Our regular sift though the press conferences and post-match reports arrives again this afternoon. Manuel Pellegrini admits City are managing David Silva’s ongoing ankle problem, Roberto Martinez considers a midfield role for Leighton Baines, Jose Mourinho discusses midfielders and spot-kick duties, whilst Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is far from happy with some of his Cardiff squad:
Manuel Pellegrini turned his attentions to City’s tactical set-up ahead of Sunday’s trip to free-scoring Liverpool. The Chilean had instilled a much more resilient streak to his side of late, racking up five clean sheets in their last seven Premier League games, with a recent move to 4-2-3-1 bringing out the best in his players at both ends of the pitch. With Sergio Aguero likely to return to the fold for the Anfield clash, though, it remains to be seen what formation his manager will utilise:
“We tried from the beginning of the season to play attractive football and be an offensive and creative team. I think the best way to win games is to score goals. But on the other side maybe at the beginning we conceded too many goals. In the second half of the season we have improved in defence and are at the moment a very balanced team.”
Manuel Pellegrini on the balance between offence and defence.
Pellegrini also revealed David Silva has been carrying an ankle knock for a couple of weeks, though has no qualms over the playmaker’s availability for the Liverpool showdown:
“He’s playing very well. And it’s with double merit because he’s playing with his ankle that he has to stop two or three days during the week. It is very important at the end of the season to have high individual performances and he is one of our players who is in a very good moment. He played the last two games without a problem and now we have a whole week before we play against Liverpool. So I don’t think he will have any problems.”
Pellegrini remaining upbeat over David Silva’s fitness ahead of the big game at Anfield.
Everton’s Leighton Baines could be set for a change of position in the future as manager Roberto Martinez ponders a potential Philipp Lahm-esque role for the left-back. With a double against relegation battlers Sunderland and Crystal Palace on the Gameweek 34 schedule, it will be interesting to see if Martinez uses the opportunity to experiment with his in-form and settled back four.
“Like Lahm, Leighton doesn’t give the ball away, he’s got a very low centre of gravity and technically he is as good as it gets. When you have that control of the ball and have been such a good defender, and as a left-back you have to be very good on one-v-one situations, it is very important to have that defensive mindset in those midfield areas. That is important for defensive balance. As a player Leighton has been through so many different experiences and has always found a way to rise to new challenges in his career. I am convinced he can step up to a new challenge. You need to look at the physicality and he is a naturally fit boy so can easily go into the role. He can be more expansive in central midfield than in his left back role. That’s why I wanted him to see it first hand.”
Everton’s Roberto Martinez continuing to explore opportunities to develop players within his squad.
After the convincing win against Stoke, Jose Mourinho tipped two of his new recruits for big things next season. The Chelsea boss clearly has high hopes for January arrival Mohamed Salah – who took his tally to 21 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) points in just 149 minutes over the last three games – and Willian whose tenacious work rate, combined with graceful technique, earned him all the plaudits from the recent win. With games against Swansea and Sunderland up next, in addition to Champions League football and the Eden Hazard knock from midweek, there is every chance the ‘Special One’ will call on his starlets in the coming weeks:
“We know he (Salah) needs time, we know next season he will be an important player for us. This season, step by step, he’s playing 10 minutes here and there. You can feel the connection between him and the crowd; the crowd like him, they like his style of play. He’s the type of player we need because we have wingers who prefer to play with the ball at their feet, he’s the type of player who prefers the ball into space….The goal was really good but I think a player with his (Willian’s) quality, that gives so much to the team, not just in possession but in the defensive work and balance of the team, I want to see him score more goals. He has to do that in the second season, he has to bring his game into other levels.”
Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho on his hopes for the promising Willian and Mohamed Salah.
Mourinho also took a moment to address Fantasy frustrations from the weekend’s game at Stamford Bridge where, having been brought on from the bench, Eden Hazard missed out on a spot-kick thanks to Frank Lampard holding rank. Lampard consequently missed the penalty, only to follow up with the rebound, eliminating assist points for good measure.
“Because Hazard was on the bench and before the match I always say the penalty taker, and obviously when I say the penalty taker I say from the ones that are on the pitch. So I put on the board ‘penalty Lampard’, on that moment Hazard is also on the pitch and Lampard made the decision and I don’t complain about that. I made a decision before the match, and I never say a player on the bench is going to take the penalty, so imagine Lampard and Hazard both on the bench I probably write David Luiz to take the penalty. If Lampard is on the pitch or Hazard is on the pitch is their option to step back the player that was named or to stick with my decision before the game.”
Mourinho on set-piece duties at Stamford Bridge
Say What? regular, Brendan Rodgers again took time to elaborate on a tactical switch after the crucial win at West Ham. The Liverpool manager masterminded a ninth consecutive League win as the Reds continued their title charge. With his side level at half time, lacking penetration, Rodgers switched formations with Raheem Sterling moving from wide right to the tip of a diamond midfield which included the returning Lucas in place of Philippe Coutinho:
“We changed the game at half-time – we were 4-3-3 and trying to get the two front boys in the team, but I didn’t think it was quite working for us and we couldn’t dominate the game as much as I would have liked. We went to a diamond in the second half to give us numbers in the middle of the field and put the two strikers closer together, which could stretch them a bit more. We were dominant second half, and Steven was pivotal in that for us.”
Brendan Rogers talks tactics after changing the game at West Ham with his flexible system.
Following a desperate 3-0 home defeat to relegation rivals, Crystal Palace, Cardiff City manager Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer struggled to contain his anger. His explosive comments hint that some of his players are not following tactical instructions, though he stopped short of naming individuals. With Wilfried Zaha making way for Craig Noone on 61 minutes, though, owners will fear for the on-loan winger’s minutes in the coming weeks as Solskjaer looks set to ring the changes.
“Yes, most of [the players are good enough]. The ones that are going to be involved. The ones I will pick will have belief in them, don’t worry about that. I need players with calmness, belief, leadership and loyalty… Yes, [individuals have upset me] in training and in games you have plans, you have strategies and you follow them, okay?.. [Dressing room conversation] is between us. That is in the dressing room and won’t come out of the dressing room.”
A steaming Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer after a crushing defeat to rivals Crystal Palace.
Juan Mata was in line for some praise from David Moyes after a brace and assist against Newcastle. United face a blank in Gameweek 34, but with three favourable home matches over Gameweek 36-37 (NOR, SUN & HUL) Mata will have made an indelible mark on the Fantasy radar for those planning beyond this week’s bumper schedule.
“I think Juan Mata has played really well and I think he has made us better. He hasn’t had the goals in the earlier games, but I really thought he played fine in the games. Recently he has [also] started the get the goals and, more importantly, assists as well. Over the last few seasons in the Premier League, Juan Mata is one of the best assist-makers and he has always got himself a good tally of goals. We needed that and he is coming up with the goods now.”
David Moyes liking what he sees as Juan Mata rediscovers his best form.
Amid a slump in form, Arsene Wenger is drawing confidence from the return of Fantasy favourite, Aaron Ramsey. The Wales international had played a key role in Arsenal’s earlier form which saw them touted as serious title contenders, with Ramsay rubbing shoulders with the League’s top-performing Fantasy stars. Defeat at Goodison saw skies clear over the Gunners’ fixture list, and with Ramsey back to boost his side, Wenger can look forward to three home fixtures in the next five (WHM, hul, NEW, WBA, nor):
“[When you’re out for] three months, then it takes two or three weeks. He has worked very hard for a while in training now. What he lacks is competition. He’s an all-round midfielder who can score goals and always drives the team forward. He’s a real box-to-box player so it’s good to have him back. It’s an area where we are short because we have many midfielders out. We have Wilshere and Ozil out in this area, so of course it’s good to have him back.”
Arsene Wenger focussing on the positives after a painful defeat at Everton.
A 3-0 win at Cardiff put Tony Pulis’ Crystal Palace on the verge of Premier League safety and the Eagles manager took the opportunity to revel in Joe Ledley’s creative display. The midfielder produced a goal and an assist (as well as a bonus point) as he and Jason Puncheon tore into a disjointed-looking Bluebirds side, consequently registering themselves as serious double Gameweek prospects, priced at just 4.7m and 5.0m respectively.
“I thought Ledley was fantastic. He has brought a little bit of class, he has got a fantastic attitude, his work-rate suits what I want as a manager and his ability is absolutely first-class. It was great passing. The first pass he passed it through the eye of a needle for ‘Punch’ to get hold of it.”
Tony Pulis on a display of quality and effort from midfielder Joseph Ledley.
