Weekend Scout Notes
My ramblings return to dissect a Saturday of thrills, spills and unpredictable hat-tricks and a Sunday of attritious “big games” that delivered more bookings than goals. Lawrenson was right and that can never be a good thing.
Birmingham 1 Reading 1
Club skipper Damien Johnson returned for the suspended Nafti as expected. McCleish paired Forssell up wih Jerome, shifting McSheffrey out wide and dropping De Ridder to the bench. Djourou missed out with his pelvic injury so Sadler continued in central defence. Kapo’s absence from the sixteen and the decision to drop De Ridder clearly shows that McCleish is looking for a strong work ethic over creativity. Birmingham are becoming hard to beat but aside from the front two of Jerome and Forssell, there’s few attacking options for Fantasy Managers in their lineup. Their next three fixtures are favourable however, with a trip to Bolton followed by home games with Boro and Fulham.
Reading were unchanged from the side that saw off Liverpool last time out. Hunt scored his second penalty of the season and is clearly the designated spot kick taker over Doyle and Kitson. That makes him a decent mid-price option along with the usual trio of Doyle, Kitson and Shorey. Reading’s Christmas fixtures are okay but don’t promise too many points - they avoid the big four, visiting Sunderland next before trips to West Ham and Spurs.
Injuries and Suspensions
Reading lost Gunnarsson to a knee injury on 28 minutes and is looking a major doubt for next weekend.
Ridgewell picked up his fifth booking of the season and will miss the trip to Bolton.
Derby 0 Middlesbrough 2
Paul Jewell brought in Mears for McEveley in defence, switching Griffin to left-back. Teale started in midfield for Fagan who dropped from the sixteen. Leacock continued in midfield with Barnes pushed up to support Miller up front. Howard was on the bench. As usual there’s little to say about Derby - little or no potential targets and their form remains dire despite Jewell’s arrival.
Boro made just one change, Schwarzer returning from injury to replace Turnbull in goal. Tuncay struck his third goal in three games from a Downing cross. Without making reference to “Turkey for Christmas”, Tuncay is emerging as a decent target, particularly if classed as midfielder. He’s a striker in most games however, and priced quite highly. Downing may win some new Fantasy suitors as Boro’s form continues to improve. Wheater in defence is another decent option - he’s cheap, playing well and can threaten goals from set-pieces. Boro’s fixtures are pretty decent and promise goals with West Ham at home next, followed by trips to Birmingham and Portsmouth.
Injuries and Suspensions
Derby lost Griffin to injury after 29 minutes.
Fulham 0 Newcastle 1
Sanchez dropped Kuqi to the bench and recalled Healy alongside Dempsey with Kamara absent through suspension. Bouazza came in on the left of midfield. Bocanegra ousted Konchesky at left-back. Last-minute heartbreak for Fulham who will doubtless bring Kamara back for the crucial game against Wigan. Trips to Spurs and Birmingham follow that.
Allardyce lost Taylor with a hamstring injury so Cacapa returned to central defence after returning to fitness. Smith once again started up front with Martins while Butt recovered from a stomach muscle strain to take his spot in midfield. Barton tucked away the 90th minute winning penalty, his first Newcastle goal, and could well keep the spot kick duties throughout the season. As always Newcastle remain an unpredictable source for Fantasy Managers. Their next two games against Derby at home and Wigan away do promise some attacking points making Milner and Martins worth a look. Beyond that though the fixtures get tough and Martins departs for the African Nations in January.
Man City 4 Bolton 2
Elano failed his fitness test so Gelson kept his place in midfield despite Hamann’s return from suspension. Bianchi earned a start up front as exptected wih Vassell shifting out to the right-wing and Etuhu dropping to the bench. The most significant change however saw Garrido dropped to the bench and Ball brought in at left-back. Garrido could have done enough to win his place back next weekend however, coming on for Petrov to set up the final goal. Having conceded two at home for the first time, Sven may well revert to his familiar back four for the trip to Villa next weekend so don’t be too quick to flog Garrido.
Megson made just one change, bringing in Michalik for Andy O’Brien in central defence. Nolan continues to thrive under Megson and is emerging as a decent midfield target. Bolton’s next five games aren’t too tough and Anelka’s return could pick up once again. It’s Birmingham at home next, followed by trips to Everton and Sunderland. Derby and Blackburn at home follow in the New Year.
Portsmouth 0 Tottenham 1
Portsmouth remained unchanged from the side that won at Villa last time out. They continue to struggle at home while Benjani has gone five games without a goal. Krancjar, Muntari and the back four remain the best potential targets as we go into Christmas. Pompey face a trip to Liverpool next, followed by home games with Arsenal and Boro.
Ramos was forced into changes with Dawson missing out at the last minute through illness. Zokora shifted to the back and Prince-Boateng coming into midfield. Bent started alongside Berbatov, ahead of Defoe despite his brace against City last weekend. Berbatov hit the winner here and is showing sporadic form and Spurs, like Newcastle, are an unpredictable source of Fantasy points, particularly while Keane is suspended. It’s Arsenal next followed by home games with Fulham and Reading which appear to offer decent points potential with Keane back in their side.
Injuries and Suspensions
Pamarot picked up an injury and was replaced by Hreidarsson on 74 minutes.
Sunderland 1 Aston Villa 1
Keane made a number of changes. Skipper Whitehead move to right-back with Halford dropping out. Yorke came into the midfield as did Murphy who ousted Leadbitter to the bench. Stokes came in to partner Jones up front with Cole benched. Ward kept the keeper’s jersey ahead of Gordon. It’s no goals in the last six for Jones as Sunderland struggle for firepower. Little of note amongst the Sunderland ranks then as they go into Christmas with a crucial trip to Reading followed by home games with United and Bolton.
Villa were unchanged from the side that lost to Portsmouth. Along with Portsmouth, Everton and City, Villa continue to offer a consistent lineup and a couple of decent mid-price Fantasy buys. However, Agbonlahor has now gone four games without a goal while Carew is hardly prolific. It’s also no clean sheet in three for Laursen and the defence. Barry and Young are further options but their return will depend on Villa finding form against City, Chelsea and Wigan over Christmas.
West Ham 0 Everton 2
Carlton Cole passed a fitness test and lined up alongside Ashton. Solano returned as expected after being cup-tied in midweek. Ljungberg kept his place with Boa-Morte dropped out of the sixteen. Collins returned from injury and came in for Gabbidon who was reportedly suffering from illness although he was at fault for Everton’s winning goal in midweek. West Ham’s lineup and form continues to be too inconsistent to make Fantasy Managers take notice. Solano is perhaps the one temptation, his form and prominent role in set-pieces and build up play could offer some points over Christmas.
Everton were unchanged from the Carling Cup tie with Jagielka continuing in central defence with Lescott at left-back. McFadden was back on the bench with Anichebe dropping out of the sixteen. It was another outstanding result for Everton with yet another goal for red hot Yakubu. It’s United away next, followed by home games with Bolton and Arsenal. A difficult run of games but such is the form the likes of Lescott, Arteta, Cahill and Yakubu should remain high on the shortlist.
Injuries and Suspensions
Carlton Cole was replaced at half-time and was clearly struggling for fitness.
Wigan 5 Blackburn 3
Bruce made a number of notable changes. He brought in Brown and Taylor for Granqvist and Koumas. That meant Scharner moved back to central defence alongside Bramble with Taylor out on the left of midfield. Heskey was declared fit and lined up with Bent. Sibierski was still sidelined.
Koumas now looks doomed to the bench over Christmas given the five goal spree Wigan found here. Effectively it was Taylor who took his place and he looked sharp, contributing attacking runs and decent set-piece delivery along with plenty of defensive cover. Bruce seems likely to stick with him which will put Fantasy Managers on alert. Taylor is classed as a defender and a cheap one at that. He earned an assist for Scharner’s goal here and will be behind corners and free-kicks when selected. Bent’s form flourishes and he is now a realistic budget target over Christmas when Wigan face a trip to Fulham, followed by home games with Newcastle and Villa. Scharner is also a decent buy although could occupy a central defensive position as he did today. The likely absence of Heskey however, after his injuy suffered in this game, could effect form. His recent absence, before the arrival of Bruce, coincided with a severe slump of form.
Mark Hughes also made changes following a recent poor run of results. Reid started for the first time, paired with Savage in central midfield. Nelson came in for the injured Ooijer after returning from suspension. Pedersen kept his place and Bentley also returned from suspension on the right of midfield. Dunn and Mokoena were on the bench and Tugay was out of the sixteen.
Expect changes next weekend as the dip in form continues. This defeat was brightened by Santa Cruz’s hat trick which literally came out of nowhere. McCarthy, in contrast continues to struggle and suffered a penalty miss here. Derbyshire seems likely to get his chance soon. It’s Chelsea at home next, followed by trips to City and Derby over Christmas.
Injuries and Suspensions
Heskey was forced off after 41-minutes with what looked like a nasty ankle injury. He is likely to be a doubt for the trip to Fulham.
Emerton saw red for two bookable offences but will serve a 1-match ban in the Carling Cup tie in midweek. Samba who picked up his fifth booking of the season, will however miss the Chelsea game next weekend. With Ooijer injured, that leaves Blackburn’s defensive options severely stretched.
Arsenal 1 Chelsea 0
Arsenal were boosted by the return of Fabregas, Flamini and Helb and all three started in a 4-5-1. Van Persie was on the bench with Adebayor the lone striker. It’s likely Wenger will shift to 4-4-2 next time out, particularly as Eboue would appear to be a major doubt having been stretchered off in this game. Gallas once again provided a reminder of just how regularly he can crop up with a goal. This latest effort edges him in front of Toure and Clichy in the Fantasy pecking order amongst the Arsenal back four. However, the clean sheet was only Arsenal’s second in the last eight Premiership matches.
Chelsea started with Ferreira at right-back with Belletti benched. Makelele started in midfield with Essien serving the last match of his 3-match ban. Schevchenko was the lone striker with Cole and Wright-Phillips in support. Chelsea created chances here and found Almunia on superb form, but the lack of a cutting edge up front was still apparent. Lampard has earned just one goal and one assist in the last five games and its clear that Drogba’s absence is not helping his output. The visit to Blackburn and home games with Villa and Newcastle will need to see a turnaround in fortune for Lampard otherwise he’ll be sure to go in the Fantasy January sales with Drogba off to the African Cup of Nations.
Defensively, the Belletti vs Ferreira issue is significant. Grant certainly seems to favour Ferreira for the bigger games, including Champions League. With such doubt hanging over Belletti, it would appear that Alex could emerge as a popular buy in the weeks to come. Terry’s injury in this match should ensure that Alex continues his run of games over the Christmas period. We’ll know more on that in the next couple of days.
Injuries and Suspensions
John Terry hobbled from the field after 40-minutes but despite the fears of a broken metatarsal, initial scans have revealed that there is no break but a further scan will assess if there is ligament damage. Terry is certainly a doubt for the midweek Carling Cup tie and the weekend game with Blackburn.
Eboue was stretchered off for Arsenal in the second-half. He has suffered a knee-ligament strain and a scan will follow in th next 48-hours according to Wenger.
Liverpool 0 Man United 1
Rafa in predictable lineup shock. Liverpool lined up unchanged from the side that destroyed Marseille. They were without Finnan through injury so Arbeloa was at right-back with Riise on the left. Kewell took the left midfield berth and he stuck with Kuyt and Torres up front and Benayoun on the right of midfield. It was as you were elsewhere with Alonso and Agger still absent but only perhaps a week or less away from a return. Alonso is being lined up for a return against Chelsea in the Carling Cup in midweek. You can certainly expect changes next weekend. Liverpool’s inability to carve out chances against United almost guarantee’s that Crouch, Voronin, Alonso and Babel will figure to some degree.
United almost lined up as expected although Hargreaves ousted Carrick to the bench after returning to fitness. O’Shea also shook off his knock to take a place on the bench. It was a familiar lineup elsewhere for United with Brown continuing at right-back in Neville’s absence. Neville has returned to full training however and reportedly should figure before Christmas. There was little to say about United aside from the fact that it was a superb defensive display in the second-half. Vidic and Ferdinand were rock solid as ever while Tevez continued to flourish, hitting his first away goal in a United shirt.
Brilliant and comprehensive as usual!
Also, does anyone know who is most likely to seal the spot at right-back for the reds? Arbeloa seems to be getting more starts than Finnan of late, although its hard to trust ol’ Rafa!
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I wouldn’t bother with any of the Liverpool defenders apart from Carragher and Agger (when he is fit).
They rotate far to much…
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“It’s likely Wenger will shit” - Erm, just how how likely?
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100% certain. Everyone does.
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“It’s likely Wenger will shit†- Erm, just how how likely?
He meant “It’s likely Wenger will shiftâ€
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Arbeloa is a certain starter for me. Covering Finnan’s RB role due to injury. As soon as he returns, Arbeloa will move over to LB again. Riise is ginger and surplus to requirements.
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Yep another bad week for my boys. no goals, Elano out, DeRidder dropped, Blackburn defenders and no bonus points. I was gonna cry but instead i’ve made wholesale changes.
Nolan in for Elano with form shown and a nice fixture list for Bolton. Gallas is in for Shorey and Ronaldo is finally squeezed in replacing Gerrard.
With my 1.8m savings i just had enough to pull this off..
An 8 point hit, but is it worth it?
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Garrido coming on and getting an assist was the best thing ever
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Which Portsmouth defender offers the best value for money from Johnson, Distin and Campbell (not Pamarot or Hriedersen).
Also is Nolan going to be a good signing? Hes not that cheap but has easy fixtures coming up.
Which striker will do the best over christmas:
RVP Adebayor Torres Yakubu?
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In response to last post above re: Best strikers…
The reality is that the top fantasy league teams all have solid point scoring defenders and attacking midfielders… strikers are totally inconsistant.
My money is on VP… but ONLY when the african nations start and he gets a solid run in the team. VP will be top scorer in Jan/Feb.. mark my words. But not worth buying for a week ro two yet!
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What does everyone reckon of Lampard?
Will he explode onto the scene or carry on his inconsistency?
Is he worth more than Gerrard if they both started from scratch today?
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@Chris
Van Persie will play regardless of the African Nations Cup, Adebayor isn’t going either and with Eboue’s injury I think its only Toure???
Adebayor Van Persie
Rosicky, Cesc, Flamani, Hleb
that will be their team for 90% of the games…
@Mark
I’m giving Lampard until January 1st and if he hasn’t done anything then he will be replaced by Fabregas. Only reason I’m not trading him out now is that Arsenal have Spurs, Portsmouth (away) and Everton (away) coming up…
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@Alan
I know how you feel, blackburn defender. Santa subbed out the previous week and a risk taken on Benjani for captain that didnt pay off. Bad times.
Ive rang the changes also, and now have a wierd team, god knows if it will work.
James
Laursen
Belletti (will sub for Gallas)
Cambell
Nosworthy
Ridgewell
Lampard
Gerrard
Ronaldo
Fabregas
Larsson
Tevez
Benjani
Bent
Basically have totally stacked the midfield. I have a little in the bank and am hoping to make a little more money to spread around to even out my weak players. But hopefully this team will pay off in the long run.
Comments?
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Stacking your midfield is one thing but Lamps just isnt doing the business! I know some people have said to hold him till new year but I have just got rid in exchange for Gerard. Lamps just too expensive given his points of late. He’ll come good again but just too inconsistant
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Lamps is on 98 goals, he will be eager to score remaining two before New Year eve with the help of penalties, free kicks, whatever whenever but he has just sneak ‘em in. Having said that i have already sold him for ressurected Fabregas, because i think the spaniard will outscore Lampard anh he is also cheaper then Lamps. If you already have ronaldo and gerrard you could look for the likes of Alexander Hleb from Arsenal. If he’s fit his a sure starter and with Arsenal way of scoring many conceding many, he might be a good pick.
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Marvelous weekend scout notes, Mark! as always!
I’m interested in cheap Wigan players. But i can see that they’re really depending on Heskey. Got 3 goals when Heskey was still on the field, conceded 3 goals after he was substituted because of the injury, and then got 2 more goals playing against 10-man-blackburn.
So with Heskey out injured for quite long spell, i might hold my thought on that..
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I wouldn’t be so quick to throw Lampard out with the rubbish….
He’s still 6th top midfielder in the game, and that’s with a lot of games missed through injury.
I’m keeping him anyway… for now
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You could be right Old Greg, I’m in two minds… I think he is in a bad form patch. I have got rid of him now anyway so I’m hoping he doesnt prove me wrong!
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What has happened to Ashely Cole, has he been banned or could he be?
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Chris- at least you’ve made a decision. I hope it goes well for you old chap.
I’ve just brought in van Persie- I thought he looked really lively when he came on against Chelsea- had a goal ruled out for offside, missed a sitter and had a good shot- the guy is a class act..
Ollie- I know the FA are looking into it. I doubt any sort of ban will be too severe. Maybe just a fine perhaps?
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… not that a fine wouldn’t bother young Cashley. How’s he going to afford Cheryl Tweedy’s Xmas gift?
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With Bolton’s good fixtures, I’ve been looking to capitalise. Obviously there’s Anelka, although I’m not sure if he would fit in my team,then ther’s Nolan but I’ve also heard good things about A O’Brien. He’s budget price and was wondering if you guys think he’d be a good buy as cheap defender for the next month or so
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Can’t shed any light on O’Brien but, speaking of Anelka, I am toying with the idea of playing a 3-4-3 and dropping Fabregas in favor of Anelka for next weeks’s double fixtures.
((BTW, I play in the Yahoo! league so player changes are limited only by a salary cap, so I can always add Fab back the following week.))
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You could always get Diouf if you can’t afford Anelka, he always seems to get some points
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@ Ollie
“Which Portsmouth defender offers the best value for money from Johnson, Distin and Campbell”
I wouldn’t choose any of them in the net two weeks because they are away to Liverpool this weekend and then have Arsenal at home.
I have Distin on my team and is looking to ditch him for the next two weeks given chances of clean sheets will be pretty slim…
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What do we think of Marcus Bent?
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Marcus Bent? He’s not Darren Bents brother!
But seriously, as far as budget strikers go, now that K Jones gas stopped scoring, then it’s a toss up between Jerome, M Bent and Forsell as they have good fixtures.
I NEED a Liverpool defender. Which one, pls? I would really like to get in Agger - will he beb back next week?
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I put Arbeloa in yesterday, to replace Eboue. Rafa seems to like his fellow Spaniard enough to only rotate him occasionally.
Famous last words…
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What about Aston Villa’s defenders for next weekend?
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Carriger or Arbeloa???
Carriger appears to be a slightly more consitent starter. Arbeloa has a slightly better per game scoring average and fewer cards (1 vs 4 for Carriger). They are about the same price.
Who to choose?
-TheNecromancer
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Arbeloa’s a handy 0.6m cheaper in FPL right now. And I’m about as likely to get a goal for Liverpool as Jamie-la - not that Arbeloa exactly bangs ‘em in.
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@Puffinboy:
I play in the Yahoo league and the price difference is negligible. If that was the case for you, would you choose Carriger?
His 4 yellow cards is a concern since players in the Yahoo league really get nailed with negative points for cards.
Cheers.
TheN
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@Name
About Fabregas, I believe he’s a big game player. He got good scores in FPL against Pool, MU, and Chelsea. So I would regret not to have him even the fixture is not so friendly ..
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Belletti not playing against Arsenal has gotten me worried. I was relying on him to be a solid fixture in my team (and as I paid 6.5 for him, I expect nothing less). If he wasn’t picked in one of their most important games of the season so far I don’t fancy his chances of playing even two thirds of their games from now on, which sucks as I think he’s a brilliant player.
As for the plan, how do people feel about this one…
This week: Arbeloa (6.3) in for Belletti (6.6 - my sale price)
Following: Using the 0.3 to replace West Ham’s Mccartney (as their fixtures get tough), selling at 4.6, for Hreidarsson (4.9) now that he’s sure to step in for the injured Parmarot
P.S. I will hold off a final decision on Belletti/Arbeloa until after seeing the performances/line-ups in tomorrow’s Carling Cup semi-final
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P.P.S. The only choice for captain this weekend is Fabregas
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@Mad
lol - don’t say that! I’m trying to reassure myself that not having Fabregas for the next 3 weeks will pay off
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@Sam: From my point of view, Portsmouth’s defense will be weakened due to the absense of African players in January. So I can’t afford to transfer in any Portsmouth player now.
Newcastle will face Derby at home in this weekend. I got both Fabregas and Martins in my squad. So I will choose either one as my captain for this week fixtures.
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@DaiHai: They will be weakened in attack mostly, as none of the back 5 (inc. James) are African. The main defensive weakness will come from losing Diop, as he is their current defensive midfielder, but they had a very good defensive record last season when he was still at Fulham, so I think they’ll be ok without him
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Lol, just saw on the BBC website some chants of the week. My favourite actually makes me want to sign Habib Beye just for the novelty of being able to sing it if he ever does anything good. It was sung by the Newcastle fans when they played Fulham:
“Sunday, Monday, Habib Beye
Tuesday, Wednesday, Habib Beye
Thursday, Friday, Habib Beye
Saturday, Habib Beye, rocking all week with you!”
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Chanting Habib Beye? Just because he scored a goal against Birmingham and kept a clean sheet last week? Haha
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Instead of swapping Belletti for Arbeloa, you should swap him for A.Cole(same price)
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@Necromancer…
If they’re the same price I’d go with Carragher, even with the card problem.
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@Sam…
My current favourite (seeing as he’s in my team) is the festively topical:
You better watch out, You better beware
He’s good on the ground and he’s great in the air
Santa Cruz is coming to town….
Santa Cruz is coming to town!
Santa Cruz is coming, to town!
The Crystals’ version, not the Mariah Carey abomination, naturally.
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@Corey:
Carvalho is doing well in Chelsea’s regular training currently. I will swap Belletti for Carvalho. A.Cole is also a good replacement but Avram Grant is rotating him with Wayne Bridge.
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Good decision. I had Carvalho, then he got injured so I swapped him for cole. When I had him he bagged me loads of points. He is immense in Chelsea’s back four and pops up with the odd goal. Oh, and if you’re playing the FPL, he’s a bonus magnet. His value has gone down to a bargain 6.6. I might have to draft him back in…
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@Mad & Sam & others:
Here’s my choice:
Petrov & Carrigher/Arbeloa & 2 crap defenders
or
Fabregas & 3 crap defenders
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Gerrard & Agbonlahor
or
Elano & Van Persie?
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The Necromancer:Fabregas +three crap defenders
Havers:Gerrard+Agbonlahor
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@ corey
Interesting. Rationale? Not concerned about Arsenal’s recent poor form away to POR?
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Reina & Carvalho
or
Cech and Agger?
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@ corey:
I prefer Reina & Carvalho b/c better clean sheet fixtures for LIV & possibly more likely that Carvalho will play.
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@ corey: I pretty much ditto what TheNecromancer just said. I might think about replacing Belletti with Carvalho, but Arbeloa’s upcoming games look so much more tempting
@Havers: Gerrard & Agbonlohor… but possibly Gerrard & Santa Cruz as he’s a little cheaper
@TheNecromancer: I like having good defenders in my team, but I’d still go for the option that includes Fabregas. I got rid of Petrov recently, as I think his time for big points has come and gone. How come you have to have 3 crap defenders? Are your strikers all expensive?
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@Sam
Why do you think Petrov is on his way down?
The league I play in (Yahoo) tends to reward defenders well only for clean sheets and really nails them for cards, penalties, etc., so my bias is towards players who score (duh) and handle the ball a lot (points for assists, fouls won).
Here’s my lineup:
Tevez & Torres
Ronaldo, Gerrard, Dempsey, Fabregas or Petrov, some guy named Giannakopolis
Carragher or not, Mokoena, Parnaby
Schwartzer
If I were smart, I’d probably drop one of my expensive midfielders and get a better keeper and defense, but since it is Yahoo week-to-week changes are generally less of a big deal.
-Then
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@TheNecromancer: Didn’t realise you were on Yahoo. I’m on Fantasy Premier League, where at the end of the season the best defenders have nearly as many points as the best strikers, but are like half the price.
That “some guy named Giannakopolis” 2 seasons ago was one of the top fantasy football point scoring midfielders. Him and Nolan that season were absolute heroes for my team.
In the Arbeloa vs Carvalho decision, despite Arbeloa’s fixtures being easier I’m going to go for Carvalho I think, as he’s pretty much guaranteed to play when fit, whereas once Finnan returns and especially now Aurelio is back, Arbeloa is not
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@TheNecromancer: Oops, forgot to answer your question about Petrov. I explained it in a previous commment somewhere, but basically I noticed that despite him getting the occasional goal/assist, the only reason he’s near the top of the point scoring midfielders is because he got 28 points from 2 gameweeks near the start of the season. He hasn’t shown much of a hint of repeating such a stunner performance, and his upcoming fixtures don’t look particularly good either:
22 Dec Gameweek 18 Aston Villa (A)
27 Dec Gameweek 19 Blackburn (H)
30 Dec Gameweek 20 Liverpool (H)
2 Jan Gameweek 21 Newcastle (A)
12 Jan Gameweek 22 Everton (A)
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@Sam:
I guess ultimately the question is - Will Fab outscore a combined Petrov & Carrigher over the two matches?
The upcoming fixtures are less of an issues since I play the free-wheeling & dealing Yahoo!
I think if LIV keeps 2 clean sheets, Petrov & Carrigher is definitely the choice. If not, it is a toss up.
However, if I don’t sign Fab and he lights things up, then it is unlikely I will be able to sign him at week’s end. Food for thought.
-TheN
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hohoho .. almost agree with everything Sam’s said.
Giannakopolous was also my hero seasons ago, so cheap yet so well performed.
@Corey
For sure, Reina and Carvalho.
Reina plays all league games, and have a good long ball connection with Torres for assist.
Carvalho, will for sure play all the game while Terry is still out injured. Can make goals and bonus.
@Havers
None. I’d prefer just Van Persie or Gerrard (minimize your penalty) or both?
Against MU, Gerrard played a really defensive role, just like when he’s playing for England. Not good for his fantasy points. After also losing to Chelsea in Carling cup, i hope Pool will not lose its form.
@Necromancer
with all Sam’s arguments.
Of course Fabregas!!!
ABout your last question, to make it fair you have to compare Fabregas + 1 crap defender with Petrov + Carra. And Fabregas with that crap defender will win!
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Of the big four midfielders, I think Fab and Ronny are the best choices.
Lampard is a good player but he seems to perform much better when Drogba plays, and he’s out for a while. He’s very much a team player, and, of the four, is the least likely to provide a moment of inspiration.
Gerrard’s has done well of late, but when Alonso comes back he might play in a less attacking role. Also, Liverpool’s attack isn’t as consistent as Man U’s and Arsenal’s.
Ronaldo, who plays almost as a striker, is the most attacking of the four. For this reason, and the fact that United create lots of chances,Ronaldo will probably score the most goals.
Fabregas has found his shooting boots this season and is getting in goalscoring positions regularly. He’s always had a high assist ouput and is the cheapest of the four. He’s a must have, especially in the FPL where he gets bonus points in most matches.
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@Mad:
Unless that crap defender picks up a card or two and scores negative points for the weekend. IS that possible in FPL? Some of the shite defenders in Yahoo have bitten me in the arse in that respect.
Onward to Marks latest team news thread…
-TheN
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