Scout Scribbles – Lambert the Key for Hodgson

Rickie Lambert and Danny Welbeck are amongst the goals for England, Robin Van Persie finds the net for Holland. Vincent Kompany may miss the next three Gameweeks for City, Oscar picks up an ankle knock in training for Brazil, while Andy Carroll is closing in on a return to action for West Ham.

Lambert Shines Again

Rickie Lambert registered goal and assist returns as England eased through the gears to overcome Moldova at Wembley. Lambert earned his second international goal before laying on two assists for Danny Welbeck as the United striker helped himself to a brace. The victory was tainted, however, by Welbeck’s booking that will see him miss Tuesday’s vital qualifier in Ukraine. Daniel Sturridge remains a doubt for that encounter, although the latest reports suggest that the striker is more optimistic on his chances of being in contention.

The Scout Says: Lambert has settled comfortably on the international stage and, with Welbeck now missing on Tuesday, he could well lead the line for Roy Hodgson in Kiev. While Welbeck will now be well rested for United’s home clash with Crystal Palace, Lambert’s Fantasy owners will be somewhat edgy at the prospect of their striker playing the majority of Tuesday’s clash which is likely to be a far sterner test of his credentials as an international striker. Although preserved last night and withdrawn with 20 minutes remaining, the 31-year-old is now set to player around 150 minutes prior to Southampton’s home fixture with West Ham on Sunday. With Mauricio Pochettino deciding to oust Jay Rodriguez to make way for new signing Pablo Osvaldo at Norwich, the Saints boss has options in attack.

Van Persie On the Spot

Robin van Persie earned and struck an injury time penalty to save Holland from defeat in Estonia. The United striker had earlier carved open the home defence to help Arjen Robben give the Dutch the lead, only to see Estonia strike back and come within minutes of ruining the visitors 100% record in Group D. The Dutch now face Andorra on Tuesday needing three points to seal qualification as winners of the group.

The Scout Says: Van Persie’s Fantasy owners are always left on edge over the international breaks and a 90 minute match for their striker will be a concern, although with an assist and spot-kick, his confidence will have not have been harmed by Friday’s events after two blanks in the league. It remains to be seen if Van Persie will be in the starting lineup against Andorra. The Dutch only need a victory to make their final two matches academic, which may well see Van Persie’s responsibilities reduced, both in terms of pitch time on Tuesday and also over the final two qualifiers with Hungary and Turkey in October. With Champions League football becoming a factor, Van Persie’s owners will be on alert for possible windows of rotation – a rest over the next international break would be most welcome, however unlikely.

Kagawa Proves His Fitness In Japan

United’s Shinji Kagawa completed 75 minutes in Japan’s 3-0 home win over Guatemala. Kagawa earned an assist in the friendly match before being preserved with 15 minutes remaining.

The Scout Says: Kagawa is yet to figure in David Moyes’ plans but is clearly at a level of fitness where he can come into contention. The United boss has recently claimed that an interrupted pre-season for the Japan international has meant that he’s been reluctant to throw Kagawa into the fray – it remains to be seen if this changes anytime soon. Kagawa failed to make the bench at Anfield and with another home friendly with Ghana on Tuesday, it could be that Moyes again omits Kagawa after he returns from Japan for Saturday’s early kick-off with Palace.

Mirallas Helps Humble Scots

Belgium’s array of Premier League talent was on show at Hampden Park as they ran out 2-0 victors over Scotland with goals from Steven Defour and Everton’s Kevin Mirallas. Chelsea’s Kevin De Bruyne set up the visitors opener, before Villa’s Christian Benteke combined with Mirallas to consign the Scots to defeat. Scotland wil face Tuesday’s qualifier in Macedonia without Norwich’s Robert Snodgrass: he picked up a booking last night to earn a suspension.

The Scout Says: Despite being academic, Mirallas first goal of the season will be welcomed by his Fantasy owners who will hope that it will issue a remainder to Roberto Martinez of the Belgian’s cutting edge. Mirallas has failed to net, wasting several opportunities, in all three of Everton’s league encounters and may well come under pressure for his starting role with Arouna Kone and Barcelona loanee, Gerard Deulofeu, available as options. Mirallas’ owners will now be keen for their man to come through Wednesday’s qualifier with Croatia unscathed as Belgium’s Premier League lineup face their biggest test in Group A. Robert Snodgrass’ suspension for Scotland for Wednesday’s qualifier, meanwhile, means that his start for Norwich at Spurs will not come under further risk.

Negredo Maintains Scoring Streak

Alvaro Negredo netted for Spain, his third goal in thee competitive matches, as the visitors saw off hosts Finland by a two-goal margin in Group I. Negredo had come off the bench on 71 minutes to replace Cesc Fabregas and was supplied by City team-mate, Jesus Navas, himself a sub introduced on the hour-mark, to seal the win for Spain.

The Scout Says: Negredo is making a habit of emerging from the bench to score, having done so for the third straight match. It seems unlikely that he’ll be burdened with that task for the Gameweek 4 trip to Stoke, however, with the City striker surely full of confidence and well placed to oust Edin Dzeko to earn his first Premier League start. Spain need just one more win to seal qualification when they play their final two qualifiers in October against Belarus and Georgia. In the meantime, Negredo will remain with the Spanish squad for the friendly with Chile on Tuesday and could again figure on the bench to remain fresh for the Britannia trip, along with winger Navas.

Defensive Woes Continue for City

After confirming reports of Martin Demichelis’ expected six-week absence with a knee injury, City are now preparing themselves to be without the services of Vincent Kompany until next month. Reports in the Guardian yesterday claim the Belgian is taking longer than anticipated to recover from the groin injury that forced him off in the season opener against Newcastle – he could now miss the next three Gameweeks as a result.

The Scout Says:While the Gameweek 4 trip to Stoke is perhaps less of an issue, Manuel Pellegrini’s side then go head-to-head with United and Villa in back-to-back league fixtures – affording Robin Van Persie and Christian Benteke the chance to expose a backline that has already conceded three goals to Cardiff. With Joleon Lescott and Matija Nastasic likely to continue at the heart of defence, clean sheets may be a little hard to come by in those two fixtures, suggesting Pablo Zabaleta’s owners may have to rely on attacking returns to prosper. Although Micah Richards is edging towards a comeback after a hamstring injury, the problems at centre-half are likely to ensure the Argentine’s place at right-back is safe for now, though Pellegrini’s decision to replace Gael Clichy with Aleksandar Kolarov in the Gameweek gone by highlighted he’s not afraid to rest and rotate.

Oscar Ankle Concern for Blues

Jose Mourinho’s midfield worries continued yesterday after an ankle problem forced Oscar out of training with the Brazil national team. According to reports, the playmaker will be monitored over the next 24-hours ahead of Sunday’s friendly against Australia before a decision is made on his fitness.

The Scout Says: With Eden Hazard missing out on Belgium’s win in Scotland last night due to an Achilles problem, the international break is proving to be a troublesome time for the Chelsea boss – indeed, Hazard’s owners will be somewhat concerned by quotes from his national manager Marc Wilmots, who suggested the winger has been receiving pain-killing injections over the last few weeks. Ironically, any absence for Oscar could bring Juan Mata back into contention – so far, the Spaniard has been handed a mere 65 minutes by Mourinho this season and his lack of game time saw him omitted from his nation’s clash with Finland last night. With the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Willian and Andre Schurrle all able to deputise for Hazard on the left, Mourinho has plenty of top-class alternatives available should the former Lille man fail to recover in time for next week’s trip to Everton.

Rat Hopeful of Starting Role

Sam Allardyce’s decision to omit new boy Razvan Rat from West Ham’s first XI has taken many by surprise. A regular in the Shakhtar Donetsk first XI for over a decade, the left-back was expected to be nailed-on for the Hammers this term but has so far yet to start a league match. Speaking to his former club’s website, the defender explained his manager’s thinking:

“Even before the start of the season, Sam Allardyce told me that in the opening rounds he will not field me in the starting lineup. This is normal. He wanted me to feel the atmosphere of the English Premier League. Still, it’s a new league for me and a totally different level. The coach explained to me that I should first get a feel for the English Premier League, and then he will field me….Perhaps my debut will take place after my return from international duty. I am ready to take the field in matchday four, the away game against Southampton. At least I hope so.”

The Scout Says: With Joey O’Brien handed the left-back berth in the first three matches, Rat has dropped quickly in price in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game and is now down to 4.7 compared to the former’s 5.5. While the Hammers’ resilience have seen them concede just one goal so far, the upcoming schedule may well deter immediate investment in their backline options – games against Southampton, Everton, Spurs, City and Swansea over the next six is hardly enticing. Rat’s imminent installation to the first XI raises real question marks over O’Brien’s game time, though the versatile former Bolton man may well switch to the opposite flank and force Guy Demel out of the reckoning.

Carroll Closing in on Return

Allardyce was afforded a degree of optimism yesterday as Andy Carroll stepped up his comeback from a heel injury. The forward has yet to feature this season due to the problem but the Hammers first-team coach Ian Hendon revealed:

“We’re hopeful that he may play a part in the Southampton game. He’s training hard and we’re hopeful. It’s not a definite yet. We want him back as soon as possible but we don’t want to risk anymore setbacks. He’s in good hands with the medical staff.”

The Scout Says:There’s no doubt the big target man has been a significant loss for the London outfit. Carroll ended the previous season in fine form, registering four goals and four assists in his final nine appearances but, forced to utilise Modibo Maiga through the middle, Allardyce’s side have failed to score in each of the last two Gameweeks, having opened the season with a 2-0 win over Cardiff. With the goals drying up, Carroll’s potential return would be good news for Kevin Nolan, too – the midfielder grabbed a hat-trick in the pair’s last appearance together, against Reading on the final day of the previous season. Having scored against the Saints away from home last term, Carroll – now down to 7.4 in FPL – will fancy his chances of wreaking havoc at St Mary’s again, providing his recuperation steps up in time.