Updated Team News
There was the usual explosion of team news today as Premiership bosses got chatting to the press prior to the weekend. You’ll find the team news section has been fully updated, but here’s some of the stuff you need to know..
Starting with United, and Ferguson announced today that both Evra and Ferdinand are fit to face Everton tomorrow. Neville is also available, although Carrick will have to wait for his comeback which could possibly come against West Ham on Wednesday.
Hibbert is a doubt for the clash with United after picking up an ankle injury. He’ll be assessed tomorrow but Neville seems likely to come back into the side at right back. That could see Rodwell retained. Moyes is also toying with the idea of starting with Saha and dropping Yakubu to the bench.
Rafa has confirmed that he won’t risk Torres against Chelsea, although the striker is still on track to be on contention for Wednesday’s clash with Portsmouth. Keane remains a major doubt having picked up a groin injury against Athletico. He’ll be given right up until the last moment to prove his fitness. If he fails to make it, then Kuyt will likely take a lone role up front. Gerrard and Alonso are both available, despite being subbed on Wednesday with a knock and fatigue respectively. They are both likely start, with Gerrard perhaps pushed up in a more advanced, central role.
Chelsea meanwhile, are likely to have Ashley Cole back in the side after he returned to training today. Scolari also revealed that Drogba would require “one week or 10 days more” before his return but Essien was on track to return a full month ahead of schedule. Scolari sees him back in action before the end of January.
As announced yesterday, Wenger is expecting to have both Gallas (minus the ciggie) and Toure back in his defence for the trip to West Ham; Sagna has an outside chance of joining them. West Ham meanwhile, have lost Mark Noble for around four weeks with a calf muscle tear, while Tristan will not figure as he is still not match fit.
Spurs have both Woodgate and Corluka available to them for the crucial home game with Bolton. King is reporetedly also available, although Ramos seems unlikely to start him after he completed the defeat to Udinese on Thursday.
Gabby Agbonlahor will miss training on Saturday but has a chance of making the trip to Wigan. He was stretchered off against Ajax on Thursday but apparently suffered no more than cuts and bruises. Carew is expected to return having missed the Ajax game through illness.
As I’ve said, you can pick up the rest of today’s team news updates here. Scout picks are on the way…
I'm not Marshal Foch
Kaizersoze
MFaulkner
dadoune
Frantastic
Phil
Nico1
call me crazy but i can see a newcastle win with a barton goal and 3 bonus points. not crazy enough to put him into my team of course. but someone might want a punt
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Reply by Lee on October 24 7:14 pm:
See I think Richardson or Cisse may well be worth a punt this weekend. I’m trying to find a way not to bring in Ireland.
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Reply by Will on October 24 7:18 pm:
I think Richardson could be good-especially now Jones is back
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Reply by Lee on October 24 7:35 pm:
With Taylor and Butt, Newcastle give away free kicks like confetti, it’s about time Richardson banged one in.
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Reply by Lee on October 25 2:43 pm:
Well my hunch of Richardson paid off but it’s tempered by by Ronaldo captaincy. The only reason I changed from Defoe is because the team was announced b4 the deadline. I would doubt that any United players will get bonus points, it’s always the same when they don’t win even if they were much the better side.
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Mark, what’s your thoughts on Diaby this week?
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Reply by Lee on October 24 7:36 pm:
Diaby might well get a game, I’ve gone and cashed in Denilson for 0.3m profit as I think Wenger may be about to rest him.
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Reply by Mark on October 24 8:28 pm:
Diaby is worth a punt if you need a differential. Arsenal should be good for two or three. He’s a gamble though. Would be just like Wenger to calm him down a little by benching him. So many options in midfield now. Apart from Fabregas, there doesn’t seem to be any certain starters.
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Anyone got a feel for when Torres is really likely to be back? Is Rafa for real when he suggests Portsmouth? That would be quite a quick recovery, 2 or 3 games quicker than the original two weeks anticipated on this and other injury sites, e.g. http://www.physioroom.com/news....._table.php
and
http://www.premiershiplatest.c.....uspensions
Damn it, I signed Kuyt a day or two ago anticipating a cheeky run against portsmouth and spurs before he lost his striker position. Ouch.
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I had SWP as capt, but after the newcastle game (last time I bet on city by the way) ive lost confidence in city. Wish city would play every game as if they were playing a top 4 side.
Ive gone for Defoe as the form guide on the fpl shows Fulham haven’t earnt one point yet away from home. I also have lamps and ronaldo in my team, easily lamps game week 10 and ronaldo game week 11 - baring injury or rest. Thinking of captains two game weeks in advance…what has fantasy football done to me!
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Reply by CK on October 24 8:10 pm:
What about Crouch this weekend lads? Could be an outside bet for captain?
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guys im transfer out c cole, but that leaves me with very few options.
i was tinkin of buying frzier Campbell, spurs have to win this one with difficult fixtures coming up, he has an impressive scoring record (although at a lower standard).
plus i tink bolton are pathetic (spurs not much better)
any ideas, all opinions welcome, even frans???????
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Reply by Davroski on October 24 8:14 pm:
why the rush to transfer out c. cole just to replace him with another budget striker? Granted, he’s not the most glamorous of sharp shooters, but in the match against hull he had a number of chances that could have gone in. last week was the first time since gw2 he hasn’t scored either a goal, assist or 3 bonus points. as soon as he gets a brace, everyone will be piling back in. if you can bench him for next 2 matches, fixtures don’t look bad after that…
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Reply by JWF on October 24 8:25 pm:
Really don’t think Campbell will get anything more than a sub appearance at most on Sunday so I certainly wouldn’t dump Cole for him.
If you drop Cole you’re looking at players like Zamora or Bednar and to be honest I don’t think that they’ll do any better than Cole. My advice would be to stick with him or bench him if you’ve got OK subs elsewhere.
Who are your other strikers?
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Reply by yer dad on October 24 8:22 pm:
Bully, I have some great ideas and have been on Dragons Den twice. The first time I wanted 30,000 and 33% for a giant fork which meant all your food on your plate was instantly placed in your mouth in one swoop leaving more time for Fantasy Football. The 2nd time I invented doggy dust slippers which meant everytime I threw the ball for my staffordshire bull terrier he would fetch said ball and polish my wood floor in the process,leaving more time for Fantasy Football. I wanted 10,000 for that one and offered 25% of the business. Both times they said to me “you must be f’cking joking”.
Offering a opinion on buying Frazier Camplell, I would give the same advice as the dragons give to me.
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Reply by Mark on October 24 8:24 pm:
Will you take 30k for 40% for the fork yer dad?
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Reply by yer dad on October 24 8:27 pm:
I will go to the back of the room and consult with my giant fork consultant and do some consulting. Can I get back to you?
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Reply by Mark on October 24 8:30 pm:
By all means. Did I mention my years of experience and contacts at Little Chef? *Looks smugly at Peter Jones*
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Reply by yer dad on October 24 8:40 pm:
My experience of Little Chef’s on the A1 and long queues means this is an opportunity that I can’t turn down. 1 swoop giant forks will put an end to standing at the counter looking a c#nt waiting for a table. Can we shake hands.
I like the Richardson angle. Another one to think about now.
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Reply by JoE on October 24 9:22 pm:
lads, this gave me a right laugh. fair play
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Reply by Fabtastic on October 24 9:30 pm:
Welcome to the founding posters of this amazing fantasy football website. I speak of Yer Dad, the Nec, puff, Martin, et all. I used to be only a “reader” and not a “poster”, but I remember having several laughings skits when you put yer dad and co together on this forum. Sadly this seems to have been displaced by “fran”atic hyper of ego-based personalities!
Reply by waggy on October 24 10:34 pm:
I actually still laugh over puffin boys response to somebody (who couldn’t take a joke) telling him to get back to his “menial existence”.
Reply by Gazza's Shrink on October 25 12:25 am:
That is funny after a night outt wathing comedy in comedy town and laughing twice.
Reply by Gazza's Shrink on October 25 12:29 am:
I think i meant the giant fork post. that was funny,
Spurs will win a game soon, but you try and predict it.
Bolton have been improved since Cahill and Taylor have come back and they had a great win v West Ham, so pathetic is a bit strong..I think Bolton will fancy nicking it by a goal, thus Cahill will be in my back four for the second week running. Woodgate is coming out for Neville…
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Ronaldo = rested tomorrow
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Reply by Team d2b. on October 24 8:20 pm:
Has that actually come from anywhere or is that just your prediction?
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Reply by Mark on October 24 8:26 pm:
Not sure - Nani is the obvious replacement but he started on Tuesday too. Plus United at home to West Ham in midweek looks a much more likely rest option. I’d be shocked/devastated if he was rested.
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Reply by SFC_fan on October 24 9:06 pm:
Should hopefully know wether he’s playing or on the bench before the deadline at 11:30.
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Reply by CK on October 24 8:28 pm:
How’d ya know? or are you just expressing an opinion
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Reply by CK on October 24 8:30 pm:
sorry my comment above was targetted at Fergies red nose, didnt read Marks post
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Reply by Fergies Red Nose on October 24 9:15 pm:
Just a prediction, Im a Utd fan and think he will get rested eventually and tevez is due a start
Berba/rooney on fire Ronaldo not really doin much
I just think fergie may risk resting him as it will be a physical away game and he may save Ron for the midweek games
as SFC said we should know before 11.30 as kick off is 12
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ya maybe a bit strong, but iv seen them against fulham earlier in the league and i was suprised how bad they were (i taken into account your comment, cahil wasnt playing that day)and they are very limited… i do see tott winning this one, hopefully campbell gets a start.
robert green had a howler that day too i seem to recall gave davies a tap in
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Of course, Ronaldo could always just ‘demand’ to play again…
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