Withdrawals, niggles, air miles and frustration – it’s been a torrid week for the Premier League boss and the anguish has been passed down to us Fantasy managers.
Countless names go into the weekend as doubts – either as a result of knocks sustained on international duty, or from being excused from the midweek friendlies clutching sick-notes. Then there’s the fatigue factor, those now worn out by the in-flight hospitality – late arrivals yet to be assessed by their clubs before seeing action.
As usual, our Saturday stroll has us turn to the press boys for clarity. If anyone can shed some light and unravel the mess it’s surely those who have the ear for the tormented club managers?
We have to start with the Gareth Bale hamstring – a source of much speculation earlier the week, fuelled by an “exclusive” that stated that the Welshman had missed Gary Speed’s emotional memorial match with Costa Rica due to a grade one tear – a claim laughed off by Harry Redknapp on Friday. Both the Daily Mail and The Times jumped on the story – both now have Bale in their lineups for Sunday’s lip-smacker with United. The Bale scenario, more than any other, summed up our plight this week.
Every single one of our press sources this morning – The Independent, The Sun, The Telegraph and The Guardian included, start with Bale in their lineup. There seems little doubt he’ll line up against United – whether that will lead to profit for Fantasy managers is up for debate. Having seen the goals flow in the “big clashes” this season, Sunday’s game certainly has the talent on show to maintain the trend.
The United lineup in opposition present an interesting puzzle – logic and the pattern of previous games would suggest that Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes will feature having scored the vital goals at Norwich. The Times go with Giggs out wide with no place for Ashley Young, while the Telegraph go for both veterans – again at the expense of Young on the flank. The Mail, however, have no place for Giggs and keep Young and Nani out wide with Scholes in midfield – The Sun also opt for this configuration. There’s clearly a split amongst the press – an indecision that also applies to Rooney’s partner up front, with both Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck tipped to start across the papers. Given that the Mexican played his midweek match in the States, there’s every chance that Welbeck, who saw action at Wembley, will get the nod.
Shifting back to those with injury doubts hanging over them – most are in agreement that Papiss Cisse will line up for Newcastle in the Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday. Only the Daily Mail dare to suggest he’ll miss out – opting to select Shola Ameobi – another doubt through illness – alongside Demba Ba. Intriguingly, an article this morning quotes Pardew, indicating that Ameobi is in his thoughts. Although this quote strongly hints that Ameobi, along with Ben Arfa, will figure from the bench…
“Significantly, we’ve got good players waiting to get into this team who are in good form on the training ground. Ben Arfa, Obertan, Shola – this could be a game for the bench.”
Rinsing through the papers, it’s The Mail that are the real mavericks this weekend – in addition to the daring Amoebi claim, they stand with The Sun in suggesting that Roberto Mancini will start Edin Dzeko up front with Sergio Aguero – all the others opt for Mario Balotelli alongside the Argentine. Reports this morning of an errant night on the tiles may not work in Balotelli’s favour, although, the very same article picks out a prime quote from Mancini on Balotelli’s role for City from Friday’s press conference…
“We hope that he will play all the games to the end of the season for us.”
There’s a unanimous verdict on Stephane Sessegnon being available to Martin O’Neill at the Sports Direct Arena, despite failing to return from international duty with Benin on Friday – a report this morning reinforces the view that he’ll figure. The majority of the press also feel that Phil Bardsley will shake off a calf injury to start at right-back on Sunday – only the Guardian are as cautious as us with that one, suggesting that Matt Kilgallon will be called into the defence in the absence of Bardsley.
With Robin Van Persie and Thomas Vermaelen widely tipped for today’s early kick-off, it seems that the only injury doubt really unfancied to play his part over the weekend is Steven Gerrard. The press are split on his involvement but The Sun and The Independent both feel that Jay Spearing will be called in to fill the void left by the limping Liverpool skipper.
We shouldn’t be surprised. It seems the majority of knocks and sudden strains are tipped to clear up, just in time for the stricken stars to resume action for their clubs. Patched up and slightly jaded, us Fantasy managers should nonetheless be optimistic that their squads will turn out and shake a fist of frustration that we’ve had to endure a week of uncertainty.
