We’ve a bumper set of Scout Notes today, folks, taking in all ten fixtures in the Gameweek just gone by. The pressure increases on Arsenal, with a defeat at Blackburn leaving Arsene Wenger’s side just one point off the bottom, while North London neighbours Tottenham -ironically spearheaded by a former Gunner- hammer an out-of-sorts Liverpool at the Lane. All three promoted clubs pick up the points, while Sunderland –with David Vaughan installed in the starting XI for the first time this season- record their first victory with a thrashing of unbeaten Stoke. Here’s our round-up:
Gunners Away Day Blues Continue
Arsene Wenger fielded four of his summer signings for the trip to Ewood Park. Gervinho and Mikel Arteta both found the net against Blackburn but the performances of a back-four containing Per Mertersacker and Andre Santos led to the Gunners undoing in the 4-3 loss. Arsenal hardly helped themselves with two own goals and a host of missed chances, but it’s twelve goals conceded in two games on the road now. Bolton, Sunderland and Stoke all roll up to the Emirates in the next four gameweeks and Wenger will be desperate for a swift home response.
The Yak Got Fed
Yakubu made an immediate impact on his first start for Blackburn. An injury to David Goodwillie promoted the Nigerian to the starting XI, with Steve Kean choosing to bench Jason Roberts. Playing as a lone forward, Yakubu grabbed two goals to help Rovers to their first win of the season and take the heat off Kean- with the Blackburn fans reportedly looking for the Scotsman to be replaced, many had expected an Arsenal triumph at Ewood Park and this three points should buy him some more time in the eyes of the Rovers faithful, though the home fixtures hardly get easier- Man City, Spurs and Chelsea are the next visitors.
Swans Break their Duck
Swansea continued to show a defensive consistency at home- it’s three clean sheets from three games now at the Liberty Stadium. Saturday saw them finally score in the Premier League at their fourth attempt, with a brilliant 3-0 win over West Brom. Scott Sinclair got the ball rolling with a penalty, while Leroy Lita- earning his first start of the season as Danny Graham missed out with a back problem- grabbed a goal and assist- Fantasy managers will be hoping he’s earned himself a chance at the lone forward role on a more regular basis, given his 4.4 price tag. Nathan Dyer also scored, showing that at 4.6, he’s more than just a handy bench player for Fantasy squads.
Brunt Benched Again
Roy Hodgson left Chris Brunt out of the West Brom starting XI for the second game in a row. While last week’s omission helped the Baggies win at Norwich, they were no match for a rampant Swansea. Hodgson will have reason to be worried over his side’s toothless showing- Peter Odemwingie’s only significant contribution was his role in an incident that led to Neil Taylor being stretchered off while Shane Long’s impressive start to the season seems a long way away already. Home games against Fulham and Wolves in the next three fixtures offers the pair a chance to find their spark.
Baines Fails to Deliver
Everton grabbed their first home win of the season, with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Wigan. Tim Cahill continued as a lone striker for the Toffees and picked up an assist, his second in successive Gameweeks. Leighton Baines, handed the armband by many Fantasy managers, failed to return any points, while Royston Drenthe came on as a sub and grabbed a goal, boosting his chances of a left wing start next week at Man City. Fellow new-boy Denis Stracqualursi came on for Cahill with just seven minutes left and picked up an assist.
Rodallega Worry for Latics
After a three-match unbeaten start, Wigan were hit for three for the second game in succession. Roberto Martinez’s side now need to pick themselves up after another away loss but will have to do without Hugo Rodallega- the forward was stretchered off and Martinez reckons he could be without the player’s services for “weeks or months”. Luckily for the Latics boss, Franco di Santo is in fine form- the Argentine netted again yesterday, his third goal in as many matches.
Agbonlahor Scores Again
Fantasy owners of Darren Bent must be getting twitchy. Gabby Agbonlahor grabbed his third goal of the season and continues to overshadow Bent under the guidance of Alex McLeish. Bent has scored just once in his side’s unbeaten start to the season and while Agbonlahor looked lively throughout, Bent’s only telling contribution was missing an easy chance that would have doubled his side’s lead against Newcastle. McLeish’s side are looking less secure for clean sheets too, with just one in their last four games.
Best Foot Forwad
Leon Best continues to impress up front for Newcastle. The 5.1 priced forward scored Newcastle’s equaliser at Villa Park, making it three goals in three games now. With Blackburn, Spurs and Wigan all visiting St James’ Park in the next four weeks, Best should come under scrutiny from many Fantasy managers. Yohan Cabaye impressed and was unlucky not to find the net, while Alan Pardew’s defence continue to show a solidity- the Agbonlahor goal was just the second time they have conceded this term.
QPR Quick to Gel
It’s two games and two clean sheets for Neil Warnock’s new-look side. The late August spending spree by new owner Tony Fernandez looks a wise investment, with two new signings, Joey Barton and Armand Traore, both finding the net. Given license to roam, Shaun Wright-Phillips again looked more like his old self and Warnock’s side are beginning to offer viable mid-priced midfield options across the board- Barton at 5.9 and Wright-Phillips at 6.4 are vying with 6.5 Adel Taarabt for Fantasy attention.
Wolves Lack Bite
After an unbeaten three-match start, Wolves have now been beaten twice on their own patch. Mick McCarthy’s side have failed to score in those two Molineux games and now travel to Anfield next week desperate for a morale-boosting result. The early-season solidity offered by new boy Roger Johnson suddenly looks shaky and with Steven Fletcher failed to recover from a groin injury, Wolves look vulnerable at both ends of the pitch right now.
Trotters Tamed Again
It’s four straight defeats now for Bolton, with an unexpected 2-1 home defeat by Norwich. Having swept aside QPR in their season opener, Bolton were subject to plenty Fantasy investment but a run of difficult fixtures have taken their toll on the Trotters’ morale. Saturday’s match with the Canaries would surely have been earmarked as a strong chance for three points by Owen Coyle but after top scorer Ivan Klasnic was sent off, the match swung in the visitors’ favour. Much to the frustration of Kevin Davies’ Fantasy owners, Coyle removed the forward at half time, allowing Martin Petrov the chance to score from the penalty spot in what proved to be nothing more than a mere consolation.
Canaries Reason to be Chirpy
Despite conceding their fifth penalty in succession, Paul Lambert’s side held on at the Reebok top record a vital victory. The Norwich boss again showed his penchant for rotation, making six changes to the side that lost narrowly at home to West Brom last week- the likes of Ritchie De Laet and Grant Holt were amongst those dropping out, with Steve Morison leading the line as a lone front man. Left-back Marc Tierney is now the only player to start all five matches for the Canaries and, on his second start, David Fox impressed with an assist.
Emmanuel Seduces Spurs Faithful
Emmanuel Adebayor has had a dream start to his Tottenham tenure, notching three goals in two games to help turn any doubts within the White Hart Lane faithful into pure adoration. The brace against Liverpool was superbly taken and the Fantasy interest as a result was immediate. Adebayor enjoyed an FPL price rise overnight and, with Jermain Defoe also in bloom, the prospects look good for Harry Redknapp’s men. Three away games in four does offer Fantasy managers room for doubt however, while Rafael Van der Vaart’s return to fitness also creates a poser. Redknapp will surely keep his front two in place, leaving the Dutchman in a wide role. Once Aaron Lennon is back in contention, we could see some heavy rotation with Tottenham’s attacking players. Will Adebayor be immune to this? It seems likely on current form.
Pain At the Lane For Dalglish
Sunday’s game was a non-event for Kenny Dalglish’s men – one to forget. The dismissal of Charlie Adam in the first-half hampered any chance of a revival following the Modric opener but, in truth, Liverpool were struggling before the Scot’s errant challenge. Martin Skrtel followed down the tunnel in the second-half to expose the visitors further and leave both Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez with scant service up front. Carroll will be particularly frustrated having regained a starting role, while Suarez has now drawn three consecutive blanks. Fantasy faith in the Uruguayan is beginning to wain and the home fixture with Wolves up next looks crucial. Both Adam and Skrtel will be available for that game – they will serve their one-match bans in the Carling Cup at Brighton in midweek. Dan Agger was forced off in the first-half and is due for assessment prior to the seaside Cup clash – his absence could force a reshuffle for the visit of Wolves.
Black Cats Break Loose
Against the odds, Sunderland dismantled a Stoke defence which had previously kept three clean sheets in four matches. Steve Bruce’s side shared the goals around, with Seb Larsson and Craig Gardner living up to their mid-price potential with strikes – Larsson in particular, has emerged as a clear prospect in the Black Cats’ midfield. Stephane Sessegnon came away with an assist, a disappointment given the extent of this win and his overall goal threat so far this season. A trip to Norwich and a home clash with West Brom offers room for further optimism however; Sessegnon’s remaining owners may well look to hold firm for those matches following another decent showing here. Having changed his midfield for Saturday’s game, both David Vaughan and Ahmed Elmohamady would seem set to hold their starting roles after strong contributions to the cause.
Tired Potters Capitulate
Europa League travels may well have been a factor in Stoke’s demise at the Stadium of Light, although Tony Pulis has been keen to avoid presenting that as an excuse for the 4-0 drubbing. With United and Arsenal to come in the next four, and two more European ties to come in October, there will be a good degree of hesitancy from Fantasy managers in the light of Saturday’s result. The decision to shift Jon Walters to a midfield role has also damaged Stoke’s principal Fantasy target – he looks under threat with Pulis keen to try out his options up front and give Cameron Jerome and Peter Crouch an opportunity to build a new partnership.
Aguero at the Double
Aside from his cameo in the opener with Wigan, Sergio Aguero has started every game for Man City. The Argentine fired a double to make it eight for the season and looks increasingly likely to be the main Fantasy forward for City, with Edin Dzeko’s game time less guaranteed. City spurned several chances, though, and were made to pay by Fulham, as they were pegged back for a draw. Roberto Mancini’s decision to sub off David Silva-intended to bolster the midfield- backfired as Fulham grabbed the attacking impetus to grab a draw.
Fulham Battle Back
Martin Jol dropped Bryan Ruiz and partnered Bobby Zamora with Moussa Dembele for the home clash with Man City. The former netted and picked up an assist to add to his goal from last week and has made an instant impact upon his return from injury- at 6.7 Zamora is starting to look promising in the mid-price range. Danny Murphy also scored but despite the valiant draw, the Cottagers remain in the bottom three.
Clinical United
In a game that could have gone either way, Man United’s superior finishing condemned Chelsea to defeat at Old Trafford. Nani was superb throughout- though his assist was more than a little lucky- and once again eclipsed Ashley Young on the other flank; despite the Portuguese player’s greater consistency, Young has jumped 0.3 and Nani dropped 0.1 so far, mainly down to the former’s performance in the 8-2 win over Arsenal. Wayne Rooney’s penalty miss proved he is human after all, though the United forward did, once again, find the net as United celebrated their best-ever start to the season under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Oh, Fernando
With a healthy run of fixtures approaching, some of the Fantasy faithful had perhaps been swayed by the performance of Fernando Torres yesterday afternoon. Until that miss. Torres definitely looked sharp and displayed an appetite sorely lacking for much of his time at Stamford Bridge. His FPL price has already dropped by 0.5 but Chelsea are starting to up their tempo and seemed to tailor their game to the Spaniard’s qualities- he had plenty of opportunities, culminating in a brilliantly taken second half goal. Indeed, the away side created far more chances and can feel somewhat aggrieved with the scoreline.
