Coyle backs down in attempt to snare Wilshere
Add comment January 22nd, 2010
Often-times my blog comes a little later than you might like because I’m otherwise engaged. I might be sleeping, working, or locked in a bid for consecutive promotions on FIFA 10. Sometimes, however, there’s just not very much to say. As the sun came up this morning and my newsfeed clicked in to life, it was deathly quiet. No made up stories about Bosnian strikers, barely a bleating Bolton player, and even my email inbox was left undisturbed by the club’s merchandising department.
And then, just when I’m thinking about writing the day’s news off and just rambling on about, say, the economy or global warming, up pops Owen Coyle to retract his claim that William Gallas had committed an “assault” on Bolton midfielder Mark Davies. Apart from any possible legal ramifications, I can only assume his statement is an attempt to reingratiate himself with Arsene Wenger ahead of a renewed attempt to sign Jack Wilshere.
I’m still not sure I see the point in sending Wilshere on loan, especially to a club as culturally different as Bolton. For one thing, the experience of battling for points at the bottom of the table is not easily transposed to a game-to-game expectation of victory at the highest level. It’s a different psychology, let alone style of football. I might be more inclined to see him go to a top Championship side or abroad.
Early team news for Stoke tells us that Diaby will miss out (as he will for the midweek clash with Villa) and that Bacary Sagna will be rested, so perhaps we’ll see Craig Eastmond in his original role as right-back. Sol Campbell could be in contention for his first appearance since returning to Arsenal, as I’m almost certain Arsene will field a considerably weakened side. I’d be quite surprised to see the likes of Gallas and Arshavin start.
Finally today: England expects every man to do his duty. Go and vote here.
