Scout Scribbles – Martial Strikes Again

Anthony Martial emerges from the bench to grab another goal for United. Sadio Mane and Jay Rodriguez bag braces for Southampton, Dwight Gayle nets a hat-trick for Palace, whilst Mathieu Flamini proves the unlikely hero for Arsenal by scoring twice in the north London derby.

Martial in the Goals Again

Manchester United gained entry into the fourth round of the League Cup by way of a comfortable 3-0 victory over a second-string Ipswich Town outfit. Wayne Rooney broke his domestic duck to open the scoring, before Andreas Pereira doubled the hosts’ lead with a spectacular free-kick. Anthony Martial came off the bench in the second period to net his fourth goal in three domestic appearances, with Memphis Depay supplying the assist. Phil Jones returned to the bench after recovering from a blood clot in his calf, whilst elsewhere at the back, Louis van Gaal fielded Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young in the full-back berths.

After the match, Louis van Gaal once again praised Martial’s stunning start to life at Old Trafford and insisted it’s easy to keep the youngster grounded:

“It is not so difficult because he is a player who is very modest. He knows that he can score and he can score because of his fellow players. We made it for him two times very easy because we won the game and the gaps are existing. With his speed and composure, he can score. He did it against Liverpool and now again. We are happy but still we have to keep our feet on the ground.”

The Scout Says: Over 450,000 Fantasy managers have drafted Martial in this week off the back of his breathless start to life in England’s top tier. Beyond an enticing home clash against Sunderland next Gameweek, a challenging trio of match-ups for the Red Devils (ars, eve, MCI) will afford us with a clearer picture of the 19-year-old’s pedigree. Rooney’s first domestic goal this campaign could prove to be the catalyst for further attacking returns in the league, yet the emergence of Martial in a more advanced role somewhat diminishes his allure. At the back, Valencia’s start suggests he could be set to vie with Matteo Darmian for the right-back berth after replacing the Italian at half-time against Southampton. Given that Valencia, Young and Daley Blind are all classified as midfielders in FPL, Chris Smalling was the only viable defender in Van Gaal’s back-four last night.

Blues Maintain Momentum

Ramires, Loic Remy, Kenedy and Pedro all found the target as Chelsea recorded a 4-1 win over League One outfit Walsall. In the absence of the suspended Diego Costa, Jose Mourinho fielded Radamel Falcao at the lone-striker berth in a 4-3-3 set-up, with Kenedy and Remy providing the width. Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas, Kurt Zouma and Cesar Azpilicueta were rested, but Pedro and Matic came on late in the second half. John Terry returned at centre-half alongside Gary Cahill, with Branislav Ivanovic retaining the right-back berth.

Although Falcao failed to find the net, his manager was pleased to afford the Colombian minutes as he builds up his sharpness ahead of the trip to Newcastle:

‘It was a good game for Falcao, a good 90 mins – important for fitness. He worked a lot, ran a lot, moved a lot. He was in the game a lot. For the first time this season he was on the pitch for a long, long time so it was a good game for him.

The Scout Says: Mourinho has decisions to make over the lone striker role on Costa’s enforced absence, though Remy’s confident finish may well have edged him past Falcao in the race for a start at Newcastle this Saturday. Pedro’s weaving run and crisp strike serves as encouragement for his 12% ownership ahead of a favourable batch of fixtures (new, SOU, AVL, whu). The former Barcelona wide man – despite missing the opening two Gameweeks – ranks top among Chelsea midfielders for attempts (14) and shots inside the box (eight), rendering him an attractive route into the Champions’ attack. At the back, Mourinho’s decision to rest Kurt Zouma suggests the youngster will come back into contention for the St James’ Park trip.

Liverpool Scramble Through

Liverpool made hard work of their home clash against League Two side Carlisle United, eventually besting them 3-2 on penalties – in no small part due to debutant Adam Bogdan’s three penalty saves. The Anfield showdown ended 1-1 after regulation time, with Danny Ings heading in an Adam Lallana cross after 23 minutes. Philippe Coutinho started the match on the bench but was brought on after 64 minutes. Dejan Lovren and Roberto Firmino both left the pitch with injuries, with Gary McAllister rolling out a post-match update:

“[Lovren]’s landed awkwardly. It didn’t look too good as he was stretchered off but fingers crossed I don’t think it’s as bad as it looked. [Firmino], like Dejan, landed badly. It was just a ball he went up for and he’s landed on the base of his spine, just on his lower back. It’s an awkward landing but he seems fine as well.”

The Scout Says: With Christian Benteke looking unlikely to make the home clash with former club Villa, Ings – who’s notched two goals in as many outings – could be set to partner Daniel Sturridge up top. The former Burnley marksman will be relishing the opportunity to showcase his talents this weekend, given that Tim Sherwood’s troops shipped five goals in their past two road ties. That being said, the Reds wasted a surfeit of chances against Carlisle – having engineered a staggering 47 attempts at goal – which hardly inspires confidence in their attacking recruits.

Gayle Treble Sees Palace Through

Dwight Gayle bagged a hat-trick (two penalties) for the Eagles as they recorded a resounding 4-1 victory over Charlton, while Fraizer Campbell netted the first goal and claimed an assist. Lee Chung-yong and Patrick Bamford also notched assists. Damien Delaney came off at the 34-minute mark due to minor groin problem, whilst Julian Speroni returned to the bench following his injury layoff.

The Scout Says: Gayle has struggled for playing time in the league this term, earning just two cameo appearances. Considering that Alan Pardew withdrew Wilfried Zaha at half-time against Spurs and has been critical of his application, there’s a chance that Gayle may be afforded a start against Watford this Sunday. With Joel Ward sidelined and Scott Dann a doubt for the weekend, the Eagles can ill afford any further injuries at the back. The London club have tallied just one clean sheet in their previous 20 league outings, yet four goals from their defensive recruits has kept us interested from a Fantasy perspective.

Saints Rack Up the Goals

Southampton romped to a 6-0 victory over MK Dons, with Jay Rodriquez (one penalty), Sadio Mane and Shane Long each registering a brace. Juanmi, Steven Davis, Oriol Romeu and Long (two assists) turned provider at various points throughout the night. Graziano Pelle missed out with a foot injury, but Ryan Bertrand and Gaston Ramirez made welcome returns to the bench.

Koeman was clearly delighted with Bertrand’s return but admitted he’s yet to decide whether the former Chelsea man will be handed a start against Swansea this weekend:

“I think Matthew (Targett) did a great job in all the games when he played for a young player, but Ryan what he showed last year and he’s close to be back. He played last Monday 45 minutes in the under-21s and now 30-35 minutes again. Little by little he will be close to his best physical level. You have to understand that he missed the whole pre-season, it’s always difficult, and he needs game time to be back to what he was…I don’t know (whether he’ll start). We have time enough to think about it.

The Scout Says: Bertrand’s imminent return places Targett’s 10% FPL owners on alert as his run in the first-team comes to an end. The youngster rose from 4.0 to 4.1 after starting each of the first six Gameweeks, though his minutes were curtailed against United last weekend after Koeman hauled him off at the break. Up front, with Rodriquez evidently rediscovering his rhythm, James Ward-Prowse is liable to drop out for Saints’ home tie against Swansea to facilitate the winger’s deployment. Rodriquez (6.7) served as a prime pick in the mid-priced bracket during the 2013/14 campaign – notching 15 goals and three assists – and will certainly factor into our thinking if he can show signs of his former glory. Long could be tasked with leading the line against the Swans if Pelle can’t recover in time, or Mane – who’s notched two goals and a pair of assists in as many starts – might be given the nod in a central role.

Newcastle’s Woes Continue

The Magpies crashed out of the League Cup after losing 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday. Steve McClaren fielded a strong XI but was forced to play Vurnon Anita at left-back, given that Massadio Haidara is nursing a knee injury. The Tyneside team – who were also without the likes of Papiss Cisse and Jack Colback due to injury last night – were dealt a further blow after weekend scorer Daryl Janmaat was forced off at the break. Post match, McClaren admitted he’s uncertain whether the Dutchman will be fit for the weekend visit of Chelsea:

“He was feeling a little dizzy in the first half, so he said he couldn’t continue, so young Kevin (Mbabu) came on and I thought he did very well.. I think we have to take a roll call tomorrow and have a look at things.”

The Scout Says: Following their defeat to the Owls, Newcastle have now lost 14 of their last 19 match-ups in all competitions. With a home encounter against Chelsea and a trip to Manchester City next on the agenda, it’s likely to be a few weeks yet before we take a closer look at the Toon’s Fantasy prospects. Indeed, an agreeable run of fixtures from Gameweek 9 (NOR, sun, STO, bou, LEI, cry) could promote some intriguing budget pick-ups within Newcastle’s ranks if they can find some form, though with one goal in their last five, few will be willing to take a punt.

Canaries Ease Into Next Round

The Canaries cruised to a 3-0 victory at home to West Bromwich Albion courtesy of goals from Matt Jarvis, Kyle Lafferty and Sebastien Pocognoli (own goal). DR Congo frontman Dieumerci Mbokani earned an assist on his debut. Alex Neil rested a host of key players, with Nathan Redmond, Cameron Jerome, Robert Brady and Russell Martin among those that were handed the night off.

The Scout Says: Although Jarvis is ineligible to play against his parent club this weekend, the West Ham loanee has impressed since his switch, notching two goals in three outings. Priced at 4.9, Jarvis harbours potential to be a viable budget option if he can secure a sustained run of starts. Norwich’s midfield as a whole could be subject to increased investment as they embark on an excellent quartet of match-ups (wha, LEI, new, WBA).

Baggies Crash Out

Tony Pulis rung the changes as the Baggies fell to a limp defeat at Carrow Road. Anders Lindegaard donned the West Brom strip for the first time, while Craig Dawson played the full 90 minutes. Strike duo Saido Berahino and Salomon Rondon were excluded from the 18-man squad, whilst the likes of James Chester, Jonas Olsson and Sebastien Pocognoli failed to stake a claim for a spot in Pulis’ first-choice backline in light of last night’s result.

The Scout Says: In light of the heavy rotation enacted by Pulis against the Canaries, those Fantasy managers who’ve recruited the likes of Boaz Myhill and Dawson will remain confident ahead of the Baggies’ home encounter against Everton on Monday. The West Midlanders boast four clean sheets in their previous five league ties and are pitted against a Toffees attack that’s only scored in one fixture since a 3-0 win over Southampton in Gameweek 2. With Palace, Sunderland, Norwich and Leicester following on from the Toffees encounter, many are eyeing up Pulis’ backline as a steady source of defensive returns.

Flamini Double Wins Derby for Gunners

Mathieu Flamini granted Arsenal bragging rights over North London rivals Tottenham with a rare double. Arsene Wenger named a raft of changes for their trip to White Hart Lane, with Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Per Mertesacker and Olivier Giroud the most high-profile names included in the starting XI. Alexis Sanchez entered the fray at the 67-minute mark, while Theo Walcott emerged five minutes from the final whistle.

The Scout Says: Giroud did little to augment his case for a starting berth at Leicester this Saturday, fashioning just two shots (one on target) throughout the 90 minutes. Mertesacker has missed the last four through illness, with Gabriel impressing alongside Laurent Koscielny, though it still remains to be seen if the Brazilian will face a ban – he has until 6pm today to answer an improper conduct charge following the Gunners’ defeat at Chelsea. At 4.9, Gabriel could well be on our radars if he escapes the FA’s wrath and continues ahead of Mertesacker in the first XI this weekend. Arsenal secured three successive clean sheets before ill-discipline struck at Chelsea, yet the Gunners will do well to shut out a Foxes outfit that ranks joint-top for goals scored (13) this term.

Spurs Suffer Early Exit

The Lilywhites equalised through a Callum Chambers own goal but were beaten 12 minutes from time by a sweetly struck volley from Flamini. Harry Kane threatened on occasion but ultimately drew another blank in his seventh start in all competitions. Christian Eriksen, Nacer Chadli and Danny Rose were the other notable names in the starting XI, with the latter tallying more shots (three) than Giroud.

The Scout Says: Kane is operating in the right areas at present but currently lacks the clinical touch to finish his chances. A home tie against Manchester City – who’ve shut out five of their six opponents this campaign – will hardly fill his loyal 18% FPL ownership with optimism, either, with over 70,000 parting company this week. Rose proved highly effective from both an attacking and defensive perspective and will be hoping to displace Ben Davies on the weekend. Priced at 5.3, the marauding left-back would offer an exciting route into a Spurs rearguard that’s chalked up three clean sheets in row, though given that Davies (4.5) has started five of the first six, it remains to be seen whether Rose can regain his regular role under Mauricio Pochettino.