It may have come to an abrupt end and yes, I know the gameweek was one that 99% of Fantasy Managers would like to forget but sadly, I can’t quite bring myself to brush it under the carpet just yet. I need to talk about Diaby, the United defence, Mancini City and those lovely Fantasy Premier League Bonus points among other things.
Humour me while I dig up the corpse of gameweek 18 and conduct a grizzly post-mortem…
Arshavin remains central…
Eduardo returned to the Gunners lineup on Saturday but Wenger started the Croatian international on the left, leaving Arshavin in his central attacking role. There was and will continue to be fluidity in this set-up but it’s clear that the Professor is determined to give the Russian every opportunity to remain in his new role while Van Persie and Bendtner are sidelined.
Diaby thrives when given freedom…
I really should have backed my hunch when it came to Diaby. Installed on my Scout Picks bench, I saw returns for the all-action midfielder because he has previously thrived in the absence of Fabregas. He scored twice in the 4-1 win over Portsmouth earlier in the season with Fabregas off the pitch injured at half-time. Again on Saturday it appears that he was given more freedom to bomb forward with the Gunners skipper absent, and once again he earned handsome rewards for his fantasy owners.
You might see a Diaby bandwagon rolling, however the departure of Alex Song to the African Cup of Nations could put the skids on this before it starts picking up speed. Diaby could be charged with taking up a more defensive midfield role while Song is in Angola.
Evra is not a one man defence…
Ferguson went with a central defensive trio of Fletcher, Carrick and De Laet and watched them get pulled apart from a confident Fulham, inspired by Bobby Zamora. It’s clear that while United’s injury concerns at the back continue, it’s difficult to see defensive returns coming our way.
Having said that, the fixture list is on their side over Christmas (hul WIG bir BUR HUL) and I can still see the possibility of clean sheets if United can dominate possession at Old Trafford. Evra looks an expensive option however, particularly when you can cover any United clean sheets with Kuszczak as a budget keeper option across the games.
Just when you thought it was safe to look City’s way…
Eastlands has not been a reliable source of fantasy talent this season and, just when the fixture list was about to make Wright-Phillips, Adebayor and maybe Tevez worth considering, City go and sack Hughes and “Sheikh” things up. Now we’re forced to sit back and see how Mancini changes things and how the players will react. Judging by the stories surfacing on Monday, which includes reports of Bellamy handed in a transfer request, we clearly need to let the dust settle before we can consider exploiting City’s kind run (STK wlv BLA eve stk POR hul BOL)
Defensive improvements will surely be Mancini’s priority but that could come at the cost of attacking flair. Mancini’s preferred eleven may well be very different to the team-sheet we’ve seen from Hughes and the role of players like Bellamy, Robinho, Ireland, Kompany, Adebayor and Santa Cruz are all up in the air. Shay Given might be worth a gamble in goal with kind fixtures on their way (STK wlv BLA eve stk) aside from him, it would be wise to wait and see how Mancini mixes things up.
Everton might just be turning the corner…
It’s been a miserable underachieving season at Goodison so far. Aside from Saha’s goals, there’s been little fruit to pick from Moyes’ orchard but Sunday’s performance against Birmingham suggested that fortunes will change soon enough. The likes of Pienaar and Cahill looked lively and near to full fitness. With fixtures falling slightly more kindly in weeks to come (sun BUR ars MCY SUN), I can see returns for these two and perhaps even Baines at the back. He too looked sharp against Birmingham and got into decent crossing and shooting positions. Rodwell’s injury confirmed today could cause problems, although Heitinga, as a defender in a midfield holding role.
Birmingham’s defensive resolve will now be tested…
Two things here. Firstly Birmingham’s Christmas and New Year fixtures look tough. Very tough (CHE stk MUN por che TOT). Secondly, defensive linchpin Roger Johnson has suffered a knee injury and could be out for a number, if not all of those games. There has been big fantasy investment in the Birmingham back five in recent weeks – and rightly so. However, returns look limited in the coming weeks, particularly if Johnson is laid low. The Blackburn (wig SUN mcy FUL WIG whm stk HUL BOL) defence could well provide a decent alternative based on fixtures.
Liverpool continue to flounder…
There was plenty of investment in both Gerrard and Torres on their return from injury but Saturday’s performance at Portsmouth demonstrated just how far Rafa’s side are from generating regular returns at either end of the field. There’s little confidence throughout the team right now and for Gerrard and Torres to bring in the points that their price demands, they will need to start generating goals amongst themselves.
Many may look to Torres to replace Drogba when he departs for the African Cup of Nations. I’m wondering if a mid-price or budget option may be a better investment while Liverpool struggle for form. The clash with Wolves up next will give us a better indication.
The FPL bonus point judges have some new favourites…
We’ve always known that the Fantasy Premier League judges have their favourites when it comes to the bonus points. This season some new names can be added to the list. James Milner recorded FPL bonus points for the fifth match running on Saturday. He has now gathered 12 bonus points in those five games. It will be interesting to see if he can maintain this run as Villa’s fixtures stiffen (ars LIV wig WHM ARS).
Burnley’s Chris Eagles gathered his fourth collection of bonus points in five games. Bizarrely Burnley have lost two and drawn three of those games making Ealges a very rare breed of bonus magnet.
Talking of bonus points – can anyone figure out how Tim Howard earned 2 bonus in the 1-1 draw with Birmingham on Sunday? He had nothing to do but pick the ball out of the net from Larsson as far as I can remember. Were these Joe Hart’s points? Thousands of his fantasy owners would like to know I’m sure.




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Morning all,
The enigma that is D Bent ho is as we know not in good form. Think it’s worth transferring him out for Saha?
Both pen takers & number one strikers in their teams. Save the scheckles & put it to use elsewhere.
*ho – who.
Darren Bent aint no ho!!
He probably don’t dance go go either. Although of course I have NO personal knowledge of this.
I swapped Saha for Defoe after Defoe’s 5-goal game, and it’s cost me 2 points even though Saha’s only played 234 minutes to Defoe’s 426 minutes.
Saha’s very good.
Am looking to move bent on, Saha seems as good as any striker in a similar bracket.
Anyone know why Fabregas’ price hasn’t fallen…I NEED a £0.1m drop before I can buy him back…and I’m very vulnerable to a Nasri price drop if he gets banned…and while I’m moaning I’m sick that I got 30 points 2 weeks in a row and I’m sick that Turner got sent off but…
…I’m off on holiday…yeah!!!!!
Protection, due to come in the next few days at the latest.
Merry Xmas btw Dribbler & enjoy your holiday. Hopefully I’ll be next to you in the overall & H2H table in the near future with safety assured.
how about this squad for GW19?
Given (Sorensen)
Dunne Ivanovic Scharner (Zayatte Bikey)
Fabregas Milner Ashavin Dempsey (Taylor)
Rooney(C) Tevez Rodallega
need any changes for GW20?
thanks.
I need a new defender. Will almost certainly be dropping Brown, the injury magician.
Will have 6.3 to spend, but would like to spend less.
Currently have Ivanovic, Dunne, Corluka and Shawcross.
Any good tips to bring in?
I was thinking a Blackburn defender tbh.
Samba? or Nelsen?
This means I can Bring in Klasnic next week for Double Gameweek, and also still retain a free transfer for any other tinkering that needs doing
go for samba
You have solid defenders already. Maybe wait a few weeks for O’Shea to return from injury.
Nelsen sounds good.
I really want to transfer in a second Man U defender, YES I do.
Am looking at Kuszczak at the moment, but how long should Van der Sar be out for?
I know Mark mentions him here, but do we have any details other than the big blank in the injuries section of this site?
is it wise to play 2 stoke defenders and soresen in double gameweek?
no because then you will have 3 stoke defenders for the gw after.
sorenson and a defender is fine
Only if you already have them.
As Dub says. It could pay off big time, or massively backfire…
Who do you guys think I should put my captain as for gameweek 19.
Sorensen
Ivanovic, Dunne, Evra, Vermaelen
Milner, Boateng, Fabregas
Drogba, Bent, Rooney
and my Subs are: Bowyer, Larsson, zayatte.
rooney is an obvious choice drogba could be a gd show seeing as though Johnson looks likely to be out of birm line-up…maybe evra or ivanovic if either teams could keep clean sheets
Bent has a good fixture, but poor form. Maybe if you need a differential, going for him could work out. You still get the ’single’ points for Rooney and Drogba anyway so it’s not a disaster if either do well.
Fantasy Cup luck — 2 BP’s for Eagles (in that losing 2-0 effort) gave me a narrow 42-40 lead, but my opponent had Rodallega to go for Wigan’s Monday fixture. After the WIG-BOL game was cancelled, Rod. is auto subbed for…Lucas (1 point). I win 42-41.
should i leave Dunne or vermaelen on the bench this week? thanks.
What do you think the score will be? There’s half your answer.
Villa should concede, whereas Arsenal being at home may not.
can give some transfer comments for nx GW?
Hart Sorensen
Evra Verma Dunne Acole Ivanovic
Fab Huddlestone Ohara Dempsey Cohen
Rooney Drogba Bent
Maybe save a transfer and do Dunne or Ivanovic for Cahill or Shawcross, and also do Huddlestone for Duff/Sanli. These players all have double fixtures.
But now Dunne is in form.get lots point for me.
i gamble arsenal will lose to AV.
Ya but i prefer transfer Sanli since i alrdy got Dempsey for Fulham..
Is time to transfer Bent?who can swap to replace?
Do Ivanovic for Cahill or Shawcross, and Huddlestone for Sanli then. You’ve already got Chelsea coverage with A Cole, and Ivanovic has a slight rotation threat with Beletti and Ferreira, and also Bosingwa when he’s back.
I have Bent and I’m going to keep him for a while. He may be in bad form but it’s not like he’s going to go the rest of the season without scoring is it, and his form will come back soon, particularly now Cattermole is back in the side. Plus I got Bent cheap and would lose cash to sell him.
soup or man add my ps3 acc – brodsta for fifa 10
and any1 else that wants me to show them how to play.
im not sure whether to put bent or rooney as my captain. i need major points this week. i only got 36 points this week and for next week a have -4 so i will have to make sure i get a lot of points this week. who should i put bent or rooney.
Kindly comment on my team for next GW
Jensen
Evra Ivanovic Scharner
Arshavin Milner Dunn Milner
Drogba Rooney Defoe
Subs :Gibson Hughes Dann
Should I transfer in Eagles and drop Defoe to the bench?
Good team other than the fact that you have Milner listed twice.
Oh I see it should be Taylor.
Two Milners? How did you do that?
Please, i need the link to the site that predicts players rice
Try http://www.fantasytools.co.uk
After this last week no one’s price deserves to go up! (Except Howard maybe who clearly had a stormer)
hey lads…..is klasnic to rise tonight?
do we rate his chances of staying in the side for over 60 mins a game over the next few.
i have a feeling davies may hit his straps again
At the current rate, Klasnic won’t be getting up until next week sometime when the DGW trading is in full swing.
he needs 8k transfers so doubtful
cool, i can wait!
i only wish he had have played last night so he could frank his form further – its still a slight risk.
thoughts on who will get the better score this week tuncay or dunn cheers
I’d say it’s pretty even between the two but my vote goes to Tuncay. I can see City conceding a few goals on Saturday. Wigan v Blackburn looks like a goalless draw to me.
Out of the cup, thanks to Rodallega not playing! Haha.
2 free transfers, what should I do?
yeah im out too! bloomin snow!
with 2 free transfers…uhm…is reid worth keeping? upgrade rodallega maybe?
good shout with jerome!
I would keep Reid. Sunderland’s fixtures are not that bad up ahead. I would look at replacing Elliott and/or Dann. Doubling up on Birmingham defense with their upcoming fixtures looks like a bad idea to me, especially with Johnson being out for a while.
You should try to get some players in for the DGW imo. Dann -> Wilkinson and Elliott -> Diaby/Tuncay maybe?
Also your link shows your team’s score for GW17 for some reason.
lol, missed that!
what a mess eh?
25 points! record low!
tell me where im going wrong please…
sorenson – jensen
a cole – evra – scharner – bikey – faye ab
fabs – lennon – dempsey – dunn – bowyer
rooney – klasnic – drogba
(oh and i have 0.3M)
i know i need to get rid of drogba and bikey – drogba will be going after gw20 – burnley potential clean sheet this week?
im tempted to get tevez – but wait to see what mancini does? or would RSC be a better shout?
—on a completely different note: anyone know any good fish dishes to try out at home?
Do you have 1 or 2 free transfers this week? If 1, I wouldn’t change anything. If 2, I would look at getting Tuncay and/or Diaby in for Dempsey and/or Bowyer for the DGW.
I would stay clear of City for a while until we see what Mancini’s got planned. If you must go there Tevez is a much safer bet than RSC imo regardless of his performance last GW.
just the 1
save the transfer for next week then? im just worried about dunn and fabregas too…dunn isnt playing this week is he?
i just dont like the team i have to field if dunn and fabs arent playing…
I would save the transfer then. Having 2 free transfers gives you more flexibility to transfer funds between defense, midfield and attack.
Looks like Dunn could be ready to return for the trip to Wigan but I wouldn’t count on Fabregas to return for the Villa game. Hopefully he’s back for the DGW, I think most of us are counting on that.
hehe, ill try – i always find it very hard to save a transfer till the next week!
if fabs isnt back by the double week might have to get arsh…i really need to make up ground though…we’ll see how this and next week pans out first!
thanks toffee
It was just a shocking week mate, that team is awesome.
Elliot and Bikey for Diaby and Silvestre, Silvestre is who I was going to get last week!
I wouldn’t get rid of Bikey just yet. Burnley’s got 2 decent fixtures coming up before Bikey leaves for ACON, he should be able to gather a few points.
I have thought before with him, but he does nothing look at his scores! I could trade Dann?
it would be easier to track your comments if you use the reply button under the comment rather than using the new comment box below…
Morning Chaps
Planning on leaving my team as is this GW.
Then doing Franco/Drogba to Zamora/Klasnic for DGW
Then Klasnic for Tevez/Anelka (depending how Man City do under new management)
How does that sound? Is that enough for DGW?
You’re the one at 1030p, you should be giving me advice
.
Those transfers would leave you with 6 players for the DGW which to me sounds like a good balance. Only problem as I see it is that Zamora will be facing Sörensen and Shawcross and that will limit your returns no matter the score in that game.
Hehe, but you can never get too much advice.
Yes, I think it is good to use the DGW to your advantage, but not to go overboard and isn’t playin players against each other called hedgin your bets? Most of the Sorensen and Shacross points have come from saves/goals as well.
Just saw a press conference with Mancini. He speaks very limited English – does not bode well.
I’m finding it hard to understand how you can be at the very top of international football and barely speak English. It must be a limitation even if you’re not managing an English side.
Of course World player of the year……
http://msnsport.skysports.com/.....30,00.html
It was no surprise. He is currently the best by a mile.
Hi Guys,
After a little advice for my team for the next 2 gameweeks
http://fantasy.premierleague.c.....c?id=11528
Would like a good score this week & maybe take a hit for the DGW.
Any ideas would be great.
Tevez for Bent maybe? I did that last wknd, worked well!
You need Rooney, Drogba and Gerrard this GW. I thought you already brought Drogba when I suggested it to you weeks ago?
Sorry…..you need these players as Man United got beat real bad to Fulham. Rooney and the rest of the team WILL let out their anger. Drogba didn’t score in the previous drawn game……Chelsea wiil be urged to win this one. And Liverpool playing at home with their manager under threat……Gerrard’s and Torres’ field day!
I don’t think there is much wrong with your squad TM, so holding on to have a double in the double might suit.
Keeper will be tricky for this week and Hart’s fixtures are tricky so maybe a keeper switch if you are really desperate for a change.
Otherwise, I actually agree with Fran kind of, in that Liverpool have one of the most favourable fixtures (Wolves surely cant manage 4 wins in 5) so Torres(Rooney), Gerrard/Benayoun/Kuyt(Fabregas), or Insua/Agger(Ivanovic/Evra).
None of these switches light me up though, so I think I’d hold if I were you.
Thanks Anorak, got an important H2H so an improvement for a win is probably best. I don’t mind taking a hit in the DGW if necessary.
Ah I see – 6 pointer – You are only really exposed to Gerrard and Drogba (and a Sunderland rout) from ryangal though, and I think it’d be a little foolish to back Drogba now.
Rooney is a good differential for you to have, but switching him for Torres is a risk (that might pay off).
I’d like to recommend some City players, Tevez/SWP/ etc. but the Mancini factor is to much of a risk for me – Can you afford Hart>Given?
I could do Hart>Given but I could see Stoke scoring & wouldn’t get anything out of that trade. Tricky GW ahead. I’ll look into the MC players in the morning.
Next you will say I need Torres Fran. Drogba was next in until he got injured. Got Rooney when he had his big week at least. You suggested Drogba to me… interesting. I would hate to lose 0.5 on Bent but he or Defoe may have to be a scrapgoat for a new strikeforce. Looks like Rooney is my captain going off your 3 picks. They better be in your picks lol. Congrats on the H2H win & getting to 17th.
I just got Tevez, City fixtures are unbelivebly good, might even get a defender in a few weeks.
I vowed never to get a city player again after Ade and SWP earlier in the year but Tevez is scoring well and consistantly (ish) atm!
What you’ve got is really good and I think you’ve just been a bit unlucky. If you want to take advantage of the double game week then perhaps Scharner -> Shawcross (if he’s fit). Lee is probably your most expendable player though.
I wouldn’t do major surgery. In fact, I’d probaby do no transfers this week and see what happens.
Thanks Pure Olivia, I sorta got Lee for the DGW with an instant result. I agree with you that he may not do much in the next GW. I am looking at a Stoke defender, Faye is most likely due to funds. Got a winable H2H which makes me want to find the few extra points this week.
Maybe save your transfer this week, since it looks like you can field a solid side. Then gameweek 20 how about a cole –> gallas (or sagna) and scharner to a stoke defender..?
Then by gameweek 21 you’ll know more or less how Mancini plays and you might be able to go Defoe –> Tevez
Just some thoughts…
Thanks alot guys for the advice & support. Its been a testing season so far for me & I can’t believe its nearly half way through. Hope I can give you all the same sensible advice in future. Gives me a few more ideas to think through the week about. Off to watch some MU TV then bed, have fun all
Any ideas for improvement? I am really thinking of switching Rooney to Torres – is this a good move or is there something better i havnt spotted?
Sorensen/Hart
Evra/Shawcross/Dann/A Cole/Dunne
Lamps/Fab/Reid/Dempsey/Bowyer
Rooney/Tevez/Nevland
No it’s not a good move. Rooney vs Hull is good captaining chanse.
And Torres at home against Wolves isn’t? ‘Pool will be fired up, could be a high scoring affair! Rooney should have scored loads the last few weeks but hasnt – if it wasnt for his bonus he would be a proper waste of money!
Any ideas for improvements? i am thinking of switching bowyer to a midfielder below 5.9. any suggestions? was thinking of duff/lee/sanli but dont knw which 2 pick
sorenson hart
dunne evra scharner cahill faye
bowyer milner fab eagles kuyt
defoe drogba roda
Lee or Sanli, baecause of doubleweek, they are both good punts. Seems like Milijas is in form finally and Dunn should be back this week.
who do you think is a better shout? i am leanign towards sanli and palying him this week becuase man city always fail to keep C.S
And Stoke always fails to score away.
For the dgw, it’d have to be Tuncay, but Duff has good fixtures right after the double, so hard decision to make. I don’t rate Bolton that highly, given the fixtures.. I have Cohen but he’s just a cheapo that benchwarms most of the time.
duff or sanli?
Hey guys,
not sure what to change this week, if anything. Any tips?
cech (sorensen)
cahill corluka r johnson cuellar faye ab
arshavin etherington milner bowyer hunt
rooney drogba rodallega
also, when (and for how long) are the African guys away for?
cheers.
R.Johnson is injured, he would be my priority.
whats the last gw for players going to ACON? When i say players, i mean Drogba… obviously
If I see one more question like this, I’m gonna be sick.
Answer it please! I need to know!
They should be vailable 27th, but there is doubt about games that should be played 28th, so actually noone knows
Google it. Took me 5-10 seconds to find out the answer that way.
your spending too much time on these forums milan
You only need to spend 10 minutes on this site to see that question being asked several times.
im sure it does swedish toffee but it took me less time to post it as a question. It’d take me longer to find the date, go to the fixture list, and work out the last playable gw
In other words, it’s easier if someone spells it out for you.
hardly – its not on the last page of thread at least. dont be such a smart arse, its not good for you. no need to respond to the post if you’ve no interest.
At least i’m not going on about “what do you think of my team? isn’t it great?”
Everyone’s friends here m8y! don’t look down your nose at people
Well, I’ve answered your post, even though it’s a question that’s been posted for a zillion times, and this is my thanks? Relax.
All he’s saying is there’s no need to be rude because most people don’t spend as much time as we do on these boards. That being said it IS a very annoying question since the answer is a) not definite and b) so easy to google.
My approach is to be rude AND answer the question i the same post. That way I get the best of both worlds
.
that said it is annoying seeing the same questions time and time again.
The hangover’s making me verbal! Peace
any news on Fabregas?
Not only does Nasri look like an old lesbian, he also has a viscious kick like one too. I must admit it looked pretty innocuous on MOTD and I am not sure how Stephen the Hunt can get so animated about such an incident.
How long is Roger Johnson out for?
27 points last GW! Anyone got any pointers for my transfer this week and who I should play. I’ve got one free transfer and my wild card although id like to save that for next yr. Don’t mind taking a small points hit with transfers this week though.
last weeks team as follows:
hart (schwarzer)
alexander, dunne a cole (shawcross, hughes)
bowyer, valencia, eagles, mascherano (fabergas)
bent, drogba, defoe.
any thoughts?
btw i got 0.9m in the bank.
was thinking milner in – mascherano – out, fabergas – out…
gasherano out
you’re not looking very strong for the double game week. danny murphy could be a good shout? or zamora upfront? or that bolton striker…klasnic is it?
Masch out for Tuncay for example. Fabregas will be back so no need to get rid.
Is Adebayor going to the AFCON?
If he is when will be his last game?? Haha, just kidding…
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