Gareth Bale grabs a goal and assist as Tottenham edge past Swansea. Arsenal hit Reading for four in Nigel Adkins’ first match in charge, David Silva shines in City’s demolition of injury-hit Newcastle, Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez help Southampton see off Chelsea, while Arouna Kone and Andy Carroll are key to wins for Wigan and West Ham respectively. With the dust settled on Saturday’s matches, here’s our Scout Notes, capturing the reaction and fall-out from the day’s action.
Bale The Difference Again
Gareth Bale was quick to atone for the temporary blip suffered in the Gameweek 30 home defeat by Fulham with another superb display helping Tottenham move to third in the table. Bale’s goal and assist at the Liberty harvested a 10 point Fantasy Premier League (FPL) haul, serving up double figures for the fifth time in the last seven matches and moving him onto 197 points, pre-bonus – just a single point behind Robin Van Persie at the top of the overall standings. An incredible 10 double figure hauls this term sum up just how strong captaincy material he has proven to be under Andre Villas-Boas; Bale’s average of 7.3 points per game is significantly better than Van Persie and Luis Suarez, with 6.6 apiece. Having also made a crucial defensive block in the second-half, not surprisingly, Bale again drew the praise of his delighted manager post-match…
“When there are so many things that go well for the team it is hard to single out individuals but Gareth is a world class player offensively and defensively, as he showed when he made the block at the end to prevent Swansea getting a draw.”
Vertonghen Attacking Instincts Remain Sharp
He arrived at White Hart Lane last summer with a reputation for goals but the Belgian struggled to make an impact during his first few months in north London. Having bagged a brace in Tottenham’s previous road trip, Vertonghen was amongst the attacking points yet again yesterday – mirroring Bale’s goal and assist to register his second double figure haul in the last three Gameweeks. The former Ajax man has now netted five times – joint-top for defenders with Leighton Baines – and with a couple of assists also accrued, has moved up to fourth in the FPL defender standings on 110 points, pre-bonus. While his price tag and Tottenham’s erratic defensive form will curb any enthusiasm this season, there’s little doubt that Vertonghen will be a factor in our pre-season plans given his impact in his first season. With consistent clean sheets remaining hard to come by outside of the top two, the Belgian’s perchant for goals may well tempt investment if Spurs are treated kindly by the fixture computer for the opening spell of the season.
Cazorla Delivers On His Promise
Top of the Captain Poll for the Gameweek, the Spaniard delivered as Arsenal swept aside Reading to register a fifth win in six. Arsene Wenger’s decision to bring Tomas Rosicky back to the starting XI saw the Spaniard move back to the left flank, however, with Gervinho deputising for the injured Theo Walcott on the opposite wing. Cazorla’s goal and assist helped his Fantasy owners to a 10 point haul, pre-bonus – significantly, he has now returned double figures in each of his last two at the Emirates and with a pair of home fixtures in double Gameweek 33 (NOR, EVE), his ownership is set to escalate.
Gervinho Comes In From The Cold
The Ivorian was the Gunners’ main protagonist yesterday. Handed a first start since Gameweek 18, Gervinho produced a goal and two assists for a 13 point return. While that offers real potential from a player classified as a 6.8 Fantasy Premier League midfielder, his security of start remains a major concern over the Gunners’ run-in. Post-match, Wenger was full of praise for the display from Gervinho…
“Gervinho’s performance was very strong. He was always dangerous. He always looked like he could score. He gave assists and scored. I believe that sometimes Gervinho has lost confidence because he played in a very negative atmosphere during a period. Strikers need confidence, and [with] his game, even more. He’s always taking the ball, going forward and provoking [the play]. Now he has found his confidence back, he’s a very dangerous player. At the Africa Cup of Nations, for me he was the best striker. He is the type of player who is difficult to find because they always go at people.”
Despite this, the Gunners boss underlined that he has options in attacking areas, emphasising that Gervinho faces a tough task to cement a starting role…
“Sometimes Gervinho plays, sometimes Walcott, sometimes Podolski, but we can only do it if we all have the same target and do it together.”
Arsenal Shuffle And Stutter
While the upcoming double is sure to bring investment the way of Arsenal’s defence, question marks continue to remain over Wenger’s backline. Carl Jenkinson was immediately dropped to the bench as a result of Bacary Sagna’s availability and, while Nacho Monreal got the nod over Kieran Gibbs on the opposite flank, the Spaniard was subbed off with a knock in the second-half, raising doubts over his availability. Laurent Koscielny and Lukas Fabianski once again got the nod over Thomas Vermaelen and Wojciech Szczesny and while the latter’s 4.3 price tag is likely to persuade some to take a punt on a cheap keeper option, Per Mertesacker remains the safest route for the short-term and beyond.
Post-match, Wenger seemed optimistic on the knock suffered by Monreal, whilst also offer reassurance on Walcott who remains in the frame for a return at West Brom for Gameweek 32…
“It’s not bad [for Monreal], two or three days. He hit the post. It’s bruised on the hip I think…I don’t think Jack will return next week at West Brom, Maybe the after. Theo has a chance to be fit again next week.”
City Find Silva Lining
City took full advantage of their injury-hit visitors to score more than two goals for the first time in nine attempts. As expected, David Silva was at the heart of their attacking play – we’d handed him a place in the Scout Picks after he produced double figure returns in each of his last two at the Etihad and the Spaniard didn’t let us down, grabbing the second in the 4-0 demolition. While the season has been hugely disappointing from a Fantasy perspective, Silva’s home consistency has picked up in recent matches – he has now scored or assisted in five of the last six in front of his own fans and with Wigan, West Ham and Reading paying visit next, he looks set for a strong finish to the campaign. Carlos Tevez also played a part for the hosts; his strike was the fifth time in seven he has scored or assisted but with Sergio Aguero climbing off the bench to announce his comeback from a knee complaint, Mancini’s penchant for rotation up top merely heightens Silva’s appeal as a midfield differential for the run-in.
United Unshakable
Despite preferring Alexander Buttner to Patrice Evra for the second Gameweek in succession, Sir Alex Ferguson watched his side nullify their opponents’ threat once again as United took another step towards the title. The narrow win at Sunderland means the league leaders have now registered six back-to-back clean sheets, with David De Gea the only defensive asset to benefit every time – while the goals seem to be drying up for the forwards, Ferguson’s side’s resilience is ensuring their relentless march towards reclaiming the league from City. Rafael’s owners will be somewhat concerned with the Brazilian’s withdrawal just after the half-hour mark with what seemed to be a groin injury. Returning to the right-back berth for the first time in three league matches, his substitution saw Jonny Evans climb off the bench, with Chris Smalling shifting to full-back to accommodate the Northern Ireland international in the heart of the back-four.
O’Neill Departs
The defeat to United proved to be too much for the Sunderland board, who duly announced the departure of Martin O’Neill as manager later in the evening. Without a win in eight, with five defeats in that spell, the situation was getting desperate for the Black Cats as they edge over the relegation trapdoor. Despite this, O’Neill’s departure, particularly the timing of it, will have come as a surprise. It remains to be seen if any successor can immediately revive fortunes and, with a trip to Stamford Bridge on offer as his first fixture, he clearly faces an uphill struggle from the off. Steve McClaren is amongst the current bookies favourite to come in – an appointment that will offer little confidence to Sunderland fans or Fantasy managers anticipating a potential upturn in form within the Black Cats’ squad. Paulo Di Canio is the other name currently in the frame, with Mark Hughes also amongst the early front runners.
Lambert and Rodriguez Find Consistency
Having recently beaten City and Liverpool at St Mary’s, it’d be naïve to suggest Rafa Benitez’s Chelsea tinkering was the reason for another Southampton victory yesterday. Instead, credit must be given to the relentless consistency of Rickie Lambert and increasing influence of Jay Rodriguez on the Saints attack. The Saints were without Adam Lallana after the midfielder failed to shrug off a knock and despite Gaston Ramirez warming the bench for the full 90 minutes, Mauricio Pochettino’s men were too string for their visitors – Lambert, who has bizarrely been sold by a total in excess of 90,000 FPL manager over the last two Gameweeks – grabbed his 14th goal of the season with a stunning free-kick winner taking his FPL tally to 159 points. Rodriguez’s opener maintained his eye-catching form under the new manager; he has now scored or assisted in six of his last eight for Pochettino and continues to make a mockery of his 5.1 price tag. Pochettino was again left beaming, post-match, having seen his strikers maintain their recent form…
“They are both strikers and strikers live off scoring goals so it is important that they have the confidence in the remaining games to go on and score more goals.”
The Argentine also confirmed that Artur Boruc was replaced in goal at half-time as a precaution as he was experiencing dizziness. The Pole will be expected to be in line for a return at Reading next weekend, then.
Rafa Under Fire Again
While Southampton were again impressive, Chelsea’s teamsheet for the St Mary’s clash raised eyebrows and hinted that Rafa Benitez has made Monday’s FA Cup replay with United his priority as he looks to claim a trophy from his Stamford Bridge tenure. Benitez opted to rest Eden Hazard to the bench, along with David Luiz, while Gary Cahill and Juan Mata were ruled out. The Blues boss was quick to defend his position following the Saints setback…
“Gary Cahill and Juan Mata couldn’t play, it’s not a question of me resting them. When you don’t have one or two players you have to manage the squad. There was an international break, some players were away and others were training, you saw them and I think they were ready in the second half, but not in the first half.”
Mata’s absence will cause mild concern although he will be expected to turn out in Monday’s tie and perhaps earn a rest for Cheslsea’s Europa League tie with Rubin Kazan on Thursday, ahead of the home league clash with Sunderland a week today. Certainly, with their top four placing now under threat, the clash with the Black Cats looks a key fixture. Despite a potential shift in priority, further short-term interest in Chelsea’s assets will, of course, depend on the result of the United tie but there’s little doubt that, with just four goals in four games, their league form hardly promotes confidence.
Kone The Key for Latics
A third win in four helped Wigan climb out the drop zone as Roberto Martinez’s men maintained their annual scramble for survival. Once again, Arouna Kone proved the talisman as the Latics clinched a narrow home win over Norwich – having grabbed a late winner against Newcastle in the previous Gameweek, the Ivorian repeated the feat with a 81st minute winner securing a vital victory. Over his last seven league starts, Kone has now produced six goals and an assist and with double figure hauls in each of his last two away starts, he’ll be in confident mood ahead of upcoming road trips to QPR and West Ham in the next three. With a double Gameweek 36 also on the horizon, the 6.6 priced forward is set to pick up plenty new investors over the next few, with his eye for goal improving as the season reaches its climax.
Elsewhere in the Wigan squad, Joel Robles retained his start in goal with Ali Al-Habsi again benched. The Spaniard earned a clean sheet and, at just 4.0, appears to represent a very decent option for those looking to free up funds, whilst also acquiring an active keeper. Robles will also benefit from the double fixture in Gameweek 36.
Carroll On Song
With a single goal in his first 10 appearances, it’s fair to say Andy Carroll’s contribution had been minimal for West Ham. The on loan forward was then sidelined with a knee injury for nine league fixtures before climbing off the bench to signal his comeback in Gameweek 24 at Fulham but since then, his home performances have been vital for Sam Allardyce’s side. Carroll’s double in yesterday’s 3-1 win over West Brom continued a run that has seen him score in each of his last three appearances at Upton Park, with goals also against Swansea and Spurs in that run of games. With a double Gameweek 33 (sou, MUN) on the cards and home clashes against Wigan, Newcastle and Reading to play out the season, the big centre-forward is hitting form just at the right time and, similar to Kone, is set to have a significant say in the relegation dog-fight over the last fixtures of the campaign. For those eyeing up his acquisition, however, it’s worth remembering he his ineligible to feature against parent club Liverpool next time out due to the conditions of his loan deal.
While Sam Allardyce will have been delighted with the recent reaction from Carroll, he was left counting the cost of a cruel injury blow that looks to have robbed him of the services of full-back George McCartney once again. Having replaced Guy Demel on 78 minutes, McCartney looks to have suffered a recurrence of the knee injury that has kept him sidelined for months. Allardyce brought us this on the injury, post-match…
“I think the only downside today was George McCartney’s injury, which was a big blow to George and to us. He’s only just come back and he’s come off with the same thing he did last time which is his medial ligaments in his knee, it’s sad. I would think that George will be out for the rest of the season. It’s a recurrence of the same injury which is a very big disappointment for us all.”
McCartney’s absence will immediately boost the security offered by full-backs Guy Demel and Joey O’Brien going into the remaining fixtures and West Ham’s Gameweek 33 double. Demel benefited from being withdrawn prior to West Brom’s goal in yesterday’s match, offering a bonus clean sheet return. With a price tag of just 4.0, compared to O’Brien at 4.6, he is now looking a stronger option for those looking to squeeze their team value for further double Gameweek investment.
Everton Rearguard
A visit from goal-shy Stoke is always likely to boost any side’s chances of defensive returns and, having kept out City in the previous Gameweek, it was no real surprise to see Everton register a second clean sheet in succession – only the second time this season they’ve managed to do so. With Tim Howard and Phil Jagielka recovering from recent injuries, David Moyes shifted to a 3-5-2 formation in order to cope with the absence of Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar in midfield – allowing Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman to move onto the flanks further up the pitch as the Toffees racked up a third straight win. With a trip to Spurs up next, it’s debatable as to whether Moyes will keep with a back-three but with a double Gameweek 33 on the horizon and clashes against Sunderland, Fulham and West Ham in the following four, a strong end to the season looks on the cards once again for the blue half of Merseyside.
