Carling don’t make round-ups of football news relevant to fantasy managers. If they did, I’d like to think it would go something like this. Here’s an information blast off the back of last night’s second-string cup action…
Wenger has plenty of options at Fulham…
Wenger fielded a very young starting eleven in the 2-0 win over West Brom, bolstered by the experience of Silvestre and Senderos in defence. This leaves the Arsenal boss with a fully refreshed squad for the evening kick-off at Fulham on Saturday, prior to their Champions League game on Tuesday. My bet is that we’ll see starts for Rosicky and Bendtner at the Cottage.
Nugent must start now…
Paterson’s knee injury in the 3-2 defeat to Barnsley looks set to hand David Nugent a start at Spurs. Paterson is due scans later this week but is surely ruled out of the weekend trip. Popular fantasy Keeper Jensen, was also stretched off after colliding with the immovable object that is Darren Moore. No news as yet on his prognosis. As a side issue, Burnley conceded three goals on the road again last night. That’s 13 goals in 5 away games so far this season. Not a good omen ahead of the trip to White Hart Lane. Oh, and Guerrero was impressive last night. He’s due a Premier League start soon.
We can expect some Reebok rotation…
Ricardo Gardner returned to the starting lineup for Bolton, while Klasnic got his first outing up front, shoving Steinsson to the bench. His fantasy potential as an out of position defender, now looks very vulnerable to rotation. Elsewhere in the Bolton lineup, Elmander got his first goal since the opening day of last season. Yes, last season. That should increase his confidence and will also push Megson into giving him further opportunities. The moral of this story? Expect heavy rotation in the Bolton midfield and attack. Only Kevin Davies is likely to be safe.
Piquiuonne is at risk…
Danny Webber may have played himself into a starting role this weekend after scoring in Portsmouth’s 3-1 win at Carlisle. Piquiuonne was relegated to the bench in this one and is now under significant threat, with Dindane also proving his fitness with an hour of action last night.
Rafa has set himself up for a full strength lineup…
The Liverpool boss handed rests to Torres and Gerrard in their win at Leeds. That leads us to think that we have nothing to fear in terms of rotation with these guys for the home game with Hull, despite the Champions League trip to Fiorentina on Tuesday. The inclusion of Kyrgiakos in the back four should also indicate that Skrtel will be recalled and start. Insua will now be under increased threat however, following Aurelio’s 90 minutes last night.
Although Mascherano is in trouble…
The Argentinian destroyer raised his arm to Leeds’ Jermaine Beckford and could now face an FA charge for violent conduct. Mascherano is a defensive midfielder and therefore a fantasy no-go zone, so this is no biggie right? Not quite. Should Mascherano earn a 3-match ban, we’re likely to see Gerrard drop back to a deeper central midfield role. In turn, this would give Kuyt and Benayoun the platform to increase their returns.
Benni is in line for a Rovers return…
McCarthy will have played his way back in Big Sam’s thoughts having struck the winner at Forest. His return could see Dunn shifted back to a midfield role, reducing his fantasy potential, after playing the last two matches “in the hole” behind Roberts. Even so, Rovers were mightily unimpressive last night. Fantasy investment looksunlikely until Allardyce sorts them out.
Kitson will start against United…
Pulis handed a start to Tuncay up front with Beattie, but it was the introduction of Fuller and Etherington that turned the game for Stoke in their 4-3 win over Blackpool. This all points to Kitson starting again against United, with Beattie perhaps his most likely partner after Fuller sustained a minor groin injury late on. Tuncay played his part last night with two assists but is he ready for another 90 minutes after 120 last night? It doesn’t seem likely. On another note, Liam Lawrence missed a penalty last night so, not only is his starting role in doubt, there’s now a cloud over his role as spot-kick taker. Not good Liam. Not good.
Kenwyne probably won’t against Wolves…
Steve Bruce started with Kenwyne Jones last night and the big striker earned his corn with an assist. However, strike partner Frazier Campbell also nodded his first Sunderland goal from a Reid assist and will therefore presumably keep his starting role alongside Bent when Sunderland host Wolves at the weekend.
McLeish suddenly has options at the back…
Club skipper, Liam Ridgewell proved his fitness for Birmingham last night and could be in line for a start this weekend, although McLeish is likely to keep faith with the Johnson/Dann partnership that earned a clean sheet at Hull last time out. Even so, there’s rotation on the cards now, with Ridgewell perhaps a decent option if he can get established. In other news, McLeish started with O’Connor up front last night which indicates that Benitez will start at the weekend.