Today’s keenest lenses and most eloquent football hacks will be heading to St James’ Park. It’s all about the Newcastle fans who are expected to greet Alan Pardew’s new dawn with a determined protest against the powers that be at the club.
In Fantasy terms the game with Liverpool presents me with a major poser. I have Andy Carroll of course but, in preparation for Liverpool’s run of opponents and off the back of improved defensive form, I also have two of Roy Hodgson’s back four. Right now I’m tempted to gamble – to throw in Konchesky and the Greek and hope that the frustration on the terraces is fuelled by a disappointing performance from the Magpies on the pitch.
That’s just one conundrum in what promises to be an uncomfortable Gameweek – one that may well see me going in with a 5-4-1 and hoping for damage limitation. I’m banking on Tim Cahill against Wigan and Johan Elmander against Blackburn – if they let me down and Newcastle notch, I’m staring at a big red arrow. However, come out with an above average score this week and I’m nicely placed with two transfers and returns for Rafael Van der Vaart (possibly) and Carlos Tevez next time round. It’s a gamble; I’m not sure I’m relishing the prospect…
I can’t imagine I’m the only Fantasy Manager assuming the crash position. With Chelsea at Spurs and Arsenal at Old Trafford, there appears to be no obvious source for assured returns. This might well be a Gameweek to take on the chin;take the hit and move on.
Before the kick-off at St James’ Park, I have just two payers taking to the field – one of those potentially my Goalkeeper. It’s going to be a tepid afternoon for me then – that is until the clock starts on my big Liverpool clean sheet gamble this evening.
Regardless, I’ve started the morning in the usual manner – by dipping into the Saturday morning press for some last minute enlightenment.
It’ makes sense to start with the day’s crunch match and all four of our morning papers predict that Kevin Nolan will be back in the Newcastle lineup following injury. Only one, the Telegraph, feel that he’ll return in a 4-5-1 with Ameobi making way. It’s a 4-4-2 across the other papers then. Joey Barton is also tipped for a return on the right flank in all four papers, Danny Guthrie is the player to make way in most cases. An unchanged Liverpool lineup is tipped in opposition, which means another opportunity for “Spot the Differential” candidate, David Ngog.
The Arsenal lineup looks to be the most difficult to call this weekend. Arsene Wenger has a wealth of options available and the temptation to throw Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott in against the United defence will be nagging away at him all weekend. The Sun has Walcott in their predicted lineup on the right-flank but no place for Van Persie with Mouranne Chamakh foraging alone up front. The Telegraph agree on that but find no room for Walcott – they feel that Wenger will opt for the experience of Tomas Rosicky. The Times also go with that decision whereas the Guardian make the brave move of starting with both Chamakh and Van Persie, with the Dutchman playing “in the hole” linking the midfield. There’s no start for Walcott here.
I’m backing Wenger to sweep the changes and go with the same system that he employed at Blackurn before Van Persie picked up an injury. That would have Walcott out on the right with a brief to join the attack which I feel will be manned by Van Persie. I’ve hunch that we’ll see Chamakh relegated to the bench.
The Guardian has Stuart Holden back in the Bolton lineup with Mark Davies making way. I don’t see it that way. As mentioned in this week’s Scoutcast, Davies is one of my “Fantasy Island Risks” and I see him being a key figure for Owen Coyle’s side when they host Blackburn at the Reebok. Davies has been superb since his arrival in the Bolton starting lineup – not only fulfilling Holden’s defensive duties but also providing a greater cutting edge going forward. At 4.2 he could be a real prospect if he can maintain the form and cement a starting role in a Bolton side that seems to have a strong emphasis on attack.
That’s about it from me. I’m off to brace myself for a rough ride and the possible embarrassment of an FPL Cup exit. I’ve got to get in the top 2,097,152 you say? That could well rely on Andy Carroll and a clean sheet. Put forty thousand jeering Geordies outside my window and I reckon I’d be feeling just as nervous as Alan Pardew come 5.30.
