This article is part ofÂFootball FanCast’sÂPundit ViewÂseries, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Former England international Paul Robinson says Marco Silva’s reveal on defender Yerry Mina’s injury was “strange” after he left the pitch against Watford.
What did he say?
Mina has been a mainstay in Silva’s Premier League side for the entire season, starting 9 out of 10 games. His injury against West Ham United forced him to miss the Brighton & Hove Albion fixture, but this was the first game he was absent in the top-flight so far.
The defender came back into the side in midweek but was once again replaced during the game through injury.
Robinson believes it was odd for Silva to suggest Mina was “fine” after the game, as he would not have known the extent of his injury.
He told Football Insider: “It was a strange one for the manager to say that he was fine at the full-time whistle. You don’t know the ins and outs, different players have different pain thresholds.
“I played with players who had to be 100 per cent – if you imagine a car or a machine, it has to be 100 per cent to go out, like an F1 car, to function. Me and other old-school players, 60, 70 per cent fit, have an injection in your foot if it’s sore and get out there and get on with it.
“A lot of players will not play unless they are spot on to play.”
Sign of naivety
It was a surprise to see Mina play against Watford. It was an EFL Cup fixture, meaning it was surely the perfect chance to rest him to ensure he was fit for the weekend.
Silva could have fielded Michael Keane alongside Mason Holgate, and it would not have been much of an issue. Now, Mina could be out for a prolonged period, when a rest midweek could have easily prevented this.
The Portuguese manager has since confirmed that there is a chance he will feature this weekend, but the fact his fitness is even in doubt underlines the naivety behind the decision to start him in midweek.
Another sign of naive management from an under-pressure leader.
