- Jun 18, 2011
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And it wouldn't have been much better with Aurier. Not because he's a bad player, but because he's attack-minded. Whoever we played on that flank, Arsenal would have (rightly) targeted it. The only option would have been not to play Bale at all. But given his recent form, you'd have been mad to do so.
So the choice comes down to, do you play a player at RB who's had a run of a few games where he seems to be developing a good partnership with his forward and who is best employed as a wing-back anyway, if you suspect the defence you're up against may leave gaps for you to exploit with that developing partnership; or a link Bale with a player who's just come back from injury and who played three days ago?
Im not Auriers biggest fan by any stretch of the imagination but the difference in quality between him and Doherty is like night and day in both defence and attack. I literally couldnt believe my eyes when i read the team sheet it was that much of a WTF moment.