Thursday 19 December 2013

A fresh option up front for the Cherries?

While we have seen Lewis Grabban hit some early heights this season and Brett Pitman, Tokelo Rantie and Wes Thomas have had chances to become his main strike partner, I have a feeling that we could see an old favourite up front with Grabban in coming weeks. Josh McQuoid is said to be about ready to come into the squad and quite possibly the starting eleven if Eddie Howe decides that it is time to freshen things up in attack.

McQuoid could be the surprise
inclusion in this week's squad.
Of course the team goes to Sheffield Wednesday this weekend coming (weather permitting) which will not be an easy game. It is a match though where I think attacking play will decide the outcome of the points as both teams like to get forward and score plenty of goals, while defensively both teams have had their problems. How Eddie Howe sets up the team will be crucial. It would be good to see some of the strong breakaway play we saw at the Madejski reappear for this game, and I would like to see McQuoid playing just behind Grabban if he is included. Perhaps Josh can bring some sprightly finishing to the team this weekend.

My favourite though is Mohamed Coulibaly and while he has been seen more as a winger than a striker, there is good reason to suggest that he could be used up front when he is fit enough. Game time is still something he needs so I am not sure if he will make the subs bench this time, but he has hinted that the Boxing Day match could see his return.

Whether Josh or Mohamed could bring a new dimension to AFCB's attack is yet to be seen but just having them fighting for a shirt should give Rantie, Pitman and Thomas something to think about and we need one of them to find their form.

At the moment the team needs some more energy and spark, so I would love it if Eddie does have a wild card like McQuoid up his sleeve, even if he is only use  as a sub. While the team is not getting consistent results there has to be opportunities for others and the Christmas games could come at the right time for McQuoid and Coulibaly.


Mohamed Coulibaly (centre picture) with MacDonald and Wes Thomas.

3 comments:

  1. If we thought Eddie would have a headache trying to decide his line up with Ritchie fit, surely with Josh and Coulibaly coming back it does make things much more interesting. Josh has disappointed me since coming back, and we haven't seen Coulibaly enough, he certainly looked the part rep-season. Yet I could see either or, making a big impact. As with any of the squad now, they either come up to a standard, otherwise it will be time to part come the summer, and these two making an impact, could give the team an impetus that's just enough to turn our games around.....

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  2. I agree that McQuoid was disappointing when he came back to AFCB. But I think he needed this operation and now I hope he is back to his old self. He used to be frighteningly quick and really sharp and we have not seen that for a long time. Let's hope he is back to his best.

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  3. Just send Rantie Back home @ Orlando Pirates to recharge his batteries..ask Malmo fc they know

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