Much as Mark hates to admit it, there are only twenty-four hours in any given day.
With that in mind, we have a new plan when it comes to selecting the Scout Picks this season. Rather than the onus falling solely on Mark’s shoulders to pick the team then draft the very words you‘re reading, we’ve decided to give the boss a hand.
For the new season, we’ve set up a “Scout Selection Committee” amongst some of the contributors. The idea being that over the course of each week we’ll knock our heads together and share ideas till the semblance of a starting XI is formed.
Then, after a quick look at team news on a Friday afternoon, we can put the finishing touches to our selections, making it as up-do-date as possible ahead of the following day‘s deadline. So, without much further ado, here are the first Scout Picks of 2011/12.
Good luck everyone.
The Defence
Ali Al-Habsi takes his place between the sticks. The Wigan stopper has the comfort of a home tie with Norwich to open the season and will be hoping the Canaries get stage fright on their Premier League return. If a clean sheet fails to materialise, Al Habsi has a tendency to clock up the save points- he was second only to Ben Foster for saves last term.
Joleon Lescott was one of the first names on the team sheet. The ex-Everton man seems to have finally settled at Man City and will line up against new boys Swansea on the back of his opener in last Sunday’s Community Shield. City were the tightest defence last term- they picked up 18 clean sheets- and look the safest bet for a clean sheet in Gameweek 1. While Vincent Kompany is cheaper at 6.0, Lescott, at 6.5, has that added goal threat that could prove dividend.
After a three-year Serie A hiatus, John Arne Riise returns to the Premier League with Fulham. It remains to be seen whether the Cottagers will lose any of last season’s defensive solidity under new boss Martin Jol, but the left-back offers plenty going forward to compensate- Riise’s even been taking his share of free-kicks in pre-season. A home showdown with Aston Villa looks like rich pickings for the Norwegian.
Daniel Agger served a reminder of his eye for goal in Liverpool’s recent 3-3 friendly with Valarenga. The Dane grabbed a double and with Martin Skrtel ruled out of Liverpool’s Anfield opener with Sunderland, Agger will keep his place alongside Jamie Carragher in the heart of Kenny Dalglish’s back-four and, going by his pre-season, the Dane is clearly in the mood for goals.
This afternoon’s Chelsea press conference brought with it the news that David Luiz is still sidelined for Andre Villas-Boas’ team. Step forward Alex, then, as the man to partner John Terry at the heart of the back-four. An away trick to Stoke is always tricky but with clean sheets looking thin on the ground elsewhere, the Brazilian’s added goal threat offers a little something extra.
The Midfield
After that show-stopping performance last Sunday, how could we ignore Nani? His brace against Man City continued an impressive pre-season that’s seen the winger grab four goals now. Opponents West Brom may have improved under Roy Hodgson but they seem incapable of chalking up a clean sheet- only two came their way last season- and a visit to the Hawthorns is too good to ignore.
We’re hoping lightning doesn’t strike twice with a Wigan Gameweek 1 pick. Last season’s opener saw the Latics come undone 4-0 at home to Blackpool and the name Mauro Boseilli still sends shivers down our spine. The form of Victor Moses, though, has believing in Wigan all over again. Five goals in six pre-season games -including the winner against Villarreal last weekend- shows just what Moses can do, given the game time. A home tie with Norwich should see him continue this form.
The first few months of his debut season were a difficult settling-in period but once David Silva found his feet, the diminutive Spaniard dazzled as he helped Man City to third place. Swansea arrive at the Etihad Stadium on Monday, giving Silva the perfect chance to turn on the style again. With a fair share of set-pieces in his locker, this one’s a no-brainer.
Adel Taarabt gets the final slot in our midfield four. Despite their lack of top-flight experience, QPR’s opener at home to Bolton is enticing- the Trotters picked up a measly one point from their last twelve away games in 2010/11. Taarabt is the one man most likely to make a difference for Neil Warnock’s side and with set-piece and spot-kick duties in his locker, the Moroccan could light up Loftus Road tomorrow.
The Forwards
With his start at Liverpool overshadowed by a lack of full-fitness and the form of a certain Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll had a disappointing beginning at Anfield. This pre-season has seen a big improvement and with Suarez unlikely to feature, the scene is set for Carroll to put Sunderland to the sword this Saturday. Coming into the match with two goals in his last two games and the the praise of Kenny Dalglish ringing in his ears, the signs are looking good for the £35m forward to deliver.
Robin Van Persie was the one Arsenal player who can’t be accused of failing to deliver last season. The Dutchman’s goal at Fulham on the final day of 2010/11 meant he had found the net in nine consecutive away games- a Premier League record. A trip to Newcastle tomorrow allows Van Persie the chance to top this and with three goals in the Gunners last three pre-season games, he is on a hot streak of form. Not that we needed any persuading, but a double from the Dutchman in last season’s 4-4 St James’ Park draw proved impossible to overlook.
