Liverpool and Chelsea sit atop the league table after 3-1 wins, as Wolves play out a gritty stalemate at Villa Park. Elsewhere Everton burgle Blackburn at Ewood, opportunities go begging in a 0-0 at the Liberty Stadium and Wigan find inspiration from an unlikely source. Here’s the Scout Notes from Saturday’s events…
Villas-Boas the Shape Shifter
With so much uncertainty over who would start up front for Chelsea, Andres Villas-Boas took many surprise by naming both Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba in the first XI together. While the Chelsea website reports yesterday’s starting formation as a 4-4-2 diamond, Villas-Boas has a different take on his system and suggested he will continue to alter his side’s shape in-game:
”We went 4-3-3 in the first game against Stoke, 4-4-2 in the second half in a diamond, started 4-3-3 against West Brom, second half 4-1-3-2, started 4-1-3-2 [today] and finished 4-3-3. It’s good we have this flexibility and are able to perform in all of these structures.”
Neither forward found the net, however, and it was down to the reinvigorated Jose Bosingwa to continue his new-found form under the new boss with the opener, while Frank Lampard justified his Scout Picks selection with a goal and assist in the 3-1 win. Juan Mata had the perfect debut; coming on in the 67th minute, the Spaniard scored a late third and has already equalled Torres in terms of goals scored for the Blues.
Lambert Rings the Changes
Paul Lambert also changed formation for yesterday’s game- the third league game in a row he has done so. Clearly, the Canaries boss is employing a “horses for courses” policy and is willing to change tactics and personnel according to opponent.
Norwich initially played five at the back at Stamford Bridge, with captain Russell Martin again losing out to Kyle Naughton at right-back. Lambert removed one of three centre halves, Zak Whitbread, on the half-hour mark and changed to a 4-4-2, with replacement Anthony Pilkington adding numbers in midfield.
Keeper John Ruddy was sent off for conceding the penalty that saw Lampard opening his account for the season and will serve a one match ban, missing the Gameweek 4 home encounter with West Brom.
Kenny Drops Carroll
Liverpool’s 3-1 Anfield win over Bolton saw Kenny Dalglish bench Andy Carroll and pick Dirk Kuyt as a strike-partner for Luis Suarez. The home side looked more dangerous, with the Suarez-Kuyt partnership offering plenty movement and energy up front- Kuyt grabbed two assists, while Suarez was superb throughout and unlucky not to return more than a mere 2 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) points.
Charlie Adam continues to offer Fantasy potential, with a goal and an assist, while fellow new-boy Jordan Henderson also grabbed his first league goal since his summer arrival, with the scoreline more than a little flattering on the visitors. Martin Kelly was withdrawn with a hamstring problem in the first half, with Martin Skrtel, his replacement at right-back, grabbing the hosts’ second.
Klasnic Keeps Scoring
Bolton were unchanged from the side that lost at home to Man City last week and Ivan Klasnic kept up his brilliant scoring start to the new campaign with another goal. The Trotters forward has now netted in all three games for Owen Coyle’s side but can thank Jamie Carragher for his goal, with the Liverpool centre-half culpable for the visitors’ late consolation.
It’s the second game in a row Bolton have shipped three goals, though, and Coyle’s side have a difficult run of fixtures immediately ahead; three of their next four are against Man United, Arsenal and Chelsea.
Wolves Stay Unbeaten
Their 100% league record may have gone, but Mick McCarthy was happy with Wolves’ point in the Midlands derby at Villa Park. Big Mick named an unchanged line-up from the side that beat Fulham last week but changed things halfway through the second half as Villa took control. Stephen Hunt and Matt Jarvis were removed, with George Elokobi and Kevin Foley their replacements- the former moved to left-back as Stephen Ward shifted into left midfield to offer the visitors more defensive solidity.
As the Wolves boss explained:
”Jarvo and Hunty were wandering a little bit and I just needed to change it. We were suffering from an inability to keep hold of the ball when we were going into their half. The changes meant we just kept our shape a little bit better and I thought we finished the stronger team.
Would I take a point at Villa? With Heskey, Bent, Agbonlahor and N’Zogbia up front? Too right I would! It wasn’t going our way and we needed to change the course of the game which we did.”
The no-score draw means Wolves have conceded just one goal so far this campaign, a clear sign of their increased potential at the back and strength-in-depth of McCarthy’s squad this season. With three homes games in the next four (TOT, QPR, liv, NEW), more Fantasy investment in the Wolves side should prove dividend.
Villa Draw a Blank Again
Luke Young’s move to QPR meant Alex McLeish fielded young Chris Herd at right-back but Aston Villa still kept up their good defensive start under Big Eck with another clean sheet. Similar to Wolves, the home side have conceded just one goal this season, though the goalless draw means McLeish’s side have failed to score in two of their first three games- a worrying sign for Fantasy owners of Charles N’Zogbia and Darren Bent.
The Villa boss acknowledged McCarthy’s tactical second half alteration as the game’s defining moment:
”We didn’t get the breakthrough so we didn’t do enough but I thought it was a terrific second half display, we controlled it. I thought Mick’s changes took the sting out of it. I believe some of our players also began to tire, such was the effort they put in.”
Unbeaten in their first three, Villa’s upcoming fixtures still look strong, with home fixtures against Newcastle, QPR and West Brom in their next six games.
Rovers Pay the Penalty
Blackburn’s inability to convert two second-half penalties ultimately cost them three points and opened the way for Everton to snatch the win via the spot themselves. Rovers can count themselves unlucky, robbed of their first choice penalty takers – David Dunn and Morten Gamst-Pedersen – due to first-half hamstring injuries, it was left to Junior Hoilett and Mauro Formica to take and miss the Blackburn spot-kicks. Steve Kean was left ruing those missed chances and could only take consolation in the fact that he saw Chris Samba return to lead his defence with another strong performance. Holding on to Samba over the transfer window could well be vital to Blackburn’s survival chances as will the form of Junior Hoilett – once again, he put in an eye-catching dispaly and terrorised the Everton defence.
Baines Bows To Areta
David Moyes’ side were unquestionably fortunate to nick the points at Ewood. Outplayed for long spells, they somehow survived a second-half which saw their defence creak as it was breached on several occasions. For Fantasy managers, there were real concerns on the potential of Leighton Baines coming out of this match. While the left-back claimed a fortunate clean sheet and was his usual attacking self down the left-flank, he played second fiddle to the returning Mikel Areta both on direct free-kicks and on the spot-kick that eventually won the game. Given Baines’ hefty price tag, there now has to be a question mark on whether he can contribute clean sheets and double figure returns for assists given Everton’s start to the season. Home matches with Villa and Wigan over the next two do at least provide a decent platform for Baines to justify his price tag but sales will be expected.
Swans Fail to Break Their Duck
Swansea’s home form and in particular, their clean sheet record, was mightily impressive in the Championship and, two home games down, they appear to have translated that form to the top flight. While Brendan Rodgers and Michel Vorm’s Fantasy owners will be delighted with two consecutive clean sheets, the lack of goals – having failed to open their Premier League account in three matches – will be a major concern. Scott Sinclair carries the hopes of many Fantasy managers as a mid-price midfield option and he struck the bar, while Danny Graham missed several opportunities to make his mark having led the Championship scoring charts. Trips to Arsenal and Chelsea loom in the next three, making forthcoming home clashes with West Brom and Stoke vital if Swansea are to establish themselves in an early mid-table spot.
Sunderland Wasteful Again
Sunderland are another side struggling for goals. The opening day striker by Seb Larsson at Anfield remains the only goal scored by Steve Bruce’s side and he was forced to watch on at the Liberty Stadium while chances went begging once again.
“We need to find that clinical touch in front of goal. At our level we should be taking chances, but we’re not. We have to keep grinding on and stick with our beliefs, because there isn’t much wrong.”
Fantasy investors in Stephane Sessegnon will be fidgeting after another blank. While he has been a constant threat to opposing defences, his inability and those of his team-mates, to convert opportunities has so far seen him fail to return. It’s Chelsea at the Stadium of Light up next but, following that, Sessegnon and Sunderland face a favourable run (STK nor WBA) which should provide a platform for goals and assists.
Di Santo The Unlikely Hero
Wigan remained unbeaten and claimed their first win of the season courtesy of two Franco Di Santo strikes. The Argentine – an unlikely Fantasy target, has started the season in strong form which has meant that Hugo Rodallega returned to the starting lineup for this one, flanking him on the left with Victor Moses patrolling the right-flank in a fluid front three. While Rodallega left the game with an assist for the superb opening goal from Di Santo, Moses continues to frustrate having shown strong form without Fantasy returns. Three away games in four could stifle attacking returns from that trio and temper any further Fantasy investement.
Taarabt The Key For Rangers
As expected, Adel Taarabt was at the centre of everything for QPR, striking the woodwork twice and providing a constant threat and creative spark from open play and set-pieces. While the Moroccan has yet to make his mark in the Premier League, it seems only a matter of time before he opens his account and returns on his Fantasy investment. While all eyes will be on Joey Barton when QPR resume league action on Monday September 12, Taarabt will be eyeing up that game as an opportunity to announce himself with his first top flight goal for the Hoops.
