Steve Sidwell and Hugo Rodallega grab the goals as Fulham register a first win since Gameweek 11. Hatem Ben Arfa returns from injury to earn the Magpies’ consolation, Gareth Bale could return for Spurs this weekend and David Moyes is optimistic on Kevin Mirallas’ recent hamstring setback…
Another Blank for Berbatov
Dimitar Berbatov’s Fantasy owners were left frustrated yet again after he produced his fifth straight blank in last night’s win over Newcastle. With Bryan Ruiz still sidelined due to a hamstring injury, the Bulgarian continued in his more withdrawn role up to, with Hugo Rodallega chosen to lead the line against the Magpies. In spite of his failure to produce the returns, Berbatov still showed plenty promise, with an eye-catching set of attacking statistics suggesting he was more than a little unlucky. A trip to QPR will surely ease thoughts of selling and while home clashes with Southampton, Swansea and Wigan all look enticing, Berbatov’s home record is something of a worry – he has scored in just one of his six games at the Cottage so far.
Post-match, Martin Jol commented on the performance of Berbatov, again stating that the Bulgarian was being deployed behind the striker in the role previously played by the injured Ruiz…
“We had that spell (of poor results) that started against Sunderland with the red card and two big injuries for us. That was very disappointing for us and then after that we couldn’t play Bryan Ruiz – he was out for four weeks for us. I was happy that Berbatov, after talking to him, could fill in that role (behind the striker)…He didn’t score but he kept the team together in the hole and I was very happy with him. My squad realise that Berbatov is a key player. He is the one that keeps us together. He probably covered more ground than ever before. He’s a good number 10. After losing Clint Dempsey, I’m very happy that he came to this Club.”
Fulham’s Midfield Options
While Berbatov has proven to be the most popular Fantasy asset in Martin Jol’s squad, Damian Duff is now leading the way for FPL returns at the Cottage. Duff provided assists for both Fulham’s goals last night, taking his tally to 63 points, a couple ahead of Berbatov. The above-mentioned run of home games, which kicks off in Gameweek 19, may well prove profitable for Duff – priced at just 6.1 in FPL and with an ownership of less than 7%, he looks a viable alternative to Berbatov. Steve Sidwell also flickered on the Fantasy radar after grabbing his fourth goal of the season last night – only one less than Berbatov. Indeed, the 5.1 priced midfielder’s haul moved him to 58 points in FPL, just three off the Bulgarian. Having started the last six, he seems to have nailed down a regular role in the centre of Jol’s midfield in recent weeks and could appeal to those on the lookout for a cut-price fifth midfielder.
Ben Arfa’s Back in the Goals
Having missed the last three due to a hamstring injury, Hatem Ben Arfa signalled his comeback with a superb strike at the Cottage last night. From a Fantasy perspective, Alan Pardew’s decision to maintain his recent switch to 4-3-3 looks set to reignite the Frenchman’s potential – Ben Arfa had failed to find the net since Gameweek 3 due mainly to Newcastle’s 4-4-2 formation, with a deeper role reducing his returns to ones and twos. While the upcoming schedule looks far from enticing for Pardew’s troops, Ben Arfa has the talent and potential to flourish – his form in a 4-3-3 in the last few months of last season may well sway his manager to keep the same system.
Post-match, Pardew had praise reserved for Ben Arfa but stressed that his winger was still short of match fitness…
“Hatem played 65 minutes which we intended to play him for because he hadn’t really trained much, [and] got a great goal. He will be a bit better and fitter for the next one and I think at home we will be a threat to anyone.”
In Other News
Reports in the Sunderland local press continue to suggest that Steven Fletcher remains a “major doubt” for this evening’s match with Reading, according to Martin O’Neill:
“Fletcher’s coming on a bit and he’s less sore than he was. But I wouldn’t be sure about tonight. He did a little bit of training yesterday with the physios and there’ll be a little bit again today. Obviously if Fletcher was fit, he’d give us a boost. But if it was going to cause irreparable damage, then it’s not something you’d want to do.”
Fletcher took part in some light training yesterday and will do so again today, with his ankle injury set to be assessed later on. While it’s believed he is making progress, O’Neill certainly seems reluctant to take any chances with his star striker, despite the importance of tonight’s match against their fellow strugglers. Connor Wickham could be set to deputise once again and frustrate many a Fantasy manager, with a non-appearance for Fletcher bringing vice captains and benches into play for many.
Having only recently ruled Gareth Bale out of contention until Gameweek 18 at the earliest, Andre Villas-Boas has now admitted the Welshman is on course to return to action earlier than anticipated:
“There is a strong possibility Gareth Bale could be fit for our next game.”
After sustaining a hamstring injury at Fulham in Gameweek 15, Bale was sold by over 180,000 Fantasy managers, with his price dropping from 9.9 to 9.7. With Emmanuel Adebayor back from suspension last weekend, the Spurs boss opted for a 4-4-2 in Bale’s absence, moving Clint Dempsey from his usual role in “the hole” onto the left flank as Adebayor partnered Jermain Defoe up top. Dempsey grabbed a goal in Sunday’s loss at Everton, continuing a run of form which has seen him score or assist in each of his last four but his starting berth now looks in question. Clearly, Bale will walk straight back into the first XI should he be fit for Sunday’s match with Swansea, leaving the US international uncertain over his place if he continues to field Defoe and Adebayor up top together.
David Moyes remained optimistic over Kevin Mirallas’ hamstring problem after the Belgian was subbed off against Spurs after suffering another recurrence of the problem.
“We don’t feel he’s done his hamstring, he just felt as if he tightened up completely. We’ll see how it is. I don’t think it’s that bad but the last thing you want to see is a recurrence with hamstring injuries. You saw what he offered us in the first half at times, it was something which we’ve probably missed and it might even have showed in our play in the second half. We’ve just missed that real something which he brings to us.”
Mirallas last featured in Gameweek 11 – coincidentally, the last time Everton scored more than one goal and picked up a victory in the league. While his presence in the Toffees’ first XI is clearly crucial to their prospects, it’s unlikely Moyes will be willing to take any further chances, bearing in mind the Belgian has also suffered from ankle problems this season. With the fixtures starting to pick up pace, it may well be that Steven Naismith is afforded another chance to impress on the right flank – he had scored twice in the previous four Gameweeks before dropping out of the starting line-up for Mirallas last Sunday.
