Josh Kilmister gives five reasons why an FA Cup trip to Lancashire is a good way to blow out the cobwebs of our 5-0 defeat to Chelsea
This coming weekend will see The Swans head north for an FA Cup Fourth Round game against Blackburn, and I think it’s come at the perfect time; here’s why.
1) We’ve just been on the end of an absolute thumping from Chelsea, but the less said about that the better. I’m not saying we should underestimate Blackburn at all, but this is the perfect chance for us to rebuild any confidence that might have been lost on Saturday. I’m sure the players will be fired up and will definitely be looking to make amends.
2) At this stage of the cup, the likelihood is that we’ll make a few changes and our ‘big name’ players won’t be up for selection. With Gylfi said to have been injured of late I very much doubt he’ll travel, while speculation over Gomis’ future could mean that Oliveira could get a start in his favoured striker role. Ash will likely be out through injury while Fernandez will probably be rested. This gives Bartley a chance to get his name back onto the team sheet, while Amat - who has been rumoured to have been attracting interest from abroad - will be wanting to make a push for the first team.
3) Jonjo Shelvey. Having served the last of his four game ban against Chelsea, Jonjo will be desperate to get out there and regain the trust of his manager, as well as the fans. As mentioned, I don’t think Gylfi will travel meaning that Shelvey, if selected, will most likely be in his favoured attacking midfield role; hopefully he can produce some more moments of magic, rather than madness.
4) Sticking with the midfield and with Ki on international duty and Leon Britton not likely to be risked, this could be the perfect time for others in the squad to step up. Jay Fulton will most likely get the nod with new signing Grimes cup tied, while Adam King could also feature after making his debut against Tranmere.
5) Routledge will almost certainly be out with the injury he suffered on Saturday meaning it might be down to Marvin Emnes to run the left flank, and if he can put as much effort into his performance as he did against Chelsea, then I feel Monk will have no choice but to give him a start. The same could be said for Mo Barrow on the right side, as Nathan Dyer has been nothing short of awful in recent weeks. Last time out in the cup Dyer was started and given the captain’s armband, and as much as I’d love Barrow to start on the wing, I don’t think it’ll happen. Who knows, maybe Monk will surprise us and start him up top, but again, I doubt it.
So after one of the worst weekends in our Premier League years so far, a trip up to Ewood Park could be the perfect cure for that awful Saturday afternoon – even if buses leave at 5:15am!
Thanks to Josh as usual - follow him on twitter @JoshKilmister