Fans Comment
David McGrain

Wait till the crocks are back
16/09/05

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Given a sustained opportunity to play a first choice eleven, I feel Moyes will help us turn the corner this season sooner rather than later. Consider the following through my rose-tinted glasses:

Ruddy, though young, is already beginning to show promise for the reserves. Martyn remains first choice keeper by a mile, but this position in the team certainly has strength if combined with a reliable back four. Status: No reason for panic if Martyn gets injured.

Kroldrup and Ferrari are class acts and will provide stern competition for Weir and Yobo, raising the bar for a first team place at centre back in the process. Status: Standards raised at centre back

Carsley will compete gamely with Neville for the holding role, who in turn will provide stiff competition for Hibbo's place at right back. Status: Standards raised at defensive midfield and right back.

Valente will surely make a difference once fully fit and will (hopefully) teach Naysmith a thing or two about playing left back. Status: Standards raised at left back

Van der Meyde will make the left midfield slot his own, testing Kilbane's ability to rise to a challenge in a way that McFadden simply can't. Status: Standards raised at left midfield.

Cahill, Arteta, Kilbane, Davies and Osman battle it our for three remaining midfield starting berths. Strengthening of right-back position (see above) supports attacking right winger role for Davies/Osman. Status: Attacking wingers employed, more crosses for the big lads up front to have a go at. Attacking mentality encourages fully rested Cahill to make his famous driving runs. More goals from midfield.

Beattie, Bent, Ferguson, McFadden and Vaughan will all battle it out for one, perhaps two starting places. Status: Competition for places may just kickstart some goalscoring form for one of the five.

I feel sure I'll be criticised for my blind optimism after last night's debacle, but I say why not wait until Christmas and then make a judgement about the progress we have made. The above is not impossible and if anyone can make it happen Davie Moyes can.

In Moyes I continue to trust.

David  McGrain

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