Friday 16 October 2009

Rooney, Gerrard & Torres OUT



From football365.com

Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled Wayne Rooney out of Manchester United's Premier League encounter with Bolton at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Rooney picked up a calf injury during England's World Cup qualifying defeat in the Ukraine last weekend.

And despite returning straight to United's Carrington training ground for treatment, the striker will not be fit to face the Trotters, when Edwin Van Der Saar will be in goal

Ferguson does retain an outside hope that Rooney will be available for Wednesday's Champions League trip to CSKA Moscow, although a return for the key clash with Liverpool at Anfield on October 25 is more likely.

Ferguson is awaiting news on Dimitar Berbatov, whose partner gave birth on Thursday, but has Michael Owen fit and ready for the visit of Bolton to Old Trafford.

So at least we have it confirmed nice & early that there will be no Rooney, but the news on Berbatv throws even more confusion in to the mix. Is Owen now an option? Also note that Foster will lose his place in case you're still holding on to him.

My gut feeling is Berbatov will play. If his wife was still due to have the baby then it might be a different matter, but he's been with her for the past 2 days so I expect him to man-up & help his club out

So much to change & so little time...Owen at 9.08 has got me interested...

UPDATE - Big big problems for Liverpool
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N166099091016-1341.htm
Both Gerrard (groin) and Torres (muscle) have failed to recover from knocks sustained on international duty, but both may return for our midweek Champions League clash with Lyon.

Kyrgiakos, meanwhile, limped out of Greece's World Cup qualifier in midweek, and initial press reports suggested he could be out for several months. However, Benitez expects the centre back to be available within a week to ten days.

The boss told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Both Steven and Fernando still have some problems. They will need more time and won't be available this weekend. I think they could be available for next week.

"With Kyrgiakos we were really worried because people were talking about maybe six months, but after the scan we think one week to ten days. That's very positive."

There was also better news on Dirk Kuyt after his injury scare during the international break.

"Kuyt is okay. He was training normally with the team and will be available," added Benitez.

South American trio Javier Mascherano, Emiliano Insua and Lucas Leiva have all returned to Merseyside following their long-haul international flights over the past week. All three are available for the clash at the Stadium of Light.
I've moved this post to the top as it's such big news the Liverpool update. See the post below for my Week 9 Preview with some Week 8 info thrown in for good measure.

Cheers,
AM

71 comments:

Anonymous said...

now i dont regret sold him last week with discount :))
anyway im holding stanislas got him on the bd with around 3 million discount, what do you guys think will he feature at all?

Anonymous said...

I'll replaced with RvPersie.....

Rgds.
Ajani

Anonymous said...

nice pic AM;P
is owen really start dis week??or will SAF will play 5 middies with gigg act as support for striker??is nani gonna play or park??juz have a feeling dat manu will score only 2 goals since CL is on wed.juz my feeling though ^_^

Naning said...

Rooney out, RVP in. Also means I have to downgrade my defence a bit. But it shouldn't be too bad.

Owain said...

Quite pleased with this news even though i held him at a discount. Our league leader has held Rooney Torres and Drogba since day one and doesnt do much research so this will allow me to gain lots of points on him this week (hopefully!).

The question now is who to replace him with. I've swapped Torres for RVP but not sure whether to risk Owen for Ronney and put Giggs in the midfield or opt for Saha and purchase a midfielder of around 10 points instead. A lot of decision lie ahead including the keeper situation. Risk Robinson on the cheap or splash out on Scwarzer. This game isn't getting any easier...

Anonymous said...

Is Torres, Gerrard or Fabregas fit ti play this weekend?

Anonymous said...

"United will be without Wayne Rooney when Bolton Wanderers visit Old Trafford on Saturday but Edwin van der Sar will return between the posts...

"Edwin's fit and he will play," Sir Alex said...

Michael Owen "will be involved" against Bolton after recovering from the groin injury that curtailed his September start against Wolfsburg. But United will sweat over Darren Fletcher's availability following the midfielder's injury while training with Scotland."

http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BF9E570E6%2D407E%2D44BC%2D800F%2D4A3110258114%7D&newsid=6641407

"Gael Clichy and Abou Diaby both collected ankle injuries with France during the break. The left back is a doubt but the midfielder is expected to recover. Eduardo (thigh) is still out but Cesc Fabregas will play despite missing Spain’s game in midweek for personal reasons."

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/30062/injury-news

Raul said...

This weekend will be exciting. So many option, so many have diffrent picks. Really good week to move up in the table. I really have to wait till the last minutes with making the right selections.

Anonymous said...

just thought i'd put my team out there for u guys to comment..

myhill
vermaelen bassong sonko
billy fabregas giggs dunn
torres drogba defoe

what do u guys think?

jt

GTR 34 said...

@ Anonymous

Your team looks good, but I am worried about Sonkp and Myhill as I feel that Fulham will score 2 or possibly 3 goals with Dempsey hitting the target for the 1st time this year.

Bassong is now overated as his average points were helped considerably by his goal in the seasons 1st match. However, his price is cheap.

Your midfield and forwards look good, but I would probably swap Torres for RVP since he has a home game against Birmingham. Depends on the discount you got Torres for though?

Defoe is a good choice as he likes to score against his old clubs.

Crouch is also a consideration after his international success, and guess what? He also plays against his old club.

Much to think about for this weekend. I imagine many of you will be making VERY last minute changes.

Good luck.

Anonymous said...

Zamora/Kitson/Di Santo as a third striker? Anyone?
And how about N'Gog/Voronin if Nando is out?

Ruki said...

Damn it international break, I hate it. Hurting players and creating headache for us fantasy managers.

Cahill/Torres/Rooney are about to be out for my tea this week, well Rooney has already gone. Time to look for replacement.

Bull said...

Guys how about Billy? Any news whether he'll start?

Rolf said...

To go with what Mark just said, I have billy at 4.7, and Kightly at 4.3

Which one should I keep this week?

(also, what is the story with Zhirkov?, he was supposed to be 'all world'. will he play soon?)

Anonymous said...

Love the photo - new to the blog. Can you explain the term "barndoor"? I looked through old posts and am mystified.

Assistant Manager said...

@3:00pm - Read my old Week 2 Preview for info on the barndoor...

http://yahoofantasyfootballuk.blogspot.com/2009/08/week-2-preview_14.html

Anonymous said...

Team thoughts??

Robin
Verm Heint Sonko
Cesc Arsh Rodwell Gera
Drogba Diamanti Saha

As GTR said I'm nervous about Sonko.
3 Gunners. Does Cesc have a let down after last week?

Jon said...

The Arsenal website has news that Vela, Eduardo, Bendtner and Clichy are out, though Diaby is fit. Anyone else think that this makes Gibbs - at 6 - a very interesting idea? And with all those forwards out, surely Walcott to start?

Ruki said...

Walcott chance of starting just jumps through the roof I think, I wish I was AW! He only got Sicky and Eboue to compete with now, instead of another 10.

Anonymous said...

Just saved my team :-

Given
Heit Verm 0'Shea
Dunn Moko KBoat Giggs
Drogs Saha K2

Little bit unhappy about the middle. Thinking swapping KBoat for Bili and then go Kran instead of Dunn.

Any comments?

Dave

Ruki said...

Forgot to add, that 3 players for 2 spots left/right wings.

Berbatov/Brown or Owen/something really better than Brown or Saha/something slightly better than brown?

Anonymous said...

Thanks @ GTR 34 for the advice.

Myhill and Sonko are just fillers so there's not much i can change. And yeah, as long as they don't give me negative points, Giggs,Fabregas,drogba, torres and defoe will make up for the lost points. i have torres at 15.74 which is a significant discount. I've read the news and it says that he may be back next week. I'm quite tempted to switch to Adebayor but that would mean me losing my discount on Torres. What would you do?

JT

Anonymous said...

Replaced Gerrard + Torres with Benayoun + Kuyt.....Liverpool have to bounce back before meet Man Utd......

Bojan said...

THIS IS THE WORST WEEK EVER... I CAN'T PREDICT ANYTHING... MIDFIELDS FROM MAN UTD, TOTTENHAM, ARSENAL, EVERTON, LIVERPOOL, FULHAM AND CITY ARE A BIG + HALF OF ATTACKERS ARE OR INJURED OR CAME BACK TO ENGLAND TODAY AFTER 12 HOUR FLIGHT????????????????? S H I T

Predicted line-up this week would be nice, even very nice

Macgill said...

It's Friday afternoon and I'm selling rooney, torres, and arshavin. So that I can upgrade PRob to Given, and get saha, berbatov, kranjcar, and benayoun. Here's hoping that I didn't just swap out 50 points from my week 8 total!

Fidan said...

@ Everyone willing to share an opinion!!!

I had my team sorted out for most of the positions (9 out of 11) but the last two spots are proving to be a pain in the a.s...!!! I have so many options so far and here are the few I'd like to get some thoughts on:

1. Billy/RvP
2. Babel/RvP
3. Benayoun/Berbatov
4. Dempsey/Berbatov

I have everyone else sorted out, and funny thing is that NONE of the injury news affected my team (at least not in a negative sense ;))...!!!

Thnx in advance...!!!
Good Luck with YOUR choices...!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey What about Bullard in the Midfield ?
HE is after all a big point getter and can take all kicks!

Any Opinion about Andy Johnson (see that not many of you are keen on him) is he good to go ?

Cheers,
Kasper

Anonymous said...

@Kasper

Bullard for 12.86? Too expensive. For about the same price, surely Geovanni (12.11) would be the better bet, considering his points return the past few weeks.

Kellz said...

Kuyt will be playing as the lone striker with Yossi moved into Attacking midfielder and possibly see a start for Babel on the wing, thats my guess

MLowrey said...

@Fidan
Liverpool are obviously missing two of their most important players and if I were a betting man I'd say Sunderland have a good chance of getting all three points. They're playing at home and their main man Bent is well and truly rested. That leads to two player choices you have there, Babel and Benayoun, I'm not that sure about the Dutchman, namely his starting status and neither of them are sure enough bets.

Van Persies current price makes him quite a risk since the Gunners attacking three hasn't really clicked since they switched to 4-3-3. Then again he could well score a couple against Birmingham seeing as he is the only fit striker.

I personally like the Dempsey + Berba combo the best. Still not any certain news wether the Texan will be fit but if he starts I'm certain he'll score some good points against Hull. Berbatov will likely be the vocal point of Uniteds attack, coming back from the internationals with a hat-trick and a newborn doesn't hurt his confidence either.

chris m said...

Ok guys. I haven't uttered an obscenity yet in all my postings here, but this week, I'll make an exception. This is a total clusterfuck. Between injuries and the international break, this is utter chaos.

I have had Torres and Rooney since the start both with big discounts, and both are now gone.

I have replaced them with RVP/Saha-Drogba of course stays.


This gave me some $$ to redo my midfield once again, a weekly event.
It now is:

Bily Lennon Dunn Rosicky.

The big debate here was Rosicky or Walcott, both about the same price.
The injury news on Arsenal is all over the place. Some sources having Diaby out, all have Eduardo and Bendtner out. This would definitely open up a start for either Sicky or Walcott with Arshavin pushed up front with RVP. I don't have a clue who starts and who sits. I noticed that Walcott is on physiorooms injury list, (1 day return). Thinking he might be a little dinged I have gone with Rosicky.

As for all of you Bily/Blini fans, Pienaar's status is the dreaded late fitness test even though PR says 2 weeks, so we won't know until after deadline whether Blini starts.

Lennon is probably a bad hunch, he has been horrible the last couple of games, played poorly against Belareus, but if he has any self respect, he should shred Pompey's defense.

I am not sure of any of this. This week will surely shake up the leadboard.

Anonymous said...

Given
Heitinga, Verm, Evra
Billy, Cesc, Jarvis, Benayoun
Drogba, Turkish Delight filler, Adebayor

Not feeling good about dropping Torres with a huge discount, but can't risk getting zero from two forwards this week. Ade has been good for a goal a game, but away to wigan might be rough. Not sure of other options there besides Berb..who killed my last season.

Really happy with my defense & upgrading to evra...no where else to spend money b/c i see value everywhere else.

good luck to all

B.

Fidan said...

@ MLowrey - Thnx a lot. Regarding to Hodgson "everyone is fit" (including Dempsey) so his availability is not such a question...but...I doubt that Berbatov can score higher than RvP. But you got a point there, for his confidence, which REALLY helps, esp for a striker. The other fact is that I have Billy for 4.7, and he was supposed to feature for Everton from the very start of the match. I intended to give him another chance after his 11pts return last week... But, I'll seriously consider your advice and make a late "fitness/availability test"...!!!

Cheers...!!!

Kellz said...

Contenplating:
Lennon/Walcott, Lennon/Dunn, or Kranjcar/Benayoun

Thoughts?

Kellz said...

@Fidan:
-RvP is expensive at over 18mil and facing a B'Ham side that isn't terrible in defense, but we all know what Arsenal can do.
-Berbs should be back to play against Bolton and paired with Owen. I think Berbs could have a great game especially with a newborn.
-I just have a gut feeling Liverpool will win out and with Kyut playing the lone striker with Yossi in support I think Yossi can be dangerous, lets face it Sunderland don't have the best defense (neither does Liverpool however).

Therefore I like Yossi/Berbs, I think its nicely balanced. Plus we have to give our boys some support after everybody has written them off. Yossi is greedy and attacks goal slotted behind the striker. YNWA

MLowrey said...

@Fidan
I have Bily myself, I also have Cesc and Arshavin so no RVP for me, all the eggs in one basket and all that... Just read that Berbatov might not be able to fly to Manchester due to the birth, Bulgaria isn't exactly on the other hemisphere but that's a risk to take into account. In that light Bily+RVP is a safer choice.

@Kellz

Lennon/Dunn is a no brainer in terms of starting status, whether they'll score good is another matter. Krancjar/Benayoun is a bit too risky and Lennon/Walcott I just don't fancy for some reason. I'd actually rather have Dunn/Walcott out of those five players.

Bojan said...

Howard
Verm-O'Shea-Gibbs
Fab4-Dunn-KPB-Billy
Drog-Saha-Diamani

AM, what do you say on this 11?

MLowrey said...

The Liverpool team minus Big G and Nando are maybe on the same level as Villa and Sunderland, at best. Everton, Spuds, City and the other Three have much better all-around squads in that sense by not relying on a couple of players to deliver the goods, tho United also seems to fall into the former, because without Rooney and Giggs they're in trouble.

Anonymous said...

Guardian squad sheet has Giggs on bench, Welbeck starting.

Would have to think Giggs would be the first sub if Man U come out flat again.

ToffeeDave said...

Wow lots of changes, been busy with school and can't do a podcast with so much work. Alas, here is my new team

Given
Verm, Baines, Turner
Billy, Boateng, Jarvis, *I forget
Drogba, saha, Jones.

Jason said...

ToffeeDave

Whats your opinion on Cahill starting after a long flight back from Australia? Ive got him at under £10m and im reluctant to drop him!

Anonymous said...

Will Walcott Start????????????????

GTR 34 said...

Well,

That's Berbs out of the match as well, so I'm sure Owen will be starting with some good time for Giggs and Welbeck.

Fletcher is also stuggling which means Carrick will get a call up.

What a funny week. Loads of international injuries carried home to these shores, and players to be rested.

If I can tell you one thing, it is this.

LIVERPOOL AND UNITED WILL THROW THE KITCHEN SINK AT THIS WEEKENDS MATCHES.

They both need to win before they face each other next week.

Will said...

Zamora/Kitson/Di Santo as a third striker? Anyone?
And how about N'Gog or Voronin if Nando is out?

max said...

whos a better pick in midfield, cahill against wolves or dempsey against hull?

ToffeeDave said...

Jason I can see him starting, I think now that Billy is in the squad he shot up Cahill's value dramatically. If you have him under 10 even if it's a 0 week I owuld say keep him, he won't miss more than 2 games in a row unless a serious injury occurs and could become a 12+ value midfielder especially when Arteta is back.

mehicoradio said...

Well this threw a wrench in my plans, granted in more of a good way. Why? Because i can downgrade at Striker (had Rooney at 17) and gives me room to improve a middle or a defender.

The question is
Who to replace Sonko? I'll have about 9.50, but i can't find anyone i like :(

or

Do i replace Billy, giving me around 10.93 and then i should have 2 guaranteed starters.

I'm leaning towards replacing Sonko, but still need to figure out with who.

mehicoradio said...

http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~1827684,00.html

I know a lot of you have been following the game for much much longer then i have (don't blame me, blame the U.S. culture haha), any thoughts on Zenden and if he gets into the first team (which it sounds he will) is going to be worth it fantasy wise?

Maxer said...

ow no.. the berba news is another blow for me.. my gut says three things about berba..

1.he will be available for week8, and playing twice as hard to impress his fans and family..
2. due to travelling here and there, he'll be too tired to play (or at least subbed after 45mins).. or
3.he'll totally be out..

hmm.. better be safe than sorry.. everyone.. kuyt or saha?.. :p

Maxer..

greginho said...

kuyt maxer

G said...

Given
Verm, Hertinga, O'shea
Fabregas, Rosicky, Giggs, bily
Drogba, *Tuncay*, RVP

G

Kellz said...

Currently debating on Cahill or Dunn.

Given, Verm, O'Shea, Bassong
Giggs, Lennon, Dunn/Cahill, Billy
Drogba, Saha, Defoe

Thoughts?

Unknown said...

Wow! I've got a ton of decisions to make tonight before tommorrow's games. Should make for an interesting weekend. Meanwhile, all you Brits are sound asleep and I'll be left to go with my gut haha.
Was fairly happy with my original lineup coming in which was:

Given
Verm, Heitinga, Givet
Bily, Cahill, Walcott, Lennon
Drogba, Torres, Saha

So, Torres is out. Is Cahill a bit of a doubt? Unsure on starting status of Theo, and never really trusted Lennon this week. Well... lets cross out some names and see what we can put in...

Options at Forward: Saha, Defoe, Crouch?, Bent, Kuyt, $$RVP$$ and Berbatov who is a bit of a doubt now as well.

Options at Midfield: Dunn, Rosicky?, Dempsey, Giggs, Nani, Krancjar/Lennon, Benayoun, The Prince

Really hurts dropping Torres @15, but that's the way it goes.

New tentative lineup:
(Really hate these big changes so close to deadline. Makes my brain hurt!)

Given
Vermaelen, Heitinga, Givet
Bily, Walcott, Giggs, Dunn
Drogba, Saha, Crouch

Taking a bit of a chance on Crouch, and Walcott... hopefully I haven't picked around the points. Very close to grabbing Kuyt. With the spare funds I think I will upgrade Givet to M.Turner.

Wow... sorry for the long post. Helped to kind of think aloud with all of that haha.
Anyone still awake and able to provide some last minute wisdom?

Unknown said...

Hey Kellz, looks like we had similar lineups/issues again. I went with my gut and dropped Lennon. For some reason I just don't have a good feeling about him. Watch him go and net three goals!

For Cahill, I figured I'd be boring and play it safe. Could be a little fatigued coming back from international duty... and don't see a huge difference in points between him and Dunn this week.

Anonymous said...

I have switched my line up 5 times today. It's 11pm in chicago so this is it as I'm boozin' also

Here's what I had earlier
Robin
Verm Heint Sonko
Cesc Arsh Rodwell Gera
Drogba Diamanti Saha

It's now
Robin
Verm Heint Sonko
Cesc Gera Cattermole Nani
Drogba Saha Bent

I'm a Liverpool supporter but after seing Sunderland play well against ManYooouu and Liverpool's dodgy defence aswell as no Stevie G, I'm looking for the Sunderland boys to do well (need some picks that no one else will have).

I had Walcott in many of my changed teams but decided on Nani as being more reliable in terms of getting a start.

John said...

Given
Verm,Heitinga,Sonko
Hunt,Dunn,Kranjcar,Kightly
Drogba,RVP,K2

Thoughts?

Anonymous said...

@ John
weak midfield but I like defence and what you have up front.
I think this week is a chance to level the playing field and for some of the guys sitting in mid table to make up some ground with the right picks.

mehicoradio said...

ended up going

Given
Verm, Heiti, Givet
O'hara, Cesc, Geovanni, Billy
Drogs, Saha, Defoe

And yes i know O'Hara is out, but i couldn't get myself to give up the ~1 discount i have on him as, imo, 1 can be alot.

Bad side is it meant i had to downgrade a bit in defense/mid, as i had tuncay before as the filler, but i can't have 2 0s in the team imo.

mikl-em said...

interesting reading over everyone's teams and thoughts. Am *thrilled* to finally learn what "barndoor" meant--and here I thought it was a general football term that being a yank I just didn't get.

Curious about the strong inclination to Bily, as I have a few $ more and have Felliani in instead. Is there something I should know about MF?

I dropped Rooney for the first time and picked up Arshavin, which I am thrilled about. I'd actually been thinking about dropping Rooney last week and it turns out I should have. He has had a few crap weeks.

I have a funny feeling about Carlton Cole this week. He's been hot lately, so I've paired him with Drogba.

Was bummed to learn that Ballack wasn't playing. Was glad I got the news in time that O'Hara isn't playing (cuz he's on loan from Spurs who they are playing). So I dodged 2 zero bullets there. Had Fletcher, but dropped him as there is some injury rumor.

Sounds like it's still not sure about Toure being fit, so playing it safe. THose Monday night games are tough to plan for.

I am following my hunches this time, because last game week I had Bikey on my back line up to right about now, and pulled him for Bassong. Those points for his goal would have looked so good on my weekly tally. *sigh*

Good luck all!

masterP said...

finally my team is done!!! thxs to Raul n many others!!! just wanna wish every hindu a happy divali!!!

Anonymous said...

should i put saha or benayoun?
i can afford one of them.
and already rule out cahill.

Anonymous said...

So I have doubt. I wish I didn't, but I do.
I have Richards, who isn't a sure start, though I'm pretty confident he'll start.
I have Walcott, which no one has been saying anything about his position.
I have Bily...
And I have Berbatov - what a mess.

It could end up horribly. Or fantastically. I just know deep in my heart that whoever I drop today will be scoring double figures this weekend. I could really use AM's usual match previews, but their not coming, probably because those news are confusing anybody...

SF

Raul said...

Morning to all of you,
Wonderful weekend is coming up:D
So my team line up looks like this:
M.Scwarzer 8.79
T.Vermaelen 6.05
G.Givet 6.23
I.Sonko 3.16
F.Fabregas 16.75
B.Bilyaletdinov 4.71
K.Boateng 7.13
N.Kranjcar 10.94
D.Drogba 10.66
E.Adebayor 14.01
L.Saha 11.43

Any thoughts?
Suggestions?
Thanks from Estonia

Anonymous said...

Any good replacement for Giggs & Billy (doubt will not start)?

Rgds.
Ajani

Anonymous said...

can someone update about giggs,berba,cahill and nani?
any news regarding these player will start?

Mike B said...

Berbatov is starting, courtesy of the link provided by ab in the chat box.

Anonymous said...

will giggs start?
he already rest for over 2 weeks.

Ruki said...

Giggs probably starts due to few reasons:

He rests way too much.
Rooney is out so MU will need more offense power than just Owen the replacement.
They played like crap w.o him in 2 games.
They want to win this game bad so they could have a boost before big clash next week.

Anonymous said...

My idea is that giggs will play today, then sub in midweek and that started agin next weekend against pool..

GTR 34 said...

@ everyone (all of you)

Berbatov is on the expected line up sheet for Utd on Yahoo, but doubtful on the BBC and Sky Sports.

When in doubt - keep em out.

NBR said...

I've been rubbish at this lately, I was leading my league for the 5 weeks or so but I've been slowly but surely getting worse (that'll learn me for getting over 150 points in my first week!).

I don't really understand the scoring, last week I was sure Palacios and O'Hara would be big points - everything was going through O'Hara in that game - can anyone give me tips as to why?

This week I've gone for:

Robinson
Vermaelen-Distin-O'Shea
Rosicky-Petrov-Lennon-Boateng
Drogba-Saha-Owen

I'm hoping Owen will be my dark horse...

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