Robin Van Persie scores twice as Holland ease past Andorra. Shinji Kagawa reveals his frustration at a lack of game time for United, Roberto Soldado is amongst the goals for Spain, Theo Walcott limps off with a knock for England, while Eden Hazard looks on course to recover from an Achilles problem in time for Chelsea’s trip to Everton:
Van Persie Bags a Brace
After failing to score in each of his last couple of league encounters, Robin Van Persie’s Fantasy owners will be eagerly anticipating this weekend after he grabbed both Holland’s goals against Andorra to take his tally to three over the international break.
The Scout Says: Despite a home encounter with Palace this Saturday, Van Persie has been slow to attract new owners after a pair of frustrating displays against Chelsea and Liverpool, where he failed to register a single shot on target. With his eye for goal restored once again, there’s no doubt he’ll be heading into Saturday’s deadline as the most-captained option across the Fantasy games, with a huge majority of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) players handing him the armband against an Eagles side yet to keep out their opponents this term. Although Wayne Rooney is hopeful of a return for the Gameweek 5 Manchester derby, he is set to miss out against Ian Holloway’s side, making the Dutchman’s contribution all the more crucial for the under-fire David Moyes this weekend. With home games against West Brom, Southampton and Stoke, allied with a trip to out-of-sorts Sunderland in the next six, Van Persie could barely be handed a kinder set of fixtures as he returns to the domestic stage with confidence renewed.
Kagawa Admits Moyes Frustration
Shinji Kagawa continued to impress on the international stage yesterday by grabbing a goal in Japan’s 3-1 win over Ghana. The United midfielder lasted 85 minutes before making way and, having provided an assist in a win over Guatemala on Friday, has earned praise for his recent performances, despite a lack of domestic action this term. After the game, however, it was Kagawa’s comments to the press on his limited game time under United’s new manager that hogged the headlines:
“Please ask David Moyes why I’m not in the side. It is frustrating not playing but to score a goal like that gives me confidence. Hopefully I can take that back to my club with me and things will improve. It’s hard not playing regularly. Some days the frustration is worse than others; it comes in waves. So it’s nice to come back to Japan and get to play, and to score felt good. I just have to keep working hard and keep pushing for my chance. When I get back it will be a challenge to get into the team. When I get back to my club I have to wait for my chance in the Champions League and the Premier League. I’m sure my chance will come.”
The Scout Says: Bearing in mind Kagawa has a long-haul flight back from Japan and United’s weekend match with Palace is Saturday’s early lunchtime kick-off, there’d be no real surprise if Moyes once again left him out of his line-up, with jet-lag playing a part this time. Yet to play a single minute in the league, the Japan star was omitted from the squad altogether for the Gameweek 3 trip to Liverpool – all the more baffling when his manager has complained of a lack of creativity amongst his charges. With United then facing three crucial games against Bayer Leverkusen, City and Liverpool across a trip of different competitions, it’s perhaps questionable whether Moyes will be prepared to take a risk and hand Kagawa the opportunity as he looks to return to winning ways after a patchy start to his time in charge at Old Trafford.
Soldado in the Goals for Spain
Tottenham’s Roberto Soldado warmed up for a favourable run of fixtures by notching for Spain in last night’s 2-2 draw with Chile. The forward was given a 66-minute run-out before being replaced by City’s Alvaro Negredo, while another Etihad new boy, Jesus Navas, grabbed a late equaliser after climbing off the bench at the break.
The Scout Says: Yet to score from open play in the league this term, the former Valencia man has, nonetheless, grabbed four goals in four starts for Spurs since arriving at the Lane this summer. Despite a disappointing blank in the north London derby, Soldado still looks firmly on form and with new boys Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela poised to be handed their first starts at home to Norwich on Saturday, the Spain forward could be set to pick apart the Canaries as he looks ahead to a schedule that also includes home games against West Ham and Hull and trips to Cardiff and Villa in the next six.
Mixed News for Wenger
Fantasy managers will be eagerly awaiting news from the Emirates after a couple of midfielders were subbed off for their national sides last night. Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky both picked up knocks but while Rosicky looks to have sustained a thigh problem, Walcott’s withdrawal seemed no more than precautionary ahead of the weekend’s trip to Sunderland, with journalists suggesting he ”is okay”. Elsewhere, German pair Per Mertesacker and Mesut Ozil grabbed a goal apiece in an easy win over the Faroe Islands, while Laurent Koscielny also reminded us of his attacking potential by supplying an assist in France’s away win over Belarus.
The Scout Says: The arrival of Ozil clearly nudges Rosicky down the pecking order making the Czech midfielder’s absence less of an issue, while Walcott’s owners will be optimistic by the fact he played on for several minutes following a hefty challenge. Arsenal’s trip to Wearside this weekend is the start of a run which pits them against only two of last term’s top six in the upcoming 11 Gameweeks – Walcott looks set to rack up the points over that run, though any absence could see more managers turn to Ozil as a Gunners midfield alternative
Midfield Worries Ease for Mourinho
According to reports in The Mail, Eden Hazard is in the frame for Chelsea’s trip to Goodison on Saturday evening. The winger limped out of training for Belgium with an Achilles problem last week and failed to play any part in the win over Scotland but has responded positively to treatment, with a national team doctor suggesting there is “no reason” why he won’t be back in full training for the Blues.
The Scout Says: With Jose Mourinho slow to hand Juan Mata game time this term, Hazard’s security of starts has persuaded 23.7% of FPL managers to snap up his services; the most popular midfielder in the game, despite a recent price drop down to 9.3. With Fulham, Norwich and Cardiff in three of the four fixtures directly after the Goodison encounter, many will be eyeing up Chelsea’s options, with Oscar also back on the radar after recovering from an ankle knock to feature as a sub for Brazil in last night’s win over Portugal.
Marshall Worry for Cardiff
Cardiff boss Malky Mackay is awaiting prognosis on keeper David Marshall after the Bluebirds number one was forced off with a hip problem during Scotland’s win in Macedonia last night.
The Scout Says: An ever-present for the Welsh outfit last term, Marshall registered his first clean sheet of the season against Everton last weekend and with a schedule that pits him against Hull, Fulham and Newcastle in the next four, could be poised for further returns. Any length of absence may see Joe Lewis handed a chance to deputise – the latter, at 4.0 in FPL, would be the cheapest playing keeper in the game, though centre-half Ben Turner is similarly priced and has played every minute under Mackay so far.
O’Shea Ankle Concern for Black Cats
Sunderland are awaiting news on the ankle injury sustained by John O’Shea in the Republic of Ireland’s loss to Austria last night. The defender was subbed off just four minutes into the second period with the problem as his nation’s prospects of reaching next year’s World Cup all but ended in Vienna.
The Scout Says: The Black Cats skipper is, of course, suspended for this week’s clash with Arsenal but a possible lengthy absence will be a real concern to Paolo Di Canio. Having been publicly critical of O’Shea’s display against Palace in the previous Gameweek, Di Canio has since apologised and patched things up ahead of a schedule which also sees the Wearsiders face Liverpool, United and Swansea in the next five. With Wes Brown still sidelined by a knee problem, Di Canio is likely to turn to Modibo Diakite and Valentin Roberge at centre-half but with such a tough run of games, Fantasy faith in the Black Cats will be minimal at best
