Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Anyinsah Out Of Vale Game

The good news is, Gasheads, that the frost covers have been removed from the Mem pitch this lunchtime and the pitch seems fine. It's game on tonight against 2nd placed Port Vale!

Anyinsah ruled out of another match this evening
However, Joe Anyinsah, who has impressed on the right wing since John Ward's appointment, is out following yet another hamstring concern. The former Charlton man has had long-term problems with his hamstrings, something he's had to manage carefully since joining Rovers in 2011. He often undertakes his own pre-match warm-up routine to ensure his muscles are suitably stretched and ready for action and that speaks volumes of how detrimental the problem is.

Unfortunately he's been suffering from a complaint ever since terrorising Burton Albion in the opening half hour of our 3-0 win against them 10 days ago, and it forced him to miss the Exeter City game last Wednesday. He then trained, and trained 'well' according to Ward, on Thursday and Friday before returning to the side that played Chesterfield on Saturday. His performance was lethargic and he was labelled a 'passenger' by his frustrated boss, who revealed his hamstring problem has flared up again. We now face another period without the winger, ruling him out of tonight's game, and it seems likely he will also sit out Saturday's match at home to Rochdale.

It's not just frustrating for Ward and his team-mates - it must be equally as annoying for Joe, who has been starting to produce consistently good performances over the past couple of months. He clearly knows there is a big problem with his hamstrings and that, unfortunately, will have to be seriously considered in the summer before the club decide whether to offer the Bristolian a new contract. The fact he can't seem to see out 45 minutes, let alone a full 90, doesn't stand him in good stead, which is a shame, because when he's on-song he's a good player. However, he'll be on decent wages and for the return we get from him - sporadically good performances - it may not be deemed good value to extend his 2 years with the club.

Still, that eventuality may not have been settled upon yet and it wouldn't be confirmed until the end of the season anyway, so I won't jump the gun on this. I do think though that Joe may find earning himself a new deal, certainly on his current wages, very difficult indeed. Perhaps a pay-as-you-play deal is the way forward? Whether he'd want to commit to that with his injury record I'm not sure but he may not have many other options.

What do you reckon Gasheads? What on earth should the club do with Joe Anyinsah?

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