Weekend Scout Picks
Surrounded by boxes and with a house move in he offing, the weekend picks have been delayed tonight. Belatedly then, refresh your screen for this week’s lineup and read on for the why’s and wherefores…
Okay, let’s go through the back four for openers. It’s tough again this week with the strong defences up against good attacks and looking vulnerable. Chelsea and United clash of course - a game which threatens goals considering what is at stake. Certainly both defences look a gamble for a clean sheet. Liverpool will weaken their lineup once again for the trip to Birmingham and with the Blues fighting for survival, I can see them nicking one. Everton meanwhile, face a Villa side banging them in from all angles so neither defence looks safe in this one.
Arsenal at Derby appears to be a decent bet for a clean sheet and a comfortable win. The fly in that particular ointment concerns comments from Wenger which threaten rotation. That could well affect the back four with Hoyte, Traore and Senderos all coming into contention. Toure looks the safest bet - he seems set to either continue at right-back or start in the centre of defence, so I’ve opted for him over Clichy and Gallas.
Elsewhere I’m scrapping the proverbial barrel by considering Hutton for Spurs against Bolton. The Tottenham defence is far form secure but similarly Megson’s side have struggled for goals, even though they go to White Hart Lane on the back of two 1-0 wins. Woodgate’s return should make things more stable for Tottenham and Hutton is the best of a bad bunch here.
When there are few clean sheets about, there’s little choice but to look for goals and assists in defence. Both Geremi of Newcastle and Taylor of Wigan could contribute those this weekend from midfield positions. Geremi’s potential looks to have fallen slightly with some tougher games in front of him, but at West Ham, he could certainly contribute in attacking terms. Taylor meanwhile could even nick a clean sheet at home to Reading, while his potential from set-pieces remains strong.
The keeper’s position is even trickier this week. I had decided on James, although today’s unconfirmed news of a calf injury has cast a cloud of doubt over his start against Blackburn. Reina is an option, although I’m a little worried that Rafa could even rest his first choice keeper at St Andrews in preparation for the Champions League game on Wednesday. I also looked at Sunderland’s Gordon at home to Boro. Continued injuries to Bardsley and Evan’s convinced me otherwise on that one.
Finally, Hart at home to Fulham is another possible candidate. This would normally be a sure-fire clean sheet but with City’s defensive injuries and Fulham’s desperate plight, I can easily see him conceding. Even so, I’ve reluctantly gone for the City keeper, clinging to the hope that he’ll at least bank a few FPL points from saves to justify his selection.
Moving to midifeld, Ronaldo’s selection is not cut-and-dry for once. United may curb their attacking ambition at Stamford Bridge and that could see the fantasy wizard struggling to make an impact again having drawn a rare blank last time out. It takes a brave fantasy manager to turn their back on him though. He’s certain to play and if Chelsea do take a lead, he’s sure to be the major force behind any possible United goal. I’m sticking with him then.
Around him, with Sunderland at home, Reid was too tempting. He’s been a little diamond in recent weeks and even in defeat at Newcastle, he looked a constant source of ideas. I can see Keane’s men winning against Boro and Reid should contribute to some degree.
With City facing Fulham on the back of hitting three goals against Portsmouth and with a fragile defence to balance, I banking on Sven’s men to hit another couple this weekend. Petrov will be a constant threat to Fulham’s Stalteri and I can see him pitching in with points this week.
The absence of Hleb, Diaby, Rosicky and in all likelihood, Flamini, from the Arsenal midfield, I’d expect Fabregas to start at Derby. As the creative force in the Gunners lineup, he should profit fairly handsomely given that Arsenal should be good for at least a couple of goals against the dire Derby defence.
Up front I’ve got to keep faith with Berbatov having backed him via my player rankings. Spurs have been indifferent of late but the Bulgarian has remained in steady form having notched at Wigan last time out. With Lennon finding some form (he’s a decent midfield alternative by the way), I can see Spurs scoring early past a stubborn Bolton defence which should open the game up. Berbatov should be central if Spurs can find the net a couple of times.
I’ve played safe with his partner and gone with Defoe. The Portsmouth striker is prolific at home and although the Blackburn game could be tight, if Harry’s side score, the ex-Spurs man should be there or thereabouts. There are plenty of alternatives though if you need to take a risk on a bigger points haul.
Let’s go through some of these then. At the back, as I’ve mentioned, there appears to be very few options. Portsmouth perhaps present the best source, with Distin always a good bet, although Johnson should return to the lineup to present another choice. Elsewhere Hyypia for Liverpool at Birmingham and possibly, Wheater for Boro at Sunderland if you back him to weigh in with a goal, could be worth considering.
In midfield, Barry could continue to offer value, although Villa should find it a lot more difficult to find the net against a considerably stronger Everton defence. Osman or Pienaar are decent budget options in the same game. Elsewhere there is Downing at Sunderland, Bullard and Davies at City and Jenas and Lennon for Spurs against Bolton. Bentley is an outside bet of course, if you fancy Blackburn to breach the Portsmouth defence.
Up front there appears to be an array of stronger alternatives. Jones is always a threat for Sunderland and should figure amongst the points again. There’s Owen at West Ham of course - in great form and up against an injury ravaged defence. Benjani should be on song having emerged from a goal drought against his former club last weekend and of course, Santa Cruz, although he could find it tough at Fratton Park. Finally, I was very very tempted with Crouch - it was only the fact that Defoe offers better value beyond this weekend, that he got the nod over the Liverpool man who should start for Torres against a fragile Birmingham.
Let’s end by tackling the hot topic that is the FPL captaincy. With Ronaldo’s place in the picks under consideration, it’s far from a given that he’s the best option for the role. Clearly he is the safe option - the choice of those fantasy managers protecting a 50+ point lead. For those looking to close such a gap however, there’s the attractive option of Fabregas who has runaway with the FPL captain’s poll this week. Adebayor should be safe for a start at Derby and he too, presents a decent alternative. If need to look beyond this, then Berbatov, Jones and Petrov would be my tips to offer the biggest hauls, with Defoe a safer and less spectacular option.
As expected, you didn’t pick Adebayor due to your 2 players per team rule.
But since you rate him as a captain option, I take it you would find him to be a good purchase this week?
I’ve also considered Petrov, but looking at his fixtures after this gameweek I’m not too tempted.
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Reply by Mark on April 25, 2008 10:25 pm:
Yeah, he’s one of many good options up front. Bit spoilt for choice in that area this week.
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I’m protecting a comfortable lead, but I’m still not sure about captaining Ron. I just don’t see him getting big points. Surely it’s not a given to captain him when you have a lead?
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 10:17 pm:
It’s not, Alex. Be brave and pick someone else. The poll says Fab, and who are we to argue with Graham?
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Reply by Alex on April 25, 2008 10:26 pm:
If I captain him he’ll be rested. That’s a given.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 10:28 pm:
Well, you’ve somehow managed to get about 2 million points despite the tragic luck you’ve suffered, my dear.
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Reply by Alex on April 25, 2008 11:03 pm:
Talk about exaggerating…
I could list all the unfortunate incidents I’ve had to suffer through with my crapahola of a team, but I’d like a drug-free night for once.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 11:06 pm:
Is crapahola really a word? The smack guy never showed huh? Sorry, my bad.
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Reply by yer dad on April 25, 2008 11:12 pm:
Of all the comments on this site, I love it when it says that you can’t nest below a certain level.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 11:13 pm:
Well, you should know.
I miss Old Gregg and his semiotics, don’t you?
Reply by Alex on April 25, 2008 11:16 pm:
My team has inspired me to come up with all kinds of words that indicate something is worthy of being locked in room with a heap of cow dung.
And no..he never showed. But I guess his go-between got distracted by something shiny.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 11:22 pm:
Mmmm, KitKat wrappers….
Reply by Marc on April 25, 2008 10:42 pm:
I agree with puffinboy. While I admit, that Mark comes up with some pretty good advice, he’s not God.
We don’t have to listen and follow his every word like it is Gospel.
While Ronaldo isn’t the clear choice for captain this week, he’ll still likely be of the majority picked. That’s why it’s a relatively safe bet to keep him as (C) if you leading because you’ll minimize the damage if you just so happens to go on a 1 goal/ 1 assist romp.
Grow some balls.
(PS: I’m leading in both my leagues, and am captaining Fabregas over Ronaldo)
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Reply by Mark on April 25, 2008 11:33 pm:
Spot on Marc. The views I put out there are far from gospel - it’s just another perspective to consider. Having different opinions to ponder and evaluate can be useful in my experience playing FF but there’s never one that can be 100% correct.
Now there are some great posts each week to compliment my views, the site is getting more valuable. Hopefully if visitors combine the info here with the snatches of advice they can take from the various voices that are present, there’s a real benefit to be had.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 11:39 pm:
Exactly. I hope the site’ll develop (even if I’m banned for overposting and stupidity) and become a full forum with proper identities. I like fora, as you can probably tell.
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Reply by Mark on April 25, 2008 10:21 pm:
Yep, I can’t see him getting big points, maybe an assist or a couple of bonus at the most. In some respects Fabregas/Adebayor could edge it for leaders who feel that those chasing them will go for those options - it’s certainly another form of protecting a lead.
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Reply by Untitled on April 25, 2008 10:22 pm:
I’m in the same spot. It’s almost certain that the chasers won’t be putting Ronaldo captain, so they won’t make ground in the event of him scoring big anyway. Earlier Ronaldo was the safe bet because the majority of chasers would also have him as captain (plus he always scored a crap loada points), but it’s so late now and with Chelsea away people will be all over the place with their captains.
That’s why I’m going for a Fabregas-type for captain, Fabregas.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 10:24 pm:
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Hello,
This is my first comment on your discussion board. First of all congratulations for such a complete fantasy site. I discovered it a few days back and I look forward to rading your picks very week.
I appreciate your effort in putting up this site. Thanks a lot.
May I suggest something. The text above the picks picture is showing last weeks dates. If we can change it, it will be quite clear.
Best,
Yogesh
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Reply by Mark on April 25, 2008 10:22 pm:
Whoops…good spot. Thanks Yogesh and welcome.
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Don’t you ever get tired of all the compliments, Scout?
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Reply by Mark on April 25, 2008 10:30 pm:
lol…I try not to let them go to my head puffin but I do admit that, sometimes, at 4.45, I come back and read a few to raise the spirits when my team and picks go belly up. I’m sure decisions like picking two Spurs players this week will always be effective in keeping my feet on the ground
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 10:33 pm:
Nah mate, you deserve them. One day I might even compliment you properly myself.
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Reply by giggles on April 25, 2008 11:12 pm:
Make sure you wear shorts when you do then. You don’t want to get holes in the knees of your trousers.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 11:17 pm:
Absolutely, Giggsy. I religiously wear shorts from April till September.
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Hey everyone, hey, did anyone notice how close my picks were to Mark’s? Hey, go take a look, they’re in the team news article. That’s right, yep all by myself they were. Wow, I sure am happy with that. That smug grin right there is justified. ‘Where are they’ you ask, just nip over to the previous article, in there. God I’m good. Did I mention I’m good? Hope so, cos I am.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 10:30 pm:
Calm down, calm down. No-one likes a weird-faced bighead, do they?
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Reply by Mark on April 25, 2008 10:36 pm:
You’ve clearly been hanging round here so long that you’ve tuned in to my way of thinking. That’s very good news for me - now there can be two of us to blame every gameweek
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Reply by Untitled on April 25, 2008 10:46 pm:
I just wanted my moment of glory. I will go crawl back under my rock.
I’m just going to take this oppurtunity to say that recently Mark your picks have been somewhat disappointing (lets blame Bullard), relative to your incredibly high standards of course.
Eek, did I just criticise the Messiah? :s
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 10:52 pm:
We’re glad to have you around, Unty. Just make sure you’re still here in July for the ‘Berbatov to West Brom’ rumours, is all.
PS Have I set the record for most (and dumbest) posts in one evening? Or does Yerdad still hold that record?
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Reply by yer dad on April 25, 2008 11:05 pm:
Nope, I have just read all the past posts july/august included and listed them in a) nonsense b) weird c) bollocks d)dumbest e)Lethal weapon related and you win them all my dear Artic bird. I must try harded
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 11:08 pm:
Yay me!
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Reply by Untitled on April 25, 2008 11:26 pm:
Wow, I’m so glad I’ve got a nickname now, especially one that in no way could possibly be manipulated to insult me.
Just out of curiosity, how long has the site been going and how long have you veterans been here?
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 11:31 pm:
All of one whole season. Yerdad’s been here since the year dot, although in fairness I did give anoint him with his name (cf Danny Blanchflower post, which you could find if the search function worked)
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Reply by yer dad on April 25, 2008 11:40 pm:
aye you did with old gregg banter. The portrait you painted makes me look a tad older than the one above my fireplace though.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 11:45 pm:
Unlike your gravatar, right?
Reply by Mark on April 25, 2008 11:44 pm:
*note to self* - make search comments work.
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Reply by Mark on April 25, 2008 11:02 pm:
Yep, they’ve been tepid at best. Never really wanted the picks to get as much focus as they currently do tbh. I never really wanted to put myself forward as an expert, I’m more about sharing knowledge/speculation and promoting opinion and discussion. The picks are certainly a good to stimulate opinion but since I got lucky a few times, the Friday night ritual has grown in importance with visitors. Luckily there’s lots of others, like yourself, who contribute great opinion to offer alternatives - that makes sticking my neck out each week a lot easier. By the way, I’m gonna have to put a tenner on Bullard first goal - it was either that or pick the poor fella again.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 11:11 pm:
It sure beats those twats Alan Carr and Justin Lee Collins.
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Reply by Mark on April 25, 2008 11:15 pm:
lol puffin - I’m going to open up to you now - I think we’ve come that far
My gf met Justin Lee Collins in Bristol once. Her and her friend took pictures with him and got mugs made. It’s sitting staring at me on the shelf now. Things often get broken when you move house don’t they?
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 11:20 pm:
Lol indeed Mark. And now that we’ve come this far, you wouldn’t mind doing mine and Alex’s wedding ceremony would you? Once the legal-age details have been sorted, natch. It’s in Hawaii, we’ll pay for flights and hotels of course.
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Reply by Untitled on April 25, 2008 11:32 pm:
Aye, to be fair if the goalposts were a few inches higher Bullard’d probably be on Ronaldo’s heels (well, maybe he could see his heels in the distance).
Anyways, fantastic work all. Hope 36 treats you well.
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Everybody seems to be predicting two goals each for the West Ham - Newcastle game. I was going to get rid of Ashton, but should I now?
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40 minutes I have waited for bloody lethal weapon 3 to come back on because of the news. Anyone know the end so I can go to bed.
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Reply by Mark on April 25, 2008 10:48 pm:
Legendary off topic stuff yer dad. That’s not the Kensit one is it? Don’t think I can help with this one.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 10:49 pm:
Danny says: “Just you wait for part 4″. Then mindlessly blows someone away. Fin.
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Reply by yer dad on April 25, 2008 10:56 pm:
Ok then, Fab or Ronny for captain??
Nope, Patsy is not in this one. Was she in Lethal weapon 2, discuss.
I will see it through to the end and open another tinny.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 11:00 pm:
Fab. If you want to really ’see’ Pats try Angels and Insects, Pops. If your ticker’s OK that is.
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i’m in a slender (9 point!) lead and debating getting adebayor in for jones. after these picks though i’m torn whether to stick with jones or not. i have berbatov and young so i dont think i should drop them. The other option is arsenal defender for a nice 6 points. i think santa cruz is a must for the last two games so maybe a bit of strenghtening my defence for the last few games is in order. Surely with all these players missing wenger cant mix it up it that much. As bad as Derby are, arsenal still have to win it
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 10:58 pm:
Well, I’ve been here all night so I may as well chip in again. I think Jones will score and I think Ade will too. Hmm, not much help am I?
Good luck with your 9pt lead anyway. I wish I still had summat to play for.
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Reply by Mark on April 25, 2008 11:07 pm:
A lot depends on who is in the team chasing you of course, but I think Young, Berbatov and Santa Cruz will see you home just fine over the last two games higgo, so defence would appear a more effective route for improvment.
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What about Van Persie, surely he has got to be worth a punt? Now back and fit and ready to start scoring again?!
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Reply by Marc on April 25, 2008 11:04 pm:
He’s not fit.. I’ve been saying this for two weeks.. You can see it in his play, that he’s nowhere near his fitness and form of early season.
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Reply by Mark on April 25, 2008 11:10 pm:
Yep, I think Marc has been assigned full-time scouting duties on Van Persie :-). Strikes me that he’s spot on with his assessment - he looks laboured. If Wenger rests anyone for Bendtner, it looks more likely to be VP than Adebayor right now.
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Reply by higgo on April 25, 2008 11:15 pm:
all this arsenal talk, fab for captain, adebayor scoring, derby nothing to play for. It could all go pear shaped. maybe just a 1-0 win with someone like song scoring! “i have a bad feeling about this”
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Reply by Alex on April 25, 2008 11:21 pm:
Yeah…didn’t a lot of people bring in Yakubu and Ashton for their games v. Derby?
Turned out peachy, didn’t it?
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 11:23 pm:
Uh oh, the grim reaper’s arrived at the party.
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Reply by Alex on April 25, 2008 11:27 pm:
Isn’t it way past your bedtime?
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 11:32 pm:
I guess so, whether I’m 75 or 9. How’s the weather in Amsterdam anyway?
Reply by Alex on April 25, 2008 11:38 pm:
That was my reasoning exactly!
It’s been pretty nice actually, but we’re gonna have a rainy Queen’s Day.
Reply by Mark on April 25, 2008 11:41 pm:
Could be higgo but then Derby could win 4-0 but Fab would still get 3 bonus.
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Reply by Alex on April 25, 2008 11:42 pm:
If he plays, Mark. If….he plays. (That was my best Horatio Caine).
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Reply by Yogesh on April 25, 2008 11:37 pm:
Absolutely right Marc. Injuries have made the Dutchman rusty. One can make out that he is not in form when he fails to dribble at speed or misses a Volley.
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Does anyone fancy pennant or crouch this weekend against a poor brum side ? surely they’re both playing and in good form ? yes ? no ? anyone ?
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Reply by Mark on April 25, 2008 11:46 pm:
Yeah Crouch and Pennant could certainly profit from some more Birmingham set-play failures.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 11:49 pm:
Grrr, I hate these convos when I’ve already shot my transfer load!
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Reply by shaun on April 25, 2008 11:49 pm:
that confirms it , the messiah has sent me a sign, Crouchie and jailbird for me
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 11:53 pm:
He has given us… his shoe!!
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Reply by shaun on April 25, 2008 11:57 pm:
you’re not the messiah, you’re a very naughty puffinboy
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I can’t keep up. I don’t know if I am shoring my defence, making Fab captain or trying to download Lethal weapon 4
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 11:54 pm:
Ah, the Alzheimers…
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mmmmmmmmm, forgot I had that. yer mum loves that one.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 25, 2008 11:59 pm:
I love your avatar so much, Nige. It sums you up so much ‘more than words’ can say, as Extreme may have it.
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Reply by yer dad on April 26, 2008 12:15 am:
Your right Martin. Wise, handsome, smart, winner of works league and great choice of tanktops.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 26, 2008 12:21 am:
And the only man, apart from Poulter, who can challenge the Tiger.
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Reply by Dastardly on April 26, 2008 1:12 am:
I’m not making either Poulter or Tiger captain.
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Bit of advice needed… If you knew your main rival (20 points ahead) was captaining Fabregas would you then captain Adebayor??? (I’d rather Fab but as I saw my main rival is capt him too)…. what you lads reckon?
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Reply by puffinboy on April 26, 2008 12:03 am:
How do you know who he’s (or she) captaining?
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Reply by CK on April 26, 2008 12:12 am:
His wife told me?!!
(She is my sister!) Blood thicker than water…
What you reckon?
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Reply by puffinboy on April 26, 2008 12:16 am:
I reckon you should shag her for more into. All’s fair in love, war and FF.
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Reply by yer dad on April 26, 2008 12:20 am:
CK. Underarm tactics in the extreme. I have heard it all now. Sister asks hubby when they are in the middle of slap and tickle ” who have you made captain this week love?” “Fabregas love, turn over”.
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Reply by shaun on April 26, 2008 12:23 am:
i’m glad i have no sisters…………couldn’t trust em to keep your innermost FF strategies
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Reply by puffinboy on April 26, 2008 12:19 am:
I reckon you should shag her for more info. All’s fair in love, war and FF.
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Reply by yer dad on April 26, 2008 12:23 am:
Now even Puffins don’t go that far for info. You will end up on a Cutting Edge documentary.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 26, 2008 12:27 am:
I’d do anything to finish 49th in the Scout Picks League
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Reply by yer dad on April 26, 2008 12:33 am:
Yep, you are going from page 1 to page 2 and I am getting dizzy.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 26, 2008 12:34 am:
Silly old duffer.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 27, 2008 5:32 pm:
I’m hoping my 33 pts, with Captain Fabulous and Gallas to (hopefully) come, will keep me on page 1, YD. Barry deserves a couple of bonus pts too.
How did everyone else do in this low-scoring week?
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Reply by Untitled on April 27, 2008 5:48 pm:
40, with Fab(capt) and Adebayoo still to play. Also hoping for some Young bonus points…
Reply by puffinboy on April 27, 2008 5:59 pm:
Neither Young nor Barry did, but Santa got 3. I didn’t think he played that well, but I’ll gladly take it. 3 for Carew was another odd choice, but they often seem to go for the goalscorer rather than the best player.
Reply by higgo on April 27, 2008 5:59 pm:
31 points with fab captain and toure. My rivals have adebayor and van persie captained and fab. Heres hoping its all the fab show on monday. Goals going in left right and centre and only get noble scoring for me! always the way
Hey Mark, cheers for the site, absolute quality.
“Bit of advice needed… If you knew your main rival (20 points ahead) was captaining Fabregas would you then captain Adebayor??? (I’d rather Fab but as I saw my main rival is capt him too)…. what you lads reckon?”
I’d capt. Fabregas either way. This is because I think he’s most likely to start and to score the most points.
In terms of catching your rival… there are three weeks left which means you need 7 points per week. I’d look round the rest of your team (maybe at your smaller players) to see where you can nick a couple of points here and there…
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Reply by yer dad on April 26, 2008 12:31 am:
Have you got a sister as well Waffle D?? Or are you CK and your sister has walked in.
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Reply by Nelson Muntz on April 26, 2008 1:10 am:
HA HA! You didn’t see the reply option!
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Hey Christiano… here’s the deal. I am 20 points ahead in my league and really want to win. Now, i have had you in my side for almost the whole season. I like you. Yes i do. I think you’re pretty good with the ball and all that. But Fabs over here is offering a pretty golden opportunity for this week’s C. The last time i went out on a limb and took the arm band off you you went and scored two assists and two goals while my captain Berby picked up a solid ZERO. I am pretty sure the chasing pack in my league will keep you as their C (gutless), so i am asking, nay begging - please play poorly! Just for this week ol’ chum. Will ya? For me??
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Reply by Christiano on April 26, 2008 2:51 am:
No. Hat trick here I come!
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Bastard.
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Chelsea to win today 2-0, extra days rest and home advantage with the prawn sandwich brigade. Ronaldo to start on the bench, play 10 minutes and pick up 3 bonus points.
Arsenal to beat derby 4-0 with Fabregas netting all 4. Lehmann to get 3 bonus points.
It could happen!!!
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Reply by John on April 26, 2008 9:24 am:
If Chelsea win 2-0 today the chances of Fab getting rested only increase…
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After much indecision here’s my conquering team for the weekend:
Hart
Carvalho/Knight/Gallas
Fabregas(c)/Reid/Butt/Ronaldo
Berbatov/Adebayor/Defoe
Subs: James/Brown/Noworthy/Huddlestone
I’m still adamant the Chelsea/Man Utd will end 1-1. so I am not wasting two defenders from that game. Brown has been benched as every other team in my mini-league wil put United defenders in. If somebody is going to win I think it’s going to be Chelsea.
Good luck to everybody this weekend…
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I’d like to gently disagree about RVP. Last week he started to show glimpses of what we know from him. He did a number of great drag backs in the box which are his bread and butter. He also started to run off guys when he was placed up top (originally wenger played him out on the left wing, which he is not). I think the bar is still rattling from that free kick. So he takes free kicks, he takes every right corner and takes the pens…..i’m going to have a punt. One fly in the ointment might be wenger’s very pleasing comments for fantasy managers about Euro 2008 players being rested, but I think he was more talking about the likes of bill, clichy and cesc. RVP needs to get his match fitness up as Marc mentioned earlier to where it was at the start of the season. However there is always that threat.
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Reply by CK on April 26, 2008 8:59 am:
He is still a bigger risk than the rest of the gunner strikers IMO. I think Adebayor will bag points this weekend as will Walcott. VP may make an appearance and may even show some nice touches but I can’t see him in the points
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umm hi..
decisions decisions….
need to some guidance here… who do i bench out of neville, evra or mellberg?
n as for transfer.. shall i do jones out, in comes owen
or jenas out and in comes petrov
shed any light this way.. ?
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Reply by corey on April 26, 2008 9:42 am:
If you’re talking about Gary Neville then bench him as he probably won’t play… and if you’re talking about Phil, bench Phil because he’ll probably concede.
I can’t help you with your other decision, though.
Would it be worth transferring out Carvalho or Vidic for Toure?
And if so, which one?
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Reply by paster of muppets on April 26, 2008 9:43 am:
my 2p worth Brian - Jones is due a goal and Boro only seem to be able to defend against the big 4.
Petrov seems to be playing well and Fulham simply can’t defend, especially away.
Keep Jones, then, and lose Jenas - it’s a funny old game, though, as they say…
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Do I play Ashton or Yakubu?
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my team is barry, bentley, bullard and butt in the midfield, berbatov, benjani and bent up front with brown, belletti and bouma at the back. Just looking for an appropraite keeper….any suggestions?
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Reply by jpw on April 26, 2008 10:12 am:
Give up, thats a poor team!
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Reply by Martin on April 26, 2008 10:14 am:
Frad Briedel
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Guys, guys, guys, (and gals). M Petrov IS the captain of choice for those of us looking to take a gamble and close a gap. Just look at the damage he did against Fulham away from home earlier in the season.
p.s., why is the clock an hour behind on all these comments?
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Ronaldo keeping the bench warm today
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Reply by Untitled on April 26, 2008 11:15 am:
That’s mental. Thank Jebus I went for the Fabrinator..
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Saturday lunchtime is always so slow…
I just worked out for this season, a player in my team scores an average of 5.231 per gameweek. I’m happy with that.
The smarter folk among you will be able to work out how many points I’m on…
…only if you were as sad as me of course.
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Well the first part of my prediction has come true, ronaldo starts on the bench. You have been warned! Come on Chelsea!
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Reply by Sam (Team Sam) on April 26, 2008 11:36 am:
no way, never would have predicted that. i hope the rest of your predictions come true, i have fabregas as captain!
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yay dildo features is on the bench cos he is crap
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Might have to make this decision early as can’t afford prices to change…. Bentley in for Downing for the last 2 games?? wise move??
I still have Gerrard, so is it instead worth replacing him with Bentley, keeping Downing, and taking a 4 point hit to use the cash to replace my bench striker with Santa Cruz?? Will Gerrard play the last couple seeing as there won’t be champions league games inbetween??
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sounds good to me sam, but what about injury
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Reply by Sam (Team Sam) on April 26, 2008 11:47 am:
cheers for input, but which option sounds good? the first one, 1 change, bentley in for downing?
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personally i would wait to see if liverpool get through the CL then sell probably sell gerrard for bentley at the last minute. it’s too risky making changes before games are played.
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Thanks Christiano ol pal!
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Reply by Christiano on April 26, 2008 3:10 pm:
No probs honey. I did it for our forbidden love!
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Bentley in for the goals fest against derby for sure. I reckon Liverpool could get knocked out next week, which should see more starts for Gerrard in the last 2 games?
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We really do have a clever bunch on here. Pretty much everyone was saying not a week for defenders, and look at the goals flying in! I recall someone even predicting 2-2 at Upton park. Well done team.
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Reply by Dave on April 26, 2008 2:55 pm:
I think that was me saying a lot of footy sites were predicting 2-2, leaving me wondering whether I should get rid of Ashton, which I of course did.
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Funny how every time I pick a player based in part on Mark’s scout picks it doesn’t work out at all, then when I get rid of him he starts getting points.
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Reply by Untitled on April 26, 2008 3:06 pm:
Geremi? I kept the faith…
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Reply by Alex on April 26, 2008 3:15 pm:
So did I with Wheater and Hutton, who got 0 and 1 points. Got rid of Ashton who scored. Which Shorey will now probably do as well.
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Thought Shorey wasnt gonna play!!
..he gets a clean and I have him benched!
Oh well, at least I had Geremi! Gotta thank Mark for that one! Bought him 5 weeks ago and he is bagging big points week in week out!
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Reply by Alex on April 26, 2008 4:15 pm:
Shorey and Larsson on my bench.
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Reply by CK on April 26, 2008 4:17 pm:
I feel your pain mate. I played Larsson thankfully but Shorey is really bugging. 6 points I could have done with. ah well, swings and roundabouts as they say
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Reply by Alex on April 26, 2008 4:25 pm:
5. He got a yellow.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 26, 2008 5:04 pm:
I hope your squadgod news on James is accurate - I’ll get Kirkland’s clean sheet if it is.
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Reply by Alex on April 26, 2008 5:08 pm:
Bite me.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 26, 2008 5:34 pm:
I had to look that up. Apparently it’s “an idiomatic expression of discontent or aggravation toward another party”.
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Reply by Alex on April 26, 2008 6:06 pm:
You shall be hearing a lot more of it if we ever do get married.
Reply by TheNecromancer on April 27, 2008 5:45 am:
Lovebirds:
I’d like to attend and will bring the wine.
Will there be table games, puffin?
I’ll leave the board at home, unless a good left-right offshore break in the offing.
Lemme know.
-TheN
Reply by puffinboy on April 27, 2008 12:13 pm:
James is out, Kirkland gets me 6. I love you more than ever, darling and I’ll never doubt you again….
I’m so happy I could bite you.
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Reply by Alex on April 27, 2008 5:48 pm:
I wouldn’t.
I’d taste awfully bitter at the moment considering I opted against bringing Hart in.
Reply by Untitled on April 27, 2008 6:00 pm:
Does anyone else find it odd that Hart manages to be the top scoring FPL keeper this week, despite conceeding 3 at home against the team second bottom, being megged for the first goal and having his penalty save tapped in straight away. I’m not complaining of course, I was lovin’ it!
Reply by puffinboy on April 27, 2008 6:02 pm:
I agree. How can a penalty save be worth 15 times as much as an ordinary save?
Reply by Alex on April 26, 2008 5:04 pm:
Make that 7. 2 boni.
3 for Larsson, 1 for Ashton…means a loss of 21 points for me so far…
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Berby fails again. He kills me. What is it with Mr Grumpy lately? Is it me or is the 3 strikers up front strategy at White Heart Lane totally not working and fluffing any chance of any of their men up front from grabbing a bag of points. I can’t remember what game it was but several weeks back they started with Berby/Keane up front and Berby was all over it with a goal and hungry for more. At around half time they brought on Bent and as a result Berby dropped really deep and was never near the action again. So frustrating. He is obviously their most talented and creative striker so why not use it?! Meh.
On a more general Tottenham note, why hasn’t one of their midfield stepped up al la Gerrard, Lamps or Fab and really taken the team to a higher level? Is this their missing secret ingredient that stops them from really mixing it with the big boys? I mean, a draw with Bolton? come on!? I feel like picking anyone but a Tottenham forward is a big risk as they are all so inconsistent. Jenas seems to be the closest at the moment but not what i’d call a horse that warrants backing. Depressingly, something tells me that nothing is going to change as Tottenham seem to be happy at mid-table year in and year out.
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Reply by Arul on April 27, 2008 5:42 am:
I certainly don’t mind it - I’m an Arsenal fan!
But seriously, I was also frustrated with Berby’s 2 points - especially with several other forwards in hot form. However, most match reports stated that he had a few shots at goal and a couple of neat flick-ons. Still it’s friggin tempting to offload this bloke for the likes Young, Adebayor, Santa Cruz or even Alves who’s hit form; especially considering the fact that he’s playing the Royals who are desperate for a win and then home to the Reds who, after their pending elimination, will put in a full-strength side.
It also seems as though the healthy runs of my other forwards - Owen and Defoe - seem to be coming to an end…oh well!
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Hmm… maybe Luka Modric is the man for the job…
http://www.caughtoffside.com/2...../6707.html
Sounds like he may be worthy of consideration as a good investment early on in the 08/09 EPL season. Considering the price is right of course.
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Anyone else slightly fuming that Daryl Murphy hasn’t been given his deserved points for his late equaliser?? My leagues look like they’re going down to the wire and these 4 points could make all the difference
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Reply by yer dad on April 27, 2008 8:09 am:
Just watched Match of the Day and it certainly looked like he flicked it on and scored and he actually claimed it in the interview afterwards. I think it will go to the dubious and weird decisions panel of old farts and you will be rewarded the points Sam, I think.
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Reply by yer dad on April 27, 2008 1:33 pm:
The BBC website also give it Murphy and they never get it wrong apart from axing Grange Hill.
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I haven’t finished licking my wounds from yesterday -hoping Defoe scores a hattrick today and Arsenal run rampant tomorrow.
My Chelsea to be winning at half-time/ draw at full-time bet nearly reaped me £85 quid yesterday; if only Carrick had kept his hands to himself and United should really have had a penalty right at the end…
Can’t believe the amount of goals flying around yesterday, not coincidentally with the teams fighting relegation (apart from Reading’s game). A pointer to the remaining two weeks of the season perhaps??
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Reply by yer dad on April 27, 2008 1:24 pm:
Aye that was unlucky Leighton. I would of been able to buy some new dentures with my winnings as I lost my last pair surfboarding. I am keeping faith and look forward to next weekends tips
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can they change the points after the DG committee thing?
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Reply by yer dad on April 27, 2008 8:56 am:
Off the top of my head the answer is yes and I also remembered this which I though I would share:
The adjudication process comprises the viewing of video evidence followed by discussion by the committee members. The guiding principle when adjudicating is as follows:
“As a rule, if the initial attempt is goalbound it is credited to the player making the goal attempt. However if the deflection means that a wayward effort results in a goal then it is attributed to the player who had the last definitive touch of the ball.”
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Reply by Niall Quinn's Disco Pants on April 27, 2008 9:34 am:
If that is the case then it will either be an assist or a goal so don’t worry! I didn’t c it myself but remember big Jussi Jaaskelainen’s mistake where Gerrard had hit it wide? That was an assist if I remember correctly…
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yeah that was an assist for Gerrard
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hey.. hate to say I told u all so……
Benjani was the man for the past 2 weeks n then nex 2 weeks also….
ho hum..
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hey yer dad. santa cruz scored again (see evil monkey expression from family guy) grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
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Reply by Top Dog on April 27, 2008 2:59 pm:
You mean this monkey (gravatar). I think i’ll change my name to evil monkey, has a nice ring to it….so many goals this weekend but only 1 for me (not good!!), lets hope fabregas does the business on Monday
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Reply by Jono on April 27, 2008 7:09 pm:
Hugely annoying I had Santa benched and Defoe in my starting XI just hoping Clichy gets rested tomorrow now
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Transferred out Phil Neville (7 points)for Gallas and Gareth Barry (8 points) for Fabregas. Hope you two Arsenal players are listening..
Interestingly (or boringly) enough, the FPL did not initially credit Neville with the goal but gave Yakubu the assist - it later changed it, took the assist off Yakubu and then gave it back to him! I thought the deflection off Laursen directed the ball in, rather than Neville’s shot being goal bound.
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Still miffed by FPL’s decision to not give Daryl Murphy his 4 points for his last minute goal on saturday, I emailed and queried as to why not. All I got was a one sentence reply
“Given as an own goal to Pogatetz”
But it clearly wasn’t. I’m still annoyed, lol
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Reply by yer dad on April 28, 2008 8:56 am:
And so you should be Sam.
Still confused by Santa Cruz’s 3 bonus points as discussed and gladly accepted by Puffinboy. He must have got a bonus point for each touch of the ball.
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i think i should be the winner of ‘failure of the week’
i started with a 25 points top of my minileague and now i’m 52 points behind with no players to play.
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Reply by Untitled on April 28, 2008 9:40 am:
Bwop, bwop, bwwooaaaa…
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Reply by puffinboy on April 28, 2008 9:41 am:
How did you manage to lose 77 pts when the highest score in the FPL was 76? Or was it in some other game?
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Reply by yer dad on April 28, 2008 9:45 am:
Guess you took 4/8/12 point hits Ben all in one go. Glad to see you cementing your place on page 1 Martin.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 28, 2008 11:16 am:
Thanks. With (touch wood) 9 of my next week’s XI at home and three of them against Derby, I’m feeling mildly confident I can stay there.
Oh, and although Feds managed to blow the tennis final, I did say that Wigan v Reading was a nailed-on draw at approx 2/1 odds.
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Reply by yer dad on April 28, 2008 11:52 am:
I might even be tempted to get Santa Cruz this week after convincing everyone to sell him all year and breaking Luke’s heart and trust by him actually selling him.
I have won my league, so will have a little play this weekend and try and get in the MSL top 10. Bentley, Cruz might get a start this week and I am sure everyone else will put him in as well. Well done for sticking with Cruz all season Martin.
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Reply by puffinboy on April 28, 2008 11:59 am:
I’d be 2nd in all your leagues (except MSPL). Methinks you need stronger competition next year.
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Reply by yer dad on April 28, 2008 1:09 pm:
Well everyone at work keep saying they will up it next year and whip my arse. mmmmmmmm. Yeah, stronger competition next year is needed as I am not having sleepless nights on Fridays now wondering if I have made the right decision.
I will miss this chit chat during the summer unless we all join fantasyolympics for the summer.
Alan Wells, Fatima Whitbread, Coe and Ovett won me the title in 80’s
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Reply by puffinboy on April 28, 2008 1:33 pm:
I’m sure the site will still be going strong even in the summer. We can revive the Nicky Shorey thread if things get too quiet.
Did you not have Tessa Sanderson? Whitbread only won the silver, but I’m sure you know that…
Reply by Alex on April 28, 2008 1:54 pm:
Enough already with the Nicky Shorey obsession…
Reply by yer dad on April 28, 2008 1:57 pm:
Nope, I decided on Fatima as she reminded me of yer mum. Fatima was also well-known for her rivalry with fellow English javelin thrower Tessa Sanderson, who won the gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles with Whitbread finishing in bronze medal position. In the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Whitbread won the silver medal behind Felke, who had broken the world record in the interim.
Her performances in 1987 led to her being voted winner of the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
Thought I would let you all in on this bit of info as I am waiting for the lift to take me to the coal face.
Reply by Dr Sanchez on April 28, 2008 1:57 pm:
There was a premier league world cup fantasy game a couple of years ago. It was a bit rubbish though, as you could only have premier league players. Of course, not having England in the Euros won’t help if th