Options with Petrov

In discussing the current form of Robinho, Mark Hughes talked about the loss of Martin Petrov this season:

"Robinho's favoured position is on the left-hand side, cutting in, but we could also play him off the front," said Hughes.

"I certainly think you could play them both him and Petrov in the same team.

"If we had the benefit of Martin Petrov all season it would have given me a lot of variation.

"We could have changed things around because he would have given the opposition different problems.

"You want someone who will take people on and get crosses in. On occasions, we have lacked that ability this season."

For me the loss of Martin Petrov has been huge this season, particularly early in the season. Whilst Robinho is a wonderful talent and is a dangerous threat coming in from the left, I do feel that at times he can get isolated from team mates, reducing the effectiveness of his undoubted attacking threat.

With the return of Petrov on the left, this would of course free up the possibility of Robinho in a more central role, a role for me that would make him a far more dangerous prospect - not least because of the added threat and attention that Petrov himself brings.

With Valeri Bojinov firmly on the comeback trail, if we can hopefully get Petrov and Michael Johnson back in the frame, then added to the January signings, the squad is beginning to have that quality in depth and provide the variety of options that will be required if we are to really develop.