Rickie Lambert misses out for England this evening with a muscle injury picked up in training. Brendan Rodgers hints at more rotation in defence, Wilfried Bony admits he has yet to fully settle in the Swansea side, Stephane Sessegnon reckons his best form is yet to come for West Brom, while Cardiff’s record signing Andreas Cornelius edges his way towards match fitness after a run out for the reserves:
Lambert the Latest England Absentee
The Southampton forward is the latest player to pull out of this evening’s friendly with Chile. Roy Hodgson has already lost United pair Danny Welbeck and Michael Carrick, while Steven Gerrard and Kyle Walker are also sidelined – speaking to the press yesterday, Hodgson admitted Daniel Sturridge could also be rested in preparation for Tuesday’s evening’s clash against Germany:
“It (Lambert’s injury) happened yesterday in training. It’s not a massive injury but a muscle injury that will keep him out on Friday…Daniel has been doing some work and the chances are he will be spared for the second game.”
The Scout Says: The news is a worry for the 13,000 FPL managers who have transferred Lambert in this week as his league form continues to pick up. A single converted spot-kick in the opening five fixtures had suggested he was struggling to find his form in his second year in the top-flight but the following six Gameweeks have harvested three goals, three assists and eight bonus points as Lambert surges up the Fantasy rankings on 55 points. The fears that he would lose his starting role as a result of Pablo Osvaldo’s acquisition certainly appear unfounded – while the Italian international toils, with attacking returns in just one Gameweek so far, Lambert’s belated return to form has proved vital for Mauricio Pochettino’s side. With Arsenal, Chelsea, City and Spurs in the next six, though, the Saints face a real battle to retain their current top four berth.
Rodgers Hints at Defensive Rotation
The Liverpool boss discussed his decision to alter Liverpool’s defensive personnel for last weekend’s home game with Fulham. Speaking to the club’s official website, Rodgers revealed he is keen to utilise his options, after handing Daniel Agger a start for the first time since Gameweek 5:
“I just decided to change it. I have said to the players that between now and January we have one game a week. The players are working very well and very hard on a daily basis but I need to give oxygen to some players, so they can see a light at the end of the tunnel. It is important that I use the players well. Kolo has been sensational since he has been in but Daniel Agger is a top player. I just need to balance the team out when I can.”
The Scout Says: The return to a back-four after a number of games with a 3-4-1-2 formation helped the Reds register a first clean sheet since the third game of the season. Agger’s re-introduction proved pivotal, with the Dane operating alongside Martin Skrtel in the heart of defence but judging by Rodgers’ words, it seems he is determined to ensure all four of the centre-halves on the books are given game time, with Mamadou Sakho also in contention. Ultimately, it makes Glen Johnson the safest of Rodgers’ defensive starters; with doubts also over Jose Enrique and Aly Cissokho on the left, the right-back seems nailed-on for the upcoming schedule, which pits the Reds against Hull, Norwich, West Ham and Cardiff in the next six.
Giacherrini Hails Poyet Impact
The Italian was full of praise for the turnaround in fortune’s at Sunderland under their new manager. Poyet has engineered three consecutive home wins in all competitions since the departure of Paolo Di Canio and the summer signing from Juventus admitted:
“We are playing differently under Mr Poyet. We’ve changed the mentality among the players since he arrived. And now we are proving that we can play differently too and it’s an advantage for us. I enjoy playing that way and I’m happy to play in this team.”
The Scout Says: Giacherrini was quick off the mark for the Black Cats, grabbing two goals in the opening six Gameweeks under Di Canio’s ill-fated regime. Since then, though, he’s failed to impress and was dropped for league games against Newcastle and Hull but seems to have established himself as part of the XI again after Poyet moved to a lone forward system, with the Italian on the right in a 4-1-4-1 formation. With Chelsea and Spurs to arrive on Wearside in the next four, Fantasy managers are likely to steer clear of the Black Cats’ assets at the moment but the schedule takes a real turn for the better from Gameweek 17 onwards and Giacherrini, at 6.4, could be a real differential to consider if the Poyet effect continues to pick up pace.
Bony Still Settling at Swans
Swansea’s summer signing admitted he has yet to find his best form since arriving at the Liberty. The Ivorian also hinted that his £12m price tag has been weighing a little heavy and has somewhat affected his performances:
“I am just adjusting to the best league in the word. The challenge is to convince people because of the money the club paid for me – it has not been easy but I am getting there. The manager trusts me and has a plan to use me to help me find my feet in the league, scoring twice in the league against Stoke City on Saturday was very good, I want to score every week for the club but I know that is difficult to do but I will try. I believe in myself and hope to make my name in the League.”
The Scout Says: Prior to the weekend home game with Stoke, Bony’s best displays for the Swans had mainly been in Europe. The Ivorian has produced five goals and a pair of assists in seven Europa League fixtures but his brace against the Potters took his league tally to four strikes in 10 – double the number of Premier League goals than Michu. Certainly, his ability to lead the line has made a difference for Laudrup’s side – 11 of the 15 goals Swansea have scored have arrived in the five games Bony has started and with a trip to struggling Fulham in addition to back-to-back home games against Newcastle and Hull in the next four, he has the platform to continue his recent fine form.
Sessegnon Determined to Improve
The Baggies record signing reckons there’s a lot more to come from his performances. Picking up the club’s player of the month award, Sessegnon stressed the West Brom fans have yet to see the best of him after arriving from Sunderland in the final day of the summer transfer window:
“There is a certain pressure to perform very well. But it’s a positive pressure because it shows the club think I’m worth it. I still believe I can bring more to the club. This is still the settling-in period and I will show more as time goes by. It’s going well because I’ve come to a club where I knew some of the players already. That has helped me settle down quickly.”
The Scout Says: After notching on his debut against the Black Cats, Sessegnon’s ascent was somewhat curtailed by a tough run of games for the midlands outfit. With an assist and goal accrued over the last two Gameweeks, including a strike at Stamford Bridge, he is starting to find a consistency and has turned in some eye-catching display in “the hole” in a 4-2-3-1 for Steve Clarke’s side. With four home games in the next six, allied with a trip to Cardiff, he looks a real mid-price option at just 6.6 – an ownership level of less than 3% could also appeal to those determined to move away from the template midfielders.
Cornelius Nears Bluebirds Return
Cardiff’s record signing took a step nearer his comeback from an ankle injury by turning out for the reserve side yesterday. Cornelius lasted an hour before being withdrawn and continues to step up his fitness drive after being sidelined in a Capital One Cup clash with Altrincham back in August.
The Scout Says: The big Dane’s return would be a significant boost for Malky Mackay, whose side have struggled for goals in recent matches. Cardiff have scored just twice in the last four, with Fraizer Campbell and Peter Odemwingie taking turn in the lone forward role without success – Campbell has scored in only one of his 11 appearances (a brace against City in Gameweek 3) yet remains the club’s joint-top scorer. Reports indicate Cornelius may have an outside chance of making the bench for the upcoming home game against United – with Arsenal also next to pay visit, Mackay could well be set to hand Cornelius a start if he can prove his fitness by the time the Gunners come calling a fortnight tomorrow.
Barkley Looking to Develop
The Everton youngster has revealed Roberto Martinez seems keen to develop a more versatile side to his game after mainly being played as the most advanced central midfielder in a 4-3-3 this season:
“He’s given me a lot of freedom, he believes in me. It’s good because he’s put the belief into all of the players and we’re all playing well. He wants me to be an all-round player, and to be able to play in lots of different positions. He’s spoken to me a lot about stuff like that and tactical ways of the game.”
The Scout Says: Barkley’s run of nine successive starts has recently come to an end, with the teenager introduced from the bench in each of the last two Gameweeks. Clearly, Martinez is wary of burnout and with a number of options in midfield, has decided to ration Barkley’s game time – nonetheless, it’s noticeable that the Merseysiders have failed to score in each of the last two; beforehand, they had notched at least twice in four of the previous five. With new boys Gareth Barry and James McCarthy looking secure in the deep-lying central roles, though, Barkley’s chances of returning to the XI are perhaps likely to be at Leon Osman’s expense – meanwhile, over 37,000 FPL managers have transferred out the budget midfielder due to the uncertainty over his starting berth.
Benteke Off With Knee Knock for Belgium
The Villa forward was one of 10 Premier League-based players involved for Belgium last night as they lost 2-0 to Colombia. The likes of Jan Vertonghen, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas also played a part, as did Mousa Dembele, who replaced Benteke on 75 minutes after the latter picked up a knock to his knee. According to reports, Benteke, or anyone in the Belgian camp, failed to mention any problem after the game – an indication that the issue won’t cause Fantasy managers need for concern.
The Scout Says: With Andreas Weimann and Gabby Agbonlahor already on the sidelines, an injury to his main forward is the last thing Paul Lambert needs right now. It seems the withdrawal was purely precautionary, given his recent hip problem – indeed, the Villa boss stressed prior to the friendly that Belgium needed to be “sensible” over Benteke’s fitness. Despite failing to find the net in each of the last four since his return, the upcoming schedule bodes well for the big forward, with West Brom, Sunderland, Fulham, Stoke and Palace in the upcoming seven Gameweeks suggesting a return to form could be on the cards.
