Scout Scribbles – Rooney Worry for United

Ashley Young and Patrice Evra grab the goals as Wayne Rooney misses United’s cup win over Stoke with a groin injury. Ryan Shawcross limps off for the Potters with a similar complaint. Emmanuel Adebayor grabs the opener as Andros Townsend is forced off with a hamstring injury in Spurs’ home loss to West Ham, while the Hammers are sweating on the fitness of James Tomkins, who also missed last night’s game with a groin problem:

Rooney Groin Concern for United

Goals from Ashley Young and Patrice Evra ensured United progressed to the Capital One Cup at Stoke’s expense last night. Shinji Kagawa was fit enough for the bench after his recent illness and Javier Hernandez recovered from injury to provide an assist as a sub but the main news was Wayne Rooney’s absence due to a groin problem at the Britannia.

Frustratingly for Fantasy managers, David Moyes was typically vague on the situation. Before the game, he confirmed the striker’s absence with no more than “Wayne Rooney is injured” and was equally curt when asked whether the forward will be available for the festive period – his response was simply “We hope so”.

After the match, though, Moyes was a little more open. After confirming the forward was suffering from a groin problem, he was quizzed on whether Rooney will be fit for the weekend match with West Ham and, seeming a little more optimistic, said: “He has got a chance”.

The Scout Says: Fantasy managers are now left with a major dilemma ahead of the weekend. Over 150,000 have drafted Rooney in already, with the vast majority of those trades undoubtedly down to a need to shift the injured Sergio Aguero as his price starts to plummet. There are two ways to look at this – given that Robin van Persie is also out, Moyes simply wanted to protect Rooney at all costs last night as he looks to register a weekend win over West Ham after back-to-back home losses in the league. It’s worth noting that Moyes reportedly told reporters Patrice Evra was one of four injured players last Friday, yet the Frenchman has turned out in each of the last two matches. The other school of thought is less sceptical. Rooney was subbed off with seven minutes left against Villa last weekend – previously, he had played the full 90 minutes in all but one of his 12 league starts this season and there’s every chance he picked up a problem at the weekend. We face an anxious wait until United’s 2pm press conference on Friday afternoon but, judging by Moyes’ usual unwillingness to delve into the details, there’d be no surprise if he failed to reveal his hand – leaving us with the option of holding onto Rooney in the hope that his boss is merely bluffing.

Moyes Admits Vidic is No Guaranteed Starter

David Moyes has hinted that United skipper Nemanja Vidic is by no means a nailed-on starter. The Serbian has toiled with injury this term and, although he’s expected to return to fitness over the next few days, his manager warned:

“Nemanja is just about ready to play now. But we have five centre-halves. We can use Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans, Rio Ferdinand and him. There is competition for places there and you are going to have to play well to stay in the team.”

The Scout Says: Certainly, Moyes’ words suggest he won’t be swayed by reputation and is looking to choose his side in accordance with form. Last night’s win over Stoke was United’s third clean sheet in succession – Evans has featured in each match, partnered by Ferdinand, Jones and Smalling respectively at the heart of defence. Jones’ versatility has also helped, with starts in central midfield keeping his game time ticking over – while rotation can be expected across all areas under Moyes, those two, along with Patrice Evra, look the least likely to be affected.

Shawcross Adds to Hughes’ Defensive Worries

Mark Hughes recalled Erik Pieters for the United clash as Marc Muniesa warmed the bench after a brief stint at left-back, whilst those loyal owners still holding Marko Arnautovic will be a little concerned after the Austrian was afforded no more than a 28 minute sub appearance on the left. The Potters boss is sweating over the fitness of skipper Ryan Shawcross, who limped off the field with a suspected groin problem with 14 minutes left on the clock.

The Scout Says: Given that Robert Huth is still sidelined, Hughes faces the prospect of playing host to Villa this weekend without either of his first-choice centre-halves. The big German has missed the last four and is still struggling with a knee injury – Marc Wilson could be partnered by Muniesa against Paul Lambert’s side as the Potters looks to continue the defensive form which has produced three clean sheets in the last five Gameweeks. A potential period of absence would certainly cement Wilson’s game time further but with Newcastle, Spurs, Everton and Liverpool in the subsequent four, the schedule is far from straightforward for those eyeing up a route into Hughes’ backline.

Pardew Unconcerned over Remy Goal Drought

The Magpies boss is confident his side will continue to find the net and compensate for Loic Remy’s current lack of form. The Frenchman has now managed just a single assist in the last four, yet Newcastle have still registered wins over United and West Brom across that period, in addition to drawing with Southampton:

“We spread it around reasonably well, but it would be nice to have goals from all sorts of areas of the pitch. But I don’t think we are over-reliant on him, if I am honest. He’s just at the pinnacle of our attacks, mainly. Being a natural goalscorer, he gets the bulk of the chances. He is playing very well and we have just got to hope that continues.”

The Scout Says: Having scored eight of his side’s 14 goals between Gameweek 5-12, Remy’s recent drought has been something of a surprise and comes at a time where the injured Sergio Aguero’s owners are in desperate need for a reliable replacement. A trip to Palace this weekend may be a little trickier than previously anticipated – the hosts have three back-to-back home clean sheets – but Pardew’s side then have three home game in four to boost their prospects. Yoan Gouffran has now notched in each of the last four at St James’ Park, though, and at 6.4 to Remy’s 8.2, has been more consistent in front of his own fans in recent matches.

Townsend Hamstring Worry for Tottenham

In Tottenham’s first match since the dismissal of Andre Villas-Boas, caretaker boss Tim Sherwood opted for a 4-4-2, with Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermain Defoe leading the line against West Ham. The duo combined for the hosts’ solitary goal in a 2-1 defeat, with the Togo international volleying the opener at White Hart Lane – Roberto Soldado was an unused sub. Fit-again Danny Rose got the nod at left-back, whilst Sherwood also did away with inverted wingers and utilised Andros Townsend and Aaron Lennon on their natural sides before the former limped off with a hamstring problem. After the game, Sherwood conceded Townsend may be forced out “for a few weeks” with the injury.

The Scout Says: Sherwood’s selection for last night’s match perhaps indicates he’s less likely to rely on some of Spurs’ summer signings in his attempt to arrest his side’s slump. Both Soldado and Christian Eriksen were unused subs, whilst Erik Lamela didn’t even make the bench as Sherwood opted for players with a little more experience of the English top-flight. Spurs have three home games in four after this weekend’s trip to Southampton and, if the former Blackburn man keeps faith in many of last night’s selection, the likes of Defoe or Adebayor may make an unlikely differential punt as West Brom, Stoke and Palace all roll up to the Lane between Gameweeks 18-21.

Tomkins Misses Out as Big Sam Rings the Changes

Sam Allardyce was forced to field George McCartney at centre-half alongside James Collins for the trip to Spurs as James Tomkins was sidelined with an ongoing groin problem. Razvan Rat returned to the fray at left-back as the Hammers boss made a number of alterations – Ravel Morrison also dropped out of the XI, as the likes of Matt Taylor, Jack Collison and Alou Diarra were afforded rare starts. Matt Jarvis and Modibo Maiga grabbed the goals as the visitors heaped further pressure on their out-of-sorts hosts to boost confidence ahead of the weekend trip to United.

The Scout Says: Given that Winston Reid is also sidelined, Allardyce could be forced to roll up to Old Trafford without either of his first-choice centre-halves if Tomkins fails to recover in time. Certainly, such a scenario bodes well for United’s chances of picking up the points and suggests Rooney could well have a field day if he’s passed fit in time. Considering he made seven changes from the side that drew against Sunderland last weekend, Allardyce’s selection hints that last night’s match was more about handing fringe players game time and ensuring his regulars are kept fresh for league action ahead of the upcoming fixtures.

Vorm Set for Knee Surgery

Swansea have revealed Michel Vorm is set to undergo knee surgery later today. The club had hoped their first-choice keeper would be available until next month but, after struggling in last week’s draw at Norwich, the Dutchman has decided he need to go under the knife immediately. Swansea’ official website have confirmed they will have a better idea of the length of absence once surgeons ascertain the extent of the problem.
The Scout Says: Although Vorm’s absence iss set to hand Gerhard Tremmel (at 4.4) a run between the sticks for Michael Laudrup’s side, the upcoming fixtures are unlikely to persuade many to take a punt. Swansea have Everton, Chelsea, City, United and Spurs in the next six, suggesting clean sheets could well be hard to come by – the schedule lightens from Gameweek 23 and if Vorm’s period of recovery goes well, he may be back on our radars towards the end of January.