Back on the Preamble and back chewing over the pre-deadline Fantasy Football issues. This morning it’s Andy Carroll’s bench-warming, John O’Shea’s aching limbs and, yet again, that Bale fella’s starting role, playing on my mind. Will the morning papers provide a guiding light?
Will Andy Carroll regain a starting role for Newcastle?
Dropped to the bench at Man City in Gameweek 7, but with the ink still damp on a new five-year deal will Newcastle’s big centre forward earn a recall when Wigan arrive in town?
The Sun: Yes indeed. Carroll stats up front in the 4-5-1 with Kevin Nolan once again in support. There’s no place for Shola Ameobi.
The Telegraph: It’s the same in this paper. Carroll gets the recall and Ameobi is dropped to the bench to make way.
The Guardian: Carroll is disappointed. He remains on the bench here with Ameobi keeping his starting role with Nolan up in support.
The Times: Again Carroll is left out of the eleven. Hughton will keep faith with Ameobi according to the Times.
I say: I just can’t see Hughton leaving Carroll champing on the bit on the bench after signing his new contract and having been disappointed by an England rejection. Hughton will surely look to unleash his centre forward for this home game having failed to take a point from the last two. Fail against Wigan having left Carroll on the bench and there will be some difficult questions to field.
Where will Redknapp deploy Gareth Bale against Fulham?
Once again the role handed to the powerhouse Welshman is a major concern to Fantasy Managers. With his ownership moving over to the impressive Van der Vaart in droves, Bale’s role becomes a crucial and deciding factor for those still pondering the move.
The Sun: Bale starts on the left of midfield with Benoit Assou-Ekotto behind him. Van der Vaart starts in support of the lone striker Crouch.
The Telegraph: Bale gets shifted to left-back with Niko Kranjcar brought in on the left flank. Van der Vaart starts on the right-flank in a 4-4-2 with Roman Pavlyuchenko fit to partner Crouch up front.
The Guardian: Bale remains on the left of midfield with Assou-Ekotto, a slight injury doubt, deployed behind him at full-back.
The Times: Once again Bale is given the left midfield role here with Assou-Ekotto at full-back and Van der Vaart up in support of Crouch.
I say: A tough call this. I see Bale in the midfield role but the shift to left-back remains a threat almost every Gameweek right now, particularly when Spurs have a Champions League tie looming. As a Bale owner I’m worried about his influence versus that of Van der Vaart. The sheer number of shots that the Dutchman is putting in, added to his set-piece and spot-kick influence, makes him very difficult to ignore.
Will John O’Shea start for Alex Ferguson against the Baggies?
The Irishman has long been a favourite of Ferguson and at just 5.7 in the Fantasy Premier League game, he represents a cheap route to United clean sheets. Two international fixtures for the Republic will have drained his energies however and with the Champions League looming in midweek, Ferguson could look to rest him with Patrice Evra set to return at left-back. Will O’Shea regain his right-back role from Rafael?
The Sun: Yes he does. O’Shea shifts to the right and replaces Rafael with Evra returning at left-back.
The Telegraph: This paper keeps O’Shea at left back with no recall for Evra. Rafael remains at right-back then.
The Guardian: O’Shea gets the right-back role with Evra returning on the left. There’s no place for Rafael.
The Times: Again O’Shea starts at right-back with Evra recalled and Rafael dropping to the bench.
I say: Yep, I can see O’Shea keeping a starting role but shifting over to the right. United do have a Champions League tie in midweek but it’s one they should approach with some confidence and Ferguson could even look to rest a few against Bursaspor on Wednesday.
