Scout Scribbles – Swans Soar at the Bridge
Filed under: Scout Notes - Posted by: Paul
Two blunders by Branislav Ivanovic allow Swansea to take a two-goal advantage in the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final, with Michu and Danny Graham grabbing the goals for Michael Laudrup’s side. Elsewhere, Emmanuel Adebayor is set to appear for Togo in this month’s African Cup of Nations, Sunderland snap up the versatile Alfred N’Diaye, Fabio Borini edges towards a return from injury for Liverpool, while Romelu Lukaku will remain on loan at West Brom for the remainder of the season…
Chelsea 0 Swansea 2
Chelsea’s home cup loss to Swansea last night will hardly fill Fantasy managers with confidence ahead of the Blues’ upcoming double Gameweek. Rafa Benitez made a couple of changes from the side that hammered Southampton, with Oscar and Fernando Torres coming in for Victor Moses and Demba Ba. While the Blues have scored in every away fixture under their new manager, their home form has been hugely erratic – although they have hit Villa for eight and put six past FC Nordsjælland, they have failed to score in their other four home games under Benitez at the Bridge.
Although the weekend trip to Stoke looks tricky, many will still be determined to invest in the Blues in spite of their lack of home consistency – that 5-1 win over the Saints will still inspire confidence. It’s impossible to second-guess Benitez’s rotational whims – his decision to bench Juan Mata and Eden Hazard against QPR attests to that – though his decision to hand Ba just 10 minutes last night is likely to lead to increased interest in the former Newcastle man ahead of Saturday’s trip to the Britannia. At the back, Ivanovic’s pair of mistakes may persuade Benitez to fast-track John Terry back into the first-team if his skipper comes through an U21 match later today. Benitez was quick to defend Ivanovic in his post-match analysis, however…
“I can see any player making mistakes. It’s not a big issue. Ivanovic was trying to do his best and the team was creating chances. It’s something that can happen, and the main thing is we have to carry on and try again.”
For Swansea, Michael Laudrup made five changes from the side that drew with Arsenal last Sunday – a clear sign of his need to rotate right now as the games continue to come at a frantic pace for the Welsh club. Having climbed off the bench to notch against the Gunners, Michu returned to the first XI and his incredible scoring streak showed no sign of abating, with yet another clinical finish capitalising on an Ivanovic error. Graham was also a beneficiary of the Serbian’s sloppy defending late on – his strike was his fourth in as many games, though reports continue to gather over a move away from the Liberty for the former Watford man, with Sunderland the latest club linked with a move for his services.
Sunderland made their first foray into the winter transfer market yesterday by snapping up 22-year-old Alfred N’Diaye from Turkish club Bursaspor for a fee believed to be in the region of €4.7m. Speaking to the club’s official website upon completion of the deal, Martin O’Neill revealed just what type of player he has acquired:
“Alfred is a strong, powerful young player and as such can offer us more strength in depth. He will give us options and I’m delighted that we have been able to bring him to the club.”
The Black Cats are hoping the French youth international can receive international clearance in time for the weekend home clash against West Ham, with his versatility affording them options in both defence and central midfield. N’Diaye has mainly been utilised as a ball-winning central midfielder and could cover for the injured Lee Cattermole, affording O’Neill the option of shifting Seb Larsson to the flank, though he is also capable of filling in at centre-half – equally crucial, given the fact that Carlos Cuellar limped out of the weekend FA Cup draw at Bolton with a hamstring problem and could be a doubt for the weekend.
Spurs confirmed yesterday that Emmanuel Adebayor is set to jet off to this month’s African Cup of Nations with Togo. Uncertainty has surrounded the forward’s availability for a number of weeks – Adebayor quits the national side over security fears but has now decided on a last-minute change of heart. The forward is also quoted as revealing Andre Villas-Boas is somewhat unhappy over his reversal, despite the Spurs boss claiming he was relaxed over any possible departure:
“That is what he said to the press, but not what he said to me. There is a difference between what you say to the press and what you say in private.”
Adebayor has started the last eight league games when available, with only a three-match suspension for violent behaviour at former club Arsenal forcing him onto the sidelines. He was amongst the goals in the Gameweek 21 win over Reading and will also be available for this weekend’s trip to QPR before flying out to South Africa – Clint Dempsey staked a claim for his first-team inclusion last weekend with two goals and an assist in the 3-0 FA Cup win over Coventry and looks the most likely to get the nod as Adebayor’s replacement, with Villas-Boas set to shift tactics to a 4-2-3-1 in light of the forward’s departure.
Brendan Rodgers has revealed Fabio Borini is closing in on a return from injury for Liverpool. The Italian has been sidelined since Gameweek 5 with a foot injury and while his manager was reluctant to pencil in any potential comeback date, he clearly reckons Borini isn’t far away:
“Other clubs have the depth to bring people off the bench and make an impact. We have been unable to do that in the opening months of the season, which gives incredible credit to the players who have kept us going until now. We have Daniel (Sturridge) here now and will have Fabio fit soon and that will give us that spark. Hopefully over the years Fabio can develop into a top performer which I think he can be.”
In a sense, Borini’s return, added to Daniel Sturridge’s arrival, muddies the water slightly. A threadbare squad has afforded a consistency of selection amongst the Reds’ Fantasy assets, with the likes of Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez offering us guaranteed game time, unlike many other premium priced alternatives. Although neither of the pair are likely to come under the threat of rotation, Rodgers has already revealed he plans to alter Suarez’s role in light of Sturridge’s move to Merseyside, while Raheem Sterling’s game time may come under threat from Borini – Rodgers cited fatigue as a reason for dropping the teenage winger to the bench in a couple of festive fixtures and may utilise a little more rest and rotation as his squad options increase.
West Brom have revealed they will keep Romelu Lukaku on loan from Chelsea for the rest of the season after the Blues failed to activate a recall clause earlier this week. The deadline for a return to the Bridge passed on Monday and is welcome relief for Steve Clarke, who is still reeling from the news that Zoltan Gera has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. Despite being handed just seven starts so far, Lukaku is the Baggies top scorer this season with seven goals accrued and has found the net in five of his seven first XI appearances. With three starts in the last four, however, he is starting to edge ahead of Shane Long in the pecking order and with the Republic of Ireland international failing to notch since Gameweek 13 by comparison, Lukaku – at 6.4 in FPL – may well begin to appear on Fantasy radars if he maintains his first-team berth.
Reports have indicated that Southampton’s Jose Fonte is set for a spell on the sidelines ahead of their double Gameweek. The centre-half was stretchered off in last Saturday’s FA Cup defeat against Chelsea with a knee problem and is now expected to be out for around six weeks – a bitter blow for Nigel Adkins’ side, given that the 4.2 priced FPL defender has played every minute of the season so far for the Saints. Today’s news is likely to hand Jos Hooiveld (who comes in at 4.0) a chance to partner Maya Yoshida in the heart of the back-four for the upcoming clashes against Villa and Chelsea as Adkins attempts to steer his side away from the drop zone.
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paul
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“I understand you don't consider Dempsey a striker. He has developed into playing in different positions, but for me he is a pure striker. ”
Andre Villas-Boas reveals his views on Clint Dempsey's best position.
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January 10 at 1:06 pm
Home Run Baker says:
A: Bunn, Gibbs, Nastasic
B: Turnbull, Sagna, Zabaleta – with future transfer of GK needed
A and B identical price, leaving 0 in bank, so permutations are not possible.
Thanks
January 10 at 1:07 pm
ronh says:
B
January 10 at 1:08 pm
Doctor X says:
A with Clichy?
January 10 at 1:16 pm
Home Run Baker says:
Hmmm. Why Clichy over Nasty?
January 10 at 1:07 pm
Jebraca says:
Who to bench from this front 8?
Puncheon – Michu – Fellaini – Bale – Mata
RVP – Suarez – Ba
I am actually leaning to Fellaini or Puncheon despite the DGW!
January 10 at 1:08 pm
ronh says:
RVP
January 10 at 1:09 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
Fellaini, imo.
January 10 at 1:11 pm
Jebraca says:
Thanks, i will probably do, but you think that Puncheon will over score him despite the DGW? if SOU was playing home it would be easier to bench Fellaini but not sure about Punch returns in those 2 away games
January 10 at 1:09 pm
Katie says:
Michu.
Likely to be on our bench.
January 10 at 1:10 pm
iCon says:
January 10 at 1:11 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
You have been hiding under too many stone bridges …
January 10 at 1:15 pm
Katie says:
Back + ankle problems to nurse.
Plus Wembley final so close.
January 10 at 1:12 pm
HelloSidney says:
Puncheon, no question
January 10 at 1:12 pm
Back on the horse says:
Puncheon 2
January 10 at 1:12 pm
Rhysd007 says:
Suarez… away at Utd, liverpool may get 1
January 10 at 1:14 pm
Jebraca says:
This season, I’ve decided to do not bench any striker playing against Utd …it is working so far
January 10 at 1:08 pm
Connor's Calling says:
So i’ve given up on owning Ba.
So now down to:
Silva -> Bale or Hazard (got Mata)
January 10 at 1:14 pm
Steel Arm - Drogba "Unstoppable, Unforgettable... Irreplaceable." says:
did Silva to Bale earlier today….. feels gr8
January 10 at 1:18 pm
AvFcxJamie says:
Bale
January 10 at 1:21 pm
ILOVEBAPS says:
Bale!
January 10 at 1:08 pm
Scroobius Mac says:
Tancredi Palmeri @tancredipalmeri
Newcastle might lose Santon as his agent will meet in next hours Milan to discuss the transfer
Probably BS.
January 10 at 1:11 pm
Count Of Monte Hristo - "Corner the market, then raise the price. Simple economics" (Heisenberg, 2009) says:
Santon is average. But I guess so are Milan these days.
January 10 at 1:12 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
I wholly disagree. Santon has become an excellent player.
January 10 at 1:14 pm
Count Of Monte Hristo - "Corner the market, then raise the price. Simple economics" (Heisenberg, 2009) says:
Maybe i’m being a bit harsh. Just think he could do more going forward. He is certainly no Ryan Taylor.
January 10 at 1:15 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
No indeed. Would be the FIRST name on my team sheet …
January 10 at 1:08 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
Roscola?
January 10 at 1:08 pm
roscola says:
Hello, hello
January 10 at 1:09 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
Go back and have a look at your very funny letter …
January 10 at 1:10 pm
roscola says:
haha!! brilliant!
January 10 at 1:12 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
January 10 at 1:12 pm
roscola says:
It’s not my letter BTW. It’s from the link The Count was trying to share.
I wish I were that good a wordsmith
January 10 at 1:16 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
Well, it made me piss myself, for sure. Thanks!
January 10 at 1:18 pm
roscola says:
It is very good, isn’t it? I love the little touches like “Britain’s most respected sexist commentator”
January 10 at 1:20 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
Yep – a giggle a line!
January 10 at 1:08 pm
JKisthe1 - A Founder of Berbism says:
So that last scout tweet from Fergie suggests one thing
Evans is nailed on
January 10 at 1:10 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
I never doubted it.
January 10 at 1:19 pm
Home Run Baker says:
Hmm
Dyou prefer JEvans or a similarly-priced Citeh?
January 10 at 1:09 pm
Giggs Boson says:
*** Points per pound per game (Value) ***
In every game game they play for you, these players will return you this many points per pound:
Fellaini 0.838
Michu 0.772
Presently, Fellaini is the better value player.
Despite having a 0.5m lower price tag than Michu, Fellaini still has a higher PPG of 6.2, to Michu’s 6.1, hence why he is the better value.
January 10 at 1:10 pm
Lucky says:
I wish that was points per pound
January 10 at 1:11 pm
Giggs Boson says:
per million then
January 10 at 1:10 pm
ronh says:
Where is the rest of the players?!
January 10 at 1:11 pm
ronh says:
* are
January 10 at 1:11 pm
iCon says:
*are
January 10 at 1:13 pm
ronh says:
I knew some tit would say this, so I had to correct myself.
Why do you feel the need to do that?
January 10 at 1:15 pm
iCon says:
Same reason you did….
January 10 at 1:12 pm
Giggs Boson says:
That would take me a while to copy out all the players prices and PPGs. Maybe later, if you’re well behaved
January 10 at 1:10 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
Michu is a tad more consistent, I think.
January 10 at 1:13 pm
Giggs Boson says:
And he has played a few more games, so he has had longer to sustain the PPG. Still, a surprising result!
January 10 at 1:14 pm
Round and Round says:
Woohoo backs my thinking really. How does P.Hernandez compare to Michu?
January 10 at 1:16 pm
Giggs Boson says:
PPG 4.3. Points per million per game: 0.729. He is no Michu
January 10 at 1:18 pm
Round and Round says:
Very close! For me its either Fellaini + Hernandez or Michu + Joe Cole or someone similarly priced
January 10 at 1:17 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
He is crap. However, de Guzman …
January 10 at 1:15 pm
Santiagounreal says:
Yeah but how do I fit both of them into the Power 9?
January 10 at 1:17 pm
Giggs Boson says:
I can’t at the moment. That’s why i did this
January 10 at 1:18 pm
Santiagounreal says:
Should I wildcard to get the power 10?
January 10 at 1:22 pm
Giggs Boson says:
You’ve lost me
January 10 at 1:23 pm
Giggs Boson says:
*** Extra note: I used 7.9m as Michu’s price, not 8.2m
So Fellaini is actually miles better value!! 
January 10 at 1:10 pm
spectrum says:
Which 2 to partner Luiz? Zab, Gibbs, Davies, Demel.
January 10 at 1:18 pm
Katie says:
Zab + Demel
January 10 at 1:10 pm
jdogg says:
ba bale and cuelar/demel
or
defoe hazard and azpilicueta
hav mata aswell.x
January 10 at 1:12 pm
Round and Round says:
Alternative post dgw WC:
Begovic, Federici
Baines, Luiz, Zabaleta, Evans, Gibbs
Silva, Walcott, Hernandez, Cole, Puncheon
RVP, Tevez, Ruiz
Playing 5-2-3 or 5-3-2 most weeks
January 10 at 1:21 pm
AvFcxJamie says:
5 at the back :O I haven’t seen this before, could be risky as not many cleans sheets this year and also you wont have Bale Mata Michu Fellaini Suarez which would scare me
January 10 at 1:12 pm
wah1berg says:
anyone?
wc team
Turnbull, Begovic
Azpi, Huth, Gibbs, Davies, Demel
Walcott, Michu, Mata, Bale, Fellaini
RVP, Ba, Ruiz
which is better
a) Turnbull, Azpi, Huth
b) Turnbull, Evra, Naughton
c) Turnbull, J Evans, £5.5m
d) Sczezny, J Evans, £4.5m
e) de Gea, J Evans, £4.3m
January 10 at 1:15 pm
Round and Round says:
D long term. C for short term.
January 10 at 1:15 pm
athevroy says:
I am thinking, after yesterday’s performance that azpilicueta may play both games. With ivanovich having a shocker, could he be left out with only the cb spots being rotated with terry/Cahill/iva? Azpilicueta has no other competition at rb does he?
My team:
Bego/jaask
Gibbs/zabaleta/harte/Davies/demel
Michu/Fellaini/bale/Mata/puncheon
Rvp/ba/berbs
Thinking zabaleta -> aspilicueta
Berbatov -> dzeko/Giroud
Bale -> Gerrard/Walcott
Next week. Thoughts?
January 10 at 1:22 pm
phy5tij says:
I’m taking the Azpilicueta punt, I think he’s as safe as any other defender except cole, plus it’s an easy swap to Gibbs if it doesn’t pay off. I’d keep Zabaleta, he’s posed a big attacking threat in recent games
January 10 at 1:23 pm
spectrum says:
Ivanovic could quite easily be shifted to right back.
January 10 at 1:15 pm
Rhysd007 says:
Hi guys. Wildcarded this week:
Is it worth keeping Puncheon then transferring him next week for a hit –> Noble. Or just get in Noble this week and bench him (saving 4pts and playing Santi instead)
January 10 at 1:16 pm
Round and Round says:
Why are u bothered about getting Noble? Double or not he shouldn’t be someone you are looking to bring in. Fine to keep him if you have him but many better options around.
January 10 at 1:17 pm
Round and Round says:
Stretch for the extra to bring in Joe Cole this week to save the hits.
January 10 at 1:22 pm
Rhysd007 says:
over puncheon?
January 10 at 1:17 pm
~SpartakMac says:
Play Punch over Santi.
-4 for Noble…not sure he’s nailed-on with J.Cole entering the fray.
January 10 at 1:16 pm
JKisthe1 - A Founder of Berbism says:
just had a play around with a draft wc team (after DGWs) I like the results
Migs/Al-Habsi
Clyne, Wilson, Davies, Evans, Debuchy
Michu, Bale, Walcott, Fellaini, Guthrie
RvP, Aguero, Berba
with 1.1 in the bank Me likey
January 10 at 1:18 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
That team lacks bottom, or in the vernacular, Arse.
January 10 at 1:20 pm
JKisthe1 - A Founder of Berbism says:
I quite like the defence. It even has money left to get a City defender if needed. Tell me though sir, what would you change. You can’t have all the big mids, if you consider Michu, Fellaini and Walcott (to a degree) to be forwards, that leaves a choice between Bale or Mata. I chose Bale
January 10 at 1:24 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
Well, to me, at the moment, Walcott is a weakness – I am going to keep Cazorla, all things being equal. That is, if I get Fellaini …
January 10 at 1:19 pm
get_in says:
Doubt Aguero will be back that soon. Aguero -> Suarez or Tevez imo
January 10 at 1:23 pm
JKisthe1 - A Founder of Berbism says:
well if Aguero isn’t back I’ll just get Tevez and leave the cash to upgrade
January 10 at 1:19 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
Also slipped up on the Vodka front …
January 10 at 1:20 pm
Steel Arm - Drogba "Unstoppable, Unforgettable... Irreplaceable." says:
no chelsea love??
lacks mata…
January 10 at 1:22 pm
JKisthe1 - A Founder of Berbism says:
see above on Mata. Can downgrade Al-Habsi to Fed and use the cash to keep Luiz over Debuchy
January 10 at 1:26 pm
Steel Arm - Drogba "Unstoppable, Unforgettable... Irreplaceable." says:
wait till Debuchy proves himself in EPL……
+newcastle not great defensively as well…
January 10 at 1:20 pm
Round and Round says:
Debuchy? Newcastle don’t look likely to tighten up at the back anytime soon. Demel insted so you can afford Puncheon for Guthrie?
January 10 at 1:20 pm
Gooders says:
Play Cazorla, or take a -4 Sterling > Puncheon and play Punch?
January 10 at 1:22 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
I don’t know. I have both, and have benched Cazorla.
January 10 at 1:24 pm
ILOVEBAPS says:
Play Caz. Punchy could well only end up with 4.
January 10 at 1:32 pm
Gooders says:
That was my thinking, he’d need attacking points to justify it. And I may well get a West Ham mid for Sterling next week anyway.
January 10 at 1:22 pm
Zakier says:
Jaask
Ivanovic (VC) l Mert l Cuellar
Walcott l Mata (C) l Bale l Michu
Ba l Berba l Benteke
Subs: Bego l Nolan l Zaba l Nelsen
Any changes I should make? Subs or transfers (currently using WC)
January 10 at 1:25 pm
Ginkapo-Rule No.1: wwkd? says:
NEW POST
Seriously when did Aatish start slacking
January 10 at 1:27 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
When we were all so rude to him …
January 10 at 1:26 pm
Fackinell says:
Advice please
My midfield is:
Mata – Michu – Fellaini – Walcott – Puncheon
Do I
A. play Fellaini & Michu against each other – benching Puncheon on a double week
B. Play Puncheon and bench Michu/Fellaini?
January 10 at 1:26 pm
ILOVEBAPS says:
If I were to get a WHU MF player this week, who would be the best bet? Don’t know much about them and now with their new signings I am not sure if affects their positions on the field.
January 10 at 1:32 pm
Kostja says:
Nolan is the only option in my book.
January 10 at 1:29 pm
Giggs Boson says:
C’mon Fabio, beat down Traore and become a regular, i’m rooting for you!
January 10 at 1:49 pm
Brannigan93 says:
who do I sub out of this midfield guys, thanks in advance;
Puncheon, Fellaini, Bale, Mata, Walcott
I currently have Walcott as a sub as there playing Man City, what do yous think? cheers.
January 10 at 10:41 pm
Jamaster says:
dont sub walcott. I think he is at home to city. should provide something.
January 10 at 3:56 pm
Hazard Warning says:
Who to bench – Punch – Fellaini – Michu – Walcott??
Thinking punch atm despite the DGW…
January 10 at 10:42 pm
Jamaster says:
Thats a tough crowd to choose from.
Id chose either michu or fellaini. Worse case scenario you know your getting atleast 4 points out of punch.
January 10 at 6:49 pm
robalabobolol says:
RMMCT please. I have 4 mill in the bank to exchange Lambert for suarez next week.
Bunn (Szczesny)
Luiz, Clark, Demel (Wilkinson, Gibbs)
Walcott, Mata, Fellaini, Bale (Michu)
Ba, Berbs, Lambert
I am dreading benching Michu but I honestly think the others have a better chance of points :-/.
Maybe thinking of benching either Berbs or Fellaini instead?? Any advice will be very apreciated
January 10 at 10:43 pm
Jamaster says:
I think you have to. with that lineup. Hes the only away player you can bench.