Some Midweek Cup Notes

Most of us have a soft spot for the Carling Cup after it soaked up Ronaldo’s suspension – sadly, it normally generates little interest from fantasy managers. It was Quarter-Final week and yet again the Premiership bosses involved shuffled their packs. Meanwhile, City played out a sleepy, meaningless UEFA Cup Group game at Eastlands on Wednesday.

Was there anything worth taking from all the midweek action then? Maybe. The four-goal nudge from Tevez to Ferguson could present us with a new view on United’s selection policy up front. Meanwhile, Darren Bent’s winner at Watford reminded us that there was a reason behind November’s transfer bandwagon after all. Here’s the notes…

Starting on Tuesday night and there was little to be gleaned from Wenger’s lineup which saw them defeated at Burnley. None of his eleven that night are likely to get shirts against Wigan at the weekend. Indeed, the fact that Bendtner started up front at least offers reassurance that neither Van Persie or Adebayor will be rested at the weekend.

Pulis rested a couple in Stokes surprising home defeat to Derby. Abdoulaye and Amdy Faye both dropped to the bench with Sonko and Cresswell coming in. Olofinjana also returned for Soares in midfield while Simonsen got a start in goal. Little of note there then.

Moving on to Wednesday night, and Ferguson made ten changes for the Carling tie with Blackburn – the most significant being the return of Neville to the defence and a start for Tevez up front. Anderson and Giggs also came into the midfield.

It seems unlikely that too many of this side will take the field against Sunderland this weekend. Rafael could keep the right back role, while Tevez will surely push for a start having manufactured the win with a superb display and four of United’s five goals. Ferguson has acknowledged that Tevez’s form has clearly made his job more difficult and with managerless and beleaguered Sunderland at Old Trafford at the weekend, Tevez looks set for another start.

Rooney would seem favourite to step down, although in many ways, Berbatov deserves to be player dropped given his recent contributions, which have been full of nice touch flurries but little else. One goal, no assists and no FPL bonus in the last four tells the tale in fantasy terms. Ferguson’s decision with his lineup against Sunderland could be a turning point then when it comes to Berbatov’s status in the United lineup. To this point, he has appeared untouchable. One to watch.

Paul Ince put out a strong side at Old Trafford but was hampered by Andrews being cup-tied and Simpson ineligible against United as part of his loan agreement. That meant that Emerton moved to right back, with Ooijer shifting to central defence. Olsson returned from suspension to take the left back spot, which saw Warnock move into his midfield role and actually played just behind Santa Cruz with Derbyshire deployed wide right. Another interesting positional development in Warnock’s season.

McCarthy was dropped to the bench but did come on in the second half to replace Emerton. His two goals were little more than consolation on the night but should see him restored to the starting lineup at the weekend against Liverpool.

Spurs progressed to the semis with a workmanlike display at Watford. Redknapp welcomed back Jenas to his midfield after he recovered from a toe injury. Lennon shifted to the right to allow Bentley to be rested to the bench – that meant that O’Hara came into the left midfield role. Huddlestone dropped to the bench, while King got to rest his knee with Dawson coming in alongside Woodgate. Campbell was given another run-out with Pavlyuchenko up front but disappointed and was replaced by Bent just after the hour mark.

A couple of things to note from this one. Lennon sparkled in phases – he continues to show the kind of form that suggests some decent fantasy returns. He could yet provide a worthy alternative to Bentley who is still struggling to contribute – he makes a decent differential too. The other point to note is that Pavlyuchenko took the Tottenham penalty for their equaliser – that could cast doubt over whether Bent would take spot-kicks when partnering the Russian in attack.

Regardless, Bent’s winning goal last night clearly demonstrated that he still has the confidence in him to bring in the points. That would have pleased the many who invested in him several weeks ago off the back of his European hat-trick and his double at Eastlands. Campbell’s ineffectual appearance in last night’s game surely means that the Pavlyuchenko/Bent partnership is under little threat right now, unless Harry switches formation with the return of Modric.

Moving into Europe and Wednesday’s UEFA Cup match at Eastlands was a stroll for both sides with City and PSG already through to the knockout rounds. City’s lineup against PSG saw Robinho, Wright-Phillips and Richards all miss out with knocks. All three will now be doubts for City’s trip to Fulham so we’ll have to monitor for further news on them going into the weekend. Right now however, I would say that their absence was a mere precaution on Hughes’ part. Jo’s recall up front could threaten Benjani’s start at the Cottage, although he looked woefully short of confidence again and was eventually replaced just after the hour mark.

Despite the training match feel evident in this game, City still managed to pick up another injury. Elano is set to be out for at least a couple of weeks after picking up a groin injury in last night’s game. That’s not too significant for us fantasy managers – he’s failed to feature on the radar in recent weeks with Hughes seemingly seeing him as a luxury player, to be rotated in and out of the side.

That’s about it for Tuesday and Wednesday’s action. I’ll try and bring you a round-up of Thursday’s UEFA Cup ties at some point – depending if I can keep the internet connection in my German hotel up and running.