Scout Scribbles- Midweek Withdrawals Rack Up
Filed under: Scout Notes - Posted by: Sir Paulos
International friendly week always fills Fantasy managers with dread. Already, we’ve seen a number of call-offs; the likes of Papiss Cisse, Didier Drogba, Rafael Van der Vaart and Phil Bardsley are all nursing apparent injuries ahead of the weekend. Elsewhere, Peter Odemwingie, Mark Schwarzer and Javier Hernandez have long-distance games on the agenda. All we can do now is watch on, cross our fingers, and hope none of our best-laid plans are scuppered:
Rafael Van der Vaart is one of a number of players to withdraw from international action. While most of the absentees could be classified as no more than precautionary, the Dutch FA confirmed Van der Vaart picked up an ankle injury at the Emirates on Sunday, and has been ruled out of Holland’s friendly with England tomorrow. Van der Vaart has only just returned from a calf problem, playing the second half in the 5-2 defeat at Arsenal- Harry Redknapp is likely to be cautious this weekend against United, for fear of further time on the sidelines for the Dutchman.
Redknapp has more injury worries, with the news that Kyle Walker has withdrawn from the England squad after he, too, picked up an ankle problem at Arsenal. With Vedran Corluka farmed out on loan, the Spurs boss has recalled Adam Smith from a loan spell at Leeds, perhaps raising question marks over Walker’s availability for this weekend’s home clash against the champions.
Newcastle have confirmed Papiss Demba Cisse picked up a slight groin injury in the 2-2 draw with Wolves. The forward was subbed off just after the hour mark with the problem and has since pulled out of Senegal’s game against South Africa, having been assessed by the club’s medical staff ahead of Sunday’s derby with Sunderland.
Didier Drogba is out of Ivory Coast’s friendly with Guinea. The Chelsea forward picked up a knee problem in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Bolton and is now undergoing treatment, with the Blues medical department monitoring his progress ahead of the trip to West Brom.
Aaron Ramsey has been ruled out of the Gary Speed Memorial match tomorrow evening. The Arsenal man was due to skipper Wales against Costa Rica but has failed to recover from an ankle injury picked up in the FA Cup defeat at Sunderland earlier this month.
Stephen Kelly has pulled out of the Republic of Ireland squad with a thigh problem. The right-back played the entire match in Fulham’s win at QPR on Saturday and has now established himself as an integral part of Martin Jol’s back-four, starting the last nine game for the Cottagers.
Phil Bardsley may miss out for Sunderland this weekend. The full-back has withdrawn from the Scotland squad due to a calf problem, with reports suggesting he may have torn the muscle. Bardsley is set for scans ahead of his side’s trip to Newcastle- his omission could perhaps see John O’Shea move from the centre to right-back, with Matt Kilgallon coming into the heart of defence.
Glen Johnson has, this afternoon, become the fifth player to pull out of the England squad to face Holland. The right-back is said to have trained this morning but then reported an unspecified “minor problem“ and will head back to Anfield to be assessed.
Daniel Agger has ruled himself out of contention for Denmark’s game against Russia tomorrow. The centre-half is feared to have sustained a broken rib in the Carling Cup win over Cardiff and, although there has been no official confirmation of a definite absence, his withdrawal will give his Fantasy owners cause for concern, particularly with Liverpool’s double gameweek just around the corner.
Alan Hutton is making his way back to Aston Villa after pulling out of the Scotland squad to face Slovenia. The right-back is said to have suffered pain in the top of his hamstring and, after being assessed by the Scotland doctors, has been sent back to the midlands for further examination.
Elsewhere, a handful of players face extended travel periods this midweek. Javier Hernandez turns out for Mexico at 1am Thursday in a home clash against Colombia. With United not playing until Sunday, though, his Fantasy owners will be hopeful the forward will have enough recovery time to feature in the trip to White Hart Lane.
Victor Moses and Peter Odemwingie feature for Nigeria, as the Super Eagles travel to Rwanda in an African Cup of Nations qualifier on Wednesday. Wigan keeper Ali Al-Habsi plays for Oman in a crucial World Cup qualifier against Thailand at 9.30am Wednesday and should have enough in the tank to be ready for Saturday’s game with Swansea.
Bolton’s on-loan star Ryo Miyaichi is set for his Japan debut against Uzbekistan at 10.30 tomorrow morning. Mark Schwarzer faces a home game for Australia against Saudi Arabia- this kicks off at 09.30 tomorrow morning and, with Fulham not playing till Sunday, their keeper looks to have plenty recovery time ahead of the home game with Wolves.
Finally, a little domestic news. Alex McLeish has talked up the prospects of Andreas Weimann after the youngster produced a series of outstanding displays in the Villa reserves. Weimann has grabbed two hat tricks in his last three games, with McLeish describing him as “one of the most natural finishers I have seen for quite some time.”
With Darren Bent likely to be ruled out for the season after rupturing ankle ligaments in the weekend draw at Wigan, Robbie Keane back in the US after his loan deal finished and Gabby Agbonlahor having only scored once since Gameweek 7, McLeish is in dire need of a goalscorer. Weimann –priced at a mere 5.0- may be on course for a first-team start ahead of a run of games that reads (bla, FUL, BOL) over the next three gameweeks.
Arsene Wenger’s post-match comments on Theo Walcott after the 5-2 win over Spurs were revealing. Admitting he had considered subbing off the winger after a section of the crowd began to criticise Walcott’s performance, Wenger explained he kept faith, as he feels that the winger’s style of play is unique amongst the Arsenal squad:
I felt that he has the qualities that, considering the rest of the team, are highly needed. He is a player who can be straight and go behind the defenders – nobody else is like that. He is a very direct player, he can sometimes miss a first touch but considering the balance of the team I thought it was important to keep him in the side.
Wenger’s line of thinking, in spite of the calls for Walcott’s exclusion, suggests he will not bow to pressure and is likely to lead to reduced game time for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. With Gervinho still being eased back into action after his African Cup of Nations exertions, Yossi Benayoun was given the nod ahead of the youngster on the left and with Walcott vindicating Wenger’s decision with a double against their north London rivals, Oxlade Chamberlain’s 5.4% owners may be set for a testing time ahead.
Reports suggest Tom Cleverley may return to action next week for Man United. The midfielder limped out of the Europa League loss to Ajax on Thursday with an ankle problem but scans have revealed there is no serious problem, meaning Cleverley could come back against Atletico Bilbao in the next round of European action.
Carlos Tevez returned to action for Man City this afternoon, as the Argentine steps up his fitness after months on the sidelines. Tevez started for City’s reserves in the 3-1 defeat by Preston but failed to make any impact before being subbed off at half time.
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“Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season.”
Sir Paulos @ffscout_paulos
1,760 Responses to “Scout Scribbles- Midweek Withdrawals Rack Up”
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February 29 at 10:04 am
shegull says:
http://www.oohtobeagooner.com/.....-arsenal/?
February 29 at 10:07 am
BabyDave says:
Roon Pog (.com)
February 29 at 10:07 am
Lucky says:
Would anyone else love RVP to break his leg?
Would make fantasy way better. More interesting for sure.
Extra striker spot and no one to burn you every time you take the armband off them.
I want 3 striker slots to play with but RvP is glued into one
February 29 at 10:11 am
BabyDave says:
RVP has made the season consistently dull, I’d love hime to have a spell on the sidelines, then watch all half the teams doing-well-with-no-idea plummet into a no-idea-red-arrow-disaster. But hate the game not the player etc
February 29 at 10:14 am
SuperDunny says:
This your first season playing?
February 29 at 10:22 am
BabyDave says:
1/10
February 29 at 11:39 am
The Wet Bandit says:
How would this make teams “doing-well-with-no-idea” plummet. Surely the teams with no idea wouldn’t have RVP. He is just one player in a team. People who clearly have an idea will put him in and keep him as he has been a consistant banker. Aguero is the closest behind him and has had a few too many 0,1 and 2pt gameweeks to make him deliver anywhere near the potential of RVP. Put that together with the striking options at Arsenal and the Striking options at City and RVP is tactically obvious. Which I sense is where your problem lies. Tactically he’s too top of the pops, where as you like your players to be all underground and meaningful.
February 29 at 10:12 am
GreenWindmill - Riding The Black Sea Storm Of Trabzonspor says:
No, I wouldn’t wish a broken leg on a player I hated, let alone RVP.
February 29 at 10:14 am
BabyDave says:
YAWN
February 29 at 10:17 am
GreenWindmill - Riding The Black Sea Storm Of Trabzonspor says:
Absolutely. How dull to want the best players in the world to stay clear of career threatening injuries and ruin your fun
February 29 at 10:19 am
Lucky says:
We are just talking a season ending ailment to ensure a much more tactical end to the season on fantasy.
Yes, Fantasy is more important than real life. Yes, Fantasy is more important than the premier league’s best striker. YES YES YES
February 29 at 10:20 am
BabyDave says:
I think Lucky means the broken leg as a metaphor for a spell on the sidelines. The pompous indignation is the boring bit.
February 29 at 10:27 am
GreenWindmill - Riding The Black Sea Storm Of Trabzonspor says:
If someone asks the question “Would anyone else love RVP to break his leg?” it’s hard not to bite – see those kind of things round here too often on matchdays when a player goes down injured. Even seen people saying “Hope he’s dead LOL” after a serious head collision.
In terms of fantasy football, if RVP were unselectable, I agree it would shake things up a bit but I just can’t let it slide when people are wishing injuries on players. Sorry.
February 29 at 10:36 am
BabyDave says:
ZZZZZZZZ
February 29 at 10:34 am
megatron x says:
i like RVP but am apathetic about you. maybe you cud break your fingers and miss the rest of the season. how’s that sound?
February 29 at 10:38 am
BabyDave says:
Maybe you cud(sic) learn to spell and also look up the word ‘apathy’?
February 29 at 10:41 am
1966 was a great year for English football - Eric was born says:
I would look up the word apathy but I really can’t be arsed.
February 29 at 10:43 am
GreenWindmill - Riding The Black Sea Storm Of Trabzonspor says:
February 29 at 10:59 am
megatron x says:
did i mean ambivalent? maybe. it’s early and your post ain’t exactly of much worth. wishing someone whose career has been blighted by injury to break his leg and deprive all who enjoy football of one of its most exuberant exponents, just so you might find fantasy football simpler. dat be da yawnage right there. how bouts you sell RVP then? there ain’t nothin tyin him to yo team.
February 29 at 11:12 am
BabyDave says:
i don’t actually have RVP. I’ve no idea who you’re replying/scat-singing to now.
February 29 at 11:45 am
The Wet Bandit says:
And this isn’t a spelling contest. If it was, you’d have lost out a few rounds before Megatron’s above comment with the statement “I’d love hime to have a spell on the sidelines, then watch all half the teams doing-well-with-no-idea plummet into a no-idea-red-arrow-disaster”. “All half” makes no grammatical sense, it’s an oxymoron…….but as I said…..it’s not why we’re here.
February 29 at 10:55 am
Lucky says:
HAHA You’re apathetic about me. Well if you’re so apathetic don’t comment.
Break my fingers? Wouldn’t stop me clicking. Could also get someone to use the mouse for me. Keep it coming.
February 29 at 11:02 am
roscola says:
Gosh, what a terrific guy you are. Really outstanding human being.
February 29 at 10:20 am
1966 was a great year for English football - Eric was born says:
This is RVP, you don’t have to wish a broken leg on him – a broken toenail would keep him out for 6 weeks…
February 29 at 10:45 am
BabyDave says:
I’m not commenting on your last comment (February 29 at 10:41) so as to demonstrate my apathy. Just letting you know.
February 29 at 10:15 am
BabyDave says:
Page eleven is MY page!!!!!!!!
February 29 at 10:16 am
meltedman says:
Hi. A bit of advice needed please, would love some input/ideas to mull over while at work. Sorry not on a PC so don’t want to list team, but team is linked.
I was just planning on doing Santon -> Raylor which I have exactly enough money for. Anything better? Am not happy with Taiwo, Richards or Buszaky either really. 1 free transfer.
Cheers.
February 29 at 10:20 am
GreenWindmill - Riding The Black Sea Storm Of Trabzonspor says:
I still maintain Raylor is not nailed on (Santon is) so I’m not a big fan of that move personally, especially when you have players not getting game time.
Buszaky
Sigurdsson?
February 29 at 10:29 am
meltedman says:
Cheers for the reply. Ive got my heart set on getting Raylor now, been setting it up for a few weeks. I reckon he’s pretty much nailed on and can see him being top scoring defender by seasons end. 5.3 seems like really good value still…
February 29 at 10:31 am
GreenWindmill - Riding The Black Sea Storm Of Trabzonspor says:
Not going to try to talk you out of it (I’m not good enough at this game to force my opinions on you!) but I think people are blinded by Raylor’s fantasy performances this season and haven’t really realised he’s a pretty mediocre footballer in real terms. He was the first player subbed off when we were struggling against Wolves…
February 29 at 10:43 am
meltedman says:
Good to hear from a Newcastle fan about this. I know Raylor isn’t that great but he should definitely keep out Obertan at least and he is quite important to the team according to Pardew. But you have definitely put me off a bit!
February 29 at 10:52 am
GreenWindmill - Riding The Black Sea Storm Of Trabzonspor says:
Ben Arfa is his other competition for the place but I think Raylor will definitely start the next game as he’ll be more suited to a local derby than Barfa or Obertan. If things aren’t going well I’d expect him to be sacrificed though – he’s not a 90 minute nailed on player imo.
Of course I’ve been saying this for a while and he keeps proving me wrong so obviously don’t take this as gospel!
February 29 at 10:24 am
BabyDave says:
I don’t think newcastles fixtures warrant further changes/investment – sure it’d be nice to have raylor (got santon), but theres better fixtures to look at, and with Taiwo, we both have a bigger problem.
February 29 at 10:32 am
meltedman says:
I know what you mean about the fixtures. I was gonna get rid of Krul soon and just play Raylor every week.
Taiwo though is an thorn right now…
February 29 at 10:38 am
kraftwerk says:
Taiwo > Evans.
Sorted.
February 29 at 10:17 am
Zizo says:
As things stand, i will not through my wildcard yet for GW 28.
Not very favourable fixtures for the teams playing twice.
I will wait. if city , tottenham, Arsenal and chelsea have doubles coming up , than i will cash it in.
What do people think ?
February 29 at 10:20 am
Count Of Monte Hristo says:
I was just thinking about whether to leave the WC a bit longer.
It seems that people WC’ing for GW28 are doing it to load up on Liverpool players for their DGW which might not pay off as well as people think. I don’t know when I want to use it.
February 29 at 10:23 am
Zizo says:
When to use it , will depend on the rescheduled games. Lots of profit might be done there.
February 29 at 10:26 am
BabyDave says:
GW 33 is a good WC week. So I’m hanging on whatever the DGWs do
February 29 at 10:18 am
IfYouTinkerYou'llHaveAStinker says:
Which of these for GW28…
8 point hit –
Valencia > Silva
Rooney > Aguero
Enrique > Santon
Or 4 point hit –
Rooney > Aguero
Enrique > Kompany
February 29 at 10:22 am
Count Of Monte Hristo says:
Why are you trying to get Rooney out (h) to West Brom for Aguero @ Swansea when he doesn’t do well away from home?
Or why lose Enrique when he has a DGW in GW28?
Are you trolling?
February 29 at 10:24 am
Zizo says:
i think he means ,the other way round. rooney and Enrique in.
February 29 at 10:24 am
BabyDave says:
^ this
February 29 at 10:26 am
Zizo says:
don’t take a hit for Silva to Valencia, not worth it, imo.
February 29 at 10:34 am
IfYouTinkerYou'llHaveAStinker says:
fair point… although Its a way to get rooney and enrquie in without losing Kompany, so kompany might make up the 4 point hit.
Whoops I got my ins and outs muddled – If I was trolling I think I would probably come up with a better mixture of players than that, maybe….
Lucas > Silva
Saylor > Raylor
Gyan > Aguero
February 29 at 10:28 am
CatMac - No.1 Cat of Central Sports Klub of Army (Moscow) - F1 fans join our league, ask Udit, Ankit or me for details says:
I wouldnt take a hit. Just Aguero to Rooney should do fine, imo. Do the other changes in different weeks.
February 29 at 10:35 am
IfYouTinkerYou'llHaveAStinker says:
cant afford that though – will have to take at least 4 point hit somewhere so figured it might as well be Komp – Enrique.
February 29 at 10:45 am
CatMac - No.1 Cat of Central Sports Klub of Army (Moscow) - F1 fans join our league, ask Udit, Ankit or me for details says:
Welll without knowing the rest of your team, go for the 4-pointer then out of those options. It may pay off if you’re planning on keeping Enrique for his run til the end.
February 29 at 10:53 am
IfYouTinkerYou'llHaveAStinker says:
Thank you catmac – one last thought – would you consider Suarez as a stop gap to rooney? Or do you think rooney will outscore him in 90 mins vs 180mins?
February 29 at 11:03 am
CatMac - No.1 Cat of Central Sports Klub of Army (Moscow) - F1 fans join our league, ask Udit, Ankit or me for details says:
I’m toying with the idea, it’s very difficult to tell. Rooney looks like he’s hitting form and is more likely to give explosive returns, but Suarez still racks up reasonable points and has 2 games (if he plays 90 in both).
I’m going to see what happens in this weekend’s matches before deciding I think.
February 29 at 11:05 am
GreenWindmill - Riding The Black Sea Storm Of Trabzonspor says:
Keep us all posted
February 29 at 11:07 am
CatMac - No.1 Cat of Central Sports Klub of Army (Moscow) - F1 fans join our league, ask Udit, Ankit or me for details says:
February 29 at 11:08 am
GreenWindmill - Riding The Black Sea Storm Of Trabzonspor says:
New post by the way
February 29 at 10:29 am
MANIAC says:
Here’s my team .. Any changes required for this week ..Got 1ft and 2.8 M in the bank ..
Vorm
Enrique Kelly Richards
Sess Dempsey Siggi Yaya
Ba RVP Aguero(c)
Subs – krul , bale ,Evans,Simpy
February 29 at 10:31 am
King Cabbage says:
Get the arrows the right way around and I’ll try and help you out
February 29 at 10:35 am
IfYouTinkerYou'llHaveAStinker says:
what if you were to pretend that the arrows were the right way around? ignoring FFs protocol?
February 29 at 10:26 am
Count Of Monte Hristo says:
Australia 1 Saudi 2 at half time. Waste of air miles so far Schwarzer.
February 29 at 10:26 am
Loooser says:
I am confused. Is LIV playing against QPR in GW29, after all?
February 29 at 10:29 am
GreenWindmill - Riding The Black Sea Storm Of Trabzonspor says:
Yep.
February 29 at 10:31 am
CatMac - No.1 Cat of Central Sports Klub of Army (Moscow) - F1 fans join our league, ask Udit, Ankit or me for details says:
Hi Windy. how’s your team looking this week? It’s going to make things a lot more interesting for our match up in GW28 with the DGW
February 29 at 10:35 am
GreenWindmill - Riding The Black Sea Storm Of Trabzonspor says:
Hi Kittycat, team is potentially looking decent this week although that’s always a danger sign! I’ve got 2 free transfers and a wildcard at the moment – haven’t worked out at all how’s best to use them yet but rest assured I’ve got my eye on GW28 and 29 when we meet up!
February 29 at 10:42 am
CatMac - No.1 Cat of Central Sports Klub of Army (Moscow) - F1 fans join our league, ask Udit, Ankit or me for details says:
I’m quite sure you have
(your eye on the match up I mean).
Unfortunately I dont have the benefit of a wildcard, although I will have 2 FTs and the +4pts home advantage. Still planning my strategy though.
February 29 at 10:47 am
GreenWindmill - Riding The Black Sea Storm Of Trabzonspor says:
I’ll let you have the Moscow match
I’d settle for winning the home games from now on, should see me through the group.
Thinking of writing some sort of week 1 review/week 2 preview of our group since I don’t think it will happen otherwise. I (like you) was hoping that a neutral might step up and do it but it’ll just have to be my biased views on the subject!
February 29 at 10:51 am
elninorules: CL & ECL Group Standings updated! (CL - Click my link ; ECL - Bottom left of my link) says:
GWM: Just so you know, ColeHole is already working on the Matchday 1 review for all groups. Would be great if you could come up with your group’s previews
PS: What are you doing with those 2 FTs & WC? I’m struck in the same dilemma.
February 29 at 10:54 am
CatMac - No.1 Cat of Central Sports Klub of Army (Moscow) - F1 fans join our league, ask Udit, Ankit or me for details says:
Ref the PS – Yes, do tell us Windy, we’re all dying to know:D
February 29 at 10:57 am
GreenWindmill - Riding The Black Sea Storm Of Trabzonspor says:
Ah, lovely stuff, saves me a bit of bother (although I already had some youtube action lined up for the Inter-Trabzonspor result since the fantasy result mirrored the real-life match!) I’ll probably do a preview this week (just didn’t get the time and internet access required last week).
I have literally no idea what I’m going to do about my transfers – every time I think I’ve decided some new problem rears its ugly head (DGW, injuries, etc.) I think this week’s transfer will be a cautious one to keep my options open but really not sure.
February 29 at 10:52 am
CatMac - No.1 Cat of Central Sports Klub of Army (Moscow) - F1 fans join our league, ask Udit, Ankit or me for details says:
Good for you! I’d love a review/preview of our Group and I’m sure you’ll be as unbiased as possible
Be nice though, I’ve already got the indignity of being bottom of the group as well as being named in 2 of the Hall of Fame awards (for the wrong reasons).
February 29 at 11:00 am
GreenWindmill - Riding The Black Sea Storm Of Trabzonspor says:
You’ll turn it around! I was secretly hoping you’d be top of the group just so that the big army cat could be standing guard over the table!
February 29 at 11:05 am
CatMac - No.1 Cat of Central Sports Klub of Army (Moscow) - F1 fans join our league, ask Udit, Ankit or me for details says:
February 29 at 10:39 am
Loooser says:
Why isn’t Totenham playing in GW29?
February 29 at 10:40 am
kraftwerk says:
FA Cup, if/when they make it through.
February 29 at 10:42 am
Spencer says:
Right, I’m going to take a risk and bring Suarez in this week for Aguero and Skrtle for Richards next week.
Leaves me with no Man City cover, but I need to make points up on my rivals.
I swore I wouldn’t play around with these DGW after the last Everton shambles, but…
What do you think?
Vorm – Ruddy
Kelly S – Enrique – Richards – Caulker – Santon
Sessegnon – Valencia – Dempsey – Bale – McClean
Ba – Van Persie – Aguero
February 29 at 10:48 am
Zizo says:
are you taking aguero out before playing Bolton at home ??
February 29 at 10:49 am
Zizo says:
save the transfer and make them both next week for free.
February 29 at 11:08 am
CatMac - No.1 Cat of Central Sports Klub of Army (Moscow) - F1 fans join our league, ask Udit, Ankit or me for details says:
New post btw. That’s why it’s quiet on here!
February 29 at 11:11 am
Rob Lethal (Fratboy) says:
Anyone else really excited about the next couple weeks of FPL? Think these next two gameweeks will really make a difference!!
February 29 at 11:39 am
Swagat says:
thinking about doing these moves for gw28
Mata-Gerrard
Kompany- Enrique
Aguero- Rooney
For a 8 points hits. Worth it??
February 29 at 12:43 pm
Josh says:
Is there one more fixture that’s likely to be added to GW 29?