Anderson is set to start for United against the Hammers. Clint Dempsey begins to settle at Spurs, Chris Hughton has some mixed news on the injury front ahead of Norwich’s trip to Southampton and Joleon Lescott recognises the form of Matija Nastasic…
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed Anderson is set to start against West Ham on Wednesday evening after impressing from the bench in the weekend win over QPR. The United boss also gave an injury update, going on to say:
“I thought Ando won the game for us. I thought his performance was outstanding. He took the game by the scruff of the neck and he was so positive and determined in his play that he picks himself on Wednesday. We’ll see what Antonio (Valencia) is like today and tomorrow. Nani is still going to be out [but] Chris Smalling and Phil Jones were on the bench on Saturday and they’re available. It’s good to have them as back-up and in the back four things are much healthier. We’ve got plenty of options in the midfield and up front – it’s just the two wide positions [where we have problems in terms of availability].”
Certainly, with Paul Scholes suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card, Anderson’s selection is fairly straightforward for Ferguson, with Darren Fletcher unlikely to start back-to-back matches, given his recent return from long-term illness. If Valencia fails to make it, though, Ferguson has a dilemma on his hands foe the wide roles – Ashley Young was chosen on the right against QPR but was again ineffectual, summing up a season that has produced a single assist so far. Indeed, it was the former Villa man’s withdrawal that proved the turning point for United and with Javier Hernandez climbing off the bench, there’s the possibility that Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck could take the wide roles, allowing the Mexican to partner Robin Van Persie through the middle.
Chris Hughton has revealed Michael Turner is set to be sidelined for “a few weeks” with the shoulder problem that forced him out of last Saturday’s trip to Everton. With John Ruddy also remaining a doubt after being forced off at Goodison with a thigh problem, Hughton could potentially be without two of the key protagonists in a run that has seen his side conceded just twice in a six-match unbeaten run. The Canaries boss is set to welcome back Russell Martin, however; his versatility means he could directly replace Turner at centre-half, given the fine recent performances of Steven Whittaker at right-back.
Clint Dempsey reckons he is starting to adjust to life at the Spurs, after a slow start under Andre Villas-Boas:
“I’ve been frustrated with not really getting on the ball, getting into the game and impacting games. I was able to give a bit more of an angle and drive with the ball a little bit more, and take some more shots and try to create chances for other people. It was a game I enjoyed because I’m a player that needs to get on the ball. I’m better getting it on the half-turn and then facing my opponents, rather than always playing with my back to goal. I thought I did a better job of getting on the angles where I could get on the turn and drive forward. It’s just about learning how to play with this team. Every team is different and there’s a period of adjustment. I didn’t have a pre-season with them, or anybody, so I’m trying to play catch-up a little bit and trying to adjust to this team and the style that they play.”
Last season’s top scoring Fantasy Premier League (FPL) midfielder, Dempsey racked up the points in his final season at Fulham, with 17 goals, seven assists and 22 bonus points. So far, he’s failed to bring that form over to Spurs, with just two goals and a pair of assists to his name this term. Dempsey was dropped for the Gameweek 12 trip to Arsenal as Villas-Boas opted for a front two of Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor but the latter’s subsequent three-game suspension for violent conduct has afforded the US international the chance to immediately return to the first-team. Playing in “the hole” behind Defoe, he produced attacking returns for only the second time in the last six; Dempsey supplied an assist and also hit the bar in the 3-1 and, with Adebayor out for the next two, has further chance to impress ahead of a strong upcoming run of fixtures from Gameweek 17 onwards.
Joleon Lescott has turned to Twitter to acknowledge the form of Matija Nastasic. The 19-year-old Serb has established himself alongside Vincent Kompany in the City defence, starting the last five league games which have seen City earn four clean sheets. When questioned on his feelings regarding his omission from the side with Nastasic preferred Lescott was gracious in his response…
“He is playing well mate, merits his place.”
Lescott also confirmed that, although recently troubled by injury, he has been fit for selection….
“I’m fully fit, just not picked.”
Nastasic has begun to earn attention from Fantasy managers off the back of his recent form and returns, with over 6000 Fantasy Premier League transfers in so far this week ahead of tonight’s Gameweek deadline. With Lescott fit, however, there will still be some concern that the Serb will eventually come under threat, although while City are keeping shut-outs, it would seem likely that Roberto Mancini will keep faith in his new centre-back pairing.
