Black Cats Hit Six
Sunderland played out their penultimate pre-season game last night, running out 6-0 winners over Irish League side Athlone.
A brace from Chopra and further goals from Richardson, Leadbitter, Murphy and a first goal in Sunderland colours for Diouf, were enough to see Keane’s men to a comfortable win.
Here’s the notes and team lineup…
Athlone 0 Sunderland 6
The Black Cats really should have bagged more goals as Chopra missed opportunities to seal a timely pre-season hat-trick while Stokes had countless goal attempts without getting on the scoresheet.
Keane put out a strong side with new signings Chimbonda, Malbranque and Diouf making their second starts in Sunderland shirts. Tanio was left on the bench, no doubt saved for tomorrow’s game against Shamrock Rovers that will end Sunderland’s pre-season preparations.
Kieran Richardson’s fitness remains a concern - he limped off in this one after 54 minutes. His pre-season has been up and down, filled with three goals and several knocks and scrapes. It will be interesting to see if he makes an appearance in tomorrow’s game. Given his propensity to get forward in pre-season in the 4-5-1 formation that Keane is employing, he could be worth watching once the season gets underway.
Sunderland vs Athlone:
Ward (Fulop 54); Whitehead, Chimbonda (Collins 83), Higginbotham, Liddle; Edwards, Miller (Leadbitter 46), Richardson (Murphy 54), Malbranque (Diouf 74); Stokes, Chopra.
fuelled by passion
Dksbananas
IanDowieLoveChild
X-Ray Dog
StewB
faubert & RVP or Cahill (if fit) & Yak?
I already have P. Neville so the second option may leave me a little over exposed to Everton’s fortunes.
[Reply]
Having similar thoughts…
Whats better elmander + faubert, or yak + de ridder
I have neville + ashton in the team so i dont think im over exposed to either team.
My thought are that the first option offers better squad but limits my flex for transfers (i want to bring in defoe and by adding faubert im spending any extra mil on a bench warmer). The first option is a shrewder pick based on form id say but whether its likely that faubert is the player who would be on the subs bench each week so therfore id only be buying him for investment purposes only. What would u choose?
[Reply]
Reply by Pompeyboy on August 8 9:47 am:
I notice you want to bring defoe in well he is a good striker but for away games Harry may go with a 4-5-1 with Crouch as a lone striker. For home games Defoe will start for sure but for tough away games i.e Chelsea (1st game) he may go with one up front and last season proved that defoe needs someone up there with him.
[Reply]
Reply by stevie b on August 8 10:24 am:
elmander and faubert.
[Reply]
Having similar thoughts…
Whats better elmander + faubert, or yak + de ridder
I have neville + ashton in the team so i dont think im over exposed to either team.
My thought are that the first option offers better squad but limits my flex for transfers (i want to bring in defoe and by adding faubert im spending any extra mil on a bench warmer). The first option is a shrewder pick based on form id say but its likely that faubert is the player who would be on the subs bench each week so therfore id only be buying him for investment purposes only. What would u choose?
[Reply]
Reply by Munk on August 8 9:05 am:
Well at the min i’ve Elmander, and worked it so i’ve 1mill in the bank for my first transfer in case i want to upgrade him the Yak as Bolton will have Newcastle away compared to Everton playing at the Baggies…then i was toying with swapping back again when Bolton have the baggies at home and Everton have Pompey at home…
I never usually save any money but i’m so unsure about how Everton will start i’ve gone off taking the risk of Lescott, Arteta and the Yak and now just have Osman in my team so that 1mill could come in handy to avoid over transfering if something isn’t going my way…
[Reply]
Ok now FPL has updated after yesterdays transfers…
I have 6m for a def who do you go for -
Bale 6m
Young 4.5m
Shorey 5.5m
Or someone different????
All help greatly appreciated.
[Reply]
You could risk getting Arbeloa, or go for Jagielka or P.Neville or you could go cheapcheap. Depends if you want spare cash.
[Reply]
Reply by holmesy on August 8 10:44 am:
Cheers but already got 3 Eve players in my squad is…
Howard/Jussi
Cahill/Clichy/Shorey/Figueroa/Pantsil
Fab/Gerrard/Arteta/Bentley/Ashbee
RVP/Yak/Ashton
I could swap Arteta to free up some funds for defenders though, any comments/improvements?
[Reply]
Does anyone think it’s a little bit nuts to start off with 5m left in the bank. In other words just sitting on the fence as things unfold. Basically i can’t decide whether the top 4 teams defenders are worth it, who of my midfielders will dissappoint, plus i’m happy with my forwards for the opening fixture.
I think the major problem is that there seems to be nothing worth having in the 8.0-10.5m bracket in midfield (other than Ashley Young & Fabregas, who i already have). At least if i’ve picked a team that is nothing but midprice bargains then there’s a good chance that some will go well (and go up in value!), while the ones that don’t can be replaced with whoever i want.
[Reply]
Reply by holmesy on August 8 11:13 am:
Bentley?
[Reply]
Reply by stevie b on August 8 11:31 am:
Hmmm, not sure about Bentley. 8.0m seems a little bit too much to have tied up in someone that it’s unknown how well they’ll settle and integrate into the team. His output this season looks questionable, now he’s in a larger squad, with more competition for set-pieces and bonus points.
[Reply]
Reply by Pete on August 8 12:15 pm:
I’ve got 3.5m in the bank, with the same problem, I to have fab and Young in midfield and although my forwards are cheap i think they’re good value. So it’s not worth spending more money on them. I say if you’re happy with you’re team there’s no point spending money for the sake of it. It’s always handy to have some money in the bank even if 5m sounds like a lot.
[Reply]
Can anyone suggest any improvements to the midfield below…
Osman/Young/Modric/Fabregas/Deco
[Reply]
This has to be my final team for the start of the season, as I cant get to a computer for a week. Any final suggestions for transfes, subs or captain.
Reina (Schwarzer)
Clichy Carvalho Cahill (Figueroa L.Young)
Fabregas(C) A.Young M.Petrov M.Taylor (Noble)
Torres Ashton Bent
[Reply]
I still am very doubtful about Torres. I ain’ t putting him in my team anyway. Extremely pricey. Also, Rafa is like a rotation junkie. He can’ t help himself. Can’ t see Pool being as dependent upon him for goals this yr although it remains to be seen.
And defenders will be out to give him a tough time this yr. I am sure he will get a few more kicks and as could be seen occasionally in the Euro and the Champions League, he is not prone to frustration.
Personally I think Anelka is looking good and esp after Big Phils interview the other day. If he is to try and play ’stylish’ as Roman wants, Anelka on form beats Drogba who is brute force anyday. I think Sheva will even see more this yr.
FFL Champ - I would be wary about Modric and Deco. Don’ t know how modric will settle and Ramos has a lot more options this yr. As for Deco, I think he will be rotated a lot. Chelsea have an abundance of options everywhere.
Only players I can see avoiding it are Cech, Terry, Carvalho and Lamps
[Reply]
Reply by FFL Champion on August 8 12:49 pm:
What alternatives would you suggest for Deco/ Modric?
[Reply]
Reply by stevie b on August 8 1:06 pm:
Lamps may not play if he and Ballack aren’t playing in the same team all the time. I fear 60th minute substitutions a lot too. As i said before, i don’t think Alex will be happy spending all season on the bench, so he’ll come in occasionally.
[Reply]
I think that team is very very strong Ollie, even the subs are very good, and offer great value… good luck for the season!
The only thing I do worry about is alot of us on here are going to end up with very familiar teams - especially players such as Fab/Young (A & L)/ Ashton/ Bent/ Carvalho/Cahill/Clichy…
Im not doubting they will be great ff players, but this may effect the potential for value increases in these players???
it will also make the scouts league very close!
[Reply]
Ollie, I reckon Elmander instead of Bent and then you’re done, unless you’re not planning on changing either cheap forward for week 2.
[Reply]
well after so much tinkering, i think this is my final team.
Green (Schwarzer)
Carragher Clichy Cahill (Young, Figueroa)
Modric Fabregas Lampard Young (De Ridder)
Bent V.Persie Ashton
is this a good team? should i swap Carragher for Carvalho?
also would swapping bent for elmander then putting bentley instead of Modric be a good idea?
[Reply]
ive sorted my keepers, defence and attack but am not completely satisfied with the midfield. heres what ive got:
hart, jaaskelainen
sagna, bale, vidic, terry, bosingwa
fabregas, downing, benayoun, valencia, villanueva
van persie, zaki, sturridge
i know the attacking options are limited but i plan to play 5-4-1 because i think there is more value at the back and in midfield. i fancy zaki to do well this year so sturridge is in to make up the numbers. also, what do people think of villanueva? any opinions gratefully received
[Reply]
Reply by stevie b on August 8 1:51 pm:
not sure about the 5-4-1 theory. A team that is flexible and strong in all areas is prefered. A cheap striker that turns out to a dead duck gives you few options, other than to change more players elsewhere to rectify it. Forwards are useful captains too, often getting double figures in favourable fixtures.
[Reply]
Reply by Dan on August 8 2:05 pm:
the top point scoring defenders almost scored as many points as the strikers last season and are much cheaper. also, u get more points for goals by defenders and midfielders in fpl. i dont think its possible to have a strong all round team because u end up with cheap subs in all positions. with this team i can play 541, 451 or 442. ive never played fpl before so what formation would u recommend to use for most games?
[Reply]
Reply by Dan on August 8 2:32 pm:
taken your advice and gone for a more all round team of
jaaskelainen (schwarzer)
bale, vidic, sagna (richards, figueroa)
fabregas, lampard, benayoun, villanueva (de ridder)
van persie, alves, zaki
had to scrifice hart for schwarzer tho. is this team an improvement?
[Reply]
Reply by Will on August 9 2:03 am:
Think you’re right to have a 3-4-3 formation, like you say, there is much more value in the defenders than the strikers-so having a £5mil substitute defender is generally a lot better than having a £5mil substitute striker.
Team looks good-I’d consider changing Lampard for Ashley Young and using the saved £2.5 mil to upgrade zaki/benayoun.
My team:
Cech(Schwarzer)
Carvalho,Bale,Evra (Boswinga,Meite)
Fabregas,A Young,Pederson,M Petrov (Hamann)
Yakubu,Alves,Defoe
[Reply]
Right, i’ve looked long and hard at it, and i’m settling for this, barring any revelations or injuries….
Schwarzer, Kirkland.
Carragher, L.Young, Jagielka, Woodgate, Steinsson.
Fabregas, M.Taylor, A.Young, Pedersen, M.Petrov.
Van Persie, Elmander, Ashton.
+2.5 in the bank
[Reply]
Reply by Rex Everything on August 8 3:10 pm:
That looks solid to me. We have seven of the same players and I’ve contemplated using all the players you eventually went for, Stevie. I think you might do the job early on. Of course, we’ll all look back on the teams we started with and laugh. It’s inevitable!
One question though - is it worth having £2.5m in the bank and Ashton? I’d be tempted to stick in Yakubu and go with a three for the opening few weeks. Then at least you’ve still got a million quid in the bank.
[Reply]
Two from Arteta, Bentley or Taylor in midfield for the first few weeks?
[Reply]
Reply by phil on August 8 3:06 pm:
Arteta & Taylor. They have better fixtures.
Also Bentley’s price tag reflects his points haul last year. IMO he will really struggle to get anywhere near as many points this year because he will have more competition for set pieces and bonus points at Spurs.
Downing or Petrov would be better options than Bentley.
[Reply]
I’m still torn between a solid defence or more potent midfield… Traditionally the midfielders do best but I like the thought of those regular clean sheet bonuses for the top teams. My current main choices are -
Van Der Sar (Sorensen - instead of Schwarzer as Fulham and Man U both don’t play in 3 weeks time)
Terry, Carvalho, Ferdinand, Evra (Griffin)
Lampard (C), A Young, Petrov (Noble, De Ridder)
Ashton, Alves, Bent.
Or
Friedel (Schwarzer)
Terry, Carvalho, Shorey (Griffin, Dickinson)
Lampard (C), Fabregas, A Young, Petrov (De Ridder)
Ashton, Alves, Bent
Other possibilities I’ve considered are two up front with Ashton/Alves and Anelka or Van Persie with Windass in support.
Of course it’ll all get cocked up when that greasy, goose-necked cheating scummer comes back to Man U in a couple of months (I refused to have him last season over the England World Cup/Rooney issue and it cost me the league title amongst my 25 mates - We each put a tenner in at the start and winner takes all :()
Ah well, still can’t decide!!
[Reply]
Debating on Matt Taylor of Bolton, did he take spot kicks lasy season for them?
Definatly think the strength for the team comes from clean sheets, its the platform to build big scores on so am going for Czech, Carvalho, Carragher, Ferdinand and Clichy.
Going for fabregas, Lampard, Pinaar (although not sure about him) and Arteta with Van persie and Ashton up front.
What’s everyone thinking of Ashton for the season?
[Reply]
Reply by Rex Everything on August 8 3:42 pm:
I’m confident about Taylor nabbing a few bonus points early on. He’s in my team for the first few weeks, that’s for sure.
I’m not so keen on Ashton but hey, the price is right!
[Reply]
Ashton or Johnson?
[Reply]
Ashton
[Reply]
Think I’m sticking with this side, but no guantees:
Jaakelainen (Schwarzer)
Terry, Ben-Haim, Brown (Melchiot, Robinson)
Bentley, Arteta, Petrov, Young A, Fabregas
Yabuku, Bent (Ashton)
[Reply]
Guys, any thoughts on this team?
Howard
Jaaskelainen
Lescott
Carvalho
Gallas
Cahill
Figueroa
Fabregas
Young A
Taylor
Pienaar
Johnson
Van Persie
Torres
Zamora
[Reply]
What are peoples thoughts on mark noble? I reckon he could have a good season. Also the set piece taker tab on this site lists him as West Ham’s no. 1 penalty taker but how accurate is that?
[Reply]