Notes From Europe
Liverpool put up a miserable performance in Liege, while the Gunners smuggle a 2-0 lead back to the Emirates after a stern test from McClaren’s FC Twente.
Here’s the notes and teams…
FC Twente 0 Arsenal 2
Wenger’s side prevailed in Holland but we’re given the run-around by McClaren’s FC Twente. The Gunners were of course lacking the calming influence of Fabregas in the centre of midfield and relied instead on the inexperienced duo of Ramsey and Denilson in the engine room. At times they struggled to wrestle any kind of control from the Dutch midfield, particularly in a first half where the home side missed chances.
Up until Arsenal’s first goal, the game looked well and truly in the balance but Arsenal had clearly been rallied by Wenger at half-time and stepped up a gear in the second-half. They went ahead through Gallas, who scrambled the ball home with his knees from a Van Persie free-kick after Eboue had been fouled.
While FC Twente continued to press but had the wind well and truly knocked out of them with a second goal, crafted by Walcott’s run which ended in Adebayor rolling the ball home.
Arsenal now take the tie back to the Emirates in a fortnight’s time. That game follows the trip to Fulham. With a 2-0 lead Wenger could rest players but he saw enough tonight from his opponents which is likely to mean that he won’t underestimate them in the home leg, despite having the lead. We should be safe from rotation at Fulham on August 23 though.
As a footnote, Wenger is expecting to have both Toure and Nasri available to him for the West Brom game at the weekend. Toure would be a certain starter alongside Gallas, while Nasri would seem likely to come in for Ramsey in midfield.
Arsenal vs FC Twente:
Almunia, Sagna, Clichy, Djourou, Gallas, Eboue, Denilson, Ramsey, Walcott (Randall 84), Adeabayor, Van Persie (88).
Standard Liege 0 Liverpool 0
Liverpool struggled badly in Belgium and were fortunate to return to Anfield with a draw.
They called on Pepe Reina to keep the game scoreless on several occasions, including a penalty save following a handball by Dossena. The Liverpool defence looked far from secure, particularly from set plays but somehow hung on to their clean sheet.
Keane and Torres were starved of service and Keane was eventually replaced as Rafa was forced to call upon Gerrard in the second half to help lift the Liverpool performance.
Rafa’s lineup was as expected - it was the same side that started against Lazio last week, with Gerrard benched as a precaution after a recent thigh strain. Plessis took his place in midfield. Gerrard will surely return for the opening game at Sunderland at the weekend and Rafa will need to get more from his team for that one. Sunderland may be lacking Jones up front but they will fancy their chances of nicking at least a point on this showing from Liverpool.
In the longer term, this result is bad news for fantasy managers. Liverpool will play the second leg two weeks from today and with the tie in the balance, Rafa could be tempted to rest players for the home game with Middlesbrough on August 23. Certainly that’s something to be wary of.
Elimination from the Champions League would be unthinkable, Rafa could even consider resting the likes of Torres and Carragher for the Boro game to secure the tie.
On the injury front, Rafa confirmed that Skrtel and Aurellio were now back in training so both could be considered for the second leg.
Liverpool vs Standard Liege:
Reina, Dossena, Carragher, Agger, Arbeloa, Benayoun, Alonso, Plessis, Kuyt (El Zhar 82), Torres, Keane (Gerrard 67)
If anything, I think this proves that Adebayor will almost always be in on the points, even without a steady midfield.
He remains my choice for captain w1 against West Brom
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Marco…totally agreed. Adeybayor was anonymous all night but once again was in the right place at the right time when it mattered. Me predicts at least two goals versus West Brom.
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anyone got any good midfeild options Below 8 mil?
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Will: Petrov, Modric, Downing, Arteta all are 7.5…
Bullard (fulham) is 6.5
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Reply by MrPDM on August 15, 2008 6:55 pm:
Jimmy Bullar ALL the way !
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interesting to see that Alonso is now cup tied…. ending speculation of a move…
The same may happen with Barry, especially now that Sidwell is injured. If that the case than i don’t see A Young taking corners/free kicks as often…
just a thought
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Reply by Mark on August 14, 2008 5:38 am:
Yep, Barry tonight is a key decision for O’Neill. One way or another we’re going to find out, at last, where Barry is likely to end up. If he stays it will have some impact on Young but then, he did okay with Barry alongside him last season.
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is there anyone interesting about bolton striker Elmander??
he is very cheap and might be starter!
Zaki compared with Elmander,which one is better?
Any suggestion,THX!?
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So taking last into consideration, what are peoples thoughts on lampard vs gerrard? I thought stevie looked seriously off the pace when he came on.
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Alex, for the first week I have Elmander in my team since Bolton have a reasonable run. Comtemplating making him my captain too. Either him or Adebayor. But have faith that Elmander will be Bolton’s star this season. That being said, have looked seriously at Zaki as well but it’s only the first fixture that made me put Elmander in. I will be slutted if Zaki has a blinder against a weakened West Ham (but when aren’t they)
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playing the telegraph game, and could do with people’s thoughts on who will get more points - Shorey and Hutton, or Laursen and Bale?! I know Bale has this risk of not playing, although not sure. Also, asked this question yesterday, but who would you pick between Petrov and Walcott - noth 3.9 mil midfielders in the telegraph game…..
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Reply by Dr. Rog on August 14, 2008 7:12 am:
Laursen and Bale easily…
IF classed as a mid, Walcott, solely for the easy run of games and then take it from there…
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Reply by Jam on August 14, 2008 12:31 pm:
Last time I heard, Hutton is injured & Bale is not guaranteed to start.
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Reply by Mark on August 14, 2008 12:38 pm:
Yep, he apparently has an ankle injury sustained whilst on pre-season tour apparently. Really patchy details on it though - Spurs have kept it quiet while they chase Corluka. I need to add it to injuries but it’s in the team news.
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Would go for Petrov over Walcott. At least you know he will start every game and get points regularly.
Another question for Telegraph game players. You can have two out of Alves, D Bent, Gerrard and Lampard - who would you go for?
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Reply by Martin on August 14, 2008 7:25 am:
Gerrard and Lampard - crazy question
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Reply by Alexi on August 14, 2008 7:35 am:
lamps and bent!
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Reply by TFF Jase on August 14, 2008 8:47 am:
Gerrard and Lampard. Though at £5.6 and £5.8mil respectively, love to know how you fit them both in and have a competitive team! Saying that, will be interesting to see rhe Bent situation if Berbatov leaves for Man United. With Bent the only main striker in a 4-5-1, he could well out score Gerrard in this fantasy game.
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Sorry if there are any supporters here, but liverpool were garbage last night. They reassured my decision to have none for the start…not to say they wont be good, but now im confident here is better value for the start as they will be slow outta the blocks…
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Reply by stevie b on August 14, 2008 8:29 am:
I wouldn’t read to much into last night. All the premiership teams are in pre-season mode and it will take timw for them to get up to speed. If anything, Liverpool & Arsenal will be better equipped for the opening game as they’ve had 90 minutes of proper football behind them, while their opposition won’t have.
Gerrard v Lampard? If you want a more steady flow of points for the medium term then i’d say Lampard. In the first 11 matches, Lampard has 7 that look good, while Gerrard only has 5 (although one of them is Stoke, at Anfield).
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Ok, Torres…is he worth the risk?
a) Liverpools first 4 matches aren’t the easiest…
b) May be dropped due to Europe…
c) Expensive…
d) Maybe rotated just for the fun of it, or taken off early if winning…
I’m trying to remember the pricey players who have had a poor start to the season, am i right in thinking that the “star” buys price is easier to drop than to rise?
Going on the idea that if he does nothing for 2-4 weeks, how much patience have people got, or will they look at the 12mill and see a form 8mill striker and cash in, and if his price drops could cause a knock on effect by people not wanting to lose out money and not wanting to take the risk his form is about to change?
On the other hand, how many teams can possibly afford to bring him in, due to the ammount of restructuring probably needed, and the likely hood that they’ll will be a “bargain” on form striker on the scene to bring in against weaker teams and have a floating striker role (or is it just me that does that?)
Is it safer to leave him out, hope he has a stinker to start goes down in price then wait for him to hit form and wildcard him in?
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Reply by Munk on August 14, 2008 8:28 am:
I think i nearly repeated myself there, i blame the lack of sleep and the hangover…
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Reply by Dr. Rog on August 14, 2008 8:38 am:
i think you answered your own question there.
agree with the idea that its risky to own the popular players from the start as they can drop and you will get to buy them cheaper just as they are showing some form.
the thing is with FF, everyone is really excited and interested for about 2 months and we should see a lot of activity and bandwagon jumping and inevitably the popular players will be dumped for the form ones… i’ve left out torres and now i’ve dropped gerrard due to doubts over form/fitness/fixtures
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Reply by Munk on August 14, 2008 8:51 am:
Yeah, i think it was more an airing of my thoughts….
And good point after christmas out of the 20 in my league i think only 4 of us were making changes…
I’ve stumped up for Lampard and Adebayor mind, where as Fab, Gerr and Ronaldo all have some issues, including getting really match fit…Lamps seems to have been on fire, new contract and surely as close to an untouchable as Chelsea can get?
Mind its getting close to make your mind up time, i’ve away friday nite, so i’ll have to have one last look 2morro after the UEFA cup matches….
Something will happen, i was happy with my team a week ago, Villa signed Cruellar so i changed Davies…then Fab was injuried lol so all change, they come in 3’s just praying its not A Young as i’m a Villa fan and i’m very optimistic for the season!
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Reply by stevie b on August 14, 2008 9:30 am:
Can’t say that Lamplard is untouchable with Essien, Deco, Ballack, Wright-Phillips, Malouda, J.Cole, Mikel, Kalou all vying for 5, maybe only 4 places. No one is safe from being rested in the Chelsea team.
It could be the ‘changing of the guard’ with Gerrard & Lampard. They’re dominance in Fantasy football has to come to an end sometime, maybe it’s this season? Less likely with Gerrard, because, at the mo Liverpool don’t have the squad, so he’ll get the minutes, but he won’t get the goals he got last year.
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Reply by Will on August 14, 2008 11:13 am:
hey i only read the first thing by munk so i could be repeating someone here but hey.
First and foremost i’ll make it clear.
I am a liverpool fan and this may sound ridiculous but thats primarily due to Fernando Torres.
1. he is expensive. but hey your going no where if you dont take risks.
2.may be dropped due to europe. Maybe, but then again we all know rafa is probably the most mentally challenged managers of all, however youd have to be .. retarded to drop someone of Torres’ calibre.
3. Personally, i know if dont put torres in my team for at least the beginning two weeks to give him a chance, he will most probably slot a few goals and an assist or two, and i know i will regret that.
basically all i have typed is pointless and stupid but hey.
thirdly he’s my captain this week and i promise that’ll pay off, i mean i won the euro 2008 fantasy because i persisted with him!
finally, with fab out get someone cheap and slot in torres for a week or two. haha
ignore this comment lolol
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Reply by Munk on August 14, 2008 11:42 am:
I remember Rafa rested him when you played away at Pompey and i thought he’d lost the plot…
I’ll happily re-hash my team and get him in once he starts off, but he rarely scored away from Anfield, hopefully he’ll prove you right Will, i’m not Rafas biggest fan with me being a Villa fan but i do like Torres so mixed feelings…
End of the day i’d going for an early wildcard so i’m taking no major risks and going for the easy fixture route then, go for a settled side later on when the Transfer window is done, and starting 11’s more apparent…
On a final note, its more of a risk not having him if 40+% have him, isn’t it? Or is it just me that looks at the %age chosen by and trys to pick out some star choices that no one else has? (my that i mean the folks that don’t come on here, as we all seem to have similar ideas lol, should make Marks league a close one..)
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Reply by James on August 14, 2008 3:27 pm:
The highest % selected are usually just the best scorers from last year, first cheap players in the list, and the most famous players. Picks are heavily inflated by people who don’t spend much time thinking about what they are doing… casual players.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been selected by 7% of people playing.
That’s over 73,000 people. Insane.
Here’s hoping the majority of them transfer him out within the first few weeks, and that will bring his value down a good bit.
i’m very bullish on villa this year with or without barry i think they will get top 6 minimum.
everyone gives up once the enthusisam has gone it really is a marathon not a sprint and i’m guessing everyone on here is in it for the long haul - last year i did the opposite i was completly disinterested in the game until December but got hooked as i climbed from 750,000th place to top 80,000.
i think its easier in the 2nd half of the season. thats why this year im just going for a solid start. no need to be a hero just stay in touch with the leaders and then plot the assault after xmas…
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Surprised to see no Jagielka on the scout picks - playing in midfield for a few weeks, against average opposition - a slighty better option than Laursen i’d say.
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Yeah good point, and i think you are right, with the signings MON has made we now look a lot stronger at the back, and well we didn’t have a problem scoring last year…plus he says he hasn’t finished buying so all looks good!
Everton - need to strengthen…
Man City - Are in disarray…
Blackburn - See above…
That leaves Pompey and Spurs….both could be a big threat i’d say Pompey more so, it depends on how long it takes the new Spurs team to gel… 1 poor month in the Prem makes it so much harder on a team…
Saying that, i think Chelsea will aim to go all out and hope Man U drop early points with lack of major players and tough fixtures…if Man U are top after game week 5 i think the title will be theirs again…
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Reply by Dr. Rog on August 14, 2008 9:13 am:
Chelsea
man u
arsenal
spurs
villa
liverpool
pompy
controverial!
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this year the one thing i really want to focus on is planning ahead with the fixture list and cutting out those needless transfers (avg of 2 per week kills your final score by ~150pts - which is a phenomenal number).
often would transfer a player in cos he has an easy fixture (e.g. a defender with the 4pts i spend exactly equal to the potential payoff from clean sheet) only to transfer him back out again after i discover that the player i let go had scored 2 goals made an assist and got full bonus points.
anyone else have this problem? is it possible for a serious fantasy freak too resist the tinkering urge we all get and not succumb to multiple transfers?
am toying with the idea of a permanent cash float of 1-3mln for my team so that i have flexibilty to bring in whoever i need to so no major reconstruction is ever needed as a possibel workaround…
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Reply by simon on August 14, 2008 9:27 am:
i think sometimes its best just to keep faith with one’s original selections…though it’s harder coz we all play the game seriously and read up alot about it between fixtures…and because of that we all like to tinker and try and get one step ahead of our rivals by looking at the fixtures and stuff
but as an example..i wonder how many of us dropped man city defenders for their two games with united last season or didn’t pick man city mf/strikers for the old trafford clash..because we all assumed united would romp/score in both games
a cautionary note too about opening fixtures…remember last season..united 0-0 v reading, birmingham scored 2 at chelsea, arsenal only just beat fulham
crazy things often happen on the opening day..i’m not expecting arsenal to have an easy game against wba, i think that one could be close…and portsmouth are capable of spoiling scolari’s party while spurs won’t find mboro’s defence as obliging as most of their pre-season opponents
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Reply by Bomber on August 14, 2008 9:48 am:
Personally I don’t see a problem with making a number of 2+ transfers during the season.
Obviously you don’t want to be doing this every week but if the transfers result in you gaining more points that you would have had if you’d stuck with the original players then I reckon its a good strategy.
Just like Benitez, I’m all up for rotation.
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i’m actually struggling to spend all the money this year. I’ve decided to shy away from the expensive defenders (they’re a waste of money - like someone pointed out, Phil Neville got as more points as Carragher last season). In midfield there are plenty of mid-price options, not a lot at the top end (especially with Fabregas out), and nothing really tempting below 6.0m. Upfront, other than Adebayor, looks a mess, with lots of value at the 6.5-7.5 band, but no long term choices standing out yet. Torres looks overpriced for a nothing,sub,hat-trick,rested,subbed,goal,goal,nothing,rested type of striker.
Maybe i should pick someone like Noble that could have a great season, and then get Gerrard and Lampard in, in the hope that they live up to reputation? All very unclear at this stage….damn you Ronaldo! damn you fixture list makers! damn you rotation! damn you premiership managers! damn you transfer uncertainty! damn you injury doubts! damn! damn! damn! my team is a mess!
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Reply by Dr. Rog on August 14, 2008 9:15 am:
me too - hence the cash float till things settle down
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Quick question re Bolton defence.
I have jussi in goal, and thinking of a defender for their ‘easy’ first five games. I note loads of people mention Cahill, but i must have missed something.. anyone want to give me the Bolton defender lowdown?
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Reply by stevie b on August 14, 2008 9:36 am:
Mark seems to think obrien will move to right-back, but i can’t see that working, which means steinsson will probably hold down the RB slot before too long. left back could be samuel, although gardner may come in if samuel continued his ’silly mistakes’. that will leave shittu, cahill and obrien going for 2 CB slots in the long term, unless megson fancies playing with wing-backs (taylor and steinsson), unlikely as it is at this stage.
cahill cost them the most money (i think), so maybe the best bet from the start of the season.
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Reply by Al on August 14, 2008 9:50 am:
Cheers. Can’t believe i’m putting my faith in Bolton (no offence Bolton fans.) During the Big Sam era yeah, we all had Nolan on the bench.. but now? Eek.
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i have gerrard lampard adebayor and bent.
after watching gerrard last night im considering dropping him and upgrading bent?
would this be a wise move?
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Reply by Al on August 14, 2008 9:38 am:
Liverpool were collectively poor last night, with the exception perhaps of Reina and also Bennayoun for me is a great player (not that he’ll get many fantasy points for his work.)
Gerrard will still likely be key to liverpool at the weekend even if they’re below par. But away at sunderland might not be the easiest game. Having said that, i’m sure he’ll get some bonus points anyway cos no-one else does in Liverpool.
If it were me though, i’d play Lampard instead.
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Reply by Barry Heffron on August 14, 2008 9:41 am:
well i would play both gerrard and lamps but was wondering if stevie’s fitness wasnt great i could drop him and bent and buy one of deco/ballack/young and tevez/berbatov/van persie
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Reply by Al on August 14, 2008 9:53 am:
Yeah his fintess (or lack of) was more apparent last night as the opposition were playing intentionally hi-tempo game in an attempt o dominate (which seems they did.)
But might be different at the weekend. He might not be totally fit, but he only needs a bit of space and I’m sure he can still pull of a wonder goal if opportunity arises.
As they’re away, sensible option for me would be not play him this week.
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Reply by Barry Heffron on August 14, 2008 10:55 am:
so bench him but not sell him?
i can bring on either de ridder, young or figueroa
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Reply by Al on August 14, 2008 1:21 pm:
Yeah why not bench him. Saves you wasting your free transfer in subsequent weeks if you are sure you want him in your squad for most of the season.
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Now a starting team unrelated, open to all topic of debate!
What do you think the most likely ‘thing we all didn’t expect’ will be in the first weekend?
It seems the majority of us on here have collectively thought ourselves into very similar teams… but this is football! One thing I feel certain of is come the weekend there will be a result that just spanners all this hard planning.. so what could it be?
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Reply by stevie b on August 14, 2008 9:38 am:
10 0-0s?
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Reply by Al on August 14, 2008 9:39 am:
Ha ha yeah that would be the ultimate spanner!
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Reply by stevie b on August 14, 2008 9:39 am:
Kieron Dyer getting injured?
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Reply by Sam (Team Sam) on August 14, 2008 9:43 am:
I think Stoke beating Bolton 3-0 would probably hurt every one of our scores
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Reply by Munk on August 14, 2008 9:52 am:
None of the big 4 to win, and Bolton to be top after the first week
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Reply by Will on August 14, 2008 11:23 am:
Santa Cruz to nail 3 into the back of the net i reckon thatd surprise people, i mean so many of us rule him out, i mean his clubs a mess but hey
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who will take pens for fulham this season? johnson?
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Meite scoring a double hat-trick on debut?
Four-way tackle resulting in 4 broken legs for Laursen, L Young, Petrov and Ashley Young?
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a major change of heart by all the managers about what went on in pre-season? No, seriously, that could happen, resulting in 4 of your squad not even appearing.
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see my post above about last season’s opening weekend..man utd scoring 0 at home, birmingham scoring 2 at stamford bridge, sunderland beating spurs 1-0 etc
i think brom will give arsenal a tough match (though i still expect a home win), portsmouth won’t be easy opponents for chelsea, mboro are well capable of beating spurs and hull and stoke of getting something too
on the evidence of last night..and remembering the first prem game of last season, the thing that could most upset people’s team here could well be a sunderland win!
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Reply by stevie b on August 14, 2008 9:49 am:
hence you need to look at the first 10-11 fixtures and play the percentages - home games against bottom half of the table type teams reap the most points while away games against the big 4 reap the least (generally).
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two goals each for john terry and joleon lescott?
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Reply by Dr. Rog on August 14, 2008 9:56 am:
joes mourinho starting at right back for chelsea?
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Oh god. At the moment i have not 2, but 3 from Everton and Bolton! Start again….
Looking at the first 11 fixtures, the teams that have nice fixtures you can put players into with a good chance of a return is as follows;
Ars 8
Bol 7
Che 7
Eve 7
Mid 7
New 7
Whm 7
Wig 7
Avl 6
Ful 6
Tot 6
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Reply by stevie b on August 14, 2008 10:15 am:
if you disregard keepers (that is a lottery) and consider 13 outfield players, then you want to spread the risk early on. So….2 players from 3 clubs (6 players) then 7 players from different clubs to make up the rest. So, you end up with players from 10 clubs for your outfield players (the top half of the table then). That should spread the risk enough for the season start.
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Reply by Dan on August 14, 2008 10:35 am:
i agree. ive gone for 2 chelsea players and 2 wigan players (cheap subs). the rest of my squad is from different teams. ive also gone for 3 expensive strikers (adebayor, bent, alves) so i can downgrade the worst one and pick up the bargain striker that always emerges within the first half a dozen games. then i have some spare cash to sure up my defence later on. i also chose de ridder as an investment because i can see his value rising quickly. my team:
hart - jaaskelainen
vidic - baines - bale - figueroa - bosingwa
young - bentley - essien - downing - de ridder
adbayor - bent - alves
im also gonna bring nani in for essien when hes served his suspension. nani will have an awesome season this year
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Reply by stevie b on August 14, 2008 10:48 am:
Actually been forced to go for 2 players from 4 teams, and then 5 others.
2 villa, 2 eve, 2 bol, 2 ars.
1 che, 1 tot, 1 wig, 1 whm, 1 bla
still got 1.5 in the bank for sorting the inevitable mess out.
Turnbull, Schwarzer
Jagielka, Gallas, Cahill, L Young, Figueroa.
Lampard, Arteta, A.Young, M.Taylor, M.G-Pedersen.
Bent, Adebayor, Ashton.
I’m happy that i have enough goal threat at the back with gallas, jagielka (playing in midfield) & cahill.
midfield looks steady enough.
forwards could do some damage.
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Reply by Dan on August 14, 2008 11:01 am:
id be tempted to spend some of that on improving a keeper. i was also looking at gallas but couldnt overlook the attacking threat of vidic. he was unlucky not to score more last season and will surely get more bonus pts and clean sheets than gallas. what formation are you playing in week 1?
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From a Telegraph point scoring perspective, Deco or Giggs? Ignoring Man United miss 3rd game of season, as whoever I pick I would bring back Fabregas after first 2 games anyway. TO note, Giggs have only been chosen by just over 1% of those playing Telegraph game and surely will start in United’s first two games with Nani suspended till end of August?
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I’m new to the FPL and I’m in a league with a bunch of Americans and therefore national pride is at stake.
I really can’t decided who to pick, so am leaving out the star players and putting in some players I’ll know will get points. I’ve left myself 6.5 million to then mix things up once the league settles and pick my star players then.
Is this over cautious? Plain stupid? I’ve gone with Eldmander up front to see how he fairs and am thinking of eventually swapping him for Berbatov (especially if he signs for Man u… if not don;t know if is heart will be in it if he stays). Is it a gamble to see wait and see with Adebayor when the Gooners have an easy start?
Hoping Bullard and Arteta will shine and that Lawrence of Stoke will be a good sub.
Any thoughts?
I can’t lose to the Yanks!!!!
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Reply by Dr. Rog on August 14, 2008 10:36 am:
by all means keep some cash aside but not 6.5mln
think about which player you would most like to have in your team - and buy him
if you want ade in your team buy him now - if he misfires you can just exchange for torres or whoever else is doing well
no point having a team of budget options - you might as well spend a bit of cash on the guaranteed big hitters
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Reply by Akers on August 14, 2008 10:46 am:
I’m interested who you think will score points with 6.5Million left. I have 4Mill left but that’s with a plan to spend it in the coming weeks.
For example, I have Cahill at Bolton 4.5, Zaki 6.0, Taylor 6.0 and Giovanni 5.0. Cahill and one other will be my subs I think, so I’ll upgrade the rest depending on fixtures or emerging players.
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Reply by Dr. Rog on August 14, 2008 10:50 am:
for 6.5mln you can buy any one of torres, gerrard, lamps, ade - all of those players are more likely to score points the players you currently have listed
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anybody else suddenly have a surplus they weren’t expecting as a result of fabregas’ injury? or has everybody already thrown that money on an equally expensive midfielder?
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Reply by Dr. Rog on August 14, 2008 10:44 am:
before i was trying to find ways to get the extra half mln
but now i’ve stripped my defence to down to what i see as the optimal value solution, i’m left with cash i cant spend… im keeping it for when fab comes back or to have the flex to buy the form must have flavour of the month (e.g. if berbs does well at man u)
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6.5 spare - sounds far too cautious, could be left playing catch up for the season. Need to have some proven premiership players and FPL scorers in your squad. 6.5m in the bank won’t score you any points, and you’ve always got a wildcard if your original team is that bad.
thing we didn’t expect this weekend - Middelsbrough giving Spurs a 3-0 spanking. Possible, but I’ve obviously not picking any Mid defenders just in case Spurs find their feet more quickly than we expect!!!!
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im just a bit concerned that i have paid too much attention to pre-season form. a few years back, when reading were promoted, lita was on fire in pre-season so i picked him. then, when the season started, he wasn’t in the team. is there any chance of this happening to darren bent if spurs buy a striker or 2?
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Reply by Akers on August 14, 2008 10:59 am:
Dunno, but if he doesn’t play get Alves or find 0.5 for Defoe.
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Reply by Al on August 14, 2008 1:33 pm:
Also i’d say that picking someone from a promoted team is adding another risk as you don’t know how they’ll manage up against prem teams. If reading had stayed in the championship maybe he would have been the man?
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It’s gone down to 5m as have put Adebayor in (will make him captain for first game).
I want Nani and Rosicky, but they are out a the moment and am holding money back for them.
In goal I’m going for the Jaaskelainan/Kirklan combo (alternate home and away).
Defence - Cuellar, L. Young (Hoyte if he signs for MID), G johnson and Scharner (Meite as the final probably never used sub)r.
Midfield - A. Young, J Bullard, Downing, Bentley & Lawrence (Stoke)
Forwards - Adebayor, Elmander and Bent
Reckon Elmander may get me a few goals to start with as Bolton have an easy start. Extra money would be used to upgrade Lawrence to Nani and possibly Elmander for Defoe (got a tough start aganst Chelsea A) and that would still give me £1.5 to play with - probably use to bring in Rosicky and/or play around with my defence.
Don’t think I’m taking any huge gambles, but then again, I am new to all of this.
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Reply by AndyC on August 14, 2008 11:24 am:
Looks good, but Id maybe think about the defence a bit…
Scharner’s injured
G Johnson will do well, but Portsmouth have a difficult start
Cuellar will almost certainly do well, but for the same price you can get Shorey who may do better (from assists etc - proven Premiership performer)
Meite will prob do ok at West Brom, but you could look at Figeuroa instead… as many are doing on here… as he looks quite good going forward (and so may get assists) and Wigan are probably more likely to get clean sheets than Brom.
but then again, you may be absolutely bang on and your boys might have a stormer. Such is the nature of this madness
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Reply by stevie b on August 14, 2008 11:38 am:
Figueroa is a good bench warmer, given wigan have ok fixtures once the chelsea game is out of the way.
Choosing defenders who have a nice run of games but also carry some kind of goal/assist threat is the order of the day so i’m going in with Gallas, Cahill and Jagielka - a swap for Baines is soooo tempting though.
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Reply by Newbie on August 14, 2008 12:31 pm:
Cheers for that. Arsenal have just accepted the bid for Hoyte so he might be a bit of a bargain! Scharner may still be fit from what I’ve been reading. Swapped Johnson for Clichy.
Baines is out of favour with Moyes (was looking to offload him) so I wouldn’t go anywhere near him!!!
Why do you fancy Cahill?
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Boro don’t get THAT undone at the Riverside. Their defence is a worry but Spurs are brilliant at flattering to deceive. I’ve got Bentley in my team rather than Bent (possible wk 2 sub-in) the reason being is if a midfielder doesn’t do much away from home it’s not a big deal.
Agreed, 6.5 is too much. I’ve flitted between having 3.0m and my current team which has 0.5m spare. You want to be able to upgrade ONE player with your spare sum, so 6.5 is too much - unless you’re planning to swap De Ridder for Lampard?!?
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will cuellar start?
and what defensive three do you guys reckons better?
Carv/clichy/neville(ManU)
or
Clichy/neville/Cuellar(or)Cahill
the latter leaves me with around 2-3 mill for changes after the first week?
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Reply by Munk on August 14, 2008 11:51 am:
Yes i’d imagine he will, I can’t see him coming to warm the bench and Davies hasn’t long come back from injury, so it could be a case of Cuellar starting the season, but they may start to be a lil bit of rotation, as Laursen did amazingly well last season with his injury history….only time will tell you’d be better off with Shorey or L Young as they are bound to play 99% matches until xmas…
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Reply by Newbie on August 14, 2008 12:23 pm:
Cuellar will start. He won both the Clydesdale Bank SPL and Scottish Football Writers’ Association player of the year awards. Aston Villa wouldn’t pay £7.8m for a bench warmer!
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the first one clearly is better - its chelsea over villa/bolton everytime
but value is in the 2nd one
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Hmmm, really don’t want to play 4 defenders every other week (is that a bad thing?). This of course means that i need either 5 midfield or 3 strikers.
Bearing in mind Fabregas is not around at this point, my midfield won’t be good enough for all 5 to play, this means i need 2 strikers that i’m confident will do the business home AND away, and drogba is also out at the moment, and torres just doesn’t score steadily enough (especially away). I’m actually thinking RVP AND Adebayor could work. Then swap the most dissapointing (probably RVP) out once drogba or fabregas is back.
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Reply by Rex Everything on August 14, 2008 10:31 pm:
I’ve thought about that too. Right now I’m looking at -
Adebayor Yakubu Elmander
The alternative being -
Adebayor Van Persie (£5.5m striker)
Then if Everton and Bolton go goal-crazy I’ll probably top myself.
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That’s how I’m compensating the loss of Fabregas Stevie.
Playing Adebayor and Van persie untill he becomes fit.
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Reply by stevie b on August 14, 2008 12:02 pm:
Well it seems like a good idea. I could go 5 midfield every other week instead. Basically it’s a choice between;
Baines/Lampard/Ashton
Jagielka/Pedersen/RVP
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Reply by Nick on August 14, 2008 12:18 pm:
i’m not confident on my strikers either. Ade, Bent, Ashton. With Berbs starting on saturday i don’t know if spurs will play Berbs as a lone striker or in a two with Bent. Also if Bent plays with Berbs i am not confident of the outcome as Bent doesn’t play well with him.
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Just a bit of trivia for you….who was the last player to score a hat-trick against Man Utd?
…on his debut…for Blackburn….
David Bentley
- same again on your Spurs debut, please!
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Hey all,
Is there a link for a fixture list table similar to the 5 match one listed on the right of the page but for the whole season?
I vaguely remember seeing one but can’t remember where to find it or maybe I just made it up and am losing my mind!
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Is anyone looking at yakubo considering evertons kind fixtures?
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Reply by stevie b on August 14, 2008 1:02 pm:
i can’t see everton going goal crazy - they have too many important players out. they may labour a little. their home games aren’t that inviting either.
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how low do you guys think ronaldo`s price will drop due to his injury? anybody planning to pick him up if he falls below a certain amount and keep him on the bench for later? are people waiting for winter? seeing as he played such a huge role in the game last year, i’m curious what everyone’s strategies are for dealing with this added twist to the game.
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Interesting chat about Shorey, what’s people’s view on him versus Jagielka?
I think Shorey’s likely to keep more clean sheets but can you ignore Jagielka’s potential for assists?
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Reply by stevie b on August 14, 2008 1:00 pm:
hmm, could be the other way around!
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EEk! Just experiencing last day selection wobbles.
At the moment up front i have Ashton, Bent, Adebayor
I’d slowly convinced myself this was class.. but when I think again..
i mean cummon… Bent?!? Pre-season results or not, am i really expecting him to deliver? And Ashton?
EEk!
Reckon i’m better with an Alves and Anelka for these two? I hate this game (i.e. i just lurrvvveee it!)
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Reply by stevie b on August 14, 2008 9:06 pm:
I have ade, ashton and elamander. There is nothing appealing apart from adebayor. Could get RVP, but too many eggs in one basket, plus i have 2 arsenal so 3 would mean two transfers to get fabregas back in.
But seriously, who is there up front, that you’d want for a while? Alves could be good, but away at Liverpool in wk2. Yakubu is alright, but Everton may not be on top form. Man city have FA, Wigan? nah, chelsea wk2, Blackburn? santa cruz is too much, with only hull in wk2 to look forward to. liverpool? keane hasn’t settled, torres looks hungover as is too expensive. man u only have tevez, who, on his own is average, again he’d only be for 1 match. portsmouth? good strikers, rubbish fixtures. fulham? not exactly exciting but ok fixtures except for ars in wk2. Villa? got both youngs so that’s enough. spurs have bent and berbs, not exciting, but could go ok. chelsea only have one forward who’s only gonna play for 2 weeks until drog’s back, plus anelka’s not cheap. all the rest will struggle for goals, so what are you left with? 4-5-1 anyone?
I think Adebayor, Elmander, Ashton isn’t too bad. All have good fixtures for a while at least. Bent comes into contention for signing in wks 2 and 4. Alves looks good for wk 3 and beyond. Crouch & Defoe for wk 4 and beyond. Don’t want to play 5 midfield so i’ll have to make do. I have 2.5 in the bank to adapt things once the season really gets going. Rome wasn’t built in a day. I’ve got 8 potential bargain in my side, so hopefully i’ll grow my budget. I’ve got about 8 players, plus 2 keepers that i can see as potential season long players, so that’s pretty good.
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Why would Bent not produce? Looks like he could be hitting the form that took him from Charlton in the first place.
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Reply by Nick on August 14, 2008 3:44 pm:
he works better in a 4-5-1 formation, leading the line. He doesn’t work well with Berbatov as Berbs seems to prefer a clever striker beside him who he can do quick interchanges with. Bent is not this type of striker, he is a great finisher who likes the ball played in front of him so he can run on to it but is not very good with his back to goal.
The Berbs and Bent partnership so far has not worked. Hopefully with the added creativity in the spurs midfield this may change but we shall see.
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5 or so hours later, it’s ready:
Friedel (Schwarzer)
Evra, Ferdinand, Laursen, Johnson (Meite)
Young, Lampard, Downing, Bentley (Hamann)
Berbatov, Bent (Fagan)
Absolutely perfick.
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Ronaldo’s price will only drop if he is traded after the game starts. Currently he is only in 7% of the teams, probably people who sign up and never will return to the game this season so there won’t be that many people selling him. Even if they do injured players don’t drop as quickly as fit ones..
It also is not worth it to pick him up just to sit him on the bench for several weeks.
There will be plenty time to pick him up after he finally re-appears and before his price rises with the expected influx of trades.
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Reina - pen save clean sheet
Gallas - goal clean sheet
Adebayor - clean sheet
all these in my team , just a week too early !
same again would be nice
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