Archive for February, 2008
Updated Scout Picks
Refresh your screen and you’ll my scout picks for this week’s games, then you can read on for some nonsense on how they were selected.
ContinuedEarly Weekend Team News
FA Cup Scout Notes
A far from classic encounter saw Alves get a full debut as Boro progressed to the last eight of the FA Cup. Here’s my notes last night’s err…action.
ContinuedRichards Goes Under The Knife
Man City’s Micah Richards faces several weeks on the sidelines after undergoing an cartliage operation on his knee earlier today.
The injury had kept him out of a couple of games recently, notably the Derby match with United. There’s no definite return date as yet but the club’s medical staff have stated that Richards will be monitored over the “coming days and weeks”.
Richards’ absence is almost certain to see Corluka recalled to the defence for the weekend clash with Wigan and will also prolong Onuoha’s stay in the eleven. The loss of Richards is a big one for the City defence however and will result in a further loss of confidence amongst fantasy managers following the defeat to Everton on Monday.
ContinuedRafa to Ease Off On Rotation
Reserve Round-Up
A round-up of last night’s reserve action which saw returns for Neville and Agger, plus some clues on the likely lineups for the weekend.
ContinuedArteta and Pienaar Set to Face Pompey
Everton are set to be boosted by the return of Mikel Arteta against Portsmouth on Sunday. The midfielder has missed two of the last three games with a stomach problem but according to the official site, Moyes feels that he is likely to make a return at the weekend.
“I do not think it is that serious. He has been going to Spain to see someone and get some treatment.”
“He might need a bit more time but I am hoping he will be back on Sunday.”
Fernandes and Pienaar picked up knocks in last night’s win over Man City but interestingly, the site indicates that Arteta is the “only senior outfield player sidelined”. That would seem to confirm that Pienaar’s injury, also stomach related, is minor, while Fernandes is also likely to come into contention.
ContinuedKapo Out for For a Month
Birmingham have lost Oliver Kapo for a month with a hamstring injury sustained against Arsenal at the weekend [source].
Kapo is likely to miss games against Spurs, Portsmouth, Newcastle and Reading, with a possible return penciled in for the City game at the end of March. McSheffrey or Zarate, who replaced him on Saturday, seem set to take his place in the side.
Elsewhere in the Birmingham physio room, Liam Ridgewell is a doubt for the Spurs game this weekend with an ankle injury. He’ll apparently train this week but is touch and go. With Taylor suspended, Birmingham are likely to face up to Keane and Berbatov with Jaidi and former Spurs full-back, Kelly, as their centre-back pairing. Spurs strikers anyone?
ContinuedGarrido to Step Into Petrov’s Boots?
Martin Petrov’s three-match ban for the red card received in last night’s defeat to Everton could hand a midfield role to Javier Garrido. The left-back has filled in for Petrov from the bench late on in games and with the Bulgarian’s absent against Wigan, Reading and Spurs, it could now open the door for the Spaniard to make a return to first-team action in a more advanced role.
Garrido was an early fantasy favourite this season but lost his place to Ball. Classified as a defender and available at a budget price, he would be a decent short-term option if Sven were to pitch him into a midfield role.
ContinuedBarry Stays On the Spot
Gareth Barry has been told that he will remain Villa’s penalty taker despite his miss at Reading on Saturday.
Barry sliced a first-half penalty before Young and Harewood scored the goals to seal a 2-1 win. With Carew and Young as options for alternative takers, it was thought that Barry could surrender the duties but O’Neill has alleyed those fears.
“Yes I’m happy for him to continue. As he went up to take it his foot slipped away. It is not a problem for me,” remarked O’Neill today.
That’s obviously great news for owners of Barry and keeps him bubbling under as a decent mid-price purchase while Villa’s form continues to flourish.
ContinuedUpdated Player Rankings
The player rankings in the right menu have now been updated to take into account the next five weeks of fixtures in the Premiership. As promised, I’ll be monitoring these tables on a daily basis, with another complete refresh after this weekend’s games. Read on for a quick garbled summary of this weeks movers and shakers…
ContinuedNew FPL Captains Poll
The FPL captains poll for gameweek 28 is now active in the left menu. Without prompting your votes, it will be interesting to see how close the Liverpool lot with their double gameweek, can get to Ronaldo this week.
ContinuedForthcoming Fixtures Updated
I’ve updated the forthcoming fixtures table in the right-hand menu to reflect the next five weeks of Premiership games.
A couple of teams to note straight away - Chelsea and Spurs both have six games with a double fixture in gameweek 30 in the FPL so their players are likely to appear in decent positions in the player rankings later today.
In contrast both Bolton and United are due to miss gameweek 29 due to FA Cup and UEFA Cup commitments.
As for clubs with favourable fixtures - Everton have a decent four games before taking on Liverpool at Anfield. Current form suggests that Moyes side could string four positive results together against Portsmouth, Sunderland, Fulham and West Ham. Blackburn also have fairly kind opponents over the next five - they have three away from home but two of these see them visit Newcastle and Reading which should promise goals. Their home games meanwhile have them play Fulham and Wigan, which again, should bring their players some decent returns.
Again, I’ll be updating the player rankings for the next five games later today.
ContinuedWeekend Scout Notes
In a weekend marred by the Eduardo injury, Ronaldo reminds us yet again that you just can’t ignore his genius, Torres reminds us that braving rotation might just be worth it and Spurs remind us that they used to win things by err…actually winning something.
Continued
