With five fixtures still remaining in the Gameweek, we roll out our weekly look at the post-match press conferences from Saturday and Sunday’s matches a little earlier than usual. Roberto Martinez praises Aiden McGeady’s impact at Everton, Manuel Pellegrini is keen for City to tighten up at the back, Tim Sherwood feels Tottenham’s European exploits have hindered their league progress, whilst Gus Poyet slams his side’s lethargic display against Norwich:
Following a tightly-contested win over Swansea on Saturday, Roberto Martinez talked up Aiden McGeady’s growing influence on Everton’s attacking play. With Steven Pienaar expected to remain sidelined until the Toffees’ next double Gameweek, McGeady has been tipped by his manager to play an increasingly important role for the Merseysiders. Available at just 5.3 in FPL and sitting in under 2,500 Fantasy sides, McGeady could tempt Fantasy managers into investment if he can deliver on Martinez’s expectations and secure an extended run in the side for the first time since joining in January.
“You can see he is a very different footballer with how he enjoys the one-v-one situations. He has got a such an incredible ability – sometimes you can miss his touches. He goes away from players with ease and I thought he was a constant threat. He was very strong and it was a really good game for him to be involved. With Steven Pienaar injured, we had a real threat and he was able to perform with a real attacking mentality.”
Roberto Martinez on Aiden McGeady’s increasing attacking threat.
Manuel Pellegrini saw his side rattle five past Fulham at the Etihad but remained equally pleased by City’s upturn in defensive form. The Chilean is clearly looking to tighten up as we enter the decisive Gameweeks of the season, dropping the usual 4-4-2 formation in favour of a 4-2-3-1 in recent weeks, while Saturday’s win produced their fourth consecutive clean sheet. With tonight’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford preceding games against Arsenal, Southampton and Liverpool in the next three Gameweeks, it seems the City boss is determined to shore up his backline for the run-in:
“It was a complete performance because again we kept a clean sheet and that’s very important. In the last part of the season, we must be a very balanced team, not only scoring five goals but keeping it tight also.”
Manchester City manager, Manuel Pellegrini on a tighter defence.
A 2-0 win over Sunderland saw Norwich City take a step towards safety and manager Chris Hughton was understandably delighted with the performance. The Canaries boss changed his formation from a lone striker system to a 4-4-2, fielding Johan Elmander and Ricky van Wolfswinkel in the forward berths, yet despite a more attacking approach, Norwich’s defence held firm and have now conceded just one goal in their last six games at Carrow Road.
“I thought we were excellent. We wanted a reaction and we didn’t shy away from the fact we knew it was a big game. We knew it was big and I thought we excellent from start to finish. They changed things and got the extra player up front. We have been good here at Carrow Road this year and haven’t conceded many goals, that is equally as important.”
Chris Hughton on Norwich City’s important win against relegation rivals, Sunderland.
After exercising his ruthless streak by substituting two players before half time at Norwich, Gus Poyet seized an opportunity to vent his frustration with Sunderland’s display. With another two double Gameweeks to follow, the Black Cats’ additional fixtures brings them under the microscope but Fantasy managers poised to pick up the club’s budget assets will certainly be concerned by Poyet’s comments. The Uruguayan’s starting XI could be in for a shake-up ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Liverpool as the Black Cats look to bounce back from a disappointing weekend:
“They made me make decisions I don’t like – I don’t like changing players in the first half. It wasn’t a case of one or two players, It was seven or eight but you can’t change seven or eight. I think it is very disappointing when you start a game with the importance of today the way we did. We started badly and we weren’t getting close to any of the action. I think it was a mix of being bad on the day and Norwich being very brave.”
Gus Poyet on Sunderland’s disappointing performance in Saturday’s relegation battle at Carrow Road.
Brendan Rodgers was keen to talk tactics following Liverpool’s six-goal dismantling of Cardiff City in the Welsh capital. Another strategic adjustment saw Raheem Sterling make way for Philippe Coutinho at the tip of the midfield diamond as the Reds’ manager continued to flex his tactical muscle, simultaneously frustrating the Fantasy managers who’d banked on Sterling’s minutes for the double Gameweek. Regardless of formation, Rogers’ side continue to outgun opponents – leading the league’s scoring charts with 82 goals, they welcome Sunderland to Anfield tomorrow evening on the back of six straight wins:
“The beauty of this team and how we are developing is we do have different ways to win. If teams sit deep, we can play through. We have the brightness and imagination around the box to score goals. If teams push on, we have the pace and penetration to get in behind them. What we are now doing is we are developing the team tactically. A diamond is a difficult formation to play – it’s very complex with the movement patterns and the pressure. But we’ve worked on it and how they have implemented it has been superb. We know we can go to 3-5-2. We’ve had some great games like West Brom at home when we played in that structure and looked good. Whatever the game demands, we have the flexibility to operate in the way required. The system can change but the style will always be the same.”
Brendan Rogers giving insight to Liverpool’s new tactical nous this season.
After falling behind to two first-half strikes in the game against Southampton, Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood suggested that his side have struggled to cope with fatigue in matches played after European games. Spurs’ Europa League campaign added an extra 12 games to their calendar this season – they have registered six wins, five defeats and one draw from the Premier League games immediately after European fixtures, an average of just over 1.5 points per game. In contrast, Spurs have a secured points at a rate of 2.1 per game from the remaining 19 Premier League games played this season:
“I wanted to play a high-tempo game and try and press them high up the field and I didn’t think we had the energy to do it. It was quite evident and I have to make an excuse for them. I think the European midweek games take their toll. We always seem to finish very well after European games, but we don’t start the games very well. Against a good side like Southampton, you’re going to get punished and 2-0 down after 28 minutes, I was dreading coming in here [to the press conference], chaps, I have to tell you.”
Tim Sherwood pointing a finger at the continental hangover responsible for Tottenham’s sluggish start against Southampton.
After securing three points on the road for the first time since August, Mark Hughes praised attacking trio Peter Crouch, Peter Odemwingie and Marko Arnautovic. The three have been in excellent Fantasy form with 53 points secured from their last two Gameweeks as Stoke make light of Jon Walters and Charlie Adam’s absences through suspension. While away results had been dismal going into the game at Villa Park, Stoke lie joint sixth over the season for home results and welcome Hull, Newcastle and Fulham to the Britannia in their final four games at the Britannia.
“The difference today was that we had a cutting edge. We created good opportunities and had the right guys in the right positions to convert chances. The manner of the performance and the margin of victory suggests that. We have done well away before, but not had that threat – and credit to the guys up front. Peter Odemwingie has come in and had a real impact, and Marko Arnautovic, in the last five or six games, has really got to know what’s required at this level. Peter Crouch gives us a focal point, his link up play is excellent and I thought he was outstanding again.”
Mark Hughes giving credit to Stoke City’s attacking trio.
