Updated Scout Picks
Fresh from a most unspectacular performance from my picks last weekend, I’m delivering my selection for this week days before kick-off with a scrap of team news to go on. It’s all the FPL’s fault of course, or rather Sky Sports. Yes they are the true evil to blame for my foolhardy confidence and this debacle of a gameweek.
With the FPL deadline just hours away I’ve stuck my neck out with some early picks for this gameweek - which starts with tonight’s game at Goodison. It’s all highly irregular, high risk stuff - but for those FPL managers looking to close a gap, this dodgy early deadline could well be a godsend.
For the rest of you, consider this early commitment on my part as an added bonus or more likely, an early warning on who to avoid this weekend.
Refresh your screens, read on and don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Let’s start at the back as per usual with the cheerful news that once again, clean sheets look hard to come by again this week. All the top defences - Chelsea, United and Portsmouth - are away from home against sides that could easily nick the odd goal.
Chelsea’s trip to Everton is a tricky one. I can’t see many goals here, with neither team in full attacking flow and missing vital midfield players. Everton will seemingly be without the creative influence of both Arteta and Osman, while Lampard was clearly missed against Wigan and remains a major doubt for tonight’s game. I’ve got an inkling that Chelsea will nick this one though, maybe with a 1-0 so I’m keeping faith with Terry in my backline. He showed his menace going forward on Monday with an effort that hit the bar, so even if Everton can conjure up a goal, the Chelsea skipper could well contribute at the other end in a must win game for Grant’s men.
United meanwhile, make the trip to Ewood for what will be a tough encounter against Hughes’ side. I can see Rovers pinching a goal in this one with United unlikely to risk Vidic on the eve of the Barcelona game, even though he is reportedly close to a return. United will need goals to win it then and that should mean Ronaldo on the field from the start and amongst the points.
Portsmouth’s game against City does appear to have clean sheets in it, maybe even for both sides. They are both stuttering in attacking terms and both have defenders that offer value. Certainly there are few attacking players on show in this one that appear to offer value - Dunne for City and Hreidarsson for Pompey are certainly better options. They are decent propositions but I’ve gone for the threat of goals and assists in a week where clean sheets look scarce.
Geremi is at home to Sunderland who will threaten goals at St James’ in what will be a passionate Derby match. The Newcastle man is of course employed in a midfield role, so will contribute going forward and is also playing a key role in set-pieces. Add to this the fact that Keegan’s men have kept 3 clean sheets in 4 and Geremi offers obvious value.
Wheater is my third defender. Boro have found some form again and are up against a Bolton side who have struggled for goals and without Davies up front. This could be a clean sheet for Wheater plus the big man is a real threat from Downing’s set-pieces.
Laursen completes the back four. Villa have kept two consecutive clean sheets but may struggle to make it three in what will be a torrid Derby match with Birmingham. However, Laursen’s threat at set-pieces is considerable and Birmingham have proved vulnerability in this area. Although I omitted Lescott from my picks last week, I did tip him to cause problems from set-pieces against McCleish’s men and that turned out to be the case. This week I’m backing that hunch and going for the big Dane.
In goal I’ve opted for Green once again with the Hammers at home to Derby. Clean sheets are a rarity down at Upton Park but the visit of Jewell’s men should offer a good opportunity for Green to notch up his first in 8 games.
In midfield I’ve already mentioned that Ronaldo is, as always, a good bet to be amongst the points at Ewood. Alongside him Fabregas earns a recall with Gerrard under threat of rotation and Lampard a major doubt. Arsenal could get goals against Reading and Fabregas appears to be certain of a starting role. There should be FPL bonus in the Spaniard at the very least.
Downing also gets the nod. As I’ve mentioned, Boro are on decent form and with Alves looking sharp up front, Downing appears to have come to life at the end of the season. Seven goals so far this term demonstrates a decent return and with fixtures good over the remaining games, he could well boost that total further, starting at the weekend against Bolton.
The final spot is tough. Barry is a very good shout given his run of form but with my self-imposed limit of two players per club, I’ve opted for Villa’s Agbonlahor up front instead. That leaves me turning back to Bullard again. I can just see Fulham getting the three points against Liverpool who seem very likely to put out an understrength side at the Cottage with the Champions League semi beckoning in the midweek. Fulham will be buoyed by the victory at Reading last time out, in which Bullard again earned the maximum FPL bonus points. I can see him being at the forefront again this weekend as Fulham notch a couple of goals to see off Rafa’s men.
Up front I’ve already mentioned Agbonlahor. I’ve opted for Adebayor to partner him. I’m a little worried about this one because Wenger could throw us a curveball and rest his leading scorer. However, with Derby next, I see he’ll take that option for that game. He should be looking to get his side back on track this weekend and this game could very well have goals in with Adebayor profiting.
I’ve discussed alternatives throughout but lets just go over some additional ones, starting at the back . Here, Wigan’s Scharner or Ryan Taylor are certainly a good option. Wigan are in decent form and up against a Spurs side with little to play for. Again, there might not be an obvious clean sheet here but like Geremi, Taylor is in an advanced midfield role and hogs set-pieces. Koumas is slight threat to his starting role but I think Bruce will stand by him for the weekend. Scharner is a safe option in terms of selection and minutes on the pitch but doesn’t offer such an attacking threat.
Elsewhere, West Ham defenders are good short-term prospects with Upson the top choice while Arsenal could be a fairly good bet for a clean sheet at the Emirates against Reading with Gallas the wisest choice.
In midfield I’ve already mentioned Barry of course but I’ve also got an inkling for Petrov who should be brimming with confidence after the wonder goal at the weekend. Elsewhere, there’s Davies of Fulham, Reid of Sunderland and for a long-shot, Elano. He’s showing signs of some form again and is threatening to end the season well.
I almost kept faith with Ashton up front. He has shown some glimpses of form though and Derby are in pieces right now. Having backed him previously, I should maybe show faith in him with the bottom club in town. The game should see a decent win for the Hammers and Ashton should profit, so I may well regret not opting for him.
Tevez was also in the reckoning - he should start and United are likely to need goals to see off Blackburn’s resistance. I also pondered the value of opting for Alves and leaving out either Downing or Wheater. The Newcastle vs Sunderland game should have goals though, so the trio of Owen, Viduka and Martins could be worth a look, as could Jones if you back Keane’s men to bag their third consecutive away win.
Finally, let’s talk FPL captain. It really is a foregone conclusion this week if you feel Ronaldo plays at Ewood - which he should. For those needing to gamble though, there are some pretty good options despite the doubts over the likes of Gerard, Lampard and Torres when it comes to starts.
The Arsenal pairing of Fabregas and Adebayor have got to be considered as have any of the Villa trio - Barry, Young and Agbonlahor. I’ve just got an inkling for Bullard again though - I’ve stuck my neck out by keeping him in the side so I might as well go the whole hog and push him forward as skipper for those needing to take maximum risk this weekend. Much will depend on Rafa’s lineup but if Everton lose to Chelsea tonight, I can see Liverpool putting out a shell of a side against Fulham and Bullard could well reap the benefit.
That’s you lot then. Of course, this could all look rather silly come Friday lunchtime once it’s revealed that Laursen has finally remembered he is meant to be injury prone and Bullard has had a bizarre hair tongs accident after training. Just make sure you direct your angry emails at Jeff Stelling.
Which two of Scharner, Jags, Hangeland and Brown should I play? It feels like a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 kind of week to me - as Mark suggests, clean sheets could be thin on the ground.
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thinking of making another double substitution this week.
larsson and jones/yakubu out for fabregas and agbonlahor.
i think larsson is an injury doubt but not sure of who from yakubu or jones.
what do you guys think?
current team:
carson
wheater brown hreidarsson
larsson barry ronaldo (c) bullard
yakubu jones defoe
niemi
lescott hughes
j o’brien
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Reply by S on April 17, 2008 11:19 am:
You must have a bucketful of money left over if that is your team!
Splash the cash….I’d be tempted by Rooney, fancy him to finish the season strong
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Reply by Barry on April 17, 2008 11:45 am:
yeah i have 8.5 million so money is good at the minute!!!
sold adebayor gerrard and torres in recent weeks for defoe barry and yakubu so made a bit there.
i could go for rooney instead of yak and have 9.1 mil to replace larsson.
any suggestions?
downing??
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Mark, don’t be so hard on yourself on your picks last week. I believe it was you who tipped us off on the potential of resting Lampard inspiring me to change my captain to Barry.
(Was the only one in the top 10 of my league to do so!!!)
Owe it all to you. Great site, appreciate the tremendous effort involved.
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Mark,
I have both Lamps and Gerrard and a horrible defence of Boyce, Nosworthy, Hutton and Shorey.
Thinking of doing a double this week: Fabregas for Lamps and Laursen for Nosworthy. Do you think it will be worth it? I know clean sheets are never a guarantee, but with only 4 gameweeks to go I need to bolster my defence at some point.
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mullins (WHAM) or Gareth Barry?
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Reply by Martin on April 17, 2008 11:13 am:
The minute you need to put a players team in brackets, you should know he isn’t worth buying - because he can’t be that good!
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Reply by puffinboy on April 17, 2008 11:15 am:
I’d rather have George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in my team than Mullins.
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Reply by Alex on April 17, 2008 11:19 am:
That thread just made my day.
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Hey guys, what do you think of Van Persie grabbing a few goals in the games against Reading and Derby?
The Van along with Fab takes the free kicks and corners and I have a feeling Wenger will opt for Walcott/Bendtner instead of Adebayor
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Reply by Marc on April 17, 2008 12:46 pm:
I disagree. If you’ve been watching the last couple Arsenal games you can tell something is still not right with Van Persie. I think he was forced back early from his injury for the push for league title.. because they have no one else. Bendtner is a waste of space unless as a sub and walcott is still very much a kid.
Van Persie did not look himself on the pitch and I wouldn’t be surprised if he sits the rest of the season. That’s just me.
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Reply by Martin on April 17, 2008 1:08 pm:
Wenger will want to make sure that Van Persie is fit for next season - he doesn’t need to prove anything and similar to Marc’s view, he was virtually patched up as a last resort of late and he may not even figure over the last few games - if he does against Reading then perhaps only for an hour and then he’s likely to sit out the Derby game that follows - either way he’s not worth buying.
My feeling is that Walcott is going to get the final few games, perhaps alongside Adebayor as I too think Bendtner is a waste of time.
Trouble is if ever the deadline needed to be Sat @ 11.30am it was this week, because it is hard to see what Wenger will do - If Chelsea slip up tonight, then Wenger will aim for 2nd, but if they don’t, he may try different attacking options. Instead a decision needs to be made within the next five and a half hours and so Fabregas looks best with perhaps Adebayor. To warrant buying Walcott you would need to know that he is going to start, something Wenger would hint at on a Friday!
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I agree Woo. i think hes gonna be the little suprise package for the end of the season..cant believe no1 has mentioned him at all…how is adebayor at the moment the outright better choice? anyways just bought Van…cos i kno no1 else in my league will.
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Reply by Woo on April 17, 2008 2:19 pm:
Thanks for the comments guys,
I’v decided to buy the Van because i’m 60 points behind 2nd in my mini-league and 150+ points ahead of 4th (guarenteed bronze)and as Peteskee said, no one will have him.
Having said that it could prove to be diasterous as I had to take an 8 point hit!
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Downing or Fabregas?
Also, if you have Gerrard and Lampard, is it not perhaps a better idea to bench Lamps if he’s not playing tonight and get rid of Gerrard, who will be a doubt for the remainder of the season?
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Reply by Dave on April 17, 2008 3:46 pm:
Anyone?
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double sub this week, defoe for agbonlahor and fat frank for fabs.
Any suggestions who i leave on the bench, lescott or brown?
Barry - Sell the Yak
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Ive gone for a double this week, Fabergas for Lampard and Downing for Arteta, I think it will be worth it.
Benching Bikey and Shorey, they might get the wrath of the Gooners.
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As a West Ham fan, I really wouldn’t suggest bringing in Ashton. He’s actually not playing too badly, but the rest of our team is atrocious at the moment. Defensively remember that Anton is now out for the season along with the Welshmen Gabbidon and Collins, so Spector should play emergency CB and he is very poor.
Any news on the Arsenal gk front? I think they have a nice run-in and I need to bring in a new keeper.
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Reply by Leighton on April 17, 2008 2:17 pm:
Thanks Dave for your input - I was 50-50 about Ashton (the Derby factor took a firm grip initially) and I just feel that they’ll grab 2 goals at best v Derby. Freddie Ljungberg’s return could be more influential than Ashtons input
I going to bring Adebayor back in - Arsenal will have an end-of-season point to prove, and the weak opposition of Reading and Derby (next week) should see a good goals haul.
He’ll be wearing the captain’s armband as Defoe and Berbatov (both still included in my front line) could easily be on the losing team this weekend in tight encounters with few goals.
By the way, thanks Mark for helping us FPL players get our brains into gear earlier this week to meet tonight’s deadline.
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Reply by Alex on April 17, 2008 2:21 pm:
Neil and Noble are also expected to return though. That might make things a little more interesting.
Ferdinand, according to the West Ham website, could return for the Newcastle game.
But that won’t stop Ashton’s dry spell I’m afraid…
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Please help!
I need to pick two out of these four to play:
P.Neville
Scharner
Woodgate
Andy Reid
It might be time to put names in a hat…
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woodgate and andy reid
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Deffo Andy Reid anyway
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SkySports news has just said no lampard for 2nite, but drogba will play.
Time to get rid then! ps @ untitiled, id got with Reid and Scharner, have a look at how many wigan have conceeded at home in recent games, they looked quite solid vs chelsea aswel and Scharner may also provide a goal threat.
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Anyone know who’s in goal for the Arsenal this week?
I have Howard but thinking of getting James or whoever’s in for Arsenal
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Just read this on Arsenal website;
Arsène Wenger will wait on the fitness of Manuel Almunia before deciding his squad for the weekend game with Reading.
The Arsenal keeper injured his wrist a week ago tomorrow and missed the 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford the following Sunday. The Spaniard is well on the way back to fitness but he will face an assessment on Friday morning.
“Maybe Manuel Almunia will be available, I don’t know. I will make a decision on Friday morning. He got injured in training on the Friday before Manchester. We sent him for a scan and there was an inflammation so he could not play”, says Wenger
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A bit topic this but . . . . I’m getting a little bit bored with FPL (gasps!). I’ve been thinking of a new format and have had the following idea, what do you all think and has at already been done?
Mini Leagues containing a maximum of 20 teams. Each team has a bank of funds and at the start of each season the teams bid for players from the Prem. The team that bids the most, gets the player. Obviously the better the player the higher everyone is willing to bid and vice versa. Throughout the season transfers are done in much the same way with points gained being used as funds, transferring between the purchasing and selling team to add or detract from their overall total score.
Thats the premise. . . . comments?
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Reply by puffinboy on April 17, 2008 3:34 pm:
I know some people who play a game similar to that idea(?)
http://pro.fantasyleague.com/index.aspx
I think you can tweak your own rules, but I’ve not played it.
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Reply by jpw on April 17, 2008 3:43 pm:
Thats pretty much exactly what I was thinking. Any reason you’ve not got your hands dirty Puffin?
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Reply by puffinboy on April 17, 2008 3:51 pm:
Too lazy to go to the auction
Also, the guy who organises it is apparently a bit of a pain at allowing transfers, so people were ending up with half a crocked team they couldn’t change. i think it’d work fine if you had a good league president.
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so now the dilemma is:
downing and rooney or
fabregas and agbonlahor!!
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Reply by Johnny Astro on April 17, 2008 3:19 pm:
fabbers and agbonners i’d say
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Reply by Barry on April 17, 2008 3:36 pm:
think i would have swayed that way but someone put the thought of having rooney in mt team earlier and it made me undecided!!
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so u can’t have the same players as anyone else in ur mini-league. sounds good but i’d say it could get complicated when leave or join the premiership.
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Reply by jpw on April 17, 2008 3:26 pm:
Not really, when a player leaves you’d get a residual value for the player and obviously have to replace them. I suppose all players could be given a reserve, therefore new players would undergo the same process of bidding up until the end of the gameweek or until they’re purchased.
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Reply by giggles on April 17, 2008 3:33 pm:
You must have been bored to have come up with that format.
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Reply by Johnny Astro on April 17, 2008 3:38 pm:
what about getting points for how much extra money u have in the bank at the end of the season. Kinda more like real life
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Help!
I need some assistance on whom to start. This is my original lineup.
Almunia
Bouma Wheater Geremi
Ronaldo Fabregas(C) Bullard Downing J.Cole
Berbatov Young
Subs: Hart Carvalho Brown Jones
HELP!!!
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Reply by theMoz on April 17, 2008 4:13 pm:
Relax, Joe.
That’s a good team for this week!
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Reply by Mark on April 17, 2008 5:07 pm:
Aye, not much wrong with that side that wouldn’t be fixed by an auto sub or two.
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I had a bit of money left fresh from getting barry in instead of gerard and germi in istead of hutton two weeks ago (barry captain). This week I have got rid of cech and brought in almunia then i brought in owen instead of forrsell. I was thinking of making ronaldo as captain but i am very tempted to make owen captain even though its a derby match newcastle at home and his recent form as been great. should i gambe on owen? crazy?
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definately Fabregas. Arsenal showed some good football against Man utd on the weekend and I think they will finish strong.
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Just sold Lamps for Downing (already have Fabregas) and also took in Adebayor for a 4 point hit. Better be worth it!
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Reply by Mark on April 17, 2008 4:51 pm:
Who did you sell for Adebayor CK?
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Reply by CK on April 17, 2008 5:23 pm:
Cole - he has been warming the bench too long. Now have Adebayor, Defoe and Berbatov up front
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Reply by CK on April 17, 2008 5:35 pm:
ps: Had extra cash after selling Lampshade
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Reply by Niall Quinn's Disco Pants on April 17, 2008 5:42 pm:
Same CK, 4 point hit getting in Fab n Ade, here’s hoping!
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Surely Grant will want Lamps available next week for the ManU clash?
Depending on what happens with his mum, but let’s assume she’ll get better…he’ll play the last 3 games. So why not get rid of Gerrard now and bench Lamps for tonight?
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Geremi, Hreidarsson, Corluka or Senderos?
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do i get rid of lamps for 2 weeks and then put him back in?
I just need someone who will get 10 points or more in the next two games , who do you think? gerrard? barry?Reid?
Or do i leave him in and bench him the next 2 games?
im 40 points ahead so i dont need to take risks . please comment
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Reply by Mark on April 17, 2008 5:01 pm:
Who have you got in reserve if you bench Lamps?
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Afternoon/Evening all of you gentle folk,
Not trusting my loins today, they are just too tired from a week of climbing trees for a living, so I call on you all to be my ‘rational thought process’ in this time of need….
I was wondering if any of you think it is worth the 4 point hit to remove captain boring himself, Mr Steven of G, for the likes of Fagregay or Downer? Bearing in mind i’m already tossing aside Muamba for one of them due to my 6.2 spare in le bankio of pretend moneyio…
…Or, should I say cheerio to Torres instead, and bring in some fresh legs…
questions questions… so many questions.
P.S. I am fighting my way out of “relegation” due to the genius idea of not putting Ronaldo in my team throughout the whole season cus i’m a stubborn twat
xxx
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Reply by Mark on April 17, 2008 5:06 pm:
Oooh I’ve got the fear over Gerrard and Torres playing this weekend - more so if Everton draw or lose tonight. I’ve been very wrong on this pair before though so maybe I should hold my tongue, but I can see Rafa upsetting a few relegation threatened bosses with his team lineup at the weekend. If you buy this theory then both Gerrard and Torres look shaky this weekend. Might be worth the points hit given your relegation battle Al.
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Reply by Dave on April 17, 2008 5:13 pm:
Mark, given the Gerrard rotation threat and Lamps almost certain not to play tonight, do you think it’s worth a 4 point hit getting rid of both for, let’s say, Fabs and Downing?
As I have a defence of Boyce, Nosworthy, Hutton and Shorey it seems like if I do take a 4 point hit it should be to strenghthen my defence.
But it’s also a hit if 2 of your midfielders don’t play. I could also bench Lamps tonight, but then I’d have to play Larsson and I’m not confident he’ll do much against Villa.
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Reply by Mark on April 17, 2008 5:29 pm:
It looks very likely that Lampard is out - certainly no news to the contrary so far. Tough choice this because Lamps could end the season well but, with his mother ill, Grant could just rest him in the last two if the title is out of reach. At a push I would say sell Lamps for a Fab/Barry/Downing and use some money to trade up Shorey for a stronger defender - or maybe just swap Shorey for Wheater and bag the money for next week. That way you have a safety net if Lamps does, by some miracle play, and you want him back.
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Reply by Dave on April 17, 2008 5:38 pm:
Thanks.
I already have Barry and 2.8 in the bank, so I don’t really need to free up any cash.
I’m just worried about my midfield since Gerrard is such a risk and Larsson, even if he’s back from injury, probably won’t get more than 2 points against villa.
Right now it’s between Fabs and Downing to bring in for Lampard. I’m just so unsure on what to do about Gerrard. With such a weak defence, I can’t afford to also have a non-playing midfielder. But taking a 4 point hit for a defender just seems too much of a risk, as he would have to get a clean sheet for me to break even.
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Reply by Big Al on April 17, 2008 5:21 pm:
Oh master Markoda, how your words fill me with zero confidence
It’s a toughy this week isn’t it, especially as I seem to be blessed with the curse of the “transfer player out- same player plays ridiculously well to spite me” syndrome. Is it just me or does anyone else out there seem to have this problem?
Already have Bullard in my team, and funnily enough, had the same tremblings in the thigh region as you of a potential point haulage from him, guaging from his performance last week and Fulhams’ current precarious situation.
Either way, I seem to be dissapointed week in week out thanks to Ronaldo anyway *sigh*, so sod it….
Dalian Atkinson for the win!!
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i have kenwin jones on bench along with bouma , for next gamweek i will have to play lampard which will be a probable two pointer, just wondering whether gerrard may be worth a risk, or is it not worth it?
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Reply by Mark on April 17, 2008 5:23 pm:
Well Bouma is worth a shout this weekend I would say.
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i have also made two transfers already but my main opponent has made 4 transfers, so i have room to make them
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yes he plays this week, the idea was that i benched lampard this week but then given my situation , i would have to play him next week, which would be a certain 2 pointer. But do you think it is worth it, gerrard for lampard for the next 2 weeks and then lampard back in?
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Reply by Alex on April 17, 2008 5:28 pm:
I wouldn’t be so sure about the “certain 2 pointer”. The big players tend to fire it up in the big games.
But Gerrard’s too much of a rotation risk…I’m actually thinking of getting rid of both him and Lamps tonight.
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Reply by Brian Jiggs on April 17, 2008 5:35 pm:
I still feel Benjani is the man for this week……..
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Reply by CK on April 17, 2008 5:43 pm:
No chance!!
He has been Svens big purchase mistake!!
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Reply by Niall Quinn's Disco Pants on April 17, 2008 5:46 pm:
I think Benjani’s run was but a fluke, only 1 goal for city since joining and it came off his shoulder! We’ll see!
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Reply by Brian Jiggs on April 17, 2008 5:52 pm:
maybe so mr quincy…
but lets take a look at it….. Mr ‘i score hat tricks at unexpected times” Benjani.. is coming up against his old club.. + with all this malarky in the background at Man city with Sven n the owner.. this is an ideal opportunity for a gambler who is behind in their respective league to purchase him & to make him El Capitan!
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i’m afraid to say it’s likely to be another 2 pointer for benjani;)
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5 live team news: Lamps, drog and ballack all out. yobo in for baines.
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whats news on chelsea defence?
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Reply by puffinboy on April 17, 2008 6:12 pm:
terry, carv and cole. can’t remember the other one, might be belletti.
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yeah i can’t see benjani doing much. I’ve still got 18 mins to decide on Brown or Lescott, anyone got any thoughts on this please?
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Reply by Alex on April 17, 2008 6:19 pm:
Just listen to your gut, then do the opposite. Usually works a treat for me.
Now do I bring in Downing for Gerrard or Wheater/Laursen for Nosworthy for a second transfer?
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id say brown because everton aren’t on form at the minte and man united should be able to hold a clean sheet against blackburn and then chelsea will be tough but from then on the last two games should be clean sheets
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Reply by Mark on April 17, 2008 6:19 pm:
Yeah, Everton will have their work cut out for clean sheets against Chelsea, Villa, Arsenal and Newcastle in current form.
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No Drogba (and Lamps) for Chelsea tonight. Pienaar starts for toffees 2
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cheers guys, brown it is then, just watch lescott go up front for the last 20 mins and score a hatrick.
Alex - I’d go for Laursen over wheater, reckon he’s more of a goal threat, not that he’s scored many lately
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Reply by Mark on April 17, 2008 6:25 pm:
Yep. Wouldn’t be surprised Steve.
Laursen looks good this weekend against the static Birmingham defence at set-pieces so probably has the edge this week. Wheater has decent fixtures though. Both are good options for the last three.
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id say wheater, easier fixtures over the remaining games and more chance of a clean sheet
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Reply by Alex on April 17, 2008 6:27 pm:
Thanks guys, that’s 2-1 for Wheater I guess, so the man is in.
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who’s gonna score for chelsea with no lamps, ballack and drog? Anelka hasn’t scored yet in the league has he?
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Reply by theMoz on April 17, 2008 6:27 pm:
Joe Cole!
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Reply by Mark on April 17, 2008 6:28 pm:
My money is on Terry and a 1-0. I normally lose my money.
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Reply by CK on April 17, 2008 9:38 pm:
Near enough, he bagged two bonus and a clean. Satisfactory return!
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2-1 for laursen isn’t it, or are you doing that opposites thing?
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Reply by Alex on April 17, 2008 6:34 pm:
Exactly. Giving it the reverse logic - spin.
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cheers for the advice guys. Mark I’m loving this site, it’s great.
Good luck for this weekend guys
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Dong! Deadline over then. Good luck to all you FPL’ers.
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Was planning on changing torres to adebayor & bullard to barry but adebayor rose 0.1m today & not enough in the bank. so i had to go with torres to adebayor and j.cole to fabregas. don’t score points j.cole & barry! :-()
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cheers mark, do you have a team by the way? if so, how are you doing?
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Reply by Mark on April 17, 2008 7:14 pm:
Yep, 2023 points - must try harder.
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Reply by sam on April 17, 2008 7:22 pm:
6 points ahead of me lol
are you in the marks scout picks league? if not, get in!
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Yer dad must be trapped down t’pit tonight.
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Reply by yer dad on April 17, 2008 7:51 pm:
I have been polishing my clubs tonight as I am off on jolly boys outing tomorrow in Lincoln chasing little white balls for 3 days. Hope to see you back on page 1 on my return Martin.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 17, 2008 8:29 pm:
A fine sport for an elderly gent. I’m a bit of a golfer too, but only a bit.
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Reply by Alex on April 17, 2008 8:41 pm:
Are you also elderly?
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Reply by puffinboy on April 17, 2008 8:50 pm:
75, but own teeth and hair. I’ll probably peg out on our wedding night and my billion quid fortune will all go to you, m’dear.
Now, I’m off to download that CSS second album promo from limewire…
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Reply by Alex on April 17, 2008 8:52 pm:
I was bound to marry and old fogey, they really dig me.
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Reply by Muttley on April 17, 2008 8:55 pm:
Not much of a golfer since you lost your clubs in a graveyard.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 19, 2008 8:29 am:
Ah yes, the ‘losing the clubs in a graveyard’ incident. That’s one for the after-dinner circuit once I retire from all this fantasy football nonsense.
For once, I’m actively hoping Stevie and el Nino don’t play and I’m not too bothered if we lose either, even if it is to some Cockney wankers owned by an Egyptian nutjob.
Good luck today everyone, may the Stelling be with you.
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Reply by yer dad on April 17, 2008 10:04 pm:
I will see you on Fantasyrydercup then old puffinboy
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No medal for you Muttley, you snivelling hound.
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Hey Mark, how can I join your ’scout picks’ league in FPL?
Obviously there wouldn’t be much point in joining this season but next season would be awesome to go up against the master himself!
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Reply by Alex on April 18, 2008 10:24 am:
I don’t think Mark’s joined it himself…
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Reply by jim on April 18, 2008 10:25 am:
Woo, I get the impression that Mark is not actually responsible for the ‘Scouts Picks’ League. Nor is he in it. It is an ‘homage’, if you will,to the great man.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 18, 2008 10:34 am:
I think it was set up by Nick, who’s coincidentally leading it. Can’t remember the code, sorry Woo.
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Reply by Alex on April 18, 2008 10:50 am:
You won’t even plough through 2 months worth of posts to find it for him???
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Reply by puffinboy on April 18, 2008 10:52 am:
The only old thread for me is Fergie/Shorey.
Now if this were a properly-organised forum… next year, eh.
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I hope Wesley Brown celebrates his shiny new contract with a goal tomorrow. But not a clean sheet.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/h.....354524.stm
Should keep him in the side for the last 4 games, anyway.
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do u think torres is gonna make the starting line-up this week? with the chelsea UCL game coming up in a matter of days???? pls help me!!!
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Reply by puffinboy on April 18, 2008 1:06 pm:
I’d be staggered if he’s anywhere near Craven Cottage tomorrow, let alone starting the match.
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Reply by CK on April 18, 2008 8:22 pm:
i don’t think he’ll start, either will Stevie G
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I have my fingers crossed Noble doesnt make it for tomorrow as Carvalho is my first sub.. I thought Everton couldnt possibly be as bad and as toothless as they were last night and thats coming from a ‘Pool fan. Rafa will be putting out the Under 16’s tomorrow too, I would be staggered if Torres even makes the bench. Gerrard will be on the bench at best, I’m sure of it. Reina is the only one who would be guaranteed a start.
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Reply by Niall Quinn's Disco Pants on April 18, 2008 4:29 pm:
What’s the word boys, I hear Noble is fit but will he start u think? I threw him in the starting lineup since they’re playing you know who…
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Ok, how about this (Channel 4 FF game month has only just ended):
James
Geremi - Wheater - Laursen - Evra
Gerrard - Young - Downing - Ronaldo
Zamora - Ashton
Might seem weird but the plan is to rotate the stikers out each week for those facing Derby…only 6 trasnfer allowed in the month.
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Noble is my third sub. may need him yet?
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looking at a west ham midfielder…Not sure on Noble coming back into the side..otherwise its scotty parker…any alternative suggestions…?
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any comments on the following..I hear that noble maybe back in the line up for the Hammers…?
Alves
Ashton
fabregas
downing
noble
barry
Hleb
pantsil
Wheater
Jihai
Carson
my only thought of Strikers..they are the sort who could do well or nothing at all…
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Hey guys,
I set the mini-league up, and I am in 36th place!!!
Anyone can join with this code:
454611-285018
I didn’t make and huge changes to my team this week, I will see how desparate I am after this week!!
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Reply by puffinboy on April 18, 2008 10:59 pm:
Ah sorry, wrong Nick.
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No Yer Dad around this weekend - I believe he’s looking for his balls in a bunker on a Lincolnshire golf course somewhere.
Some wallet-emptying bets for this week -
Fulham v Liverpool - draw (12-5)
Man Utd to beat Blackburn by 1 goal (5-2)
Newcastle to beat Sunderland 2-1 (8-1)
1 out of 3 last week, so looking for an improvement this week…
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got 0 out of 2 so far
liverpool wer evens just to win today, didn’t have it because im only 16 but that was an easy $10 if you put a tenner on that
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Reply by puffinboy on April 19, 2008 8:46 pm:
I’m only 9 but I won 500 smackers on that game. Bitchin’, dude.
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Reply by Alex on April 19, 2008 9:40 pm:
Whot?? First you’re an old git, now you’re gonna get me arrested?
Damned, they always say they’re of age…I must stop falling for it.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 19, 2008 9:48 pm:
Age is but a number.
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Reply by Alex on April 19, 2008 9:54 pm:
Yeah well, jail time ain’t.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 19, 2008 10:20 pm:
Yes it is. 2 years max, honest.
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Reply by Alex on April 19, 2008 11:16 pm:
That’s what my lawyer said last time…
I knew that penguin was a dead giveaway.
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