The Big Friendly Catch Up – Tuesday

There were five Premier League clubs in action on Tuesday night for fixtures that were, for many teams, the penultimate games of the pre-season. With weekend action to come, there was plenty of experimentation in the lineups from most of those involved. Even so, the likes of Frazier Campbell and Greg Halford caught the eye, whilst there’s a new injury concern for David Moyes as Jo picked up an ankle injury. Read on for the full notes on last night’s events…

Mick McCarthy created a lineup from second-string players, combined with the odd academy recruit and came away with a 4-2 win over Scunthorpe. Greg Halford’s brace was the key point of interest for us fantasy managers. He is classed as a defender across the games but can be utilised in midfield and up front. Halford’s goals in this one also included a 25-yard free-kick, indicating that he might get a say in set-pieces should he find his way into the Wolves starting lineup. With Kightly due to miss the opening games, Halford is putting himself forward as a midfield replacement – that could see him represent some decent value for us early doors if you’re looking to risk the Wolves defence.

Steve Bruce was another manager to mix up his lineup for the midweek friendly with Peterborough. He gave starts to new signings Frazier Campbell and Lorik Cana and it was Campbell’s brace that won the game for Sunderland – their fifth win in six pre-season games. The likes of Healy, Murphy, Stokes and Tanio all got run-outs here. That quartet seem unlikely to see action come the season start, making it very difficult to take too much from this result and lineup. Campbell staked his claim here but given the presence of Jones and the likely arrival of Darren Bent, it would be a brave fantasy manager to gamble on Campbell from the off.

David Moyes saw his Everton side lose out to Blackpool by a 2-1 margin. Jo’s goal further demonstrated his form in pre-season but the sight of him hobbling from the pitch with 15 minutes to go will more than cast a shadow over that. Moyes was already without Joleon Lescott, Steven Pienaar and Louis Saha with knocks (shocker on Saha eh?). That saw Vaughan start in midfield once again, with Rodwell partnering Yobo at the back. Fellaini turned out, despite doubts over his fitness. Everton physio, Mick Rathbone sounds like he’s feeling more optimistic on the midfielders chances of starting the season now…

“We’ve done some lab tests, he seems okay and I think it’s just a case of him relaxing and getting the weight back on him and he’ll be fine again.”

Elsewhere, Jo is a major doubt for Friday’s friendly with Malaga but Pienaar and Lescott are expected to return – pending a further transfer bid for Lescott of course.

Gary Megson’s Bolton remain unbeaten in pre-season thanks to a 1-1 draw with Hearts. Muamba grabbed the goal for the Trotters. The Bolton boss juggled things here, hading the armband to Ricardo Gardner after his return from International duty. He started in midfield alongside Muamba and Davis (who has been almost ever present in pre-season). Interestingly Ricketts kept his place but shifted to the right of midfield, with Steinsson coming in at full-back. There could potential with Ricketts here then if Megson persists with this ploy. Kevin Davies missed out to be at the birth of his child so Elmander started up front in another 4-5-1 from Megson. Bolton’s lineup against Hibs on Saturday should give us a better indication of the likely eleven against Sunderland for the kick-off.

Finally, the alarm bells are ringing down at St Andrews after a strong Birmingham lineup were put to the sword by League Two Crewe. The 4-1 defeat will have McLeish and any fantasy investors in the Birmingham defence extremely worried. Joe Hart, Roger Johnson and Barry Ferguson lined up alongside James McFadden, Garry O’Connor and Cameron Jerome but it wasn’t enough for the Premier League new boys to avoid a morale slaying defeat. McFadden got Birmingham’s goal on the night.