We really should savour this. While the sun beaming through my window helps to banish the grey, wet and windy, it’s also a reminder that the clock is ticking on another Fantasy season.
In just over a month, thumbs will be entering twiddle mode and suddenly our Saturday morning heads won’t be congested with concerns over Romelu Lukaku’s starting role: they’ll be DIY, pointless walks and shopping trips to take their place.
While Gameweek 34 appears to be a plain old vanilla affair – let’s take it to our bosom and nurture it. Let’s appreciate the mid-afternoon drama and the Sunday lunch classics. Let’s revel in every goal and take setbacks in our stride, because I just know that, very soon, I’ll be missing that sinking feeling of a lost clean sheet because Clint Hill’s shinned one into his own net.
There’s also something reassuring about the Gameweek ahead. All today’s matches take on a traditional feel, delivered in the three o’clock slot, they’ll unfold for me via the usual welcome nonsense spouted by Jeff Stelling’s crew.
Tomorrow I’ll risk breaking every social etiquette rule to get in front of telly in time to watch Sunday’s big matches unfold. That’s all rounded off by a Monday evening under lights at Old Trafford – dinner on the lap, the minimum percentage of my attention reserved for loved ones. This is truly a weekend package I’ve grown comfortable with.
Our initial Gameweek plans were somewhat skewed by the news that Gareth Bale was back on the menu. Noises from Spurs and Andre Villas-Boas seem very positive and, while there are those who still have doubts that the Welshman will start against City, the recent statements by his manager suggest otherwise…
“There can be a fear factor if he plays. We recognise the impact this player has had for us this season. His run of goals that he is on, he can have a big factor. It’s good to have him around in this final part of the season. He can be an inspiration to everybody. When you look at the images that we saw [of his twisted ankle], it is good to have him back so quickly. This speaks highly of the medical staff at the club. Our squad is full of good players, but Bale can make a difference.”
Personally, I feel Bale will be on the teamsheet – he’s amongst the strongest fittest players in the top flight and his ability to deliver improbable goals from scraps are currently second to none. The press are in agreement: every single one of our six sources names Bale in their Tottenham starting lineup for the clash with City. Interestingly, only the Sun feel that Sergio Aguero will line up in opposition.
Elsewhere, the aforementioned Romelu Lukaku, whilst nestled in our Scout Picks, is thought to be set for a bench role according to the Sun and The Times; the others recall him at the expense of Shane Long. Personally, I can see Steve Clarke going with a 4-4-2 and starting both against a Newcastle side beset by injuries and perhaps feeling the effects of the Tyne-Wear massacre.
There are the usual cast of oddities to perhaps treat with the proverbial pinch of salt: the best/worst of which finds Theo Walcott omitted from the Independent’s lineup for the Gunners’ trip to Fulham: they prefer to start with Lukas Podolski with Tomas Rosicky also recalled.
As for Wayne Rooney, despite reports this morning that the striker faces a further battle to cement his starting role, not one of the morning papers are brave enough to leave him out of the Monday night clash with Villa. Indeed, with Sir Alex praising the performance of Shinji Kagawa, stating he had little option but to withdraw Rooney at Upton Park with the Japanese midfielder sparkling, we find Kagawa omitted from some lineups. Both the Times and the Independent hand a recall to Danny Welbeck, with Kagawa seemingly dropped to the bench to make way.
While that little lot may offer up further noise and confusion for this final hour – we really should seek to enjoy this. For all the headache and irritation that Friday nights and Saturday mornings bring, the puzzles we look to unravel now will doubtless be sorely missed in a months time.
Very soon we’ll be craving cryptic messages from Sir Alex, recalling Roberto Mancini’s dusky Italian accent with a fondness and going starry eyed over David Moyes’ vague accounts of his latest knocks. Love it while it lasts folks.
