Fantasy Football Press Conference and Team News GW8

Welcome to Fantasy Football Press Conference and Team News GW8

Make sure to check all the Team News before the deadline and see what each manager had to say before their corresponding fixture. Best of luck this for this gameweek and may your ranking reflect the effort you put in.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Click on the Team Badge above or scroll down to find the team news you want

Last Updated: Friday October 4th 2019

• Kieran Tierney and Hector Bellerin both started in last nights 4-0 win over Standard Liege. Having been out for the past nine months Bellerin is unlikely to see any PL action for a number of weeks yet but Tierney is certainly in line to start over the next couple of weeks.
• The return of Bellerin saw Ainsley Maitland-Niles start in a more advanced role.
• As if we didn’t already know it, but Emery clearly isn’t a fan of Mesut Ozil, “I am thinking every time the best players for the match, the best players in the squad to play and help us. When I decided he isn’t in the squad it’s because I think other players deserve it more.”
• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came off the bench for the last 11 minutes and should be nicely rested ahead of the visit of Bournemouth.

Last Updated: Thursday October 3rd 2019

• Smith talking injuries “The game will come too quick for Jonathan Kodjia, who has trained with us, but because of the nature of the facial injury, he’ll be available after the international break.”
• Dean also mentioned “Henri Lansbury has been back training now so he’s available for selection. Tyrone Mings is fine, he’s trained all week. Matt Targett has trained the last couple of days as well so he is available for selection.”
• Chester still needs minutes to build up fitness before he can be considered and Wesley is ok following the apparent head injury last game.
• Smith had this to say about Norwich “We have full respect for what Norwich are, what they did last season and who they are now. But one thing, in the two results they had against us last season, they haven’t played against this Aston Villa yet.” Those sounds like fighting words from the manager of the team sitting in 18th in the league, can’t wait to see them go blow for blow against the 17th placed team in the league.
• For any McGinn owners or soon to be, here is what the fpl twitter account tweeted out “Only Raheem Sterling has recorded more shots on goal than John McGinn”.

Last Updated: Thursday October 3rd 2019

• Potter gave an update on Albion’s injury list, and revealed that March, Jahanbakhsh and Balogun are all available for this weekend.
• Davy Propper will be assessed ahead of the match after picking up a hamstring problem.
• Shane Duffy (calf), remains ruled out, and the game also comes too soon for Bernardo and Leandro Trossard.
• Meanwhile Jose Izquierdo is probably on a beach in Colombia recovering.
• Potter had this to say before the fixture “We know we have to play well this weekend – I was at their game with Bayern Munich on Tuesday.” Hmmm, by his statement it sounds like he knows he is playing Spurs not Bayern this weekend, I still would like to verify though, no need for him to be stressing over nothing.

Last Updated: Friday October 4th 2019

• Howe on Adam Smith and Dan Gosling “They’re not there yet but we’re hoping for them to be ready for after the international break, but we’ll see. Other than that I think we’re okay.”
• Eddie said “Arsenal have strength throughout their team” apparently Howe hasn’t watched the Arsenal defenders.
• Stanislas, Daniels and Brooks remain out.
• Ryan Fraser missed out last week, but he was out over an illness so one assumes the munchkin has recovered.

Last Updated: Thursday October 3rd 2019

• Jack Cork is set to miss Burnley’s game against Everton on Saturday after fracturing a bone in his shoulder. Dyche “Corky’s the only doubt, he’s got a minor very fracture on his scapula, I believe, and although it’s not that painful and he says it feels good, there’s obviously a precautionary element,” “He’s touch and go but I think we’d probably look wiser to make sure he’s ready for the next one, especially with the international break coming.”
• Dyche gave several players some game time in a ‘bounce’ game this week. Charlie Taylor, Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Robbie Brady, Matej Vydra, Phil Bardsley and Ben Gibson were all involved. “We just wanted to make sure they topped up their fitness to keep them as sharp as we can.”
• Danny Drinkwater is still struggling for fitness, but the Chelsea loanee is “still not there yet” in terms of his fitness. “He’s closer to getting back with us, and when [he is], we can look to get him a game.” Just means he won’t be as tired in case he wants to go get beat up at a nightclub Saturday night.
• Dyche on his strikers “Woody at the moment is looking sharp, Barnesy early season, J-Rod getting stronger and Vyds getting stronger. So a healthy group of strikers, there.” The talk was Barnesy for the right reasons, scoring goals, I still think he’s performing. Then Woody was kind of under the radar, then he’s popped up and scored goals. He’s in good form”. Could it even be a front three Dyche said “Jay Rodriguez can play wide as a three, even though he’s a forward, and he’s done that many times. Ashley Barnes has done that many times, particularly before he got here, down at Brighton.”

Last Updated: Friday October 4th 2019

• Chelsea travel to Southampton this week hoping to build on their recent momentum. Lampard; “It’s always a very difficult place to go. You have to be tip top. We have to match it at least.”
• Kante is available for selection but has been struggling with injury so far this season. Lampard; “In terms of the injury he is fine. That is just a call that I am going to have to make.”
• Lampard is very happy with the way Tomori has been performing. “I am delighted for Tomori. Mason and Tammy have taken headlines, but Tomori, having seen him turn up at Derby, to see him play the full season last year and then to come here and some people might doubt him. He has shown great qualities and he has been a dream day in and day out.”
• Callum Hudson-Odoi has two assists in his last two appearances as he continues to build up fitness. He’s been called up to the England U21s. Lampard; “Yeah, I spoke to Gareth, it’s his call and Callum hasn’t played enough games. The games will do him good.”
• No new injuries mentioned with Emerson, Loftus-Cheek and Rudiger still injured.

Last Updated: Friday October 4th 2019

• Luka Milivojevic is the first PL player to pick up five yellow cards this season and is therefore suspended for the trip to the Olympic Stadium.
• Palace have a number of players capable of filling in for Milivojevic. Summer signings James McCarthy and Victor Camarasa vying for their first league start of the season.
• Roy on injuries, “Mamadou is the only senior player injured for tomorrow. We don’t think his injury is going to keep him out for a long period of time.”
• Despite not scoring yet this season and only scoring once in the entirety of last season Hodgson is still hopeful that Benteke will get back to his best!

Last Updated: Thursday October 3rd 2019

• Silva says that Walcott and Gomes are in contention to play this weekend.
• Marco on Gbanim “We saw him on the pitch for the first time this morning. We’ll see how he reacts.
  It’s step-by-step, good to seeing him run”.
• The gaffer was asked about the possibility of bringing Zouma back and he didn’t answer, yet sort of did “It’s too far to talk about this. We are fully-focused on our players and what we can do to improve. The window re-opens, we will talk.” That is him saying of course he is interested!!
• Silva confirmed there were no other injuries.
• Marco was asked about Pickford’s form and he was very diplomatic about it, you know what’s not up for debate, that Jordan is a d**k.

Last Updated: Thursday October 3rd 2019

• No new injuries were reported by Rodgers as they travel to Anfield this weekend. Rodgers on the tough task ahead “We just want to continue with our performance level. Liverpool are on an incredible run. Great opponent to test and challenge the quality of their team. Brought a positive mindset into our games, no matter who the opponent is. Nobody expects us to get anything from the game, with Liverpool in the form that they’re in”.
• The big news from Leicester is James Maddison is fit to return. Rodgers “James is fine, he’s trained the past couple of days. He’ll be ok”.
• Rodgers praised Jamie Vardy “I think he’s recognised as one of the best strikers in the division. Don’t appreciate that until you get to work with him on a day to day basis. The surprising element is that tactically he’s very good. Understands his role. Real leader on the field. His leadership qualities very strong. Inherent belief in his ability. Doesn’t need many chances. For how I like teams to play, striker who can press, he has been absolutely brilliant. Looks like he’s always going to get goals”.
• Leicester City’s Ricardo Pereira has finally been handed a route back into the Portugal setup. They must have seen he’s the top scoring FPL defender so far this season.

Last Updated: Friday October 4th 2019

• Klopp on injuries: “Alisson trained with the team yesterday for the first time. Goalie sessions are usually more intense than proper sessions. He looked really good but we will see. Joel Matip looks good but is not ready for tomorrow.”
• It remains to be seen whether or not Alisson makes an immediate return to the starting XI.
• With Matip ruled out Joe Gomez will partner van Dijk. The youngster struggled aginst Salzburg on Wednesday night but Klopp was quick to defend him, “It would be unfair to make Joe responsible for any of the goals we conceded. Players who haven’t played together a while need time to get used to each other again. That’s normal.”
• Xherdan Shaqiri has also been ruled out. Although you’d hardly know he was still at the club.

Last Updated: Friday October 4th 2019

• Manchester City host Wolves this week who will face a long journey back from Turkey, Pep on Wolves “Yesterday they had an incredible result. I saw the game and they were so solid as expected. They have a team to make you suffer in the Premier League. They know exactly what they have to do, three or four seasons together…”
• Kevin De Bruyne will miss Sunday’s league clash with Wolves with a groin problem he picked up at Everton last week. Pep “Sometimes he is a substitute but when he feels good he is good. After the international break he will be ready. It’s not a big, big problem.”
• John Stones is also due to return for the clash with Crystal Palace on October 19 as he recovers from a thigh problem he aggravated in the 3-2 defeat at Norwich.
• Pep spoke on the competition for Kyle Walker in the form of Cancelo “He made a step forward against Preston and was really good too. He arrived late in pre-season so most of the things we worked on were completely different to what he was used to so he needed time but he’s getting better . We cannot play 11 months with just one full-back. We need this position to make it competitive for Kyle.” Cancelo and Benjamin Mendy won’t feature for their countries after being left out so will build up fitness in the international break.

Last Updated: Friday October 4th 2019

• David Moyes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does not expect to have Paul Pogba back for Sunday’s trip to Newcastle. The French ‘superstar’ did not travel to Holland for Thursday’s Europa League game against AZ Alkmaar. HE has also been omitted from the French squad for their upcoming qualifiers.
• United were handed a fresh injury blow last night as Jesse Lingard limped out of the 0-0 draw with AZ Alkmaar. A blow? Really?!!
• Anthony Martial (thigh), Luke Shaw (hamstring) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (illness) are also expected to sit out the Newcastle game. When asked about the possibility of any of these players returning on Sunday Moyesie OGS said, “I don’t know.” The players will be assessed on Saturday morning, AWB is best-placed to return.

Last Updated: Friday October 4th 2019

• Bruce said today “We’ve got practically everybody okay apart from Matt Ritchie. Jonjo is fit, and the more options we’ve got with people getting fit, the better. It’s good.”
• Brucey also added “Dwight Gayle has trained all week and I’ll make a decision on him in the next couple of days. Basically, everybody is fit.”
• The gaffer also had some good news on Florian “Lejeune is out there. He’s been training for a week or ten days and in another couple of weeks, he could be back too.”
• Hayden is suspended for a sending off.

Last Updated: Friday October 4th 2019

• The rumours were correct! Farke confirmed that Todd Cantwell has a small hamstring problem and is therefore a doubt for the Villa game.
• Farke also confirmed that Sam Byram, who has been struggling for a couple of weeks, will be in the squad.
• Michael McGovern is set to make his full PL debut. Tim Krul (back) and Ralf Fahrmann (groin) are both unavailable.
• Grant Hanly is unavailable and will see a specialist next week in relation to his groin.
• Due to a lack of centre-backs Ben Godfrey will be available tomorrow. He will then have surgery on his hernia over the international break. There is a chance he will return for the Bournemouth game in GW9.
• Jamal Lewis is available.
• Onel Hernandez is nearing a return to training with the team.

Last Updated: Thursday October 3rd 2019

• The game comes too quick for McGoldrick who is struggling with a groin issue.
• Wilder on Billy Sharp ‘We could have done with him around the last few games but he’s worked hard and he’ll be involved at the weekend’.
• Not really much else to report on the Blades, the rest of the presser was about attitude and Henderson keeping his legs closed.

Last Updated: Friday October 4th 2019

• Saints host Chelsea this week as they sit in 14th, having made a mixed start to the season. Last time out, they were defeated by ten-men ​Spurs, despite being gifted a goal from a Hugo Lloris error.
• Cédric pulled out of the warm-up last weekend, and remains sidelined. The manager said; “For sure not. He really tried to play against Tottenham, that maybe wasn’t the best idea, but he really wanted to help the team. He really tried to do it against Tottenham but after the warm-up the problem was too big. It’s a calf injury.”
• Moussa Djenepo is also unavailable as he continues to recover from a reocurring tendon problem. Hasenhüttl; “Moussa is very difficult to say when he can play again. It’s high risk at the moment. When you have an injury in a muscle that you need when you shoot the ball then you don’t know if it’s okay until you shoot. He can do everything, running and passing. Everything is possible. But when he shoots we must pay attention because a tendon injury is difficult. I would like to have him back as soon as possible.”
• Che Adams is in contention. Hasenhüttl; “It was clear that I needed to give him a rest. Sometimes a break can help, even if you are like him, where he always wants to play. “This week he’s in better condition and is clearer in the mind. He can be an option for Sunday, yes. It’s difficult as a striker if you have a good pre-season and then it comes to the league and you are unlucky. It’s important that you stay working and believe in yourself.

Last Updated: Friday October 4th 2019

• “We are currently experiencing a technical issue on eTicketing and our online Shop. As a result, our member sales window for Red Star is delayed. We will keep fans updated and hope to resolve the issue as soon as possible.” Sounds like Bayern broke their eticketing.
• 83-goal for Bayern, 87-Lewandowski again, 88-Another….yeah, I be broken also.
• Lo Celso and Sessegnon are entering the last stage of their rehab, Aurier is suspended.
• In other news, Jan Vertonghen is not the new John Terry according to Christian Eriksen.

Last Updated: Thursday October 3rd 2019

• Pending Press Conference
• Quique Sánchez Flores knows the importance of Saturday’s fixture against Sheffield United as Watford really need a win. “We are no longer preparing matches; we are preparing finals,” said Sánchez Flores. “It is like this, but I am really happy with the response of the players at the training ground”.
• Troy Deeney remains unavailable as he continues to recover from a knee operation, while Isaac Success is also struggling to fe
• José Holebas is at risk of suspension (what a surprise) if he is booked at the weekend (spoiler alert; he will be), having already accumulated four yellow cards in six games so far this season.

Last Updated: Thursday October 3rd 2019

• Pell had this to say on his kepper “About Lukasz, the medical staff will decide probably today or tomorrow if he will have surgery on his muscle, or if he will recover without surgery,” said the manager. “I think in both cases less than three months will be long enough for Lukasz to recover.” 4.4 Roberto anyone? #Crickets
• Manuel also mentioned Winston Reid saying “We need to be calm and patient with him. He will start playing with the U23s and, as soon as he’s able to play with the first team, he’ll be involved also.”
• Lanzini and Wilshere sound ok and ready to go.
• Michail Antonio remains out.
• Pell also spoke glowingly about Yarmo “Now he’s returning, and he’s returning in the way we know he’s able to play. I think that he’s the second striker for Ukraine now also, and he’s used to scoring goals, and always making good passes.” Say no more, bringing him in this week, cue five straight blanks.

Last Updated: Friday October 4th 2019

• Once again Nuno fielded a strong XI in last night’s Europa League game.
• Leander Dendoncker and Adama Traoré were the only players who started against Watford to get a rest on Thursday night, although both featured in the second half.
• Nuno, unlike Pep, isn’t one to rotate so expect much the same XI to start against City on Sunday.

Thanks for reading Fantasy Football Press Conference and Team News GW8

FPL FIXTURE TRACKER

FIXTURE TRACKER LINK

FIXTURE TRACKER 2019/20