Alan Pardew arrives at St James’ Park amidst a huge wave of negativity and must attempt to turnaround the fortunes of an ailing Newcastle side. A Liverpool outfit, showing true signs of a resurgence and masterminded by a canny Roy Hodgson, lie in wait. What are the prospects for Fantasy Managers? Let’s indulge in some Friday morning scribbles…
Given Newcastle’s form and confidence, Liverpool could well come away from St James’ Park with three points and another clean sheet. Hodgson’s side have conceded just 6 goals over their last 8 matches – fewer than any other side. Newcastle in contrast are struggling for goals – neutralise Andy Carroll and Pardew’s side are immediately scratching around for a threat.
Hodgson will look to defend, frustrate the home crowd and nick a goal and in Sotirios Kyrgiakos they have the ideal gladiator to take on Carroll. I’m currently sitting on two Liverpool defenders and Carroll – right now I’m tempted by the gamble of benching the striker and heavily backing a Liverpool cleanie. I’ll sleep on it.
“Agger is much better and working very, very hard…We’re targeting the Fulham game. The Sports Science people are telling me it’s too soon and that really he needs a bit longer, but in my conversations with him he is in agreement that Fulham isn’t out of the question so he’s pushing it.”
That has repercussions when it comes to the potential of Kyrgiakos. He currently sits atop our Defender Watchlist rankings but may now come under threat from a returning Agger in weeks to come. The Dane has been vocal over his future at Anfield and Hodgson may feel pressure to offer him starts to prove his worth at the club. It’s not clear how the Liverpool regards Agger’s abilities, although we do know that he clearly values the presence of Kyrgiakos on the pitch. Hodgson recently presented the Greek as option as a stand-in skipper in Gerrard’s absence. That offers some reassurance, although clearly there will be a threat hanging over him once Agger is back in contention – that could be enough for would-be investors to look to Paul Konchesky as a more secure alternative in the same price bracket.
“Training, training and more training. Hopefully I’ll be available for Monday.”
Fabregas has stated that will not take a risk on his hamstring and certainly Arsene Wenger is unlikely to throw him in and risk another recurrence. We can only await an official update but, given the scenario, Wenger is surely likely to keep cards very close to his chest.
“It is always frustrating being on the bench. Ask any player, it is not just me. But it comes to the point when you do not want to dwell on it all the time. You just want to come off the bench, show what you can do and try and get back in the team…This season, I have come back and the team has been playing well and winning so it is difficult to get back into the team as there is no reason to change it. That is understandable but it is frustrating. Hopefully against Partizan I have shown what I can do.”
Will Walcott get an opportunity at Old Trafford? I’ve an increasing feeling that he will. Wenger went with a Robin Van Persie/Theo Walcott combination at Blackburn earlier in the season, relegating Marouane Chamakh to the bench. I just wonder if he’ll do the same on Monday night.
