Those real-life managers might not love you, but we care Mr Carling Cup. We really do. With the whistle about to blow on tonight’s three remaining ties, here’s a summary of what you should know from last night’s Cup action…
O’Shea looks safe thanks to Neville’s rush of blood…
An uncharacteristic studs-up challenge saw Gary Neville handed an early bath and a three match ban for violent conduct. The ageing full-back will now miss two league games against Blackburn this weekend, Chelsea the weekend after and the Carling Cup quarter-final. That should mean greater security for O’Shea owners, who should be assured starts at right-back over the next two having recently suffered rotation.
The swine are still casting a shadow over Ewood…
David Dunn moved from sickbed to subs bench for last night’s win over Peterborough but Samba, Diouf and Nzonzi were out of the squad amidst rumours of a Rovers swine flu outbreak. Blackburn say they have the situation under control but those three players will be labelled as doubts for the weekend until we hear otherwise.
Paul Hart has a dilemma up front…
And it’s not whether or not to play himself this weekend. Piquionne’s performance and goals in the 4-0 win over a second-string Stoke last night has given the Pompey manager something to distract from today’s news of a transfer ban. Piquionne will now push for a start at home to Wigan this weekend and could get the nod with Dindane perhaps dropping to the bench. Kevin-Prince Boateng, Jamie O’Hara and Tommy Smith were all cup-tied for this game but there are reports from earlier this week that O’Hara and Boateng are carrying knocks going into Saturday. We’ll need to monitor that over the next 48 hours.
The keeper situation at the Britannia is no clearer…
Pulis stuck with Simonsen between the sticks but, given that he fielded an almost entire second-string side, that offers little clue as to whether he’ll hold his place for the home game with Hull this weekend. Sorensen is said to have recovered from illness and given that Simonsen conceded four goal and actually dropped the ball at Piquionne feet for one of the goals, he could well find himself back on the bench this weekend.
Everton continue to slide…
Moyes has injuries. Lots of injuries. However, he still fielded a relatively strong side a Spurs last night and saw them slip to another defeat. Fixtures are against them over the next five with Villa this weekend and United, Liverpool and Spurs to come. Even though they have the double fixture in gameweek 13, there a major doubts about keeping faith with the likes of Distin for the coming weeks. Saha remains their one bright fantasy spark. He was rested for 45 minutes at White Hart Lane last night.
Bentley’s back in contention…
Against the odds, the multi-million pound misfit could start at the Emirates this weekend after prodding Redknapp with two assists against Everton. Lennon is still reportedly struggling for fitness, so Bentley could well profit with an unlikely start. I still feel that Redknapp will go with a Jenas, Palacious, Huddlestone, Kranjcar midfield though.
O’Neill refuses to rest his stars…
The Villa boss is taking the Carling Cup very seriously. He put out a very strong lineup against Sunderland last night and eventually prevailed on spot-kicks. Considering that Villa have three matches in the space of eight days, it was surprising to see Ashley Young, Agbonlahor, Milner etc all in the Villa side at the Stadium of Light. Please don’t go tinkering for the double gameweek Martin.