This week has had me thinking on just how the Premier League managers could help us more. It had me pondering whether no information is better than misinformation โ whether the mind games played in press conferences and sound bites really do pay dividends or whether, like us Fantasy managers, other parties in the football circus look on them with annoyance and frustration, maybe even amusement.
Itโs been tough over the past five or six days, navigating through a minefield of uncertainty, created by the a raft of โinjuriesโ that saw mass withdrawal from the midweek friendlies. Some of the sicknotes have been unconvincing enough to cause little concern but doubts still linger. Others have been scrutinised to a high degree, with the Senegal FA clearly feeling that Pappis Cisse didnโt even get his mum to write his. My money is on that cunning wordsmith, Alan Pardew.
Alongside this charade, weโve had another bout of managers clinging to their cards, clutched tight to their chests. Michael Laudrup for exampleโฆ
โWe have another couple of players [with knocks] but I donโt want to mention them all because there are other teams watching the press conference.โ
To be fair, Laudrup has been a welcome addition to the league this season. Personally Iโve enjoyed his press conferences, his insight and intelligence. Besidees, this is the first time heโs really tried to keep his team news buried โ perhaps a sign that heโll have a majorly patched-up starting XI out at Newcastle this weekend.
There is one who has been far less cooperative.
While Steve Clarke has steered the good ship West Brom to heady heights, it hasnโt escaped me that part of his tactics involves an almost total media blackout on his players from midweek onwards.
โWeโve got one or two knocks but Iโm not prepared to say whoโ
Yesterday’s remark was typical of Clarke, whose miserly approach to team news goes as far as seemingly banning the West Brom website editor from adding any form of team news to their preview article for each match โ the only club that takes such a deliberate step. Arguably Clarke could also go out of his way to make their official site clunky, slow and horrible to use. Hold on a minuteโฆ
Does Clarke gain any advantage by depriving his own fans on some insight on his squad prior to each game? As this policy appears to be pursued so strictly, I have to conclude that there is some perceived advantage gained from it. That makes me wonder what weโre up against as Fantasy managers. Itโs frustrating enough listening in on press conferences and hearing the media skirt around the subjects that matter most to us; when the Premier League managers actively seek to squirrel away their precious nuggets, we’re left to speculate and fill in the blanks.
This morningโs press must be as frustrated as us but even with this shroud of mystery to battle through, they should really be able to offer us an inside track.
This weekโs plentiful injury list has been whittled down quite nicely and, from a glance over the predicted teamsheets this morning, thereโs no wild panic on the agenda.
With Robin Van Persie in every single press teamsheet for the Norwich game, the attention turns to Wayne Rooney who looks far from certain for the Carrow Road meet. Only the Telegraph and the Independent award Rooney with a start, with our other four sources opting for a partnership of Van Persie and Javier Hernandez, with Ashley Young retaining his start on the flank.
Jermain Defoe is another big name who looks out in the cold this weekend. None of our morning papers back the impish hitman for a start at the Emirates, with Emmanuel Adebayor now seemingly ensconced in Andreas Villas-Boas plans up front.
Thereโs no doubts on Baโs start across the press but, as usual, Man Cityโs choice of strikers causes squabbles. The majority go with the default pairing of Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero: only the Guardian dare to throw Edin Dzeko into their lineup, resting Aguero following his 90-minutes with Argentina in the week.
The Telegraph have a new approach. They think that Roberto Mancini will give Scott Sinclair the opportunity to rescue some of his credibility, rapidly being flushed away by his girlfriendโs jungle exploits, by handing him a start against Villa. Itโs Tevez who misses out for them.
Liverpoolโs teamsheet is of big interest today, not because thereโs any doubt of Brendan Rodgersโ limited options going forward but because we should finally get some assurance on Andre Wisdomโs potential as a Fantasy asset. With Martin Skrtel and Dan Agger expected to be available, Rodgers has both Glenn Johnson and Jose Enrique to fill the full-back roles so todayโs decision against the Latics will surely inform us where he has placed the youngster in his pecking order. Johnson is a shoo-in but Enriqueโs form will also make him difficult to relegate to the bench. The press are torn on this: the Times, the Guardian and the Mail all back Enrique, with Wisdomโs start secured in the other three.
Perhaps the most intriguing teamsheet on show in this morningโs papers though is that of QPR. I couldnโt help but notice that, somehow, the Sun have gleaned that Danny Gabbidon will start for the Rโs against Southampton. These are admittedly desperate times at Loftus Road but Gabbidon was released by the club and joined Crystal Palace on a free transfer in July.
Howโs that for misinformation? I think Iโd rather try to squeeze a bit more out of Steve Clarke.
