Beyond whether we can secure a much-needed win at the London Stadium tomorrow night, the intriguing Lucas Paqueta is the major question.
Even if he only had a 20-minute cameo, is he ready to play and can he give it his all? Hughie Southon asks, “If not, what’s the point of playing him after injury kept him out of the squad for seven weeks of the season?”
The likelihood of him experiencing another injury is clear, and the majority of the backroom personnel I’ve spoken to think it should be prevented. We truly do have an issue and the claims that we are a one-man squad will seem to have some merit if we are unable to defeat the Bees without him when we play far tougher games in the near future.
After three straight losses, in which his team has failed to score and given up eleven goals, I worry that David Moyes would take a risk with this player that he wouldn’t take with any other.
The one player I would like to see return is Angelo Ogbonna, who was benched vs Arsenal after putting on a fantastic display. Danny Ings had the similar experience at Sheffield United. These choices are so astounding that you’re shaking your head.
Let’s go down to business: will Paqueta have any role in tomorrow night’s events? With Villa, Newcastle, Spurs, Wolves, and Fulham on our schedule following Everton (which won’t be easy) and Burnley, I sincerely hope not.
