Here are some football news which might affect your fantasy lineup:
- In this morning Champions League match, Arsenal claimed a 2-1 victory over Montpellier, with Lukas Podolski (6.6) & Gervinho (6.0) getting on the scoresheet, assisted by Olivier Giroud (6.9) & Carl Jenkinson (4.0). Abou Diaby (3.9) made his return from injury, and was rewarded with a yellow card within the 1st minute of the game. Do note that Gervinho was deployed in a right-wing position for the game.
- Although Man City scored 2 goals too, but they were on a losing end of a 2-3 defeat to Real Madrid. Edin Dzeko (7.0) & Aleksandar Kolarov (4.7) scored, while an assist was given to Yaya Toure (4.8). Man City's lineup sprung a few surprises: Matija Nastasic (4.6) was selected ahead of Lescott and Kolo Toure, while Gael Clichy (4.9) was selected ahead of Kolarov, though he was substituted in the 1st half for an injured Samir Nasri (5.1). Keep an eye on his injury status during the week. There are rumours that he might miss the weekend clash against his former club, Arsenal.
Tempers flared after the game, as Joe Hart was critical of his teammates in a post-match interview after the game. This led to a stern rebuke from manager Roberto Mancini:
Joe Hart should stay in goal and make saves. If anyone should criticise the team it should be me, not Joe Hart. I am the judge, not Joe Hart.
Joe Hart's position in the team should be safe, but this might not bode well in their preparation for the big clash against Arsenal.
- Alex Ferguson revealed that he WILL rotate both De Gea (4.5) & Lindegaard (4.4). Speaking in the pre-CL match conference yesterday:
“The most important thing I’m trying to do is give both of them experience in the English game. Neither is as experienced as Edwin van der Sar or Peter Schmeichel. Alternating isn’t a problem for me. They’re both equally very good goalkeepers. That’s the policy we’ve adopted this season and last season, although De Gea played most of last season after Lindegaard was injured. I’m comfortable with this situation.”
It's time for fantasy managers to drop both Man Utd keepers out of their team & banish from your shortlist. Unless there's a lengthy injury to either keeper, you're likely to be "Fergified" come matchday.
- In other Man Utd news, Wayne Rooney (8.0) is said to be back in training from his thigh injury, and might even be featured in the Champions League clash against Galatasaray. Let's keep a close eye on whether the Fatman & Robin partnership will be reunited again this weekend.
- Just when the Demba Ba's (6.4) bandwagon heats up with his double over the weekend., his agent poured cold water with the following statement:
Since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, Demba doesn't understand the management. If he continues to be a substitute all season, we'll look at other solutions. How could you put your best striker with full confidence on the left wing? The choice to put Demba on the left last season was good for the club, because Cisse scored 13 goals. But there was a lack of recognition for Demba. It is more difficult to play well when you don't have the confidence of your staff 'Demba is happy at Newcastle. He is playing in the Premier League, with lot of fellow French speakers and he loves the club's supporters. He would like to start every game but he respects the choice of the coach, even if he does not always understand or agree.
There's no response from neither the player nor the Newcastle management about the statement from Ba's agent, but Padrew will definitely be addressing the press during the pre-Europa League match conference soon.
- Reading's goalkeeper Adam Federici (2.9) was dropped for the past game due to his poor performance, and his girlfriend went on a Twitter rant:
Football has left me feeling totally numb and empty inside! For once I have NO explanation! #noloyalty #absolutejoke.
Unbelievable!!! You need thick skin for success!!
Even though Brian McDermott have mentioned that he has no problem with the tweets, but it doesn't make it any easier for Federici to win back his starting spot from Alex McCarthy (2.9).
- Highly unlikely that your team might contain Stoke's Andy Wilkinson (3.5), but if you do, you might want to note that the FA have charged him for an off-the-ball incident, and he might be faced with a 3-match ban.
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