Suspension News
Play your cards right?
While on the subject of the “Suspension Tightrope” - we might well see those players currently on the edge of a one match ban due to five yellows, look to “strategically” pick up a yellow card over the next couple of matches.
The FA Cup third round falls on the weekend of January 5 and any player picking up a fifth booking either tomorrow or on this weekend in the Premiership, will sit out their respective tie if it falls seven days later. Bearing in mind that many Premiership sides are likely to field a good few second string players for their FA Cup ties, I just wonder if we’ll see some strategic thinking taking place with regards to bans.
The likes of Carragher, Lampard, Carvalho, Essien and Evra are all currently sitting on four bookings. It will be interesting to see how many of those manage to pick up a fifth booking by the end of the weekend.
Liverpool face Wigan at Anfield a week on Sunday, while United travel to Villa for their tie on the Saturday. Hardly gimme’s. However, As Gobbi pointed out in an earlier post, Chelsea face QPR a week on Sunday, a game which they may feel they can win without Lampard, Essien and Carvalho in order to reduce the risk of them missing a crucial Premiership game.
Such cynicism at Christmas can’t be good.
ContinuedChelsea and Cole wait for FA verdict
Ashley Cole could well face disciplinary action for allegedly sticking two fingers up to his former supporters in the game against Arsenal on Sunday.
Photographs appear to show Chelsea defender Cole making the gesture during Sunday’s game and an FA spokesman confirmed today that referee Alan Wiley had not included the incident in his post match report. However, the FA are set to review video and photographic evidence and come to a decision in the next 24-hours.
Cole could well face a suspension if found guilty although an improper conduct charge is more likely. Joey Barton was found guilty of a similar incident when he dropped his shorts against Everton in September last year. He admitted the charge and was fined a whopping £2000.
ContinuedNo reprieve for Essien
Michael Essien’s red card received in the victory at Derby at the weekend will stand after today’s appeal to the FA failed. Essien will now miss three Premiership games starting with the clash with West Ham at the weekend. He’ll also miss the games against Sunderland and the key tussle with Arsenal. Sidwell and Makelele seem likely to benefit in his absence.
ContinuedThe Suspension Tightrope returns
I’ve added the “Suspension Tightrope” to the “Technical Area” in the right menu. This table lists those players who are on the brink of a suspension as a result of being awarded 5 yellow cards before the end of February. It also lists those who are working their way towards the next target of 10 yellow cards. Any player earning this target by the second Sunday in April (April 13th) will get a 2-match ban. There’s also an additional ban for 15 yellows before the end of the season, but then you shouldn’t need to worry about that unless you have Nigel Reo-Coker in your team. So much for new club, new leaf eh Nigel?
It’s worth keeping an eye on this with this week’s Carling Cup ties in mind. Bookings received in the competition, along with the FA Cup, are added to the Premiership bookings.
ContinuedRonaldo off as United are held again
Christiano Ronaldo faces a 3-match ban following his red card in tonights game against Portmouth at Fratton Park. Ronaldo was dismissed after an apparent headbutt on Portsmouth’s Richard Hughes as United were held 1-1.
The straight red for violent conduct will mean an instant 3-match ban for the United man which will see him miss the local derby against City at the weekend plus the home matches against Tottenham and Sunderland.
So, having faced the problem of replacing Rooney following his injury, Fantasy Managers must now look to find a replacement for Ronaldo. Such is his price tag, it would be a brave decision to hold onto the United man until he see’s out his ban. Possible replacements will include the usual suspects of Gerrard and Lampard, who have both found the net this sesaon. Alternatively Fabregas and Arteta are worthy options. The Everton man in particular has started the season in sparkling form.
I’ve started a new poll for those unlucky enough to be facing this new dilemma and let’s face it, that’s quite a few us.
ContinuedRochemback suspension confirmed
Middlesbrough’s Fabio Rochemback has had a 3-match ban confirmed following his red card against Hertha Berlin last week. Middlesbrough had appealed against the sending off but it has been upheld and Rochemback will now miss the home game against Blackburn, followed by the away games at Wigan and Fulham. Julio Arca or Lee Cattermole are likely to benefit from Rochemback’s absence.
ContinuedCity suspend Barton for the season
Joey Barton has been suspended by City for their final two games of the season after a training ground bust-up. Barton was allegedly involved in an “incident” involving fellow City player Ousmane Dabo and City have taken immediate action with an “internal investigation” to follow. Barton’s absence for the games against United and Spurs will go to either Michael Johnson or Sun Jihai.
ContinuedLita facing 3-match ban
Leroy Lita is facing a ban after the FA found him guilty of violent conduct after his little encounter with Charlton’s El Karkouri in Monday’s game. Graham Poll missed the little clash but, having reviewed the incident, has indicated that it warranted a red card and therefore Lita now faces a 3-match ban. Lita has until Friday to deny or admit the charge. The latter seems more likely and a ban appears to be on its way. This latest incident clears up the rotation between Kitson, Doyle and Lita rather nicely and will prompt more than a few Fantasy Managers to get rid in the next few days.
ContinuedThe 10 booking curfew is up…
After Sunday, players will now have to earn themselves 15 yellow cards before they face an automatic suspension. This weekend saw the FA’s 10 booking curfew pass, which means Fantasy Managers with the likes of Didier Drogba who was sitting on 9 bookings, can now breathe a sigh of relief. Joey Barton meanwhile, managed to escape a 2-match ban by just 24 hours after picking up his 10th booking in Monday’s game against Fulham. The race is on now to see if any player can notch up the 15 bookings, with West Ham’s Reo-Coker currently leading the field on 11.
ContinuedMcCann picks up a ban
Villa’s Gavin McCann has just been booked against Everton - his tenth booking this season which will mean that he’ll be available for the Blackburn game on Saturday but will miss the games against Wigan and Boro. Steven Davis looks likely to benefit as a result of McCann’s absence for those two games.
Continued
