Say What?

Our regular sift through the sound bites and press conferences returns this Thursday lunchtime. Joe Mourinho talks forwards, Manuel Pellegrini is unconcerned over side’s defensive frailties, Christian Benteke hails his new-found confidence, Alan Pardew discusses Yohan Cabaye’s attacking role and Ole Gunner Solskjaer talks up Craig Noone’s prospects:

With a goal and 90 minutes in each of Chelsea’s last two games, Fernando Torres could have been forgiven for thinking he’d begun last week as the Blues’ first choice striker. In preparing for United’s visit at Stamford Bridge, Jose Mourinho, however, had other ideas. He explained his decision to start eventual hat-trick hero, Samuel Eto’o, over the Spaniard as a tactical one:

“Fernando is very dangerous with space, he’s more powerful than Samuel but I didn’t think Man United were coming here to give me spaces behind their defensive line, they came here to be compact… I feel Samuel is a player with more technical ability and better in small spaces… It was a difficult decision because Fernando is scoring goals but my feeling, for this game, was that Samuel was more adaptive.”
Jose Mourinho on Samuel Eto’o’s start against Manchester Utd.

Sadly for Torres, he sustained an injury shortly after appearing as a substitute in the game. Consequently, competition for the single starting berth up front becomes a two horse race – in the short term at least. Mourinho’s comments hint that Demba Ba may be in line for a start in the FA Cup and, as risky as it is to extrapolate from that, we expect Eto’o to come back in for the league game against the Hammers:

“Demba had a fantastic week; [it was] very difficult for me to leave him out of selection because he worked very, very well… [the] next matches is for Demba or Samuel. Let’s go.”
Mourinho remaining buoyant in spite of Fernando Torres’ injury.

Paul Lambert chose to focus on the positives after Aston Villa’s 2-2 at Anfield on Saturday evening. While suggesting his side was finding form, the Villa manager took the opportunity to single out some key performers for praise as they look to continue their momentum into a run of encouraging fixtures:

“[Our performance] was top drawer… There were some big, big performances. I thought Christian Benteke was back to his old self – he was outstanding. Ryan Bertrand, I have to say, was absolutely fantastic and Ron Vlaar looked tremendous… It’s been promising in the league since the turn of the year. We won at Sunderland. We looked excellent in the second half against Arsenal and today we were fantastic.”
Paul Lambert on his big performers after the Liverpool game.

As if to back up his manager’s words, Christian Benteke admitted his self-belief took a battering after a worrying lack of goals. The Villa forward had previously blanked in 11 straight league appearances but has now notched in back-to-back Gameweeks against Arsenal and Liverpool and is back on Fantasy radars as he prepares to welcome West Brom, West Ham and Norwich to Villa Park in the next six:

“Your confidence is affected, so it was important to me to score for my confidence. I can bring my confidence now for the team again. I was disappointed overall because we didn’t take the three points against Arsenal but we showed some great mentality, some great character to get back in the game and we have to try to start every game in the same way. I am stronger now for having come through this difficult run – the only thing I can be is stronger – and I think more about the team because without my teammates I would never score. Other people may put the focus on me but I play for the team and it is always about the team, not about me. Yes, I will try to score but I do this for the team, for the fans, everybody. That’s the joy you get from scoring goals and this is the thing I appreciate most.”
Christian Benteke on his flourishing self-belief

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spoke highly of Craig Noone’s current form after his side’s Saturday defeat at the Etihad. The winger has now started each of Cardiff’s last seven Premier League games, bringing the £4.3m man onto the Fantasy radar as managers attempt to redistribute wildcard cash. Solskjaer’s confidence in the Englishman will surely serve to encourage investment as the Bluebirds welcome four appealing fixtures (NOR, swa, AVL, HUL) after next Tuesday’s trip to Old Trafford:

“Noone is a terrific little player. He causes defenders problems with his pace and his technique, he can go inside and outside. He’s got a good left foot, but he can cross it with his right. He got us back in the game with a great goal and his performance was one of his best. He’s not played that many Premier League games so to come here and play like that shows courage. That is what we need. Courage to get on the ball at places like this.”
Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer on Craig Noone’s technical prowess.

Manchester City manager, Manuel Pellegrini remains unfazed by the two Cardiff goals at the Etihad, which had raised fresh criticism over his side’s apparent defensive frailties. City have now conceded six goals in their last four on home games – in contrast to the two in seven prior to the visit of Arsenal. The Chilean seemed to attribute this to fixture congestion and, unfortunately for Fantasy managers backing City’s defence, it would seem that, with his free-scoring side competing on four fronts, clean sheets are not a priority.

“It is better to be concentrating but this team is playing very often, a game every three days. Cardiff didn’t have many chances to score goals. One in the last minute and one play they did in the first half. We missed five or six clear goals. It is better not to concede goals but it is not my first worry at this moment.”
Manuel Pellegrini on Manchester City’s defensive performance against Cardiff.

Arsene Wenger quickly threw his full support behind premium midfielder Mesut Özil, as questions arise over his recent performances. A single assist in his last five appearances have Fantasy managers on edge, with many choosing to part company with the German but, as the pressure grows, the Gunners boss played down expectations ahead of a trip to Southampton.

“Sometimes people expect him to make the difference alone. Sometimes when it doesn’t work you expect him to take the ball and put it in the net. He is more a passer than a finisher. [Goalscoring] is one of the things he can add to his game for sure. It doesn’t need to be criticised, it needs to be encouraged… He is 25, he can only get better. The best years are coming for him now.”
Arsene Wenger on Mesut Özil’s lack of goals.

Those looking for a premium alternative to Özil may be considering his Arsenal teammate, Santi Cazorla, after the playmaker scored a match-winning brace in the game against Fulham. Wenger touted the Spaniard for a strong finish to the current campaign as he looks to replicate the form which saw him breach the 200 points barrier in FPL last time around:

“Santi got two and that is a sign he is coming back to his level. He was injured for a while, after that he had an ankle problem for a period and couldn’t hit the ball properly with his right foot. Santi is about using two legs, you don’t know really if he is right or left footed and once he cannot do that as freely as he is used to he has a handicap. He had that for a long time this season.”
Arsene Wenger on Santi Cazorla’s return to form.

With rumours continuing to resurface over Yohan Cabaye’s future at the club, Alan Pardew made a smart play by highlighting the Frenchman’s freedom of expression at Newcastle, painting him as the big fish in a small pond. Following the midfielder’s eye-catching display at West Ham, Pardew revealed how pushing Cabaye on in recent weeks has brought the best out the highly-sought playmaker.

“He has a great role for us, for the team. He gets almost a free role in the team in the number 10 shirt and I think he’s enjoyed that. He’s added goals to his game. The first one was a real class, individual goal – the touch, and the way he moved, and the sublime moment he took to finish it. And I thought he was a class act all day really and he has been a big player for us.”
Alan Pardew on Yohan Cabaye’s role in the team.

Roberto Martinez praised the recent form of Kevin Mirallas after the Belgian scored for the second game in succession at West Brom on Monday night. Mirallas’ displays coincide with a move to a central role behind Romelu Lukaku due to an injury to Ross Barkley – with new boy Aiden McGeady offering an alternative on the right and Gerard Deulofeu closing in on a return from a hamstring injury, Mirallas may well keep the role in “the hole” until Barkley is fit and available:

“His overall contributions against Stoke and Norwich were of the highest standard and I do feel he is going to get stronger and better because he is a very fit footballer and the more the season goes on, the sharper he gets. Kevin has been working really hard. He is one of those players who will benefit in the second half of the season from all the work he did in pre-season. He is now probably reaching his peak; physically when he is at his best, it is difficult to stop him. It is really exciting to see how he finishes the final third of the season.”
Roberto Martinez on Kevin Mirallas’ recent displays

Michael Laudrup believes Wilfried Bony is finally showing his worth after an inconsistent first few months at Swansea. The Ivorian has now notched three times in the last four Gameweeks and with Fulham, West Ham and Cardiff up next, is starting to look a differential worth considering – he sets you back 7.3 in FPL and is owned by less than 4% of managers.

“”Bony is doing well. He is adapting to the football here. He is getting more shots on target and apart from scoring goals, in general the last five or six he has been good, positive. Sometimes when you think everything is negative you have to try to find the positives. Sometimes you just see dark and not light and his performances, his adaptation to the squad and football, is good.”
Michael Laudrup on his summer signing’s top-flight progress