Updated Team News
Okay, it’s been a hectic week of injuries so let’s round-up the news on Terry, Bosingwa, Fabregas, Zaki and the rest after today’s pre-match press conferences…
Let’s start at the Bridge where Scolari revealed that John Terry is fit to lead the side at Boro tomorrow. Not such good news on Ballack though, who has undergone surgery on both his feet (ouch) and will be out for three weeks. Joe and Ashley Cole will sit the weekend out but Bosingwa and Deco are reportedly fit. Cech is out according to reports - Cudicini will step in. Belletti and Mancienne could well see action, Belletti a possible starter in midfield if Deco isn’t risked with the Champions League in mind.
At the Emirates Wenger was able to confirm the availability of Fabregas and Van Persie, while Diaby also returns to the squad. Gallas, Sagna, Djourou and Bendtner are all out however so Silvestre is set to start in the centre, with Eboue shifting to right back. Wenger hinted at a rest for Walcott, so Nasri is presumably set to start with Denilson on the opposite flank and Song alongside Fabregas in the middle.
Everton will be without Anichebe, Yobo and Castillo for this game. I’d expect a 4-5-1 from Moyes Saha dropped to the bench.
Benitez backed Keane to replace Torres up front, whilst revealing that the Spanish striker could make a return against Portsmouth at the end of the month. Babel meanwhile, should be fit for the Chelsea game next weekend. As for the Wigan clash, I’d expect Alonso to come back in with Kuyt pushed up with Keane.
As for Wigan, Zaki has declared himself fit and is set to start - that will reduce the chances of a home clean sheet then. Heskey is also a doubt, As I mentioned in the midweek meander, I really fancy Wigan to nick something here.
Over at Old Trafford, Carrick and Hargreaves have failed to make it and Anderson only arrived back in the UK on Friday. That could see O’Shea and Fletcher in the United midfield then. Giggs is apparently guaranteed a start after a two week break.
Elsewhere, King is a doubt for Hull, Grella and Robinson back for Rovers, Tuncay looks unlikely for Boro but Mido should be available, Hutton returns to training for Spurs, while Pavlyuchenko could make a surprise early return.
As usual, you’ll find all this information and any updates from now and until kick off in the team news section. Scout picks are on the way.
Ibracadabra
Fran
llama
Yogesh
Akers
Mark
Looser
midway through writing my post this new topic was created, so i’m relocating here…
been a while since i’ve been on here. nice to see zaki declaring himself fit, although that now gives some of us the headache of whether to start him or not. i’m leaning to having him on the bench, but that means starting arteta, which kinda feels wrong as i’m an arsenal fan (and going to the game tomorrow!)
anyone else benching zaki despite being fit? anyone else starting arteta?
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Reply by Steve on October 17 7:54 pm:
replied to your post on the old thread, but the short answer is i’m starting both of them
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Reply by F.U.B.A.R on October 17 11:31 pm:
I have put Zaki, Figerora and Kirkland on the bench! God I hope Wigan don’t just go and win this one 1-0?
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yep Zaki on the bench this week for me. i have a few touch-and-go players in so he could well be auto-subbed in.
annoyingly took a 4-point hit yesterday becasue i had about 4 players loking 50-50 to play. it now looks more than likely they will all be fit so that was prob a waste!
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who for captain next week except ronny
im thinkin adebayor ????
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At the moment I’ve put Zaki on and I’ve benched C.Cole. Not sure if this is the right move though.
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Reply by Fran on October 18 12:01 am:
Zaki could score against Liverpool but I’m expecting the REDS to win! They are in very good form at the moment.
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sorry that post from me was not particually useful. i think if i had him, id favor arteta v Zaki. Zaki could well score, but i really cant see arsenal kkeping a clean sheet. if everton score inevitably arteta is involved!
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Reply by Sam (Team Sam) on October 17 7:52 pm:
exactly my thinking, cheers tim. i hate backing players against my own team though, but at the same time i hate having them on the bench and watching them score against us… makes it hurt so much more, e.g. i had geovanni on the bench a couple of weeks ago when he scored that long-distance scorcher… couldn’t decide if it was worse that we’d conceded or that i wasn’t get 5 points for it
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Reply by Tim on October 17 7:59 pm:
haha, i know what u mean. i think it softens the blow if you do play them. that way if they score you win either way- otherwise it becomes unbearable if they do something and your team loses!
good luck either way!
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Anyone else think Adebayor’s time is up? Looking swap for zamora (saving money for ron)! Should I take a 4 point hit for it?
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Reply by Sam (Team Sam) on October 17 8:03 pm:
do you mean a 4 point hit to replace Ade with Zamora, or a 4 point hit to bring in C.Ron? because if it’s the latter and you make him captain, then it might well be worth it… but if it’s the former, then like will said, just wait until next week
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Reply by Old Man Time on October 18 11:56 am:
I don’t think Adebayor’s Time is up. He might not be scoring regularly but one hatrick and he’s paid you back plus constant assists.
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no point-he’s at home to everton this week, if it means taking a 4 pt hit, why not wait til next week?
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Sorry I meant swapping out adebayor is my free this week…but considering taking a hit for rondalo (for arteta) as well..he’s at home to WBA, surely no brainer!?
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any comments on who might offer the better option as to who goes 1st to bench ?
its out of either L.Young or Zaki , i currently have young but the news on zaki is looking promising as he could pop up with a penalty or something.
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Gozza, yes do it, 100%. And make Ron captain. Well worth a 4 point hit (in my opinion).
What does everyone think of Alex’s chances of starting at Boro???
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IMO i think alex will start
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Reply by Jo on October 18 7:08 am:
Alex might start, but he might not complete 90 mins due to CL and being just recovered from injury. Besides since Cech is out, a clean sheet might be unlikely.
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Should I start with both Etherington and Cole or swap one of them out for Zaki?
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Reply by Nick on October 18 8:21 am:
Definitely Etherington. Hull have conceded 8 goals in 3 home games. I can see him getting points
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Reply by Jesse on October 18 8:39 am:
But why Etherington but not Cole? Just curious why you’d think Etherington stands a better chance considering Cole’s the striker. Still thinking if I should put all my eggs in one basket with these 2 West Ham players or split them up with Zaki coming in for either one. Decisions decisions…..
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ok….i need 2 from a traore, paintsil, l young and figueroa.
think paintsil + 1 other but need advice.
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