We should have known better. Back in Gameweek 10, when Arsenal visited Stamford Bridge we turned our backs on other heavyweight temptations and kept faith with Robin Van Persie in the Scout Picks. He repaid us with a hat-trick.
Ever since Van Persie has done more than enough to ensure that we never doubted his ability to score goals, regardless of opposition. And yet, with a trip to Liverpool and Van Persie’s niggling groin on our minds, we chose to look elsewhere this weekend. Similarly, thousands opted to ignore Van Persie and hand the armband to Sergio Aguero. True to form, the Dutchman punished us all, leaving it to Gylfi to save our Scout Picks blushes.
Of course, Van Persie latest exhibition of clinical finishing was worsened by Roberto Mancini’s decision to rest Aguero. Presumably drained by a midweek outing for Argentina, Aguero sat out his first City game since Gameweek 8 having started every league fixture since. City duly struggled to put Bolton to bed at the Etihad, throwing the kitchen sink and even Edin Dzeko at the brave Adam Bogdan in the Trotters goal. Eventually City wore them down – Balotelli finally finding his range after a catalogue of missed chances. The back four also pocketed a fourth consecutive clean sheet, although Micah Richards owners missed out again – another cruel blow dealt by the merciless Mancini.
We should perhaps be thankful – Aguero failed to show his cheeky little face – Mancini kept his ace goalscorer up his immaculately tailored sleeve to take to Lisbon on Thursday. That meant the Fantasy Premier League vice captain kicks in. For some fortunate souls, that might see Van Persie step up, others will look to Demba Ba or Clint Dempsey tomorrow. Spare a thought for those who opted for David Silva, however, Mancini dealt them double the sorrow to drown tonight. No Aguero, no Silva – there should be a phone line set up for this kind of thing.
Indeed, the fallout from all this could be significant. There’s nothing like frustration from rotation to spark the Fantasy manager’s knee into life. Those who captained Aguero will likely be so embittered, the Argentine will be unceremoniously shown the door by thousands. Wayne Rooney or a double dose of Luis Suarez will surely be lined up to replace him for Gameweek 28 – prices will be volatile for days.
With Carlos Tevez stretching sinews on the City training ground and today’s decision by Mancini likely to linger long in the memory, Aguero may struggle to win back our faith this season. Talking of which – we’ll knock back our Van Persie medicine with a pint or two and hope it helps us remember never to doubt him again. Punishing stuff.
