News in Brief: 19th Sep 12

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.

Saturday Review - 15/09/12

How did your fantasy team fare in the 1st day of the 1st gameweek? Let's take a look at the main talking points:

RVP & Kagawa

For those who are new to Fantasy Football, this is what is called "Fergified", i.e. being screwed by Ferguson's rotation policy. Yes, they may have been fit to play, but that doesn't mean he'll start them. 

Clean Sheets

Last week, only 3 teams managed to keep clean sheets. This week, there's already 7 clean sheets (Man Utd, Chelsea, West Ham, Fulham, Villa, QPR and Norwich), so managers who filled their defence with players from these teams are likely to be leading in Week 1.

Surprisingly, picking GK & defenders from early-budget favourites Swansea & WBA would result in zero, or even negative points, while title challengers Man City failed to keep a clean sheet for the 4th straight game.

And if you had picked any Southampton's defence after they've conceded 3,2,3 goals in 1st 3 games, you should have heeded the early warning signs.

Rotations

- Brad Guzan (3.2) looks to be keeping his 1st team spot over Shay Given (3.3) with a shutout performance.

- Similarly, Anders Lindegaard (4.4) kept his place ahead of David De Gea (4.5), and Man Utd was rewarded with a clean sheet. The Champions League tie on Wednesday would be a better barometer to see who is ahead in this race.

- Wojciech Szczesny (4.1) took back his starting spot from Vito Mannone (4.0), though Szczesny's mistake cost Arsenal another clean sheet. 

 - Man City's mind was clearly on the midweek Champions League match, as they rested David Silva (5.7) on the bench, while Gael Clichy (4.9) started in place of Aleksandar Kolarov (4.7).

Alexander Buttner

From last Thursday's post

The team's more expensive defender is a left-back who is backup to Patrick Evra?

Mid-price Strikers

- Dimitar Berbatov (6.8) isn't exactly a mid-priced striker, but with Eden Hazard (also 6.8) drawing a blank today, many TFL managers might be itching for a direct swap, especially with 4 seemingly easy fixtures in the next 5 games.

- Gervinho (6.0) may have scored 2 goals today in place of Olivier Giroud (6.9), but I'll need to see more games prior till he's in my shortlist.

- 3 shots, 3 goals. Sunderland's Steven Fletcher (5.9) is deadly accurate in these 2 games, though fantasy managers might want to wait till the end of the week if he's in your shortlist, as he looks slightly injured while being substituted. 

Toure vs Lampard (aka David Ngiau scoreboard)