I see Griffin is saying that he won't be happy staying on the bench for much longer. He talks about his good record against Ginola and thinks he deserves to play this weekend on that basis. He says that whenever he gets injured, he has to work his way back into the team, the implication being that others don't. I think he has a bit of a point. Barton isn't in the frame and Hughes is only a "I'll play anywher, Guv" right back. So, what is Bobby's problem with Griff? I know there's the fitness question but surely, woeful games against Liverpool and Brentford aside, he deserves a run. I'm not saying that Hughes has been bad at right back: he's been OK, but, to my mind, short of confidence. So why aren't we playing Griff?

-- Anonymous, November 01, 2001

Answers

I mean, I know the black eye and split lip didn't help him get selected on Saturday...

-- Anonymous, November 01, 2001

According to TOTT, he didn't turn up for the reserves game last night...

-- Anonymous, November 01, 2001

Didn't turn up or didn't play? i'd read that he was supposed to play but that he hadn't.....not necessarily anything sinister in that....if however he didn't turn up then that's another matter altogether....

-- Anonymous, November 01, 2001

True, Gav. His performance yesterday was being billed as his chance to get selected for Saturday, but I guess Bobby maybe didn't want to run the risk of him getting another groin strain in case he's needed on Saturday.

-- Anonymous, November 01, 2001