It’s something of an understatement to suggest Andy Carroll’s first home start of the season was eventful. Finally recovered from a heel injury that had sidelined him for months, the big target man had time to tee up Kevin Nolan for both goals in a 2-0 win over Swansea before a battle of the pony-tails with Chico Flores saw Carroll dismissed on 59 minutes:
A swing of the arm from the Hammers forward saw the Spaniard hit the deck and persuaded Howard Webb to send Carroll packing for violent conduct. The London club’s appeal was subsequently rejected on Tuesday as the FA backed their World Cup-bound whistler but the matter may not end there – Sam Allardyce’s side are reportedly set to take legal action on the decision, having expected to see the ban overturned.
Carroll is sidelined for this weekend’s trip to Villa and will also miss back-to-back home games with Norwich and Southampton – a real blow for both Hammers’ survival bid and Nolan’s Fantasy prospects, with the midfielder’s appeal diminished as a result of his sidekick’s absence.
Elsewhere, Loic Remy, Allan McGregor and Mathieu Flamini are all set to serve the second of three-match bans this weekend. Alan Pardew must do without his top scorer for Newcastle’s upcoming clashes with Chelsea and Tottenham, McGregor sits out games against Sunderland and Southampton, whilst Flamini is still sidelined for Arsenal’s crucial encounters with Liverpool and United over the next few days.
The Suspension Tightrope now has 15 players on seven or more cautions – if any reach 10 yellows by the second Sunday in April (Gameweek 34), they’ll be facing a ban. Leading the way on eight apiece are Fabian Delph, Marouane Chamakh, Wayne Rooney and Jonas Olsson.
From a Fantasy perspective, the United frontman is obviously the main name there –he’s now been booked in three of his last four appearances. Further analysis highlights Rooney’s frustration – he has been on the losing side five times this term and been cautioned in four of those games. Indeed, only once has he been booked in a winning side at Old Trafford this season.
Villa supply the Tightrope with the highest number of players. Joining Delph are Gabby Agbonlahor and Ciaran Clark, who have both incurred the referee’s wrath on seven occasions, whilst Stoke and West Brom have a couple of player balancing precariously. Potters pair Jon Walters and Geoff Cameron sit on seven cautions apiece, as does Fabrice Mulumbu, who joins team-mate Olsson in this week’s refresh after picking up a yellow in Sunday’s home draw with Liverpool.
