Scout Scribbles – Saturday Friendlies Round Up

Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado fire Spurs to victory over Schalke. Sam Allardyce trials a 3-5-2 as West Ham get the better of Sampdoria. Gylfi Sigurdsson is fielded on the right flank as Swansea lose to Villarreal, Marko Arnautovic is benched as Stoke drew with Freiburg, while budget buy Marc Albrighton limps off during Leicester’s win over Werder Bremen.

Spurs Frontmen in the Goals
Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado grabbed a goal apiece as Spurs saw off Schalke 2-1 yesterday. Mauricio Pochettino handed the duo 45 minutes each against the German outfit and with both strengthening their case for inclusion, there are still some reservations over the new manager’s preferred starter for the lone striker role. In attacking midfield, Erik Lamela was again fielded in the centre as Christian Eriksen continued on the right, though it was Lewis Holtby and Andros Townsend who supplied the assists for the home side. At the back, Danny Rose started on the left before being replacing by new boy Ben Davies at the break – hardly the most convincing scenario for the latter’s near 6% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) owners ahead of next week’s trip to West Ham.

Albrighton Forced Off in Foxes Win
The FPL budget midfielder has given his 9% owners cause for concern after limping out of Leicester’s 1-0 win over Werder Bremen yesterday. Albrighton lasted just 40 minutes before being subbed off with a suspected groin injury according to the club’s official website and with doubts surrounding his availability for the opening Gameweek, many managers may be forced to making further squad alterations.

Foxes skipper Wes Morgan continued his excellent pre-season by heading home his third goal of the summer, highlighting his threat from the back as Nigel Pearson’s side won for the sixth time in seven matches. Leicester lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with David Nugent leading the line once again – new boy Leonardo Ulloa had to make do with a sub role in spite of his recent impressive showings. Elsewhere, reports in the local press suggest midfielder Anthony Knockaert (who missed the game) was on crutches and in a leg brace, though the club have yet to officially confirm any potential period of absence.

Sigurdsson Handed Wide Role in Swans Loss
The Icelandic international was fielded on the right flank as Garry Monk rolled out a 4-4-2 against Villarreal yesterday. Sigurdsson’s lack of impact in a 3-0 home loss perhaps raises doubts over his points potential for the Swans – a popular pick around these parts, we’d anticipated a reprisal of his role in “the hole” but Monk seems to be keen on fielding Bafetimbi and Wilfried Bony together up top. Whilst set-pieces could come to his rescue, there’s no doubt that yesterday’s turn of events is a little concerning – we can only hope the emphatic defeat forces Monk to re-think his tactical tinkering ahead of the opening trip to Old Trafford.

Certainly, the Swans boss admitted he has plenty to think about over the next few days:

“We didn’t play how we wanted to but during pre-season we have been working on a number of different things, so it was never going to be a completely fluid performance. We made too many mistakes and the decision-making was poor. We played against a very good side and that is something that we are aspiring to work towards. But we’ll take the lessons from this game and take them forward into the season.”

Vergini Impresses in Black Cats Win
Back the Stadium of Light on a season-long loan, Santiago Vergini grabbed a goal and assist as Sunderland finished their pre-season with a 2-0 win over Udinese. With Billy Jones still struggling due to a hamstring problem, Vergini looks to have a starting role nailed-on ahead of the opener against West Brom. Between the sticks, we’re still none-the-wiser after Costel Pantilimon and Vito Mannone were given 45 minutes apiece. Elsewhere at the back, Patrick van Aanholt was forced off with a knock before the break, though post-match reports indicate the left-back’s withdrawal was purely precautionary.

After leading the line in midweek, Connor Wickham was fielded on the flank as Adam Johnson made way, with Gus Poyet giving Steven Fletcher the lone striker role. Wickham took his tally to three for the summer after slotting home a spot-kick, though with Poyet still keen to bring Fabio Borini back to the club, there’s still uncertainty as to where Wickham’s likely position will be this season; Fletcher has also netted three times over the summer and looks finally free of injury.

Mariappa Benched Again for Palace
Adrian Mariappa was an unused sub as Palace finished their pre-season schedule with a goalless draw away to German side Augsburg. Tony Pulis fielded Jerome Williams at left-back yet again, with Joel Ward on the opposite flank and Scott Dann partnered by Brede Hangeland in the heart of defence. While many Fantasy managers have opted for Mariappa as a cheap route into the Eagles backline, Pulis’ summer selection raises major question marks over his starting berth – given that Williams has started six of his side’s seven friendlies, the former’s security of game time is far from guaranteed as we head into next weekend’s season opener at Arsenal. Up top, new boy Fraizer Campbell was given the nod to partner Marouane Chamakh, suggesting that Glenn Murray, despite five goals over the summer, is far from certain to start.

Toffees Winless Summer Continues
Everton fell to a 3-1 defeat in their final match of the summer. With Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas not yet match-fit, youngster Chris Long was afforded a rare start as the lone forward and netted the Merseysiders’ only goal, though there was little to catch Fantasy managers’ eyes yesterday. Seamus Coleman once again missed out with a hamstring injury and has managed just 45 minutes of pre-season action, with his only appearance back in July 22. It’s two draws and three defeats in five matches for Roberto Martinez’ side and their lack of form may persuade some to think twice over initial investment, given they play Arsenal, Chelsea, Palace, Liverpool and United in the first seven Gameweeks.

Jutkiewicz Nets Again for Clarets
The summer signing from Middlesbrough grabbed his sixth goal of the summer as Burnley chalked up a 3-1 home win over Italian outfit Verona. Sean Dyche kept faith in last season’s keeper and back-four, with new boy Matt Taylor fielded on the left, whilst Danny Ings recovered from a knock to partner the in-form Jutkiewicz up front in a 4-4-2. Ings teed up Taylor for the opener but has yet to discover his clinical edge and finishes the summer schedule without a single goal to his name, whilst Jutkiewicz will surely have done enough to nail down a starting role for the season opener against Chelsea.

After the game, the Burnley boss hinted that yesterday’s team may be close to his first-choice options.

“The early part of pre-season there are so many changes and you are trying to make sure everyone is fit. In the latter part the team begins to formulate and there are players who we need fit. I think we did very well this week in both games and that’s really pleasing because there are good signs about what we are going to be about again.”

R’s Fall to Defeat
Harry Redknapp’s side fell to a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of PAOK thanks to a Clint Hill own goal. Rio Ferdinand was fielded alongside Steven Caulker and Richard Dunne in a back-three, with Danny Simpson and Shaun Wright-Phillips handed the wing-back roles in a 3-4-1-2, whilst new boy Jordan Mutch was fielded in “the hole” behind Charlie Austin and Junior Hoilett. Yesterday’s line-up highlights the risk of picking up the 4.5-priced Bobby Zamora as a cheap third forward in FPL – although the veteran replaced Hoilett just before the hour mark, it’s clear that, as QPR’s attacking options increase, he’s set to shift further down the pecking order.

After the game, Redknapp gave the 4.8%-owned Zamora’s owners further cause for concern after revealing that , despite failing to feature this pre-season, Loic Remy could be in with a chance of making next Saturday’s home opener against Hull:

“He’s [Remy] here, he wants to work and get in the team. He’s worked really hard on the training ground, I couldn’t have asked for any more from him. He’s trained great and his attitude’s been first class. Hopefully with a week’s training he’ll be fit to play next week.”

Vlaar Back for Villa
The Dutchman was his first taste of summer action with a 45-minute run out in yesterday’s goalless draw against Parma. Paul Lambert moved from a 3-5-2 to a 4-4-2 formation, with the 4.0 FPL priced Alan Hutton once again starting at right-back, while Nathan Baker and Philippe Senderos started at centre-half, with Vlaar and Jores Okore earning game time off the bench. Another forgotten man, Charles N’Zogbia, was handed 75 minutes on the flank after a series of impressive sub appearances over the summer – the Frenchman ended joint-top scorer with Darren Bent with two goals to his name. Post-match, Lambert reckoned Vlaar “cruised through the game”, suggesting the skipper is in line to start the season opener with Stoke next Saturday.

Big Sam Rolls Out a 3-5-2
A change of formation from the Hammers boss helped his side to their first win in seven pre-season matches yesterday. Allardyce started with James Tomkins, Winston Reid and James Collins in a back-three, with Stewart Downing and new boy Aaron Cresswell handed the wing-back berths before the latter was forced off just after 30 minutes of a 3-2victory over Sampdoria. Allardyce reverted to four-man backline after the break, with Tomkins fielded at right-back, as the hosts prevailed thanks to goals from Mark Noble (penalty), Mo Diame and youngster Reece Burke. After serving up 14 clean sheets last season, Allardyce’s attempts to play a more attack-minded style of play is clearly proving detrimental to his defence – the Hammers have managed just two clean sheets over the summer and have conceded at least twice on five occasions.

After the match, the Hammers assistant boss Neil McDonald revealed the players have been working on the new system in recent days:

“Sometimes personnel available dictates what formation you take. We only had 14 senior professionals fit for Saturday and it’s a fantastic experience for the young kids to come on in the second half. We played with a three at the back and five in midfield, then we went to 4-3-3 with the personnel in the second half. Two formations which we’ve worked on in training and two formations which I think has worked. We were very fluid in the first half, found the spare man in the hole between the lines and got at them. We got the ball wide and in the box – I think the ball into the box could be a little better. We passed it, everybody wanted the ball, which was great and we created a tempo which was the best we’ve had in pre-season.”

Baggies Lose Again
Jonas Olsson netted the hosts’ only goal as Alan Irvine’s side lost for the third successive match yesterday. The Baggies lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation again, with 4.0-priced FPL pair Andre Wisdom and Chris Baird handed the full 90 minutes at right-back and in central midfield respectively, whilst Craig Gardner was deployed in “the hole” behind Saido Berahino. Stephane Sessegnon returned to action after recent international duties, though record signing Brown Ideye sat in the stands and is yet to prove his match fitness.

Arnautovic Benched in Potters Draw
Mame Biram Diouf grabbed his first goal for Stoke in yesterday’s 1-1 draw away to German side Freiburg. Intriguingly, Mark Hughes made just two alterations from the side that beat Real Betis in midweek, with Marc Muniesa preferred to Erik Pieters at left-back and Peter Odemwingie surprisingly taking the place of Marko Arnautovic in the attacking midfield three.

The Nigerian has been late back to training after World Cup duties and up until now, it’s been difficult to ascertain Hughes’ preferred trio for the attacking midfield positions but yesterday’s teamsheet perhaps indicates the Austrian is not as nailed-on as we’d previously thought. Stephen Ireland, at just 5.0, continues to be selected in the role behind Diouf and with an ownership of 0.3% in FPL, could be a real punt ahead of some excellent opening fixtures for Hughes’ side. Elsewhere, Marc Wilson and Phil Bardsley got the nod ahead of Robert Huth and Geoff Cameron once again, casting further doubts over the latter duo’s potential starts. With the left-back position also in question, Ryan Shawcross and Asmir Begovic look the safest routes into Hughes’ defence at this moment in time.

Saints Defeated By Pelle Own Goal
After winning each of their first five summer fixtures, Southampton were defeated 1-0 at home by Bayern Leverkusen thanks to a Graziano Pelle own goal. Ronald Koeman named an unchanged side from last week’s win over Brighton, with Dusan Tadic and Lloyd Isgrove on either side of Pelle in a 4-3-3 formation. At the back, Maya Yoshida (4.5 in FPL) started for the third successive match and, at present, looks Koeman’s preferred partner for skipper Jose Fonte, though as last night’s acquisition of keeper Fraser Forster highlights, the Saints boss is determined to spend his expansive summer budget before the window shuts.

Post-match, Koeman admitted he’s still undecided over his preferred formation or starting XI, though went on to admit new boy Tadic has yet to fully to adjust to his surrounds:

“We have played with this system and this line-up in the last two matches, but it depends on the situations. [Gaston] Ramirez, for example, was injured for five or six days and he came in with Saphir Taïder, so we have more options, and we still have one week more to make a decision about that. Saphir came very well from the bench. He gave new spirit to the team after the 1-0 and he was very good. Dušan, okay sometimes he needs to play a little quicker because we don’t get the time to play easy in the Premier League or against these type of opponents, you need to be a little more fast, but it was a good test, we know that and we have more prepared ourselves.”