Injuries

[Concrete John]

Every defender will have a mare of a game from time to time. Especially one so early in his career. Over the years I saw Evans, Southgate, Olly, Southgate, Laursen and even God make mistakes and have poor games.

Blasphemy!!

[Dante Lavelli]

But what worries me is what happens if one of those two gets injured? With Vlaar's supposed history of injuries and the fact that Clark missed a fair bit of last season with injury, it's not totally out of the question.

You’re talking about a situation where the two first choice CBs are injured.  We do not generate enough money to justify having 4 experienced CBs.  Baker is an ideal 4th choice, supported by Herd in emergencies.

[Chipsticks]

But what worries me is what happens if one of those two gets injured? With Vlaar's supposed history of injuries and the fact that Clark missed a fair bit of last season with injury, it's not totally out of the question.

You’re talking about a situation where the two first choice CBs are injured.  We do not generate enough money to justify having 4 experienced CBs.  Baker is an ideal 4th choice, supported by Herd in emergencies.

I said "what happens if one of those two gets injured", I just described both of them to get the point across that one of them could easily get injured.

[PeterWithesShin]

Paul Lambert is hoping Darren Bent will be fit to play a part in Saturday's pre-season clash at Nottingham Forest.

Lambert revealed Bent is making good progress as he battles back from the thigh strain he picked up training on the USA Tour.

And the boss is eager to see him compete at the City Ground this weekend.

Lambert also revealed that Gabby Agbonlahor [knee], Richard Dunne [groin] and Marc Albrighton [foot] will all miss the start of the season through injury.

Agbonlahor is out for four-five weeks while Dunne is likely to be absent for six-eight weeks.

Lambert told AVTV: "Darren will be fine. He got a thigh injury in the USA and he will not be too far away from Saturday, depending on how he's feeling. But he's fine.

"Gabby is a bit longer. It's his knee and he will miss the start of the season.

"Richard will miss the start of the season. Marc will miss the start of the season. It's a blow but that's football at times. You just have to pick yourself up and go again."

Lambert accepted that while it was frustrating to see three senior stars sidelined, it also presented an opportunity for his other players to make an impact as the new campaign starts.

He added: "I have great belief in the players.They will give it everything they've got and at the end of the day that's all you can ask."

[Chipsticks]

Well, the good news is that as far as I know Bent got through the whole of the second half.

[Chipsticks]

SSN reporting that Albrighton has a broken Metatarsal, out for 6-8 weeks.

[Mortimer's Bear]

SSN reporting that Albrighton has a broken Metatarsal, out for 6-8 weeks.

Massive season for him this year, I hope he can make an impact.

[Stu]

SSN reporting that Albrighton has a broken Metatarsal, out for 6-8 weeks.

Is there any other team in the Prem that has suffered with injuries the way we have over the last couple of years?

[PaulWinch again]

A shame as I think this season is absolutely critical for him. He needs to add a lot to his game if he's going to succeed at the top level.

[Dante Lavelli]

SSN reporting that Albrighton has a broken Metatarsal, out for 6-8 weeks.

Is there any other team in the Prem that has suffered with injuries the way we have over the last couple of years?

Definitely, our attention is focused pretty much solely on Villa so it makes it seem worse.  Arsenal and Spurs both had it pretty bad last year at various points.

[darren woolley]

Let's hope we have no more injuries being as though we are three men light for the start of the season.

[Chipsticks]

I wonder who will start on the opposite wing to Zog against West Ham?

In my mind it's between Bannan and Holman really, unless Lambert wants to bring in another winger. I don't think Carruthers is quite ready.

[usav]

Definitely, our attention is focused pretty much solely on Villa so it makes it seem worse.  Arsenal and Spurs both had it pretty bad last year at various points.

As did Man Utd.  Howevey, you are missing the key point that they have squads better suited to deal with it than we do.

[Dante Lavelli]

Definitely, our attention is focused pretty much solely on Villa so it makes it seem worse.  Arsenal and Spurs both had it pretty bad last year at various points.

As did Man Utd.  Howevey, you are missing the key point that they have squads better suited to deal with it than we do.

That’s true but the expectations and number of games they need to play negate that argument too.

[Mortimer's Bear]

If McLeish was still in charge his training methods would have been blamed by now.