Say What

Say What?

There’s much to chew over in our usual collection of post-match sound-bites. Louis van Gaal wants United to take more risks, Arsene Wenger is limiting Mesut Ozil’s training regime, Alan Curtis explains Swansea improvement at the back and Guus Hiddink reckons an unsung hero can boost Chelsea’s potential at both ends of the pitch.

Wenger resting Ozil between matches

With three goals and 16 assists to his name already this term, it’s fair to say that Mesut Ozil has been the chief protagonist in Arsenal’s title charge. The Germany playmaker has only failed to deliver attacking returns on two occasions since Gameweek 7 and has played 1633 minutes in the first 20 matches – over 200 minutes more than any other Arsenal midfield or forward. Discussing the former Madrid man’s fitness, Arsene Wenger has revealed that, in order to ensure Ozil doesn’t suffer burnout, he’s pared down his training regime to keep his available for selection:

“At the moment he doesn’t practice a lot, we rest him a lot between the games. He is a guy who once the basic fitness is there between the games, he wants to play. There are types of players, sometimes the most technical players, it looks like it demands less energy for them to play – it is just natural for them. I don’t have Wilshere or Cazorla who are number 10s. I could rest him more if I had these players because Wilshere can play there and Cazorla can play there. You look as well at the impact he can have on other players. The Premier League is very tight and if you go in the decisive game and you do (rest Ozil or other star players), then other players think subconsciously, they don’t tell you, ‘why?’ – even the player himself.”


Curtis pinpoints Swansea defensive improvement

Under Garry Monk’s reign this term, Swansea City managed just two clean sheets in 15 outings and ranked in the top seven for goals conceded (22). Since Alan Curtis has taken up the mantle, however, the Swans have shipped the joint-second-fewest number of goals (four) and big chances (three) across five Gameweeks while claiming the joint-most shut-outs (three). In an interview with the local press, Curtis turned to the statistics to explain the factors behind his side’s renewed resilience as the Swans prepare for four home matches in the next six:

“We were the worst in the Premier League for allowing crosses to come into the box and one of the worst for making blocks. You can guess the sides who are top – Stoke and West Ham, who have proper defenders. We have proper defenders too, but it was about making them aware of the numbers in a meeting and asking if they realised what was happening. We had only a 20 per cent success rate in stopping crosses, but in the last couple of games that’s gone up to 50 per cent. The number of block tackles in the box has almost doubled as well. It was just about them getting half a yard closer. We have three clean sheets, which is a good base. Rather than having to defend the crosses, we have stopped them at the source.”


Allardyce on Johnson’s new role

Adam Johnson was a viable mid-priced pick-up from the 2010/11 to the 2013/14 season but has faded into obscurity over the past one and a half campaigns, tallying just five goals and six assists. A tactical tweak from Big Sam in Saturday’s home clash with Villa could perhaps reignite Johnson’s flagging Fantasy career, though. In a situation similar to Stewart Downing under Allardyce last year, Johnson was moved from out wide into the role in “the hole” in the 3-1 win and, having provided four key passes, earned an assist – only his third of the season. After his side won for the first time in six attempts, the Black Cats boss talked up Johnson’s ability to dictate matters and make a difference in his new position:

“I like him there because he gets more possession there than he does out wide, and his talents on the ball are very important to us. When he plays in a wide position he maybe gets an average of 24 to 30 possessions but when he plays in the hole it’s maybe 46-50-55 possessions. So that’s very important to us, because he can play the final ball that we’re looking for, for any of those front three. He’s not quite as quick as he used to be, but he can be very effective because he’s got a good football brain. He finds good spaces in that area, he can handle the ball when he’s marked. He can roll and turn him and come out with the ball and get us going in an attacking mode.”


Van Gaal wants less caution

Manchester United’s first win in seven matches last Gameweek came as a result of their more aggressive approach. As with the Chelsea head-to-head, Louis van Gaal ordered his troops to engage in a high press against Swansea City and utilised a 3-4-2-1 set-up to facilitate this tactic, before injury forced a half-time switch to four at the back. The Red Devils ultimately seized control of the encounter, claiming 55% possession and chalking up more shots inside the box (16) than the rest of the field, with Wayne Rooney producing eight attempts in the 2-1 win. After criticism over his safety-first approach, Van Gaal was keen to suggest he wants United to play with a little more freedom right now:

“In the first half we played with three defenders, a risky shape, a risky system. But we want to give pressure from the first minute and we have done that. We have created chances in the first half but we didn’t score and you have to score out of the chances. Ashley Young wasn’t playing higher up in the second half – that was in the first half. In the second half, when they changed the shape, we changed the shape also and Ashley Young played as the right full-back. Also against Chelsea we played very risky because we want to press. The players want to press.”


Bilic pleased with Carroll match sharpness

With two goals in as many starts, Andy Carroll has shot onto our radar by virtue of his recent upturn in form. Across the previous two Gameweeks, the West Ham frontman charts joint-second among forwards for attempts (eight), joint-top for shots inside the box (eight) and top for shots on target (seven). After a number of months struggling through injury, Slaven Bilic reckons the big Geordie is now finally match sharp and the Hammers boss subsequently called upon Carroll to keep a high level of application in training to maintain these standards:

“Now he looks fit to me. We have been talking a lot about him: Andy this, Andy that, Andy England, but now he is fit and it is all down to him now. Is he going to look after himself, work hard, train, rest, to maintain his position or to even make it better? And then, and only then, he will become a great asset for us, and it is up to him. I expect him to stick to what he was like recently, he would be very, very stupid to do otherwise.”


Hiddink Cites Mikel as Key to Chelsea Recovery

Whilst John Obi Mikel’s Fantasy output may be minimal at best, the Nigerian’s introduction to the Chelsea starting line-up has proven pivotal to the champions’ improved performances under Guus Hiddink. The Blues have secured back-to-back clean sheets at Manchester United and Crystal Palace, with the 3-0 win at Selhurst Park their strongest showing of the season. During that period, the Nigerian enforcer ranks joint-fourth among all midfielders for loose-ball recoveries (19), establishing a platform for Chelsea’s more attack-minded talents to flourish, with Oscar, Willian and Diego Costa all bagging a goal and assist against the Eagles. Hiddink is adamant that Mikel’s presence in the centre of the park affords the Blues a balance at both ends of the pitch that they’ve sorely missed this campaign:

“He’s the ideal player in my option to bring balance to the team. If the team is not willing to defend well or have the right balance then you concede a lot of goals. I thought John Obi can be one of the key figures in getting the balance back. On top of that the talented players can then explore their qualities. He knows the game very well. He knows where the strength of the opponent is and he knows exactly how to cope with that. He has a very good eye, a very good nose, and a very good sense of where to recover. What I like to see very much is not just a quality player but a player who can defend so smoothly. It’s beautiful to see. He doesn’t lose many balls, he’s good in short passing. I don’t expect and I don’t ask him to make the decisive final pass. He can but no, we let the other players do that.”


Francis happy at centre-half

Bournemouth defender Simon Francis arrived in the top-flight with a lofty reputation. Foraging forward at right-back in last year’s Championship, Francis created 76 chances for his Cherries team-mates – more than any defender in the division. Francis has failed to live up to his reputation, though; after serving up a couple of assists in the first five Gameweeks, he’s failed to produce any attacking returns. A move to centre-half has certainly dampened his attacking potential, with full-backs Adam Smith and Charlie Daniels looking superior options, though Francis’ presence in the heart of defence has, nonetheless, helped his side to three clean sheets in the last six, with just four goals conceded over that period. Discussing his new position, Francis is keen to continue in a central berth for the sake of his career:

“I started at centre-half as a kid but was moved out wide because I had a bit of pace and could get up and down the pitch. That was why I was pushed to full-back. But it has been a case of needs-must for us this season as we have had a few injuries. The manager put me in there and I have been thankful because I have enjoyed it. I would probably say you have to be switched on more mentally when you play at centre-half but, physically, I am not doing as much running as I was at right-back. Moving there could definitely prolong my career but I still enjoy playing at right-back. Adam Smith has been in great form there so we are enjoying it as a back four as it is at the moment.”


Koeman Unhappy with Mane Attitude

For the second time in as many seasons, Sadio Mane was dropped from the Southampton starting line-up for disciplinary reasons last weekend. In spite of serving up consistently encouraging underlying stats, the Senegal international has disappointed his loyal Fantasy owners with just two assists in the last ten Gameweeks and was afforded just 11 minutes off the bench during the 1-0 win at Norwich after turning up late for the Saints’ pre-match team meeting. After watching his side slump to a sixth loss in the last eight Gameweeks, Ronald Koeman slammed Mane’s lack of application amid rumours of a possible move away from St Mary’s during the January transfer window:

“We had a different line-up for the game. Sadio was in, one of the 11 players to start, but we have rules in the team. He was doing a big mistake before the game in our last meeting, two hours before, that he came late, and that’s impossible. Everybody knows then you have a sanction. You don’t start. Then you have to make changes in the team, you have to make changes in all the set-pieces and everything. My message to Sadio two days ago was that I think he wasn’t really focussed and concentrated and that happened two days ago in the training sessions…Maybe (it was linked to opening of transfer window). I don’t know. Ask him really why. Ask him why. I don’t know.”


McClaren on tactical tinkering

Steve McClaren elected to slightly shuffle Newcastle United’s forward contingent for their trip to Arsenal, switching to a 4-2-3-1 set-up and deploying Georginio Wijnaldum in “the hole” behind lone striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. Although he failed to find the net, the Netherlands international thrived at the number-ten slot, amassing the joint-most shots inside the box (four) and shots on target (four) among all midfielders last Gameweek, as Petr Cech proved an impenetrable barrier in the Gunners’ goal. Although they lost narrowly, Newcastle sat joint-second in the Gameweek for attempts on target (six) and McClaren reckons he’ll be happy to employ a similar system in future match-ups:

“People can say it was a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1. I think it was a little lopsided at times, but we set up for the opponent, as we do in every game. We tried to play to our strengths, which I think they did (against Arsenal). We’ve got Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Perez and Mitrovic, who are a handful. They can be a real handful on their day. We rotated them around a bit (against the Gunners), and that’s something we’ll certainly use in the future.”


1,373 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Tansey
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Moreno to:

    A) Williams
    B) Smith
    C) Toby
    D) Save

    1. Bellerinmondo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Cresswell?

      1. Tansey
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Got him already

        1. Bellerinmondo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Toby then

    2. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      C

  2. Baby Face Nelson
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    yaya is falling over every other min

    1. RÏɠBY
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      he gains powers from grass stains on his bum

  3. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Navas on for Delph, City to improve.

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Delph had been running about like a headless chicken

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Navas will fill in fine then

  4. Kurtinho
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Anybody considering Kane captain, home to Leicester?

    1. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Not really tbh. No Dembele no party

    2. Costa in Wengerland
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Yes me , currently on Kane

    3. KingNidge
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      yep

    4. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      yep

  5. Jazz!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Finally some pace in the side

  6. Costa in Wengerland
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Navas on , City's only Hope

  7. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Silva is really terrible nowadays

    1. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Recently back from injury

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Even so, he's not been the player he usually is even before his injury. I really feel KDB should be the CAM, rather than wasting him out wide

    2. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      nonsense

      1. The Raging Bull
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Silva is a playmaker, he brings people into play, KDB doesn't do that, he simply whips a ball into the box.

        1. ★Kuntheman★
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          He's forced to because he's playing out wide to allocate for Silva. Should be the other way around imo

  8. JayBomb
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Playing Delph as winger what's that about?

    1. JayBomb
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Bad timing D'oh

  9. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Who was that saying that I am entitled to high rank..?? What's the matter with u people?

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      We are normal

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      You are the most annoying person on this site. A staggering achievement. Well done

    3. Demí
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      You make it hard to disagree. Everytime you fail, you blame someone else, casuals or whatever. Never your fault

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        It's my fault this season. there. I said it. And I mean it. Happy ??

    4. Ayew Serious
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      It's OK, you've got you're attention, all eyes are on you

    5. Eskimooo
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Your previous season results are pretty savage to be fair !

    6. Fitzy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      It was me. And I said that you thought you were, not that you are actually entitled to one.

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Shhh...just don't engage, keep scrolling through the comments

    7. Worzel Gummidge
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Man the hell up and stop acting like a whining little b!tch.

      • RÏɠBY
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        virtual pacifier would be handy right now.. mr whaawhaa

    8. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Who is on the Scoutcast tonight?

      1. KingNidge
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Mark Jonty Andy

        1. Eskimooo
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          What happened to Granville

          1. KingNidge
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 4 months ago

            Threw his toys out of the pram because he's having a woeful season.. no doubt be back after a green arrow or two

            1. Eskimooo
              • 8 Years
              8 years, 4 months ago

              That's terribly lame , he seems the first to belittle others , forgive me if I'm wrong I've only been watching this season .

    9. Ayew Serious
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Am I correct in saying there is at least 125 minutes left?

      1. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        plus extra time if needed

        1. Ayew Serious
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Oh Daniel how you confuse me

          1. Costa in Wengerland
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 4 months ago

            😀

      2. Sif
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Yes, 1st leg.

      3. Costa in Wengerland
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Yes

    10. JoJoRed
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Just in. Sagna playing. Is Zabaleta available or still injured. Trying to suss out out Sagna is or will be a rotation risk
      Joe

    11. Tansey
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I've seen City's last few games and Yaya just looks like he couldn't be bothered

      1. Shakshuka
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Feels like he always does... and then he scores

      2. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Been rubbish again. Equaliser incoming 😉

      3. Tadic is the new Eriksen
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        it's pathetic, if i were a city fan id be fuming

      4. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Thats Yaya for you

      5. KingNidge
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        He's been like that since they signed him.. Doesn't stop him destroying teams when he decides to

        1. Tansey
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          I guess you're right... he comes out with moments of brilliance when he decides to care for a while

      6. GAMBIT
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        I think he just lacks the running power he used to have

      7. RÏɠBY
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        his lackadaisical attitude fools the opposition into giving him space
        then he STRIKES

    12. MrInbetween
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Who's the cheap 5th midfielder of choice at the moment? I've got Alli & thinking of playing him as a 4th. I'm looking in the bargain bin for a benchwarmer but with guaranteed minutes?

      1. KingNidge
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        The Surmanator

    13. Ed
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Somehow everytime I watch City away from home they get worse. None of them look like they fancy it away from the Etihad.

    14. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I got it. No Chelsea awesomeness no Daniel high ranking. Simple as that. When we were winning 8:0 I was cracking it. See Andy and Leicester this season too. Granville and Utd etc. etc.

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        You need help mate. Seriously

        1. Ayew Serious
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Nothing wrong with this post

      2. Demí
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Yep. spot on. Chelsea's inability to compete this season is the reason for your dross fpl performance. Not you.

        1. RubeRx
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          😆 dying right now

        2. Costa in Wengerland
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          True

      3. Tadic is the new Eriksen
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        I'm a Leeds fan, and they dont play in the premier league. but I can still play Fantasy Premier League

        Theory disproven, please try harder

        1. RÏɠBY
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          this
          MOT 😉

      4. Hect.OR 98th
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Poor FPL management principle, backing your favourite team despite form.

      5. Gimli son of Gloin
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        This has to be a troll account.

      6. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Or maybe, just maybe, you spend too much time making excuses rather than actually fixing your team

      7. Malcolm Tucker for England …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        i see the link. i mean most Chelsea players are complete twats...

    15. Costa in Wengerland
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Everton offside Count - 762

    16. tm245
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Am at work but thanks Johnny Orphan for the vine of the goal.

      How has the rest of the match been?

    17. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Walcott and Vardy to Payet and Costa(c) because, why the hell not? 😀

    18. Puyol Pants Up
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      How is Aguero playing? Just got up

      1. Costa in Wengerland
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        He is not playing 😀

      2. Hect.OR 98th
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Probably a good assessment of him!

      3. Tadic is the new Eriksen
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        just missed an absolute sitter

      4. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Just missed a sitter

        1. Big_Andy_GAWA
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Very little service other than that...

      5. Gimli son of Gloin
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Not doing enough to make me want to captain him over Ighalo.

        1. Big_Andy_GAWA
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Think I'll be giving it to Kane judging by this...

    19. Costa in Wengerland
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Aguero Missss

    20. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Oops 😀

    21. Puyol Pants Up
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Aguero sitter missed.

    22. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Aguero misses a sitter

      Ouch

    23. 1zverGGademN
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      What's happening with Yaya? He is annoying? Oh... what a miss by Kun btw 😀

    24. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      aguero SITTER MISSED

    25. JayBomb
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Taxi for Kun

    26. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Aguero come on mate

    27. Puyol Pants Up
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Aguero limping a bit?