A change in format for the Scout Notes this week. I’ve been looking to streamline these a little and focus on the key points rather than dwell on Derby’s lineup and similar matters that aren’t likely to be of interest, plus take me an inordinate amount of time to put together. Instead, from this week on, I’m going to focus on the teams and players that warrant interest and that are likely to be in your thoughts when it comes to future signings and squad tweaks. Have a gander at this week’s notes then.
Team Notes
Arsenal
Tremendous result for Arsenal given Diaby’s dismissal and a 2-0 deficit at half-time. A first win in six games for Wenger’s men and the nature of the win could well act as a source of inspiration to reignite their form over the remainder of the season. The introduction of Walcott and Adebayor turned the game. The latter will certainly start against Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday. Walcott would be a good bet to start the Premiership game at the Emirates against Liverpool next weekend.
Gallas with his fourth Premiership goal of the season and Fabregas with assists number 16 and 17 in this one. He also earned 2 more bonus points in the FPL, giving him 38 for the season – more than any other player. Flamini got the maximum bonus – giving him 13 in the last 9 games.
Man United
Ferguson’s team selection was a mixed bag. While he rested Van der Sar who is still struggling with his old groin injury, elsewhere it was a strong lineup. The back four remained intact, whilst in midfield Scholes, Giggs, Carrick and Ronaldo all started with Tevez and Rooney up front. He took Villa very seriously then and the team selection certainly bodes well for fantasy managers should United make progress beyond Roma. Interestingly, even when he changed things around with subs – Rooney and Ronaldo remained on the pitch. Again, that’s encouraging.
Ronaldo himself continued his freakish season with another quality goal and 3 assists. Once again he proved that you just can’t afford to overlook him, particularly as FPL captain.
Chelsea
A hard-earned three points and regardless of Grant’s claims – they were fortunate to snatch the win given the chances Boro missed. Lampard missed the game through illness then with Ballack recalled. Terry overcame a slight hamstring scare to take his place in defence. Belletti returned at right-back then and Bridge was on the left – still the full-back positions remain unpredictable then.
Drogba started once more, with Anelka benched again. You can only see that trend continuing against Fenerbahce and with that in mind we might see Anelka start at City next weekend. Joe Cole was the source of much of Chelsea’s attacking ideas again today athough he went without FPL bonus with Essien and Boro’s Downing profiting.
Liverpool
Rafa’s side bullied Everton for long periods and deserved the win. His lineup saw Carragher return to right-back again as he brought Hyypia in to cope with the physical presence of Yakubu and Everton’s threat at set-pieces. Lucas came in for the suspended Mascherano as expected.
A 21st goal of the season for Torres then. That was his 9th goal in 7 games. He’s earned 10 FPL bonus points in those 7 games. In contrast, Gerrard has gone off the boil – it’s just one assist in the last three Premiership games and no FPL bonus in that time. In that department, the form of Torres is taking it’s toll on Gerrard’s output.
Everton
Things are getting a little concerning – it’s just 2 goals in the last 4 for Moyes’ men and just a single clean sheet in those games having been rock solid defensively to that point. What they need is a confidence boost and with Derby at Goodison next, that could come pretty soon. That fixture will see most fantasy managers keep the faith and even look to invest in Everton in the coming days then, but Cahill’s absence is having an effect on Everton’s threat going forward and it’s a worry. Pienaar has gone into his shell too – he’s had a couple of ineffective games and has been subbed early as a result. He’s still a bargain in the FPL but needs a good game against Derby.
Portsmouth
Patchy away from home but today’s clean sheet at home to Wigan was their third in the last 4 at Fratton Park. As I’ve said before, their fixtures until the end of the season are very strong and with home games against Newcastle, Blackburn and Fulham to come, it appears that there are more clean sheets – at least at home – to come. James presents great value in goal then – he leads the Keepers in the FPL and a second penalty save of the season and a couple of bonus points today only cemented that position. Hreidarsson currently presents the best value amongst Harry’s back line but he was subbed just after the hour mark with an injury. He was a doubt with a knee problem going into the game so this needs to be monitored should you be considering him. Defoe remains the key fantasy target here – more on him in bit.
Reading
A third clean sheet in 5 games for Coppell’s men. It was damage limitation with 10-men against Blackburn but they’ve clearly made progress in recent weeks making their players worthy of some attention. Shorey remains my pick with 10 assists and clean sheet potential. Hunt – who missed Reading’s best chance this weekend – is another who will score points while Reading’s form continues. The next two look pretty decent for them – their should be goals at Newcastle next weekend, while the home game with Fulham offers points at both ends.
Newcastle
The Keegan effect kicks in at last. It’s amazing what a win can do for a side. The performance at White Hart Lane was superb with Butt and Barton dominating in midfield, Taylor starring at the back and the front three of Martins, Owen and Viduka combining menacingly. Suddenly fantasy managers will be casting their eyes via St James’ Park and to be honest, the fixtures don’t look to bad for them. Owen has now found the net in three consecutive games, although his price tag is pretty hefty in most fantasy games, plus he is being employed in a deeper role by Keegan at the moment. Viduka’s fitness is always a worry and Martins is actually being employed in a wide position. That makes the Newcastle front players a little off-putting, although Barton in midfield and Geremi, also in midfield but classed as a defender, is worth considering. More on him in a bit.
Tottenham
Ramos got it wrong against Newcastle. In attempting to accommodate the form of Bent, he broke his formation and reduced the effectiveness of Berbatov who dropped deep, whilst leaving them short in midfield. I can’t see Ramos making the same mistake at Blackburn next weekend and Tottenham’s fixtures are good enough you’d be unwise to panic over Berbatov and his mates, despite the performance against Newcastle.
Aston Villa
O’Neill’s side are suffering. Villa weren’t expected to get too much from Old Trafford but a 4-0 drubbing typified their current run of form – it’s 3 straight defeats and no win in 5. Things do get easier fixture-wise – it’s Bolton, Derby and Birmingham next. Even so, it’s difficult to justify a gamble on the likes of Young and Barry with just 2 goals for Villa in 5. Carew’s injury against United could add further disruption to them in attacking terms. Defensively meanwhile, they’ve now gone 18 without a clean sheet – Laursen’s stock is at an all time low then.
Player Notes
Jermain Defoe.
He’s turning into a home banker – today’s brace gave him seven goals in six games for Portsmouth and he’s scored in every game at Fratton Park and he’s even picking regular FPL bonus points as a result. With rotation hanging over the likes of Rooney, Tevez, Drogba an Anelka, he has jumped the pecking order when it comes to fantasy strikers and along with Yakubu, offers excellent value in the mid-price bracket. Portsmouth’s fixtures are strong right to the end of the season so you can only see Defoe maintaining his form.
Mauro Zarate
The “Zarate Kid” is now firmly on the radar after his brace this weekend. He’s available for a bargain price in fantasy games and on the face of it is a very decent buy. McFadden is the only fly in the ointment though. He is being lined up for a return from his knee surgery against Everton on April 12. That gives Zarate next week’s game at Wigan without a challenge, after that though, it seems pretty certain that he’ll be rotated with McFadden which will limit the returns of both players.
Andy Reid.
I have to watch it with Reid. Being a Forest fan there’s a chance of heart ruling head. I snapped him up when he signed for Charlton last season and got burned back then but his form for Sunderland since his arrival has been superb. He appeared in my rankings this week and he’s likely to climb this week after another great display and a last minute winner for Keane’s men. Available at a budget price, he’s a very decent, in-form alternative to Pienaar and Larsson.
Matt Taylor
Just as I lose patience with him he goes and bags a brace. You could see it coming – he’s been employed on the left of midfield but pushed right up in support of Davies and has had a raft of chances since arriving at the Reebok. His form from this point on will of course depend on Bolton’s performances. Today’s defeat could knock what remains of their stuffing out of them. Three away games in the next four don’t help matters. The trip to Villa next could be a good indicator for Taylor’s form though – Villa are on a dreadful run and they will surely conceded having done so in the last 18 games. After that Taylor will face West Ham at home and Boro away – not too bad at all. Having got off the mark for Bolton and gained some confidence, we can expect an increase in the number of Taylor’s famed long range efforts in the coming weeks. Expect to see him climb in my rankings once updated.
Jimmy Bullard.
Fulham score two away from home and yet Bullard comes away with nothing. Given Fulham’s form is it worth getting rid? I’m not so sure. Looking at recent FPL form, for around the same price or less, you’ve got the likes of Huddlestone, Reid and belatedly, Bolton’s Taylor. Looking at Bullard’s next two fixtures (Sunderland at home, Reading away) in comparison you fancy him to fair well against them. Bentley is an option if you have the cash – other than that there could still be value in Bullard in the short-term.
Geremi
He’s entered the rankings last week and is sure to climb this week having notched a goal and and an assist here – his third in two games. In some games like the FPL, he’s classed as a defender and looked a bargain at the start of the season. It’s taken an upturn in Newcastle’s fortune and an injury to Milner for Geremi’s output to pick up but now he now represents the best way of jumping on the Newcastle form bandwagon. A home game with Reading next weekend looks a pretty decent short-term bet if you’re in search of mid-price defender with the potential for attacking points. Fixtures aren’t too bad after that but Milner’s return in mid-April is a factor to consider.
Injuries
Freddie Ljungberg pulled up with a hamstring injury against Sunderland – a familiar problem for the Swede that is likely to see him sidelined. West Ham finished the game with 10 men as a result with McCartney, Paintsil and Cole all picking up knocks.
Bolton’s Hunt appeared to dislocate his shoulder against Arsenal.
Hreidarsson suffered an injury and was subbed after 62-minutues. In the same game Utaka was also subbed with a knock after 70-minutes.
John Carew picked up an injury and was replaced by Maloney on 40-minutes.
Derby’s Kenny Miller suffered an injury against Fulham and was subbed on 34-minutes
Suspensions
Diaby will serve a 3-match ban following his red for serious foul play against Bolton. He’ll miss the Liverpool, United and Reading games.
Queudrue will serve a 1-match ban for his red received for denying a professional foul. He’ll miss the Wigan game next weekend.
Reading’s Matejovsky will serve a 1-match ban for picking up two yellows against Blackburn. He’ll miss the trip to Newcastle.