Scout Scribbles – Aguero Bags Another Brace

Sergio Aguero scores twice as City take a step closer to qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages. Robin Van Persie misses United’s narrow win over Real Sociedad though is expected to be fit for the weekend, Olivier Giroud hints he is looking for a rest in next week’s cup clash with Chelsea, Ashley Williams remains absent for Swansea and Andre Villas-Boas looks set to continue with his rest and rotation policy:

Aguero at the Double

The Argentine’s maintained his superb recent form by scoring both City’s goals in a vital 2-1 away win over CSKA Moscow. Manuel Pellegrini made just three alterations from the side that saw off West Ham on Saturday evening as his XI starts to become a little more settled – both the full-backs were changed, with Gael Clichy and Micah Richards dropping out for Aleks Kolarov and Pablo Zabaleta, whilst Jesus Navas got the nod ahead of Samir Nasri on the right.

After the game, Pellegrini praised the displays of Aguero and David Silva as both turned on the style against the Russians before revealing he is set to welcome back his captain from injury for Sunday’s trip to Chelsea:

“Both Kun and David Silva are great players – every match they play they show what good players they are…Now we will start thinking about the next match against Chelsea. It’s a very tough game, but we don’t have any problems with the squad. Vincent Kompany and all of the other players are fit, so we are in a good shape.”

The Scout Says: Last night’s win sets City up perfectly in their qualifying group. Another victory against CSKA in a fortnight’s time will clinch a place in the knockout stage and, crucially, allow Pellegrini to rest the likes of Aguero for the two remaining Champions League matches in order to concentrate on league duties. It’s five goals in three games in all competitions for the Argentine whose form under the new manager is improving by the match – in spite of a testing trip to Stamford Bridge, he’s been acquired by more managers than any other forward this week, with league games against Norwich and Sunderland to follow the Blues showdown. Many are concerned over the threat of rotation as the schedule heats up but if Pellegrini rests Aguero for the midweek Capital One Cup clash against Newcastle, he’d have a six-day rest between Chelsea and Norwich – the Canaries match, CSKA and Sunderland then take place over an eight-day period which then leads into another international break; affording him plenty time for recuperation. At the back, while Kompany’s return undoubtedly hands City a major boost for the showdown at the Bridge, the stats highlight his presence hasn’t quite been the steadying influence of times past – City have conceded five goals in four games with Kompany in the XI, compared to four against in four games without the Belgian.

Van Persie Worry for United

United squeezed a 1-0 home win over Real Sociedad as David Moyes made four changes from the side that drew at home to Southampton on Saturday. The hosts once again toiled up top and had to rely on an Inigo Martinez own goal to secure a 1-0 win – they have now scored more than once in just one of their last eight in all competitions. Robin Van Persie, Adnan Januzaj, Marouane Fellaini and Nani made way for Javier Hernandez, Shinji Kagawa, Ryan Giggs and Antonio Valencia; both Kagawa and Wayne Rooney impressed for the hosts, with the latter firing eight shots on goal.

Both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic missed out again and remain doubts for Saturday’s clash with Stoke, while Moyes admitted he decided to give Van Persie the night off as the forward continues to be bothered by niggling injuries:

“He’s got two bad toes and has been complaining about his groins….Robin, I hope, will be fit for the weekend. He’s had a couple of niggling injuries even before they went on international duty and they have all just caught up on him a little bit. I felt if I could get the chance to give him a breather a little bit I would do. Fortunately for us it worked out fine.”

The Scout Says: For some, Van Persie’s absence last night may bring them a step closer to finally parting with the Dutchman in what has been a thoroughly disappointing season. Sold by over 460,000 FPL managers in the previous three Gameweeks, Van Persie may be afforded a stay of execution due to a schedule that pits United against Stoke, Fulham and Cardiff in the next four but with Rooney offering a more in-form (and cheaper, at 10.9 to 13.9) route into Moyes’ attack, the Dutchman’s days look numbered as he fails to make an impact under Moyes. At the back, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans once again got the nod in light of Vidic and Ferdinand’s absence and look in the driving seat to continue against the Potters if the latter duo fail to recover in time.

Moyes Praise for Kagawa

The United manager took time out to laud the performance of the Japanese playmaker after handing him a rare start last night. Kagawa got the nod ahead of Januzaj on the left but was moved to the role in “the hole” behind Rooney late on after Javier Hernandez was withdrawn – handed Moyes food for thought ahead of Stoke’s weekend visit:

“I thought it was Shinji’s best game in my time here. He hadn’t really found his feet yet but I saw something from Shinji tonight which I hadn’t seen in other games, so I was really pleased. His effort when we didn’t have the ball was fantastic. With Shinji, everybody tells me about his ability and what he has got, but tonight is the first time I’ve really seen Shinji. I thought when we put him into the no.10 role, and even after it, he was good with Wayne. His attitude and energy were excellent and I was pleased for him.”

The Scout Says: If Van Persie fails to make Saturday’s match, Moyes could well decide to shake things up in attack as he looks to put his stamp on the side. Having introduced Januzaj on the left recently, he may mull over handing Kagawa the “number 10” role he has pined for since arriving at Old Trafford, allowing Rooney the chance to lead the line against Mark Hughes’ side. While transferring in the former Dortmund man looks too risky right now, Rooney owners will certainly be hoping for such a scenario, allowing him to take up the more advanced role in Van Persie’s possible absence.

Giroud Hints at Cup Rest

Olivier Giroud has agreed with Arsene Wenger’s recent statement on player fatigue after Arsenal were beaten by Dortmund in Tuesday’s match at the Emirates. While his manager’s words left Fantasy managers a little concerned ahead of the weekend trip to Palace, Giroud revealed he is targeting a night off in next week’s Capital One Cup clash with Chelsea instead:

“I feel good. Maybe I will have some rest next week, for the Capital One Cup, I will speak to the boss. I’m used to playing a lot of games and I feel good with my body so touch wood, no injuries.”

The Scout Says: Giroud’s statement certainly confirms his intentions of leading the line against the managerless Eagles as Arsenal look to return to winning ways. While some owners are fearful he could be rested this weekend, the Frenchman is clearly determined to continue in the XI – Wenger could then rest him against the Blues and allow Nicklas Bendtner to turn out against Jose Mourinho’s side instead, thus giving Giroud a seven-day break before the Gunners entertain Liverpool the following weekend.

Williams Still Sidelined for Swans

Ashley Williams remains an injury concern for Swansea after he was ruled out of the Europa League clash against Kuban Krasnodar. Speaking to the press ahead of tonight’s match, Michael Laudrup admitted:

“Ashley hasn’t trained with the group yet because he is still in pain when he has to make certain movements. He is close to training with the squad again, but he will not be involved against Kuban. Can he play against West Ham? Well one thing is being fit, but coming back into a game is another when you have been out for a while.”

The Scout Says: Having only just ruled Ben Davies out for three-to-four-weeks with an ankle injury, Laudrup’s problems in defence continue to linger. The Dane is left with only two of his first-choice back-four – Chico and Angel Rangel – available at the moment as the Swans look to take advantage of a kind run of fixtures which pits them against West Ham, Cardiff, Stoke and Fulham in the next four. The injuries boost the chances of Jordi Amat and Neil Taylor as cut-price short-term punts, though Chico and Rangel offer not only far greater long-term security but in-form alternatives, after both registered an assist apiece in the recent 4-0 thrashing of Sunderland .

Villas-Boas Talks Rotation

The Tottenham boss rolled out a team news update ahead of this evening’s Europa League clash with Moldovan side FC Sheriff. Villas-Boas confirmed Aaron Lennon and Emmanuel Adebayor are both included in the squad, while Kyle Walker, Andros Townsend and Paulinho have been handed the evening off. Villas-Boas discussed the former duo’s prospects before going on to admit he is keen to continue his recent rotation policy, after making a number of changes to his side for the weekend trip to Villa:

“He (Adebayor) travelled. There is a chance he could be involved, but I’m not sure if he’s starting or not. They don’t need opportunities or chances. They’re valued and they’re great quality players. This is done because of the immense talent we have at our disposal. We can make six or seven changes now, which keeps the players fresh and motivated. There is always that chance they can break into the team, although both are established players and have been successful in the past….”It (resting players) was just an opportunity to recover a little bit, and the squad is big enough. We all recognise Andros is in an exceptional moment. The different thing we have this season from before is we have quality throughout, which allows us to do these things.”

The Scout Says: Townsend’s omission from this evening’s squad bodes well for his chances of a start against Hull at the weekend and highlight just how crucial he has become to the north London side. While the likes of Christian Eriksen and Mousa Dembele were dropped from midfield against Villa, Townsend continues to get the nod and, having notched for the first time this term against the midlanders, has now risen 0.2 this week. His manager’s words are likely to deter many from eyeing up Tottenham’s assets – after just eight games, Paulinho is the only midfielder or attacker to start all eight league games as Villas-Boas rings the changes in order to battle on all fronts.