Scout Reports
19 August 2009 0 comments
Mark Mark
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Not too much to go on. There were just a couple of games in the Premier League last night, plus the Gunners were in action in the Champions League. Here’s some thoughts from the fallout…

Ancelotti likes a tinker…
Last night’s Chelsea lineup took us all by surprise. The inclusion for Ballack for Mikel in midfield was signposted, the exclusion of both Carvalho, Malouda and Anelka less so. In came Ivanovic alongside Terry, while Deco and Kalou were also handed starting roles. Deco capped the night with a smart goal and he and Ballack are clearly going to be factors in the Chelsea midfield from this point on. When you consider there is Joe Cole and Zhirkov to return from injury, this reinforces the doubt surrounding the fantasy selection of Malouda. Expect heavy sales. As for Carvlho. Tricky one – it’s a wait and see policy with him but clearly he is a rotation risk for midweek and post Champions League games.

Darren Bent has hit the ground running…
His confidence will be sky high after another nice finish in last night’s defeat. His next three fixtures look kind (BLA stk HUL) and will surely promote his popularity leading up to gameweek three. Is climbing aboard another Darren Bent bandwagon advised though after last season’s bandwagon breakdown with Spurs?

Wolves have some fight in them…
Last night’s trip to the DW Stadium looked daunting given Wigan’s form the injuries that McCarthy’s side were carrying. A decisive home win looked on the cards but Wolves fought tooth and nail and prevailed via an early goal. They will need to show the same intensity at Eastlands this weekend to get anything from that game but they have a strong run of fixtures (HUL bla FUL sun POR) to follow this and investment in Milijaš and their budget defence, Halford in particular, is worthy of consideration.

Arsenal are showing steel…
The Gunners suggested that they had stronger defensive resolve in their emphatic win at Goodison. Last night, in the 2-0 Champions League win at Celtic Park, they demonstrated it again. Song and Denilson were particularly impressive, as was Vermaelen at the back. Fixtures look tough up to Gameweek 6 but following that, the Arsenal defence may well be worth a look if this new rigidity remains in place.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

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