Swansea youngster (is twenty-three still young?) almost certain to start given Rangel's suspension & Tiendalli's recent injury
Last week I wrote about how Jazz Richards could realistically look to challenge Angel Rangel for a spot in the first team, based on his excellent showings in the Capital One Cup so far this season. It now seems that he's set to get his shot following Rangel's red card against Sunderland.
I was very impressed, in particular, by his showing against Everton, and he'll have no more to fear from Newcastle than he did Roberto Martinez's Toffees. Rangel had already been exposed on a number of occasions this season before he was sent off last weekend, so if Jazz is selected and performs well, there's no reason to believe Rangel would come straight back into the team. Especially considering Monk has spoken in the past about how, if a player is given a chance and performs, he should keep his place in the team.
As to Richards in particular, Monk seems to have been as impressed by Jazz as I was last Tuesday:
"You saw Jazz against Everton, a Premier League team with very good players, and I thought he was brilliant. Along with Jeff Montero he was probably man of the match, and I have full confidence in him.
"When he's at his confident best he's a very good full-back and he's one we will look at. He hasn't had many chances and it's been difficult for him — I remember going through that sort of thing myself, but he's stuck in there, he's a great lad with a great attitude and a lot going for him.
"The performance against Everton will give him a lot of confidence. He had a few minutes to help us dig in at Sunderland and if he's called upon next weekend I'm sure he'll be ready."
http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Swansea-City-s-Jazz-Richards-job-Newcastle-United/story-23018356-detail/story.html?#ixzz3EmBGaYZ3
While he obviously hasn't come out and said "he's starting" that's as good as for me. Tiendalli has only just returned to training following a minor groin injury, and it seems pointless risking him considering how well Jazz has played so far this season. And that, in my opinion, Tiendalli didn't have the best of games at right-back in the League Cup against Rotherham.
The more competition for places in every position the better, and I for one can't wait to see Jazz playing for us in the Premier League some three years since Rodgers handed him his last start. While people may have had their doubts in the past, he's more than earned his chance. I for one wouldn't bet against him taking it.