Monday, January 29, 2018

Weekend Recap Jan 26th and Midweek Preview Jan 30th

With so-so weekend, a bit more footy midweek with Premier League going on.

Also Ji moves off the list as he moves to Darmstadt.


DayTimePlayerClubOpponentTV
Tuesday2:45 PMLee Chung YongCrystal Palace@West HamNBC Gold
Tuesday2:45 PMKi Sung YuengSwanseaArsenalNBC Gold
Wednesday3:00 PMSon Heung MinTottenhamMan UtdNBCSN



Lee Chung Yong -- Weekend off but rumors about a move to Bolton pick up steam again. I'd think that's a reasonable place to try to revive his career but I don't think it makes a difference for World Cup. There's not much visibility into the Championship from Korea, and we saw at last WC that regular play there didn't translate into a good showing.


Ki Sung Yueng -- With Sanches getting hurt, Ki had to come on at 35 minutes. He had an impact soon after providing the assist for the goal, but reports were that he was just ok in an unwanted draw vs a League Two side. With Mesa on his way out, there aren't too many alternatives to Ki so he should start midweek unless Carvahal makes a more dramatic (and unexpected) change to shape.


Son Heung Min -- Similar to Ki, Son came on early and had an assist. It was a great one flicking on the ball with the outside of his foot for Kane to head home. Son provided some good energy but with the pitch looking really poor, Son didn't look very accurate and also failed to convert a one on one chance vs goalkeeper. Also like Ki's Swans, Tottenham also got the unwanted draw vs a League Two side. Midweek, I'd expect Son to start but we'll see how Pochettino lines em up shape-wise.


Ji Dong Won -- A move down a level, and like LCY, my gut is that it won't help his WC cause either, even if he were to score a lot, given the low-profile of German second tier. That said, for Augsburg, it shows that Reuter (Augsburg's sporting director) didn't want Ji to leave, and a loan out seems a compromise that allows Augsburg to keep a player for next season while getting Ji the minutes he wants and possibly needs. With Augsburg relatively safe, the need for quality on the bench is less even if I wished that Ji would be a bit more patient (and realistic re: WC chances). Here's to hoping he finds some form (and more importantly health) with his former manager Schuster. Already things are looking up, starting on Sunday already and providing an assist.


Koo Ja Cheol -- Koo got a head injury with bleeding and had to come off at halftime due to discomfort. It is a bit worrisome given his concussion earlier in the season, but all signs are that he's ok and will be available this weekend.


Kwon Chang Hoon -- A needed win gives Dijon some breathing room ahead of relegation spots, but KCH was on the bench and only came on in last ten minutes. And perhaps that ten minutes may be reflective of why he's been on bench recently, as the quality was there with some great touches, but a lot of unneeded risk taken when margins are so thin.


Lee Seung Woo -- Unused sub.


Suk Hyun Jun -- Out injured.