Ah the romance of the FA Cup – whatever that means. If it means Forest winning 3-0 away from home every week then I’ll happily take that. City’s shock defeat was certainly the headline grabber but in fantasy terms, there was plenty to mull over from yesterday’s third round ties…
The Lineups
Having said that, we can’t take too much from the FA Cup team selections. Many Premier League managers look to hand starts to some second-string players in the cups of course and we’re likely to see a host of changes to the majority of sides when league action kicks-off once again. However, with the transfer window now slung wide open, it was interesting to see which potential targets would be omitted from the team-sheets to avoid them being cup-tied.
Shay Given is one player widely expected to be on the move and yet he started for Newcastle in the all-Premier League clash at Hull, reinforcing Kinnear’s insistence that the keeper will stay at St James’ Park. Owen was another starter up front with Carroll, while Bassong returned, with Taylor shifted to right-back and Edgar making way. As for Hull, Phil Brown brought Geovanni back into his lineup as one of seven changes. Stelios earned a first start, while King was again left on the bench with Cousin starting once more. I can see that situation being reversed for the trip to Goodison next weekend though.
Jermain Defoe was left out of the Portsmouth lineup, apparently with flu. A move away from Fratton Park looks a certainty now, particularly following allegations of death threats from Pompey fans as reported today. Glenn Johnson was another who is likely to be a target for other clubs. He missed out again here and has now been absent for three matches with his knee troubles. Liverpool are thought to be sniffing around him. This all meant that Adams started with Wilson at right-back and Nugent in a wide role once again. He also brought in Cranie and Mvuemba with Hughes and Diop missing out through a combination of injuries and suspension.The Pompey squad is stretched pretty badly then. I keep saying this – but I fear that a relegation scrap beckons.
In another all top-flight tie, Sunderland boss Ricky Sbraigia made four changes to his lineup – notably, Anton Ferdinand made a return to the defence having recovered from illness. Megson was less experimental, putting a full-strength eleven, minus the suspended McCann. Cahill again missed out for the Trotters through injury though so he’ll remain a doubt for next weekend.
Zola made several changes to his West Ham lineup, with skipper Lucas Neill, another player at the centre of transfer speculation, left out of the eleven – although he had been carrying a knock. Bellamy also started, hinting that perhaps he could well stay at Upton Park. Upson was conspicuous by his absence, while Parker – another likely transfer target, was suspended. The biggest news for West Ham on the day though, was the return of Kieron Dyer who appeared from the bench with 20 minutes to go. This was his first action since August 2007 – we will need to monitor how Zola utilises his talents in the coming weeks. An interesting option perhaps.
Scolari made an array of changes for the home tie with Southend with starts for Carvalho, Belletti, Kalou, Ferreira and Cudicini. Anelka was again on the bench with Drogba starting up front. Meanwhile, Spurs target, Stewart Downing started for Boro against Barrow and was in decent form. He is expected to hand in a transfer request on Monday according to reports today.
In the late kick-off at Deepdale, Aurellio returned to the bench for Liverpool along with Torres and Skrtel. All three will be threatening starts at Stoke next weekend so Insua, Keane and Agger are likely to have one eye on the team-sheet next time out.
Mark Hughes was without Stephen Ireland for the visit of Forest – he was nursing a hamstring injury. He’ll get another week off – he is suspended for the trip to Portsmouth next weekend. Robinho also missed the 3-0 defeat,with Hughes deciding to rest his troublesome ankle injury. A major error as it turned out.
in contrast, Everton fielded a full strength side at Macclesfield with Anichebe returning to the starting lineup, with Cahill in support in attack. Fellaini was benched to protect him from suspension for the Merseyside derby – he is currently just one booking away from a two-match ban.
At the Emirates, Wenger brought Van Persie back into his starting lineup against Plymouth, benching Adebayor with Bendtner keeping his place. Toure, who handed in a transfer request this week, was out with a groin injury, so Djourou returned from a calf problem to start alongside Gallas at the back. Ramsey was handed a midfield berth with Denilson out of the squad with a back injury – details are scarce on that one so we can only presume that this was just a precaution from Wenger. Clichy also missed out through injury but is expected to return to action next weekend according to Wenger in his post-match notes.
The Form
In many respects, many of the day’s performances were typical of current league form. Man City’s defending against City was shocking on several occasions, demonstrating their fragility at the back, plus their reliance on Robinho and Ireland in attacking terms. A £10 million Wayne Bridge was paraded before the City crowd before the game, no doubt the first of several signings. City are going to need further recruits on this evidence, particularly a the back, if Hughes is going to get the results to stand any chance of keeping his job.
Chelsea’s draw with Southend typifies their struggle to put games to bed at Stamford Bridge. Once again they had plenty of chances but just can’t finish teams off. They paid the price late late on against Southend and now face a replay they could do without to follow their trip to Old Trafford next weekend.
Everton’s ability to grind out results was again demonstrated with the 1-0 win over Macclesfield. Again, Moyes’ side kept the clean sheet -their fifth in consecutive games. That kind of defensive form could well cause problems for Liverpool, United and Arsenal who follow after the home game with Hull next weekend. Arteta continues to flourish in a central midfield role, Cahill remains pushed up with the striker and Osman’s goal a reminder of his low-to-mid price potential as differential when fixtures pick up.
Stoke City slipped to a fourth consecutive defeat and again failed to score away from home. You have to fear for them against Liverpool next weekend with confidence now at its lowest ebb of the season so far for Pulis’ side. Liverpool themselves, were troubled at Preston but with Gerrard in the lineup and effective again behind the striker, they produced the goods with another clean sheet in a 2-0 win, despite failing to take first half chances yet again – Keane the guilty party on several occasions.
Hull’s 0-0 draw demonstrates again that boss Phil Brown is attempting to put greater emphasis on defence as indicated in Monday night’s clash with Villa. Turner (unlucky not to score in this one) may well be worth consideration again if this pattern continues, although on several occasions, Hull got away with some pretty abject defending against Newcastle. The Tigers’ attacking players are likely to lose out if Brown perseveres with this more cautious approach, although Geovanni was back in the side and pinging in shots once again – he continues to be key to their attacking threat.
Tony Adams is another manager who appears to be prioritising clean sheets. The Portsmouth boss went with a 4-5-1 at the Emirates last weekend and opted for that again in Defoe’s absence against Bristol City. Adams has been threatening to tighten things up having seen his side leak goals chronically since taking charge. Pompey continue to look low in confidence and attacking points have dried up of late as the 0-0 with Bristol City demonstrated. Kranjcar, in his “Gerrard role” just behind the striker had a decent game and could be worth consideration, although Pompey’s fixtures are awful. Meanwhile, Adams seemed chuffed with the clean sheet – indication of where his priorities lie right now.
In terms of individuals who caught the eye – there was Van Persie’s brace and assist, Downing’s pair of assists for Alves who returned to scoring form at last and a third goal in as many games for Carlton Cole in the 3-0 win for West Ham. Andy Johnson’s brace is certainly worth noting considering the run of fixtures that await him and Fulham in the month ahead. Cisse and Jones did it again for Sunderland – a reminder of their mid-price potential as their partnership and goal celebrations continue to blossom.
It was perhaps the sharp touches from Torres and his goal (albeit) a tap-in, that were the most significant contribution of the day in fantasy terms. He is firmly back on our radar and with Ronaldo being sold on by many fantasy bosses, the funds could be there for the Liverpool striker in the next seven days.
Given the chances missed by Keane against Preston, it looks likely that Torres will get starts with Gerrard just behind him – a combination that should be very profitable for both players and their fantasy owners. Right now then, Gerrard looks good to maintain his fantasy form, unless Keane can prove his worth in tandem with Torres – it could be a few weeks before he gets the chance.
Finally, just to keep you informed of the fixture situation. Replays from this round of games are scheduled, in the main, for Tuesday January 13, with the Chelsea’s trip to Southend and Hull’s encounter with Newcastle, on the following night. A reminder again – we need a result at St Mary’s today to ensure that United take on Wigan in that extra fixture in the coming gameweek.
Injuries and Bans
There were a few knocks and scrapes going around in yesterday’s games – although there were few key fantasy players involved.
Silvestre suffered a thigh injury against Plymouth and was subbed on 30 mins. It was revealed after the game that he faces 3-weeks on the sidelines.
Boro’s Aliadiere was stretchered off on 34 minutes with a suspected leg fracture, although Southgate was hopeful that he had just suffered bruising.
Sunderland’s Richardson took a knock to his ankle and was replaced on 78 minutes. Sbraigia doesn’t seem too concerned about this one though.
Stoke’s Andrew Davies picked up an injury and was subbed on 72 minutes.
Newcastle’s N’Zogbia sustained a leg injury against Hull and was subbed on 36 minutes. Kinnear is hopeful that he’ll be fit for the West Ham game next weekend.
Liverpool’s Alonso suffered a foot injury against Preston and was forced off at half-time. He had seven stitches in the injury and will be assessed early next week according to the club. He’ll be a major doubt for the trip to Stoke then.
Perhaps the most notable injury was to Shaun Wright-Phillips who picked up a knock and was subbed after just 24 minutes. Some reports suggest it was a hamstring injury but news is scarce on his condition. At this stage he has to be a doubt for next weekend’s trip to Portsmouth.
Nicky Butt picked up his fifth booking against Hull and will now face a one-match ban. He will miss the West Ham game next weekend.
There were a whole host of players joining the suspension tightrope after Saturday’s games – Chelsea’s Mikel, Newcastle’s Gutierrez, Boro’s Digard, Bolton’s Muamba and Sunderland’s Tainio and Whitehead are all now just one booking away from a ban.
Bolton’s Kevin Nolan meanwhile, picked up his tenth booking of the season against Sunderland and he now faces a two-match ban. He will miss games against Arsenal and United in the Premier League.