Back once again to get the Saturday morning support group going, here’s a collection of random thoughts. Some of which might be of use to you…
Let’s start with Scolari, who, as I said yesterday, is rapidly becoming my favourite Premiership boss with his pre-match sessions (although I notice that Kinnear is doing all he can to change that). Something that was widely missed in yesterday’s team news round-ups around the sites and papers was that Anelka is apparently nursing an injury.
“He has a little problem with muscle spasms,” mentioned Scolari. “He did not train on Friday but I think he will train the day before the match.d papers was that Anelka is apparently suffering from a injury problem.”
Not a major cause for concern perhaps, with Scolari backing him to start and indeed backing him to have a hand in a Chelsea win, although he the Chelsea boss must be playing a different fantasy game to all of us…
”He has 10 assists this season, and we need him to make it 12,” added Scolari.
Chelsea are certainly likely to need to notch a couple of goals to see off a Villa side who look good for a goal at Stamford Bridge. This morning’s papers are backing a return for Joe Cole following Scolari’s conference yesterday – Kalou appears to be the favourite to make way with Malouda keeping his starting role. Cole could be a crucial factor today, but Lampard will surely be the key figure. He’s given a all to arms to his team mates this week as he looks to them to contribute more goals in Drogba’s absence – that will surely see him fire more than a few efforts in on Friedel’s goal tomorrow. Certainly Gareth Barry is well aware of his threat. Which leads me on to the Fantasy Premier League Captain debate.
I’m happy to admit that I’m well and truly wavering on Ronaldo this week. We know he’s not 100%, we know that he started in the Champions League on Tuesday, and we know that Ince will have Blackburn all over him from the off. United will need a couple of goals and Ronaldo will surely be instrumental in some capacity but is this a week to look elsewhere?
As I mentioned in yesterday’s picks, Lampard is a very strong fall-back, while Zaki is the form option. He’s up against a Boro defence that might lose Huth and Taylor today and looks odds on for points at the JJB. With Ronaldo drafted in by thousands of fantasy managers this week, it’s likely that we’ll see 90% of those handing him the captaincy this week. That’s a consideration if you’re looking to make up some ground. There won’t be many weeks when there’s a doubt over Ronaldo’s likely contribution or a worthy option in opposition. Neglecting Ronaldo as Captain is clearly a gamble – the damage he can do is that substantial. However, with half-an-hour to go before the FPL deadline, I’m edging towards Frank.
Wandering off on another tangent I found it interesting this morning that Sky Sports are focusing on Arsenal’s vulnerability at set-plays going into their game at Sunderland. This extended to questioning Roy Keane on the matter after his side were the latest to fall foul to Villa’s threat from set-pieces, he was talking up their importance and hinted that his side have been working on them this week prior to the Arsenal game.
Wenger did threaten changes after the Hull defeat. They didn’t arrive against Porto but they could come this weekend. I’m currently leaning 60-40 in favour that he will bring in fit-again Song for Denilson in midfield, although none of this morning’s papers appear to agree with me. I’m also hoping that Wenger rests Van Persie post-Champions League once again, opting for the extra height that Bendtner would provide when defending set plays. I brought in Bendtner as my cheap option striker to allow for the Ronaldo move last gameweek. A start for the Dane is looking like a long shot but potentially profitable if it comes off for me.
I can’t leave this without going back to Kinnear and Newcastle. Yesterday’s rant, was for me, a stance taken to instill a siege mentality in his side ahead of the trip to Goodison. Having said that, he referred to the press interviewing players that had played under him that he had rejected and, having sat and watched ex-Forest striker David Johnson talk down Kinnear’s chances of rescuing Newcastle on Sky, I did feel a little bit uncomfortable about the angle that was taken on his appointment, and that’s coming from a Forest fan.
Joe was as good as gold on Friday apparently, concerned more about his injury worres with news arriving that right back Habib Beye is not fit to make a return to his lineup. Expect Cacapa or Taylor to shift to the right then and expect Newcastle to throw in a few tasty challenges from the off. If they can hold it at 0-0 until half-time then they might have a decent shout. If Everton can score early however, I’ve a horrible feeling that it could go very wrong for them. I’ve kept faith with Arteta in my picks and FPL lineup – hopefully a calm, productive level head in what could be cauldron.
That will be all for this morning then. I’m still yet to press that “reject button” on Ronaldo’s captaincy, but it’s coming, I can feel it. Let’s hope the damage is minimal. See you on the other side. Good luck all.