Can Ranger be the game changer?
Posted on December 15th, 2010 | 111 Comments |
Ranger impressed at the weekend, and there is a suggestion that perhaps it was his introduction that tipped balance of power in our favour and allowed us to go on and get the win against Liverpool.
The performance that Ranger put in during his 30 minute cameo appearance has led to calls for him to start the game this weekend when we head to Birmingham City. What I want to know is whether or not you guys think he should get the nod to start? Or whether he should be kept as a secret weapon to be used in the later stages of the game to expose some tired legs?
Personally, I think his time has come. His performance and effort against Liverpool certainly warrants it, and I fell that the time, and opposition, is right to enable Ranger to get the go ahead and start up front with Andy Carroll.
It’s likely to be Roger Johnson and Scott Dann who will line up in the centre of defence for Birmingham on Saturday. Both of them are strong defenders who are good in the air, but there are question marks over their pace. This is where Nile Ranger could be the game changer!
Andy Carroll will come up against a tough test when facing these two. He won’t get everything his own way, which is why it could be important for us to have an extra dimesnsion to our attack on Saturday.
Ranger will give us that option. His pace and work rate will, in my opinion, give the Birmingham defence something else to worry about, although I understand that keeping him on the bench and bringing him on around the hour mark could also have it’s benefits.
If Ranger is to start then people will need to realise that his affect won’t be as dramatic as it was against Liverpool. It isn’t physically possible for someone to run that fast for that long and he will more than likely burn out during the game if he runs about all guns blazing. Knowing when and where to run will come with experience and coaching, but if used properly his pace can be a huge asset for us.
As I said before, I’d tip Ranger to start, but what would you do? Would you keep him as an impact sub? Or would you play him from the off?
Your thoughts please….
25/30 mins for a few games.
He’s still a bit green in front of goal.