Internationals Review and Blackburn Preview.

I think this is one of the most injury free International breaks we've had in a while. Apart from the Bendtner and Van Persie scare I'd say we are unscathed. Oh there's a groin Injury to Rambo! It was good to see Van P carry on his form to the internationals..hope he doesn't forget it there! For he sure is on of those who hold the key to our title ambitions. Wilshere also had a good solid outing,he says he feels fitter than ever.. Our french contingent had a silent outing with Nasri the notable mention! I'd rather have a silent international break than an outstanding one with injuries! Before I leave the internationals..I noticed that I haven't mentioned the harambee stars. A good job aganist Angola though why Zico did not start with Jamal Malo Malo Mohammed beats me..he is our best creative midfielder! On Mariga well..he did not have the best of matches,especially his set pieces! He got carried away (who wouldn't) but it was a good game..more of the same boys more of the same. I won't dwell on the Nigeria game but our defence was all over the place!

On to the Pre-View.

Match : Vs Blackburn

Venue : Emirates Stadium

K.O Time : 8.30PM (Kenya time.)  

So we are Back to business...9 games starting tomorrow to win us the league. From my rough calculations we need a perfect 27 points from these games to be absolutely sure of winning this league! Avoiding scenarios where we pray for favours...This one comes with very good news on the injury front..here's what mzee prof had to say..

[Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song, Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby] will all be available. I have not decided if they will start the game yet but they will all be available.
[Robin] Van Persie has a good chance too. He has a final assessment tomorrow but we believe he will be fit. It is a bruised knee.
Nicklas Bendtner is in the same situation. He will have a test tomorrow on his ankle and we’ll see. In fact, we have a few players with tests tomorrow – Ramsey with his groin, Bendtner with his ankle, Van Persie with his knee. I will make a decision after training in the morning.
We just have Denilson out. It is short–term. We have one or two players with question marks but all the other players will be available.(That was yesreday..)

From the players coming back,let me pick out TH14 as the most crucial,apart from the obvious Cesc,we have missed F1 pikipiki the most! Since he went down we have struggled ALOT! Add that to Song who has not played in all the league games that we have lost! You clearly see that this is a very crucial trio,and the timing couldn't have been better! With them back we can have our monster back..THEOVANASREGASONG I hope Mzee throws them in from the start,it's no time for wait and see! The other talking point should be the Goal keeper,Lehman had a shaky game aganist Wigan for the reserves in mid week,but I still have more faith in him than I have in Aluminium! So with that here's the line up I expect le' Prof to put out :

                                  

                                                                         Lehman

                                               Sagna    Koscienly   Squillaci   Clichy

                                                                  Song      

                                                      Cesc                  Wilshere

                                              Walcott        Van P          Nasri

Subs : Almunia,Rambo,Arshavin,Chamakh,Bendtner,Eboue,Diaby.

With that we should get the three points. This is a game that should give us the momentum as we start the run in! My greatest worry is our back line..when it's all french,something doesn't click I hope Mad Jens smacks some organisation into them (that is one of the reasons I have him starting). If not,we'll have to outscore them,I won't give a score prediction,but I'll say this..if we get the first goal within the first ten minutes then we'll have a goal fest but if we struggle at the start we might just make it hard on ourselves.Alot will have to be done when defending set pieces I need not refer to Reid's goal for West brom!

As any other team that comes to the ashburton groove..I expect them to 'pack the bus',play hoof and chase to their big man Santa Cruz and hope for a set piece to push the likes of Samba foward. If we can hit them early their game plan has to change,they have to come out,thus creating more spaces for us.Look out for Pedersen  he should be the main outlet for Cruz,Song should be able to handle him.

Quick Stats : We have played the Rovers 24 times,Winning 15 and losing only 4 of those,Drawing the rest! They have not won at the emirates in their last 4 visits. Our most prolific goal scorer aganist them is...guess who..Van p with 8 goals! We are both coming from a second half showing that earned us both a point,theirs coming at home to Blackpool!

Finally As you will see tomorrow in the pre-match programme...a tribute to David 'Rocky' Rocastle (2 May 1967 – 31 March 2001) 10 years on..NEVER FORGOTTEN!