Normal service is resumed then. I’m back from my week of absence and United are back winning games – although only just. It’s been a while since you soaked up some of my rambling nonsense so here’s a big dose of my notes from this weekend’s games…
Starting at the Emirates and Gilberto returned to the Arsenal lineup against City, pushed into the back four after Senderos injured himself in the warm-up. What’s more, Gilberto could soon be back on penalties after Van Persie had his spot kick saved in this game. Adebayor also returned from injury to start and he and Eduardo now both seem likely to rotate for a place up front in the coming weeks.
Sven went with a 4-5-1 once more at the Emirates and, once again, Sven left Bianchi on the bench, opting for Mpenza up front with Elano playing behind. It’s clear then that Bianchi is far from assured of a starting role, even with Bojinov out until Christmas. Similarly Geovanni seems to be used by Sven as an impact sub, his goal against United wasn’t enough for him to keep his place with Ireland returning in midfield after illness.
Ashley Young’s is starting to show some form. He notched a goal and an assist against Fulham and looks to be showing the form that led to O’Neill laying down the millions for his signature. If classified as a midfielder in your game, Young, like Gareth Barry is worth a look over the next month or so given that Villa have 4 of their next 6 games at Villa Park. Luke Moore might also be worth considering seeing as his appearance for Petrov turned the game around. All the talk is that Agbonlahor and Petrov could lose their starting roles in the coming weeks with Moore likely to benefit.
Fulham appeared to lineup with Dempsey down the middle alongside Healy and Kamara drifting out to the lef. Dempsey struck the Fulham goal of course and could be worth a look if you’re looking for a budget midfield signing.
Bolton gave Sammy Lee his first win in some style against Reading. Anelka continued his form with a third goal of the season and an assist. He and Diouf remain the key targets in this side although both could well be on the move in the coming week. Reading meanwhile are nursing a long injury list and gave starts to Goldbourne and Fae. However, Lita and Convey both appeared as subs after bouts of absence through injury and Reading’s lineup should shuffle once more for the next round of games. With West Ham, Sunderland and Wigan to come next, Doyle and the Reading defence could still be worth a look.
Jose delayed handing Belletti his debut, leaving Essien at right-back but that should change next time out with Obi Mikel likely to make way in midfield as Essien changes roles. Meanwhile it appears that Kalou and Pizarro will be rotated alongside Drogba, with Kalou’s pace perhaps preferred away from home.
Matt Taylor might be worth considering in the short-term after all. He kept his place on the left for Pompey with Muntari slotting into the centre alongside Davis. This could still be a temporary reprieve for Taylor who could drop to the bench once Mendes is fit. Kanu and Utaka were paired up front with Benjani and Nugent on the bench. Harry clearly has rotation in mind, although the Kanu/Utaka pairing seems to be his first choice having impressed in the last two outings.
Derby gave a start to new signing Eddie Lewis and moved Todd back into the back four alongside Davis against Birmingham. Oakley netted his second of the season and is emerging as Derby’s only player worth considering right now given their current form. Birmingham meanwhile, shifted Djourou into central midfield although this is likely to be temporary with Bruce making signings this week. Camaron Jerome got the opportunity of a first start which he took with some style. Jerome should get a start next time out with Boro and Bolton to come. However, things get tough for Birmingham in September with Liverpool and United looming.
Rafa shuffled the pack as expected with Tuesday’s Champions League game in mind. Gerrard rested his broken toe which saw Sissoko come into midfield. Hypia replaced Agger in central defence only to suffer a broken nose early on which saw Agger take his place. Babel came in for Riise, while Voronin partnered Torres up front. Apart from the forwards, it could be that Riise and Agger are the most likely to suffer rotation throughout Liverpool’s Champions League campaign which perhaps makes Carragher, Arbeloa and Finnan more attractive Fantasy targets in their defence. The injuries to Carragher and Hypia will influence things in the short term – more on those in my injury round-up to come.
Grant Leadbitter was back in contention for Sunderland. He appeared as a second-half sub for Dwight Yorke. If Leadbitter can earn and maintain a place he tends to be in the thick of the set-pieces and can also provide a goal threat from open play. Threre are likely to be a few additions to Keane’s squad in the next week however.
David Moyes continues to surprise with some of his lineups. He relegated Fantasy favourite Lescott to the bench for the visit of Blackburn with Stubbs and Yobo starting in the centre of defence and Baines making his debut at left-back. Lescott did appear for the second-half however with Stubbs picking up an injury. More on that in my injury round-up. Baines meanwhile is now active and a decent target given his Wigan price tag. The fixtures don’t present too many obvious clean sheets though, with Bolton away and United at home next.
Blackburn meanwhile offered few suprises in their lineup. The McCarthy/Santa Cruz pairing is now expected to continue with Santa Cruz building his reputation with his third Rovers goal. Both look tempting however with City and Chelsea coming next for Rovers it might be worth holding fire on their players.
Paul Scharner looks to have cemented his place in the Wigan lineup, keeping Michael Brown on the bench. His spectacular goal at Upton Park illustrates his value as a misclassified defender in most Fantasy Games. If Scharner’s stock took a rise this weekend, Sibierski’s took a hit as the midfielder turned striker suffered a hamstring injury and was subbed early on against the Hammers. The injury is apparently minor but there’s no confirmation of that or a likely absence as yet.
Newcastle’s Charles Nzogbia was amongst the points again, despite being deployed at left-back. Nzogbia hit a superb opening goal, his second of the campaign. Geremi meanwhile underlined his potential as a misclassified Defender by supplying the assist for Viduka’s goal from his midfield position. Shay Given returned on the bench today and should get a start next time out, while Owen is now a real threat to Martin’s starting role as he slowly improves his fitness.
In the same game, Southgate relegated Tuncay to the bench to allow for Fabio Rochemback’s return from suspension. He partnered Arca in central midfield with Boateng moving out to the right. Rochemback was a constant threat throughout, peppering the Newcastle goal with long-range efforts. He’ll also be central to set pieces so both he and Arca are worth a look if you’re looking for a budget midfielder. Mido scored for the second game running and is looking like a decent mid-price acquisition. Boro’s fixtures are still running kindly for them too with Birmingham, West Ham and Sunderland coming next.
Finally United were unchanged against Spurs and are likely to be again next time out with Ronaldo, Neville and Rooney still absent. Berbatov was back earlier than expected for Spurs but it’s Gareth Bale that will have Fantasy Manager’s twitching. Classified as a defender in all Fantasy Games, he got his first start on the left-wing and never looked out of his depth against United. It’s clear that Bale’s attacking prowess and threat from set-pieces make him a very tempting signing. Spurs face Fulham, Arsenal, Bolton and Villa next and while Bale will earn you few clean sheets, there’s no denying that Spurs could get goals in those games which is likely to find Bale contributing assists at the very least. While Lennon is out, Bale seems likely to start on the left with Malbranque employed on the right as he was today.