Updated Scout Picks
Do the usual refresh and you’ll see that this week’s Scout Picks are live.
Horrible week this, complicated by no game for United, two teams player after their FA Cup ties and some horrible uncertainty over Rafa’s lineup. Regardless, I’ve done my best to cut through the noise to come up with my eleven for the forthcoming Premiership games. Read on for the rhyme and reason.
First of all - I admit it - I’ve completely bottled it on Rafa’s team selection. With the threat of rest hanging over Gerrard and Torres, I’ve not considered them for what looks like a juicy home game with Newcastle. As I see it, even if they play, I can see Rafa taking the first opportunity to haul them off. If Liverpool take the lead, I can see them both being rested in under an hour. With that in mind it’s hard to see either scoring heavily. Famous last words.
Arbeloa does get a look in though - he’s almost guaranteed a start at the back given Finnan’s injury. He takes a place in my defence in another week where clean sheets looks scarce. Chelsea offer the best option but again, here rest and rotation is a worry. Luckily Cech’s injury gives me a clear option on Cudicini. After that, I’d opt for Carvalho as the next best choice with the full-backs unsure and Terry under threat from Alex.
I can see Arsenal keeping Wigan at bay in a muscular affair at the JJB. High on the Milan performance, Gallas gets the nod. Elsewhere in the back four, I’ve gone for goals. Both Laursen and Samba carry a goal threat and a half decent chance of clean sheets at home to Boro and Fulham respectively.
In midfield, Lampard is my big signing. Ballack is another, cheaper, option but as penalty-taker, Frank has the advantage. The temptation of a Chelsea double gameweek is just around the corner too, making this home game with Derby an ideal opportunity to buy in early. There is a risk of injury at Barnsley in the FA Cup this weekend, but I can see Grant resting him for that one.
I like Bentley at home to Fulham. If Dunn fails a fitness test, his new role in central midfield might cut his supply of crosses and therefore his assists, but he’ll be central to things regardless and FPL bonus points should arrive if Rovers prevail.
Barry gets a recall in midfield simply because I see Villa finding goals again at home to Boro. Young is an even better option if he’s classed as a midfielder in your game.
My final choice is a long shot. I can see Reading getting a win against a weakened City defence and Hunt is often central to Reading’s attacking ambitions and amongst the FPL bonus as a result.
Up front, Adebayor is looking for his tenth consecutive game with either a goal or an assist. That should continue at the JJB with Wenger likely to go with a more direct approach. Bendtner is an excellent option here too if you’re on a budget. He looks certain to start with Arsenal’s injuries.
Berbatov partners the Arsenal man. Spurs face a West Ham side who are likely to be without Upson which will weaken their resistance. The Bulgarian could be rested but it looks unlikely with Bent falling ill this week and missing training.
That’s this week’s picks then. As for alternatives - the Everton crew - Pienaar, Cahill and Yakubu offer potential returns at Sunderland but I see a tight game here. Sunderland don’t concede easily at home and Everton may well be shellshocked a little after the UEFA Cup defeat in the week.
I’ve already mentioned Young with Villa at home to Boro. Carew and Agbonlahor are also worth a good look up front. Portsmouth almost tempted me with their home game with Birmingham but again, I see this as a tight one. Harry’s side aren’t playing well and are still struggling for goals at home. Birmingham are on a high meanwhile, so this one whiffs of a 1-1. Defoe is worth considering though with three goals in four. McFadden likewise from the Birmingham lineup, although he’ll have easier games.
Anelka and Drogba are always likely to be tempting with Derby in town but it’s still not clear which will figure in Wednesday’s game. Hence, I’ve given them a miss. Big potential if you want to risk either of them though.
That’s about it then. As for the FPL Captain - it’s clear from this week’s poll results that it’s far from cut and dry. Ballack and Lampard head those results and provide the best potential. Risk of injury in the FA Cup is a factor though. If you’re worried by that then Adebayor presents the usual safety net option. He’ll be brimming with confidence but up against a tough defence. If I had to pick from the rest, I’d opt for Bentley. I can’t see Fulham keeping Rovers at bay and FPL bonus is almost a given for Bentley in a Blackburn win.
James
Lescott, Laursen, Wheater, Boyce
Flamini, Bentley, Gerrard
Torres, Yakubu, Adebayor
Who to make captain this week?
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Reply by Niall Quinn's Disco Pants on March 7, 2008 9:36 pm:
He just told ya at the bottom man
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Reply by Mark on March 7, 2008 9:38 pm:
Mmmmm well if you’re chasing a gap and need to gamble then Gerrard or Torres could be considered but, as I mention, I worry for them, even if they’re played. If you’re looking to consolidate and play safe - as I say above, I would go for Adebayor or Bentley.
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AintCronrested?
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Reply by Mark on March 7, 2008 9:39 pm:
He’s absent this GW. Have you refreshed Jim?
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oops!
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I’m looking forward to this week- some interesting games, although it’s annoying that most aren’t for a few days…
I hope Bentley and Lampard put in good performances.
Half-tempted to give Bentley the captaincy ahead of Lamps…
I’d like to add that Keane’s looked more lively than Berbatov recently in terms of looking like scoring.. he had a few decent chances against PSV whereas Berba didn’t show much.
I’ve also got a funny feeling Liverpool won’t keep a clean sheet against Newcastle.
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hi, hows it going. any opinion on Belletti, ive had him in my team for a while now and i have a felling he will be called up for confidence against derby. i no he played awful against spurs in the carling cup and was subsequently dropped. but any chance of a return?
also bentley is a very good shout for captain. but i have this feelin about benayoun. . .
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Mark I have heard Cech is apparently only going to be out for a week - according to Avram Grant. This would certainly throw the cat amongst the pigeons in terms of which Chelseas goalkeeper to bring in with the double gameweek in mind. Have you heard the same?
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Adebayor or Defoe for Capt for me… but Fabregas (after mideweek euro blinder) is a serious consideration. Really not sure…. I might just pick Ronaldo
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Thanks Mark for your picks - If I could have afforded Berbatov I would have put him in and made him captain - West Ham are very shaky and are leaking goals for fun. I can see Spurs getting 3 goals.
I agree about the Torres situation but Liverpool could get two goals in the first half (Torres hopefully getting both of them) and then he could come off at half time. He’s going to keep my captain’s vote.
Any views on Andy Johnson starting upfront for Everton, Mark? I’ve got to play him as I have made two changes elsewhere - they’ve got the return leg next week of the UEFA Cup tie and the whole team looked tired last night. Johnson will have a relatively fresh pair of legs and he will give Sunderland something else to think about up front. It will be a tight game though.
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Mark, this GW sucks…
My team:
Howard
Laursen A.Ferdinand Belletti
Larsson Gerrard Fabregas Malbranque
Torres Santa Cruz Murphy
(Ron and Brown on the bench along with a non-player).
Belletti, A. Ferdinand and Torres (possibly even Gerrard) being the obvious concerns here.
Thinking of bringing in Lampard, but who for? Gerrard or Fabs?
Or is there a better option, like Jagielka for Ferdinand?
I just feel Lamps could get some big points and I need them desperately.
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Reply by DEMOLISHIA on March 7, 2008 11:07 pm:
ILL DEMOLISHIA UR TEAM THIS WEEK…TORRES WONT PLAY…SEVIE G WILL DEMOLISHIA NEW C!!!!
BEST CPT CHOICE IS FABREGAS! I REALLY THINK HE WILL HIT A DOUBLE AND IT WILL BE A DEMOLISHIA!!!
ILL DEMOLISHIA ALL UR TEAMS!!! UR ALL AMATEURS AN IM THE DEMOLISHIA!!!!
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Reply by Nelson Muntz on March 7, 2008 11:16 pm:
Ha ha!! You’re going through puberty.
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Reply by puffinboy on March 8, 2008 12:13 am:
Good to see you again Muntz, a voice of sanity amongst the madness. Keep up the good work. You may haha me any time.
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Terry a good captain?
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Fabregas to bag big points this week lads!! You heard it here first!
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Reply by Brooklyn on March 8, 2008 12:15 am:
CK, i sold Fab last week to pick up Gerrard and it worked nicely — would you sell Gerrard to pick up Fab, sell Gerrard to pick up Lamps, or hold on to Gerrard?
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Reply by waggy on March 8, 2008 3:33 am:
Makes sense to flog Gerrard for lamps next week, given Chelsea’s double game week and upcoming favourable fixtures.
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Reply by CK on March 8, 2008 10:39 am:
Fair enough mate, I just think Fab is back after his awesome display midweek.
You were right to take in Stevie G last week, and take in lamps next week, but for me its Fab this week!
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For this GW, I replaced Wheater, Fabregas and Ronaldo for Carvalho, Lampard and Ballack. I can’t see it paying off, but if it does, it’ll be awesome.
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Reply by bbrown on March 8, 2008 2:24 am:
*replaced with
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Ive got bentley, fab, gerrard, ballack, adebayor
Im currently going for Gerrard captain. I was ballack all this week but he “might” get rested vs Derby. I dont think gerrard will because of Masch injury. Torres could, even if he doesn’t he will not stay on past 60mins if we are winning, adebayor is hit and miss and bentley is probably the best option for the very risk averse.
Plus Gerrard always plays well vs the toons
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Reply by Brooklyn on March 8, 2008 3:37 am:
Edwardo, did you sell Ronaldo, bench him, or did you just never have him?
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Reply by Edwardo on March 8, 2008 5:25 pm:
sorry i have ronaldo not fab (ronaldo is benched)
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I’m playing it safe this week after 180+ combined last two gameweeks. Looks like Adebayor for me then. But if Gerrard or Torres don’t play, I’m clean out of subs!
Waggy I agree Lamps in for Gerrard next week and Tevez for Torres too.
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safe bet for a captain this week is a Chelsea defender (i am giving it to Carvahlo). fingers crossed.
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I share all your pain in finding a captain this week. Im going to go on a gut feeling and pick ballack. i would go with lampard but i cant afford him right now so im making a big gamble. something tells me that either gerard adebayor even fabregas to have a good game this week. hopefully am right since i have three man u players so am not playing with my strongest squad
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I’m also chucking the armband on Carvalho for hopefully a 6+ return. Also, of the nine full games that he’s played this season, he’s amassed 10 bonus points.
By the way Al, keep the improvement going - up 200 000 places in just four gameweeks is fabulous in anyone’s book.
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Things don’t get a lot clearer after sleeping on it…I would steer away from both Adebayor and Bentley as captains because Arsenal and Blackburn’s games look to be tight on paper. Saying that they are set up for one man to win the game and perhaps steal the bonus points also. Bentley has done well lately but he aint that consistent.
Portsmouth’s game with Birmingham later in the week looks similarly tight and Pompey don’t usually flood the scoresheet with goals. So Defoe can’t be considered!
I’m now swaying between Torres and Carvalho as captain. Notwithstanding the Newcastle’s leaky defence I don’t think Rafa can afford not to, at least start with Torres, so he’s going to stay with the captain’s armband.
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Seeing as I already have Pienaar and Jagielka is it worth transferring Cahill out for Ballack?
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I’m weighing up whether to make a second transfer to bring in Carvalho for Alex…I’m worried the latter won’t play. my subs bench is already pretty much used up to replace my united players. is it worth it?
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Reply by waggy on March 8, 2008 1:29 pm:
even though its too late anyway, does everybody think grant will play his best possible back 4 against Derby at home no less? Its not as if he needs to, I was in the same predicament as you Richard and decided to leave Alex in and gamble on him playing rather than take a 4point hit for a 2 point gain.
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My current team:
James (Niemi)
5.3 3.9
Mellberg Finnan Lescott (Hughes) Hreidarsson
5.0 5.9 6.6 3.9 4.8
Larsson Hleb (Ronaldo) Fabregas (O’Brien J)
4.5 7.2 12.7 10.4 3.8
Adebayor Jones Torres(c)
9.3 5.6 10.4
Subs in brackets
with 1.2m in bank in FPL game
Wondering if i should drop ronaldo/fabregas for lampard
or hleb for ballack
or is there another sub that i am completely overlooking?
please help as my league is at a crucial stage and there is money on it!!
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Reply by theMoz on March 8, 2008 10:58 am:
depends if you are buying Ronaldo back. If you are then thats’ 2 subs (possibly 8 points) and you are back where you started from. Fat Frank would have to at least score for you to break even.
I’d drop Finnan for Samba
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Please not that Lampard is on 4 yellow cards..
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Reply by Sam on March 8, 2008 11:55 am:
the deadline for 5 yellows passed. he’s now safe until he gets 10
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maybe thinking of dropping finnan for samba and hleb for joe cole instead but getting a 4 point hit.
is it worth it?
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Didnt fat franks card count reset after a cetain period and now it is 10 yellows before april 10 or something or have I no had enough sleep?
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You have to get 10 yellows now to be suspended so Lamps is ok. Checkout the suspension tightrope top right menu which Mark helpfully puts together each week.
Arul - thanks for the words of encouragement mate! Had some jammy gameweeks, just got a bad feeling about this one. Fingers crossed.
Oh and I bottled it, went for Gerrard as captain last minute. Hopefully Rafa won’t be dumb enough to drop his best player.
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Ok, I’m beyond frustrated now — for the 2nd time in 3 weeks, the FPL site wouldn’t allow me to make a transfer (nothing happens when i click the “make transfers” button). I won’t even be able to field a full XI this gameweek.
It’s been grand, fellas, but I think that means it’s quitting time for me …
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Reply by Alex on March 8, 2008 11:58 am:
Wasn’t there a red line below your squad that explained why?
Maybe you wanted to transfer in a player from a team you already had 3 players from?
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Reply by Brooklyn on March 8, 2008 12:24 pm:
Unfortunately, no — i’ve had that before and made the necessary change to eliminate the error message so the transfer could go through.
This time (and 2 weeks ago), when I click the button, nothing happens at all … as if the button hadn’t even been pushed or had been disabled. I know it’s just a glitch and I shrugged it off 3 weeks ago and was able to make up lost ground last week but at this point, it’s too frustrating, especially since I’ll only be able to field 10 players this gameweek.
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Reply by Alex on March 8, 2008 12:28 pm:
Did you email them?
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Reply by Brooklyn on March 8, 2008 12:33 pm:
No
Didn’t think to do it after the first time and was too close to the deadline this week (first pushed the button only 4 mins before the deadline)
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Reply by Sam on March 8, 2008 3:05 pm:
you sure your clock is correct? maybe you’d actually just missed the deadline and that’s why it wouldn’t let you make your changes? as a last resort you can also make changes from your mobile phone on their WAP page
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Reply by Brooklyn on March 8, 2008 3:13 pm:
lol yeah - my clock is correct (i did check that though!) and the website said the transfer window was still open.
i’m not going to dwell on it anymore - maybe i’ll get lucky and my 10 men will put up a decent score so i won’t fall too fall behind because of this week. (i was only 20 pts behind the mini-league leader before today)
thanks for the mobile phone tip — that’ll be my backup from now on if i keep playing.
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heh - maybe i’ll get lucky and rafa will play both gerrard and torres and they will both repeat their performances of last gameweek, except all in one game instead of two.
or maybe not.
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Mascherano is out and Kuyt and Babel are on the bench. Gerrard and Torres are starting *phew*
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I’m so pissed off! The Man U Porstmouth game was an absolute joke! We got robbed!
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Who will be the keeper for Man U’s double gameweek? I was holding out until this week to buy Van der Saar but he left with a groin injury and the sub keeper picked up a red. Cech’s injury situation is far from clear. Looks like I’ll stick with Reina until this settles.
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Two goals for Liverpool in two minutes. Is this the part where Gerrard and Torres don’t come back for the second half? Still, assist for Gerrard and a goal for Torres is not bad.
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Reply by Mark on March 8, 2008 4:19 pm:
Nope, Rafa’s given them time to combine again so it’s another decent haul for them both - they’re on fire. Now lets see if Rafa leaves them on, looking at the bench, Gerrard looks safe enough.
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Reply by Brooklyn on March 8, 2008 4:21 pm:
… 3 Liverpool goals and a goal and assist each for Torres and Gerrard are even better!
See, Rafa … winning in the Premier League is a lot easier when you play your best players instead of your infernal rotation.
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Reply by Mark on March 8, 2008 4:27 pm:
Gerrard off after 66 mis though - victim of his own success, lets see if he lets Torres get any more points.
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Reply by Alex on March 8, 2008 4:31 pm:
Let’s hope not. Although I have both, my biggest rival captained Torres.
Why couldn’t he take both off? It’s not like they’re in any danger of losing this…
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Reply by bbrown on March 8, 2008 4:32 pm:
One goal and an assist, plus Rafa let him play 60 minutes so he gets that two extra point (one for the 60 minutes, one for the clean sheet) and I can see some bonus points as well. Good choice of Captain.
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Reply by Alex on March 8, 2008 4:36 pm:
I captained Lampard.
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Reply by bbrown on March 8, 2008 4:38 pm:
I was talking about me
(though I can see Lampard doing just as good or better if he starts)
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Reply by Alex on March 8, 2008 4:39 pm:
He’s had enough time to pick his nose and play with the remote…I don’t see why he wouldn’t start. But with Ballack and Cole around, who knows who’ll get the points.
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Reply by Mark on March 8, 2008 4:42 pm:
That’s the thing. Lets see if Lampard plays and how he does vs Derby, an assist, goal, clean sheet and bonus to beat. Tough one, looks like Gerrard was worth holding after all. Then again, those who shipped Lampard in early will have the advantage going into the double gameweek - gives them a free transfer to cash in on the double.
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Reply by Alex on March 8, 2008 4:45 pm:
Luckily I hung onto Stevie and Torres, just didn’t captain them because of what Rafa said about possibly resting them. I still have my wildcard, so I will be playing that for the double.
Should end up with:
Howard
Laursen Carvalho Brown Taylor O’Brien
Ronaldo Lampard Gerrard Pienaar Flamini
Tevez Berbatov Forssell
Unless you have any better insights…
Reply by CK on March 8, 2008 11:39 pm:
Fabregas mate… wait and see!
Reply by Alex on March 9, 2008 12:57 pm:
Just got rid of him actually. Hung onto him for a long time while he got me nothing, then it was down to him and Gerrard to be cut when I brought in Lampard.
Yes, his performance against Milan was amazing, but Gerrard’s also shown he’s on form again and Fabs is on 8 yellows. Flamini was also quite good and got all the credit from the press, so that screams potential boni.
Good ol stevie G, a goal and an assist. I should never have doubted you mate.
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Reply by bbrown on March 8, 2008 4:19 pm:
And that’s a goal and an assist for Torres as well. Good stuff.
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Torres off too…
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BBC
1703: TEAM NEWS Barnsley v Chelsea
Barnsley’s Jon Macken and Lewis Nytanga are Cup-tied while Sam Togwell misses out. Istvan Ferenczi, Rob Kozluk and Martin Devaney come into the Tykes line-up. Chelsea boss Avram Grant opts for Nicolas Anelka up front while Michael Essien comes in for the injured Frank Lampard. Juliano Belletti and Wayne Bridge return to fill the full-back positions.
“Essien comes in for the Injured Frank Lampard” please tell me he’s joking
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From BBC..
“Chelsea boss Avram Grant opts for Nicolas Anelka up front while Michael Essien comes in for the injured Frank Lampard.”
Erm.. what? This is not good
Transferred captain gerrard for frank, what an error!
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Reply by Top Dog on March 8, 2008 5:28 pm:
Anyone know how serious this lampard injury is?……Will he still play vs Derby?
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Reply by Mark on March 8, 2008 5:35 pm:
“slight injury” according to Motson. Wouldn’t panic yet. Nothing official from Chelsea on this so probably just a precaution from Grant. Always a gamble with the Cup game first, at least he can’t pick up any serious injury tonight and the rest might do him good going into the Derby game.
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Reply by Alex on March 8, 2008 5:40 pm:
Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Frank Lampard was injured in training today and a scan has revealed that he has a tear in his left thigh.
It is too early to say how long the injury will keep him from playing. The injury is on the same leg as the toe he broke earlier this season.
Oh, bollocks.There goes my season.
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Reply by Alex on March 8, 2008 6:02 pm:
Sorry, that was mean…
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Reply by Mark on March 8, 2008 7:15 pm:
That’s an old story from the Chelsea archive. There’s nothing official from the club on the injury so no reason to suspect it’s more than a minor injury at this stage.
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Considering they don’t play at all this this gameweek I’m surprised at the amount of people picking Man U players this week. The person below me has one in his starting 11 and the person above me has three. But get this: they both captained Ronaldo! Suckers!
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Reply by Roberto on March 8, 2008 5:26 pm:
Maybe they havn’t checked their account this week?
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Reply by CK on March 8, 2008 6:54 pm:
mate you must be in the numptys league! I wish lads in my league were so lax!
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What the hell; Lampard injured? Any idea how serious this is?
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Reply by S on March 8, 2008 5:34 pm:
Motson just described it as “slight”….very little fuss is being made about it, it seems possibly it is just a minor knock and thus just a precautionary measure not playing him
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Motty said about Lampard “a slight injury and did not travel…”
He obviously wasn’t worth risking and was just resting - doesn’t sound too serious to me.
Both Carvalho and Joe Cole are playing - let’s hope for an injury free night!
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Looks like Chelsea are out as well.
Belletti subbed…does this mean he won’t play against Derby?
Stay tuned.
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So how serious is the Van der Sar injury? With the red card to Kuszczak, a chance for a few cheap clean sheets? Foster/Heaton?
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Mark, is that assists/goals/clean sheets stats up the top of the screen new? It looks very useful. Top work.
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Reply by Mark on March 9, 2008 1:05 am:
Yep, new addition added tonight, well, last night now. Consider it scant consolation for those mourning lost points on Gerrard or Torres.
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Reply by Roberto on March 9, 2008 1:30 am:
Consider?
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Reply by Mark on March 9, 2008 1:55 am:
lol…sloppy but it is late.
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Reply by ben on March 9, 2008 10:51 am:
where is this assist/goals/clean sheets table???????
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Is Brown likely to play both games in GW30, or will Neville/O’Shea get one of them?
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What about Drogba? Why doesn’t he play at all?
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