A controversial teamsheet from Alex Ferguson. Rotation from Messrs Ancelotti and Wenger. Another home party spoiled by Blackpool and a distinct lack of clean sheets all round. Despite the attempt by Birmingham and Liverpool to suffocate the excitement on Sunday, there was much to take in from Gameweek Four. Here’s some scribbles from the Scout collective…
While the decision to spare Wayne Rooney from the Goodison cauldron grabbed the headlines, us Fantasy Managers had further pointers to consider from Alex Ferguson’s teamsheet. Gary Neville returned at right-back, which shifted John O’Shea into a central midfield role. That will remain an option for Ferguson but we should still expect O’Shea to return to right-back against Liverpool next time out. Neville is now a factor however and O’Shea suddenly has a threat of rotation hanging over him.
Darren Fletcher continues to be a source of goals for United, grabbing his second of the season at Goodison. He looks settled alongside Scholes in the engine room and our Members Opta stats show him to be amongst the top ten most influential midfielders in the league in terms of touches.
Nani’s fine form seems unlikely to stop any time soon making him another serious mid-price consideration; his two assists mean he has set up at least one United goal in each of his last 3 games. Although Nani played a bit part against Fulham, the Opta stats show that no other midfielder has provided more crossed balls.
Further forward, Rooney was not missed by Fergie’s side; Dimitar Berbatov bagged his third goal in four games, but it’s at the back that’s the concern; United have now conceded 5 in their 2 away games so far this term.
Despite the absence of Louis Saha, David Moyes chose to keep Yakubu and Jermaine Beckford on the bench, playing midfielder Tim Cahill as the lone striker, supported by Marouane Fellaini. Mikel Arteta started this game playing alongside Johnny Heitenga in a deep lying role, but this was changed at half-time, as Fellaini dropped back to allow Arteta to get more involved in the attacking play. Seamus Coleman came on as a substitute for the second game in a row, and his extra attacking threat will surely earn him his first Premier League start soon. Cahill led the home side’s comeback in the 3-3 draw, grabbing one goal and having a hand in Mikel Arteta’s late, late equaliser.
The contribution of Leighton Baines in Saturday’s 3-3 draw shouldn’t’ be overlooked. The Everton left-back has been pouring forward all season and finally at the weekend he saw some reward for his efforts with the assist for Cahill’s header. It was a Baines cross that also led to Cahill’s knock back for Arteta’s equaliser. The Opta stats show that Baines has so far put in 26 crosses this season – more than any other defender in the League.
Roberto Mancini’s personnel changes against Blackburn were mainly down to the versatility of his squad: Yaya Toure dropped back into a more defensive midfield position and James Milner moving in from the wing, allowing Shaun Wright-Phillips a starting berth.
To the dismay of Fantasy managers, Harry Redknapp moved Gareth Bale to left back for the away trip to West Brom. The Spurs boss fielded a 4-5-1 formation, with Luka Modric and eventually Rafael Van der Vaart deployed behind a lone striker. Although Spurs only managed a 1-1 draw, Bale still picked up the 3 Bonus Points, illustrating his worth regardless of where his manager chooses to field him. We will however, need to keep an eye on his influence and contribution from that position should Redknapp choose this as a long-term ploy.
Carlo Ancelotti perhaps gave a glimpse of what’s to come prior to Chelsea’s European exploits surprisingly, given the absence of Frank Lampard, benching Florent Malouda for the trip to West Ham. Despite this, the Chelsea bandwagon rolled on regardless, thanks mainly to two headed goals from Michael Essien. Interestingly, Didier Drogba also seems to be on corners (as well as penalties) in the absence of the midfield pair.
As well as resting Malouda, Ancelotti also shuffled things at the back keeping Paulo Ferreira at right-back and bringing in Branislav Ivanovic to replace Alex who dropped to the bench. This appears to indicate that the Chelsea boss will look to freshen things on the eve of Champions League clashes. The likes of Alex and Ivanovic look far from secure around these periods then.
Lee Cattermole seems intent on testing the patience of Steve Bruce to the full. Four games in, and the midfielder has already been sent off twice. The red card had a knock-on effect for out-of-position favourite Ahmed Al-Muhammady, who was subsequently subbed in a Sunderland re-shuffle. New signing Asamoah Gyan came off the bench to put Sunderland ahead, but Wigan’s extra man told in the end, as the hosts sneaked a draw in the closing minutes. Christian Riveros is likely to profit from Cattermole’s absence over the next two games.
A Charlie Adam-inspired Blackpool gave Newcastle a “reality check” according to Magpies manager Chris Hughton. A goal and an assist helped Adam to all three Bonus Points at St James’ Park as the hosts were unexpectedly beaten with ease. Blackpool have now scored at least two goals in three of their first four games -the exception being the 6-0 defeat away to Arsenal- and although they will concede, it’s becoming clear there will almost always be goals from the Seasiders. Adam is beginning to push himself forward as a strong option for the cheap fifth midfielder with an FPL price tag of 5.0. DJ Campbell’s smartly taken second also offered as a reminder of his qualities as a dirt cheap bench striker. Campbell is available for just 4.5 in the FPL.
Investors in Newcastle shouldn’t be too dispirited from Saturday’s results. But for the top form of Matt Gilks in the Blackpool goal Newcastle could have experience a different game and the likes of Joey Barton, Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan all continued to provide ample threat for the Toon front-line.
Arsene Wenger showed his hand and it spelled out only one thing – rotation. With their first Champions League fixture of the season upcoming the Arsenal manager chose to rest Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy, allowing Emmanuel Eboue and Kieran Gibbs their chance to shine at full-back. This is something we may well see through the season and makes all questionable Fantasy investments.
Cesc Fabregas was back to his imperious best as he pulled the strings of the Arsenal side like a chief marionette, his range of passing was a sight to behold and but for some unwelcome finishing could have easily doubled his already impressive haul of 2 assists. The 3 bonus points of course swiftly followed.
Bolton had their second player sent off in two games as Gary Cahill was rather harshly adjudged in a tackle on Marouanne Chamakh. Andy O’Brien will likely step in for the next three matches to cover the loss of Cahill. With Jääskeläinen still suspended the Trotters defence now has a very vulnerable look about for the trip to Villa and the home clash with United that follow next.
The Wigan defence continues to offer budget prospects at a time when their fixture list remains kind (MCY bir WOL new BOL). Al Habsi kept his place in goal – offers decent 4.0 punt whilst Chris Kirkland remains out of favour. In front of him Steven Gohuri is maintaining his starting role to also offer cheap defensive option and Ronnie Stam, whilst more expensive, offers the potential of assists – he was once again employed on the right of midfield with Emmerson Boyce starting at full-back. That situation is surely subject to change however. Charles N’Zogbia replaced the Dutchman from the bench on Saturday and his return to a starting role looks immanent.
Antolin Alcaraz is perhaps Wigan’s current biggest attraction his late equaliser will have put many Fantasy Managers on alert considering his modest price tag. Our Members Opta stats show the Paraguyan to be amongst the top performing defenders in the League suggesting that Saturday’s maximum Fantasy Premier League Bonus haul won’t be his last.
Michael Mancienne’s return to Molineux saw Mick McCarthy deploy the Chelsea man in midfield, which meant that the creative David Jones was surprisingly dropped to the bench. It’s pretty clear that McCarthy appears to be approaching away trips with the same mentality as last season – to shore things up and play for a 0-0 from the start. Jelle Van Damme raised his profile with the Wolves goal and was employed in front of Stephen Ward in a left midfield role. Although he was subbed at half-time for, Van Damme looks to be the key Fantasy target in the Wolves defence, particularly if McCarthy continues to send his side out with a defensive approach.
Blackburn defended resolutely at Eastlands with Chris Samba in particular, providing an almost immovable obstacle. The Rovers fixture list starts to cheer up (FUL blp stk SUN) and while Phil Jones provides value and an out of position prospect amongst the Rovers backline, Samba appears to carry the greater goal threat from set-plays and will be used as an emergency striker when Big Sam looks to chase the game.
