Samir Nasri could return for City this weekend. Sam Allardyce is determined not to tinker with his current defensive set-up. Juan Mata doesn’t mind swapping positions for United, Olivier Giroud admits Arsenal are starting to tire, whilst Hull’s Paul McShane is set to miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury:
Nasri Closing in on Weekend Return
Reports suggest the City midfielder could be set to hand Manuel Pellegrini a timely boost by returning to action in time for the weekend FA Cup clash against Chelsea.
The Scout Says: Stretchered off against Newcastle last month, the winger was initially expected to be sidelined for a minimum of eight weeks. Nasri’s potential return arrives at a time where the fixture list is becoming more hectic and, whilst his availability will be a boost for Pellegrini, it is likely to result in more rotation on the flanks. City have upcoming Champions League duties to contend with but also face a Capital One Cup Final on March 2 as well and – following the postponement of Wednesday’s match against Sunderland – they will also have two double Gameweeks to contend with. Ideally, then, losses to Chelsea and Barcelona in the FA Cup and in Europe respectively would be the best scenario for Fantasy owners of David Silva, thus decreasing his chances of rotation as Pellegrini also looks to hand Nasri and Jesus Navas game time out wide.
Allardyce Unwilling to Change Settled Defence
The West Ham manager has admitted that a recent run of five clean sheets in six matches makes his starting line-up a little easier to select:
“I’ve got so many lovely problems. Winston Reid is chomping at the bit on the bench but there’s nothing you can do when the team is winning. Take Joe Cole, an excellent player who did not even make the squad for the Norwich game. It’s great for me, disappointing for them, but you can’t really argue with a team that’s winning can you? And my two centre-halves are playing ever so well.”
The Scout Says: Allardyce’s words will be music to the ears of James Collins’ 4% of Fantasy owners. The Welshman’s partnership with James Tomkins has been fundamental to the Hammers resilience, and with a goal and maximum bonus accrued against Norwich on Tuesday, Collins racked up 15 points to earn himself increased investment over the last few days. Still priced at a mere 4.2 in Fantasy Premier League, he offers the cheapest route into a backline that has now registered 13 clean sheets in 26 matches – with Southampton, Hull and Stoke all on his upcoming agenda, further returns seem imminent before the schedule takes a turn for the worse.
Giroud Concedes Gunners are Tiring
After a goalless draw with United on Wednesday evening scuppered Arsenal’s chances of returning to the summit, Olivier Giroud revealed that fatigue is playing a part in his side’s recent downturn in form:
“I think we had a good reaction after the bad result against Liverpool. I think it’s a good draw to be honest even if we could have scored at the end. It was maybe just about our confidence. We did well in the first half especially but after we looked a bit tired. It’s OK, we had a good reaction on the pitch and I think that’s the most important thing even if we wanted to win this game.”
The Scout Says: Quick off the mark at the start of the season along with Daniel Sturridge, the Frenchman’s form has plummeted at a time when the Liverpool frontman is managing to outgun Luis Suarez for the Reds. Giroud has now scored in just one of his last 10 appearances at the Emirates, whilst he’s now notched just three times in the last 14 Gameweeks for Arsene Wenger’s side. With Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey both sidelined through injury, Mesut Ozil has chipped in with just a single assist in his last eight appearances – a clear sign that the schedule is taking its toiling on the north London outfit. With with an FA Cup clash against Liverpool preceding a Champions League showdown with Bayern, Wenger’s main men are offered little time for rest and recuperation before their title tilt gets back underway at home to Sunderland next weekend.
Mata Happy to be Versatile
United’s record signing confirmed he’s unconcerned over David Moyes’ recent tinkering after he was shifted onto the left flank for Wednesday evening’s draw at the Emirates.
“Throughout my career I have played on the left, on the right and just behind the striker. I don’t mind playing anywhere the manager tells me. I am happy at the club, very happy. I am enjoying my football, I am getting minutes on the pitch, I am in a very, very big club and I hope we finish the season well.”
The Scout Says: Mata has now played in three different positions in just four appearances for United after arriving from Chelsea last month. Having debuted in the role in “the hole” behind Robin van Persie, the Spaniard had been utilised twice on the right prior to the Arsenal showdown but has already produced more assists for his new club than he managed over the first few months under Jose Mourinho at the Bridge, by three to two. Whilst his arrival was initially expected to help turn around United’s chaotic season, the Red Devils have triumphed in just one of the Spaniard’s four matches – indeed, the main impact has been on the game time of Adnan Januzaj, with the youngster’s Fantasy potential at a season-low after he was omitted from the starting XI yet again at the Emirate, with Antonio Valencia’s selection on the right forcing Mata onto the opposite flank.
McShane Setback for Tigers
The versatile defender has conceded he is set to miss the remainder of the season after scans revealed he sustained substantial damage in a clash with keeper Steve Harper during Tuesday’s home loss to Southampton:
“I am out for six months with ankle ligament injury and micro fracture of the bone. I am going for an operation next Monday and I have to get myself right as quick as I can. It’s very frustrating to be honest as I was feeling very good. Now I must battle back as quickly as I can.”
The Scout Says: McShane’s absence, allied with current injuries to both James Chester and Liam Rosenior, leaves Steve Bruce with limited defensive resources. Providing the Tigers boss continues with his recent 4-4-2 formation, he may have to field Ahmed Elmohamady at right-back, with Alex Bruce’s prospects of regular game time at centre-half boosted if the treatment room fails to empty anytime soon. Bruce had started 10 out of 11 matches between Gameweek 13-23 before losing his starting berth – this week’s turn of events puts the 3.9-priced defender back in the driving seat ahead of games against Cardiff, Newcastle and West Brom in the next three.
