Scout Scribbles – Van Persie Skips Dutch Training with Toe Complaint

Robin Van Persie sits out Holland training with a toe problem. Luke Shaw and Ashley Williams withdraw from international duty, Brendan Rodgers talks up Jose Enrique’s recent displays, while Samuel Eto’o admits he’s yet to adjust to the Premier League.

Van Persie Toe Concern for Dutch

Reports yesterday indicate that Robin Van Persie missed Holland’s latest training session due to an injury to his little toe.

The Scout Says: The omission is likely to be no more than precautionary and could well be linked to the problem that had been reported prior to United’s trip to Sunderland. Certainly, if the issue was serious there’s every chance that Van Persie would have withdrawn from the squad or failed to feature against the Black Cats – given that Holland have already qualified for next year’s tournament in Brazil, there’s no need for the Dutch to take any unnecessary risks with their star striker ahead of Friday’s home clash with Hungary. Nevertheless, Fantasy managers will be hoping for a more positive prognosis ahead of a run of three home games in four for United, with the hope that Van Persie can rediscover his scoring form whilst on international duty after a poor domestic run has seen him manage just a single converted spot-kick in the past six Gameweeks.

Eto’o Needs Time to Adjust

Chelsea’s Samuel Eto’o has admitted he has yet to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League since moving from Russian outfit Anzhi in the summer transfer window. Speaking to the club’s official magazine, the Cameroon international conceded:

“Already I have noticed that English football is very physical – more physical than other types of football. It hasn’t been too much time yet, so I need to continue working to make sure I keep improving my level. Every game here is important and I realise that – I have come here to enjoy playing for Chelsea and to enjoy the football. I go into every game with the same approach. It doesn’t matter where you put me, I will play football. My team-mates are helping me a lot and also the coaches, so I feel that I am settling into the team.”

The Scout Says: Yet to score for the Blues, Eto’o’s lack of impact has been somewhat surprising. Handed back-to-back starts in Gameweeks 4 and 5, he managed just an assist and has been afforded just 18 minutes since, with Jose Mourinho preferring Demba Ba’s more physical presence for Sunday’s trip to Cardiff. With Fernando Torres still sidelined due to a knee injury, Eto’o could make a return to the XI for the upcoming home clash with Cardiff – a good performance against the Bluebirds and he could be handed the chance to continue as Mourinho’s side prepare for games against Newcastle and West Brom in the next four. The Chelsea manager’s rotation policy suggests he would admittedly be no more than a punt, however, with Oscar still the only attacking option to justify our interest so far, having struck three of Chelsea’s nine goals in the opening seven Gameweeks.

Shaw Skips England Under 21 Duties

Southampton’s left-back has withdrawn from the England Under 21 squad to face San Marino on Thursday. Shaw has failed to recover from the illness that forced him out of Sunday’s win over Swansea but is hopeful of recovering in time to face Lithuania next Tuesday.
The Scout Says: Shaw’s weekend absence was the latest in a series of issues that have affected his game time this term. The Saints left-back has managed just three lots of 90 minutes in the opening seven Gameweeks, with his propensity for picking up problems proving a real source of frustration for Fantasy managers. With just two goals conceded thus far, Mauricio Pochettino’s side have been the most resilient defence on offer but while Artur Boruc leads the keeper rankings and Jose Fonte and Dejan Lovren sit on 46 points apiece, Shaw has registered just 32 points by comparison. Indeed, with both centre-back now priced at 5.2, many may turn to Nathaniel Clyne instead – coming in at 4.4 to Shaw’s 4.7, he has now started each of the last four after winning back his starting berth and looks nailed-on at right-back.

Williams out of Wales Qualifiers

Swansea’s Ashley Williams is also amongst the international withdrawals after being forced to skip Wales’ upcoming games against Macedonia and Belgium. The centre-half had previously stated his intentions to appear but has since been ruled out after being examined by medical staff:

The Scout Says: The news will appease Swans boss Michael Laudrup, who has been without his skipper for the past two Gameweeks due to an ankle injury. Laudrup had called upon Chris Coleman to overlook Williams when naming the squad and has insisted for a number of weeks the player requires rest in order to recuperate – with another 10 days until their next league game against Sunderland, Laudrup will be a little more optimistic of welcoming Williams back to the fold as the Welsh club prepare for a very kind run of fixtures. With doubts still hovering over Williams (who is now down to 4.9 in FPL) and Ben Davies also out of international duties as a result of a hamstring problem, those eyeing up the Swansea defence for the next five Gameweeks (SUN, WHM car, STO, ful) could turn to Chico as a safer option if neither of the former two make it in time for the Black Cats encounter.

Lambert Hails Villa Versatility

Villa boss Paul Lambert reckons his players’ versatility has been vital over the past few matches. Lambert has trialled a number of formations in order to cope with injuries to key players including Christian Benteke, Gabby Agbonlahor and Ashley Westwood, with a 3-5-2 rolled out in the Gameweek 6 win over City:

“The beauty of it is they can adapt. The lads know it (3-5-2). They played it last year, so they know how to do it. The good thing is we can change to different ways of playing. They can adapt to whatever we ask them to do. It all depends on who we’re playing against and what players are fit, but we try to get a team to win. I played three at the back against Manchester City. Even though it was the first time this season, I thought they did exceptionally well.”

The Scout Says: Lambert had shifted from his default 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 and 3-5-2 in recent games in order to cope with a growing injury list but with Agbonlahor and Westwood available for last week’s trip to Hull, it was perhaps telling that he reverted to 4-3-3 once again. The likes of Leandro Bacuna and Antonio Luna had been utilised as wing-backs in the win over Manuel Pellegrini’s side but the duo were moved back into defence for the Tigers trip, as Lambert relied on Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann to supply the width further up the pitch. In spite of the success against City, then, it seems likely that Lambert will only return to such a system if injuries force his hand again – thus instantly quashing Luna’s out of position prospects on the left of midfield.

Enrique Praised By Rodgers

Just a day after Aly Cissokho capped his comeback from injury with a 90-minute run out for Liverpool’s Under 21s, Brendan Rodgers has been talking up Jose Enrique’s recent displays. The Reds boss also went on to reveal the Spaniard has been nursing a slight injury over the last few matches:

“Jose has been playing with a little bit of an injury, but he’s still been showing his determination and pride for the team. He has all the attributes to be one of the best left-backs in the Premier League. He’s a threat when he goes forward and defensively he’s very difficult to beat. The great thing is that Jose is always working at his game. He appraises himself honestly when we have chats. He’s one who is looking to improve his game and his passing. There’s no doubt that on his day he’s one of the best in that position in this country.”

The Scout Says: With little alternative on the left of defence, Enrique has played more than 100 minutes more than any of his defensive team-mates in spite of his minor injury. Indeed, Liverpool’s only defeat arrived in Gameweek 5 when Rodgers omitted Enrique from the XI and opted for Mamadou Sakho on the left of a back-four in the 1-0 home defeat by Southampton. The result prompted a change in formation to 3-4-1-2 and saw Enrique re-installed to the starting line-up on the left of midfield and, whilst Cissokho now offers an option should Rodgers choose to rest the Spaniard, Rodgers’ praise will offer reassurance to Enrique’s owners ahead of the resumption of the domestic programme in 10 days’ time.