Actually, Lampard got it right.
Look objectively at the first half. Mina was excellent, in every facet of play. The penalty (for instance) was all the more frustrating because Mina already had the threat of the shot completely covered. He's a genuinely talented player and an entertaining snide as well. Stick him alongside Tarkowski and *gasp* our defence looked solid. Even Holgate was widely acknowledged as putting in a decent shift - not a surprise, given that he was alongside two rock-solid performers.
That's why Mina plays ahead of Keane whenever there's a choice. Keane spreads panic whenever he plays.
Would I advocate for keeping Mina? No. His injury history is beyond ridiculous. With our payroll issues and urgent needs elsewhere in the squad, he's a luxury we can't afford. BUT he's obviously not generating any interest from any other club, so if he's staying then he needs to be playing. There's zero sense in keeping him employed by the club but never playing him.
With the new rules about subs what I would do is start Mina whenever he's fit, but replace him during half-time. Go into the second half with four remaining subs and three "windows", and keep Mina fit to start the next game - maybe someone would take a gamble on him in January as a consequence.
