Scout Scribbles – Robin to the Rescue
Filed under: Scout Notes - Posted by: Paul
Robin Van Persie comes off the bench to help fire United to victory at Braga. Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez also find the net as the visitors qualify as Group H winners with two games to spare. Defending champions Chelsea grab a last-gasp win over Shakhtar, with Fernando Torres, Oscar and Victor Moses all amongst the goals for the Blues…
Chelsea 3 Shakhtar 2
Juan Mata’s Fantasy owners were delighted to see the playmaker recover from a brief hamstring problem to take his place in the first XI, while David Luiz also returned from injury to start alongside Gary Cahill in the heart of defence, with John Terry kept on the bench. Elsewhere at the back, a hamstring injury to Ashley Cole afforded Ryan Bertrand a chance to start at left-back. Fernando Torres and Oscar (with his fourth goal of the European campaign) grabbed the first-half goals before substitute Victor Moses headed home a late, late winner from a Mata corner for the defending champions.
Post-match, Di Matteo indicated that there was still concerns on Terry’s match fitness, although we can surely presume that he’ll return for the clash with Liverpool at the weekend. It remains to be seen who makes way in central defence.
“JT is a fantastic player and has many qualities and I am very happy that he is back available, but considering in the last four weeks he has had one competitive game I thought we needed players that were 100 per cent match fit for a game like this. But we will certainly need him.”
Chelsea Starting XI: Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Bertrand, Mikel, Ramires, Mata, Oscar (Moses 80), Hazard, Torres (Sturridge 90)
Braga 1 United 3
Robin Van Persie, Rafael and Rio Ferdinand all dropped to the bench but the trio were called upon with the visitors starting defeat in the face. Van Persie notched the equaliser but still seems to be behind Wayne Rooney on penalty duties; the latter stepped up to fire home United’s second from the spot, despite his miss against Arsenal on Saturday. Javier Hernandez kept up his recent good form by firing home the third – the win not only maintains the Red Devils’ 100% record but also ensures they finish top of Group H, affording Sir Alex Ferguson a chance to rest and rotate over the remaining two matches. The game also saw Chris Smalling make his first appearance of the season after a long-term toe problem, while Antonio Valencia was fielded at right-back, though Rafael’s second-half arrival at the expense of Nani saw the former Wigan man move back to the wing.
United did suffer a couple of knocks, however, with Jonny Evans forced off on 58 minutes and Nani also suffering from a setback. Assistant boss, Mike Phelan, brought us this post-match…
“Jonny felt his groin a little bit – I think it probably happened during the penalty incident. As a precaution we took him off quickly. With Nani I think it was probably just a lack of games and his hamstring started to tighten up, so we weren’t taking any chances with that.”
United Starting XI: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Evans (Ferdinand 58), Evra, Nani (Rafael 73), Anderson, Giggs, Welbeck (Van Persie 64), Rooney, Hernandez
In Other News
Moussa Dembele could be set to return in time for Tottenham’s north London derby with Arsenal in Gameweek 12, according to Andre Villas-Boas. The Spurs boss revealed the club have decided against an operation on the Belgian’s hip problem with Dembele instead handed a course of physiotherapy in an attempt to alleviate the problem:
“We could either give him surgery immediately, but there is no certainty it will cure the problem, or he could rest, have manual therapy, train in the swimming pool. That allows the player the possibility of return within 10-15 days, so we are taking that option at the moment, without having the surgery.”
The former Fulham man’s loss has been a significant blow for Villas-Boas of late. Spurs have won all four of the league matches he has started, while Dembele’s debut saw him climb off the bench to grab a goal and earn a point against Norwich. They have picked up just three points from the subsequent three league games – a narrow win at Southampton – and with Sandro also a doubt for Sunday’s trip to City with a calf problem, Villas-Boas doesn’t have his problems to seek in central midfield right now.
Glen Johnson has returned to training ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Chelsea on Sunday. Johnson had started the first eight Gameweek for Brendan Rodgers before sustaining the injury in a recent Europa League game with Anzhi – mainly used at left-back this term, his absence has allowed Jose Enrique a chance in the last couple of matches but with youngster Andre Wisdom impressing on the right, Rodgers faces a dilemma should Johnson be passed fit to face his former club. The Liverpool boss has taken no chances with this week’s Europa League squad, though – the likes of Luis Suarez, Steven Gerrard, Jose Reina, Joe Allen, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger and Raheem Sterling have all been omitted for the return trip in Moscow.
Danny Simpson has added to Alan Pardew’s defensive woes ahead of Newcastle’s home match with West Ham after the right-back was ruled out of this evening’s Europa League game with Brugge due to a shoulder problem. Pardew’s options are already limited – he has Fabricio Coloccini suspended for the next three league games and with James Perch also likely to miss out, Vernun Anita could be set to cover at right-back once again. Alternatively, Anita could cover for the suspended Cheick Tiote in midfield, with Davide Santon moving to right-back and Shane Ferguson handed a chance at left-back against the Hammers. Pardew received some good news on the injury front yesterday, after Yohan Cabaye was included in tonight’s squad – the Frenchman looks to have shrugged off the hamstring problem that forced him off at Liverpool on Sunday. Reports also suggest Demba Ba still has a chance of returning in time to face his former club.
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November 8 at 11:51 am
Carlton Palmer's Eyes says:
Bale & Gallas —-> Rafael & Valencia for a 4point hit?????
November 8 at 11:52 am
Nick says:
No, just do one of then if you have to.
November 8 at 11:52 am
Carlton Palmer's Eyes says:
Would rather do Rafael but don’t have the dollar bills.
November 8 at 11:52 am
Carlton Palmer's Eyes says:
Fed up of having Gallas and wouldn’t mind Valencia as a differential to rivals in my leagues.
November 8 at 11:59 am
ILOVEBAPS says:
What about Walcott instead?
November 8 at 11:51 am
Steel Arm - Berba "Unstoppable, Unforgettable... Irreplaceable." says:
team linked….
planning to do Ivanovic to Rafael for free…
*trying to collect some cash to afford RVP in a near future
Do it?
November 8 at 12:03 pm
ILOVEBAPS says:
Yes do it! Dear God do it.
Three red arrows tells the story.
November 8 at 11:52 am
Fratboy says:
I would love it if price rises and falls were live. Players dropping and rising at any point rather than 3am would make things very interesting.
November 8 at 11:53 am
King Nil Miss ✩ says:
The stock market is a fun one!
November 8 at 11:55 am
Berbilly Gilmore - Betis for La Liga 2013 says:
That would be absolutely bonkers!
November 8 at 12:01 pm
Fratboy says:
would make it more of a game I reckon.
November 8 at 12:03 pm
Berbilly Gilmore - Betis for La Liga 2013 says:
Yeah, things would get very interesting.
November 8 at 11:52 am
Nitin Nagaraja says:
@chrislepkowski
Ben Foster has gone to overseas’ sports clinic to determine extent of groin injury. Major doubt for Sat, maybe beyond. Story to follow #wba
November 8 at 11:53 am
Berbilly Gilmore - Betis for La Liga 2013 says:
Oh dear!
November 8 at 11:53 am
Nitin Nagaraja says:
http://www.birminghammail.co.u.....ben-294814
November 8 at 11:54 am
GreenWindmill says:
November 8 at 11:54 am
Chris_White says:
Mignolet time
November 8 at 11:55 am
Binij says:
wasn’t playing him anyway this week and he presents good transfer value so it’s not the worse thing i guess
November 8 at 11:55 am
pilgrim says:
makes my idea of getting rid for cheapie for extra funds for midfield less rediculeous.
November 8 at 11:56 am
ChristIna says:
Noooo! Please Nooooo!
November 8 at 11:56 am
Scroobius Mac says:
That BAP was his way of saying goodbye to you lot then I guess.
November 8 at 11:57 am
Doosra - "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes" - A Noble Twain Quote says:
Schadenfreude?
November 8 at 11:56 am
Doosra - "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes" - A Noble Twain Quote says:
FECK!
November 8 at 11:59 am
GreenWindmill says:
Looks like it could be Begovic for the next 4 games then unless he recovers for next week. Could be worse.
November 8 at 11:59 am
Daniel_tsl says:
Good news for me, bad news for WBA
November 8 at 12:00 pm
Fratboy says:
lol and the hit is paying off again and again!
November 8 at 12:11 pm
Natster | The Shuffling says:
Perfectly Fit my plan to downgrade him.. A bit too soon though.
November 8 at 11:54 am
lfcserg says:
I cant login to fpl when i attempt to login it redirects me to this plain text version of the login screen where all the links are listed on the left and the background is plain white.
November 8 at 11:55 am
pilgrim says:
scroll down
November 8 at 11:56 am
Steel Arm - Berba "Unstoppable, Unforgettable... Irreplaceable." says:
when you scroll down….. tadah!!!
November 8 at 11:59 am
lfcserg says:
-.- u fkn kidding me, it tells me that my password is incorrect and yet i can access to my fpl.
November 8 at 11:57 am
King Nil Miss ✩ says:
Use that little wheel on your cpu mouse!
November 8 at 3:28 pm
Shaps says:
Are you using chrome? do ctrl shit delete and tick the clear cache box then close down chrome and reopen
November 8 at 11:55 am
bal4tom; Schalke FC Gaffer, Bundesliga Heavyweight. says:
Need a rotation buddy for Raheem Sterling so, I ask you all, Maloney or Mcanuff?
November 8 at 11:57 am
Podge says:
Maloney
November 8 at 11:59 am
Steel Arm - Berba "Unstoppable, Unforgettable... Irreplaceable." says:
maloney def
November 8 at 12:00 pm
bal4tom; Schalke FC Gaffer, Bundesliga Heavyweight. says:
Cheers guys, Maloney was my first instinct.
November 8 at 12:01 pm
Fratboy says:
Maloney
November 8 at 5:53 pm
GREENDREAMS11 says:
Just looking at bringing in Maloney and Koney for a few weeks. Wigan have 4 homes in the next 6 and have West Brom, Reading and QPR to play with. Ive kinda liked the look of Kone, looks a threat the times I’ve watched Wigan this year. Also helps me squeeze in RVP for Uniteds nice run
November 8 at 11:55 am
floydy_floyd says:
Play Davies or Ridgewell?
November 8 at 11:58 am
Chris_White says:
Ridge
November 8 at 11:56 am
zdawg says:
Team this week, I took a hit to get in RVP..
Begovic
Baines Ridgewell Cameron (Nelsen, Hughes)
Carzola Bale Maloney Michu ( Sterling)
Ba, RVP, Tevez
1.0 in the bank, probs Michu>Fellaini soon or get Sagna in for Ridgewell
November 8 at 12:10 pm
ILOVEBAPS says:
I’d do Hughes to Sag myself. Fulham are not the defensive powerhouse they once were. Or were close to being last term.
November 8 at 11:56 am
Bwana says:
Guys, who do you think is the best 4.5 or less bench fodder midfielder? Need to get Guthrie out & am currently thinking Mikel or Leitgerwood (sp?!)
Thanks
November 8 at 11:56 am
Count Of Monte Hristo - Heisenberg 1 Gus Fring 0 says:
The last two times we reached the CL knockout stages in 2006/07 and 2007/08 we finished ahead of Benfica on 9 points to their 7. Could be a similar scenario this time round.
Milan beat us 1-0 on aggregate after ET in 2006/07 and Barca beat us 4-2 on aggregate in 2007/08. Would be such an achievement to get to the last 16 this time given the plight of our league domestically. Not easy bridging the gap between the SPL and a Barca side playing in the Liga BBVA.
If you hear any noise, it’s just me and the Bhoys!
November 8 at 11:59 am
Doosra - "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes" - A Noble Twain Quote says:
You won’t mind if I don’t hold my breath?
November 8 at 12:06 pm
Count Of Monte Hristo - Heisenberg 1 Gus Fring 0 says:
If you can hold your breath longer than 2 minutes i’m impressed. I think we’ll finished 2nd in the group. Benfica have to go to the Nou Camp in the last game remember.
November 8 at 11:59 am
Chris_White says:
Fantastic achievement last night, I had to download the game afterwards. Fraser Forster is a beast!
November 8 at 12:06 pm
Count Of Monte Hristo - Heisenberg 1 Gus Fring 0 says:
Great keeper mate. In Fifa and real life
November 8 at 11:57 am
seanie3 says:
Begovic (jussi)
Baines, Rafael, Shawcross (McCartney, wilson)
Mata, Bale, Santi, Pienaar (Sterling)
Tevez, Berb, Ba
Have 2 FT’s and 1.7m, want to bring in RVP but not sure who for Ba or Tevez? Ba has great fixtures but his injury concerns me,
a) Shawcross, Bale, Ba -> Gorkss, Fellani, RVP (4 point hit)
b) Bale, Tevez -> Fellani, RVP (no hit)
c) Bale, Tevez -> Michu, RVP (no hit)
November 8 at 12:01 pm
Amandla says:
A – You lose 3 good players
B – You gain a suspension tightrope
C – You gain a suspension tightrope.
All in the name of RVP
November 8 at 11:58 am
GreennRed says:
Liverpool not prolific scorers yet unfortunately, Terry back for Chelsea, good shout for a clean sheet. Ivanovic always a goal threat. Gonna captain him.
November 8 at 11:59 am
Chris_White says:
Good luck, we will concede
November 8 at 12:01 pm
GreennRed says:
Cheers. Having shit luck with captains so can’t get much worse.
November 8 at 12:03 pm
Steel Arm - Berba "Unstoppable, Unforgettable... Irreplaceable." says:
+1 here
November 8 at 12:00 pm
Steel Arm - Berba "Unstoppable, Unforgettable... Irreplaceable." says:
thinking of getting Raf in for Ivanovic here….
November 8 at 12:03 pm
Count Of Monte Hristo - Heisenberg 1 Gus Fring 0 says:
I was considering that move but holding off for a week or two.
Ivanovic (h) to Liverpool is slightly better than Rafael @ Villa imo
Ivanovic @ WBA and Rafael @ Norwich is a close call but the Foster injury news might benefit Chelsea.
Then Rafael (h) to QPR is probably when I get him in depending on the form of Ivan.
November 8 at 12:09 pm
Steel Arm - Berba "Unstoppable, Unforgettable... Irreplaceable." says:
Rafael at villa sound better nuh?
November 8 at 12:00 pm
Count Of Monte Hristo - Heisenberg 1 Gus Fring 0 says:
I like it. Got Ivanovic myself. He could do very well this week.
November 8 at 12:02 pm
bal4tom; Schalke FC Gaffer, Bundesliga Heavyweight. says:
‘Pool always do well at Chelsea. I’d expect to see some goals.
November 8 at 11:58 am
Count Of Monte Hristo - Heisenberg 1 Gus Fring 0 says:
Luke Daniels @ £4m….
November 8 at 12:00 pm
ChristIna says:
Yeah, I’m not passing on WEST/NOR/qpr/manu/FUL
November 8 at 12:01 pm
Doosra - "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes" - A Noble Twain Quote says:
?
November 8 at 12:01 pm
Doosra - "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes" - A Noble Twain Quote says:
Ah.
November 8 at 11:59 am
ChristIna says:
Soooo with the Foster news…..(Cue”What Foster news” posts…)
Daniels 4m, 0.3% ownership anyone?(Assuming Myhill is still inj)
November 8 at 12:00 pm
Chris_White says:
Mignolet for me, but then I don’t have Cuellar.
November 8 at 12:01 pm
Steel Arm - Berba "Unstoppable, Unforgettable... Irreplaceable." says:
sounds nice…. especially with friedel as my 2nd keeper….
November 8 at 12:02 pm
Daniel_tsl says:
What Foster news???
November 8 at 12:04 pm
Aatish says:
NEW POST http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....nt-4278200
November 8 at 12:06 pm
TOSH says:
need some advice on this team:
Bego(Ruddy)
Baines,Rafael,Riise(Kolarov,Fonte)
Santi,HBA,Michu,Mata(Sterling)
Ba,Suarez,Defoe
2FT;1m in the bank.
is HBA->Valencia a yay or a nay?please advise
November 8 at 12:35 pm
Last Resort... says:
I would make a similar transfer. Although, I might swap out a striker too.
November 8 at 1:16 pm
TOSH says:
cheers,but which striker would you swap out and for who?
November 8 at 12:07 pm
lfcserg says:
any news on gibbs and demel?
November 8 at 12:09 pm
lfcserg says:
Have I picked the right starting XI, im contemplating whether to include davies but who should i take out
Begovic
Ivanovic – Rafael – Gibbs
Bale – Mata – Michu – McAnuff
RVP – Suarez – Holt
Foster 1- Davies 2 – Sterling 3 – Demel
November 8 at 8:04 pm
crockel says:
What’s holt doing in ur team?
November 8 at 12:12 pm
adp1113 says:
Begovic
Baines – Simpson – Rafael
are my defenders for next week.
Would you make a transfer to take out Simpson or save it? subs are (Nelsen, Cuellar)
November 8 at 12:40 pm
Killitzer says:
Afternoon all
Last week it all went wrong but at least I didn’t bring in Rooney and Nelson for a hit. Am now sitting on 2FT and a headache.
Any thoughts on this team:
Bego, Jussi
Riise, Ivanovich, Mertersacker, Caulker
Bale, Carloza, Michu, Sterling, Mata
Ba, Defoe, Tevez
After Tottenham’s woeful performance last week am temped to go Bale and Defoe for Suarez and Fellaini as I can’t get RVP unless i go for 3 changes.
Help!
November 8 at 12:59 pm
JedJez says:
Providing there’s no price rises this week I’m thinking:
Tevez > Rooney
And
Ivan > Clichy
For a -4. This would give me RVP, Roon and Berb upfront…. Thoughts?
November 8 at 1:14 pm
MeGod3 says:
Team this week, wc used.
Begovic (Mccarthy)
Rafael, Baines, Cameron (Cuellar, Gorkss)
Mata, Michu, Pablo Hernandez, Maloney (Sterling)
Suarez, Ba, RVP
How does the team look? Possibly looking at rafael > sagna so that I can get fellaini in for p. hernandez.
Please advise
November 8 at 1:15 pm
rvp786 says:
midfield looks light. bring in felliani but i would downgrade suarez to balance the team
November 8 at 1:26 pm
MeGod3 says:
cheers. brought fellaini in for maloney, downgraded suarez to berba
November 8 at 1:40 pm
MJonno_79 says:
I’m considering Yaya > Fellani to get a bit of differntial in my mini league.
What do you think ?
The rest of my squad is as follows.
Mignolet, Federici
Demel, Lowton, Caulker Ridgewell Jenkinson
Santi Cazorla Mata Cleverley Lallana Fellaini
Van Persie Tevez Defoe