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Webster and Gerken Back, Smith and Bishop Making Progress
Friday, 29th Sep 2017 14:34

Centre-half Adam Webster and keeper Dean Gerken will be back in the Blues squad for Saturday’s home game against Bristol City, while manager Mick McCarthy says central defender Tommy Smith has returned to training after his hamstring problem and midfielder Teddy Bishop is making good progress having undergone a groin operation last month.

Gerken, who was with the Robins before joining the Blues in the summer of 2013, wasn’t able to take a place on the bench for Tuesday’s 5-2 thrashing of Sunderland due to a minor injury.

“He’s fine, Gerks just had a sore hip at the beginning of the week, just from training,” McCarthy said at his pre-match press conference which was live on TWTV. “He’s all right, he’s trained today, he’s in the squad tomorrow.

“Everyone came through Tuesday OK, there are just a few some bumps and bruises but they should all be OK.”

Webster has played two U23s games having been out since the Carabao Cup win at Luton in early August and is set to be among the subs along with Gerken against the Robins, while Smith looks likely to be back involved after the international break when Emyr Huws, who has been suffering from an achilles problem, is also expected to return to action.

Speaking on Monday skipper Luke Chambers said the squad is as good as at any time since he has been at Town and McCarthy says there will be plenty of competition for places once everyone is over their injuries.

“When everybody’s fit, with the 14 or 15 that have been doing it at the moment, there’s not been much competition for places,” he reflected.

“And yet I say that, Flynn’s been in the team, Tristan’s been in, Wardy was out the other night and he’s been pretty much a regular starter, so it’s not the biggest squad but they are all competing to play.

“It’ll be interesting when Emyr’s back and Webbo’s trained, he’s full trained, he’s in the squad tomorrow.

“Tommy Smith’s trained with us today. It’ll be interesting, you just hope that when they are all back that the team spirit, camaraderie and encouragement of each other remains the same.

“I think it will because they’re good lads. But it does change the dynamic slightly when you’ve got 22 players and there are a few having to sit in the stand.”

Will those currently in the team be looking over their shoulders at the players coming back, feeling their places might be in jeopardy? “I sincerely hope so because if that’s the case that’s how you get good performances out of them. And if they’re worrying that much that they’re playing badly they shouldn’t be in the team anyway.

“You want them, not anxious, not by any stretch of the imagination, but you want them motivated to play well because you know there’s a good player coming back.”

Meanwhile, McCarthy says Teddy Bishop, who he hopes to have available after the break, is in a very upbeat mood as he makes his latest comeback from injury, this time a groin problem suffered in pre-season which required surgery.

“I spoke to him in the physio’s room this morning and he feels great, he’s been running, he’s out on the field today, out on the grass and he’s really positive about himself, which is what I love about him at the moment,” the Blues boss added.

“He’s not, ‘Yeah, I’m all right but..’. No, he’s, ‘I feel great’ and that’s lovely because that’s not been with him for a long time, so I’m hoping this last operation is going to get him fit, for him as much as anything because it’s a terrible time for a young footballer, especially as talented one like him, to be missing so much.”

Another midfielder Flynn Downes is also expected to return from a thigh injury after the international break.

Andre Dozzell is out for the season having suffered a torn cruciate knee ligament on the opening day, while Luke Hyam underwent surgery on a knee problem earlier this week and is sidelined until Christmas.


Photo: TWTD



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blue75 added 14:38 - Sep 29
Very worrying when McCarthy said he wants to stop Bristol playing I hope he doesn't repeat the Bolton game. Also if he thinks he's only had one bad season in his 5 years the mans deluded!!
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Gcon added 15:21 - Sep 29
The other season's we finished 9th, 6th & 7th. Not that deluded.
15

Kikapu added 15:31 - Sep 29
Wouldn't be much of a manger if he didn't want to stop the opposition playing, 'blue'. Got to get the ball off them first before you can attack them. It's then a question of how long we can keep it and how many shots on target we can get in.
Don't expect anything other than a hard fought 1st half. They are no mugs, this lot.
Winning is everything - entertainment is secondary.
5

cat added 15:48 - Sep 29
Travelling up for tomorrow's match. I saw something at Leeds last week which was extremely positive and I'm hoping for more of the same tomorrow, in what's looking like an attractive fixture. I'm not getting too carried away though, as things can go tits up just as easily, but as I've stated since I started posting on here, it's all about the ENTERTAINMENT for me, playing the game the beautiful way!!.
I get where your coming from blue75, although as Gcon highlights the league placements have been respectable, the entertainment value went certainly went missing for 2/3 seasons.
6

Len_Brennan added 15:53 - Sep 29
Webster & Huws are definite first XI players when fit, so it will be interesting to see who steps down after the international break. Spence has been a revelation at centre half & Knudsen has really looked good as part of a 3 & more so at left back in recent games. I think Tommy Smith might struggle to get back in for a while.
Skuse & Adeyemi look nailed on first teamers in midfield, so throw Huws in there too & we have Celina, Ward, possibly Bishop, the 2 teenage sensations and even Waghorn fighting it out for the other spot come November. Embarrassment of riches.
7

martin587 added 16:02 - Sep 29
Things are now coming together and with the other lads nearly fit to play the squad looks very strong.
As other posters say,it will be very interesting to see just who Mick leaves out after the break.Talking about contracts in his match talk,I agree with what he says,what's the rush!.Very hard game tomorrow as MM says,they are not mugs.
4

blue75 added 16:04 - Sep 29
Gcon I never said the finishes weren't good as they were. McCarthy stated his team had only played badly for last season I disagree I think it's more like 3. If he sets up like the Bolton game again we'll take another beating!! I'm personally hoping for more of Tuesday night performance!! Just not that bit where we sat back from 70 mins.
5

BobbyBell added 16:05 - Sep 29
Reading this I can see MM playing Skuse in the deep role again protecting the back line. Away from home I would agree but at home let's impose ourselves and let Bristol worry about us.
6

blue75 added 16:09 - Sep 29
Kipapu at home we should impose our game on them and let them worry what we're going to do not just park bus till they get frustrated!!
6

KillarneyBlue added 16:31 - Sep 29
Mick in
-1

Ipswichbusiness added 16:43 - Sep 29
Bishop back, fit and on form, could be very important given the injuries to Dozzell and Hyam.
3

SheptonMalletBlue added 16:51 - Sep 29
McCarthy needs to play positive, attacking football instead of his usual boring, rigid, hoof style. We have the players to do it, as we've seen in a few games, but I don't trust McCarthy to continue playing positively. He needs to sort out the defence too (he should be able to being a defender himself) stop giving away stupid goals. I think we've got some very good players in our squad, I just don't believe McCarthy has the Balls to keep it positive.
4

heathen66 added 17:24 - Sep 29
Keep playing the positive football as of Tuesday with the same starting XI it really is that simple.
Take the game to Bristol City and whoever else for that matter.
Impose ourselves on the opposition. Lets play our game and not just hopewe can nick something
Let them be worried about Garner, Waghorn, Celina and McGoldrick.

As for being interesting when all are fit, will only be interesting for 7 places.
I don't think even Mick dares drop Bialkowski
Then there are the untouchable of General Chambers, Corporal Skuse and Lance Corporal Knudsen. after that I think it could be anyone.
I for one rate Huws and imo should be a starter no matter what. He is everything we have been missing as a CM. Strong, can tackle, can make a pass and scores goals.
Webster also should be the start of where we should build our club going forward, as he is a young and talented footballing defender.
I also think Garner is something that we have been missing for years, a striker who is a little bit niggley and nasty who don't let defenders settle
I believe we have a good squad albeit smallish, but played the right way couild surprise many this season...if allowed !!!
3

prebbs007 added 17:49 - Sep 29
Probably a game too soon but Webbo MUST replace the liability that is Chambers. Anyone there on Tuesday would have seen him lose EVERY header to Vaughan. Get run ragged down the channels by McGeedy & Mcmanaman. His lack of pace and any technical ability will cost us goals and points this season. We have a host of riches going forward but we must be tight at the back. Spence is a revelation this season, is quick strong two footed and very good in the air in both boxes and him & Webster are miles ahead of chambers. All he brings to the party is shouting and motivation. That will have to be done by others as his time as a guaranteed starter are over. As for Huws, he was the marquee signing and I believe Mick will start him when fit but it's going to be very tough to displace any of the midfield or fwds based on Tuesday night.

Let's hope for another big performance tomorrow. Good luck boys.

COYB !!!
3


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