Saturday morning finds me in new surroundings but in a familiar scenario – neck-deep in the Saturday morning sports pages, contemplating the very latest issues troubling Fantasy Managers over their fry-ups.
Injury doubts concerning two key mid-price targets could have some choking on the bacon rind – Charlie Adam and Chris Brunt have emerged as strong fifth midfielder options in the Fantasy Premier League game this season; both could miss out on decent home fixtures this weekend.
While that may provide a catalyst for midfield tweaks in many a Fantasy lineup, we are perhaps on the verge of an even bigger shake-up. Both Wayne Rooney and Jermaine Defoe are set to see action at some point and both could well feature on Christmas watchlists as a result. Rooney seems set to start life on the bench today, with Wigan providing potentially obliging opposition at Old Trafford, but will Harry Redknapp be tempted to throw Defoe in for the early kick-off against Arsenal at the Emirates?
Will Charlie Adam make it for Blackpool?
The Seasiders’ skipper and much fancied Fantasy Favourite is doubt with a knee ligament injury for the potentially profitable home clash with Wolves. Ian Holloway sounded doubtful that Adam would be available having failed to train this week. How do the press rate his chances?
The Sun: No problems here. Adam safely makes the lineup in the Blackpool midfield.
The Times: The first broadsheet begs to differ. Adam misses out and Matt Phillips earns a start in the Blackpool midfield as a result.
The Telegraph: Similarly, the Telegraph consider Adam unlikely to make the starting XI and hand a start to Ludovic Sylvestre in their prediction.
The Guardian: Our final paper pencils Adam into their eleven but only tentatively – Adam is still very much a doubt to start as far as the Guardian is concerned.
I say: It’s 2-2 in the press then so I get to tip the balance and it’s bad news for Adam owners looking for reassurance. I reckon the Scot will fail to make the lineup and that Holloway will turn to one of his heroes from the Aston Villa reshuffle, to fill the void. Sylvestre would seem the favourite to step in, following Holloway’s recent glowing comments on his performance at Villa Park.
Will Chris Brunt shake off his injury to start for the Baggies against Stoke?
Like Charlie Adam, Brunt has been the main creative force in his side and has provided Fantasy Managers with some strong potential in the low-to-mid price bracket. Again though, like Adam, he’s a doubt this weekend for a home match that would seem to promise returns for West Brom’s assets. Can the Irishman shake off a groin injury to start this one?
The Sun: Once again the Sun don’t see any problems. They throw Brunt into their West Brom starting lineup, which, aside from a recall for Gonzalo Jara at right-back, is unchanged.
The Times: Brunt makes it here too and again, Jara’s return is the only change to Roberto Di Matteo’s lineup.
The Telegraph: The first paper to omit Brunt. They think he’ll fall short, with Fortune being recalled to the side to lead the attack.
The Guardian: Brunt is included but again, the Guardian hedge their bets by marking him as a doubt.
I say: I’ve left Brunt out of my predicted lineup but in truth, it’s a lottery. I’ve opted for Graham Dorrans to come into the Baggies lineup, but he too is a slight doubt with a foot injury. There’s no official update on either situation and Brunt owners can only drop him into their lineup and let the FPL auto-subs take care of it. With a groin injury, it’s very unlikely that Brunt will start unless he’s 100% fit and able to complete the 90 minutes.
Will Jermain Defoe make an instant return to the Spurs lineup?
Not an issue to concern Fantasy Managers right now perhaps, but Defoe’s return to fitness is a major boost for Spurs and his presence in the starting XI could have a major impact on the balance of the Spurs side and the output of Rafael Van der Vaart and Gareth Bale. Do the paper boys feel that Harry will hand a start to his returning goal-sniffer?
The Sun: The Sun has Harry keeping Defoe on the bench with Roman Pavlyuchenko leading the attack. Lennon returns from injury on the right-flank with Van der Vaart shifted to his role behind the striker.
The Times: Defoe is out of the picture here too but this time it’s Peter Crouch leading the attack, with again Van der Vaart up in support and Aaron Lennon reinstalled on the right-flank.
The Telegraph: This paper agree with the Times – it’s Crouch up front with Van der Vaart in support here. Defoe remains in reserve on the bench.
The Guardian: The only paper to throw Defoe straight into their Tottenham lineup. He leads the attack with Van der Vaart up front, while Luka Modric gets shifted to the right to allow Van der Vaart to move up in support of the returning Defoe. There’s no place for Lennon here then.
I say: Harry will be tempted but it’s surely too soon to pitch Defoe back into the starting lineup for a North London derby. Defoe will likely see some action however; he may not be 100% but he isn’t required to do his work outside of the box, and Redknapp will likely hope to keep the opening passage of play tight enough to allow him to perhaps nick a goal in the second period. The poaching power of Defoe could well be key.
