Edwin Calm Despite Defensive Frailty

Edwin van der Sar believes there's no reason to worry about the injuries to Vidic and Ferdinand.

These must be strange times for Edwin van der Sar: the defence that has been solid as a rock all season has suddenly become vulnerable and thus his workload is much increased. But he refuses to the blame the replacements.

'Nemanja Vidic is a very important player for us but it was just a coincidence that conceding twice against Middlesbrough came while he was absent,' he said.

Well, I'm certain it's not just a coincidence - it is that we are much, much more vulnerable without him. He would have dealt with Alves comfortably I think.

'It is better to play games with the same formation but I have no doubts about the players we have. Wes Brown and John O'Shea, for instance, can do it for us,' Edwin contiued.

Well, I hope he's right and they can indeed do a job because hell of a jobs await them. There's an irony though: I'm sure that when Rio and Vida return, Edwin will be one of the first to sing songs about what a fantastic positive their return is.

Not that I won't agree but if it's only a coincidence that we concede more when they are absent...