The FA retrospectively charge Charlie Adam after his alleged stamp on Olivier Giroud last Saturday. Martin Olsson is the latest injury concern for Norwich after pulling out of the Sweden squad with a shoulder problem. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirms Wilfried Zaha still has a part to play for Cardiff, Tottenham’s left-back worries escalate and West Brom’s Billy Jones is out for a month with a hamstring injury:
Adam Charged with Violent Conduct
The FA have taken retrospective action against the Stoke midfielder after his alleged stamp on Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud last weekend. The match officials failed to spot the incident at the time but the authorities have acted quickly in charging Adam – he has until 6pm this evening to respond.
Stoke issued a statement on their official website just minutes after the decision was made public and have confirmed they will contest it:
“The club have learnt within the last hour that The FA have chosen to charge Charlie Adam following an incident involving Olivier Giroud in Saturday’s Barclays Premier League game against Arsenal. Charlie and the Club are surprised and disappointed to learn of this and will appeal vigorously against the decision.”
The Scout Says: In almost any other Gameweek, this news wouldn’t be much of an issue for Fantasy managers but, with only five fixtures set to take place this weekend, our midfield options could be restricted further. If Adam is found guilty, a three-match ban looks on the cards for the Scot – meaning he would miss this week’s trip to Norwich in addition to the league games against West Ham and Villa, thus killing off his appeal as a short-term option. With the likes of Robert Snodgrass and Christian Eriksen both doubtful and Jason Puncheon rested by Tony Pulis, many of the in-form options with fixtures on their agenda this weekend could be out of the equation. Bearing in mind Stoke’s kind schedule, a move for Jon Walters may tempt some – as the weekend win Arsenal showed, the Republic of Ireland international will step up for spot-kicks if Adam is not on the field.
Olsson Concern for Canaries
The Norwich left-back was an early withdrawal from Sweden’s squad to face Turkey tomorrow evening after sustaining a shoulder problem against Villa on Sunday. Olsson’s national team coach Erik Hamren confirmed the defender is due to undergo surgery once the current campaign is completed:
“He will undergo surgery later. He has a problem which became worse yesterday. Norwich want him to remain with the club to get treatment and have as much chance as possible to be able to complete the season.”
The Scout Says: The news merely adds to Chris Hughton’s concerns in a dismal week that saw Leroy Fer, Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Robert Snodgrass all pick up injuries. Prior to the midweek defeat at Villa, Olsson had turned in some of his best Fantasy displays of the season, with an assist, three bonus points and a trio of clean sheets over the previous six Gameweeks. Providing he can recover for this weekend, a home clash with Stoke looks prosperous as Hughton’s side seek a fifth successive shut-out at Carrow Road, whilst the 4.3-priced defender’s owners may well look to hold beyond next weekend, with Sunderland, Swansea, West Brom and Fulham in the subsequent five matches.
Zaha Still in Solskjaer’s Plans
The Cardiff boss confirmed Wilfried Zaha remains very much in his first-team thoughts, despite dropping the on-loan United wide man to the bench in Sunday’s defeat at Tottenham.
“Wilf’s been very positive since he’s come. He’s made a great contribution in some of the games. He’s got talent we’ll use in the next 10 games definitely.”
The Scout Says: After replacing Peter Whittingham as a first-half substitute in Gameweek 24, Zaha was handed a starting role in each of the Bluebirds’ subsequent three league games before a shift to 5-3-2 saw him drop out of the XI. Solskjaer’s constant tinkering, both in personnel and team shape, seem to be preventing his side from settling, though, and a distinct lack of cohesiveness has now seen the Welsh club fail to score in six of their eight matches under the new manager. With only five matches set to take place this weekend, Zaha owners will surely hold in the hope he will feature against Fulham but another stint on the bench may well see Fantasy owners look to the upcoming double Gameweeks for a potential replacement.
Sherwood’s Left-Back Worries Heighten
Ahead of Saturday evening’s trip to Stamford Bridge, Tottenham have real concerns in the left-back position. Reports in the local press indicate Danny Rose is expected to miss the next couple of league games with an ongoing knee problem, whilst Zeki Fryers was forced to withdraw from the England Under-21 squad with an ankle injury.
The Scout Says: Despite missing the likes of Kyle Walker and Younes Kaboul last weekend, Spurs manage to register a third clean sheet in the last four Gameweeks, with Fryers and Kyle Naughton deputising for Walker and Rose respectively. If Fryers and Walker miss out this weekend, Sherwood may be forced to switch Jan Vertonghen to left-back, providing Kaboul recovers in time, though the versatile Etienne Capoue offers an option at centre-half – he, too, is currently a doubt with an ankle problem. Given that Spurs then have Arsenal, Southampton and Liverpool as their following three opponents, anyone holding their defenders may be eyeing up a transfer out, despite their impressive recent form.
Mixed Injury News for Baggies
Billy Jones looks set for another spell on the sidelines after West Brom confirmed he suffered a hamstring tear in the Gameweek 27 draw with Fulham. Jones is expected to be out for around four weeks with the problem, though both Stephane Sessegnon and Claudio Yacob are back in full training and in contention to return against United this weekend.
The Scout Says: Jones’ absence is a real blow for Baggies boss Pepe Mel for the clash against David Moyes’ side. The right-back has managed just two lots of 90 minutes under the new manager, with his stint on the sidelines affording Steven Reid game time in the back-four. Whilst Yacob is likely to be re-installed in central midfield, Sessegnon has yet to feature since the departure of Steve Clarke due to an ongoing groin problem – after starting the Cottagers clash with a 4-4-1-1, Mel finished the game with a 4-3-3 formation and the Benin international is certainly versatile enough to operate on the right of a front three, for example. With Swansea, Hull, Cardiff and Norwich directly after the United clash, and a double Gameweek still to be announced, the Midlands outfit certainly have the fixtures to prevail.
