Kranjcar doubtful for Manyoo clash

Niko Kranjcar is a doubt for the Manyoo game on Monday.

Yep, the Croatian is a great talent - the ability that he has on the ball is fantastic but as much as no one has really done that much in our opening games this season - the charity shield and Chelski games - Kranjcar has offered even less than most so if he has to sit out the Manyoo game is it really that bad? Could it even be a slight blessing in a way...

Whilst I would never ever wish injury on any player, especially a Pompey player, but my thinking is so long as this is not a major injury this is not such a bad thing as it will mean he has to sit out a game or two, which he quite probably would not have and with this it does open the door for others to have a chance - a chance that they might not have been given otherwise.

Armand Traore has arrived this week on loan and whilst I always saw him as a left back it has since been revealed that he has in fact been used as a left winger quite a lot in the Arsenal reserve team and has the ability to deliver a great cross, better still has pace! Just make sure you do not wind him up as he might end up brandishing a shiny pair of knuckledusters!

Check out this video of the youngster, it is a clip that NinjaTim dug out and used in the forum - so I thought I would attempt a 'video clip' insertion for the first time...



If the young Frenchman did not come in we also have Jerome Thomas, who is a natural out and out winger. Primarily a left winger, but he can also play on the right - so there is also the chance that he could be the man to come in, and why not! He has always had the ability he has just lacked the application so this could be his time?

From having nothing to offer on the left, we now have several options - and options with players that can fill a range of positions - when all are fit, and this is great.

Pace is not essential, but both of these options offer us something that Kranjcar never can - pace! We could use both Traore at left back and Thomas on the left of midfield, but Manyoo might not be the game to try this for the first time...

Do not get me wrong, I am a big fan of the fella, but is it just me or has it seemed as though Kranjcar might have been taking his place in the team for granted recently? Although you could say some others have as well! So having to be forced to sit out a game or two might give him, and of course Harry Redknapp something to think about, especially if whoever might come in does come in and shows what they can do...

PLAY UP POMPEY!

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