The chase is on for Joey Barton’s signature. Owen Coyle tries out a new formation as Darren Pratley and Chris Eagles impress again. Swansea look set to grab another winger. Ben Foster comes in at 5.0 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL). Stewart Downing crosses, Andy Carroll scores- that’s a phrase you may be hearing plenty of next season. Here’s this morning’s Scribbles, folks:
The race is on to snap up Joey Barton following yesterday’s extraordinary events at Newcastle. Released on a free transfer despite having a year of his contract remaining, Barton will have no shortage of suitors as he looks around for a new club this summer. The player’s agent, Willie McKay, has already had plenty of enquiries:
We have been inundated with interest. We’re talking to top Premier League clubs and European clubs. One is very, very interested. I’ve got nothing against Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias. They can do what they want but I think it’s suicide what they’ve done.
Names such as Tottenham and Everton have been suggested as most likely and providing Barton can join a club where regular starts are a given, he’s still very much a viable Fantasy prospect, priced at 6.0 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL).
Talking of free transfers, Wigan have signed up ex Wolves man David Jones. The midfielder was released by Big Mick McCarthy’s side in the summer and has been training with the Latics over the last few days. Roberto Martinez has said:
‘David is a talented player. He is technically gifted and tactically clever.’
Bolton’s friendly game at Hereford last night saw Owen Coyle try out a new formation which may intrigue Fantasy managers. Coyle went with a 4-2-3-1 shape, playing Chris Eagles and Martin Petrov on the flanks, with Mark Davies behind lone forward Kevin Davies. The second half saw Darren Pratley replace Mark Davies and both he and Eagles scored in the game, as the visitors coasted 3-0. Bolton lost eleven of their last twelve away games in 2010/11 and a change in shape, particularly for games on the road, may prove to be wise by Coyle.
Liverpool came back from 2-0 down Valerenga last night to eventually draw 3-3. Stewart Downing supplied the cross for Andy Carroll to fire home from close range and a Daniel Agger brace reminded Fantay managers of his scoring capabilities. Kenny Dalglish’s side were poor in the first-half but bossed the second forty-five and in the end, threw away a lead in injury time. The Reds boss said after the game:
“It was obviously more pleasing in the second half, we were closing down higher up the pitch. In the first half we stood off. They wanted time to play and we gave them time to play. The important thing is we’ve got to be better when we don’t have the ball – but the boys aren’t shy of hard work. There’s an educated week’s training ahead.”
Swansea have agreed a deal with Newcastle to sign Wayne Routledge. The winger will undergo a medical today and providing there are no hiccups, will sign on at the Liberty Stadium on a three-year deal. Although it bolsters Brendan Rodgers’ squad, it seems unlikely that Routledge will be no more than back-up to Scott Sinclair and Nathan Dyer on the wings in Swansea’s 4-3-3, unless the Swans boss is looking at a change in formation.
Yuri Zhirkov looks set to become the first player to leave Chelsea since the appointment of Andre Villas-Boas. Having weighed up his squad on their recent tour of Asia, the Blues boss is moving quickly to implement his squad restructuring plans and Zhirkov’s sale is the first step in what looks to be a busy month ahead.
If certain reports are to be believed, Fulham are eyeing up Cameron Jerome as the Birmingham summer sale shows no sign of ending soon. The move, if it transpires, seems a strange one- Bobby Zamora looks a nailed-on starter for the Cottagers, with Andy Johnson and Moussa Dembele fighting it out for the other forward place. Jerome’s arrival would cast doubts over the club’s strike-pairing under Martin Jol, which would not be good news for Fantasy managers. Another forward at the club would further decrease Clint Dempsey’s chances of playing as a makeshift striker on occasion next term, too.
Ben Foster has been added to the FPL game with a starting price of 5.0. Foster’s new club West Brom chalked up a mere 2 clean sheets last term and his presence between the sticks will boost that tally, without question. Foster proved last season, despite being relegated with Birmgham, that a keeper in a struggling team can provide plenty points even if clean sheets don’t come his way. Mark has pointed out in an article last week that Foster rotates with Shay Given all the way to game week 17, though with a combined Fantasy price of 10.0, this may prove too costly for some.
