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Vicente in frame for starting role

5:00pm Friday 10th February 2012 in Sport By Andy Naylor

Vicente could start at Leeds Vicente could start at Leeds

Vicente is closing in on his first start for Albion since October.

The injury-plagued Spanish star is in the frame for tomorrow’s trip to Leeds after coming through training unscathed.

Vicente made a key impact as a substitute in last Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Leicester, setting up Will Buckley’s late winner.

That was his first appearance for nearly four months and, with midfielder Matt Sparrow starting a three-match suspension at Elland Road, boss Gus Poyet is weighing up whether the former Valencia playmaker is ready for 90 minutes.

Poyet said: “He’s trained all week again, which is fantastic. I know it’s been hard for him. Sometimes when you have been out for so long too many things go through your head, because you just want to get back and play football.

“That is why he chose us ahead of other clubs all over the world, because he wanted to play football. That has not been possible for months, so I am sure he has been really hurting inside.

“He was on the bench, he played a key role in the winning team, he has trained the whole week again, which is great for us because he is our best player in terms of quality.

“He has played at the highest level, a Champions League final, so if we can have him for 90 minutes every game it’s going to be amazing for the team.”

Albion are on the brink of announcing a new full-time doctor, who has already begun to help Vicente with his succession of injury problems.

Poyet added: “He (Vicente) is going to be available for Saturday and we are going to use him the best way we can, knowing the risk. That is something we are managing now with the fitness department but especially with the new doctor.

“I want the best players on the pitch. If we have the chance to play the best players we are going to have a better team, because of the way we play and why they are here and what they do.”

Meanwhile, Albion have refused to comment on reports that 19-year-old Manchester City midfielder Abdul Razak will join them on loan later this month, once Yaya Toure has returned from playing in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ivorian Razak had a spell on loan at Portsmouth earlier this season and has featured as a sub for City’s first team.

The Argus revealed last Saturday that Poyet is targeting a Premier League midfielder on loan for the rest of the season.

Albion’s development squad beat Cambridge United 1-0 in a hastily arranged friendly on an artificial pitch at the London Soccerdome yesterday with a first-half penalty earned and converted by George Barker.

Comments(25)

Grendel says...
5:09pm Fri 10 Feb 12

Really hope he plays and makes the sort of impact he made against Leicester.

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Alan G Skinner says...
5:11pm Fri 10 Feb 12

Vicente is already a Valencia legend. If we can keep him fit, he will become a Brighton legend and surely the most gifted player to have pulled on the blue and white stripes. Can't wait.

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ballantrrae says...
5:26pm Fri 10 Feb 12

Vicente playing would be a real plus for the Albion on Saturday.
I am sure Poyet and his team will make the right decision as to whether he should start or come off the bench like last week for a 25 minute cameo.
Personally I would err on the side of caution and have him on the bench but fortunately (for everybody) I don't have to make the decision.
The worst thing would be to rush things and for Vicente to be injured again.
I'm looking forward to another positive performance tomorrow.
Regarding the (non) report about Razak it does seem that Poyet still wants to bring in on loan a quality midfielder be it Razak or someone else.

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Rhodes Seagull says...
5:35pm Fri 10 Feb 12

Just glad he (Vicente ) is available if it be for 90 mins or only 45 mins sure he will make a differance. Good luck to him and the rest of the team tomorrow.
Leeds1 Albion2

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Jonathan Mouette says...
5:36pm Fri 10 Feb 12

The best part of this article is that we are getting a new doctor... maybe we can now start to stem the flow of prolonged injuries. If it means that Vicente can start more regularly that will be an enormous bonus. Anyone got comments on Razak...? IMO His premier league experience isn't that great and the arrival of this particular 19 year old will possibly put a few noses out of joint, something I wouldn't mind in certain cases but not in others.

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namgo49 says...
5:49pm Fri 10 Feb 12

Jonathan Mouette wrote:
The best part of this article is that we are getting a new doctor... maybe we can now start to stem the flow of prolonged injuries. If it means that Vicente can start more regularly that will be an enormous bonus. Anyone got comments on Razak...? IMO His premier league experience isn't that great and the arrival of this particular 19 year old will possibly put a few noses out of joint, something I wouldn't mind in certain cases but not in others.
WE won't need another midfielder if Vicente can get his head right and start to play week in week out. Dicker on the way back, Jake F-C up and coming, Sparrow now showing his ability to play at this level as he did for many years with Scunthorpe.

With Vokes up front alongside CMS and Noone and LuaLua soon available I just don't see why we need the lad from ManCity.

Unnecessary wages and agents fees.

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pablobrowno says...
5:52pm Fri 10 Feb 12

Supposed to be very good though this lad Razak.

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GosportGull says...
6:19pm Fri 10 Feb 12

I agree , not so sure that we need another addition to midfield right now , certainly not an unproven one , what we already have is more than good enough. Hope Vicente and Jake get to start tomorrow , two players that have the flare and vision to release CMS and provide him with the quality passes he needs.. hope some of Vicentes quality rubs off on young Jake , will make him even better :) Excited about tomorrow now :) GG

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saraman says...
6:20pm Fri 10 Feb 12

Should The Dagger play the first 45mins to help give us a 2 nil lead and then defend, or play the second 35mins to provide the winner? It's a tough call for Gus but I prefer the latter.

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klemaniac says...
7:09pm Fri 10 Feb 12

saraman says...
6:20pm Fri 10 Feb 12

Should The Dagger play the first 45mins to help give us a 2 nil lead and then defend, or play the second 35mins to provide the winner? It's a tough call for Gus but I prefer the latter.

How about 90 minutes and we win 4 - 0

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Hovite says...
7:11pm Fri 10 Feb 12

namgo49 wrote:
Jonathan Mouette wrote:
The best part of this article is that we are getting a new doctor... maybe we can now start to stem the flow of prolonged injuries. If it means that Vicente can start more regularly that will be an enormous bonus. Anyone got comments on Razak...? IMO His premier league experience isn't that great and the arrival of this particular 19 year old will possibly put a few noses out of joint, something I wouldn't mind in certain cases but not in others.
WE won't need another midfielder if Vicente can get his head right and start to play week in week out. Dicker on the way back, Jake F-C up and coming, Sparrow now showing his ability to play at this level as he did for many years with Scunthorpe.

With Vokes up front alongside CMS and Noone and LuaLua soon available I just don't see why we need the lad from ManCity.

Unnecessary wages and agents fees.
I think we need as many additions as possible. How many players do we need for a whole season with injuries, suspensions and resting? Is it 30? I don’t know.

We have to be ready just in case we accidently get promoted this year, and it also shows that we are committed to getting into the playoffs.

I wonder how much TB laid down on a bet to get promoted this year, does anyone know what the odds were for this at the start of the season?

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WiseOldSeagull says...
7:12pm Fri 10 Feb 12

I think Gus is right to go for the lad from Man C. This shows real intent to make a push for promotion. The central midfield berths would then have massive competition but no one will be upset if we are in the mix for the playoffs. If we make it to the premier league we would then have a great chance of keeping hold of all these midfielders in a higher league. Gus is not settling for anything less than a push for the premier league THIS season. He is a winner and will bring in whomever he can within the wage structure to give us a chance of doing just that.

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Hovite says...
7:17pm Fri 10 Feb 12

We are in agreement then WiseOldSeagull ;o)

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WiseOldSeagull says...
7:37pm Fri 10 Feb 12

Indeed we are Hovite!

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ballantrrae says...
7:47pm Fri 10 Feb 12

pablobrowno wrote:
Supposed to be very good though this lad Razak.
If we were to get young Razak in on loan I just wonder if it might be a potential 'loan to buy scenario'.
The last young 19 year old midfielder we signed was Bridcutt and look what an acquisition he has turned out to be (Rogers wasn't 19 when he joined).
Also I remember Poyet saying in September, when he first indicated that he was looking for a midfilder, that he wanted a particular type of player so that Vicente could play just behind the strikers. He felt such a player was needed to get the best from Vicente. Of course thats been a moot point since Vicente has been out injured. In addition at the time JFC had not become a factor either.
I have to say that I had assumed Poyet would be looking for someone with quite a bit more experience than Razak. However if Gus thinks the lad can do the job he wants and brings him in then I would back his judgement.
I also take the point others have Made that by signing another midfielder it does show where the club's ambition lies. I also agree with Hovite's remarks implying that one can't have enough competion for places although I am sure others will disagree. My only concern would be that JFC doesn't play less as a result.

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Martb135 says...
8:16pm Fri 10 Feb 12

I think we must trust Gus' judgment on Razak. He's made very few mistakes in personnel so far.This has the potential to be a barnstorming run in to the end of the season. Everyone seems to be returning to fitness at the right time and while I admit to having doubts about Vicente's commitment to the club I have to say its great to have him back as he looks to have real class and could prove to be the key to any push for promotion. We may struggle in the top league but to hell with it. It's so exciting lets go for it and face the consequences next season. Gus will sort it. Makes you so proud to be an Albion fan!

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gordongull says...
9:00pm Fri 10 Feb 12

We are poised just seven points below promotion by the direct route.
Without Vicente, I am still of the opinion that top six is achievable, but if his condition has stabilised, and can be maintained, his input can enable us to close the gap on second place.
Vicente is without doubt the outstanding talent in this division, but his susceptibility to injury will mean that any temptation to risk playing him for ninety minutes must be resisted.
He can be brought on as the catalyst to win matches, and if used strategically there is a chance we can benefit from his involvement for the rest of the campaign.
The most noticable feature of the Championship this season is the propensity of teams lower in the table to take points from those near the top.
Financial outlay hasn't been decisive, and there is little difference in ability from first right down to twenty first.
Vicente can make that difference.

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seagull31 says...
9:06pm Fri 10 Feb 12

I don't think Gus will start with the dagger. Impact sub half way through the 2nd half, I reckon.

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Vince says...
11:19pm Fri 10 Feb 12

seagull31 wrote:
I don't think Gus will start with the dagger. Impact sub half way through the 2nd half, I reckon.
Start with Vicente, Jake FC and Buckley in midfield, CMS and Barnes/Vokes up front until half-time when we are 3-0. Make substitutions, giving Vicente, Buckley and CMS a rest - fresh for Millwall on Tuesday.

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Vince says...
11:21pm Fri 10 Feb 12

Oh and the subs:- Barnes/Vokes, Noone/Lua Lua and Navarro for the second half.

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alcol1 says...
11:24pm Fri 10 Feb 12

by the way if any of you are arriving by train and are wonting the directions how to walk to elland rd ,
there is a march starting from outside the station at 1:15 pm going to elland rd.
any one can join in!

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Gazza by the sea says...
6:31am Sat 11 Feb 12

Hmm - lot of people looking through blue and white tinted specs if they think some of the current midfield options are good enough for a promotion push methinks. Workhorses can get us to the fringes. Workhorses with guile for something more. Bring on Razak!

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cullipmyhero says...
8:45am Sat 11 Feb 12

Brez,
El abd
Dunk
Greer
Caldy
Jara
Bridcutt
Buckley
Vicente
vokes
CMS ....3-0 demolition job, play offs here we come...COME ON ALBION!!!!!

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seagull31 says...
10:14am Sat 11 Feb 12

Vince wrote:
seagull31 wrote:
I don't think Gus will start with the dagger. Impact sub half way through the 2nd half, I reckon.
Start with Vicente, Jake FC and Buckley in midfield, CMS and Barnes/Vokes up front until half-time when we are 3-0. Make substitutions, giving Vicente, Buckley and CMS a rest - fresh for Millwall on Tuesday.
Erm.... Don't think so I'm afraid! Love the confidence on here, seems we're gonna win somewhere between 3 and 5 nil! I am happy with 1-0, Buckley in the 98th minute!

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Captain Haddock says...
11:32pm Sat 11 Feb 12

Rhodes Seagull wrote:
Just glad he (Vicente ) is available if it be for 90 mins or only 45 mins sure he will make a differance. Good luck to him and the rest of the team tomorrow.
Leeds1 Albion2
Well played, Rhodes!

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