Can we cope without Robbie?

Most fans will agree that the signing of Martinez last season made the biggest single difference in the way that we were playing, which ultimately led to our survival on the last day of the season against Hull. It had been mentioned for months that we needed a midfield general and Robbie fit that bill. His vision, control and all round general awareness is a joy to watch and one of the reasons maybe why he becomes the victim of some heavier challenges?

To see him limp down the tunnel last night was a blow and I admit to wondering if it would make us flounder a bit without the man that seems to provide the inspiration to all around him. I wondered whether Andy Robinson was going to become a suitable replacement for him and hoped that we were strong enough to overcome Boston anyway.

We know we were and we know that Robinson played well and more than filled Robbie's boots. Now we have to make do without him until around October time and we have to look to people to do that game in game out. Looking at Oxford on Monday it would be easy to say that we needed Martinez more than ever for that game as it is likely to be the toughest test that we have faced all season.

So what options do we have available to ourselves? The easy one I guess would be to look at the loan market and bring a player in. But honestly how many players out there will add something that we possibly haven't already got? The obvious solution to me is to put Johnrose in the middle and use Connolly, Durkan or Coates on the wing. Unfair to Andy Robinson? Maybe use him on the wing instead then - I think after last night it is only fair to say that he deserves his chance.

Of course there is another option and one that may find not too many people in agreement. Bring in Izzy to partner Stuart Jones in the centre of defence and move Kris O'Leary to the holding role in midfield. I believe that Kris is more suited to this role but at the same time would it be fair to expose two youngsters together in the centre of defence especially at somewhere like the Kassam? Jones we know is a great player and proving himself, Izzy is an unknown quantity to us fans although the things we read suggest that he will more than do a good job for us.

There are always the reserves but I suggest at the moment that somewhere in the article is mentioned the names that will be involved in the necessary changes. I honestly believe that we could see Johnrose taking that role for Monday with other options available on the bench should it not be working for us. Andy Robinson I then think will start on the left side of midfield.

And I could go on - what if we play Magic Daps up front on his own on Monday? But that's a different story. I firmly believe that we will see just the one change from Friday's starting line up and that making it into the closing line up for Friday bar the ever impressive Maylett being back on the pitch.

In short (I know, I know it wasn't short!) yes we can survive without Robbie. He isn't easy to replace but Brian Flynn has built a squad that will challenge for promotion this season and how nice it is to have these options available to us when the worst happens.

All roads point to the Kassam - the Swansea wagon gathers momentum! (and of course best wishes to Roberto Martinez for a very speedy recovery!)

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