stu_the_red wrote:Why didn't John Welsh play (or even get a look in) instead of Diao? Surely the lad deserves a go now. Hopefully he'll play against Boro in the next round.
My read on the selection of Diao, is that Rafa has seen something in training and wan'ts to give the guy a run.
Also playing him against Millwall was a low risk strategy, don't be fooled by the 3-0 score, that was a tough game and the likelyhood of injuries to the more skillfull but less physical players was high.
Diao like Biscan and Henchoz are to a certain amount expendable, indeed if you wanted to be really cynical, a serious injury could bring on the possibility of an insurance claim which would be as good as a transfer fee.
Also we blooded quite a few youngsters and had we been beaten and battered, it could have destroyed some confidence in the lad's aswell exposing them to possible physical injury.
I hope Welsh get's his chance alongside the full team in a good match and/or against Middlesborough in the L Cup.
