With Chelsea lining up talks with Hiddink and Pompey stalking Sven for the Fratton Park post, there’s the potential for a mid-season overhaul on the way. The Daily Mail have run a decent article outlining the top five problems awaiting the new bosses once they get comfy and, inspired by this, here’s a rambling list of fantasy considerations I’d like to see sorted under the new regimes…
The Portsmouth Defence
The new gaffer will have to make the defence a priority. In recent weeks we’ve witnessed a string of errors from the likes of Kaboul and Distin, while things are clearly catching up with creaky Campbell’s ageing legs. Johnson is the jewel in the Pompey’s defensive crown – solid tracking back, potentially devastating when bombing forward and within shooting distance of the opponent’s goal. If the new man can tighten the Pompey rearguard (as he surely must to survive), then Johnson will return to the fantasy radar as a strong differential. Elsewhere we’ll need to see what cards are dealt for the likes of Traore and Belhadj. Adams seemed reluctant to entertain the idea of playing the Arsenal man over Belhadj – will a new manager pave the way for Traore to rekindle his early season potential?
Niko Kranjcar
When he’s good, the Croatian playmaker can win games for Pompey and firmly justify his humble price tag across the fantasy games. So far his season his own form has personified Pompey’s plight – with the occasional glimpse of promise, scattered amongst weeks of disappointment. Injuries have been a factor and the new Portsmouth boss will need to get him fit and get the most from Kranjcar if they are to pull away form the relegation trouble. We could yet see him playing just off or behind the strikers in a central role – that would be the optimum position from a fantasy perspective. Just having him regularly in the side, providing the creative spark and contributing from set-plays would be a bonus though.
Jermaine Pennant
Like Kranjcar, Pennant will be key to Portsmouth’s chances of survival. One of Adam’s little tactical quirks before his departure was to pitch Pennant in behind the Crouch in a 4-5-1. We don’t want to see that again, we need to see him hugging the right-hand touchline and firing in crosses for Crouch and partner. The Liverpool loanee could yet provide value then if a honeymoon period ever materialises.
David Nugent
He started to show promise under Adams having finally won the right to start games either wide on the right and as a partner for Crouch up front. Nugent’s not going to pull up trees in fantasy terms, but he could be a decent budget option if we can get evidence that the new boss will persevere with the hard-working striker alongside the lofty Crouch.
Drogba and/or Anelka
Scolari’s reluctance to throw Drogba in for or alongside Anelka was certainly not popular with the Chelsea faithful. While Chelsea struggled for goals, Drogba struggled for time on the pitch and the biggest tactical poser facing the new boss will surely be how he incorporates Drogba with Anelka – still the Premier League’s leading scorer. Fantasy managers need closure on this one. Right now the uncertainty rules out both players as fantasy prospects.
Frank Lampard
Nothing to see here. Leave him alone please Mr new Chelsea boss. Our Frank has stuttered at times but he remains the pivotal force in the Chelsea attack and continues to provide huge potential from set plays and spot kicks. Fantasy managers need Frank free to make those raiding penalty box runs and we don’t need Ballack or Deco getting any ideas on set-pieces.
Alex
With Hiddink in talks with Chelsea, Alex is one player that could enjoy a change of fortunes should the Dutchman take the reins. Alex enjoyed a hugely successful spell under Hiddink whilst on loan at PSV and he could well find himself in a stronger position to dislodge the Terry/Carvalho partnership should his former boss take over.
Ray Wilkins
If the new Chelsea boss is going to keep “Squareball” Ray on and persist in sending him out for the Match of the Day interview, can he inject him with just a little bit of charisma please? I can’t quite believe he’s duller off the pitch than he was on it but the last few weeks have painfully proved that to be the case.