Thursday Night Scout Notes
Chelsea successfully navigated their way past a tricky trip to Goodison to keep it mildly interesting then. Essien’s goal enough to seal the win with Moyes’ men again struggling for the creative spark to mount a serious goal threat. Oh how the Yak is suffering. Here’s my notes on last night’s events.
No real surprises in either lineup. Yobo returned for Everton after sitting out the trip to Birmingham. That meant that Baines dropped to the bench once again - what a bitty season the lad has had. Lescott shifted to left-back as per usual then. In midfield Everton were once more without Osman and Arteta and therefore pretty much devoid of creativity. Pienaar was passed fit and he started with Carsley, Neville and Fernandes.
Grant was without Drogba who is nursing a knee injury and Lampard, who is still absent due to family illness. These were expected, although the absence of Ballack was less anticipated. He has suffered a hamstring injury in training on Wednesday and, along with the other pair, is a doubt for Tuesday’s Champions League semi first leg with Liverpool.
With these three out then, Grant went with Obi, Wright-Phillips, Essien and Joe Cole in midfield. Ferreira and Ashley Cole returned as Avram continued his annoying full-back shuffle. Carvalho came back into defence after being rested against Wigan on Monday. Anelka continued up front - he has now gone six starts without a Premiership goal.
The victory for Chelsea has potential repercussions for fantasy managers in that it hands Liverpool further breathing space in the race for fourth place. With a five point gap and a game in hand, Rafa will now surely be safe in rotating his troops at Craven Cottage at the weekend. That could very well disappoint Gerrard and Torres owners.
Chelsea’s injuries meanwhile, are apparently serious enough to cast doubt over the fitness of Drogba and Ballack for both legs of the Champions League semi. That therefore means that both are doubts for next weekend’s crunch encounter with United at Old Trafford.
As for Everton. They are on a miserable run. It’s just a single goal in seven Premiership starts for Yakubu - indeed Everton have scored just four goals in those seven games, keeping two clean sheets. Pretty dismal. With Villa, Arsenal and Newcastle to come - owners of their players that remain fit, should be fidgeting rather awkwardly.
Hi Mark
thinking of taking a gamble on Van Persie for the remainder of the season. Arsenal have some easy fixtures and he’s going to be keen to impress for the rest of the season and finish on a high. More so than the rest of the Arsenal team who haven’t much to play for now. What do you think?
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Reply by Marc on April 18, 2008 8:52 pm:
Different Marc, but I already made my opinion known on Van Persie in the Scout Picks thread… thought I’d throw it out there again:
Van Persie is still injured. If you’ve watched the last 2 Arsenal games, it’s obvious that he’s certainly not 100% and not playing like himself. It’s my opinion that he was forced to come back early for the Gunners’ run at the title. Because really.. with Eduardo injured, who else does Arsene really have? Bendtner is a waste of space and even after that glorious run, Walcott’s proven that he’s still a kid.
My thought is that Arsene will let the young kids play alongside Adebayor and hopefully gain some experience, while letting Van Persie rest for the remainder of the season.
I guess only time will tell.
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Gotta agree marc, I think Adebayor will finish out the season and Walcott will get couple of starts. VP is way off the pace and won’t contribute much to remaining games
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Stevie G didn’t travel down south.
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Reply by Mark on April 18, 2008 11:22 pm:
Aye, just posted the story. Great quote from Rafa on the injury.
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