Team over talisman?

Firstly, I am big fan of Salech and hope he’s back in the squad ASAP.

Losing our top scorer for so long with no like for like replacement was a big worry considering how much we rely on him up. But 16 goals in 5 games since he’s been out does make you think.
We are playing much better football without a traditional CF. More movement, more players getting involved and generally less predictable going forward.

Yes, the last five games have been against teams sitting at the lower end of the table, but so far this season we’ve actually struggled the most against those type of sides. We can take this style of football to anyone in the league and steamroll them.

Clearly the return of Tanner has made a big difference, as well as Joel Colwill and Kellyman really stepping up. We have that sharp directness I don’t think we’ve seen for a long time.
Overall it feels like a real masterclass in squad use and rotation from BBM, showing that he is a proper coach implementing a system that can be changed when needed.
Losing Salech has forced us to look at alternatives and so far that’s really paying off. Long may it continue.

It's a good question.

I think the acid test will be Saturday. If we avoid defeat there, it will show we can cope without Salech.

As you say, we all hope Salech is available again soon.

I still think we need Salech back as soon as possible.
There was a period tonight between us going 1-0 up until we scored our second when I thought Salech would have been ideal up front and possibly the only time we have missed him since the injury. At the time we kept losing the ball and giving it away in the final third and had nobody to play the ball up to who could hold onto it and lay it off to support runners.
Wimbledon were taking advantage and breaking on us. It resulted in their goal.
It's nice to have the fluid attack that Kellyman offers us but in this league there will be times when the old fashioned number nine will be the best option.
To have both options available will be invaluable.

In the five games before losing Salech we scored half as many goals. We were grinding out wins but it was starting to feel like teams had sussed us out and we didn’t really have a plan B when things went stale.

Even when Salech is back, it feels like we’ve now added another string to our bow to see out the season.

His injury has coincided with teams coming to the CCS and high pressing is for God knows what reason. We don't need him but can't wait to have him back either