A change in format for the Scout Notes this week – enabling me to ramble on randomly about the key points that came out of what was possibly one of the most uninspiring Saturday’s in Premier League history.
There’s thoughts on Johnson, Brunt, the Spurs and Stoke defences and why we should all be pinning our end of season hopes on Villa and Wigan. No really…
Firstly, the major talking point in terms of team selection arose from Ferguson’s lineup in the FA Cup semi with Everton. For the average fantasy manager, this was nothing but good news. The likes of Rooney, Ronaldo and Evra are all now certain to lineup against Portsmouth on Wednesday and should be fresh enough to threaten some hefty returns.
There weren’t too many pointers to gain from the rest of the weekend’s team lineups. The decision to drop Richards to the bench against West Brom by Mark Hughes, was perhaps of note. Zabaleta kept his place then but shifted to right-back but it’s been reported today, that he suffered a hamstring injury in this game and could now be sidelined for the rest of the season.
Portsmouth’s Glenn Johnson was a major threat in his right-midfield role for Portsmouth and had a string of chances to notch a goal to go with his maximum FPL bonus and clean sheet. It looks as though Paul Hart wants to keep Johnson in this advanced position which makes him a very strong option as a diffential at the back. Be wary however, an injury to Kaboul against Bolton, could force a change of position for Johnson just as his bandwagon picks up speed. Wait for news on Kaboul’s thigh strain then.
The Stoke defence kept another clean sheet at the Britannia against Blackburn. Their rearguard have conceded just 4 goals in their last 6 league games, 1 in their last 4. There looks likely to be at least a couple more shut-outs on the way given their remaining fixtures (ful WHM hul WIG ars). Faye, Shawcross and Sorensen all continue to present value then.
Liam Lawrence has a goal and an assist in two games and brought in the maximum FPL bonus this week. His place looks assured given his form. Worth a look if you’re searching for a budget option in midfield for the run-in.
Another win for Spurs and another clean sheeet. The Spurs defence has kept 3 clean sheets in 4 games and have not conceded at White Hart Lane in their last 5 games. The likes of Woodgate and Assou-Ekotto are a temptation then but fixtures have to be considered. Tottenham’s run-in doesn’t look easy (mun WBA eve MCY liv) and they will need to profit from those home games against West Brom and City in order to justify any investment, either at the back, or in attacking terms.
Chris Brunt moved on to a credible goals for the season with his brace at Eastlands. He has scored 6 goals in his last 12 league games. West Brom have now scored in three of their last 4 games and with the writing on the wall, they may well go for broke and attack. Those attacking tendencies could see further returns for Brunt. The Baggies have 3 crucial home games to come against Sunderland, Wigan and Liverpool which all offer opportunies for returns.
Cisse scored his tenth goal of the season for Sunderland – his first in 6 starts. His strike partner Jones has just a single goal in his last 7. They will need to improve on those scoring rates to keep the Black Cats up and could be temptations as differentials. I’m not so sure though – their two home games are against the Everton and Chelsea defences so they will need to produce away at West Brom, Bolton and Portsmouth to warrant investment.
Fulham’s away form has picked up substantially and, with strong home form already in place, they look clear to have a decent end to the season. They have fairly decent fixtures with at least 3 very winable fixtures to come (STK che AVL new EVE). Investment in Dempsey and Murphy in midfield looks to promise further returns then, while Schwarzer, Hangeland and Paintsil continue to offer value at the back. Even Bobby Zamora has picked up assists and FPL bonus recently.
Aston Villa have now failed to win in their last 8 league games and have not kept a clean sheet in any of those games. They do at least have a very strong run-in from this point (bol HUL ful mid NEW). There will be few investors in their defence, even with those games, however, Ashley Young could yet have a revival, while Barry has earned 5 FPL bonus points in his last two games and looks a strong option for that mid-price position in your midfield. Carew is also surely worth a look. He has scored 4 goals in Villa’s last 7 league games, despite their run of form.
Wigan didn’t play this weekend but you have to consider them going forward given that they have a double fixture in gameweek 36, plus they have a very strong run-in in general (bla BOL wba MUN stk POR). You to consider them as a source for low-to-mid price purchases although they have scored just 5 in 8, whilst conceding 12 goals on that run. Figueroa and Bramble are options at the back but both Scharner and N’Zogbia look more tempting as defenders playing attacking roles in midfield. Elsewhere Watson looks a sound budget purchase in midfield, and Mido and Rodallega are long-shots as striking options.
Injuries and Bans
Bolton’s Ricardo Gardner suffered a hamstring injury and was subbed early against Portsmouth. He’ll have a scan early this week.
As reported earlier, Portsmouth lost Kranjcar to an ankle injury and it’s suspected that he has suffered ligament damage. Club officials have played down the injury and we should hear from the scan results today. Kranjcar is very unlikely to feature at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Kaboul also suffered a thigh strain against Bolton and he’ll also be a doubt.
Tottenham’s Dawson suffered an ankle injury against Newcastle and is due a scan early this week.
West Ham’s James Collins was subbed on 32 minutes with a calf injury. Any absence for him would further cement Tompkins’ start in the side, which will be good news for his owners.
Simon Davies was replaced on 70 minutes for Fulham, apparently with a knock, although there is no confirmation of this.
Stoke’s Wilkinson was subbed on 50 minutes with a back injury.
Man City’s Zabaleta suffered a hamstring injury against West Brom and could now miss the rest of the season according to reports.
Fellaini earned his 13th booking of the season in the Cup semi win over United. He’s now just 2 yelllows away from a three match ban.