Ramires looks set for a spell on the sidelines after picking up a knee problem at QPR. An injury-hit Man United are sent packing at Anfield, Robert Huth gets amongst the goals as Stoke cruise into the fifth round, while Ryan Taylor is left out again as Newcastle crash out at Brighton:
David De Gea
The Spaniard has appeared in just one of his side’s last six league games – the 3-2 home defeat by Blackburn- and was afforded another chance in goal by Sir Alex Ferguson yesterday for the trip to Anfield. An uncertain display may well see Anders Lindegaard restored to the United first XI for Tuesday’ s clash with Stoke, however; De Gea once again looked devoid of confidence and, with each passing performance, seems to be inadvertently cementing Lindegaard’s position as United’s number one. Good news, then, for the 13,000 Fantasy managers who have drafted 4.5 Lindegaard in ahead of the Potters showdown.
Rio Ferdinand
Having missed last weekend’s win at Arsenal with a back problem, Ferdinand was on the bench at Anfield. Ferguson admitted the player had only returned to training on Friday but is hopeful he will be available for the game against Stoke. Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans played at centre-half yesterday and with Rafael picking up an assist from right-back, the United boss faces something of a defensive dilemma if Ferdinand is ready in time. Ferguson also revealed Nani and Wayne Rooney could be fit for next Sunday’s game with Chelsea, though Phil Jones is expected to be sidelined a little longer.
Liverpool Defence
Kenny Dalglish pulled a tactical surprise, mirroring his recent Gameweek 21 formation against Stoke with a three-man central defence in place for United’s visit. Jamie Carragher slotted in alongside first-choice centre halves Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger; the latter grabbed the opener, courtesy of a Steven Gerrard corner. Martin Kelly was chosen ahead of Glen Johnson at right wing-back, with Jose Enrique on the opposite flank.
Craig Bellamy
Drafted in by over 8,000 Fantasy managers this week, the Welshman returned to the Liverpool bench after his midweek exertions against City. Bellamy was one of four changes made by Dalglish after their Carling Cup game and, despite his eye-catching displays of late, is clearly more rotation-prone than most. The Welshman has made just 6 starts for Liverpool and, while his returns (8, 6, 1, 10, 13, 8 ) clearly highlight his capabilities, his starting place continues to look far from secure. With the Carling Cup Final just around the corner, Bellamy’s impact means he is likely to be used cautiously over the next few Gameweeks as Dalglish prepares for a shot at silverware.
Robert Huth
With (SUN, SWA, NOR) all arriving at the Britannia in the next five Gameweeks, Huth’s display at Derby yesterday served a reminder of his goal-getting capabilities. The German has found the net just once in the league this season but rediscovered his attacking instincts, netting late on in the second half as Tony Pulis’ side eased through 2-0. Elsewhere in the away defence, Andy Wilkinson returned at right-back, with Jonathan Woodgate dropping to the bench. The selection of Asmir Begovic in goal will interest Fantasy managers; with Pulis tending to rotate his keepers for cup and league duties, Thomas Sorensen’s role was perhaps considered at risk after a shaky performance in the Gameweek 22 defeat by West Brom. Begovic’s inclusion at Derby, however, was possibly an indication that the Dane is likely to get the nod at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
Jonathan Walters
An out-of-position favourite this season, the Irishman dropped into midfield yesterday, taking a place on the right wing as Cameron Jerome partnered Peter Crouch up front. Jerome continued his recent goalscoring form, snatching the Potters’ early opener; he also scored in the previous round, and has netted in two of Stoke’s last three league games. Food for thought for Pulis, then, with Walters’ position up front perhaps not as nailed-on as previously assumed. Walters’ shift to the right wing, in addition to Wilkinson’s return to the back-four, also complicates matters for Ryan Shotton- the 4.1 priced right-back has also been used as a winger this term but was an unused sub in yesterday’s win.
Chris Eagles
With Brendan Rodgers choosing to give many of his Swansea fringe players a run out at the Reebok, Eagles helped Bolton take advantage and secure a place in the fifth round. Owen Coyle fielded a 4-5-1, with David N’Gog again leading the line, and Eagles’ impressive recent form continued as he netted the winner just before the hour mark. Having provided two assists in the last three Gameweeks, the winger is Bolton’s top Fantasy performer with 75 points and although he has the form, his upcoming fixtures (ARS, che, mcy in the next five) hardly inspire confidence. Fellow-winger Martin Petrov also impressed; the Bulgarian has picked up just one league assist since the end of Gameweek 7 but laid on both the Trotters’ goals.
Ryan Taylor
Once again, he started from the bench as Newcastle crashed out at Brighton yesterday evening. Hatem Ben Arfa kept his place in the first XI on the right wing and, with Davide Santon and Danny Simpson afforded the full-back slots, Taylor was granted a seven minute sub appearance as the Magpies chased the game. This clearly raises further question marks against his future game time- worrying news then for his 37% owners and the 20,000 Fantasy managers who have transferred Taylor in this week.
Branislav Ivanovic
New boy Gary Cahill remained on the bench, and was joined by Jose Bosingwa, with the latter making way for Ivanovic at right-back. The Serb hadn’t featured for Chelsea since Gameweek 17 due to a hamstring problem but, now fully fit, has returned to the starting XI once again at Bosingwa’s expense. The visitors’ narrow 1-0 win continued their recent upturn in defensive solidity- this was their third clean sheet in a row ahead of a midweek trip to Swansea.
Ramires
An integral member of Andre Villas-Boas’ side this season, the Brazilian has started all but three of his side’s league games, but now looks set for a spell on the sidelines. Ramires was subbed off in the seventy-ninth minute at Loftus Road- he picked up an injury after blocking a Clint Hill shot and according to his manager, the situation doesn’t look good:
Ramires looks like a medial ligament injury, not so bad in terms of knee injuries. He will have an MRI tomorrow and we will know the full extent. Hopefully he will avoid an operation and be back soon. We could look at four weeks, but we have to know the extent of the injury to give a good assessment.
Frank Lampard is described as 50-50 for the Swansea game, while John Obi Mikel looks like missing out. Michael Essien, afforded an injury time sub appearance, looks a good bet to return to the starting XI at the Liberty Stadium.
Heidar Helguson
Mark Hughes decision to gamble on his star striker’s fitness failed to pay off yesterday. Helguson was a doubt prior to the game due to a groin strain but aggravated the problem and was taken off at half time. Post-match, Hughes confirmed the Iceland international is all but ruled out of Wednesday’s trip to Villa, much to the chagrin of the near 5,000 Fantasy managers who have transferred Helguson in this week. With a favourable set of fixtures that reads (avl, WOL, bla, FUL, EVE, bol), it’s understandable there was so much interest in the 5.2 forward- his omission could afford the likes of Federico Macheda a chance to step up, though Hughes will no doubt be keen to add to his options before next Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
West Brom
The decision to omit his first-choice defence proved costly for Roy Hodgson at the Hawthorns. With the Baggies set for a trip to Fulham next Wednesday, Hodgson fielded Gabriel Tamas and Craig Dawson in the heart of defence, with Gonzalo Jara and Joe Mattock coming in at right-back and left-back respectively. Hodgson continued with a front two of Simon Cox and Marc-Antoine Fortune- the pair started together in last weekend’s win at Stoke and Fortune vindicated his selection with West Brom’s only goal in the 2-1 loss. Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie’s respective prospects are fading rapidly right now, with Hodgson clearly far from happy with their current form.
Steve Morison
The Welshman was given the day off as Norwich repeated their Gameweek 21 performance, with a win at the Hawthorns securing their place in the fifth round. Paul Lambert made five changes from the team that drew with Chelsea last Saturday, with Jed Steer excelling between the posts on his Canaries debut. Grant Holt led the line as a lone striker and fired his side ahead with his ninth goal of the season, while Simeon Jackson also served a reminder of Norwich’s options up front with an eighty-fifth minute winner. Despite goals from his frontmen, Lambert looks likely to restore Morison to the starting XI for Wednesday’s trip to Sunderland- the forward didn’t even make the bench yesterday, suggesting his omission was no more than a rest.
