We take our regular look at the weekend’s press conferences and post-match reports for any soundbites of interest to Fantasy manager. Sam Allardyce regrets making changes to his West Ham line-up in last week’s defeat at Stoke, Brendan Rodgers discusses Liverpool’s midfield diamond, Felix Magath explains his change of goalkeeper and Mauricio Pochettino reveals the reasons behind his decision to bench Rickie Lambert:
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce appeared to regret making changes to his starting XI following their 3-1 defeat at the Britannia Stadium. Big Sam chose to drop James Collins, who’d picked up an astonishing 40 Fantasy Premier League points in his last six games, in favour of Winston Reid, who’d been struggling to break into the in-form Hammers defence following his return from injury. Fantasy managers investing in West Ham’s assets face the enviable prospect of two home fixtures (Manchester United and Hull) in one Gameweek, but go into the round with an element of uncertainty surrounding Allardyce’s first XI:
“Unfortunately our defending let us down in the second half. We didn’t need to defend very often either, so it’s very upsetting that I didn’t see the defensive side of our game come together today. It was a massive surprise to me. I changed the team around today, one to try and freshen the team up, two to bring some of the players in to show they can deliver, like the lads have delivered before. They’ll be looking at me and saying we’ve lost the game 3-1, so why did I make those changes. I’ll have to say that I’d tend to agree with them after that, because had we kept that solidity in the defensive unit that we normally do I believe we would have got a point at least .”
Sam Allardyce on changing a winning formula.
Tactical tinker man, Brendan Rodgers chose to elaborate on his decision to start Raheem Sterling over Philippe Coutinho at the tip of the midfield diamond in the 3-0 humiliation of United at Old Trafford on Sunday. The Reds now face a trip to Cardiff before welcoming Sunderland to Anfield in their double Gameweek – sides who, like United, tend to place emphasis on high energy, attacking displays. With the Liverpool manager continuing to tweak starting lineups to exploit opposition weaknesses this season, predicting Rodgers’ starting XI is becoming increasingly tricky for Fantasy managers looking to invest in some of the Merseysiders’ assets:
“I wanted to play and have superiority on the inside. I like to flood numbers around the middle of the field in order to control and dominate the game. Manchester United’s centre-halves drop off, so we could exploit the space in front of that with Raheem’s speed and then introduce Philippe [Coutinho] to the game. We worked it the other way against Southampton, where we felt that we could play through and get it into Philippe, who could then open the game up, then bring Raheem into it later when it opens up. In this game, because of the pitch and the nature of Manchester United, being at home they have to attack, it would allow us to get round the back of their midfield.”
Brendan Rodgers talks tactical after completing a league double over Manchester United.
Felix Magath explained his decision to switch goalkeepers ahead of securing a precious first three points against Newcastle. Maarten Stekelenburg had played the previous eight Premier League games, a run in which Fulham had failed to keep a clean sheet and picked up just two points, but the Dutch international made way for David Stockdale as the Cottagers earned their fourth clean sheet of the season:
“It was a hard decision for Maarten but he has taken it very well. Maarten is a quiet keeper, he’s not loud and David is. We needed someone who gave more to the players. Fortunately it worked. David was very good and we can thank him for his performance.”
Fulham boss Felix Magath on vocal goalkeepers.
Newcastle’s assistant manager, John Carver admits Papiss Cisse is lacking in self-belief as the striker endures a goal-less which stretches back to the Gameweek 7 win at Cardiff. Newcastle have struggled to find the net with any regularity since the turn of the year and the defeat at Fulham produced an eighth blank in their last eleven Premier League fixtures. With the Magpies in need of a goalscorer, and Loic Remy again receiving treatment on the sidelines, Cisse will have the chance to play hero if he can re-discover his predatory instincts in a double Gameweek that sees them play host to both Crystal Palace and Everton:
“When you’re a goalscorer, all play on confidence. At the moment Papiss’ confidence is down, only because he hasn’t been scoring goals. What is pleasing is that he keeps in positions to start scoring. If you think back to two seasons ago, he could’ve had his own programme on goal of the season, some of the goals were out of this world. He has worked, it would have dead been easy for him to sulk because he hasn’t been in the team but he has worked extremely hard on the training ground, he has done really well. Good goalscorers when they get confidence they hit the road, maybe he needs a scruffy goal.”
John Carver on Papiss Cisse’s unenviable form.
Following their 4-2 win at the expense of Norwich, Mauricio Pochettino justified his decision to play Ricky Lambert from the benched with tactical reasoning. Having replaced skipper Adam Lallana before the hour mark, Lambert still managed to chip in with a goal and assist and bagged an impressive 11 points against the Canaries:
“As a manager I am always looking for what is best for the team and (for) every player and I thought Rickie coming on as a sub would be good for him and it was. Sometimes tactical decisions go your way and that was the case. Our philosophy is always similar. We made some changes to variables to favour our attacking intent (and) I think Gaston [Ramirez] and Adam [Lallana] linked well. We were just looking through fresh alternatives, which we can use for the rest of a long season.”
Manuel Pochettino explains his tactical switch up front.
Robert Snodgrass reveals that his form is based on being free from injury for the first time this season. The Norwich winger has now notched two goals and an assist in his last five fixtures since returning from injury, including a precautionary half time withdrawal at Villa, and looks a solid mid-priced option in the short term – especially for Fantasy managers hanging on through the double Gameweek. It would certainly be worth noting, however, that Norwich end the season with fixtures from hell, facing Liverpool, United, Chelsea and Arsenal in their final four games – a schedule that will no doubt see many current owners already pencilling in an exit strategy.
“We all have to take responsibility for the goals. I would never have a go at the strikers. Their records speak for themselves. They all want to score goals, they have that hunger and they would be disappointed themselves, but it will turn. You just have to keep supporting the boys. I’ve scored a few goals and chipped in with some assists and I’ve had chances to score more. This is the happiest I have been this season because I have been hampered with injury from the start.”
Robert Snodgrass relishing his return to full fitness.
