Sunday’s Friendly Round-Up
Adebayor indulges in some badge-kissing celebrations. Bent goes into double figures for pre-season. Sunderland, Newcastle and Hull all slip to defeats, while Osman earns Everton a win in the US.
Here’s the notes and teams from yesterday’s other friendlies…
Arsenal 1 Real Madrid 0
Arsenal surrendered the Emirates Cup but restored some pride with a win over Madrid in an entertaining encounter.
Adebayor went some way to winning back the affections of the Arsenal crowd, stroking home the penalty that won the game after Van Persie had been felled in the box by Salgado early in the second half.
Arsenal deserved their win having dominated for long periods. As expected Wenger fielded a far stronger side than the eleven that took to the field against Juventus with only Senderos and Denilson keeping their places.
Adebayor showed us glimpses of his talent, including a mazy run through the Madrid defence that ended with an effort clipped just wide of the far post. The sharpness in the finishing isn’t there yet but surely the striker will be amongst the goals over Arsenals kind opening fixtures. Walcott was another who caught the eye with a lively first half performance and it’s clear that Wenger will hand the Englishman starts out wide once the season kicks off.
Fabregas and Toure have yet to have pre-season run outs. Both have been granted extended rests due to involvement in Euro 2008 and illness respectively. Arsenal have three games remaining until the start of the Premiership season - two friendlies and a Champions League qualifier. I’d imagine we’ll see Fabregas against Ajax next Saturday as Arsenal embark on the Amsterdam tournament.
Arsenal vs Real Madrid:
Almunia, Sagna, Clichy, Senderos, Gallas (Djourou 89), Nasri (Wilshire 75), Denilson, Diaby (Ramsey 75), Walcott (Eboue 66), Van Persie (Vella 66), Adebayor (Bendtner 75).
Borussia Dortmund 0 Tottenham 3
Spurs brought home some silverware courtesy of a fine 3-0 win over Dortmund in the Jubileum Tournament in Rotterdam. Goals from Bent, O’Hara and Giovanni sealed the second win in the tournament for Spurs after their earlier victory over Celtic.
Bent struck his tenth goal of the pre-season after just nine mintues, firing home after being fed by Jenas. Giovanni doubled the lead 10 minutes into the second half with another good finish, again Jenas was the supplier. O’Hara then capped the performance with a third goal, tapping in an Adam Smith centre.
Ramos selected a strong starting lineup with Dawson and Huddlestone paired in central defence, flanked by Zokora and Gilberto at full-back. Bale started on the left wing which meant that Lennon was benched. It looks as though Bale has stolen a march on Lennon then, with Bentley surely assured a start on the right flank.
Bent was replaced by Berbatov at half-time and it could be that, like an increasing number of Premiership managers, Ramos will only go with one striker next term. Berbatov’s future is the critical factor in whether Bent will be rewarded for his pre-season haul by a starting role at Boro on August 16.
Spurs play their last friendly against Roma next Sunday.
Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund:
Gomes; Zokora, Dawson, Huddlestone, Gilberto; Bentley (Gunter 62), Jenas (Smith, 71), O’Hara, Bale (Lennon 45); Giovani; Bent (Berbatov 45)
Hearts 1 Hull City 0
Hull’s pre-season has been patchy at best and a abject performance at Hearts is not the best way of preparing for a first season in the Premiership. Hull were lacking attacking ideas throughout, relying on set-pieces to pose any real threat. With just one friendly match remaining, Hull desperately need firepower if they are to be anything but Premiership whipping boys.
Boss Phil Brown shuffled his pack again opting for Marney out wide on the right with Barmby on the left and Geovanni shifted forward just behind Folan, the lone front man. The Brazilian remains the only Hull player who could even remotely tempt the attention of fantasy managers. He is currently their chief threat in attacking terms but today, that was really only the case from his strikes at free kicks.
Hull take on Osasuna on Saturday.
Hull City vs Hearts:
Myhill, Ricketts, Gardner, Turner, Dawson (Cooper 85), Marney (Hughes 80), Ashbee (France 85), Boateng (Fagan 59), Barmby (Halmosi 63), Geovanni (Garcia 67), Folan (Windass 46)
Sunderland 0 Ajax 1
The Black Cats lost out to a 54th minute goal at the Stadium of Light but Sunderland can at least take some heart from the performance of Diouf who looked lively on his home debut.
It was a strong Sunderland lineup with Richardson the only notable absentee with a slight back injury. Keane started with three new signings - Tanio, Diouf and Chimbonda. Malbranque also made an appearance from the bench, replacing Murphy at half-time. Once again Keane opted for a 4-5-1 with Murphy up front on his own and support from the likes of Reid from midfield and Stokes and Diouf out wide.
The signings of Diouf and Malbranque appear to indicate that Keane intends to go with this 4-5-1 formation with that pairing playing either side of a lone striker. If that is the case, it could be that Malbranque could potentially increase his output. He is certainly to be more prominent in this Sunderland side than he was in the Spurs lineup.
Keane is set to make more signings however, with “two or three” likely to come on board according to his post-match comments. He also confirmed that Kenwyne Jones will undergo an operation on his knee on Monday and that a “top striker” is on the shopping list.
Sunderland now fly to Ireland for their two remaining friendlies against Athlone Town and Shamrock Rovers.
Sunderland vs Ajax:
Gordon; Chimbonda, Nosworthy, Collins, Higginbotham (Luscombe 66); Diouf (O’Donovan 83), Tainio (Henderson 76), Reid (Edwards 66), Whitehead (Leadbitter 60), Stokes (Chopra 76); Murphy (Malbranque 46)
Mallorca 1 Newcastle 0
Newcastle are another Premiership side who have suffered a worrying pre-season. Here, Keegan’s side again slipped to their third consecutive defeat.
Keegan made several changes from the side that lost to Hertha on Friday. Ameobi missed out with a slight hamstring problem while Butt and N’Zogbia also sat this one out. Bassong started alongside Taylor at centre back with Edgar and Duff also coming into the lineup. Cacapa was employed in the holding midfield role. Milner partnered Smith up front.
It’s in that department they have major problems. Newcastle have drawn a blank in their last three friendly matches and go on to face PSV and Valencia next with confidence low and in desperate need of a goal.
They are still without the services of Viduka and possibly Owen. According to Keegan after the game, Owen is set to return against Valencia and should get half-an-hour. That’s Newcastle’s last friendly though and 30 minutes of action is hardly good preparation for a Premiership season. Newcastle will hope that Martins also makes a return in that game.
Sadly, I fear for Newcastle’s start to the season and fantasy managers should perhaps be on alert for them to struggle over the opening games. Friendlies aren’t a definite indicator for the season proper, but it’s clear that Newcastle are struggling for fit players, form and confidence.
Newcastle vs Mallorca:
Harper, Taylor, Enrique, Cacapa, Bassong, Edgar, Geremi, Guthrie, Duff, Milner, Smith
Colorado Rapids 1 Everton 2
Everton ended their US tour with a much-needed victory against Colorado Rapids. A Leon Osman goal, three minutes from the end, was enough to earn the confidence-boosting win.
Arteta gave Everton the lead in the first half, driving home from the edge of the box with just 10 minutes on the clock. Howard then made a string of saves to deny the MLS side but he was eventually beaten when Yobo, a new arrival at half-time, failed to clear and Casey took his chance to beat Howard.
However, it was left to Osman to win the game - finishing calmly after Baxter had found him six yards out.
Only Hibbert, vad der Meyde and Anichebe remained unavailable to Moyes for this game and Everton are still hopefully over Cahill’s fitness, so the Everton boss has the semblance of a squad to take on the opening game against Blackburn.
Yobo’s appearance in the second half pushed Jagielka into the holding midfield role - a role that Rodwell has been performing in pre-season so far. Baines started at left back once again and he and Valente are clearly fighting it out for that shirt right now.
Moyes appeared to go with a 4-5-1 one here with Osman supporting Yakbubu. That would seem a likely formation for Everton going into the season, with Moyes only able to call upon Vaughan as a possible second striker right now. Cahill’s fitness is certainly key to Everton’s early season and although their fixtures are particularly kind, they could still struggle particularly for goals.
Everton play Accrington Stanley on Wednesday before concluding their pre-season with a game against PSV on Saturday.
Everton vs Colorado:
Howard, Neville, Baines (Valente 46), Lescott, Jagielka, Arteta (Baxter 78), Pienaar, Gosling (Jutkiewicz 63), Rodwell (Yobo 46), Osman, Yakubu.
simon
Jonny
Dan Dare
Andy
Luke
Tommyg
Qubit
Some general selection questions for the start of the season:
Jagielka or P Neville?
Downing or Petrov?
I want to buy a Hull striker as the cheapest benchwarmer available. They’re all the same price, but which one will be a guaranteed starter?
Will Schwartzer be first choice between the sticks at Fulham when Niemi returns to fitness? (I’m only intending to pick Schwarzer as a bench warmer really, but I’d like to avoid having to waste a transfer later in the season to replace him ‘cos he’s not playing)
Finally, Reina & Figueroa, Green & Jag/Neville or Howard & Upson?
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Reply by Dwight K. Schrute III on August 4 9:44 am:
I’d take Phil Neville as he is more likely to start, and Downing because I prefer his opening fixture to Petrov’s. It’s easy to swap between the two later on. Although it looks like Arteta might be a good option after sunday’s game.
Schwarzer should be first choice.
I would take green/neville given your choice but there are better options out there.
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Neville is guaranteed more starts, but is less likely to get points elsewhere than Jags.
Petrov ahead of Downing, to start with.
Reina is good but pricey for keeper. Figueroa is an unknown and may not play much. The other combos are very similar. It depends on the balance of your side and what you’re after. If you want the most playing minutes go for Howard and Upson. If you’re after slightly greater points potential maybe Green & Jagielka.
Schwarzer should be first choice, but a lot depends on his performances and how many goals Fulham are conceding during certain spells over the season. If you want someone guaranteed to play then maybe a promoted side’s keeper?
On the Hull striker all i can say is, good luck!
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Reply by Phil on August 4 10:42 am:
My logic behind shopping for a Hull striker is this. When you have a squad of 15 to pick, I think it’s sensible to pick one out and out benchwarmer. This needs to be a player who is as cheap as can be, but who will get 30+ starts. Being realistic, I’m only looking for a player who will get me 2 points for being on the pitch on a really bad week when my squad suffers heavily from unexpected rotation.
I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s best to make this one player a forward because a cheap striker offers the greatest price differential. By this I mean that the cheapest defenders cost £4m compared to £7m for the most expensive. Compare this to £5m - £12m up front. Also, points from forwards for goals/assists/bonus are hard to predict anyway, so I don’t mind “wasting” one of my three squad selections for forwards.
So, I repeat my question. CALLING ALL HULL FANS. WHO, IF ANYONE IS A NAILED-ON STARTER UP FRONT FOR YOU?
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i’ve tinkered not stop with my team for 3 weeks now and am pretty settled with my team as it. Am having a few last minute dilemmas based on pre season form
Jaski (Turnball)
Gallas Bale Steinsson (P.Neville Figueroa)
Gerrard Fab Young Taylor (De Ridder)
RVP Yak Bellamy
Right now the team is set in stone with doubts over 3 positions.
1) How do i bring in Bosingwa in wk2/3 - looks like Neville should give way but evertons fixtures are kind and im scared of being priced out when Bosingwa comes back if i wait.
2) RVP or Anelka - Anelkas pre season form and Scolaris statements make me think that i should put him in there (especially as i have 2 arsenal players already and none from chelski). What do you think? do you think he holds his place ahead of the Drog when hes fit? Can he outscore RVP?
3) Yak and Everton have done nothing pre season. He could really bully the promoted teams though on his day and preseason doesnt nec mean anything. There are a number of decent options at 7.5 - Bent (form), Alves or Carew - which would you go for or would u stick with the Yak? Dowgrading to one of them also allows me to bring in Green (GK) which I think could balance the side a bit more…
Help and advice much appreciated!
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Reply by TFF Jase on August 4 10:47 am:
Davrog, I’m doing the Telegraph game, but think RVP will outscore Anelka. Initially, surely West Brom at home and then Fulham away are more favourable for RVP than Anelka breaching the Portsmouth and Wigan defences. I also think Arsenal will still be more free scoring than Chelsea under Scolari. Strangely though, Anelka has only been selected by just over 1% of those doing the Telegraph game and this considering Drogba will miss the start of the season.
I would stick with Yak. You cannot ignore Everton facing all three promoted sides in their first five fixtures.
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Reply by Marknlard on August 4 10:50 am:
I’ve posted this a few times, but I do feel it needs to be said…!
Avoid Turnbull! He was on loan at Cardiff last year, and I was unfortunate enough to see all of his home games (and he didn’t last for many). He’s in no way Premiership class and Middlesbro’s fairly decent home defensive record is not going to last long if they don’t replace him.
In terms of cheap keepers, there’s a reason that Schwarzer is in more than a third of the teams.
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Does anyone know if Harper is going to be the first choice keeper for Newcastle? Even though they’re struggling pre-season, I see they have a couple of potential clean sheets in weeks 2 and 4. A Harper/Jaaskelainen combo would be cheap and give you home games against all 3 promoted teams and Bolton if you rotated them.
But I see Harper and Given played similar minutes last season, so might be too risky?
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Reply by Ollie on August 4 3:27 pm:
One will always be injured, I think they will play about the same overall.
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Phil - Hull are still shopping for a decent striker, at this stage I don’t think they have a guaranteed ‘2 pointer’ for 5.0m. For that money you might be better with Cresswell from Stoke?
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although slightly over i would go with kitson for 5.5 for stoke. should play in most matches and did well at reading last year, so will get a few extra points here and there
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i think zaki is gonna be a bargain at 6 folks…
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Reply by Mark on August 4 12:02 pm:
Yep, I’ve got my eye on him as a rival to Zamora for budget striker.
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Reply by Marknlard on August 4 12:11 pm:
Though he’s never played outside of Egypt (signed for Lokomotiv Moscow but didn’t play for them).
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i reckon he’ll do real well. Qwustion folks- Downing Petrov or pedersen???
considering the rpospects of each club, with new management etc. coming into play in your decision. Its a tough one for sure.
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Downing/Petrov I found too hard to split, so much so, that I picked Bullard instead, strange logic I know!
I’m not a huge fan of Pedersen.
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Is anyone contemplating Park Ji-Sung for the start of the season?
This is maybe for Mark and on the ball Man Utd fans, but if anyone can shed light on it I’d appreciate your answers. If his higness Ronaldo is injured and/or in Madrid for the start of the season do you see starts for Park?
Apparently he’s not going to the Olympics (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/football/7458595.stm) but does anyone know if he’s injured or not?
If he’s fit will he play? If so, I see great value for assists and a couple of goals. Or am I deluded?
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Reply by Johnny Unitas on August 4 2:10 pm:
I think your deluded, Park is a great work horse but a la Fletcher will not be high on assists/scoring stats, he may chip in a few but struggles with injury/rotation,even without Ron the knob you have to expect he is behind Carrick/Hargreaves/Scholes/Giggs/Nani/Anderson in midfield. My tip for the top is Hargreaves he will benefit most from Rons absence taking all free kicks from the right anyway and will depend whether Giggs is on the field for the left. He is only 7m and I think a bargain!
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Reply by Big Phill Scolari on August 4 2:24 pm:
Thanks Johnny -
I was looking at Park for the Sun’s game (it’s rubbish, but our work competition is with it). He’s 2.5m, as a comparison Ronaldo is 9.5m, Gerrad and Lampard are 8.0, Young is 5.5, even Pedersen is 3.5. The total budget is 50m. He’s one of the cheapest options.
There’s no points for assists, and I know he won’t get a load of goals, but the Sun do this ridiculous scoring scheme where they award 3 points for “a rating of 7 out of 10 or higher”. Bearing in mind a goal is only 5 points, this is important. I think if Park plays he will work hard and get 7 out of 10. But he has to be playing to make it worthwhile.
I was hoping he’d play because he truly plays on the right (I thought Hargreaves, Carrick, Scholes or Anderson all were centre mids while Nani and Giggs rotated on the left). And Ferguson seems to like him. But I’ve got no idea to be honest, will one of the others play on the right instead of him?
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does anyone think giovani will be starting for tottenham? he seems to be racking up goals.
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Out of curiosity has anyone actually picked ronaldo. i put him in to a team to see how it would fit and if he does start performing its going to be a nightmare to fit in that 14m.it makes such an unbalanced team. is anyone budgeting for this or are we all crossing our fingers that he cant do as well.
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Reply by Phil on August 4 2:44 pm:
I’m still hoping he’ll leave for Real. It was really annoying to lose out to teams last season who just chose Ronaldo as their captain every week. I say get rid and get back to having to put some thinking into choice of the right skipper.
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Reply by Guy Incognito on August 5 11:52 am:
If he stays it might be worth using your wild card before GW6, after Man Utd’s tough opening fixtures. You could then totally rehash your team to get the big knob in, as well as some Man U defenders or whatever.
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which 2 do you reckon will score most points this month
p neville and ashley young
or
gerrard and one of the bolton defenders
was thinking the bolton fixtures look pretty good this month so maybe worth a look
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Reply by Drogski on August 4 2:21 pm:
i picked all 4 mate
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Anyone seleted Darren Bent? I was going to put him in my team but may wait to see if Berbatov moves on.. if Spurs are going to be a one striker team then it will be a gamble.
Also I may put Fabregas on hold and wait to see if he is match fit before kick off.
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Reply by Ed (the Fantascene guy) on August 4 7:29 pm:
If Berbs moves on I’m definitely going for Bent - he has been on fire pre-season, although having said that he was on fire last pre-season. Tottenham’s early fixtures are quite kind and with the supply of Bentley and Modric (and Arshavin?!) he could be a steal.
Fabregas is a first team definite for me as Arsenal have a very kind start to the season.
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whats peoples thoughts on gerrard or lamps? gerrard will always seems to get points but lamps is on fire pre season and surely will start most games shown by big phil trying to keep him so badly?
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I’ve doe some serious tinkering this morning, team now looks like
Cech
Brown | Carvalho | Skrtel | Bale
Modric | Lampard | Fabregas | Kranjer
Bent | RVP
Had to bring Lampard in on current form, ideally I’d like to get Petrov/Young in in place of Kran but budget doesnt allow unfort! Still a bit worried about Bent at Spurs, if Ramos foes 451 and Berbs stays on I might have to go 451 myself. Skrtel’s a bit of a gamble at the ‘pool bt I reckon he’ll play if he keeps fit.
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adebayor or van persie?
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Reply by Bull on August 6 9:46 am:
It all depends on who is taking the penalties for Arsenal this year.
Van Persie (when fit) always used to take them but in the friendly on Sunday Adebayor slotted the penalty home.
Can anyone confirm who will take them this year?
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Reply by Seven Foot Lemming on August 6 10:18 am:
’tis a good question - makes a huge difference to the Anelka/RVP conundrum.
Let’s hope Arsenal win a few penalties in the remaining friendlies!
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Reply by Mark on August 6 10:39 am:
It might be that RVP didn’t take it as he was the player fouled but my money is on Adebayor. The logic? He’ll be looking to get goals early to win over the crowd and I reckon Wenger will see it as important that this happens asap for his striker’s confidence. As a result, I reckon he’ll give Adebayor the job to get him started on the 20-goal trail.
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whats the deal with nasri, think he will get consistent starts at arsenal? i know wneger has been keen on walcott too, who will run with fab in the middle?
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Reply by Dr. Rog on August 6 10:36 am:
diaby or denilson will partner him in midfield - its anyones guess right now but i think he will try diaby first as his height can help to protect the back 4 better this year. if these two fail ramsey is waiting in the wings. jack wilshere has been really impressive pre season - look for him and bentner to start the season as impact subs
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