Arsenal’s defence suffers the same old misfortune. Andres Villas-Boas picks up some silverware. Louis Saha grabs a goal on his return from injury. Shaun Wright-Phillips scored for Man City but still seems to be leaving and Bolton’s promising pre-season is overshadowed by an injury to Chung Yong-Lee that looks like sidelining the South Korean for up to nine months. Here’s this morning’s Scribbles, folks:
If Fabregas is committed to this Club and wants to stay, no money will get him out of here. We are not in a position where we need to sell our players. We want to keep our players. We are not looking after money. We want the players to stay here, from our side that is clear.
It’s not ideal for us (Nasri leaving for free) on the financial side but, on the sporting side, he is an important player. We have to deal with the situation one way or another. In the next ten days we have to be clear on that front.
One of the things is fitness and we were clearly behind Chelsea in terms of match fitness. They have played six games now and that’s our third. I thought our players looked a bit weary if I’m honest but we still managed to dig in right until the end. It was pleasing to see the guys fighting until the very end, despite the fact a lot of them were running on empty.
Chris had a groin strain. He had a scan this morning and the doctor told us there was a little bit of fluid so it would have been a risk if he’d have played, he might have overstretched it. I’m sure he’ll be fit to play against Kilmarnock next Saturday in Scotland.
“We will make sure Chung-Yong gets all the support he needs, as now it is all about his recovery and well-being. That is the most important thing. The operation went well and we would like to pass on our thanks to the medical staff involved.”
Lee is expected to be sidelined for around nine months and the injury means Trotters boy Chris Eagles, priced 5.5 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), may well prove a decent Fantasy alternative. Eagles played “in the hole” playing off striker Ivan Klasnic against Newport.
Our defensive work is an offensive weapon, that’s what we have been telling the players. We want to attack more so for us to do that we have to get it back as soon as possible. These players have an excellent acceptance of these principles and are able to apply it.
Thanks to them and their commitment we are able to put these ideas across and I think they are enjoying it. Commitment-wise, motivationally, and the professionalism of the players has been something I haven’t seen before.
For me, it’s difficult to put him on the bench. A player like Shaun deserves to play every game because he’s a strong player. But now, we have so many players it’s not easy for him. I need to speak with him in the next days. It’s difficult because Shaun is a good guy.
Wright-Phillips is just 6.5 in FPL and a move away from City could see him re-emerge as a potential Fantasy target, providing he gets the game time.
“It’s a 25-man squad and you’re going to need everybody at certain times. It is going to be a really hard season for us, but we’ve earned the right to be here.”
Hodgson confirmed the player is likely to be utilised mainly as a forward in the upcoming campaign, meaning Tchoyi -rated 5.5 in FPL and classified as a midfielder- will be one of this season’s out-of-position Fantasy players:
We don’t have many forwards we think are going to start.Odemwingie got his first full game today. He’s hardly taken any part in the pre-season matches up to now. We also have Simon Cox and Somen – and at the moment they are our main men.
Physically he is not the strongest but he is wiry and has a great idea of the game. He is a good footballer and was our best player today. His discipline was terrific. He is a quick passer of the ball. He has good eyes. It was a big night for him. He is a big, strong possibility for us to start the season.
Fergie also confirmed in this morning’s press conference that despite being taken off after only 17 minutes following a challenge with Sergio Busquets, Rafael should be okay.
