Crisis at the Bridge

Its getting insane now. When Essien got injured and was facing a lengthy period on the treatment table, it was a setback but then I thought we have depth in the midfield area and the likes of Mikel can step up and take his place. Even Ballack was back by that time, though not fully fit. Then it was time for the influential Portuguese pair to follow suit. Although for not such a long period but Carvalho and Deco were going to be missed. We had trouble to break down packed defenses last season without a creative spark in the center of the park. That spark was added to our game in the guise of our number 20. Just a couple of games later, however, he was lost to a small injury. So was our best defender, Carvalho, in the same game. I still thought, ok! We have Alex and Ivanovic, two very good replacements in the squad for Carvalho and since Drogba was back from injury, for the time Deco is out we could take route one if the need be and still get results.

Joe Cole was then lost to injury before the Stoke game and Kalou took a knock in the same game and was taken off at half time. By this time things were getting slightly insane, and had it not been for the depth of our squad, loud alarm bells would already have started ringing from Fulham Street. With the squad already stretched, Scolari would have done without Drogba taking another blow on his knee and not only that, 3/4th of the back line also took knocks in the CL game against Cluj. Fingers crossed for JT and Alex to make the important game at the weekend against high flying Aston Villa. Ashley Cole too got a sore back after the game but he should be fit.

I can only have sympathy with Scolari, who got rid of some dead wood in the summer market to keep the squad small and handsome, but he wouldn't even have dreamt of this scenario. In fact, no one can. It will be interesting to see the line up he puts on the pitch in the weekend but one thing is for sure, it would by no means be what he'd have planned for while trimming his squad for this kind of game. Let me get into Scholari's shoes for once and pick eleven fit players from the squad. Following could well be the line up at the weekend:

Cech

Bosingwa Ivanovic Ferriera Cole

Lamps Mikel Ballack

Kalou(if fit!) Anelka Malouda

Bench: Cudicini, Bridge, Mancienne, Miniero, Di Santo, Sinclair, Woods

Lets hope Deco and Carvalho are back soon!