As Gameweek 31 draws to a close at Craven Cottage tonight, the weekend has already handed us enough to chew on. We look back on Robin Van Persie’s latest failings, the cauldron building in the North East, Rafa Benitez’s show of intent, the Saints revolution and how Daniel Sturridge needs to match goals with graft…

Van Persie can’t talk himself into scoring…
The Dubious goal panel can put their feet up; while Robin Van Persie was adamant that his first-half effort across the Sunderland goal should have registered his twentieth goal of the season, when it clearly added to the Titus Bramble showreel. In truth, Van Persie should not have been left quibbling on the final whistle. While Ashley Young’s pass was misdirected, it still found the striker in enough time and space to convert a second goal for United and a legitimate strike for himself. That last minute opportunity summed up the Dutchman’s recent plight – just one goal in his last seven league outings has left him trailing in the race for the Golden Boot, with frustration amongst his Fantasy backers now at boiling point. Ample opportunities are coming his way, but, while he managed to find the net on three occasions in the orange of Holland, he was unable to break his Premier League drought in the North East. Perhaps he’s waiting for the big stage of the Manchester derby to finally deliver.

The Tyne Wear derby is going to be very interesting…
A few weeks ago, the forthcoming Newcastle vs Sunderland clash would have been much anticipated for its usual blood and thunder ingredients alone, without the backdrop of further Premier League ramifications. After this weekend, however, the scenario has shifted dramatically. With Newcastle soundly beaten at City and Sunderland whimpering to defeat against United, the North East pair are suddenly fighting for breath on the edge of a relegation battle. While the Magpies have an opportunity to pull clear at home to Fulham next weekend, Sunderland seem unlikely to earn too much from a visit to Stamford Bridge. It seems that the clash on April 14 will remain key for both and, when you throw in the incendiary device that is Paulo Di Canio, you have a potentially explosive clash on the cards to open up the lip-smacking Gameweek 33 programme. At least Lee Cattermole will be a spectator.

Rafa wants something to show for his Chelsea stint…
The Chelsea team sheet at St Mary’s last Saturday confirmed just where the priorities currently lie. With today’s FA Cup replay against United on the menu, Benitez chose to shuffle his pack for the trip to Southampton, benching the likes of Eden Hazard, David Luiz and Ashley Cole, whilst refusing to risk Juan Mata, who had reported in with “a fever”; Mata has unsurprisingly recovered for today’s lunchtime date. Rafa’s stay at Stamford Bridge has been a stormy one – the Spaniard has endured a fan uprising and perhaps faced challenges in dressing room and boardroom. Can we blame him for going all out to depart from the testing experience with something for his CV? From a Fantasy perspective, it’s likely we’ll have little sympathy for him – particularly if Chelsea progress today to set up further scenarios where rotation will bite us hard once again.

Pochettino’s methods have killed the Adkins talk…
Mauricio Pochettino will shake the hand of Nigel Adkins next weekend. They’ll exchange pleasantries but the very notion that the Argentine will offer thanks for the foundations laid by Adkins on the South Coast has been immediately dismissed as abruptly as Adkins’ own St Mary’s exit. Pochettino clearly feels that this current Southampton side is one of his own making and, based on recent performances, it’s hard to argue. The Argentine’s high pressing game has revolutionised the approach, further promoting the attacking, creative ethos that Adkins had once instilled at the club, whilst giving the Saints a resolute and effective defensive backbone. Ironically, Pochettino has taken an Adkins signing in Jay Rodriguez and found a crucial role for him in his team. While the now Reading boss struggled to incorporate the signing from Burnley, Pochettino has installed him as a vital cog and has reaped the rewards. While Adkin’s departure shocked and seem ill-timed, Rodriguez and Southampton haven’t looked back since.

Gervinho has re-appeared at just the wrong time…
The sight of the Ivorian skipping confidently past challenges and firing in efforts on goal harked back to the early season when, just for one moment, Gervinho looked to be a Fantasy option. Now, rested from exploits in the African Cup of Nations, Gervinho has returned to the fold and has taken his opportunity to impress in the 4-1 win over Reading. For Fantasy managers, the timing couldn’t be worse. With the Gameweek 33 double on the horizon, we’re looking for security within Arsene Wenger’s lineup. We need Theo Walcott fit and firing; we need Olivier Giroud assured of starts down the middle. Sadly, Gervinho’s form could threaten both. The Gunners face two Emirates matches in the space of three days and, while we expect rotation amongst the back four, we are reliant on Wenger’s attacking assets offering some security. Gervinho is now the joker in the pack – a card that can be played out on the flank to rest or shift Walcott to a central role, or even played down the middle to offer a more pacey alternative to Giroud. This is not a good thing.

Rodgers wants more than goals from Sturridge…
Earlier this week, the Liverpool boss stressed the need to defend from the front, harking back to days of Rush and Dalglish. His words were aimed at Daniel Sturridge, whose workrate in the defeat at Southampton had given cause for concern. Days later, Sturridge was sat alongside his manager while Jordan Henderson took his place in the side and his opportunity to impress. It appears that Rodgers’ reaction to defeat at St Mary’s was to opt for the industry and energy of the signing from Sunderland over the direct threat from Sturridge. A 2-1 victory with a goal for Henderson will have surely given the Liverpool boss much satisfaction and it now leaves us wondering whether Rodgers will now keep his lineup intact for the home clash with West Ham, or sacrifice industry and endeavour for Sturridge’s single-minded attacking intent. A bench role against the Hammers will surely be the final nail for those clinging to Sturridge and left praying for a bad day at the office for Suarez.