A good night for the Premiership’s UEFA Cup contingent, as Stephen Ireland continues his irresistible form, Glen Johnson catches the eye again and Armand Traore is handed a possible fantasy lifeline by Adams. Here’s the notes…
Adams sprung us some pleasant surprises with his lineup for once – recalling Traore to a left midfield role and shifting Belhadj to left back. Pamarot was relegated to the bench to make way. Elsewhere, Kanu came in up front to replace Utaka who had been struggling with injury this week. Little also got a rare start on the right of midfield with Davis dropping to the bench to make way. Defoe, Campbell and Diarra all missed out with injuries once again.
Although disappointed by the final outcome, Pompey put on a fine display against one of Europe’s elite. For fantasy managers, it’s the emergence of Glen Johnson that stands out yet again. He was a constant attacking force down the right hand side and provided the assists for both Kaboul’s and Kanu’s goals.
Clearly Johnson is a key player for Portsmouth, even more so under Adams who appears to have given him even greater licence to get forward and contribute. The likes of Belhadj, Kaboul and perhaps Traore, offer cheaper options in the Pompey defence, but if the funds are available to you, Johnson looks a very healthy differential signing who should chip in with a few assists at least, over Portsmouth’s strong fixtures to come in the next month.
Kanu’s performance alongside a wasteful Crouch, could put him in the pole position to start should Defoe not prove his fitness for the Blackburn game this weekend. I’d expect Davis to return in that one, although Traore could well keep his place if Adams chooses to leave Pamarot benched. In one swoop, Adams may well have restored the fantasy value of the Arsenal loanee, while reducing the potential returns of Belhadj who could shift to defence this weekend. It’s early days though, Adams has already proved to be an unpredictable character when it comes to his lineups.
Over in Holland, Redknapp continued the Spurs resurgence with an unconvincing but more than handy win at NEC. Jamie O’Hara, restored to the starting lineup as one of six changes, got the winner early on after Campbell had struck the bar from a Bale centre.
Harry was without Corluka and Pavlyuchenko who remain cup-tied in this round, so Gunter and Campbell came into the starting lineup to replace them. Jenas, Lennon and King also stood down but should all be in line to make returns against Everton this weekend. Redknapp employed Bentley in a free role as part of a diamond formation but shifted to a traditional 4-4-2 in the second half. That’s his likely formation for the weekend and O’Hara may well have played himself into the manager’s plans for that game with a lively performance here.
Man City were the third Premiership side in action last night, and they booked their place in the last 32 with an impressive win in Germany. Benjani and Ireland got the goals as Hughes’s side saw off the challenge of Schalke. That was Ireland”s fourth goal in three games as he continues to be be City’s chief attacking threat alongside Robinho.
Hughes was forced into changes with Zabeleta, Fernandes and Robinho all sidelined through injury. Kompany shifted back to central defence alongside Dunne, allowing Richards to move to right back. Hamann came into a holding midfield role, while Sturridge earned a start at the sharp end in the absence off Robinho.
The young striker could well keep his place for the weekend derby clash with United having provided the assist for Benjani’s goal, although I’m expecting Robinho to be available to Hughes, while Elano is also likely to be a factor. He missed last night’s game as his wife has just given birth earlier in the week. Hughes could be tempted to leave Kompany in defence after this rare clean sheet if Zabeleta fails to pass a fitness test for the weekend.