Aaron Ramsey is back in the Arsenal squad for tomorrow’s trip to Southampton. Oscar fires Chelsea into the next round of the FA Cup, though Fulham require a replay after being held by Sheffield United. Palace’s Jonny Parr plays down injury concerns, whilst Gus Poyet admits he’s less than impressed by some of the Sunderland squad players:
Injuries Ease for Arsenal
Arsene Wenger gave Fantasy managers an early heads-up in his pre-match press conference this morning. The Arsenal manager confirmed Aaron Ramsey, Mikel Arteta and Thomas Vermaelen have all returned to the squad to face Southampton at St Mary’s, though Jack Wilshere is doubtful for the match.
The Scout Says: The Ramsey news is hugely significant ahead of Tuesday evening’s deadline. With Mesut Ozil struggling for form, many Fantasy owners will be considering a switch to the Welshman in order to free up funds in the midfield. Despite missing the last four Gameweeks, Ramsey still remains 13 points ahead of Ozil in the FPL standings, with the latter mustering just a single assist in his last five appearances. Down to 7.1 from a season-high 7.6, Ramsey’s budget-friendly price looks particularly persuasive compared to Ozil’s 10.0, though it’s worth noting that the Welshman produced just one assist in his last four appearances before sustaining a thigh injury.
OSCAR’S FREE-KICK DOWNS STOKE
The Brazilian’s sublime 25-yard dead-ball strike was the only goal in a considerably one-sided affair at the Bridge, giving Jose Mourinho the birthday present he wanted and sending the Blues through to face Manchester City in the last-16 of the FA Cup. Both Mourinho and Mark Hughes fielded strong sides for the tie, with Oscar, Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto’o all maintaining their starting places for the home team. Nemanja Matic made his full debut in the deep-lying midfield role and lasted the whole 90 minutes, whilst Willian was introduced as a substitute late on, with John Terry and Cesar Azpilicueta left on the bench for the Blues. The Potters, true to their recent dwindling form, offered very little and were fortunate to only concede to Oscar’s 27th-minute strike.
After the match, Mourinho was quick to praise new boy Matic on his performance:
“He played very well and was very comfortable. There was big stability and also with Frank Lampard on his side he was very comfortable on the pitch. He also used his physicality, not to dominate Peter Crouch but to at least make it difficult. He is very comfortable on the ball. The team flies when it has someone like that.”
The Scout Says: Mourinho’s teamsheet yesterday offers hope for some, but will have frustrated many others. His selection and subsequent praise of Matic will be good news for those who have looked to the Serbian as a budget route into the Chelsea midfield, whilst Willian’s substitute appearance would appear to indicate that the 7.5-priced midfielder will be in line for a starting berth on Wednesday night. On the other hand, Eto’s 85 minutes of game-time yesterday will cast doubt over whether the forward, who has gained increased Fantasy attention following his devastating hat-trick against Manchester United last weekend, will start against West Ham. Mourinho has already talked up the possibility of using Demba Ba more frequently as a result of Fernando Torres’ recent injury and Wednesday night’s tie against his former club might be the perfect chance for the Senegalese to rediscover some form, consequently resigning Eto to the bench once more.
COTTAGERS HELD BY LEAGUE ONE OPPONENTS
Rene Meulensteen appeared to have both eyes firmly set on his side’s relegation scrap against Swansea on Tuesday evening as he made eleven changes to his side for yesterday’s FA Cup tie which saw Fulham struggle to a 1-1 draw against Sheffield United. A number of bit-part players, including Damien Duff and one-time budget favourite Patjim Kasami, found themselves in the starting XI and, although Adel Taarabt and Darren Bent were eventually introduced, it was a goal from forgotten frontman Hugo Rodellega, which earned the Cottagers a replay against the ten men of their lower league opponents. John Arne Riise lasted only ten minutes for his side after injuring himself sliding in for a tackle early on, adding more woe to yet another disappointing performance for Meulensteen:
“We didn’t produce enough quality really. The boys tried their best but there just wasn’t always the quality that we want. But, at the end of the day, they gave it their all and it’s my task on the training pitch to improve week by week and that’s what we’re going for.”
The Scout Says: Naturally, Fulham’s assets are not top of anyone’s Watchlist right now and yesterday’s game was testimony to this. Meulensteen’s decision to make such drastic changes to his side yesterday, however, certainly shows where his priorities lie, keeping the likes of their top-scoring Fantasy Premier League (FPL) midfielder Steve Sidwell and forward Dimitar Berbatov fresh and leaving the duo with the chance to carry on their recent modest form at the Liberty on Tuesday.
PARR ALLAYS INJURY FEARS
Jonny Parr has played down concerns following the neck injury he picked up in Saturday’s FA Cup loss to Wigan. Having required oxygen whilst being carried from the field, many feared he had suffered a serious injury, but the left-back has now revealed he could return to action as soon next weekend:
“It was a hard knock, but I am happy I have not suffered a serious injury. I hope to be back playing soon. I might not be able to play this Tuesday, but I am sure I will be ready next weekend.”
The Scout Says: Having started in four of their last five league, Parr has recently presented himself as a viable alternative to the likes of Danny Gabbidon and Joel Ward for a route into Crystal Palace’s backline. However, once the potentially profitable midweek fixture with Hull is out of the way, Palace’s schedule (ars, WBA, eve, MNU) is sure to deter most from investing in Tony Pulis’ defensive assets, even with Parr currently available for just 3.9.
FRINGE PLAYERS DISAPPOINT POYET
Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has spoken of his frustration over the lacklustre performances of several fringe players he gave the chance to impress against non-league Kidderminster on Saturday. Although the Black Cats came away with their seventh cup victory this season, they made hard work of their 1-0 win and Poyet, though coy on specific names, was evidently displeased with a number of his players:
“This was a chance. There were a few of them that showed something, that they can be useful to us. But there were a few who didn’t have a good day. It will be a little bit difficult for them, but I’m not going to give any names. It’s there and you could see it – there’s no place to hide.”
The Scout Says: Whilst many first team regulars were given the day off, Emmanuel Giaccherini, Sebastian Larsson and Jozy Altidore all started the game for the Wearsiders and evidently failed to impress their manager. The former would seem to have most cause for concern, having not featured in his side’s last two Premier League fixtures. The Italian, fielded in a more central role on Saturday, has clearly done himself and his Fantasy owners no favours and is unlikely to force his way back into Poyet’s starting XI any time soon. Owners of Fabio Borini, Ki-Sung-Yueng and man-of-the-moment Adam Johnson will therefore rest easier in the knowledge that the trio’s places would seem to be secure for now.
