Scout Scribbles – Liverpool Suffer Toure Blow

Liverpool edge past Notts County in extra-time but suffer a bitter blow as Kolo Toure tweaks a groin. Arsenal make progress in the Champions League but have injury concerns of their own as Lukas Podolski is ruled out with a hamstring. Elsewhere in the Capital One Cup, Ravel Morrison and Adel Taarabt boost their stock, whilst Ben Foster’s injury may just offer a cut-price route into the Baggies defence.

Liverpool Set to Lose Toure

Brendan Rodgers paid the price for fielding a strong lineup for the Capital One Cup tie with Notts County as he watched three players pick up injuries. The most serious of those looks to be Kolo Toure who was stretchered from the field with a groin problem. Rodgers’ early prognosis of the injury wasn’t optimistic….

“Kolo Toure, we need to assess it. His groin opened up a wee bit. He overstretched his groin and it doesn’t look so good, to be honest.”

Liverpool also suffered knocks to both Joe Allen and new left-back, Aly Cissokho, in the 4-2 extra time victory. Both players look early doubts for the weekend clash with Man United at Anfield.

“Cissokho was devastated. He shouldn’t be too long. He’s got a knock in his ankle. He was distraught to come off in his first start here…Joe Allen may well be a hamstring so we’ll have a look at that.”

The Scout Says: Toure’s injury may well be set to keep him out for a number of weeks and will come as a bitter blow to both his manager and Fantasy owners. The former City defender offered strong value throughout the Fantasy games and had started the season in good form, earning back-to-back clean sheets against Stoke and Villa. Toure, owned by over 10% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, seems very unlikely to figure against United this Sunday and his absence will put stress on many a squad with Chelsea and Villa’s assets already missing from Gameweek 3. Sales and a price drop look almost certain in the weeks to come, particularly with the international break beckoning. Martin Skrtel is expected to be fit to take his place alongside Dan Agger at the back when Robin van Persie and United pay visit on Sunday.

Ramsey’s Form Continues as Gunners Suffer Podolski Injury

Aaron Ramsey’s superb start to the season continued with two strikes as Arsenal progressed to the group stages of the Champions League courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Fenerbache at the Emirates. Having notched three goals this season, a delighted Arsene Wenger singled the Welshman out for praise in his post-match analysis:

“He gets to the end of things now. I liked especially his second goal. It’s a good finish and a year ago he would not have taken that chance the way he took it here. He’s improving from week to week. That’s very positive for us because a year ago, many people were questioning Aaron Ramsey.”

The Gunners victory came at a price, however, with Lukas Podolski suffering a hamstring injury that is set to rule him out for three weeks. Ramsey and Wilshere also sustained knocks ahead of Sunday’s derby clash with Spurs.

Wenger had this to say on Tuesday’s injury setbacks:

“That’s the negative of tonight. We paid a heavy price on the injury front because we lost Podolski. I don’t know how bad Ramsey is. I don’t know how Wilshere responds to an ankle problem. We have to check that [on Wednesday] morning… Podolski is definitely out for 21 days and Ramsey we have to check how severe his groin is tomorrow…Jack should be alright for Sunday and I’m hopeful on Aaron as well. I don’t know how bad it is. I took Ramsey off with three or four minutes to go but I don’t know how bad it is. I haven’t seen him yet.”

The Scout Says: Impressive at Fulham last weekend, Ramsey has now scored three goals in Europe and, in the Sun Dream Team, is the top rated midfielder on show on 41 points having earned three Star Man awards to date. A lesser asset in the FPL, Ramsey is nonetheless priced at just 5.5 and is beginning to blink on the radar as an option to consider for Arsenal coverage. The knock will be a minor concern, although with Arsenal set to recruit in the transfer window, many Fantasy managers will have doubts over Ramsey’s long-term prospects, even with his current level of performance.

The injury to Podolski rules him out just days after his brace at Fulham. Podolski attracted investment this week off the back of that points haul with over 15,000 FPL managers making the investment ahead of the encounter with Spurs. His absence looks set to cement starts for Ramsey and maybe Wilshere, if fit, for Sunday’s game. Tomas Rosicky could also be in line to start once again, with Mikel Arteta still a likely absentee.

Ravel Morrison Stakes a Claim

Starting as part of a second string West Ham lineup in their Capital One Cup tie with Cheltenham, Ravel Morrison scored and assisted as the Hammers ran out 2-1 winners. Outstanding in pre-season, Morrison will hope to force his way into Sam Allardyce’s lineup, having emerged from the bench in the recent 0-0 at Newcastle. Assistant manager Neil McDonald was full of praise for Morrison is his post-match comments:

“I think he has shone tonight and has tried to knock on the manager’s door with a good performance and another goal. He’s continued what he did in pre-season, scoring goals from midfield, which is great. He’s shown what he can do and now has to wait for his chance when the manager picks him in the Barclays Premier League.”

The Scout Says: So impressive in the summer friendlies, Fantasy managers were hoping that Morrison would stake a first-team claim only to see the former United starlet reduced to a bench role. Last night’s display offered a reminder of his qualities, however, and with the Hammers without a cutting edge as Andy Carroll continues to recover from injury, it could be that Morrison gets his chance to offer potential as a 4.5 FPL midfield option.

Snodgrass and Bassong Make Injury Returns

Norwich City put out a strong lineup in their 6-3 Capital One Cup tie win over Bury. Both Robert Snodgrass and Seb Bassong earned their first starts of the season following injury, while Anthony Pilkington also made a return and duly got his name on the scoresheet. Johan Elmander, making his full debut for the Canaries, earned a brace as the Premier League side ran out winners.

The Scout Says: Both Snodgrass and Bassong look set to start when Southampton pay visit at the weekend. The Scot offered Chris Hughton a reminder of his talents by earning two assists in last night’s victory, while Bassong’s presence in the defence following the defeat at Hull last weekend, looks vital. That could well see Steven Whittaker make way as Hughton opts to keep both Russell Martin and Michael Turner in his back four.

With Pilkington and Elmander pushing for starts, Hughton appears to have a wealth of options in attacking areas and Fantasy managers will be keen to see how the Canaries lineup settles in the coming weeks. Both Pilkington and Elmander are available as 5.5 midfielders and forwards respectively.

Taarabt Notches As Bent Gets 90 Minutes

Adel Taarabt opened his Fulham account with a superbly struck opening goal as Fulham squeezed past Burton Albion in extra-time. Outstanding in his 45 minute appearance, the Moroccan appears to be strengthening his case for regular starts in Martin Jol’s lineup. The Fulham boss also handed Darren Bent a full 90 minutes as the former Villa man builds his fitness following his move to Craven Cottage.

The Scout Says: Taarabt certainly looks to have settled and is beginning to make an impact at the Cottage. There’s no doubting his talent, however, with the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Bryan Ruiz and Pajtim Kasami to accommodate, in addition to a string of options on the flank, there are lingering doubts as to Taarabt’s prospects as a regular starter. He is displaying strong form, however, and Jol has not shown hesitation when it comes to introducing Taarabt to his lineup. With Bent also edging towards a first league start, this pair could offer intriguing mid-price options for Fantasy managers ahead of Fulham’s favourable run of fixtures to come. Jol’s side face West Brom, Cardiff and Stoke at home from Gameweeks 4-7.

Villas Boas Praises New Recruit Capoue

Andre Villas Boas was full of praise for Etienne Capoue, after the defensive midfielder’s impressive home debut against Swansea at the weekend. Capoue screened the Spurs back four as part of a three-man midfield in Sunday’s 1-0 victory. Villas-Boas singled out the French international, post-match:

“That was a very good performance from Capoue, great to see him out there protecting the back four. That shows signs of a player who is mature, has great technical qualities and it able to recover so many balls that give the team possession and the chance to attack.”

The Scout Says:Brazilian defensive midfielder Sandro, who had a bench role on Sunday in his bid to return to full fitness, will be a constant threat to Capoue’s place in the first XI. However, Villas Boas’ comments are hugely encouraging for the Frenchman. From a Fantasy football perspective, Capoue is unlikely to attract many suitors in the FPL but could eventually turn heads in the Sky Sports game given his potential for passing and tackling bonus at a price of just 4.9 million. The key significance of both Capoue and Sandro as options is that the pair allow the continuation of the 4-3-3 which should give Paulinho greater licence to forage forward in search of goals. The Brazilian was one of the most forward thinking midfielders on display at the weekend and was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet. Paulinho emergence as a box-to-box midfielder is likely to see Gylfi Sigurdsson’s stock fall further. Meanwhile, on the flanks either side of Roberto Soldado, Aaron Lennon, Nacer Chadli and Andros Townsend could well be competing for just two positions. Crucially, the 4-3-3 could be fundamental as to how we assess Tottenham’s defensive potential over the season ahead – Villas-Boas’ side have yet to concede this season and the midfield three offered extra protection to the back-four against Michu and co last Sunday, with the Spaniard failing to register a single effort at the Lane.

Gibson Nearing Toffees Return

Darron Gibson is edging closer to full fitness, according to Everton boss Roberto Martinez. The midfielder is to be assessed ahead of tonight’s Capital One Cup clash against Stevenage, though the tie is likely to come too soon for his first appearance of the season, as Martinez explained:

Darron Gibson is progressing really well and he won’t be too far away. We need to be careful that we don’t push him too early.

Elsewhere, Tony Hibbert is now back in full training and likely to be involved in the Stevenage tie, while winger Magaye Gueye made his comeback from injury this week in Monday’s under-21 defeat at Manchester City. Antolin Alcaraz is also expected to return to full training in the next seven days.

In addition, Roberto Martínez is set to hand teenager Gerard Deulofeu, who Everton signed on loan from Barcelona, his competitive debut in the Capital One Cup but suggests that it may be some months before he wins regular Premier League starts. Martinez said:

”For someone so young to feel they want to help the team is something you want to see as a manager. We need to be patient with Gerard. We will see the best of him in January or February. He’s an exciting winger. He takes people on and can play on both wings.”

The Scout Says: Gibson’s return to full fitness places a question mark over Ross Barkley’s long term prospects as a midfield option. Barkley, who this week earned an England call up, has already risen in price in the FPL game to 4.8 on the back of his goal and maximum bonus point haul in Gameweek 1, however, his inexperience may eventually see Martinez favour Gibson over the coming weeks. Gibson could featured on the bench against Cardiff this weekend, with Barkley looking secure in the short-term, at least.

Gueye’s return is a reminder that Everton have options out wide. Kevin Mirallas’ owners will be wary of the threat from Deulofeu’s emergence in the short term as the Belgian struggles to emulate his pre-season form. Mirallas has missed several opportunities to get his goal account ticking in his two starts thus far.

Alcaraz’s return could be more significant and allow Martinez to revert to the 3-4-3 wingback system he deployed while at Wigan. This would see Alcaraz slot in next to Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka and give Seamus Coleman and left-back Leighton Baines even greater freedom to bomb forward. Such a bold change of system could again cast doubts over Barkley’s long-term security in a more disciplined midfield role.

Myhill Set for Baggies Run

West Bromich Albion keeper Ben Foster has been sidelined for the next 12 weeks after suffering a stress fracture in his right foot. The England international was substituted during the Everton match on Saturday and will undergo surgery later this week. This latest setback coincides with a return to training of Wales international goalkeeper Boaz Myhill. While Myhill is the favourite to replace Foster, Steve Clarke also praised third choice keeper Luke Daniels who came on for Foster during the Everton clash:

There’s no hiding the fact this is disappointing news as Ben is a key player for us. He was excellent on Saturday before his injury forced him off. In the meantime, I’ve got two other very good goalkeepers to choose from. Boaz did well when he deputised for Ben last season and Luke showed on Saturday he is a more than capable goalkeeper.

The Scout says: Priced at 4.5 in the FPL, Myhill offers a cheaper route into West Brom’s defensive points and an easy transfer for those who had partnered the 5.0 priced Foster in a defensive pairing with Southampton stopper Artur Boruc. While Daniels proved effective during his short stint in goal against Everton he is likely to remain behind the more experienced Myhill in Clarke’s thinking.

Stoke swoop for Liverpool winger

Following a frustrating first year at Liverpool, Moroccan international winger Oussama Assaidi has joined Stoke City on a season long loan in search of first team starts. Stoke have also announced that their US international winger Brek Shea is winning his battle to be fit, after damaging knee ligaments during a pre-season friendly against Philadelphia Union on July 30. Shea came through a 45 minute stint for Stoke’s Under-21 side unscathed this week.

The Scout Says: Assaidi and Shea will certainly increase the competition for places on the Potters flanks. With both being predominantly left-footed, Matt Etherington’s role on the wing looks in question – the former West Ham man has started each of the Potters’ first two Gameweeks, with Jon Walters fielded on the opposite flank. Coming in at 4.9 and 5.0 in FPL, Assaidi and Shea are certainly budget-friendly, though with trips to West Ham and Arsenal and a home clash against City in the next three, Fantasy managers will be happy to steer clear until the schedule is a little kinder. A Moving Target article on Assaidi will be published later this week.