Scout Scribbles – International Round Up

Steven Fletcher hits a hat-trick in Scotland’s win over Gibraltar. Olivier Giroud bags a brace as France defeat Denmark. Aleksandar Kolarov limps off for Serbia, whilst Tim Krul is ruled out for the rest of the season with knee ligament damage.

Kolarov Adds to City worries

Manchester City await news on an injury to Aleksandar Kolarov after the left-back – who’d been dismissed for a second bookable offence – limped off during Serbia’s 2-1 loss to Portugal. Kolarov served up an assist on the night, complementing the goal he scored for the Eagles on Thursday. Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic recovered from a knock to also feature for Serbia last night but, like Kolarov, was dismissed during the second period.

The Scout Says: The international break has not been kind to the Sky Blues’ squad, with Kolarov potentially joining Sergio Aguero and David Silva in the treatment room ahead of their home tie against Bournemouth next weekend. Given that Gael Clichy is still nursing an ankle complaint, Manuel Pellegrini might be forced to field either Bacary Sagna or Pablo Zabaleta as Kolarov’s replacement, with no other senior left-backs available for selection. Any possible period on the sidelines would certainly have a major effect across the Fantasy games – Kolarov is the second most popular player in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), with an ownership in excess of 36%.

Fletcher Hits Three in Scotland Romp

Steven Fletcher bagged a hat-trick and an assist for Scotland as they put six past Gibraltar in their dead-rubber Euro 2016 qualifier.

The Scout Says: With four goals over the international break, Fletcher – who scored last time out against West Ham United – has all but cemented a starting berth for Sunderland’s trip to West Bromwich Albion next Gameweek. The former Wolves frontman has started just two league clashes this campaign but will be hoping for an increased role under new Black Cats boss Sam Allardyce. A decent batch of upcoming fixtures (wba, NEW, eve, SOU, cry, STO) could bring Fletcher into contention at just 5.0 in FPL, as Big Sam attempts to guide the Wearsiders out of the bottom three.

Naismith in the Goals

Steven Naismith delivered a precise, curling finish to cap off Scotland’s scoring, having assisted Fletcher earlier in the encounter.

The Scout Says: Since emerging from the bench against Chelsea in Gameweek 5 and claiming a hat-trick, the 5.3-priced Naismith has failed to card any further Fantasy returns. Stationed on the left wing in Roberto Martinez’s favoured 4-2-3-1 set-up, the ex-Rangers recruit tallied just four attempts and one shot on target, limiting his appeal as a budget pick-up. Although the fixtures turn kind for the Merseysiders from Gameweek 11, with Tom Cleverley closing in on a return and Kevin Mirallas now free from suspension, the competition on the flanks looks fierce, with Naismith, Arouna Kone and Gerard Deulofeu all in the mix for minutes. Ross Barkley, at 6.9, looks the safest route into Roberto Martinez’ midfield and has already matched his tally (two goals, three assists) from the previous campaign.

Giroud at the Double

Olivier Giroud fired both France’s goals in a 2-1 friendly win over Denmark last night. Elsewhere amongst Arsenal players, Mesut Ozil threaded a perfectly weighted pass for Max Kruse to finish as Germany ran out 2-1 victors over Georgia.

The Scout Says: Benched for Theo Walcott in the last five league fixtures, it remains to be seen whether Giroud can reclaim his starting berth for the Gunners. Arsenal scored just twice with the Frenchman leading the line in the first three Gameweeks but have netted 11 times in five with Walcott as the lone frontman, with eight strikes in the last two indicative of their recent improvement. Although Alexis Sanchez (five goals in two) and Walcott (two goals and assists in four) have stolen the headlines of late, Ozil (one goal and three assists in four) has also exerted his influence to great effect, fashioning key passes at a greater frequency (one every 19.5 minutes) than any midfielder in the league this term. Walcott’s out-of-position potential and greater likelihood of explosive returns works to his advantage, yet Ozil’s security of starts and upsurge in form could attract investment in the German international ahead of a trip to Watford.

Another Assist for Martial

Handed a starting berth on the left of a front three, the United youngster collected his second assist in as many outings after teeing up Giroud for Les Bleus’ opener with just four minutes on the clock.

The Scout Says: Although he’s failed to score in both appearances over the break, Martial has continued to impress – the youngster emerged from the bench against Armenia last Thursday and provided an assist just 16 minutes later. Sitting in over 30% of FPL sides, Martial is second only to Sergio Aguero (35%) in terms of most popular frontmen and his recent displays will somewhat appease his FPL owners after he managed only a single assist over United’s last three matches in all competitions. With upcoming opponents Everton and City nursing injuries in defence, the Red Devils will be optimistic of recovering from their recent thrashing at Arsenal before the schedule turns kinder in Gameweek 11.

Krul Sidelined for Season

Newcastle have confirmed that Tim Krul is set to miss the remainder of the current campaign after sustaining knee ligament damage on duty for Holland on Saturday evening.

The Scout Says: The Krul news coincides with a run of fixtures which will surely offer Steve McClaren’s side a chance to climb the table. Mired to the foot of the Premier League after collecting just three points from the first eight, the Magpies will take solace in a schedule that pits them against Norwich, Sunderland, Stoke, Bournemouth, Leicester and Palace in the next six. With Karl Darlow also injured, Rob Elliot – at 4.0 – is now set to take his place between the posts, offering a budget option for those in need of a new keeper. The 4.9-priced Daryl Janmaat, with a goal and six shots on target in the last four, looks the most intriguing option but it remains to be seen if the right-back can shrug off the knee problem that forced him to withdraw from international duties over the last week.

Walters Strike not enough for Ireland

Jonathan Walters converted from the penalty spot for the Republic of Ireland during their 2-1 defeat to Poland. Southampton’s Shane Long was stretchered off with an ankle problem and is set to be assessed, though Seamus Coleman – who has missed the last three league matches for Everton– returned to action last night.

The Scout Says: Walters struggled for pitch time earlier in the campaign but has notched two goals in three starts since his reinstatement from Gameweek 6. The Ireland international has somewhat benefited from injuries to Mame Biram Diouf and Xherdan Shaqiri, freeing up a place for him in the Potters’ preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. Walters’ lack of security of starts renders Marko Arnautovic a safer route into the Staffordshire outfit’s offense ahead of a decent trio of match-ups (swa, WAT, new). The Austrian winger scored a sublime solo goal for his nation earlier in the week and boasts one goal and two assists in his previous three league outings.

Hornets Defenders Impress

Watford centre-half Craig Cathcart nodded home for Northern Ireland, who finished top of their Euro 2016 qualifying group courtesy of a 1-1 draw at Finland. Elsewhere, team-mate Jose Holebas registered an assist during Greece’s 4-3 thriller against Hungary.

The Scout Says: After chalking up three clean sheets through the opening five Gameweeks, Watford have conceded once in each of their previous three match-ups. It’s testament to the Hornets’ tactical discipline that they rank joint-bottom – alongside four other clubs – for goals conceded this term. The underlying statistics suggest this is no fluke, given that only five teams have surrendered fewer shots inside the box (52) than Quique Sanchez Flores’ troops. That being said, there are stern tests on the horizon, with Arsenal, West Ham and Leicester City – who all rank in the top four in terms of goals scored – awaiting Watford over the next four Gameweeks.