Nikica Jelavic

[Big Fat Sam]

... but today was an opportunity to praise his work and put him in the frame for the Norwich game, but some of you simply don't want to know.

Just so you know, if Rom had actually been in goalscoring form recently I wouldn't be advocating that Jela start ahead of him 100%, but I personally think he's earned a start based on today and on Rom's recent form.

I don't think he's earned a start on the basis of today.

He sounded like he had a good game today, definitely, and scored a great effort and a superb poacher's effort for his season, but one game shouldn't put him to the front of the queue again.

Lukaku has been a bit 'off' recently because he's player every single minute for weeks and weeks. He must be knackered. Today he got a nice rest and will be fresh and hungry for Norwich. It's win-win for Roberto.

Lukaku goes straight into the XI for Norwich, and Jelavic if he stays will need to continue impressing in the limited minutes he'll get as a sub in the meantime.

 

[TheCount]

Think Niki has done well in his recent sub appearances too. Rom has been brilliant for us, but was woeful vs Stoke.

I'd start Niki against Norwich.

 

[Brennan]

You honestly think Starting Jela instead of Lukaku will effectively be us throwing the points away at home vs Norwich mate...?

That's not what i said mate. I said we could possibly drop points as a result of it, and seeing as Jelavic's only goals in eleven months have come against a Clint Hill inspired defence...

 

[dixe]

Well I tell you what Martinez obviously thinks he's not good enough to lead the line for this team or he would not be selling him

 

[Toffe3m4n]

For me Lukaku just needs all the rest he can get right now. He's looked off the pace for a while imo.

 

[Brennan]

Well I tell you what Martinez obviously thinks he's not good enough to lead the line for this team or he would not be selling him

Was just about to say something similar.

 

[orly]

How about this one lads

Sell Kone, keep jelavic, loan in Bily

 

[Brennan]

For me Lukaku just needs all the rest he can get right now. He's looked off the pace for a while imo.

10 days off is plenty mate. He's a professional athlete, he doesn't need weeks and weeks off.

 

[Tubey]

Well I tell you what Martinez obviously thinks he's not good enough to lead the line for this team or he would not be selling him

Or he thinks Lukaku is the superior player in a one striker system, which is perfectly true - when he's in form.

 

[bluestevon]

10 days off is plenty mate. He's a professional athlete, he doesn't need weeks and weeks off.

Pretty much the entire football world disagrees with ya their mate, its why the have an off season, why the advocate a winter break etc, why they also hate the internationals, but apparently if the England squad has a week off before the euro's/world cup etc, then it shouldn't be goosed ^^

 

[Toffe3m4n]

"They [Jelavic & Heitinga] are extremely pristine professionals and I need to listen to them. They are frustrated with the lack of minutes with the World Cup around the corner and I need to look into that. That doesn't mean we want to sell them."


Martinez after the game. He may very well be saying one thing and thinking another, but it sounds like to me he'd like to at least keep hold of them if he could.

 

[Jags..class]

If someone offers us millions for him then maybe we should accept

 

[bluestevon]

"They are extremely pristine professionals and I need to listen to them. They are frustrated with the lack of minutes with the World Cup around the corner and I need to look into that. That doesn't mean we want to sell them."

Martinez after the game. He may very well be saying one thing and thinking another, but it sounds like to me he'd like to at least keep a hold of them (Jela & Johnny) if he could.

It's PR spin mate, why be a **** and say it as it is when you can sugar coat their departures

 

[dixe]

"They [Jelavic & Heitinga] are extremely pristine professionals and I need to listen to them. They are frustrated with the lack of minutes with the World Cup around the corner and I need to look into that. That doesn't mean we want to sell them."


Martinez after the game. He may very well be saying one thing and thinking another, but it sounds like to me he'd like to at least keep hold of them if he could.

Then don't sell them, Nobody is forcing his hand are they

 

[Toffe3m4n]

Then don't sell them, Nobody is forcing his hand are they

Well... yes... they are.

Read the quote - they want more game time before the World Cup and they aren't getting it. He's respecting their wishes, or at least thats how he's making it sound.