Dirk Kuyt will miss Liverpool's next two games with an ankle injury sustained playing for Holland at the weekend.
Although a scan has revealed the injury is not as serious as first thought, strained ankle ligaments will keep him out of the home game with Blackburn on Saturday and next Wednesday's Champions League trip to Bordeaux.
Liverpool hope Kuyt may recover in time to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on October 22.
McClaren, aware of the abundance of centre-halves at his disposal, is determined that England will experiment with different formations before Euro 2008.Huh? (and forgive me that this isn't strictly fantasy Premiership, but still) You read the first part and think, "abundance of centre-halves", ok... Terry, Ferdinand, King,
With Gary Neville deployed as the right-sided central defender...
Blackburn defender Andre Ooijer has claimed he was forced out of PSV Eindhoven after the club failed to keep their word over a new contract.The way he's played in the EPL, I can understand their reluctance to keep him. From the man himself,
Unlucky? Like I expected? At least Bramble has the good sense to keep his mouth shut and just let his football do the talking... even though what it says isn't pretty."I had a bit of an unlucky start but things are going well now," he said. "I scored an own goal and I conceded two penalties.
"But my overall game isn't bad. It is somewhat like I expected," added Ooijer
I wouldn't stick either into your lineup just yet, but again, it is something to note and look out for. When healthy, what is Arsene's first-choice back four? Eboue and Toure, sure. But does Senderos start at center back and if so, does Gallas play on the left?Arsenal duo Gael Clichy and Philippe Senderos made comebacks from injury in the reserve-team victory over West Ham at Upton Park.
Neither defender has played in the first team this season, and full-back Clichy came off at half-time as planned to protect his foot injury. Switzerland centre-back Senderos, who suffered a shoulder injury in the World Cup game with South Korea, played the entire match.
"optimistic"Everton boss David Moyes is optimistic of having striker Andrew Johnson in his line-up for the trip to Middlesbrough on October 14.The summer signing from Crystal Palace, who has scored six goals this season, pulled out of the England squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers with Macedonia and Croatia because of a hamstring injury.
But Moyes told the club's official website: "It should take about 10 days to heal. He couldn't play this weekend but he may be able to resume training before the trip to Middlesbrough.
Chris Sutton has been reunited with former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill at Aston Villa.I would assume that Sutton will just be cover for JPA, but it is something to note.
But my sleeper, dark horse, Nigel Reo-Coker pick of the season is Ashley Young. You gotta like that he's being called a "Thierry Henry" type player. He's small, but quick and strong. A winger that will play striker (listed as a middie... hello, the rules, anyone?), takes kicks, and scores goals.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes Jermaine Pennant is close to receiving an England call-up.If only the lack of regular first-team football wasn't holding him back!
Aston Villa's Luke Moore could be out of action for the rest of the season after suffering a recurrence of a shoulder injury against Chelsea.Moore is set to undergo surgery on the problem which has dogged him to varying degrees for the past three years and Villa manager Martin O'Neill is resigned to being without the player for the foreseeable future.Shame for Moore as he's done really well so far this season. Looks like Villa will be forced to go with a 4-4-2 with Baros partnering JPA. Wonder how that impacts their midfield personnel. If Barry continues at left fullback, will we see Berger drafted to the left of midfield? And if so, does Davis drop to the bench assuming Petrov and McCann are first choice in the middle?
The Manager would like to be the first to welcome Danny Murphy back into the warmth of the fantasy family. He began as nothing but the man who killed ManU for Liverpool before becoming a full-tilt fantasy stud at the beginning of last season. Charlton looked great with he and Bent scoring. Then, for whatever reason, it went wrong and Murphy ended up stuck on Spur's bench. But now after two good games, including yesterday's where he actually earned the points for his play, I would venture to guess that he finds himself on a lot of fantasy squads this morning.
In the midfield, Niko Kranjcar FINALLY takes over from Taylor on the left of Pompey's midfield. And while it resulted in a loss for POR, Kranjcar did earn 8 fantasy points. Hopefully he can take over where D'Alessandro left off last season. There was more good news for Ferguson, who confirmed the injury which forced Gabriel Heinze off in the first half was nothing more serious than a strained hamstring.Guess I shouldn't have sold him in a panic on Sunday. Oh well. I needed to free up the money to buy Danny Murphy anyway.
WOW! What that ever a bad end to the game for Everton. First they lose AJ, and then they lose the win on Richards stunning half-volley. (Not to mention the cost to fantasy managers as Howard went from +9 to 0 in the blink of an eye.)Everton's Andrew Johnson has pulled out of England's squad for the next two Euro 2008 qualifiers, with Charlton's Darren Bent his replacement...
However a hamstring injury, which Johnson sustained in the last minute of Saturday's 1-1 draw against Manchester City, will keep him sidelined for the games against Macedonia and Croatia.
Goal Tottenham Hotspur: Murphy (2)With apologies to BWP, I guess they are more accurately described as 2nd minute brothers.
Goal Wigan Athletic: Heskey (2)
Goal Reading: Seol (2)
With John Pantsil (knee ligament) a long-term concern, American Jonathan Spector is set to continue at right-back.And he'll be directly matched-up against fellow American Bobby Convey. Should be fun!
How is a 5-man midfield "revolutionary"? Especially when he'll do it to counter Everton's 5-man midfield.Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce is pondering a revolutionary change in formation at Everton on Saturday.Although the City chief does believe to an extent in the old saying 'never change a winning team', he also feels the need to start picking up points away from Eastlands has reached crisis point.
So, two of the stars of last weekend's win over West Ham - teenager midfielder Ishmael Miller and two-goal hero Georgios Samaras - are faced with the axe as Pearce looks to shore his side up with a five-man midfield, which will have Ousmane Dabo, Dietmar Hamann and Joey Barton occupying the central positions at Goodison Park.
Dustin (ky): How do you feel about your soccer tema's WORST START IN 20 YEARS. Does every sport team that you have ever rooted for tortured you before the go onto glory? Didnt you pick this team because they were supposed not to be like the Sox?Bill Simmons: I feel terrible about Tottenham Hotspur - they're off to their worst start in like 14 years and i'm getting angry e-mails from British people blaming me for this, like it's my fault. Although the best part about hate mail from England is that they use really horrible words - the worst possible swear words you can think of. So I've kind of enjoyed that part. It never gets old when someone calls you a wanker.
Arsene Wenger confirmed that William Gallas could be out of action for a number of weeks following Arsenal's 2-0 win over Porto in the UEFA Champions League.Justin Hoyte costs 5.12 "units" but put up -1 over 2 games to start the season. Not sure the Plan B (C or D?) if Djourou is hurt come Saturday. Last year we learned that Flamini is a decent left back, and Hoyte could play at right back. But would either Hoyte or Eboue partner Toure? Would Gilberto move back into defense?
The French international pulled up with a hamstring injury in the dying moments at Emirates Stadium, and had to be substituted
...
Arsenal also lost Johan Djourou to injury during the warm-up for the Porto game, as Justin Hoyte came in for a suprise start at left-back with Gallas shifted across to partner Kolo Toure.
Andy is just the type who could have come on and stuck away one of the many opportunities we created.First of all, he's still Andrew, right? And second, is this the same player who has been dogged his whole career by the idea that he needs too many chances to score goals?
But an otherwise disappointing game will be remembered more for the two glorious opportunities spurned by Cole to pull Blackburn level.Not that I'm putting too much faith in Hoddle's opinion (from 2002), but it is emblematic of the complaint.
And Spurs boss Glenn Hoddle must have left White Hart Lane feeling more than vindicated in his opinion that the former Manchester United striker needs too many chances to score at this level.
Another week, and try as he may, the Manager keeps slipping down the rankings. Like a lot of Mangers, he bet on Arsenal and for the first hour it looked like the blog had really oversold the matchup. He was as glum as Wenger looks to the left. But three goals later we all felt a little better about ourselves. Though not as good as those of us who were able (willing) to swing Henry and Lampard. Kudos.
Everton line up a defensive wall.For their part, Everton did not look comfortable in defence. Do they need one from Stubbs or Weir to organize the D, despite the fact that the two of them are mobile as Easter Island statues? And now Hibbert is banned and Naysmith is injured. Valente and Neville to the rescue? The winner in that scenario may be Beattie if Neville's moving back forces Moyes to go to 4-4-2. I don't understand why he didn't bring on Beattie v NUFC. I know he was on the road, but with 10 v 10 and NUFC's defence as shaky as his own, that game was there to be won. Beattie's presence could have unsettled NUFC and made more space for Johnson to run into. As it was AJ was forced wide and out of danger. Could Beattie have been worse than Osman? Two or three break-aways squandered. Shooting practice for all of Everton, and please drill into their heads the virtue of the quick pass.Titus Bramble was at the heart of everything Everton did well in the 1-1 draw with Newcastle. The Magpies defender let his man go on multiple occasions, failed to make key tackles, could have concede a penalty, stood and watched as Tim Cahill headed Everton's goal at the back post and then got sent-off......this is Team Of The Weak isn't it?
The most obvious thing to point out to fantasy managers is that Arsenal are entering a stretch of games where they SHOULD do very well. Sheffield United this week followed by @Charlton, Watford, and @Reading before they host an Everton squad that is one of the better stories in the Premiership so far this season. This should have you thinking strategically about how to get and keep a few Arsenal players for the next month or so.
Hello, Christian "I can't believe I'm losing to this guy" Dailly!West Ham are missing defenders James Collins and Tyrone Mears for Saturday's Premiership clash away to Manchester City.Collins aggravated a groin strain in midweek while Mears has a calf strain, with both injuries expected to be short term.
Jonathan Spector is the most obvious choice to cover but Hammers boss Alan Pardew revealed he will not start due to a lack of match fitness.
You cannot play two games a week with the same players because the tempo of football now is higher than before.Curses, Rafa! Kuyt is just rounding into form and looks a fantasy point machine (if he could only put more shots on target). But fantasy managers are just being dared to pick him because Rafa seems determined not to.
Henry is fit to return for Saturday's game at home to Sheffield United after missing two matches with a foot injury.
The Arsenal skipper said: 'It's better. I'm there to be picked.
Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov is set to be out until early October after suffering an injury blow in training.Without Lennon, and now without Berbatov, TOT are having trouble scoring goals. And they face a tough trip to Liverpool this weekend. But going forward (sorry), Mido may enter your fantasy considerations.Berbatov, 25, was expected to return this weekend but aggravated a groin injury which may need surgery to fix.
Looks like Aurelio for Warnock and Harper for Given are the only changes from the weekend.Liverpool
- 25 J Reina
- 03 S Finnan
- 23 J Carragher
- 05 D Agger
- 12 F Aurelio
- 10 S Luis Garcia
- 14 X Alonso
- 22 M Sissoko
- 08 S Gerrard
- 17 C Bellamy
- 18 D Kuyt
Substitutes
- 01 J Dudek,
- 04 S Hyypia,
- 11 M Gonzalez,
- 15 P Crouch,
- 28 S Warnock
Newcastle
- 12 S Harper
- 02 S Carr
- 26 P Ramage
- 18 C Moore
- 33 C Babayaro
- 16 J Milner
- 17 S Parker
- 05 B Emre
- 11 D Duff
- 09 O Martins
- 23 S Ameobi
Substitutes
- 40 T Krul,
- 14 C N'Zogbia,
- 15 G Rossi,
- 20 A Sibierski,
- 22 N Butt
Rafael Benitez is pondering whether to name an unchanged line-up for the first time in 20 games for Wednesday's match against Newcastle.After picking up no fresh injuries in an encouraging performance in the 1-0 defeat at Chelsea on Sunday, Benitez could stick with the same side, keeping skipper Steven Gerrard on the left.Can't comment on the effectiveness of the XI having not seen the game, but this does give me hope that Warnock and Kuyt can redeem themselves and put some positive points on the board for the Manager this week.
To underline Tottenham's attacking weaknesses, their best efforts fell to their full-backs - Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Chimbonda.And the Manager had both TOT defenders in his squad until an 11th hour change to pick up Gerrard. And thus goes 30 points and 400 places in the rankings.
Five minutes before the break, Ekotto forced Antti Niemi into a diving save at his near post with a thunderous right-foot drive while Chimbonda's late header would have gone in but for the bravery of Boa Morte and Helguson.
Bullard’s dislocated knee — X-rays yesterday showed no fracture meaning his absence is only likely to stretch for two months — had been caused unwittingly by Parker’s challenge. The midfield player’s response was exemplary; visibly distraught, he sought out Coleman to offer his sympathy at half-time and full-time and yet still mustered a performance that recalled the indefatigable captaincy of Alan Shearer.Tough news for Fulham, but kudos to Parker for handling the situation so well. He's playing so well for NUFC this season, and deserves an England look-in, Haergreaves and Carrick notwithstanding.
It was bad enough to have Dad missing at yesterday’s Merseyside derby, but on Tuesday Kuyt must play in Eindhoven knowing his father is in a hospital bed in Leiden, just 80 miles away. “My father is ill,” said the striker. “He had his operation last week and it is going well, but he can’t travel at the moment. If the time is there I will bring him to see me again in the future. He came to watch my first match and that meant a lot to me.”All our best to Kuyt as he deals with a difficult time. But it is something for fantasy managers to think about before putting him on your team for Liverpool's potential 2-game week.
Newcastle have managed just three in as many Barclays Premiership games so far, and two of those have come from midfielder Scott Parker.I just don't know. It's 2 road Premiership games to decent opponents following a road UEFA Cup game in Estonia. Picking against NUFC may be the smarter bet this week.
England full-back Ashley Cole has revealed how Arsenal's favourable treatment of Thierry Henry was one of the reasons why he wanted to leave the club for Premiership champions Chelsea.Okay, now I've officially had enough of Cashley Cole. STFU! Don't start running your mouth about Henry because you're not half the player he is. Why don't you focus on winning a starting place at Chelsea and looking for good investment opportunities to launder some Russian money.
If the worst fears about Stefanovic are realised, Portsmouth could switch Matt Taylor from the left side of midfield into defence.Bandwagon stops here. Everybody off.
King's return is tempered by the probable loss of £10.8million striker Dimitar Berbatov. He is almost certain to miss out with a groin strain suffered on international duty with Bulgaria.Jol said: 'Berbatov is probably out with a groin injury but Ledley is fit. If he is still fit on Saturday, he will play.'Giving fantasy managers an early season headache. Berbatov has looked good so far, and it will be hard to sell him as he's already increased in value by almost 2 bucks/pounds/euros/units. But perhaps it is too early in the season to field 10 players. And with transfers presumably in the Yahoo! pipeline...
Who is West Ham's number 2 keeper -- Robert Green?2029: Northern Ireland goalkeeper Roy Carroll looks distraught as trudges down the tunnel to be replaced by Maik Taylor
2026: Northern Ireland are making an encouraging start as Mike Duff's cross causes panic in the Spanish box. But at the other end there's as Roy Carroll requires extensive treatment for a groin injury. He stays on but it doesn't look likely that he will stay on.
Manchester City striker Darius Vassell has been ruled out for at least two weeks with a knee strain.The former England forward suffered medial ligament damage during the 1-0 win over Arsenal at Eastlands.Welcome to the starting line-up, RunDMB.
Darius Vassell (knee), DaMarcus Beasley (hamstring), Andreas Isaksson (hamstring) and Ben Thatcher (suspended) are all out.So I guess Reyna continues on the left.
| Active Roster | ||||||
| No. | Player | Pos | Ht | Wt | DOB | Birthplace |
| 9 | Julio Baptista | M | 6-0 | 159 | Oct 1, 1981 | São Paulo, Brazil |
Using his boxer's physique and sprinter's acceleration to full effect, Baptista's favourite tactic was to charge into the opposition box to smash unsuspecting defenders from his path to goal. At times it was like watching a less unhinged Stan Collymore crossed with an elephant.If so, better make sure to have him in your line-up for his first game in an Arsenal strip. Collymore was the master of the debut goal. And of course the quick slide into mediocrity there-after.
Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov could miss Saturday's Barclays Premiership match against Manchester United due to a groin injury.This will make the second match in a row that Berbatov has been a doubt. However, it sounds more serious this time, and the match-up for Tottenham is worse. Time to sell Berbatov? It's hard as we all have him so cheap and he's scored points even when he hasn't scored goals (unlike say, Shevchenko). But if they post the new strikers, maybe.
Berbatov has impressed since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer but suffered an adductor strain during Bulgaria's 2-2 Euro 2008 qualifying draw against Romania at the weekend.
The target-man has returned to Spurs Lodge after being ruled out of his country's match against Slovenia on Wednesday but Spurs chief Martin Jol hopes he will be fit in time for the trip to Old Trafford.
Ashley Cole moved from Arsenal to Chelsea on Thursday with French defender William Gallas moving in the opposite direction to bring to an end one of English football's most protracted transfer sagas.So we all knew it was coming. Poor Wayne Bridge. This came so late, and with Gallas leaving, there was no chance for him to move (to Newcastle, right?) and he's going to be stuck on the Chelsea bench.