I love James, heck, I fantasise about James, but I'm sanguine about him missing a few games. As wonderful as he is when fit, we can't delude ourselves that we are going to achieve something this season if the rest of the squad cannot step up when required.
Richarlison's stupidity last week has left us short up front because we simply do not have acceptable options there. Digne getting his marching orders today leaves us similarly light in his area. I don't see the point of flogging a half-fit James when, in reality, it seems as if we struggle with any kind of adversity in terms of squad depth.
We're going to be a classic "on our day" side this season. We need all our top guys on the pitch to have good days. If James has a knock, rest him. We're not likely to win either of the next two games with the badly-weakened sides we're going to have to put out now. Still, it's a reality check. We've had a wonderful few months since the triple signing week, but winter is coming and we need to manage our resources and expectations carefully now. Carlo has a real chance to expose the rest of the squad to that reality check now over the coming weeks: sink or swim time for many of our squad. The moment of truth can't come quick enough for one or two who we know just aren't up to it and have no place in a squad with serious aspirations to finish higher than 7th.
