Archive for April, 2007
How will United rotate for Goodison?
Rooney’s last minute goal assured United will have an advantage in next Wednesday’s second leg but Fergie will surely be forced to rotate his lineup to some degree at Everton in preparation for that game. So how much of a risk will he take?
Rotating his defence is not an option unless Neville is fit. He was rated 50-50 for last night’s game but there is little chance that he’ll be risked against Everton. So expect to see the same back four intact at Goodison. Smith and Solskjaer do look odds on to figure having both been unused last night while Richardson could also come in if he recovers from a knock suffered against Boro. So who will drop out? Richardson for Giggs is almost a given but could a Smith/Solskjaer pairing with Rooney rested to the bench against his former club be a viable option?
I think either Ronaldo or Rooney could be spared to the bench, as could Carrick, despite the opposition and the importance of the fixture. Sir Alex is in confident mood and I think he’ll feel he’d have enough to overcome Everton with either Rooney or Ronaldo starting on the bench. My bet is it will be Ronaldo who starts with Rooney primed on the bench should things go awry and therefore spared of the boos that are likely to come his way. You’ll find my current predicted lineup here of course, along with all the other early team news for the weekend games.
ContinuedSpurs hit by Tanio blow
Tottenham could be without midfielder Teemu Tainio for the rest of the season. He limped off with an ankle injury against Arsenal on Saturday and now faces a period of weeks on the sidelines. It’s unsure at this point whether he’ll return this term but it looks unlikely. The injury seems certain to give Malbranque a chance to play out the Tottenham’s remaining 4 games although Ghaly could also figure.
ContinuedMystery solved - Carvalho trains
Despite Jose’s comments on Monday indicating that Ricardo Cavalho was likely to miss the Champions League semi with Liverpool, it now appears he’ll line up after all. Cavalho trained with the team today [source], so appears to have overcome his mysterious leg injury that kept him out of the Newcastle game on Sunday. More mind games from Jose then? Whatever. The news will come of a major relieft to many Fantasy Mangers banking on Carvalho and the Chelsea defence for the run-in.
ContinuedCity in “we won’t do United any favours” shocker
Here’s another interesting City-related snippet - the blue side of Manchester have apparently turned down United’s appearl to move their Premiership match back 24-hours. United are due to visit City on May 5 giving them just 48 hours to “recover” from their Champions League second leg in Milan. Perhaps not surprisingly, City have insisted that the fixture remains intact as a 12.45 kick off on May 5.
Unless Chelsea somehow conspire to lose to an injury-ravaged Bolton at the weekend, the derby clash with City will remain a must-win game for United. Clearly Sir Alex has concerns over his squad’s fitness and fatigue and Fantasy Managers should therefore brace themselves. If United don’t put the tie out of AC’s reach tonight, United could well be forced to rest a good few players for the City game if injuries permit, particular when you consider that they face the Chelsea showdown 4 days later.
ContinuedSinclair and Dickov step up return
It’s a quiet day today, so quiet in fact I’ve had to find news from Man City’s reserves to fill it up. Apparently both Dickov and Sinclair will figure for City’s stiffs tonight against Sheff United as they both strive to prove their fitness for first team selection. What’s so significant about that you may ask? Well both Dickov and Sinclair could yet make an impact on the first 11 in the last few games, so managers considering the likes of Johnson, currently classified as a defender but playing in midfield, should be wary of a shake-up. Dickov could give Pearce the option to go to 4-4-2 (Corradi and Samaras just aren’t good enough to give him that option clearly) while Sinclair would almost certainly come in for Jihai or Beasley.
ContinuedCarvalho injury mystery
Ricardo Carvalho was out injured against Newcastle on Sunday and is set to miss the Champions League semi with Liverpool on Wednesday. Jose revealed today that Carvalho is carrying an injury but that’s about it - the news remained vague on the nature of the injury and just how serious it was [source]. Could this be Jose being suitably vauge so as to not offer a mere chink of optimism to Rafa and Sir Alex? United themselves are without Ferdinand for the next two matches and the loss of Carvalho would be a similarly serious loss, not least because it’s likely to mean Essien will be deployed at the back which effectively removes the engine from their midfield.
With little info at this point it seems likely that Carvalho will not return against Bolton at the weekend with the second leg against Liverpool following in midweek. This makes Terry the only Chelsea defender worth looking at for that game as he’s the only one certain of his place. Against an injury wrecked Bolton side however, another Chelsea clean sheet looks on the cards, with or without Carvalho.
ContinuedRobben closing in on comeback
Chelsea could have Robben back in their side in a week’s time [source]. The Dutch winger has stepped up his recovery and he could well return for second leg of the Champions League semi with Liverpool or the Premiership visit to the Emirates on May 6. Robben’s return should be a factor for those Fantasy Managers considering signing Wright-Phillips or Joe Cole for the run in.
ContinuedEverton keeping AJ injury under wraps
Andy Johnson has undergone a scan on his ankle injury suffered against West Ham. The scan has confirmed a sprain but Everton revealed little on just how long the injury would rule him out for. While it’s good news that Johnson hasn’t suffered any serious damage, a sprain is likley to put the striker out for the weekend clash with United [source]. Everton are, predictably, keeping quite on his prospects for that match and will leave it to the very last moment before ruling Johnson out. With Ferdinand absent for United, Johnson’s injury will be a major relief to Ferguson. A McFadden/Beattie partnership against United looks likely so McFadden, classified as a midfielder in many Fantasy Games, could be worth a look.
ContinuedBig Sam faces injury crisis
Bolton will visit Chelsea next weekend with Kevin Nolan (ankle), Nicky Hunt (calf) and El-Hadji Diouf (hamstring), Tal Ben Haim (knee) and Abdoulaye Faye (groin) all struggling with injuries. Big Sam doesn’t expect any of the five to make the side which could result in a first appearance for Cesar Martin in the centre of defence, and starts for Michalik, Thompson, Giannakopoulos and maybe Pedersen. Could Chelsea capatilise and cut loose as they did at West Ham? Certainly Drogba will fancy his chances against a makeshift defence.
ContinuedFletcher set for right-back role
United will be forced to play Darren Fletcher at right-back against AC Milan tomorrow night with Ferdinand, Vidic, Silvestre and Neville all sidelined. Neville is rated 50-50 and more likely to make a return against Everton at the weekend. Evra is also nearing fitness but will only make the bench against AC, although he should also be back for the visit to Everton.
ContinuedOwen and Ameobi set for Reading recall
Newcastle will have both Michael Owen and Shola Ameobi in their squad for the Reading game next week. Ameobi is set to turn out for the reserves against Bolton tomorrow night and will make the squad if he comes through that. Owen meanwhile appears to be even more likely to make the lineup against Reading as Roeder is confident that he doesn’t require a reserve run out to prove his fitness. Only a slight groin strain prevented the England man from appearing against Chelsea on Sunday [source].
ContinuedWeekend Results Round-up
All the goals, assists and bookings from the weekend’s games…
ContinuedAll eyes on Rafa
It wont’ just be Neil Warnock keeping an eye on Rafa’s team selection for today’s game against Wigan. Rumour has it that Gerrard could be rested which would be a massive blow to Fantasy Managers who have put faith in the midfielder for the final few weeks of the season. The likes of Finnan, Crouch and even Reina could also be rotated given that Liverpool face Chelsea in the Champions League in midweek.
ContinuedKeane plays while Fab sits out
Robbie Keane has shaken off a knock to lineup for Spurs in the early kick-off this afternoon. Jol makes just one change, bringing in Ledley King and moving Rocha to the left. Be interesting to see how he copes out there. Arsenal meanwhile are without Fabregas who is apparently off colour. Wenger’s rested him to the bench but expect him to show if things don’t go to plan.
Continued
