The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 8
Filed under: The Preamble - Posted by: Mark
Welcome back. It may only have been a fortnight but I have missed our little Saturday promenade, papers tucked snugly under the arm.
It’s fortunate then, that on this occasion, we appear to be able to choose a leisurely route – take in some of the team news tidbits served up by the morning rags and settle ourselves in for the action. For once, there’s little to furrow the brow; we’re expecting good behavior from Messrs Mancini and Ferguson.
That’s not to say that the City and United lineups aren’t of interest. Typically, today’s press is at loggerheads on the teamsheets from both clubs.
The news that Ashley Young is fit and back to compete for a starting role appears to have lit a fuse that has seen the media scramble to crowbar the former Villa man into their lineups. We’re seeing Young in no less than five of our six predicted starting XI’s this morning – with a variety of names making way.
Shinji Kagawa makes way in both The Sun and The Guardian, while the Japanese playmaker shifts to a central role to accommodate Young’s start in the Telegraph. Over at the normally reliable Independent, meanwhile, they opt for Young over Valencia – presumably worried by the Ecuadorian’s international travels.
By far the most alarming and surprising conclusion on Young’s return, however, can be found in The Mail – providing us with a clear winner of the “Do They Know Something We Don’t” award. They claim today’s trinket by suggesting that Wayne Rooney will miss out against Stoke, with Young and Valencia either side of Robin Van Persie, who is backed by Kagawa from deep. That would definitely be cat and pigeons time.
Mancini’s teamsheet appears to be easier to predict. Surprisingly, every source this morning opts to start Sergio Aguero up with Carlos Tevez, with the variation coming in midfield and at the back. It appears that a Samir Nasri/James Milner combination is the preferred option for the flank roles in the majority of the press, although The Mail and The Guardian give a start to Scott Sinclair at the Hawthorns.
Those who have invested in Aleks Kolarov, meanwhile, face a nervy wait for the teamsheet with just The Mail and The Times tipping a start for the Serbian. Pablo Zabaleta is rested in three of our papers this morning, with Micah Richards getting the nod in The Sun, The Mail and The Guardian. I’d back that particular theory – three games in seven days with flights and Ajax to round things off looks too much for the Argentine.
West Ham’s budget defenders are strongly backed to take their place against Southampton at Upton Park – only the Sun doubt that Guy Demel will start against the Saints, with James Spence given the nod at right-back. While The Mail is the only source feeling pessimistic about Winston Reid’s chances – they go for James Tomkins alongside James Collins for the Hammers.
Marouane Fellaini’s injury has caused discord amongst the press, with all kinds of configurations suggested as a solution. The option to push Johnny Heitinga into midfield, allowing Leon Osman to settle in behind Nikaca Jelavic is one we’ve backed and reinforced with last night’s Differentials. However, The Sun present another viable option, with Victor Anichebe adding his physical presence to the Toffees forward line in a straight swap. They might just be on to something.
The Telegrpah look to have the strongest solution, though. They just get Fellaini out on the pitch, regardless of his injury. They obviously feel that a giant immobile Belgian will run riot at Loftus Road. Then again, they believe that Clint Hill will start for QPR, so they might have a point.
It’s been an uneventful morning saunter, then, with plenty of reassure us that the weekend ahead will bring good things. There’s apparently every confidence that Robin Van Persie starts, few surprises in Mancini’s lineup, and Roberto Di Matteo looks set to stick to the script at the Lane. No pressure, but if we fail miserably this weekend, it looks like we’ll only have ourselves to blame.
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“Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.”
Mark
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think i'll be doing that next season top 2 in cpt poll should be great candidates no more crazy punts like cisse… » -
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, problem is that is not my nature.,,,,,,,,, Yes , most people beat themselves , it hard to keep a… » -
:-D awesome advice » -
I have my doubts.. » -
oh yeah i remember , can't belive i got rid of suarez for sturridge that was one of my worst calls of the season as… »
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This is interesting. If you go to see, thats where the majority of the top 10 killed it though. Catching the odd Bale/… »
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:lol: » -
I'm going to insist on you listening to your gut next season. And also, another thing i noticed. I mean its not in my… »
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chill christina , i am here to be chilled and helpfull as possible i am not here to make fun of your fantasy season… »
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agreed. it's a bit like gambling. you've gotta know when to stop because your $10,000 in winnings much more easily turns… »
“We have dynamic players with good movement, so if he can link with them fine. He can play a bit higher because his timing getting into the box is very good.”
Rafa Benitez talks up the role that Frank Lampard can play in his Chelsea revolution
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October 20 at 12:32 pm
Home Run Baker - Go Cardinals! says:
Top gay 11? Next bandwagon?
October 20 at 12:31 pm
Stern John Terry Wilson Palacios says:
October 20 at 12:32 pm
TA18 says:
next banwagon Oscar
October 20 at 12:36 pm
Steel Arm - Berba "Unstoppable, Unforgettable... Irreplaceable." says:
he’s gay?
October 20 at 12:36 pm
Steel Arm - Berba "Unstoppable, Unforgettable... Irreplaceable." says:
October 20 at 12:33 pm
Somalion - The Deadline day has robbed us of the greatest player to ever grace the EPL. Nicklas Bendtner, you will be missed. says:
Sky Sports still maintaining that Bale is out. So is AVB. So that’s that, welcome to the team Kanckanackikackinalickalic!
October 20 at 12:31 pm
bobby_bookah says:
+1 go Kaca
October 20 at 12:36 pm
emperikal says:
Go Ramirez! Oh ya.. he’s injured. McAuley it is then.
October 20 at 12:33 pm
Cool J says:
Forza is Dinamo Z worth a bet this week?
October 20 at 12:33 pm
Bsal says:
will clark start for aston villa?
October 20 at 12:33 pm
Kanus hat trick says:
Let’s just give Chelsea the title now FFS. RDM lucky manager? Certainly seems so!
October 20 at 12:37 pm
Home Run Baker - Go Cardinals! says:
Probably should play out the season ….
October 20 at 12:34 pm
benzieyeah says:
Don’t suppose any bookmarked my comment last night about Bale being a doubt for the game for “personal reasons”?
October 20 at 12:34 pm
Nitin Nagaraja says:
New post – http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....ameweek-8/
October 20 at 12:34 pm
Impressive Tackle says:
Silva, Bale and Ramirez in WC last week.
No luck this season at all.
October 20 at 12:34 pm
Wild Rover says:
H2H this week IT..
October 20 at 12:37 pm
Lateriser12 - Giroud will have to wait, Christmas has come early. says:
Ouch.
Bale out only for a this game though mate. Behave. like your grav
October 20 at 12:35 pm
benzieyeah says:
and Silva possibly back next week too
October 20 at 12:37 pm
Impressive Tackle says:
Ta very much, it’s the Punisher’s symbol.
Yep but going with Silva and Bale as my midfield heavies has not gone to plan at all.
October 20 at 12:35 pm
Nitin Nagaraja says:
New post guys!
http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....ameweek-8/
October 20 at 12:35 pm
Rafabio says:
JT strikes again…
October 20 at 12:35 pm
dinsdale43 says:
Anyone else noticed that Carlito’s wife is looking a bit on the podgy side lately?
Just sayiin’…
October 20 at 12:33 pm
EpicFAIL - AVFC <3 says:
Nope, can’t say I’ve been keeping tabs on her.
October 20 at 12:35 pm
Brutus619 says:
Bale isn’t going to play!? That’s my optimism down the toilet, just hope Maloney has one of his better days (or the best day of his life to compete with Bale).
October 20 at 12:32 pm
dinsdale43 says:
+20
October 20 at 12:37 pm
Brutus619 says:
Seriously, couldn’t he just play and score a hat trick to celebrate? Just stick a TV in the delivery room so he’s there in spirit.
October 20 at 12:36 pm
Impressive Tackle says:
must stay composed
must stay composed
must stay composed
ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHH FUUUUUUUUUUUU*(&(*^*&%*^$£*&”%*^£*&^”*&^£&*(CKKKKK THIS!
October 20 at 12:36 pm
Qubitov says:
Thanks for the Bale Tweet. lol
October 20 at 12:36 pm
EL BERBOSSA says:
Hows this Line up looking:
——–Bego(McCarthy)——–
Baines-Vertonghen-Wilson(Nelsen,Davies)
HBA-Pienaar-Cazorla-Bale(Sterling)
Tevez-RVP-Berbatov
October 20 at 12:37 pm
Bemba Da says:
Jose Fonte recently stated in an interview:
“My wife is pregnant, so that one was for my baby.”
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/foo.....legation-/
October 20 at 12:38 pm
Locarno says:
No Dembele, no Bale. This will test AVB’s management skills. If he’s got any.
October 20 at 12:38 pm
Sporting ABG says:
Dear Gareth,
When knocking up your missus, please ensure that the child will be born sometime between May and August. Any other time is just inconvenient for FPL.
Dear Raheem,
Considering you’ve already got 72 children, please play your little socks off this afternoon. Do it for them and do it for me.
Yours Fatherly,
Sporting.
October 20 at 12:38 pm
Nitin Nagaraja says:
Repost on the new post.
October 20 at 12:38 pm
Waldaz says:
72 and not a game missed, that’s proper planning.
October 20 at 12:39 pm
Alls well that Rodwell says:
Word.
October 20 at 12:40 pm
fridge says:
I know its a bit early to be asking, but I’ve got over excited due to the sh!t international break
For next week(s)
RVP & Michu > Aguero & Silva?
Would get RVP back in after about 2 weeks
October 20 at 12:48 pm
Dufflinks says:
Silva’s potentially still injured and double City is arguably overkill. I would rather have the first two tbh.