We roll out a bumper edition of Say What? this afternoon, with plenty of pertinent soundbites for your perusal. Everton, Arsenal, City and United’s players and managers have much to discuss after all four chalked up wins in the previous round of fixtures….
Martinez on Toffees’ flourishing attack
Having underperformed in the previous campaign, both Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley started this season in a much more promising fashion, tallying two goals and one assist each over the opening two Gameweeks. Roberto Martinez was elated to witness the Toffees duo put a lacklustre Saints outfit to the sword last weekend, insisting that Arouna Kone’s running of the channels afforded them the space to wreak havoc:
“They [Barkley and Lukaku] were unplayable. When we play to their strengths they are very, very special. But to see the best qualities of an individual you need a good team performance, so it would be wrong to highlight individual players too much. Arouna Kone’s contribution helped Ross and Rom to have the space they need and overall the team was perfect.”
Lukaku predicts stellar campaign
Although Lukaku enjoyed a decent start to the previous campaign – notching six goals in the first 14 Gameweeks – the Belgian frontman believes a paucity of pre-season training meant he didn’t hit top gear until the turn of the year. Following extensive preparations this time around, Lukaku feels sharper than ever and eager to showcase his talents:
“I feel way fitter. Of course, last year, without any pre-season, starting in the league, it took me six months before I got to my level, but now I am fit so there is no excuse for me to perform like I did last year…I trained when I was in America with some guys there, then I trained when I was in Belgium as well. Really, I wanted to start the season fit. When I came back in, I was not overweight, I had more muscles. I just felt fit also with the physical tests. I was very good, so I was very happy. I knew that there was a good season coming.”
Van Gaal demands consistency from Januzaj
Afforded his first start of the new season against Aston Villa, Adnan Januzaj took full advantage by netting Manchester United’s winner at the 28-minute mark. He was deployed at the number ten slot, causing Memphis Depay to shift into his favoured left wing role. Questioned as to why he chose to field Januzaj in “the hole”, Louis van Gaal said that he prefers a more attack-minded player in that position before challenging Januzaj to earn further playing time by turning out impactful performances on a more consistent basis:
“Because he gave signals in training that he is more and more confident, but also better. I like a second striker in that position (behind Rooney) more than a third midfielder. That is why, for example, Herrera is not playing but is always coming on as a substitute, because he is more of a controlling midfielder there. Adnan has eight starts last season, 14 as a substitute so saying he didn’t have any chances is not true in my opinion. He had to compete last season with 24 players, he is 20 years old. The characteristics of a young player is that he’s not consistent and he has to show that. Maybe he can show that this season. At a club like Manchester United you never have a guarantee in your XI – he knows that and all players know that”
Rooney on his Villa display and quest for goals…
After failing to produce a single shot in United’s 1-0 win at Villa, Wayne Rooney has been sold on by more FPL managers than any other player this week. The Red Devils skipper acknowledged his poor performance and is looking to put things right as Newcastle roll up to Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime:
“I’ve had one bad game this season [against Villa] and everyone’s all over it. I’m an honest guy, I know when I haven’t played well and against Aston Villa I was below my standards and I know that. It’s not a game I’ll want to look back on [fondly] but obviously you have games like that. It’s football, you have nights like that and you have to move on. It’s early on in the season. Everyone will write about the end of last season and the beginning of this season but we’re three games in to the new season, so it’s down to me to keep going. But I’ve experienced this before and the goals will come, I know that, and hopefully that day will come on Saturday against Newcastle.”
Shaw relishing chance to link-up with Depay
Following Memphis Depay’s switch to the left flank, Luke Shaw has been afforded an opportunity to cultivate an understanding with the Dutch winger. When the dust had settled on the Red Devils’ midweek victory over Club Brugge, the former Saints full-back expressed his delight at playing behind Depay, insisting that their distinct flavours of attacking football merge well together:
“I think our relationship is starting to build up, we have played a couple of games together and I am starting to understand how he wants to play. It is great to be playing with him, he can beat a man and he likes the attacking support from me as well – which is something I like to do.”
Ranieri lauds blossoming strike partnership
Shinji Okazaki opened his account for the Foxes in a 2-1 victory over West Ham United, before being substituted in the 62th minute for midfielder N’Golo Kante. Foxes manager Claudio Ranieri sang the praises of Okazaki in his post-match assessment, reserving special mention for his burgeoning partnership with Jamie Vardy. The threat of rotation is there with Leonardo Ulloa and Andrej Kramaric waiting in the wings, but for now the 6.0-priced striker looks set to enjoy a run of starts:
“I am very happy for Shinji but not surprised, because Shinji can smell goals in the box. The goal he scored is a typical Shinji goal. He is very brave, fantastic. He and Vardy are a very good couple. More or less, the instructions (for the duo) are the same, to challenge the opponent. When we attack they remember the training movement and they repeat it on the pitch.”
Flores unhappy with wide supply
Despite earning a draw and clean sheet in their home tie against West Bromwich Albion, Watford will feel dissatisfied that they didn’t secure all three points having dominated possession (64%) and posed a far greater goal threat (Watford: 16 shots, five on target; West Brom: six shots, zero on target). Although Quique Sanchez Flores is happy with his side’s possession-based style of play, the Horntes boss admitted he’s looking to improve the delivery from out wide:
“We trained with this idea, to let the players have confidence with the ball. We love the players to have the ball and if Cathcart has ten metres of space to drive into, he can do it. The ball is the tool and we need to use it in the best way that is possible. Sometimes we tried to dominate the match like at Everton, but they have more quality than us. But we controlled the match and the ball against West Brom. We are happy with the balance; we have control and good organisation. If I have to make one reflection, it is that the quality of the crosses was not always the best I saw in my life. But we are working to improve. We got the ball a lot in the box.”
Wenger challenges Ozil to score more
Arsene Wenger was complimentary of Mezut Ozil’s performance during Arsenal’s 2-1 win over West Ham, lauding his ability to wriggle out of congested areas and distribute effectively. Nonetheless, the Frenchman believes Ozil – who registered four times last term – need to contribute more goals to the north London club’s total this season:
“He had a very good performance. He was important getting out from the back, getting out of tight areas. It is a pleasure to watch the quality of his passing and the intelligence of his passing. What I told you is what I want from him more is a few more goals this season. For the rest of the build-up in the game he was magnificent. He works harder than people thinks he does. He is not spectacular in his defending but he wants to do the job, he wants to help the team. What I liked in his game today was he made many runs without the ball behind the defenders, which is a bit new as he likes to come with the ball. Today he mixed up his game better.”
Wenger details Cazorla’s unique qualities
Having operated on the left flank in Arsenal’s opener, Santi Cazorla was moved back into the double pivot for their meeting with Crystal Palace. Pressed as to why he preferred the Spaniard in a deeper role, Wenger said that Cazorla is more adept than any of the Gunners’ midfielders at facilitating their transition from defence to midfield, employing his vision to penetrate the opposition’s first barrier of resistance:
“Cazorla in important the start of the game when the ball comes from our defenders, because he can pass from deep midfield to high midfield better than everybody and get out of pressure. That’s why I positioned him more central. He is not any more a player on the flanks who can overlap and cross the ball.”
Ramsey confident goals are on the horizon
Aside from the prolific Alexis Sanchez (ten), Aaron Ramsey fashioned the most attempts at goal (six) among Arsenal’s midfield over the first two Gameweeks. The Wales international explained that he’s profited from Wenger’s instruction to find pockets of space between the midfield and defence instead of staying rooted to the wing:
“It was the manager’s decision and he tweaked things around. He told me to try and get in between the lines, not stay outside, to come inside and I thought I did that by getting into some dangerous positions. Some of the combination play was really good and on another day we could’ve scored more.”
Pellegrini backs Aguero to improve
Sergio Aguero tallied more than 2000 minutes in the league last term for only in the second time as a Manchester City player; a ligament injury sidelined the Golden Boot winner for five matches but he featured in all the remaining 33 fixtures. Sky Blues boss Manuel Pellegrini is confident that the worst of Aguero’s injury travails are behind him and he can now concentrate on improving upon last term’s 26-goal heroics:
“I think Sergio Aguero is in the best moment of his career. He is a very important player for us. He showed that also last year. He was the top scorer. I believe this season he can be even better. He has improved a lot in the last few months. I believe this season he will not suffer any injuries and last season he had no muscle injuries.”
Kompany on keeping disciplined against champions
Manchester City struck the perfect balance between defence and offence during their 3-0 victory over fellow title-challengers Chelsea. Manuel Pellgrini’s well-drilled troops restricted the Blues to just five shots inside the box and zero big chances, nullifying their star-studded attack. City captain Vincent Kompany attributed the win to the meticulous nature in which they approached the game, by identifying Chelsea’s weaknesses and ensuring they didn’t over-commit too frequently:
“I have never felt as prepared for a game as I did for this one. There was not one thing Chelsea threw at us that we didn’t know about. You could see it. We were setting traps all over the pitch and it planned out perfectly for them. We probably over-committed less, but made just as many chances and looked more stable defensively. It was a top performance.”
Alderweireld bemoans lack of midfield protection
Tottenham Hotspur relinquished a 2-0 lead at home to Stoke City last weekend, having failed to exercise control over the match and stem the Potters’ tide of attacks. New centre-back signing Toby Alderweireld thinks that Spurs’ issue is a lack of pressure from the deep-lying midfielders, meaning that opposing teams are afforded the freedom to whip balls into the box:
“At Southampton, Victor Wanyama and Morgan Schneiderlin put good pressure on so [opponents] didn’t have time to put the ball in the box; it makes it easier for defenders. You have to play better because if you don’t play football any more then they can put more pressure on you, get more guys in the box, and it’s very difficult.”
Dier on his quest for more goals
In search of a better balance in the double pivot this term, Mauricio Pochettino has fielded Eric Dier in a deep-lying midfield role during Spurs’ opening two fixtures. Although an advanced berth has not yet engendered an increase in his goal threat, the forming Sporting Lisbon centre-back netted from his first attempt this season against Stoke, mirroring his quick start last term. Now the England U21 international is keen to kick on and improve on his two-goal haul from the previous campaign:
“Last season I was disappointed because I scored the two early goals and didn’t score again. I had chances as well. There was one against City at home and I had one cleared off the line against Arsenal. This season, I want to score more goals. I know if I keep playing in midfield and keep doing well I’ll hopefully have more chances. I think I can do better from set-pieces and get in better positions. Last season I could have scored a few more goals so this season, hopefully I’ll get past two!”
Neil admits Hoolahan is rotation risk
The 5.0-priced Wes Hoolahan underlined his Fantasy potential during Norwich’s first two run-outs with three assists. Yet despite delivering the final pass for two of the Canaries’ goals against Sunderland, Hoolahan was withdrawn just past the hour mark. Manager Alex Neil later stated that he’s liable to repeat that action throughout the campaign to manage Hoolahan’s minutes, rendering the 33-year-old midfielder a rotation risk:
“The previous week he played the full match, so it is not a question about his workload. He wanted to stay on and he was enjoying himself and he is that type of player but the main reason I took him off was that we were 3-0 up at that stage, so we wanted to preserve what we had but I also had an eye on Stoke as well. Wes is 33 and if you demand the maximum from him every game then eventually it will catch up with him. It was a wee bit of self-preservation as well as solidifying the team…. Wes has performed fantastically for me. I used him in certain games last season and not others, which I think helped him, and he understands that now. I have a great relationship with him.”
Neil on Redmond’s rise to prominence
In light of his back-to-back goals, Nathan Redmond has emerged as an enticing prospect in the low-priced midfielder bracket. Stretching back to his exploits with Norwich in the Championship last season, Redmond boasts three goals and four assists in his previous six league outings, which Neil believes is evidence of the England U21 international’s rapid evolution:
“He [Redmond] has improved dramatically in all aspects, which is why he is playing so well. You only improve if you do things properly. I think his goal and assist ratio from February onwards has increased dramatically and we have been working a lot on his game to make him a more complete player, like everyone can see. For Nathan it is all about that consistency and making sure he is contributing.”
Sherwood backs Grealish to make an impact
With a single goal scored in their first two fixtures, it’s fair to say that Aston Villa’s new-look side have struggled in the final third. Jack Grealish stepped up his injury recovery earlier in the week by bagging the winner against Derby in a reserve outing and Tim Sherwood has backed the winger to make a difference to his side’s ailing attack over the coming season:
“Jack came on to the scene last season. He’s still got a lot to do. He’s still only young in his development. He showed at the back end of last season that he has a real talent. And it’s something we have missed in the team in the early games. Goalscoring. We saw him score against Derby which was good. I think Jack is looking for the perfect finish and some goals you score are quite scruffy as we saw with Januzai’s against us on Friday. Sometimes you have to buy a ticket – and you get lucky. I think Jack needs to bring that to his game and I think he will.”
