Keep calm and carry on. It’s business as usual here, which means we owe to you to dissect all the action from what was a rather tepid opening to the Fantasy Football season.
Bolton’s savage party pooping at Loftus Road, Sunderland’s impressive second-half showing and everything involving Joey Barton, were perhaps the headline acts. Delving deeper however, we’ve cut through the bluster to offer some insight into some key performers on the day…
Jol Continues with Senderos
Martin Jol doesn’t seem to be a fan of the Brede Hangeland/Aaron Hughes centre-half partnership. The new Fulham boss has installed Philipp Senderos alongside Hangeland in recent games, with Hughes his favoured choice at right-back. If the same scenario continues, this promotes Senderos firmly into our Fantasy thinking- he’s the cheaper option of the current Cottagers back-four, particularly in comparison with Hangeland across the Fantasy games.
McLeish Tries a 4-2-3-1
Aston Villa’s first league game under Alex McLeish saw them pick up a clean sheet. Shay Given instantly looks a strong Fantasy option between the sticks- 5 saves and a defensive 4-2-3-1 in front of the ex-Man City keeper kept hosts Fulham at bay. Villa have two home games on the trot now and it’ll be interesting to see if Big Eck alters his approach when Villa play in front of their own fans. Marc Albrighton seems frozen out as an option right now – he made an impact from the bench but may struggle to earn a start against Blackburn.
Formica Offers Kean Hope
It looks like being a long season ahead for Steve Kean. Granted, both Chris Samba and Ryan Nelsen were missing from Blackburn’s line-up through injury while Gael Givet was out through illness, but Wolves won yesterday’s Ewood Park opener with ease. Bought in the January transfer window, Mauro Formica only made his Rovers debut yesterday and, playing in the hole behind Jason Roberts in a 4-4-1-1, followed it up with a goal. Priced as a cheap midfielder across many Fantasy games, he’s definitely one for the watchlist and justified our “Spot the Differential” mention from Big Dunc.
Fletcher and Doyle
Wolves rarely had the chance to field Steven Fletcher and Kevin Doyle together last season. Injuries to either at various stages of the campaign forced Mick McCarthy to go down the 4-5-1 route on many an occasion. Both took to the field yesterday as Big Mick went 4-4-2 and if the pair can avoid injury, look likely to strike up a partnership that could make Wolves a different proposition going forward this season. With Roger Johnson superb at the back, McCarthy has every reason to be optimistic in 2011/12.
Suarez Returns
Kenny Dalglish opted for a 4-4-2 to accommodate the return of Luis Suarez. Liverpool’s three new midfield signings made their debut bows- Stewart Downing provided plenty delivery from the left, Charlie Adam looks to be on most set-pieces, while Jordan Henderson was quiet wide right. While Suarez grabbed Liverpool’s goal, it was Andy Carroll who threatened the most- he had 7 attempts on goal in yesterday’s draw. Dirk Kuyt’s Fantasy potential looks shaky after a start on the bench on Saturday.
Bruce’s New Boys
Only two of Sunderland’s ten new signings made the Black Cats starting line-up yesterday. Wes Brown slotted in at centre half while Seb Larsson took his place on the left and volleyed home the goal that gave his side a draw. Dong-Won Ji and David Vaughan came on late in the second half, while Craig Gardner and Connor Wickham had to cool their heels on the bench.
Taarabt Shows Promise As Rangers Fold
Kieran Dyer’s suspected broken metatarsal capped a miserable baptism for QPR. Neil Warnock’s 4-4-2 with Adel Taarabt in a free-role may well be cited as an issue but, in Fantasy terms it saw Taarabt given the attacking freedom which could see him make the kind of impact we’ve been anticipating. Warnock has a tough trip to Everton next but Rangers do have the fixtures to follow that could have them find a foothold.
Klasnic and Davies pick Rangers Apart
Owen Coyle opted for a brave 4-4-2 away from home with the pre-season form of Ivan Klasnic earning him a start. He repaid that faith with a superb display, linked well with stalwart Kevin Davies and will surely start when City arrive at the Reebok next weekend. Martin Petrov’s supply form the left was also impressive, while Chris Eagles took the right-wing berth and appeared to be on direct free-kicks.
Moses Parts The Norwich Tide
Victor Moses lived up to his pre-season hype with a man-of –the match display in the 1-1 with Norwich. While Ben Watson converted the spot-kick opener, hit a post and and put in a very strong showing with set-pieces thrown in, it was Moses that carried the biggest threat to the visitors. Already the omens are good for those who took an early punt on the Wigan winger.
Hoolahan At Home In The Diamond
Wes Hoolahan was another to confirm his pre-season promise. The Norwich midfielder converted Steve Morison’s spilled cross to earn the Canaries a point. Both Hoolahan and Andrew Surman got forward well to support the attack – Hollahan in a free role at the point of a diamond formation in midfield.
Van Persie Subdued As Gunners Fire Blanks
Gervinho’s sending off and Alex Song’s escape (for now) will have diverted attention away from the fact that Arsenal were far from firing at St James’ Park. Robin Van Persie was under the microscope in the absence of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri but he labored and put in one of his most ineffectual shifts in memory; having been deadly away from home last season, he rarely looked a threat. Gervinho, up until his sending off, was Arsenal’s most direct player on the day. Liverpool at home, then United away – if Van Persie falters, we could see a shift away from the Dutchman, despite favourable fixtures to come.
Taylor Gets the Nod At Left-Back
There was little of note from Newcastle’s display against Arsenal – they showed some stability at the back but a lack of attacking ambition and creativity. While Joey Barton attracted all the media attention, it was worth noting that Ryan Taylor was given the left-back berth with Jose Enrique departed. Newcastle are likely to reinforce in this position but Taylor is an option in the meantime – he took Newcastle’s one direct free-kick effort.
