Wayne Rooney reveals he’s happier under David Moyes at United. Robin Van Persie plays down toe injury concerns. Roberto Martinez lauds the displays of Romelu Lukaku, Marko Arnautovic talks up his new attacking role for Stoke, while Aaron Lennon is back in full training for Tottenham:
United Forwards Have Their Say
Wayne Rooney has admitted he feels a little more settled this season since the arrival of David Moyes. The United forward conceded his somewhat erratic form last term was down to his disenchantment at having to play a more withdrawn role under Sir Alex Ferguson:
“I didn’t feel I got a consistent run of games up front. Sometimes when you’re not playing in one position all the time it’s difficult to adapt. David Moyes has come in, he’s playing me up front and I’m enjoying it. I’m not saying I wouldn’t [go into midfield] for instance if it was the last 10 to 15 minutes of a game, if we were holding on a bit and I got asked to drop to the left, or drop back, to help see out the game. I’d always go in and try to help the team. I’m not saying I’d throw my arms up and not do it. I can play in midfield. Maybe when I’m a bit older, losing my legs a bit, I can go back there.”
Elsewhere, Robin Van Persie remains a doubt for Holland’s upcoming World Cup matches. Speaking to the press yesterday, the former Arsenal man revealed he been suffering from a toe problem since last week’s Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk:
“I got an enormous stamp on my toe and I really thought it had been broken, but luckily a scan showed it was not. I played on Sunday [in the 2-1 win at Sunderland] but the injury has not got better.”
The Scout Says: While it’s perhaps debatable as to whether Rooney played in a withdrawn role on too many occasions in the year gone by, it’s clear he seems relieved to be working under his former Everton mentor after a somewhat strained relationship with Ferguson. Although his arrival at Old Trafford has been hit and miss thus far, Moyes is fully aware that Rooney is a confidence player and seems to have reignited his self-belief, with the England forward notching in three of United’s last four league matches. Van Persie owners will undoubtedly be relieved by the toe prognosis but his form under Moyes is in stark contrast to last time around. As Rooney rediscovers his eye for goal, the Dutchman’s has deserted him – incredibly, despite a schedule which hands United three homes games and trips to Fulham and Cardiff in the next five, Van Persie has been sold by over 50,000 FPL managers this week. If he fails to recover in time for the Gameweek 8 clash against Southampton, further sales look imminent.
Martinez Hails Lukaku
Everton boss Roberto Martinez handed Fantasy managers a head-ups yesterday. The Spaniard revealed his intentions for Romelu Lukaku over the season, confirming that he’s keen to hand the on-loan Chelsea forward as much time as possible:
“Romelu can be as good as he wants to be. He will get the opportunity here. He will have the time to experiment things and try things. Remember that he hasn’t played many 90 minutes in his career and it is important he does play 90 minutes for us because that allows his game to go into full flow. That is the way he is as a player. How many games did he play 90 minutes at West Brom? He was involved in 35 games – how many did he play in [from the start]? Seven. So it is like seeing a young man who has now become a proper man with an important role and that’s what we want him to have here. This is the first time in his career that he is going to take that role so everything is in his hands.”
The Scout Says: The news is likely to strengthen the Lukaku bandwagon as Fantasy managers scramble for his signature over the international break. With four goals in three appearances since arriving on Merseyside, the Belgian has increased 0.5 in price since Gameweek 5 and has been snapped up by over 114,000 new owners this week – almost double the tally of any other forward. Given that Everton are out of the Capital One Cup and have no European commitments, Martinez can allow Lukaku to focus fully on the league, with rest and rotation unlikely to blight his game time – Saturday’s strike against City confirmed he’s capable of racking up the goals regardless of opponent and with Hull, Villa and Palace in the next four, looks poised to continue his superb recent form.
Arnautovic Pleased with Advanced Role
Stoke Marko Arnuatovic has revealed he is delighted with his new position as a forward after being shifted up front for the Potters’ trip to Fulham last weekend.
“The situation there is, of course, different from Werder Bremen where I did not get my chance. At Stoke I have been given the appropriate trust. The performance is right, except that we have too little points lately. But personally, the feedback that I get is quite good. The coach gives me the role of a free spirit. In defence of course I have in my position, but if it goes on the offensive, I can move freely.”
The Scout Says: Having been fielded as a left winger in his first couple of league appearances, the Austrian’s versatility afforded Mark Hughes the chance to reshuffle his frontline options, with both Peter Crouch and Kenwyne Jones failing to score so far this term. Granted, Arnautovic drew a blank against the Cottagers but his eye for goal was more than apparent as he fired seven attempts in the 1-0 loss. Classified as a midfielder across the Fantasy games, his owners may choose to hold the summer signing in light of his out of position switch – with West Brom, Sunderland and Cardiff three of the next four visitors to the Britannia, his upcoming home fixtures may yet see the enigmatic Arnautovic produce the goods after an admittedly disappointing start.
Kasami Earns Jol Praise
Fulham’s cut-price Fantasy asset Pajtim Kasami was talked up by Martin Jol yesterday. The 21-year-old has been called up to the Swiss squad this week of the back of this season’s displays and his manager went on say:
“He is probably one of the fittest players in the league. If you look at his stats it is unbelievable. Kasami needs a little bit more quality to his game to be the real Kasami I know he is capable of. I am very happy with him.”
The Scout Says: Kasami leapt onto Fantasy radars back in Gameweek 1 after notching the winner in the season opener at Sunderland. Dropped from the squad altogether in Gameweek 3, many had assumed he was set for another year on the periphery but Kasami has since returned to the first-team fold and has now started six of the first seven league fixtures, with his versatility affording him time either in “the hole” or on the right wing. Coming in at 4.6 in FPL, he looks another cut-price midfield option for our consideration, though for those eyeing up Jol’s assets in light of last week’s win over Stoke, it’s worth taking a glance at the upcoming fixture list – with Southampton, United, Liverpool and Swansea in the next five, the London outfit face a tough time of it if they are to continue their climb up the table.
Mixed Injury News for Villas-Boas
Aaron Lennon has returned to full training for Tottenham this week after finally recovering from a foot injury. Whilst Andre Villas-Boas is sweating over the fitness of Mousa Dembele, who sprained an ankle in training with Belgium yesterday, the Spurs boss revealed the good news to the club’s official website before going on to concede the winger could feature in the Gameweek 8 trip to Villa:
“I’m extremely happy. It’s been a long time out for a player of Aaron’s importance and the team is delighted with his return. He’s proved year after year how important he is for us and to have him back is a major plus…Let’s see how he works on the international break. Azza has kept his fitness very high with our medical department.”
The Scout Says: The news could potentially see a shake-up in the Tottenham XI as Villas-Boas looks to recover from Sunday’s dire home defeat by West Ham. If fit, Lennon would certainly come into contention – a trusted lieutenant of Villas-Boas, he started all but five of last term’s league games and would certainly offer natural width down the right and perhaps afford a better balance than inverted wingers such as Andros Townsend or Erik Lamela. Both Lennon and Townsend have managed one assist apiece this term but have made one and six appearances on the right respectively – a sign of the latter’s lack of impact as a regular. Dembele possible absence could perhaps allow Sandro a first start of the season – the Belgian has started every league game alongside Paulinho in central midfield but with Etienne Capoue also closing in on a return from injury, he could find himself subject to increased competition as Villas-Boas looks to freshen up his midfield options ahead of the Villa Park visit.
Koscielny Calf Concern
Arsenal are sweating on the fitness of Laurent Koscielny after the centre-half suffered a calf strain in training with the French national side yesterday.
The Scout Says: With Thomas Vermaelen back in the mix after recovering from a back problem, Arsene Wenger has obvious cover if Koscielny fails to recover. The Frenchman has missed just one game this season for the league leaders – as a result of suspension – but despite the Gunners’ impressive form, they have failed to offer much Fantasy value at the back, with just a single clean sheet to show after seven Gameweeks. Upcoming showdowns with Norwich and Palace look a little more enticing for defensive returns but with Wenger’s side flourishing in attack, few will be keen to look to Arsenal’s backline as a source of points. Further up the field, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud’s popularity are reflected by 47% and 39% ownership and with Theo Walcott edging towards a comeback, plenty will be turning to the winger once fit – he’s now down to 9.2 and is owned by just 4% of FPL managers.
