The press boys have tried playing tricks on us this week. Luckily for us, their focus has been firmly fixed on Monday’s City vs United clash, oblivious that we’d be more concerned about the physio activity at the Britannia, than the limping legions on United’s training ground. It’s funny how Fantasy football diverts your attention in some unexpected directions.
Earlier this week, it was Jonny Evans scribbling worry lines on Sir Alex’s brow; this morning it’s Nani, hurried from the training pitch in a golf buggy, that reportedly has the United supremo fretting.
Nani “may†be a doubt. In fact, he “could†be a doubt according to this morning’s stories. We need a little more than that guys: the fact that Jonny Evans trained yesterday probably tells us all we really need to know – the press are hungry for some news ahead of the Manchester derby and aren’t having much luck piercing Roberto Mancini’s firewall. He’s obviously learnt his lesson following Mario Balotelli’s previous antics. City are probably training in a bunker somewhere, with 100 journalists sitting above ground.
As I’ve said, it’s unlikely that this really concerns most of us. As we near what could possibly be the match of the season, perhaps even one of the most historic evenings in Premier League history, all we really care about is whether Tottenham can wake up and if Nikaca Jelavic can maintain form. They play cameo roles for most this weekend but for us, they’ve suddenly become vital. That’s why we love Fantasy football – we’ll always have diamonds amongst the rough to engage us and matches like City vs United can be shelved, providing delicious distractions later.
Thankfully, while there are curveballs thrown amongst the United camp, the press seem to be settled on lineups elsewhere. Our key protagonists look safe.
Rafael Van der Vaart starts for Spurs in all this morning’s predicted lineups with Emmanuel Adebayor alongside him – only the Guardian are cautious here, marking the Togo striker as a doubt. Similarly Fernando Torres takes his place in a much-changed Chelsea team. That’s a Chelsea side with Paulo Ferreira in defence – most likely alongside John Terry in the centre. Interestingly there’s also a swell of support for Ryan Bertrand’s start over Ashley Cole at left-back – the Independent and The Mail both feel that Cole will be rested, perhaps with the tricky midweek Newcastle clash in mind. A decent enough theory: only Scout Pick Terry looks assured.
For those pondering Stephen Kelly’s chances of a return, the news is mixed. The Telegraph, The Times, The Sun and The Mail all back a return for Kelly, while the Independent and the Guardian keep faith with Aaron Hughes and Philippe Senderos in Martin Jol’s defence, with no place for the Irishman. Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye gets the vote of confidence, however. With Alan Pardew hushed on the Frenchman’s fitness following slight concerns on the ankle knock picked up against Stoke, the press are unanimous that Cabaye will start at Wigan.
It’s all very tidy – everything looks secure and Fantasy managers appear to be able to approach the deadline with a degree of certainty – at least when it comes to the teamsheets.
That’s handy in a Gameweek where many Fantasy managers would have rolled the dice, one last time, on double Gameweek assets. We’re now hoping for the best, hoping we can sit back and watch City and United slug it out with smug smiles on our faces.
Enjoy the Gameweek.
