Villa Cruise. City Slump.
A night of contrasting fortunes in the UEFA Cup qualifiers as O’Neill sees his side canter to victory in Iceland, while Hughes watches on as his new side stumble at Eastlands.
Here’s the notes and teams…
Hafnarfjordur 1 Aston Villa 4
Gareth Barry lined up for Villa and struck the first goal as Villa cruised to a convincing win in their UEFA Cup qualifying round in Iceland.
Barry stabbed Villa in front after just four minutes after some dreadful defending from a Young cross. Young then made it two with an individual effort after just 7 minutes. Agbonlahor added a third in the second half from a Harewood flick on, before the home side pulled on back. Laursen headed the fourth from a Young corner on 64 minutes.
O’Neill could only register either Shorey or Young and opted for the former who made his debut at left back. Gardner took the right back spot. Harewood got a chance up front as Carew was suffering from a slight calf strain.
After starting tonight’s game, Gareth Barry would now be cup-tied for Liverpool should a deal go through. That deal would seem to be unlikely then, although O’Neill is still stating that Liverpool have until the end of the transfer window on August 31 to seal a deal. There are rumours however that Liverpool are about to declare that their interest in the midfielder is over.
Few fantasy managers will be taking a chance on Barry before then but Young and Laursen will have increased their appeal as a result of tonight’s game.
Villa will host Hafnarfjordur for the second leg on Thursday August 28. O’Neill should be able to rest a few for that one so we shouldn’t suffer any risk of rotation around that fixture.
Aston Villa vs FH Hafnarfjordur:
Friedel, Gardner, Shorey, Laursen, Davies, Reo-Coker, Petrov (Salifou 66), Barry, Young (Routledge 72), Agbonlahor (Delfouneso 76), Harewood.
Man City 0 FC Midtjylland 1
A sluggish City performance saw them slip to defeat at the hands of Danish league leaders Midtjylland.
City fell behind after just 16 minutes, Midtjylland’s Danny Olsen making the most of a Dunne error at the back. Petrov was doing his best to inspire City, while Sturridge, given a chance up front, struck a post in the first half and the bar in the second. Petrov also hit the woodwork with a late free kick but City could not find an equaliser.
Hughes recalled Corluka to right back, despite rumours still circulating regarding his future. Petrov also returned after missing City’s friendly with AC Milan with a knock. Up front Hughes went with Sturridge and Caicedo. Bojinov was benched after suffering a slight hamstring twinge against AC.
City will now face a very tricky second leg in a fortnight’s time. That game is preceded by a trip to West Ham on the Sunday but it is unlikely that Hughes will have the option to rest players for that one, regardless of how important Hughes sees his UEFA Cup campaign.
Man City vs FC Midtjylland:
Hart, Corluka, Richards, Dunne, Ben Haim, Fernandes, Johnson, Elano (Etuhu 69), Petrov, Caicedo (Bojinov 64), Sturridge.
Anyone know in Cuellar will play for Villa at the weekend?
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Glad to see Young doing well! Just finished my team - I think!
Kirkland
Ferdinand, Clichy, Laursen, Johnson
Lampard, Downing, Bentley, Young
Berbatov, Johnson
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Reply by Bill on August 14, 2008 10:15 pm:
I think Johnson is injured for Saturday.
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Reply by Senzoga on August 15, 2008 5:26 am:
Also, G Johnson has some unfavorable fixtures for opening Portsmouth matches- would wait to put him in line-up….
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Which one? Andy or Glen?
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Reply by Bill on August 14, 2008 10:25 pm:
Andy Johnson at Fulham.
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Hi folks
Playing Telegraph:
Laursen & Giggs
or
Hibbert & Petrov (city)
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Andy Johnson’s out for the opener. Glen Johnson has a tough few games so doubt any clean sheets there. But apart from that then the team looks good!
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Hi Guys,
Finally finished my team for the Sun Website. Please let me know what you think and any enhancements.
Cech(5.5)
Arbeloa(3.5), Agger(3.5), Cuellar(2.0), G Neville(2.5)
Lampard(8.0), Bentley(6.0), Dos Santos(3.5)
Van Persie(5.5), Bent(2.5), Adebayor(7.5)
Very worried about Neville and whether he has one season left in him and whether Cuellar will slot straight in for Villa.
Look forward to any words of wisdom.
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Reply by big jim on August 14, 2008 10:47 pm:
i think neville agger and arbeloa will all suffer rotation i wouldnt be surprised if neville ends up being a bit of a sick note.I have learned the hard way u need decent defenders to get anywhere in the sun game .
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Reply by Stion on August 14, 2008 11:00 pm:
I am not convinced Neville will start for Man U.
Its just that in his interview, after the charity shield he said something to the tune of ” this season is all about getting back into the united team for me “. That coupled with Fergusons ” he got the right amount of minutes today ” leads me to think they are still trying to build up his fitness and that Brown is favorite to start.
Everyone seems to be taking it as gospel that he will start. Am I missing something?
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Reply by Barry on August 15, 2008 9:14 am:
Hi Bill,
Good team, similar to mine. I wouldn’t select Arbeloa because he will be rotated. I don’t touch Liverpool defenders unless they are guranteed starters. Think that Agger is an absolute gem if you consider his points haul a couple of seasons ago. I would swap him for Bosingwa who although a gamble will secure the right back spot. You would have to change your goalie though but you got a lot of money at your disposal. I think James will have another great season. In the same boat with you with Cuellar. I originally bought Davies but swapped him for Cuellar. He better play.
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so is luke young still likely to get a run at weekend?
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Been contemplating Neville myslef but have left it & gone for Bale instead who is cheaper in my game & likley of a few assists/goals if he is a starter!?
Dod Santos is a wildcard & may be worthy of a look around for someone else like Lawrence of Stoke who is the set piece taker & player of their season last year.
Agger might find himslef playing, but Skrtel is also a fav of Rafa these days & wasn’t in contention the other day due to minor knock so…?
I cant see Cuellar being a sub and should be fit considering the scottish league started a couple of weeks back (if you include Rangers’s elimiination from europe!)
All others are sound in my eyes
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Reply by erII on August 15, 2008 9:15 am:
cuellar was out injured at rangers
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Where you reading that A Johnson is out guys?
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Reply by Mark on August 14, 2008 10:39 pm:
Link in the injuries and bans table eleven..
http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....-injuries/
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Reply by Rowdy Roddy Piper on August 14, 2008 10:39 pm:
In the bathroom while taking a toby… Why d’you ask?
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Reply by Mark on August 14, 2008 10:40 pm:
lol..a much better answer
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Reply by puffinboy on August 14, 2008 10:41 pm:
Rowdy, are you all clear on the Big C front?
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Bill,
I am no expert but I do not think £5.5m is not worth it for a goalkeeper in the sun game, they do not score enough points to warrent the money.
Cuellar is a bargin, a great defender from what I have seen of him and watching Villa tonight he will play.
Bent also looks a bargin.
Dos Santos would be the 1 I would worry about.
Also 2 Arsenal forwards? I like Adebayor he should score a sack full.
I too have neville I do believe he will play.
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Reply by big jim on August 14, 2008 10:50 pm:
in the sun game looking for opinions on either defoe and gallas or torres and neville some1 help the clock is ticking !!
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Reply by Barry on August 15, 2008 9:18 am:
Defoe for 5.5 is good value, he takes penalties and is playing in Europe. Torres is a must have I suffered from not selecting him last year. If your doing more than 1 team I think G.Neville is def. worth a pop. Gallas (shrugs).
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Dammit - thanks. Hope you had a good one Roddy
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All clear cheers Puffinmeister.
Which brings me to my next point nicely, clean sheets for The Gunners, Man U, Bolton & Liverpool this weekend?
Thoughts anyone
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The debate rages on!
Petrov vs. Downing
Petrov is obviously more of a goal threat but the fact that Man C are struggling up front damages Petrov’s assist potential, whereas Downing has Alves up front to link with.
What are your thoughts fellas?
I think I have finally settled on my team. Would like to hear your thoughts:
Jaaskelainen (Schwarzer)
Jagielka, Laursen, Shorey (Figueroa, Paintsil)
A Young, Bentley, Lampard, Petrov or Downing (De Ridder)
Adebayor, Tevez, Zamora
As I’ve previously mentioned I’m a rookie this season so all your advice and comments would be awesome thanks.
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Reply by Anthony on August 15, 2008 4:26 pm:
Michael
You need to switch your defenders need some of the top 4 in defence would recommend swapping adebayor or tevez for yak or same bracket and using the difference to bump up defence.
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Michael,
How about neither. Why not gamble on Taylor, Bullard or Pedersen for weeks 1 and 2 then bring in Downing for week 3 (provided you are playing FPL of course).
If you have committed transfers elsewhere or are determined to start with one of the two then go with Downing. City are in a tough spot at the moment.
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Michael,
How about neither? Why not gamble on Taylor, Bullard or Pedersen for weeks 1 and 2 then bring in Downing for week 3 (provided you are playing FPL of course).
If you have committed transfers elsewhere or are determined to start with one of the two then go with Downing. City are in a tough spot at the moment.
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Hi guys!
Walcott and Modric, which one would you choice?
Walcott seems to have chances to be arsenal midfield starter
any advisement? THX!!
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Thanks for the great advice Shiloh, didn’t realise that Taylor had a huge season 2006/2007 so I decided to go Taylor instead of Downing/Petrov. I do have a question thou, why did Taylor play less time last season? Was he injured, out of favour? And if he was injured was it career threatening eg. Knee recon etc.
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Reply by James on August 15, 2008 7:20 am:
Taylor was classified as a defender in 06/07, so his points were significantly higher due to clean sheets on top of other points.
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Taylor was out of favour at Pompey and only moved to Bolton in January, That’s where he made the bulk of his points. He was an absolute FPL dream two years ago.
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Once again Laursen demonstrates his superb ability to get onto a long ball into the penalty area. Looks like a great season ahead for Young and Laursen again and no doubt Barry and Agbonlahor will be in the mix once more. Villa surely should do pretty well this season?
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Ok, after my discussions with Shiloh I think I’m settling on the following:
Jaaskelainen (Schwarzer)
Jagielka, Laursen, Clichy (Figueroa, Meite)
A Young, Bentley, Lampard, Taylor (Seol)
Adebayor, Tevez, Zamora
I upgraded Shorey to Clichy and De Ridder to Seol. I would like to know everyone’s thoughts on De Ridder vs. Seol and Clichy vs. Evra. I think common sense says Clichy but Arsenal aren’t looking great and I have a feeling Man U are going to smash Newcastle 6-0 and going by Evra’s previous states, if he played as much time as Clichy I think he would score more.
The other option is keeping De Ridder in and upgrading to Vidic or Lescott who can score goals regularly. What y’all think?
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Reply by Sat on August 15, 2008 8:41 am:
I am not sure Seol will play, might be worth keeping De Ridder…he looks like a skillful player (and with rumours about Kapo being unhappy) will probli play alot. Seol is touch and go to play…
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Mark & everyone else,
For everton defenders (apart from Lescott) would Jagielka be a better bet than Phil Neville due to him having to take up a midfield position?
I’m not sure who to pick out of the two!
Your views would be greatly appreciated.
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Hey gents. I have the craziest idea. I’ve had visions that spurs will challenge for the title this year. I’d like to implement this idea and incorporate 3 spurs players in my squad. Which 3 do you all think would churn out the best point/price?
ps. I’m no fan of spurs.
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Reply by Bomber on August 15, 2008 7:13 am:
I’m thinking the same crazy thoughts, or at least think they’ll finish in the top 4.
Best 3? Thinking Woodgate, Bentley & Bent.
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Reply by rentokil on August 15, 2008 8:31 am:
I agree with Bentley and Bent. But Woodgate in recent years does not contribute much in terms of attack. I’m thinking Gomes might do better for the same price.
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Reply by Anthony on August 15, 2008 4:30 pm:
If going with spurs you have to include bale or hutton (when fit) bale might even play left midfield takes free kicks and is a shoe in for assists. A bit pricey but hey. Dont discount jenas either ramos made him vice captain and it could be the making of him
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since ronaldo is injured in the FPL game, will his value decrease from the 14 mil at all?
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chris, yes his value will drop as people start offloading him
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Reply by bob101 on August 15, 2008 6:28 am:
Been wondering about how the price of ronaldo will vary… In the Guardian game, prices are fixed until mid-september. When would you expect the low-point in his price to be? Is it best to buy just before the prices move, or a few weeks after?
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When will the striker guide be up I wonder! Getting impatient now! Its a big big day for team selection. I have a long road trip this evening and I have my laptop with me so that I might be able to find a wi fi spot en route.
I can see my whole team being revamped! But maybe not. Current strikeforce consists of Tevez (will transfer out after a few gameweeks), RVP and Bent (looks like Berba heading out the door for definite now).
Bent’s form is so good atm and i dont think ramos has much options up top elsewhere. with Bentley, Modric, Lennon, Jenas etc supplying ammo, it looks good. They have been blasting in goals pre season.
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Ronaldo’s price won’t go down much. Probably 0.2-0.4
Reasons:
1) Not many people have him at the moment.
2) The type of people who do don’t do many transfers over the season so will just leave him until he recovers.
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Reply by Dr. Rog on August 15, 2008 8:25 am:
3) when a player is injured the formula the fpl nerds use means that price declines are harder to achieve (to stop fire sales and players becoming worthless)
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Reply by stevie b on August 15, 2008 9:22 am:
i’m thinking probably 0.2…at best.
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it looks like captain fabs price could drop as he is still held by a large number of people who will realise that he is out for at least 2 games
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Reply by stevie b on August 15, 2008 9:22 am:
yep, hopefully it’ll fall to 9.9m, which is when i’ll get him. easy money…
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Jagielka or Laursen?
If Laursen, is it wise to have 3 Villa players? (BTW - Luke Young will be a sub for me in half the gameweeks).
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Reply by Dwight K. Schrute III on August 15, 2008 9:33 am:
I’m going with 2 in my starting lineup stevie, don’t think it’s an issue really. They should do well especially now Barry is staying.
Does anyone play “I know the score” in the FPL?
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Reply by stevie b on August 15, 2008 10:08 am:
Hmm, it’s getting to flip a coin status. In terms of fixtures eve & avl are about the same. Slight doubt as to Jags role once a few come back from injury, especially if Baines nails down the LB slot, and everton keep it tight at the back in the first few games. Barring injury, Laursen is a dead cert.
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Onlooker:
Jagielka is the one for me, his playing in midfield and classified as a defender in FPL is certain to add bonus points and hopefully the odd goal or 2
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1.does anyone know if the scout picks is based on Price ( 100.0 ) or who he thinks will do well.
2.Is their subs everyweek in it.
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Reply by stevie b on August 15, 2008 7:41 pm:
not based on budget, and no subs. Come on, now that would be saaaaaad.
What’s that mum? Tea’s ready? I’ll be right down, i’m just talking to friends on the interweb. No, they didn’t have any jobs for 35 year old school caretakers at the job centre.
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Reply by Mark on August 15, 2008 7:47 pm:
No budget dudee - I’m not sitting with a calculator every week. They’ll be subs each week, the idea being that I’ll use these to suggest likely low-to-mid price options. And yes, it’s just who I fancy will do well for the current week. No long term considerations (unless its a deciding factor between a close call).
Most of all, no guarantees except perhaps that each week I’ll do alright with the occasional stroke of luck/flash of brilliance and a few real duffers.
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After Laursen banged one in yesterday is it madness to choose Shorey or Luke Young from the villa defence?
Defence at mo:
Jagielka, Carvalho, Figueroa, Cahill, L Young
I was prefering the idea of L Young as he’s cheap, should get cleans off the back of the performance of villa defence as a whole, saves money, and should go up in value. BUT.. is laursen’s goalscoring tendencay too great to let go?
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Reply by James on August 15, 2008 4:03 pm:
Surely it just boils down to what you can afford. If you have a spare 1.5m, then maybe it’s worth upgrading.
If you have “L. Young / Barry or A. Young”, would it be madness to change for “Laursen/Some other midfielder at 7m or less”?
It’s a compromise you’d have to think about carefully.
Personally, I’d rather rely on midfielders to be picking me up the big points.
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anyone considering coloccini? scored a few last season but will newcastles defence cut it this year?
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Reply by stevie b on August 15, 2008 7:37 pm:
i doubt it. With their goal occupied by either bashful or sleepy.
When will Newcastle work out that the bigger the keeper the more chance of him saving it, and being seen & heard by his defence?
I’m still waiting? I’ve seen managers and quality defenders come and go, but they still haven’t figured out the major problem.
Have Newcastle ever had a goalie more than 6ft tall?
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Reina and Laursen
or
Friedel and Carragher?
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Big strikers, big defence. Thats the ticket. You guys like Agbonlahor this season?
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Reply by stevie b on August 15, 2008 7:32 pm:
Can’t stand him. Just who does he think he is? That flippin’ hor!
I love midfielders, they way they do a little bit of this, and a little bit of that….just makes me so hot…and they don’t even have to be BIG!
What?
This isn’t ‘Carry On Premiership’?
Sorry, wrong site.
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