7th February 2005: The reckless
tackle on Andy Johnson by Luis Boa Morte has proven terminal as far
as AJ's season is concerned. It is ironic that the injury ended what
was probably AJ's most influential performance of the season, but
the news emerged over the weekend that it will be his last.
Although Johnson was unlikely to be fit for the Cup replay against
Spurs even before the weekend's blow, his injury forms part of a mini
midfield crisis for the Baggies, at least in the FA Cup. New signings
Kieran Richardson and Richard Chaplow have both appeared in the FA
Cup for their previous clubs leaving them ineligible for Saturday's
replay and any subsequent FA Cup games.
In addition, Jonathan Greening picked up his fifth booking at Carrow
Road giving him a one match ban - that suspension will not kick in
until the 19th February, so he will be available for Saturday, but
would miss the fifth round tie should Albion prove victorious on Saturday
evening. What is potentially more damaging is that, should the Baggies
lose at Spurs, Greening would miss the next Premiership match against
Birmingham on 6th March, assuming the Southampton match is not rearranged
beforehand. Either way, it would be a big blow to miss the player
who has probably been more influential than any other this season
for what will be another crucial match - another reason to go for
the win on Saturday.
If we do get through to play Megson's Nottingham Forest side, Greening's
absence could open the door for Jason Koumas. Koumi is away with Earnie
and the rest of the Welsh squad this week, and they may play against
Zoltan Gera's Hungary side at the Millennium Stadium on Wednesday
night. Should JK play, and play well, he may be able to earn himself
a place back in Robson's squad. It seems strange that one of Albion's
most creative players seems to have been frozen out of the squad -
his last start was in the debacle at St Andrew's in December, and
he has appeared as a substitute just twice since then, the last when
he came on to make the first goal for Earnshaw in the Cup victory
at Preston. I get the feeling that there is more going on behind the
scenes.
Robson does have one or two other options now, of course. James O'Connor
is back from Burnley and he, along with the recovering Lee Marshall,
were involved in the 3-1 reserve victory over Liverpool on Tuesday
evening. Marshall is unlikely to be ready for first team action for
some time, but O'Connor has already made the bench since his return.
I wonder whether the injury to Johnson and Greening's suspension will
lead to Robson regretting the decision to allow Inamoto to play in
the competition for Cardiff. Personally, I'd still like to see Inamoto
back at the Hawthorns as he surely has something to offer.
Along with the need to get back the winning feeling, perhaps the overriding
reason for wanting to beat Spurs is to give us another game this month.
Defeat on Saturday looks like leaving us without another game until
6th March - it would be a long time to wait.
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