One of the things that it was evident on Sunday was that how important is the physical condition of players is these days.
Probably, if before Sunday we were offered Per Mertsacker on loan for the rest of the season, would have said that this was a coup and this will stabilize the defense. Young Brereton showed that in this day an age fitness is overtaking technique.
I think that this applies to our Murphy, no way he would have managed to do what Brereton and Cash did on Sunday for the whole 90 minutes, thus making him predictable and not the threat that we need when playing with one striker (maybe if we play with two, one of them being a Brereton type of player). Infact Arsenal fans (after the game) that Per is still OK when playing in a 3 at the back system (central), playing two have exposed him.
Conclusion: we have to be careful what players will bring at the club, being on loan or permanently, in this day an age past success means nothing.
To note also that even Vaughan, later in the game started showing signs of tiredness by misplaced passes, especially in dangerous places.
In my opinion these are players to have around, yes, to give advice to the young ones and maybe bring in in the last 20 or so minutes to shore up a game (or change a compromised one).
Probably, if before Sunday we were offered Per Mertsacker on loan for the rest of the season, would have said that this was a coup and this will stabilize the defense. Young Brereton showed that in this day an age fitness is overtaking technique.
I think that this applies to our Murphy, no way he would have managed to do what Brereton and Cash did on Sunday for the whole 90 minutes, thus making him predictable and not the threat that we need when playing with one striker (maybe if we play with two, one of them being a Brereton type of player). Infact Arsenal fans (after the game) that Per is still OK when playing in a 3 at the back system (central), playing two have exposed him.
Conclusion: we have to be careful what players will bring at the club, being on loan or permanently, in this day an age past success means nothing.
To note also that even Vaughan, later in the game started showing signs of tiredness by misplaced passes, especially in dangerous places.
In my opinion these are players to have around, yes, to give advice to the young ones and maybe bring in in the last 20 or so minutes to shore up a game (or change a compromised one).
