The Knee Jerk – Breaks, Burnley and Bendtner
Here’s a new semi-regular, one that I’ve been toying with for a while now. With the comments on the last article piling up, this seemed the right time for it to make it’s debut.
The “Knee Jerk” will bring you almost instant thoughts on matches just past, no doubt clouded by emotion, frustration and bereft of clear thinking. I’m not really selling this…
On a morning dominated by the coverage of the awful injury sustained by Aaron Ramsey last night at the Britannia, us Fantasy Managers are left licking our own compartively inconsequential wounds after a most unpredictable Saturday that brought scant returns for most.
Chelsea’s 4-2 defeat epitomised matters. Two goals for Lampard did at least appease some, but given the dominance of Fabregas, Rooney and Drogba in the current climate plus Lampard’s price tag, the Chelsea midfielder has almost become a differential rather than a must-have.
Meanwhile Drogba frustrated his owners, many of which had handed him the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) captaincy, only for Tevez at the other was rubbing it in with an impressive display and a brace off the back of his spell of compassionate leave. The performance of Hilario in goal for Ancelotti’s side was also cause for concern. On yesterday’s showing, Chelsea need Cech back quickly and if we are to get any defensive returns from Chelsea’s forthcoming double fixture in gameweek 31, so do we.
There was more frustration from an unfamiliar source. Burnley’s new boss Brian Laws warmed us up for their double fixtures in gameweek 29 by throwing us a bizarre curveball with yesterday’s team selection. Having benched him in the last two matches, Laws brought Wade Elliot in from the cold and benched fantasy favourite Chris Eagles, despite the fact that the United man had previously impressed in his ninety minutes at Villa Park. Jack Cork was also dropped to the bench having sparkled in the defeat to Villa and Robbie Blake came in for only his third start in ten matches.
In short, Laws can’t be trusted, although the defeat to Portsmouth will hopefully hand Eagles an opportunity over the games against Arsenal and Stoke. Graham Alexander should also be over his calf injury and in the side. Apologies on his Picks selection, although I did mention it was a gamble. It seems like we will be gambling when it comes to Laws’ teamsheet.
Finally, those managers who held on to their Wigan assets from the recent double fixture in gameweek 26 (hello there), were also handed the pleasure of seeing both N’Zogbia and Scharner removed at half-time. That’s N’Zogbia who has been widely recognised as Wigan’s best player and main attacking threat and Scharner who had returned a goal and a clean sheet in that gameweek. The fact that Wigan actually have a fixture in gameweek 29 will probably be enough to see their players held but that kind of behaviour from Martinez, coupled with dreadful form, will likely seal the fact of any of his players in fantasy terms from that point on.
At least Birmingham turned up with another clean sheet though. It wasn’t all unpredictable then. Forgive me for failing to take any pleasure from that though. Everyone except me in my mini league seemed to go into the gameweek with two of their defenders. Praise the lord for Nicklas Bendtner is all I can say. I never really thought I’d be uttering those words on a Sunday morning.
I am hoping Modric starts today… it’ll be his last week in my team (I am binning him for an Everton or Arsenal player next week) but I genuinely think hes starting to play a bit better. Hes overdue a goal too.
aah back to the proper footy talk…
Modric is my captain so i literally hope he rips it up today
He was almost the perfect definition of brainless. Fancy harassing someone who has done nothing wrong and blindly supporting a twaat like Terry and before I get grief – I am a Chelsea Fan albeit a Chelsea fan who finds the team more and more arrogant by the week.
It’s almost as disgracegul as someone goading Lampard for losing his mother
You jokin?? I missed that. That is awful and the guy should be put in stocks on the pitch at half time and people take poy shots at him with the ball. Hard.
Yeah bring back the dark ages!!
That is sickening. Some people are just animals, I’ve heard some sick stuff shouted at Gerrard about his child (and this was when he was in an England shirt!)
For those of you interested, Keane is fit to play.
Rangers vs Celtic
Rangers: McGregor, Whittaker, Bougherra, Weir, Papac, Davis, McCulloch, Thomson, Lafferty, Miller, Boyd
Subs: Alexander, Edu, Novo, Beasley, Fleck, Little, Wilson
Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Thompson, Rogne, Braafheid, Kamara, N’Guemo, Brown, McGeady, Keane, Fortune
Subs: Zaluska, Samaras, Wilson, Ki, Rasmussen, Zhi, O’Dea
Referee: D McDonald (Scotland)
there are 2 poor poor teams………..probably be fighting the wolves and wigans of the premier league world.
the interest in this game is built on the past.
I bet Celtic fans have never heard of half of this team.
there was a guy in the crowd giving it the ‘wan*er’ hand movement when Ramsey was stretchered off – I wanted to climb through the tv screen last night and break HIS leg. But there are some serious brain dead morons who watch football.
They’ll all get theirs sooner or later
On a seprate note, did anyone watch the documentary made by BBC, I think, a few years back, about the journalist who ´infiltrated´ the Chelsea Headhunters?
You really got an insight on how some of the people going to games are like.
separate should read related probably. Forgive me – I´m Swedish
Yes. Was scary stuff. Irish fella that does all the celebrity dancing now? He still has a Chelsea tattoo on his arm. Apparently him and his girlfriend got beaten up by one of the Chelsea fans he put inside (been released now). Nice.
I’m playing my WC next week, so I’m looking for a one GW only transfer. I’ve got 5.1 in the bank and hoping to bring in Arshavin (yeah, I know, I can’t believe I’m even thinking about him either!) for Duff. Does anyone else see a better transfer / replacement transfer if Arsh isn’t fit?
Jensen (Robinson)
Bikey,Turner,Ricketts (Hughes,Chimbonda)
Taylor,Gerrard,Fabregas(C),N’Zogbia (Duff)
Cole,Rooney,Rodallega
Diaby or Eboue, Pienaar
I plan on doing something similar… I’ve got Bent, Drogba & Rooney up front so I can’t fit Bendtner in (seems pointless when I’ve got poorer players in my team) but I think I’ll get Pienaar and an Arsenal player.
Pienaar at 6.3 million looks miles better value than Arteta at 8.1
I’m looking for a third Everton player post-WC (currently getting Saha & Baines). I will really struggle to convince myself Pienaar is that man – hasn’t he just had one purple patch during the season?
PS- anyone else take Tevez & Lampard out last week when they both weren’t playing??? I got Drogba & Valencia in (29 points so fair play) BUT still, its irritating me to say the least.
you need to do your homework better!
I took Tevez out when Adebayor returned. I am a big FF fan on Tevez when he’s up top, but not when Adebayor is playing. Adebayor back in GW32 I think, so I’ll be getting Tveez back for 3 GWs
I took Tevez out after he missed the 2nd of his DGW. I hate that when that happens. Put Bendtner in and took a 4 point hit replacing Ethrington with Valencia so worked out well. I’d like Tevez back but not with Bendtners fixtures and form.
Does anyone else reckon the Ramsey incident will see the end of Fabregas here?
In his interview after the game, though he was clearly upset, he said that these injuries were happening too frequently in England. Made a few references to the English game being more physical than it needs to me.
Sadly, I think this is the final straw for him at Arsenal…
I think that comment fits perfectly into the kne-jerk discussion board!!
lol, nice one.
Dunno MnL, if he’s going i think it’s been done and dusted for a while. The ridiculous thing is where is he going to play in the barca team? It’ll be like Spain. Xavi and Ineasta starting, fab on bench. He should come to ManU instead
Well, we’ll see. But I mention it bearing a lot of strong rumours and other Fabregas comments in mind.
Looks like I didn’t get the pun
I think that the writing has been on the wall for some time. Like the Ronaldo affair, they will always get their man in the end these Spanish giants.
The thing that gives me the biggest laugh about the english people on this website is the fact that if a foreign player had of broken Aaron Ramsey’s leg, you would of called it a disgusting and sickening challenge.
But instead, an english bloke does the job, and it’s a 50/50, unlucky to get a red card, no malice intended challenge…
Interesting really…
(Personally I think it’s a shocking challenge, but I don’t think he meant to do it)
We all have called it disgusting and sickening.. have you not been reading? I don’t think anyone gives a damn what country the perpetrator came from mate.
I should correct – the injury was disgusting.. I didn’t think the challenge was THAT bad.. well./. obviously it was
I’ve seen plenty of people saying otherwise…
That doesn’t mean everyone’s the same. There are right & wrong people everywhere all over the world. Even here.
i do see what he is getting at, but i would class the media as english friendly,
i do remember gallas taking a dogs abuse with his challenge on davies of bolton few weeks ago…..
shawcross although had no intention just kicked out with no target to hit……….very clumsy and prob would not have got the ball even if ramsey didnt nick it away.
it was from the old school close your eyes and kick…….he was asking for trouble, but i do think if it were a foreign player the media would have kicked up more of a fuss about the foul
by media i meant certain motd pundit.
Sorry I disagree. I’m British, and take no notice of what nationality anyone is with a challenge. Diving is different, that was always a foreign speciallity until it imported here. There has always in my experience been a stigma concerning foreigners diving, but no stigma about tackling. Not true.
Good comment
+10
Diving is as bad in English players as it is with foreigners. Gerrard, J Cole, Owen – all have dived numerous times in International games, but most don’t chastise them for it.
Unfortunately the vast majority of football fans in this country refuse to condemn players from the team they support (see Chelsea fans & Terry). This tribal behaviour means fans will always be shat on by the authorities as the fans are unable & unwilling to speak with one voice.
It is NOW, that was my point. When I attended games regularly in the late 80′s and 90′s ( Crazy gang! ) players and fans could accept an honest physical challenge, but diving on the floor. Watch out, players would be looking out for you.
Fair point. I just get frustrated with people saying diuving is a foreign problem. Just like when people say hooliganism is an English problem.
Agree with you. My cousin in Italy was a pro football defender playing for a lower league. Seria B? Sometimes he had to lay on the floor of the coach as his own fans pelted the coach! Hooligans abroad are worse than ours, only we get the reputation.
It’s worth remembering that it was Shawcross’ laces and not studs that struck ramsey’s leg. To me, anything with laces can be bad at worst. Anything with studs impacting starts at bad.
Last time I checked you didn’t need studs to break a leg. I didn’t realise kicking somebody in the leg (not the ankle, let’s be clear here) is hardly at worst ‘bad’.
To get your foot high enough to break somebody’s leg says a lot about the challenge really… He was never going to get the ball.
It was a one-footed tackle and he didn’t go in studs showing. I think you’d see worse tackles in most Prem games. Do you think tackles should be judged on the tackle, or the damage caused? I think the former and while I am sickened by the injury to Ramsey, I am trying to not let that cloud my judgement of the tackle.
For my mind it has to be judged on the tackle itself and the outcome. But in reality the tackle causes the outcome.
He went in with one foot and the studs down, yes, but he kicked a player IN THE LEG. May I make emphasis on the word LEG, not the ankle, the foot or the ball…
It’s a sickening challenge.
Very valid point, Keenie.
What are everyones total points?? To see who to listen to!!
55 with bloody Mascherano to play
Overall points!!!
eh?
I’m not telling everyone on here my total points, I like to keep up the mystery.. but I will say they’re >1600 and we’ll leave it at that
I have about 10 points total, so ignore everything I say.
HAhah is that question frowned upon on here I am new!! Is it like asking somebody the wages theyre on!!
Correct. I always give the same answer, “not enough God dammit!”
If you mean total season points just click on peoples link on their username.
65 with Mascherano and Dawson to play.
Overall, not the clothes you wear when you paint your living room, overall points from GW 1 !!!
That’s not too shabby… I bet you’re seething not have given the armband to one of the other three..
anyone else think arsenal are favourites for the title? just looking at the fixture list for the 3 contenders and theirs is by far the easiest. realistic to expect to take maximum points from all but spurs away and city at home. Chelsea and man u both still have 2 ‘top 4′ fixtures.
I agree, Ramseys injury may act as further inspiration.
I third it.. it’ll be ring o roses again for the Gunners from here on you watch
I put money on Arsenal 3 weeks ago at 8/1
Good odds indeed, dare I ask your stake?
They’re susch a good team and on paper should be favourites with games left but you just cant see them finishing the job off, they are always prone to massive fcuk ups.
+1
i put a massive 5euro with my kid bro that they will win it………..ya!the latest jennifer aniston ‘straight to dvd film’ wil be mine!
Fixtures is obviously a massive aspect, but this arsenal team have been chokers in recent years. Certainly will be exciting, too close to call for me.
the sooner Arsenal gets knocked-out of CL the better chances they have winning the league. If Chelsea gets bitten by Inter they will be clear favourites to me depite the fixtures
Tottenham vs Everton
Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Bassong, Dawson, Bale, Kranjcar, Huddlestone, Palacios, Modric, Pavlyuchenko, Defoe
Subs: Alnwick, Kaboul, Crouch, Gudjohnsen, Kyle Walker, Dervite, Assou-Ekotto
Everton: Howard, Neville, Heitinga, Distin, Baines, Anichebe, Arteta, Pienaar, Osman, Rodwell, Yakubu
Subs: Nash, Yobo, Jagielka, Bilyaletdinov, Donovan, Vaughan, Gosling
Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent)
BAE on the bench. Interesting!!!
BAE played in the week at right back.
Saha not in squad… shows you can’t trust him FF wise.
Bentley misses out too
Good old louis haha was due an injury!
fuck sake! this is a total and utter disaster
COYS
glad i didnt go for saha. Went with bendtner instead hehe
harsh on Landon. How has Victor Anichebe got the nod over him?
worth getting in pienaar for duff and bendtner for roddy this week? for a 4 pointer?. of course im going to wait it out until end of week ref international games.
definitely it is
then it shall be done (now i know someones going to get injured this week, as i feel good about the above transfers!)
My mate that i just moved up on after last week, has now pulled through with 86 points already and he’s got peinaar, modric and bent still to play……..Ahhhh i hate him. http://fantasy.premierleague.c.....?id=476930
too bad i took an 8 point hit as well
He has 5 players out next week and Nani also not certain. Hope to make ground there.
your mate will have to take an 8 point hit this week, if he wants to play 11 players. However, a decent result for him so far, can be over 100…
Is it worth getting a Bolton defender for the next two/three weeks?
You should consider Ricketts yes..
I got one in this week, if you haven’t got other urgent priorities then Bol will be worth a punt but you may already have missed out on the cleanie. I wouldn’t count on more than 1 clean sheet in the next 3 gameweeks (4 games).
i need to replace Zabeleta anyway and was thinking of getting Ricketts until Song has sat out his ban. With their dgw it seems worth the risk.
I got Ricketts in this week and he’s done me proud. Not counting on much more from him over the next few weeks but given the choice between the Bolton and Burnley double Bolton is the way to go IMO.
Not worth Bolton or Burnley defs IMO. Pick a likely CS team instead – more points than 2 non CS games.
Distin starts today with J H the other centre half.
Yobo and Jags on the bench.
When Jags is fit do you think Distin will lose his place. Or JH switch back in defensive mid or right back?
Anyone?
Thinking of bringing Distin in
Howcome so many dropped Rooney for missing a single GW? I’m starting to wish I did myself now, he’s dropped 0.3m btw.
aye but he will rise again, especially if he knocks a couple in today and midweek.
If he scores and gets BPs against Wolves everyone will be rushing to bring him back in. With the missing fixtures in GW29 Rooney was going nowhere in my team. Let’s just hope SAF doesn’t rest him in the Wolves game.
well if my work league is anything to go by – people just look at the week’s fixtures and no further hence will get rid. annoying thing is i’m only just ahead despite the help of this site!
same as me, lot of lads in my league started 4 players that didnt have a game week but by captaining fabs (which i didnt), means i only scored a couple of points more than them.
it sucks doesn’t it : (
aye that is does.
I have rooney, lamp, drog milner most of season so feel held to ransom to not sell them as will not be able to buy back. Swapped lamp for fab start of this GW and he went up.1m as i thought, hopefully lamp will go down a ntch so can get him back in for double GW without loss of $$$
any fabregas owners not going to captain him next week?, i know im not going to make that mistake again!
choice of rooney or fabregash who you picking?? Why you say mistake?? Does he usually do pony after big GW totoal then ( i just got him in!)
im a gooner, had a gut feeling about chels at home to man city thought about cesc but then went with this sites poll(which has saved my bacon more often than not), nevermind. Next week def cesc over rooney, but thats just me.
I’m on the fence right now having been burned this week by Drog (c) I need to make up some ground, I’m erring towards Fab.. it’s irrelevant if he has a high scoring game, he can just as easily do so again two three or four weeks in a row. Rooney if he ins’t rested will see the Wolves game as a chance to bag another two..
was originally thinking the roon but will probably go for fabs now if this is another good spell for him…
Gotta be fabs home to burnley, they are getting tonked.
here’s hoping
only problem is i have to play jensen in goal (given no GW), but still hoping for arsenal to slot a few in. come on cesc,Verm and bendtner!!
save points are your friend!
has steven fletcher been given the assist yet?
‘All assists are reviewed within 24 hours of the game finishing.’
you’ve got a few hours yet….
Fletcher didnt assist the goal – Jensen punted it forward and it just bounced over his head (therefore Jensen assist).
all the commentators said fletchr flicked it on and it also says this in the match report. also i have eyes and i saw it
email FPL if you think he touched it.
They ignore bonus moaning, but often respond to queries about assists.
No Saha today..
nope. dull 0-0 for me please.
Can’t see that happening, there will definitely be goals. I’ve no vested interest in this one though I would like a draw result but it’s more likely going to be a score draw.. Pav gets a start which looks ominous.
Modric breaks record and scores 6 goals in a match?
yeah my IKTS is a score draw – just wishful thinking…
Top 3 quotes I would love to hear today:
3) “That’s the 13th clean sheet for Liverpool this season”
2) “and Gera SCORES!!!!”
1) “and that completes the hat-trick for Kuyt!”
Oh well, how was is that cheesy song went again?
“I’m the kiiing of wishful thinking”…
Mine are
3) “and Gera SCORES!!!!”
2) “Fulham deserved that clean sheet, hughes wasbrilliant in the air”
1) “Thats just completed modric first hattrick in the premier league, what a goal!”
The 3 things I want to hear today will be:
… And the penalty is saved by Gomes!
Pienaar shoots…..and scores!
Duff is on target again for Fulham!
Those three will be fine thank you, oh fantasy gods.
Jags back playing next week?
Hull home surely the best game to bring him back
What are paddy power going to do about the balls up of the last man standing competition? A whole gameweek missing it jumped to the next gameweek.
What were the odds on that?
That’s not a balls up.
LMS requires a full gameweek (so 10 games) for it to be fair, so it starts again when that happens – in what can be regarded as GW30 of the FPL game.
With a team of
Hart
Evra Ricketts Ridgewell
Valencia Fabregas Duff N’Zogbia Taylor
Rooney Bent
Sorensen Drogba Dawson Ivanovic
Would a) Duff to O’Hara or b) Duff to Diaby be the better idea?
Would love to get rid of Taylor as well, but I got him with this DGW in mind, so I’ll have to keep him (he will probably play 23 of 180 minutes). I am beginning to regret getting Bent over Bendtner too, but for now I would like to do only one transfer, and that’s probably Duff out, but who should I get in?