Will Harry Redknapp, Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson hit us with a New Year’s rotation resolution?
Burned by tinkering over Christmas, the Scout Picks has become an almost futile exercise. Today’s team news has hardly helped matters, with prospects like Nani and Andy Carroll cast in doubt with niggling injuries.
All we can do is pack the bench with unfashionable talent and hope the season’s heroes make it on to the teamsheet to help us to a flying start to 2011. I’m trying to stay optimistic; can you tell?
Happy New Year folks. Here’s the final Scout Picks of 2010…
The Defence
Heurelho Gomes
The charismatic Spurs stopper has hardly lived up to his pre-season billing as a mid-price Fantasy prospect as Spurs have continually struggled defensively. The return of Michael Dawson will help to introduce some added resilience in front of Gomes however, and with William Gallas also due back against a Fulham side who are scratching around for goals, the omens look good for a Spurs shut-out. Alan Hutton is the alternative if you want some attacking intent thrown in – the Scot carries just a slight threat of rotation however with Vedran Corluka an option.
Aleksandar Kolarov
Rested for the drubbing of Aston Villa, the Serb will be expected to return at left-back against Blackpool to reintroduce his attacking threat down the flank. I’m waiting for Kolarov to turn his numerous goal attempts per game into attacking points – the visit of Blackpool to Eastlands could give him that opportunity.
Rafael
Alex Ferguson could look to rest the Brazilian but then, he will surely be keen to keep his back four intact having established a run of clean sheets and consistency. Rafael, in the mid-price in the FPL, is worth the gamble if the more secure Nemanja Vidic is out of your price range. A trip to the Hawthorns will test United’s rearguard, but looks another strong clean sheet prospect.
Phil Bardsley
We will bring you more on the Black Cat’s full-back later tonight in a Watchlist article from Da Beeeez. All you need to know for now is that Bardsley will come up against Blackburn at the Stadium of Light and that Sunderland had previously kept 5 clean sheets in 6 before the defeat to Blackpool. Bardsley prospects are good and his price just right at 4.6 in the FPL.
Jose Bosingwa
Putting faith in the Chelsea back four is a gamble but, following the 1-0 success in midweek and with a hopelessly out of form Villa visiting Stamford Bridge on Sunday, they look a decent prospect. Bosingwa had a poor game against Bolton in midweek but with Branislav Ivanovic suspended, Bosingwa looks set to keep his start at right-back with Paulo Ferreira likely to step in alongside John Terry. Bosingwa gives you a route to Chelsea clean sheets with attacking threat for just 5.4 – that looks a bargain with Gerard Houllier’s hapless troops in town.
The Midfield
Cesc Fabregas
Fantasy royalty returns to the Scout Picks to offer some reassuring class in the midfield. Banned for the trip to Wigan, the Arsenal skipper will surely be recalled for the trip to Birmingham, although with Wenger recent tinkerings, nothing is guaranteed. Andrei Arshavin and Samir Nasri present cheaper but perhaps less secure options, given that City are at the Emirates on Wednesday.
Florent Malouda
A tap-in goal does spark a revival but it’s hard to resist backing Chelsea even in their current run, against the Villa defence at the Bridge. While there are a wealth of alternatives to Didier Drogba up front, Malouda offers a strong option in midfield. He too could be a victim of rotation having started in midweek, but Carlo Ancelotti should keep him on the left and if he starts, he’s likely to be instrumental in another Chelsea win.
Gareth Bale
While Rafael Van Der Vaart could well be a more effective selection, the Dutchman comes with a big red rest and rotation warning having just returned from a hamstring injury. It’s not clear whether Harry Redknapp will rest Van der Vaart but it seems pretty unlikely that Bale will require any such caution. His pace and strength seems unwavering in a season that has seen the Welshman emerge as a world talent. The Fulham defence will be stretched to cope with right-back John Pantsil in for a rough ride. Another win for Spurs with Bale returns could be on the cards.
Jordan Henderson
A real gamble but I’m willing to back a hunch which at least has some logic to it. Henderson has been ever-present this season for Sunderland and has been simply outstanding over the Christmas period so far. Our Members’ OPTA stats show that he has presented more opportunities for team-mates with key passes than any other player over the last couple of Gameweeks. While Sunderland fluffed their lines against Blackpool, I reckon they will notch a couple against Blackburn. I see Henderson coming out with an assists and some healthy FPL Bonus.
The Forwards
Carlos Tevez
Rested to the bench for the Villa win, Tevez is expected to return to face Blackpool and that surely spells further Fantasy returns. Again, there’s a risk that Tevez will sit out – there’s certainly a risk that his pitch time will be cut if City can put the game to bed early, but I’m banking on Blackpool putting up a fight here with Tevez required to kill them off in a game with goals.
Dimitar Berbatov
The Bulgarian’s form is undeniable – with Nani absent with his hip injury, Berbatov has stepped up as Alex Ferguson’s match winner. Will the United boss rest him for the visit to the Hawthorns? I feel it’s more likely that he’ll sit out the Old Trafford clash with Stoke in the week. If Berbatov starts against the Baggies, he comes up against a makeshift defence that will surely be breached on several occasions by an in-form United.
