There’s still plenty of life left in Gameweek 33 but, after a weekend that mixed drama, passion and frustration, there are already key lessons to be considered. We pass our Monday lunchtime pondering the Paolo Di Canio’s impact, Santi Cazorla’s fitful scoring habits, a retreating Wayne Rooney and how it’s Luis Suarez’s turn to feel Robin Van Persie’s recent agony.
The Black Cats have channelled Di Canio’s passion…
The new Sunderland boss put up one of the most memorable touchline performances in memory. Forget Alan Pardew’s recent shirt-ripping scutter into the crowd – the Italian put the silver fox Magpies boss to shame with epic goal celebrations and an all-round enthusiasm and passion that proved contagious. His players, once lethargic and bereft of ideas and vigour, look reborn and channelled the fervor of a Tyne-Wear derby to produce a supremely confident and accomplished performance from back to front. Simon Mignolet continued his inspired form between the posts, whilst Seb Larsson looked a different player patrolling midfield. Up front, both Stephane Sessegnon and Adam Johnson proved decisive, for once harnessing their undoubted talent to hurt their opponents and bring Di Canio to his knees in the process. While the Black Cats are still in danger, the introduction of Di Canio has had the desired effect: it’s difficult to see Sunderland being pulled further into the mire and the likes of Mignolet and Sessegnon may even warrant renewed attention from us Fantasy managers.
There’s no counting for heroics….
Robin Van Persie has spent weeks trying to find the formula. He’s been firing shots on goal with regularity but failing to breakthrough – often denied by the last line of defence, luck and limb. In a weekend that saw the Dutchman finally end his goal drought from the spot, it was Luis Suarez who continued to be cursed by a lack of goals, with the heroics of the opposing keeper and last ditch goal line clearances to blame. Reading’s Alex McCarthy put on the goalkeeping display of the season at the Madejski, making some improbable saves and rescuing the point for Reading. Suarez again departed the Gameweek amongst the most threatening strikers on show in terms of attempts, but found himself blanking for the fourth successive league match. Proof that, regardless of talent and performance, factors can play against strikers to create mystifying and frustrating runs without goals. It happens to the very best.
City’s priorities will be a concern…
The victory over Chelsea took Roberto Mancini’s men into a May 11 final with Wigan, postponing their Gameweek 37 fixture with Reading. In all likelihood, this will remain in the Gameweek and shift to a midweek slot, however, it’s Gameweek 36 that will now be a concern for Fantasy managers. City are due at Swansea on May 4, a week prior to the Cup Final with a possible midweek clash with West Brom also in the Gameweek. With the title surely decided at that point, there will be every opportunity for Mancini to consider his priorities and rest players ahead of the Wembley date. While momentum is a factor, the likes of the back four, David Silva and Sergio Aguero will surely be considered for rests at the Liberty, denting their appeal at a time when City’s assets were, at last, beginning to look prime property for almost the first time this season.
Aguero has luck on his side…
Those considering Sergio Aguero for their squads will also be fidgeting slight this morning in the light of his horrific two-footed lunge on David Luiz. According to reports, there is the possibility that the FA may look to view the footage and act, although given that Chris Foy awarded a free-kick in Chelsea’s favour at the time, it remains to be seen whether he will report he failed to see the incident in question. Should the FA get the opportunity to fire up their DVD players, it seems unfeasible that the Argentine will escape a violent conduct charge that will see him miss three-league matches. In all likelihood, however, Aguero will be free to lineup for City at Wigan in the week and, with luck and form seemingly on his side, he’s set to go on drawing eyes in his direction – particularly with Suarez firing blanks. Perhaps we shouldn’t expect referees to look on Aguero too kindly however – I just wonder how sympathetic they’ll be to any Aguero penalty claims from this point on.
Rooney’s versatility can bite us at any time…
On previous occasions, we’ve seen Wayne Rooney used as a support striker and shifted out onto the flank to allow Sir Alex to experiment and shuffle. At the Britannia on Sunday, we saw him retreat to a conventional midfield role – a position Rooney adopted late on last season away from home. Not surprisingly, he showed his quality – dictating play alongside the impressive Michael Carrick and enjoying heavy involvement in United’s routine victory. Crucially, however, the role restricted Rooney’s ability to join the attack and threaten from inside the box, a trend that has developed in recent weeks, swinging the debate back in the favour of Robin Van Persie when it comes to choosing between the two United front men. With the Dutchman restoring his confidence from the spot, Rooney’s withdrawn role becomes a greater concern for those holding the England striker. His versatility is handy weapon for Ferguson but for Fantasy managers, it’s becoming a frustration that’s almost impossible to predict.
Santi is a cause for frustration…
Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla was another big name to draw the ire of Fantasy managers. Backed with the armband by a legion of hopefuls, the Spanish playmaker was instrumental in a stuttering Arsenal performance that eventually culminated in a devastating late rally that overwhelmed a brave Norwich display. Cazorla was a factor without registering points – a conclusion that has become commonplace in his first top flight season. At times he can explode with dramatic results; the hat-trick at Reading in Gameweek 17 will live on as one of the most memorable performances of the season and yet, week-to-week, Cazorla has struggled to deliver any consistency. Five double figure returns have been countered by no less than 18 blanks. While Cazorla has been a success story for Arsenal and his Fantasy owners, in a season where we’ve seen the likes of Gareth Bale, Robin Van Persie, Luis Suarez and Juan Mata string together extraordinary runs of consistent returns, Cazorla’s staggered profits have made him a unreliable armband option.
