and he is injured currently right? With Frank also out that leaves us with Sidwell, Ballack, and Joe Cole as our only other central midfielders. Of those I can only see Sidwell in the defensive role. Sidwell has not impressed in recent appearances but I am hoping he will rise to the challenge. Otherwise do we have any other options in the reserves (Anthony Grant perhaps)? Or perhaps we will sign Modric. Can he fill the defensive midfielder role?

I'd say this is potentially our biggest problem going into the ACN. I can see us getting a few goals from other players but unless we change our playing style we need to find a defensive midfielder quickly.

Ballack can play very effectively as a defensive midfielder, he did it for years in Germany. I might be wrong, but I think it was a German national coach who got him playing a more attacking role?

yeah, we could line up with ballack in the hole, with lamps and Cole just ahead of him. The only thing then would be...if Cole plays in the middle, we better hope malouda is back or else we wont have any wingers

Scott

Well that makes me feel a little better. Lets just hope our newest captain stays fit and free of injury then :nono: