Having brought the pre-amble back last weekend, I made a rod for my own back. Determined to deliver on my promise however, I made my way to the paper shop, gathered the necessary journals and scribed what has become a Saturday morning favourite for the Scout regulars.
Normally this wouldn’t be such a mission. Today however, is my birthday. Not just any birthday, but one that would render me useless as a footballer, unless I was a goalkeeper of Dave Beasant proportions. Well perhaps not proportions – his legs went on forever. You get my drift though – I’m passed it.
I can however, still knock out the articles – which is a good thing for lovers of a morning stroll before the gameweek deadline.
Will Rafael Van der Vaart start against the Trotters?
We’ve been deliberating the state of Van der Vaart’s hamstring all week. Over the season, we spend more time pondering the Tottenham man’s body parts than is healthy. It comes with the territory with the Dutchman – potentially devastating when in the side and firing, Van der Vaart always walks the hamstring twang tightrope. Inevitably, once or twice a season he falls off, and we spend several gameweeks when he’s going to manage to regain perfect balance.
The signs look good this week though. With steady sales throughout the last few days, the bad news for those who lost patience with Van der Vaart’s fragility, is that he’s been confirmed as fit and in contention for the meeting with Bolton. The question is, will Harry Redknapp throw him straight in his starting lineup, ousting the unfortunate Jermain Defoe?
The press boys certainly think so. Every one of our morning papers – The Sun, The Mail, The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Independent and The Times – has Van der Vaart starting up with Emmanuel Adebayor.
If that proves to be the case, the odds seem in favour of the Tottenham front two finding further joy and Fantasy profits. Those who shifted Van der Vaart for the Togo striker will hope that the points share works in their favour. Those who shed the Dutchman for assets outside of the Tottenham attack, will just be praying for an off day or another twang.
What about United’s back four?
With Phil Jones rested for the 1-1 with Newcastle last time out and Carling Cup action in midweek, there’s a distinct lack of security within Alex Ferguson’s rearguard. Which is ironic – because of late, in terms of defensive performance – they’ve been arguably the most secure defence around.
This morning’s press are pretty much unanimous on Ferguson’s likely lineup at Villa Park. They go with a recall for Phil Jones at right-back, with Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra completing matters. The Mail deviate somewhat, they have Chris Smalling at right-back, with no place again for Jones.
There’s quite a bit of variation elsewhere however, with Ryan Giggs making an appearance in the centre of midfield in several predicted lineups – notably The Times and The Telegraph. The general consensus is that Nani and Ashley Young will man the flanks, with Wayne Rooney remaining in attack with Javier Hernandez.
Will Royston Drenthe make a return?
The Dutchman look so tempting a fortnight ago – struck down by a training ground ankle injury however, his prospects now look dented. Drenthe remains a doubt for the Goodison clash with Stoke; could he possibly make a return to Everton’s starting lineup and earn profit against the travel-sick Potters?
The press don’t seem optimistic on his chances. The Independent have Drenthe starting on the left, with Diniyar Bilyaletdinov making way but they are the only member of this morning’s press to put their neck on the line and predict a recall for the on loan flyer. Every other paper goes with Bilyaletdinov continuing on the left-flank in tandem with Baines, following his assist for Fellaini’s goal at Bolton last weekend.
Surely Sergio Aguero starts up front for City?
You’d have thought so having started on the bench in the midweek Carling Cup tie. However, with a crucial Champions League tie looming, there’s some concern that Roberto Mancini may trip us up again with Norwich pay visit.
The bad news is, some of the press certainly have cold feed when it comes to Aguero’s selection. The Times go with Edin Dzeko up front in a 4-5-1, as do The Independent. There’s a real split here, with The Guardian, The Mail, The Telegraph and The Sun all preferring Aguero, with two of the four opting for Mario Balotelli as his partner in a 4-4-2.
Inconclusive then – we’ve certainly opted for Aguero in our Scout Picks this week – backing Mancini’s need for three points having scramble to a draw at Anfield last weekend. If he plays, Aguero owners will surely be fancying profits from a Norwich defence that has failed to register a single clean sheet all season.
Any other points of interest?
There’s some tidbits that cause a frown or too. Quite a few of the predicted lineups go with Andrei Arshavin for another start in the Arsenal lineup at Wigan. Gervinho is missing from the sides listed in The Sun, The Times and The Telegraph.
Nobody seems certain what Mick McCarthy will do with his formation or his strikers – with Kevin Doyle and Stephen Fletcher both possibly back in the frame, the overwhelming majority go with a 4-4-2, shifting Jamie O’Hara back to a deeper central midfield role. Personally, I don’t see a sudden shift in tactics from McCarthy for such a crucial game. Without the protection of the suspended Karl Henry, it seems odd that he’d take a body out of midfield and go with a pair of strikers who have only just returned from injury. Sunderland will turn up with a 4-5-1, it makes sense that McCarthy will match that. I could be horribly wrong however – the press certainly think so.
Good luck for the gameweek folks. I’ll pass you over to Sir Paulos to run the show while I’ll enjoy the rest of my birthday weekend. A big points haul from Mr Baines would do me nicely.
