Scout Scribbles – Mario to the Rescue
Filed under: Scout Notes - Posted by: Paul
Mario Balotelli grabs a last-ditch spot-kick to earn City a point against Dortmund. Gervinho and Lukas Podolski are amongst the goals as Arsenal maintain their 100% record at the expense of Olympiakos. Elsewhere, Dimitar Berbatov hopes to be fit for Fulham this weekend, Emmanuel Adebayor could return for Spurs, Danny Simpson and Yohan Cabaye are back for Newcastle and West Brom remain hopeful on Liam Ridgewell and Gareth McAuley for this week’s clash against QPR:
Man City 1 Dortmund 1
Carlos Tevez was the only City forward not to feature last night ahead of Saturday lunchtime’s home clash with Sunderland. Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko both lasted the full 90 minutes against the German champions, while Mario Balotelli climbed off the bench to slot home a late penalty and earn a point for Roberto Mancini’s side. At the back, Joleon Lescott again missed out as Vincent Kompany was partnered by Matija Nastasic in the heart of defence, with Pablo Zabaleta and Gael Clichy the full-backs. Yaya Toure played in a deeper role alongside Javi Garcia, though the latter lasted just more than 30 minutes before limping off with a thigh problem. David Silva played the full 90 minutes and Samir Nasri was withdrawn before the hour mark to be replaced by Aleksandar Kolarov.
Arsenal 3 Olympiakos 1
Mikel Arteta recovered from an ankle knock to take his place in the starting line-up, with Francis Coquelin given the nod alongside the Spaniard in light of Abou Diaby’s absence. Laurent Koscielny was again preferred to Per Mertesacker as Thomas Vermaelen’s central defensive partner, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain started on the right and Gervinho again led the line. The Ivorian had a hand in the Gunners’ first two goals – he opened the scoring thanks to an Arteta assist before teeing up Lukas Podolski for the second. Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud were introduced as subs late on in the second-half, with the Frenchman setting up Ramsey to fire home the third.
In Other News
Dimitar Berbatov has given Fantasy managers reason for optimism ahead of Fulham’s trip to Southampton this weekend. The Bulgarian took to Facebook yesterday to reveal:
“I need to speed up the healing process of my injury, by increasing the amount of oxygen in the body’s tissues…So here i am, breathing pure oxygen.. let see if it’s going to help me…Hope to be ready for next game.”
Bearing in mind there is a two-week international break to follow, Berbatov would be expected to return in time for the Gameweek 8 home match with Villa anyway – clearly, the Cottagers must feel he has a chance for this Saturday if they’ve given the okay for his treatment. While it’s far from certain he’ll make it, it’s somewhat reassuring for Berbatov’s owners, with the vast majority likely to hold until Martin Jol’s Friday press conference for confirmation.
Alan Pardew is set to welcome back Danny Simpson and Yohan Cabaye to the Newcastle fold ahead of this evening’s Europa League clash with Bordeaux. Simpson has missed the last three league matches with a hamstring injury but has been named in the squad to face the French outfit, as has Cabaye – the midfielder has recovered from the mouth infection that forced him out of last weekend’s trip to Reading. While their inclusion is welcome news ahead of Sunday’s home clash with United, Pardew is still sweating on his first-choice central defensive pairing of Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini. The Argentine has missed the last three with a hamstring injury while Taylor was subbed off before the hour mark at the Madejski with a leg problem – James Perch and Mike Williamson may be set to square up to Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie if the pair don’t make it. With Tim Krul also omitted from this evening’s squad with an ongoing arm problem, many Fantasy managers will be a little more confident of handing Van Persie the captain’s armband once again this weekend.
West Brom assistant boss Kevin Keen revealed he is optimistic of a return to fitness for the club’s walking wounded this weekend. The Baggies are sweating on the fitness of defenders Liam Ridgewell, Gareth McAuley, Billy Jones and Steven Reid ahead of the visit of QPR, while Chris Brunt is also a doubt with a hamstring problem:
“We’re hoping that everyone might be available for Saturday but if not we’ve got the cushion of a couple of weeks for the international break…we’re hopeful we will have as many fit as possible, which would give the gaffer a bit of a problem team selection-wise.”
Having returned clean sheets and wins in each of their first three home games, Steve Clarke’s side have afforded us a strong source of mid-price options at the back this term. Ridgewell and McAuley, in particular, have picked up plenty of suitors, with their tendency to chip in with attacking points also furthering their appeal – while the former missed out at Villa last weekend with a calf problem, McAuley remained on the pitch after picking up a knock after Clarke had used all three substitutions in the derby draw. With three home games in the next four, the West Brom backline looks primed for investment, with Ben Foster and Jonas Olsson the obvious alternatives should the aforementioned pair fail to make it.
Emmanuel Adebayor has returned to training for Tottenham ahead of this weekend’s home clash with Aston Villa. The Togo international has yet to start for Spurs this season after a permanent transfer from City and while he will sit out this evening’s Europa League game with Panathinaikos, reports suggest he may be in line to play some part against Paul Lambert’s strugglers as the Londoners go looking for their fourth straight league win. With Jermain Defoe bagging four goals in the opening six Gameweeks, though, Adebayor may face a battle to initially claim a starting role but yesterday’s news suggests he could be finally on the road to step up and afford us another strong up-front alternative to consider this season.
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October 4 at 11:25 am
King Nil Miss ✩ says:
Saylor and Cuellar out
Vertoghen and Davies in (-4)?
Rest of defence is Ivanovic, Clyne and Gorkss.
October 4 at 11:28 am
ajay_kl - COME ON EUROPE!! says:
Nah, just do Ivan–>Vert after this GW or look at Gallas instead. Cant see it being worth a -4
October 4 at 11:31 am
King Nil Miss ✩ says:
I´m afraid that those 2 could bring a clean sheet and Gorkss and Clyne bring negative points… although the latter has a good chance of a CS too…
October 4 at 11:35 am
ajay_kl - COME ON EUROPE!! says:
Vert, yes. Davies, cant see it. I would like to think so, I have him too. But I am expecting a 2pter from Davies.
Saylor—>Gallas doesnt appeal to you?
October 4 at 11:40 am
King Nil Miss ✩ says:
The thing is I´m getting greedy for a defender that brings attacking returns… but I guess I would have to go with the most sensible choice that is Gallas. No price issues and no point hit right?
October 4 at 11:44 am
ajay_kl - COME ON EUROPE!! says:
If you want him desperately then stick out a week with defence you got and swap him for Ivan then. Chelsea fixtures start to suck and Cuellar and STaylor still remain good options if fit.
October 4 at 11:54 am
King Nil Miss ✩ says:
Thanks! I guess to stick with Cuellar and Saylor is the best choice atm…
October 4 at 11:56 am
King Nil Miss ✩ says:
And hoping they play of course.
October 4 at 11:28 am
JKisthe1 - Los Colchoneros 2 - The Revenge says:
AUTO SUBS DONE
October 4 at 11:30 am
Giggs Boson says:
Longest…gameweek…ever. And after all that, i lost a point.
October 4 at 11:33 am
King Nil Miss ✩ says:
Same here… lost Bego´s bonus and getting Gorkss´s miserable 1 point.. all in all same score…
October 4 at 11:28 am
marr(s) bar says:
RVP > Di Santo and Hazard > Cattermole
Yes or Yes?
October 4 at 11:32 am
Mr Draper says:
Hey guys would appreciate some feedback on this potential wc team fit next week
Beggo foster
Gibbs Hughes bramble clyne demel
Bale silva gerv barfa sterling
Berb rvp jelly
1.2 in the bank
How does it look then guys?
October 4 at 4:53 pm
Yank Revolution says:
Get a better defender(s) than Bramble and/or Clyne (heck, even Hughes isn’t that great). You have 1.2 in the bank to use! Otherwise, looking solid.
October 4 at 11:32 am
Zep - Where's that confounded bridge? says:
Ah you dirty bastards… you took away McClean’s 2 bonus…
Furious…
October 4 at 11:33 am
maltasi says:
Gervinho is a real dilema isn’t he…
If it was anybody else, a 7.4 midfield player up top for a Top 4 club and having already scored 5 times this season, we’d all be going mad to get him in!
But….
October 4 at 11:35 am
Brian says:
Rotation risk and non sustainable numbers. Not having many shots. Scoring with the ones he is having. Won’t last imo unless he starts getting more chances.
October 4 at 11:38 am
Crouch Potato says:
No buts for me, got him early this week for 7.3, will make a little profit, and play him whilst he keeps his position. I think he is a player that Wenger has a lot of time for, not convinced his place is under as much threat as people may think.
October 4 at 4:54 pm
Yank Revolution says:
Same here. No buts. Scoop him up. He’s in form (finally) and on a team that will score in bunches.
October 4 at 11:34 am
Di Canioooohhh says:
Long term, what pairing would you rather have folks?
1) Carroll and Gervinho
2) Suarez and Nolan
3) Berbatov and Mata
October 4 at 11:48 am
Cock Soccer says:
3
October 4 at 12:27 pm
!Bazinga! - Manager Valenciennes FC says:
2
Both are going to be on the pitch week in and week out and they will score some points.
October 4 at 11:34 am
Gullikgul says:
What do you think? Save the transfer or do I need to change anything?
Foster
Baines / Reid / Gibbs
Fellaini / Hazard / Michu / Sterling
RVP / Defoe / Jelavic
Subs Jaaskelainen / Hughes / Nolan / Cuellar
1 M in the bank
October 4 at 1:39 pm
RamaJama says:
Great team, but would have chosen Ba in for Defoe
October 4 at 4:55 pm
Yank Revolution says:
Is Reid still crocked?
October 4 at 11:35 am
Limpar says:
Calling all 25 – 35 point wonders from last week: Is anyone putting their incredibly low-scoring team straight back out there again sans any changes at all? (Like in Top Gun when they keep sending Maverick up even though he’s mad?)
I think I am…
October 4 at 11:37 am
Limpar says:
I’ll take this question to the new post…
October 4 at 11:35 am
Zizou says:
so WC almost complete, currently I have
begovic jussi
ivanovic baines demel davies nelson
fellani hazard mata michu bale
tevez ba fletcher
- defence isn’t great but 2 big hitters and i’ll play a cheapie with them every week
- hazard and mata only in due to norwich, will downgrade hazard to possibly silva next week
- also michu stays for his 2 home games then he’s gone
so
1) begovic or foster (is foster worth the extra 0.7m)
2) fletcher/lambert or berbatov (lambert allows me to upgrade tevez to aguero)
3)any other major flaws
thanks
October 4 at 12:21 pm
Eddie says:
1) Foster rotates well with Begovic, so I’d lose Jask for him, that way you get to play Demel without doubling up.
2) I like a lot, though maybe see how michu perfoms and possibly downgrade him to help raise funds for Aguero/RVP. I think I’ll be losing tevez and just getting silva for city coverage.
3)Berb for me.
October 4 at 1:46 pm
RamaJama says:
Impressive team!
Would upgrade from Mancinis bad boy tevez to Mancinis favourite aguero. And begovic as he plays at home when jussi away.
October 4 at 11:36 am
GreenWindmill says:
NEW POST
http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....-6-update/
October 4 at 11:36 am
sniperone7 says:
I took a -4 hit for getting rid of Tevez for Defoe and HBA for Bale(C), whats your thoughts.
October 4 at 11:41 am
rohitk says:
Guys what do you think of a Rooney > RVP and Aguero > Tevez swap for a 4 point hit? I was thinking that Rooney will be back for pens?
October 4 at 11:43 am
JKisthe1 - Los Colchoneros 2 - The Revenge says:
New ML leader has texted me to say he has played his WC. This just gets better
October 4 at 11:48 am
Snowman says:
I smell some good old conspiracy here.
We see picture of Berba going high on oxygen and writing “hoping it works and I’ll be fine for next game”.
And this makes fpl towers to take off red flag? Oh c’mon.
Yes I could have lived my life without losing 0.3 on him this week + everyone who was sensible enough to sell him last week, get him back in maybe even cheaper than before.
Fantasy football makes me a bitter old man.
October 4 at 1:02 pm
RamaJama says:
Have many potential captains on my team, but still a headache and need some advice:
Aguero – could be rotated and seems to be placed behind as a midfielder in the team news.
Michu – potential and promising fixtures, but had a blank the 3 last matces
Hazard – same as michu, and seems to be overshadowed by mata at the moment
Fellaini – good every second match
Rvp – always get extra points, but could be rotated and plays away against in form Newcastle
Ba – plays against united
Any favourites for Captain/wise captain?
October 5 at 8:29 pm
shan says:
Please rate My team using WC
Please rate and suggest
Schwarzer McCarthy
Nelsen Ivanovic Cole A Barnet Davis
Barnett Mata Bale Gervinho Rubson-Kanu Silva
Aguero Jelavic Ba
Looking for Nolan/ramirez/fletcher/Hba
Please help