Like Dave Kitson says, nobody cares about the FA Cup right? Well at least it gives most fantasy managers some much needed breathing space to contemplate their lineups and plan the next masterstroke. Here’s another set of belated notes on the first Premiership matches of the New Year to ease that process…
Blackburn 1 Sunderland 0
Hughes had Samba back in his defence after the cente-back missed the Derby game attending to his wife in hospital. Khizanishvili made way and dropped to the bench. Tugay and Mokoena again made up the midfield pairing with Savage looking likely to move one with a number of clubs vying for his signature – including Sunderland. Dunn was left on the bench once again but seems likely to figure in the coming weeks with Mokoena away wth South Africa at the African Cup of Nations (ACN). McCarthy, left out of that South African squad, started alongside Santa Cruz and converted the penalty to win the game for Rovers – his first goal in his last ten Premiership appearances.
Friedal was the hero at the other end, saving a penalty for the second game running. He earned two FPL bonus points for his efforts with Bentley also amongst the bonus points yet again – that’s the fourth game running. Blackburn earned their first clean sheet in ten games here but there’s potential to add to that tally – their next next four matches against Boton (away), Boro (home), Villa (away), Everton (home) could be a whole lot worse. Bentley and Santa Cruz (if fit) should continue to offer value during that spell.
Roy Keane dropped Cole to the bench and as expected, brought Murphy in up front after his goal against Bolton. Ethuhu dropped out of the sixteen with the ACN beckoning, and Yorke came into the eleven. Richardson kept his place out wide after returning from his back injury against Bolton.
It’s just one clean sheet in nine for Sunderland now, although McShane is performing well. He picked up the three FPL bonus points here to add to the pair he got last weekend in the win over Bolton. There could be changes in the back four soon with Nosworthy nearing fitness after suffering a hamstring injury and Johnny Evans arriving today from United on loan. The changes would likely see McShane back at right full-back with Whitehead moved to a more familiar midfield role.
It’s not likely we’ll see Whitehead get near another penalty after his miss in this game. Keane hinted that Yorke should have perhaps taken the spot-kick.
Injuries and Suspensions
Blackburn lost Santa Cruz to a groin injury and subbed him at half-time. His replacement, Derbyshire, then sustained a hip injury and both to miss the FA Cup tie at the weekend. They could also be doubts for Blackburn’s next Premiership fixture against Bolton, leaving Rovers thin in atttack with Roberts also sidelined with a foot injury.
Sunderland lost Kenwyne Jones to a knee injury at half-time he’ll be a doubt for the FA Cup game with Wigan. Dwight Yorke will definitely miss that match after seeing red in this game. Ross Wallace moved on to four bookings for the season after this game.
Bolton 1 Derby 0
Megson made two changes dropping Jlloyd Samuel to the bench and McCann from the sixteen to bring back Campo and Guthrie in midfield. The result flattered Bolton who never really got going and were on the back foot for much of the first half. Nevertheless it was a second consecutive clean sheet at home and a precioius three points for Megson’s men.
Anelka could have played his last Premiership game in this one with a move to Chelsea or Man City seemingly on the cards. Diouf and Meite have now departed for ACN – Stelios’ winner here should be enough to see him pin down a starting role in Diouf’s absence although Wilhelmsson, a second-half sub for Davies here, looked lively on his arrival.
Nolan came in for some stick from some quarters of the Bolton crowd and Megson has since jumped to his defence. Apparently the Bolton skipper played this match with a headband to protect the stitches he’d earned in the defeat at Sunderland. He also had a painkilling injection in his ribs. Nolan would seem a likely candidate to be rested for the forthcoming FA Cup tie with Sheffield United then. He’ll be keen to prove the boo boys wrong when he does next turn out in a Bolton shirt.
Bolton do appear to offer some value over the forthcoming games with no top six opposition in their next six games. There is likely to be many changes to the Bolton side over that period though – not least the likely loss of Anelka.
Derby’s chances of staying up look to be finally killed off with this defeat which was harsh on Jewell’s men. His side have been ravaged by injuries. In this game he was without Leacock after he picked up an injury against Blackburn. Moore and Davis did at least retun to form the central defensive pairing with Johnson dropped to the bench. Teale came back into the midfield to replace Howard who has departed for Leicester. That saw Barnes pushed up to support Miller up front.
Jewell will make signings in the coming week or so but will likely have one eye on the Championship now. It seems unlikely that any Derby player will find their way into many fantasy managers lineup for the forseeable future, if not for the rest of the season.
Injuries and Suspensions
Bolton’s Andy O’Brien picked up his fourth booking of the season here.
James McEveley is the latest in an endless line of injuries for Derby. The full-back was subbed after just 20-minutes. Fagan got his fourth booking of the season.
Liverpool 1 Wigan 1
Liverpool dropped out of the top four as they failed to kill off Wigan with a second goal. It’s become a disturbing trend for Liverpool in recent weeks as they struggle to put games beyond doubt after taking the lead. Whilst Gerrard rescued the result at Derby, they got caught out here with Bramble’s equaliser and their skipper couldn’t quite grab the points for them, despite his best efforts.
Lineup wise, Hyypia was still sidelined with an ankle injury and Agger was not yet fully fit to return so Arbeloa started his second consecutive game in central defence. Finnan remained at right-back with Aurellio again on the left. Benayoun dropped to the bench to make way for the return of Pennant – his first game since October. Alonso came in for Kuyt with Gerrard pushed up to support Torres.
Torres grabbed his tenth Premiership goal of the season to give them a second-half lead. Thats four in four games for the Spaniard. Gerrard is still a little quiet in fantasy terms with just one goal and an assist in five. Defensively it’s now just one clean sheet in six and they conceded here for the third home game running.
The next four games look good for Rafa’s men though, with plenty of opportunities for Gerrard and Torres to boost their point tallies. Team selection will remain hard to predict though now that Crouch is back and Pennant has returned from injury. Agger’s return, possibly for the FA Cup this weekend, will also complicate things at the back.
Wigan came away with a superb result then – it’s now just one defeat in five for Steve Bruce’s side. Heskey’s return up front was the only change made with Sibierski dropping to the bench. Koumas was also fit and on the bench.
Their fixtures over the next month aren’t too bad with Everton at home the only top six opposition. Taylor would appear to offer the best value as a defender, with Koumas seemingly likely to leave this month having lost his place on the left of midfield.
Injuries and Suspensions
Liverpool picked up a number of knocks here with Gerrard and Arbeloa sustaining calf injuries that will seem them miss the FA Cup tie with Luton. Aurellio also picked up a hamstring injury. Mascherano earned his fourth booking of the season and is therefore on the verge of a suspension should he stay at Anfield of course.
Scharner earned his fifth booking here so will miss the next Premiership game against Derby.
Newcastle 0 Man City 2
Life doesn’t get any easier for Allardyce. His side huffed and puffed against City but just couldn’t break the City backline in which Dunne was again superb. When they did they found young Joe Hart in inspired form. Allardyce made just one change with Smith dropping out of the sixteen after suffering concussion after a clash of heads with Faye in the Chelsea game. Viduka started up front with Martins. Faye was once again in midfield and Owen was on the bench. The England striker got on at half-time for Martins as Newcastle chased the game.
It’s just one clean sheet in twelve and three consecutive defeats for Newcastle who will lose Beye, Geremi, Faye and Martins to the ACN. Allardyce is hopeful to have Martins for the trip to Old Trafford but the rest will be missing. Smith is likely to be reinstated in a midfield role having partnered Martins and Viduka in recent weeks. The likes of Carr and Rozenhal may also get prolonged runs in the side although Allardyce will want to strengthen in defence. He’s already had a bid for Wes Brown turned down today.
City moved up to fourth with this result – their first away win since the opening day victory at West Ham. Sven kept the same side that battled out a draw against Liverpool. Once again Dunne and the defence stood firm, Petrov sparkled and threatened from the left but this time Elano contributed a touch of magic to hand them the lead before Gelson, a second-half sub, sealed the win.
Elano’s goal was his first fantasy points in eight appearances. City kept their second consecutive clean sheet and Dunne picked up the three FPL bonus points for the second match running. Things are on the up for City then which will no doubt boost the popularity of Dunne, Petrov and perhaps Elano. Onuoha and Ball present decent budget buy options in defence having started the last four and five games respectively. Ball perhaps looks most assured of his place with Garrido well and truly warming the bench now. Hart will also get a lot of attention and has always been a worth purchase since being confimed as City’s number one.
Fixture wise however it’s a tough period for City with Everton, United and Arsenal coming up in the next five games.
Arsenal 2 West Ham 0
Wenger made predictable changes for this one, bringing back Adebayor to start alongside Eduardo up front with Bentdner serving a one-match ban. Rosicky also started, coming in for Diaby.
Arsenal ripped up the West Ham gameplan in just over a minute with Eduardo firing home smartly for his third goal in two games. The Croatian striker is looking sharp and seems pretty assured of a start in tomorrows FA Cup tie while Van Persie is still being rested by Wenger. In the Premiership, his opportunities are still likely to be limited once Van Persie returns which could well be against Birmingham on January 12 as indicated by Wenger earlier today.
Adebayor hit his third goal in three games, moved to twelve goals for the season and picked up the three FPL bonus points. He still looks a sound fantasy purchase then – a little unspectacular compared to Torres or Berbatov perhaps, but given Arsenal’s forthcoming games, that could change. Sooner or later a thrashing will be dealt out at the Emirates which could see an avalanche of points – Berbatov style – for Adebayor.
Fabregas is becoming a slight concern – it’s no goals in the last six starts now – but patience is required due to the same reason – a big scoring week for him is perhaps just a few games away. Assists and FPL bonus points are always assured in the meantime.
Defensively there is mounting evidence that Arsenal are becoming far more solid. This clean sheet was their fourth in five games, their eighth of the season. The departure of Toure to the ACN is a concern in his department, with Senderos likely to come in alongside Gallas. Arsenal are not likely to be anywhere near as secure without Toure but their forthcoming fixtures suggest that they could get through his absence relatively unscathed. Senderos could even be a very decent mid-price buy if he sees off the competition from Djourou for the starting spot alongside Gallas.
West Ham came with five in midfield and just Cole up front. Ferdinand came into the back four with Spector moving into midfield to replace the injured Parker. Pantsil also started in midfield for Solano who picked up a hamstring against United. Ashton was once again, left on the bench.
The Hammers offered little once Ljungberg departed with injury. Ashton belated arrival as a sub remains a mystery – clearly all is not well between Curbishley and the striker, denying fantasy managers a potential target. Elsewhere the defence has kept just one clean sheet in eight.
Injuries and Suspensions
West Ham lost Ljungberg to what appeared to be a recurrence of his hamstring injury after just half-an-hour and he is out of the squad for the FA Cup tie with City. McCartney moved on to four bookings for the season in this game.
Aston Villa 2 Tottenham 1
Villa’s prowess at set-pieces proved a decisive factor with Mellberg and Laursen adding to their goal tallies and potential value to fantasy managers. O’Neil brought Petrov in for Maloney who was dropped to the bench. He kept the 4-4-2, pushing Agbonlahor up front with Luke Moore who started for Carew who was sidelined through injury.
Villa are unbeaten in five and are playing with confidence. Young, Barry and Agbonlahor are the attacking treats that demand attention. Young has notched three consecutive assists but is classed as a forward in many fantasy games. Barry is a better proposition and could be a profitable mid-price buy over the next five games. Agbonlahor remains a fantasy favourite despite a recent goal drought. It’s still just one goal in eight for the striker who has recently been pushed out wide by O’Neil.
Carew seems likely to return in either the FA Cup tie with United or the home game with Reading next weekend. Moore’s chances are likely to be limited then but Carew could be amongst the ponts with Reading, Blackburn, Fulham and Newcastle amongst the next five opponents.
Defensively they’ve gone seven games without a clean sheet but Laursen’s five Premiership goals have masked that fact by boosting his point output. With three home games in five coming up, Laursen will remain a key target. Davies is also worth considering. He appears to have the edge on Knight for a start and showed also benefit from the delivery from set pieces to score goals – he’s already scored at Wigan of course. Mellberg is of course an alternative and perhaps more assured of starts.
Tottenham rested King for this game having started the last two. Dawson returned having missed the last four Premiership matches. Chimbonda was also rested with Zokora coming in at right-back. Huddlestone dropped to the bench and Boateng came into the midfield. Keane was also rested with Defoe starting and hitting the Spurs goal.
Berbatov got his third assist in four games to go with the five goals he’s hit over Christmas. Bent remains in the background with his fitness in doubt – for now then, Berbatov is certainly safe from any rotation. The big issue with Berbatov is whether he’ll remain at Spurs although today’s announcement from Ferguson that United won’t be tempted into the January market certainly makes that more likely. Regardless of a move, Berbatov continues to be a prime target for fantasy managers with Tottenham’s attacking football almost guaranteeing points.
Keane is now likely to be rotated more often with Defoe and becomes less attractive to fantasy managers as a result. Another factor affecting both Keane and Berbatov are the forthcoming fixtures which show Spurs coming up against three decent back fours in Chelsea, Everton and United over the next five games.
Elsewhere the Spurs side offers little with Bale sidelined – it’s just one clean sheet in eight for the Spurs defence while Jenas in midfield appears to be the only minor temptation in that department. Zokora will be off to the ACN after the FA Cup game which should see Huddlestone get another few games – he could be worth considering given his impact over Christmas.
Injuries and Suspensions
Spurs lost Kaboul to a twisted ankle just before the hour mark . Malbranque, Dawson and Zokora all moved into the suspension danger zone with four bookings for the season after this game.
Fulham 1 Chelsea 2
Hodgson was without Bouazza through suspension so he brought in Volz to the midfield. He also dropped Healy to the bench and paired Dempsey with Kamara up front. There’s little new to say about Fulham while the new boss settles in. As I’ve said before, there’s likely to be some new arrivals in the next few weeks which could either confirm the value of someone like Dempsey or reduce it, depending on whether Hodgson can get himself a new striker.
Grant kept Hilario in goal and the same back four. That meant starts again for Belletti and Bridge with Ashley Cole and Ferreira overlooked. Sidwell was preferred to Obi in midfield. Kalou was once again the lone figure up front with Joe Cole and Wright-Phillips supporting.
The Chelsea defence is the area of most interest. It’s just one clean sheet in the last five, however, Chelsea defenders will still be in demand, particularly once Cech returns in goal. Rumours surfacing today indicate that Terry could well be out for another few months, if not the season. The arrival of Ivanovic from Lokomotiv Moscow, looks on the cards to boost Grant’s options and may cast some doubt on his preferred back four. Of all the Chelsea defenders, only Carvalho would appear to be sure of starts going forward, once he returns from suspension next weekend.
Alex appears to be in a strong position but is presumably under Carvalho in the pecking order and could be threatened by Ivanovic if he signs. The centre-backs are still the best option though as Grant’s choice of full-back remains unclear. Expect further rotation in that area in the next fortnight.
The absence of Obi and Essien over the next four to five games is a factor to consider defensively for Chelsea. These two provide excellent cover for the Chelsea back four and Grant will need Makelele to return from an ear operation to help fill the void left by these two.
In attacking terms Ballack hit a second goal in three games since his return but his place in the side will obviously be threatened by Lampard’s return from injury at the end of the month. Kalou would be another possible target – it’s five goals and eight assists for the season now but he now departs for the ACN until Febuary. With Drogba also at the tournament, that would appear to leave Grant with just Shevchenko and Pizarro as striking options. That is unless the move for Anelka materialises.
Chelsea could struggle in attacking terms over the next month with the ANC absentees. The likes of Joe Cole and Wright-Phillips will have to up their game to compensate for the loss of Kalou who has bee a consistent contributor in recent weeks. Dare I say it, they need an Anelka or Berbatov.
Injuries and Suspensions
Fulham’s Stefanovic moved on to the suspension tightrope with his fourth booking in this game.
Man United 1 Birmingham 0
Ferguson rested Brown for this game, bringing O’Shea in at right-back. Anderson, Carrick and Nani came into the midfeld for Hargreaves, Fletcher and Giggs. Park also came into a wide midfield role with Ronaldo pushed up to support Tevez in attack.
There’s little more to say about United. They didn’t play well here and indeed, have faltered form-wise over the last two games. Rooney was still sidelined through illness for this game but he and Van der Sar are to return for the FA Cup game at Villa tomorrow. Rooney’s return should see Ferguson restore the Ronaldo-Tevez-Rooney attacking lineup if Tevez can overcome the ankle injury he sustained in this match. Once this trio are back and fit we should see United go back to their free-flowing, goalscoring best.
Defensively they remain the best around, finding clean sheet number twelve here. Brown will serve a suspension next time out which is interesting given the fact that Gary Neville is now very close to a return. Neville will turn out for the reserves in the week and could even feature against Newcastle in Brown’s absence. That would surely limit Brown’s appearances for the rest of the season. Ferguson seems keen to hold onto him to provide cover though, he rejected a bid from Newcastle for Brown’s services only today. Meanwhile Kuszczak’s opportunties will be very limited from now on given Van der Sar’s imminent return.
McCleish dropped Forssell to the bench to get a rest and brought in O’Connor for a rare start alongside Jerome up front. Nafti started in midfield with Johnson suffering a fractured cheekbone against Fulham. That will likely be reversed next weekend with Nafti and Jaidi both off to the ACN with Tunisia. Johnson and Schmitz are most likely to fill their shirts.
Birmingham earned plenty of credit with this performance but continue to offer little to fantasy managers. Larsson remains a decent budget option in midfield but with Arsenal and Chelsea their next opponents, there’s little to attract attention, at least in the short-term.
Injuries and Suspensions
Tevez picked up a knock to his ankle, was subbed on 71-minutes and is out of the FA Cup tie with Villa tomorrow. The injury is just bruising and he could be available for selection next weekend. Brown picked up his fifth booking of the season and he will now miss that game against Newcastle.
Middlesbrough 0 Everton 2
Boro remain horribly inconsistent and Southgate has Gibson’s patience to thank for his job right now. Such faith in a manager is good to see but you have to wonder who long it can last given Boro’s plight. Once again goals are the problem. Without options up front it was Tuncay and Lee who led the line here again. O’Neil overcame a knock to start while Rochemback came in for the injured Shawky who will soon depart to the ACN. Elsewhere they were unchanged with Huth keeping his place with Wheater still presumably unwell.
Little to say about Boro then with few options here for fantasy managers given their current form. Mido’s return could spark some interest and there is talk of him playing a part against Liverpool next weekend. If he plays however, he could well be brought late into the Egyptian squad for the ACN and absent throughout January regardless.
Southgate has to make at least a couple very inspired signings to keep Boro out of trouble and one of them has to be a striker who will get him ten goals in 2008. A big ask.
Everton rolled on like an efficient footballing machine which refused to be derailed by the Arsenal result. Moyes was without Yobo who was nursing a foot injury and Cahill who picked up a knock to his knee in the defeat to Arsenal. Arteta was also serving his first match of a three-match ban following his red in that game. Valente came in at left-back to allow Lescott to move to central defence while McFadden came in for Arteta. Johnson came in up front for Cahill as Moyes shifted to a traditional 4-4-2.
Cahill and Arteta should both return next time out. Arteta’s ban will end at the Carling Cup semi with Chelsea, while Cahill is back in the squad for the FA Cup tie tomorrow.
Johnson is showing glimpses of form at a time when he should get his chance with Yakubu absent at the ACN. He has grabbed three goals and an assist in his last seven appearances which have only included two full starts. McFadden is another who showed his class in this game with a goal and another who could get an opportunity with Pienaar and Yakbubu absent. There’s also a suggestion that Baines, now fit, could be employed in a wide left-midfield role in Pienaar’s absence. He was a late sub for McFadden here and regardless of the position he plays in the coming month, he could be a worthy purchase given Everton’s recent defensive form.
It was another clean sheet for them here, their fifth in seven games. Lescott remains the mainstay and will be sure of his place in Yobo’s absence at the ACN. Everton’s defensive form has coincided with Jagielka’s move to centre-back and he too should command a start in the coming weeks. The only question mark is at right and left back where Hibbert is competing with Neville, while Baines will fight it out with Valente on the left.
With three home games in the next five – there’s every chance that Cahill, Johnson, Arteta and the defence will flourish further in January.
Reading 0 Portsmouth 2
Reading lost Sonko to a red card after just two minutes and never really got over the shock of it. Kranjcar’s miss from the spot was in the end irrelevant as Portsmouth, away win masters, sealed a victory and another clean sheet with apparent ease.
It’s likely to have been a different had Reading kept eleven men given their form going into this game. They haven’t necessarily been able to turn form into results but don’t be distracted by this defeat or the incredible game at White Hart Lane. In attacking terms, Reading are firing, scoring eleven goals in the last five before this.
Coppell kept the side unchanged again although was forced into changes with Sonko’s dismissal. Bikey coming on for Convey. Sonko is of course suspended for the FA Cup tie with Spurs but he and Bikey are both off to the ACN now leaving the way clear for Duberry to come back into the defence now he has returned to fitness.
Reading’s forthcoming fixtures are tough with three of the next five away and Everton, United and Chelsea amongst the opposition. Interest in their players will wain then but I’d still expect goals from them which will mean that Kitson could still offer some value as a mid-price striker, while Shorey could still contribute assists from defence. January is probably not a month to invest in Reading but I still see value in their players long-term given the attacking nature of their play.
Portsmouth put on an efficient display then but got a massive helping hand from Sonko. It’s just what they needed given a very patchy run which had seen them go six without a win. Lineup wise, Harry made just one change with Muntari coming back in for Kanu with Portsmouth shifting back to 4-5-1.
They will of course be ravaged by the ACN, perhaps more so than any other club. That’s likely to see opportunities for Mendes, Davis and a continued run in the side for Hughes. Nugent could even get a look in up front with Utaka and Kanu both absent.
Like Reading, January is perhaps not a good time to invest in Portsmouth if you haven’t already – it’s a make or break month for them in which they face United and Chelsea. As I’ve mentioned before, I worry about the loss of Muntari and particularly Bouba Diop, from a defensive standpoint. In attack meanwhile, Benjani has just one goal in nine and without Kanu to play alongside him, the responsibility on Benjani will increase this month. Redknapp will need to do some of his legendary wheeling and dealing.
Injuries and Suspensions
Sonko will be suspended for one game for his red card here and will miss the FA Cup tie with Spurs.