Roberto Mancini’s rotation policy scuppers many a double Gameweek plan as City register one goal and two clean sheets over their pair of fixtures. Steve Clarke rolls up a 3-5-2 at the Etihad, while Angel Rangel benefits from a shift onto the right wing as Swansea take advantage of Wigan’s dire defending to leave the Latics perilously close to the drop:
City’s Double Disappointment
We should have known better, really. Fantasy managers loaded up on City’s main assets ahead of the double Gameweek, with a trip to Swansea and home game against West Brom simply too enticing to ignore. Ultimately, though, it was Joe Hart who finished the week as City’s top scoring player as a result of last night’s 1-0 win – two clean sheets and a single goal scored over their pair of fixtures left Fantasy managers with plenty regrets after Roberto Mancini’s made eight changes for last night’s home clash against the Baggies.
Indeed, Hart made more saves against Steve Clarke’s side than in any game this season – the City stopper defied the visitors seven times and, with a couple of save points and a single bonus point also thrown in, picked up 15 points across the Gameweek to move nine points clear at the top of the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) keeper standings. The Fantasy returns were scattered right across City’s squad – Mancini utilised 20 players over the two fixtures, with 14 players scoring five or more points.
Mancini’s Selection Hands us a Headache
With the FA Cup final now just three days away, the likes Yaya Toure, Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Pablo Zabaleta were all excluded from the squad entirely, while Sergio Aguero was an unused sub for the match. While this suggests all five will return to the starting XI against Wigan this weekend, it leaves Fantasy managers in a quandary – a trip to Reading next Tuesday and home clash against Norwich look hugely enticing but if Mancini decides to rotate to the same extent, those holding City assets will be left frustrated once again. The decision, then, is whether to cut and run just now or hold and hope Mancini fields a full-strength side against the Royals, at least, as he attempts to nail down a second place finish.
Post-match, Mancini revealed Toure has recovered from the knock that forced him off against Swansea on Saturday, with the Ivorian simply handed the night off against the Baggies:
“Yaya was at home asleep! He was very tired against Swansea so we thought he’d be better resting up for this game. He should be fine for the weekend.”
Clarke Changes Formation Again
Having opted for a 4-3-3 over the past couple of matches, Steve Clarke rolled out a new formation last night as the Baggies lined up in a 3-5-2 at the Etihad. Intriguingly, this saw Liam Ridgewell and Billy Jones fielded on the flanks in midfield, with James Morrison tucked in behind Romelu Lukaku and Markus Rosenberg as the most advanced of the midfield five. While last night’s result ultimately saw the Baggies fall flat, they looked menacing from start to finish and offered plenty going forward to suggest Clarke could well consider utilising the system again – food for thought for Fantasy managers ahead of next season, with Ridgewell and Jones potentially offering out of position possibilities if their manager keeps faith in the formation.
After the match, Clarke spoke of his decision to alter the system:
“We changed the shape tonight and tried something different. If I’m honest I would have liked at least another training session at it. But the players’ application and the way they put the system into practice was excellent, and I think we maybe caught Manchester City out.”
Wigan Defensive Woes Continue
Another great escape had looked firmly on the cards after the Latics went 2-1 up on 53 minutes but Roberto Martinez’s side slumped to defeat due to some dire defending. Once again, Martinez opted for a back-four due to a lack of options – with Antolin Alcaraz, Maynor Figueroa and Jean Beausejour all injured, Roger Espinoza was selected at left-back and certainly justified his manager’s faith by grabbing a goal but yet again Wigan were left with an injury worry at the back for the fourth game in a row. This time round it was Ronnie Stam the victim. The Dutchman replaced Emmerson Boyce on 86 minutes but left the field after a matter of seconds – post-match reports indicate he has a suspected fractured leg.
The result leaves the Latics three points behind Sunderland, Newcastle and Norwich with a trip to Arsenal and home game against Villa still to play. An FA Cup final against City this weekend means their trip to the Emirates in not until next Tuesday but given their woes at the back, Fantasy managers will be loading up on Arsenal’s assets ahead of the weekend deadline. After the game, a bitterly disappointed Martinez admitted the injury situation seems to have finally caught up with his side:
“We had so many injuries at the back that showed today too much. Sloppy goals were unfortunate, but you could see the effort and desire to win the game. Key moments in the game – they affect the result. It was such an important game for us and when we make mistakes it becomes a much bigger mountain to climb, what we need to do we get ready for next two games.”
Rangel Benefits from Right Flank Role
Handed a place on the Scout Picks bench, Angel Rangel was already in credit after last weekend’s clean sheet against City but the Swansea defender racked up the points at the DW last night after being shifted into midfield. Michael Laudrup’s decision to start Dwight Tiendalli at right-back and move Rangel onto the right of the attacking midfield three paid off spectacularly as both players found the net in the 3-2 triumph. Selected ahead of Nathan Dyer on the flank, Rangel also picked up maximum bonus points to end the Gameweek with a 16 point haul – with Laudrup assessing his options for the following season, the Spaniard could well be one to watch as a potential out of position prospect in 2013/14.
Hernandez Steps Up
Like Rangel, the former Valencia was also highlighted in last week’s Scouting the Doubles piece and came to the fore with a pair of assists at the DW. Hernandez had failed to score or assists since Gameweek 26 but his consistency of selection was key to his acquisition this week – he had started all but one league fixture since Gameweek 20 and, in a week where Michu’s hamstring injury proved costly for his 45% Fantasy owners, Hernandez was a successful differential, with an ownership of less than 1% in FPL. He has now provided eight assists for Laudrup’s side in his debut season – more than any team mate.
In Other News
Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to retire at the end of the season adds a real twist to the final two Gameweeks now. Since clinching the title, United have drawn at Arsenal and lost at home to Chelsea, scoring a single goal across both matches as they stumble towards the finishing line. This morning’s announcement, however, will leave Fantasy managers with a quandary ahead of the weekend deadline. Ferguson made five changes to the side that stuttered against the Blues on Sunday and was expected to make further alterations, allowing his fringe players the chance of increased game time but the home game against Swansea now takes on a new significance – his final match in charge of Old Trafford. After the disappointment of the last couple of matches, the Scot will be desperate to clinch a victory in his final bow at Old Trafford and could well retain Robin Van Persie up top now, with Wayne Rooney perhaps also drafted in as United go all out for the points before Ferguson’s reign finishes with a trip to West Brom on the final day of the season. Van Persie was sold by plenty as a result of the double Gameweek but his owners will now be a little more confident heading into the weekend, while many are likely to snap him up in fear of the Dutchman running riot against the Swans this Sunday.
