Bellamy back, Kanu a doubt…
Just thought I’d post an update after scouring the team news around the web this morning. There’s a couple of significant updates namely the likely return of Craig Bellamy to the West Ham side to face Arsenal and the major doubts surrounding Kanu’s fitness prior to their game with Reading.
Bellamy looks a decent shout against Arsenal in a game that looks set to have plenty of goals. He and Ashton should certainly cause a few problems although nothing like Fabregas et al is likley to cause the Hammers at the other end. Kanu meanwhile looked another decent bet for points against Reading at Fratton Park. His place looks set to go to Benjani although Nugent could be considered after his goal in midweek. Neither appeals although Utaka is still worth a look.
Elsewhere Forssell is out for a month with a hernia. Bianchi is out with a groin injury so Mpenza will start with Samaras on the bench. Hleb will have a late test for Arsenal while Hargreaves could be on the bench or better for United at Birmingham. Mido and Tuncay are fit for Boro as is Viduka for Newcastle.
I’ve updated the shortlists in the right menu accordingly, which includes correcting the omission of Rooney. An oversight, although I still think the Birmingham game will be tough for United. Some Ronaldo magic the difference perhaps?
Just thought i’d mention what Rafa has said about Torres.
He wants to play him as little as possible at this stage of the season (first 10-15 matches), and protect him (in other words, not play him 90 mins in back to back matches).
For the coming weeks then he doens’t seem a good value buy.
Against Wigan (bearing in mind he played mid-week), i think he’ll play anywhere between 0 and 60-odd minutes.
- Start, then come off after about an hour, regardless of the score.
- Be on the bench and come on at half time if liverpool not winning,
- or come on for the last half hour if he’s required.
Basically, he won’t play 90 minutes in games if Liverpool are playing weekends and mid-week.
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Rafa just ruins my Torres Fantasy Chances
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FYI Drogba will be back for the game against Fulham this weekend…. I would def bank on him over Torres for the near future anyway…
There is of course the issue of £1.5m price difference!
Has anyone else decided to stick all their eggs in the Arsenal basket!? Ive gone with Fabregas, Adebayor and van P this week - and probably stick with it for the next few…. The way i see it they are the only ones in EPL playing football and scoring goals at the mo… and now every time arsenal do score im pretty much guaranteed to be in the points some how!! I can see game this weekend finsihing West Ham 2 - 3 Arsenal. Or to that effect..
JK
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Interesting that on the shortlist, Fabregas is given the “Rest” designation (i.e., “Could be rested”). Considering he didn’t play at mid-week, I would think that’s probably unlikely, even with a CL group game coming up on Tuesday.
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A point to note on the Chelsea team selection. I would be surprised if Ferreira doesn’t get the nod over Beletti.
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JK, I have exactly the same problem, i have the three gunners, but not sure if the van p and Adebayor combo is good, only that if one has a good game the other wont score much, and could even be benched or not even start. ie last week van p didnt even get a run.
On the other side if they score and assist each other I could be in for a lot of points.
Got no idea, can any one help with some pros or cons to sway my decision.
Awsome site.
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Good spot William. Sadly my own “rest” period has led me to miss such details. Back from my hols tomorrow though so I’ll hope to be more on the ball from then on
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As I said…Benjani didn’t appeal :-/
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damnit rafa, no finnan again?!
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