Scout Scribbles – Adebayor Hamstring Worry for Spurs
Filed under: Scout Notes - Posted by: Paul
Emmanuel Adebayor is sidelined for Tottenham’s European clash with Lazio. Steve Clarke admits Goran Popov is unlikely to feature in West Brom’s home clash with Reading. Michael Kightly is hoping for a less defensive role with Stoke, while Oscar steals the headlines as Chelsea and Manchester United get their respective Champions League campaigns underway:
Emmanuel Adebayor has been ruled out of Tottenham’s Europa League clash with Lazio this evening. Andre Villas-Boas revealed in yesterday’s press conference that the Togo international has picked up a hamstring injury and will miss the White Hart Lane opener – Benoit Assou-Ekotto is also sidelined while the club assess his knee problem. Major question marks must now be placed against Adebayor’s availability for Sunday’s home clash against QPR, further enhancing Jermain Defoe’s chances of starting as he looks to add to his three goals and an assist from the opening four Gameweeks.
Steve Clarke gave Fantasy managers an early injury update yesterday. In particular, the West Brom boss spoke of Steven Reid and Goran Popov’s chances of making Saturday’s home clash with Reading:
“Steven’s been outside working with the medical staff towards being fit as soon as possible. He’s had a hamstring injury and he’s recovered to a point where it’s almost right, but you don’t want to take the next step too quickly. We will monitor it as the week goes on but we are still hopeful for the weekend. As for Goran, he had to go back to Kiev after the Fulham game and we will assess him when he’s back, but he is very doubtful for the weekend.”
The Popov prognosis is particularly good news for Fantasy managers, in the short-term at least. A start at left-back for the loan signing would have a major knock-on effect on the game time of Liam Ridgewell and possibly Gareth McAuley, with Ridgewell’s versatility meaning he is also capable of moving to the centre of defence. Both have been drafted in by plenty Fantasy managers ahead of a schedule that sees (RDG, QPR, SOT) in the next six and with clean sheets in both their first two at the Hawthorns, more investment can be expected.
Michael Kightly has admitted he’s had to rein in his attacking instincts for Stoke after a tough opening start to the season:
“I am having to play a bit more defensive than I would like, but we have had a tough start with our games and sometimes you have to do that for the team. We’ve played top sides at home and played at Wigan where they play a different system. Hopefully, against the so-called lesser teams at home we can be a bit more free-flowing and attacking. When the big clubs come, you know you aren’t going to have as much possession and their full-backs play advanced, so if you don’t track them back they will punish you. You are thinking about their full-back and stopping him scoring rather than thinking of getting past him to create a goal.”
Despite facing home clashes with Arsenal and City, Tony Pulis’ side remain unbeaten after four Gameweeks, with Kightly still managing to average five points per game in FPL. Trips to Chelsea, Liverpool and United in the next four is likely to have the Potters on the back foot once again before the fixture list begins to favour Stoke from Gameweek 9 onwards.
Manchester United 1 Galatasaray 0
Sir Alex made three changes at the back for the visit of Galatasaray. David De Gea was given the nod in goal, Jonny Evans replaced Rio Ferdinand in central defence and Patrice Evra reclaimed the left-back berth from Alexander Buttner. Robin Van Persie and Shinji Kagawa were both handed starts, having been rested for the weekend match with Wigan. Kagawa supplied the assist for Michael Carrick to notch the only goal of a game that saw Darren Fletcher return to action after a lengthy lay-off, replacing Paul Scholes with just over 10 minutes remaining.
United’s spot-kick problems continued last night, though. Nani’s failed attempt against the Turkish side, following on from Javier Hernandez and Van Persie’s misses against Wigan and Southampton respectively means United have now failed to score with their last three penalties. While Wayne Rooney looks likely to remain number one for penalties when he returns from injury, Ferguson admitted Van Persie should have taken last night’s effort, suggesting the Dutchman is first in line until Rooney returns.
“I think he (Nani) just ran and grabbed the ball. I thought Robin should have taken it, to be honest with you.I think we will have to decide before the game. That was my fault, I should have done that.”
Chelsea 2 Juventus 2
It was all about Oscar last night as the young Brazilian made a sensational Champions League debut for the defending champions. Handed a starting role alongside Eden Hazard and Ramires in the attacking midfield three, the young Brazilian fired a superb brace against Juventus to announce his intentions to Fantasy managers. Just as we begin to perhaps consider him as a differential, he was then withdrawn on 74 minutes for Juan Mata, with Roberto Di Matteo admitting post-match:
“It was a bad tackle on Oscar before he came off. He had a knock on his ankle and we will assess him tomorrow.”
In other injury news, Chelsea were without the services of Daniel Sturridge for last night’s match – the club revealed via their official twitter stream that the forward was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
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September 20 at 1:04 pm
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
Zaba > Buttner
Dyer > Morrison for a hit done.
Crazy transfers I know, but at least I am done for the week.
September 20 at 1:05 pm
goonerbyron says:
September 20 at 1:07 pm
Lateriser12 - "I am a consulting detective. The only one in the world" says:
Good luck. Shoudve gotten Rafael instead you Valour needy man!
September 20 at 1:09 pm
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
Cheers. Rafa was too boring for me. I thought I wasn’t going to win this thing, might have some fun with it as well.
September 20 at 1:09 pm
Shaps says:
How can you have that attitude already! its only GW4
September 20 at 1:14 pm
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
I am not doing that bad actually. I am just being realistic. I am not in any money leagues, so my rank doesn’t matter much to me as long as it is top 5. Hence the attitude.
September 20 at 1:04 pm
Gargamel says:
Grant Holt now costs 6.2m, cheap enough for anyone to be interested? Two bad fixtures in a row looms in three weeks or so but after that he’ll be 6m and ready to FIRE!
September 20 at 1:06 pm
The Light Knight " I don't have tactics, I have Tic Tacs and that's how I stay fresh" says:
No. Hughton’s 4-4-2 isn’t suiting Grant.
September 20 at 1:05 pm
knightrider says:
ok so what about this for my final wc team, opinions much appreciated, I’ve taken the plunge and rid myself of Yaya.
Jaas, (Begovic)
Baines, McAuley, Demel, (Gorkss, Barnett)
Hazard, Dyer, Cazorla, Peinaar, (Kaca)
RvP, Ba, Tevez
let me know, not sure whether to make any of these changes or leave as is;
A – Ba > Berb
B – Cazorla > Bale
or to shift things around to bring in Ben Arfa!?
September 20 at 1:08 pm
The Beard says:
Leave it as is, good team.
September 20 at 1:16 pm
tomtrubadur says:
I agree, save your transfer.
September 20 at 1:06 pm
icametogetdown_icametogetdown says:
I just brought berbatov on for graham. Kawaga is on thin ice with pieenar ready to jump in. Any word on cuellar?
September 20 at 1:06 pm
The second coming of Moussa Dembele //FFC// UCL team says:
Having said on the last page i dont like betting on draws just set up an all draw slip.
Wigan/Fulham – draw
West Ham ? S’land – draw
S’hampton/Villa – draw
34/1
September 20 at 1:07 pm
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
No, maybe, no
September 20 at 1:10 pm
ChristIna says:
BTW, if you add Sun/WestH draw to my Wigan/ful and Liv/ManU draw then the 7 match accum goes to 219/1
Just a thought…
September 20 at 1:06 pm
Soapy says:
Pick 2 defenders to start out of
Williams, Clyne, Jenk, Demel (have jussi in goal)
Cheers for any suggestions
September 20 at 1:09 pm
Aatish says:
NEW POST http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....e-lambert/
September 20 at 1:12 pm
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
You can post there first now, really. I miss the times when there was always an Aatish in the first post. It was either Aatish posting himself or someone posting an Aatish joke.
September 20 at 1:13 pm
Pratik says:
Aatish must have got tired off the jokes etc….It’s really noble that he’s resist the first post now.
But at-least this leaves no doubt, that the throne of first post is still gonna be yours…How you do it still remains a mystery to me
September 20 at 1:09 pm
emperikal says:
Is Williamson a good shout for next couple of weeks? What will the Newcastle back 4 look like?
September 20 at 1:26 pm
ToTT Starrs says:
Jääskeläinen or Foster for GK GW5?
September 20 at 7:14 pm
mva5 says:
foster!
September 20 at 1:32 pm
JKisthe1 - Los Colchoneros 2 - The Revenge says:
So, as requested, JK’s pitchside opinions on Man Utd last night.
*Caution long post alert*
Utd seemed to start very well as if keen to make a statement after last season. However, after getting the goal they simply seemed to relax, missed too many chances and, Carrick aside, were far too lax in possession. Surprisingly the biggest culprit of this was Paul Scholes, who frankly should have caused us to concede a penalty. Once again United had the supposedly useless David de Gea to thank for the victory. My thoughts on the players
DDG – Restored to the side DDG did very liitle wrong. He commanded his area very well and look confident claiming crosses. Further his double save towards the end was astounding, especially the 2nd, to pick himself up so quickly to make such a brilliant 2nd save was superb, and something I’m not sure Lindegaard could have done. IMO he needs a run of games. The general argument againsy him is that he is not used to English game. This may be true, but if he is not gonna play, how will get used to it. IMO he needs to be given a run of games, and allowed to make the odd mistake, in the same way as Schmeichel was when he first arrived in order to grow into it. Further more, he needs time to build up an understanding with the defence, especially with Vidic, with whom this was only the 4th game he’d played. Alas Fergie appears to disagree
Rafael – He had a great game IMO. He was a threat going forward, and won the penalty, and has one his best games defensively, he was disciplined and tracked back well without any of usual rashness in the tackle. Hopefully this is the start of something.
Evra. – His best game for a while. Pretty similar to Rafa in his perfomance, good at the back and a threat going forward, Evra appears to heeded the message sent by Mr. A Buttner.
Evans – A solid return for him, unfussed and dealt well with what was thrown at him. Also started a few attacks with some surging runs and some neat tricks
Vidic – Still not up to speed IMO. He is getting better with every game, but he is still re-finding his feet. Was lucky to get away without conceding a peno, but he is starting to command his defence again and looked a threat from set-pieces again.
Valencia – Not a great game by his standards. Although he still showed plenty in terms of beating his man, his crossing was just awful, something I never thought I’d say about this man.
Nani – nani was, well, Nani. Brilliant and infuriating in equal measure. He would beat 3 or 4 men. then promptly give the ball away. Missed a glorious 1 on 1 by being too cocky, and as for peno, well… Although his corners have improved and actually created a couple of chances.
Carrick – Carrick was well, Carrick. Solid but unspectacular. he managed to keep the ball mostly, but was guilty on occasion of dawdling to to long and making life hard for himself, though much of that was down to a lack of options for a pass. Took his goal well, and probably saved the keeper and another penalty, so a good thing all round.
Kagawa – Started brightly, but faded as Gala took control of the midfield. Could have had a peno and looked dangerous breaking forward. I wouldn’t touch him in UCL as he is a forward. But as he gets mire up to speed with United and the pace of the PL I expect much more from him in the 2nd half of the season.
RvP – A poor game. His hold up play was decent but he seemed to have been afflicted by Man Utd syndrome, that is to say, if you can see the goal, pass the ball, unless you can walk it in. There were a couple of occasions where RvP passed the ball in good positions, where the RvP of last year would have blasted it in. The fact that Nani took the peno when he was on the pitch may indicate that he doesn’t want the responsibility. If this is the case, then Rooney, who is now around 2 million less than RvP may become the better option, as if RvP doesn’t want to be the peno taker, you can bet your life Rooney does.
September 20 at 1:34 pm
Grounderz says:
You should do a repost on the new article.
September 20 at 1:35 pm
JKisthe1 - Los Colchoneros 2 - The Revenge says:
I just did when I saw there was one. That’s how long it took me
September 20 at 1:40 pm
knightrider says:
final decision then;
A – Berb and HBA
or
B – Ba and Dyer?
cast your votes please.
September 20 at 1:55 pm
dasjagermeister says:
trying to hold off on transfers unless i have to. thinking of geting foster for szczesny but want to wait that out. or harper for my cheap 4mill goalkeeper. if i go the latter i can see what way the szczesny situation is and get mannone if he takes the first choice spot. the second option is bit messy. szczesny has only frustrated me so far.
thoughts?
September 20 at 2:04 pm
Famous Mike says:
Foster or Jaaskelainen for GW 5?
September 20 at 5:53 pm
Uber Mo says:
Have I got my free transfer, captain and subs correct please:
Mingolet
Verm Rafael Hangeland
Bale (c) Michu Santi Pienar
Tevez Bent (vc) FT:Adebayor to Ba
(Schwarzer, Maloney, Clyne, Gorkss)
Cheers
September 20 at 7:18 pm
theBoose13 says:
Is Defoe worth a punt? Or should I get in Podolski (already have Santi)????
Either way im getting rid of Adebayor and need your thoughts… I want some Tottenham cover in my team though.
Any other possibilities?