Moving Target – Michael Owen
Filed under: Moving Target, Scout Reports - Posted by: Paul
Stoke City added to their options up front last week with the intriguing acquisition of Michael Owen. The free agent arrives at the Britannia on a one-year deal, following his release from Manchester United this summer and is the seventh signing of what has been a busy summer for Potters’ boss Tony Pulis:
Upon completion of the deal, Owen admitted he was keen to strike up a partnership with Peter Crouch up front but, with the likes of Jon Walters, Kenwyne Jones and Cameron Jerome all in contention, he admitted he expects a battle on his hands:
I know a couple of lads here from past experience, be that with England or different clubs. Peter is one of them. He has done fantastically well since he joined Stoke, but there are many strikers at the club so I am not expecting it to be an easy ride. I will have to work to play any part and I am prepared to do that. There are a lot of top players at the club. I am just going to hopefully fit in well with the squad and have a good season.
The Statistics
It was way back in 1996-97 that Owen first sprung onto the domestic scene. Scoring on his debut for Liverpool against Wimbledon, his spell on Merseyside lasted a further seven seasons, with 216 league appearances harvesting 118 goals. Tempted to Spain by Real Madrid, he produced 14 goals from just 20 starts (and 16 sub appearances) for the La Liga giants before Newcastle paid £16.8m for his services in August 2005.
Then the injuries kicked in. Owen managed just 14 appearances in his first two seasons on Tyneside, with thigh, foot and knee problems all significantly curtailing his game time dramatically. His final couple of campaigns continued to be plagued with injury, with Owen managing 19 goals from 57 league matches before leaving the club as a free agent in July 2009. The striker’s time at United was again limited by injury, with hamstring and thigh problems scuppering his chances – Owen started just six league matches over three seasons under Sir Alex Ferguson. Over a total of 31 appearances, he scored five times before, once again, becoming a free agent in the summer.
The Prospects
Let’s face it – with that injury history, most of us will be expecting Owen to struggle for any sort of game time. The assumption that niggles and strains will get the better of him seems a fair one but if (and it’s admittedly a big “if”) he can stay fit and injury-free, his prospects may not be as bad as many fear.
Certainly, it’s a notion that Crouch has already entertained. The duo’s partnership produced a goal a game over 16 starts together for England and the former Spurs man reckons it could thrive once again:
The fact we’re so different is a strength – it’s the old Little and Large act. Whenever I’ve played with that sort of striker – Jermain Defoe, Kevin Phillips or Michael – it’s always gone well. He was in on Thursday for his first day of training and I have to admit he looked very sharp for someone who has been out for so long.
Any potential pitch time for Owen is bound to impact on Jonathan Walters the most. The latter, however, was the only player to start every league match last season under Pulis – a sign of his manager’s faith. Walters could move to the flank if Owen was selected up top, though, a situation which could see him vie for a flank role along with Matt Etherington on the left. It may well be Walters and Crouch continue up top, with Owen initially afforded the role of impact sub late on in games as Pulis looks to build the new boy’s match-fitness.
At 5.5 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and 6.6 in the Sky Sports game, Owen is certainly far cheaper than Crouch (6.5 and 8.8 respectively) and his presence up top would certainly dent Walters’ appeal as an out-of-position midfielder in the FPL game. With (MCY, che, SWA, liv, mun) to follow in the next five Gameweeks, though, the Potters are set to be given a wide berth until the fixture list improves – by then, we may get a little more indication of whether it’s the first-team or treatment room for Owen once again.
Further Reference
About The Author
paul
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September 13 at 8:20 am
bdwhite91 says:
TW, FIFA 13 demo review
http://www.givemefootball.com/.....rst-review
September 13 at 8:27 am
tw says:
ty
September 13 at 8:25 am
Berbakawa says:
Best 5M Def or under? I asked it this morning but still cannt decide.
A) Saylor (not sure with News atm, too many injured players and Europa Leaggue involved))
B) Hangeland
C) Williams
September 13 at 8:27 am
tw says:
ridgewell?
September 13 at 8:28 am
Berbakawa says:
Foster in goal though
September 13 at 8:30 am
Podge says:
Double up for laughs
September 13 at 8:33 am
Berbakawa says:
Hmm…
September 13 at 8:30 am
fantasykid says:
Jenkinson for the short term maybe
September 13 at 8:33 am
Berbakawa says:
got him already
September 13 at 8:35 am
Danapussy. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgrim says:
Cueller?
September 13 at 8:36 am
Berbakawa says:
got him too
@@
September 13 at 8:40 am
Danapussy. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgrim says:
You’ve used ask the audience. Now try 50/50 or phone a friend.
September 13 at 8:42 am
Berbakawa says:
very funny mate
September 13 at 8:44 am
Danapussy. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgrim says:
Maybe stick with S Taylor then, not a bad player after all.
I take it you have W Ham, W Brom, Sunderland defenders already.
September 13 at 8:25 am
Count Of Monte Hristo - Heisenberg 1 Gus Fring 0 says:
Isacki what bachelors/masters degree(s) did you do?
September 13 at 9:04 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Sorry just noticed this. Bachelor in Physics from Imperial College. Didn’t do a masters, really wish I had because it’s made the PhD much harder!
September 13 at 8:25 am
griff says:
Morning all
How does this Wildcard team look..
Begovic Jaask
Cole Lescott Hangeland Demel Clyne
Hazard Santi Pienaar Nolan Britton
Tevez RVP Pog
Any glaring ommisions/changes you’d reccomend? Any advice much appreciated
September 13 at 8:26 am
Berbakawa says:
dislike from me: GK Combo, Pog, Britton, Cole (injured now?),
September 13 at 8:27 am
Danapussy. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgrim says:
Britton is a defensive mid. Replace with Kac or Guthrie who are more attacking.
September 13 at 8:29 am
Billy Ketsu - Another World League for supporters of Non-Premier teams - 30555-258766 says:
Guthrie is great value at 4.4m. Cole, Lescott, Britton and Pog aren’t very good, to be honest. I’d rather have Gibbs, Zabaleta, Clark of Villa, Cuellar or a WBA defender.
September 13 at 8:30 am
tw says:
it’s alright but can easily be improved
hangeland to hughes to free up .5 (or get cueller instead)
cole to baines!
lescott to gibbs
britton to guthrie
then not sure how much you’d have left after all that but i’d try pog to lambert/fletcher and then if you can, nolan to hba
September 13 at 8:40 am
griff says:
Nice one, thanks all
September 13 at 9:28 am
elwardio says:
+1 especially cole -> baines and britton -> guthrie.
Kaca bit suspect for game time so would wait and see, his price is unlikely to go anywhere in the meantime
September 13 at 8:30 am
Hard Van Toulouse-VotaBreb Ratimid says:
If you had a choice between Gerrard or lamp arid say 5 years ago in their peak ,
Who would you pick ?
September 13 at 8:31 am
fantasykid says:
Lamps
September 13 at 8:31 am
The Gamesmaster ™ says:
Lampard
September 13 at 8:32 am
Danapussy. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgrim says:
Lampard!
September 13 at 8:34 am
Daniel says:
Lampard better goalscorer and better injury record
September 13 at 8:32 am
Seamy - Park Colts FC says:
Gerrard.
I remember captaining him 3 years ago (I think) on a hunch and he came through with a Hat-Trick and assist. It was a sweet day
September 13 at 8:39 am
Daniel says:
Fantasy gamble is that not a better player
September 13 at 8:35 am
Count Of Monte Hristo - Heisenberg 1 Gus Fring 0 says:
Lamps
September 13 at 8:35 am
Berbakawa says:
Scholes, Lamp, Gerrard on the same era and England got nothing …
September 13 at 8:37 am
Hard Van Toulouse-VotaBreb Ratimid says:
Thanks lads, Lampard so it seems , maybe I should have included Scholes ,
But I think the outcome would probably be the same.
September 13 at 8:45 am
Willis_Hide says:
Lumpurd.
September 13 at 8:30 am
Seamy - Park Colts FC says:
I enjoy how everyone on here complains about template WC teams. But when someone posts a WC team that doesn’t fit the template. Basically every comment underneath it is pushing them towards the template team.
No wonder all the WC’s are looking the same
September 13 at 8:34 am
Count Of Monte Hristo - Heisenberg 1 Gus Fring 0 says:
+42
September 13 at 8:37 am
The Stock says:
Free thought isn’t promoted here…..
September 13 at 8:48 am
ATHELTICO TIMBO says:
Haha yes
September 13 at 8:33 am
fantasykid says:
A. Toure+Routledge+Lambert OR
B. BArfa+Guthrie+Berbatov
Cheers Lads
September 13 at 8:35 am
Nitin Nagaraja says:
Toure, Guthrie, Lambert.
Routledge not nailed on after Pablo Hernandez’s arrival.
September 13 at 8:39 am
fantasykid says:
Hey Nitin, You reckon Toure’s gonna continue this run? I have WC’d him into my team ATM, but am inclining more towards BArfa, Why not Berba? After all, the man scores and is proven.
September 13 at 8:45 am
Nitin Nagaraja says:
Not too sure about Toure v Barfa. With Barry fit again, and Rodwell and Garcia to do the dirty work, I reckon Toure will push forward quite a lot. That said, Barfa is very tempting. Go with you gut on this one.
Berba is still a wait-and-watch for me. He doesn’t have the quality of service he used to get at United. He is not consistent and usually scores in short streaks. I would pick Lambert over him fo sho!
September 13 at 8:35 am
Berbakawa says:
B but not sure about Ber9, get Graham/Lambert, save money and wait + see
September 13 at 8:37 am
fantasykid says:
I had Graham for the first 3 GW’s, Really not impressed with the way his returns are ATM, I think Martin Jol will definitely give Berba more game time & the man is quality, So, B is the better one then?
September 13 at 8:46 am
Berbakawa says:
how many goals has he scored at his best season?
September 13 at 8:50 am
ATHELTICO TIMBO says:
A
September 13 at 8:36 am
daisybcfc says:
Anyone know why Szczesny is in the watchlist, especially with form A. Only played 90 mins and made 2 saves so far this season… Am I missing something?
September 13 at 8:38 am
Berbakawa says:
it means Arsenal ?
September 13 at 8:40 am
Hard Van Toulouse-VotaBreb Ratimid says:
Theyre looking at the 3 cs arsenal have kept and are giving him credit fot it and also We presume he’ll retake no 1 this week, that should explain it.
September 13 at 8:44 am
Old School says:
I don’t get it either…
September 13 at 8:42 am
Jonny says:
Anyone else struggling to see many budget clean sheets at the moment? Swansea have lost 2 defenders (one temporarily, one permanently), Fulham have lost Dembele so look a lot less robust as a result, Stole have horror fixtures, Newscastle’s defence is injury ravaged… Outside of WBA and Sunderland, am I missing anything obvious? Starting to think about doubling up, Foster and Ridgewell etc.
September 13 at 8:45 am
Berbakawa says:
me, i cannt fill the last 5M defender in my WC team
September 13 at 8:47 am
Chrissy Waddle - Luca Modric: The Gail Tilsley of Madrid says:
The thing is clean sheets are about as unlikely as in an old people home, have been for about a year. The top 4-6 dont guarantee them for the price paid.
For me, get a good mixture of value (Demel, Cuellar, etc) and attacking players (Baines, Boyce, Clark) to cover the lottery of cleanies
September 13 at 8:51 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
The old people’s home analogy pretty much describes the defensive state of the Premiership.
September 13 at 8:47 am
Daniel says:
Its always like that. We start with budget CS’s and as the season proceed we need to spend big for CS’s with some rare exceptions in the previous years Bir and Swans. But near the end even they haven’t play that good defensively .
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8P2Q.....+10-12.png
September 13 at 8:55 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
This is an awesome graph, where did it come from?
September 13 at 8:57 am
Nitin Nagaraja says:
Chris Glover.
September 13 at 8:58 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
This year we basically seem to have missed out on the early peak. Are we even gonna get a late one?
September 13 at 9:01 am
Anonymous says:
That graph is wrong by the way
September 13 at 9:05 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Explain…
September 13 at 9:12 am
Anonymous says:
The path of the total and home are exactly the same but the away fluctuates which cant be right.
September 13 at 9:18 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
The thing is the path of the total and home aren’t exactly the same – they just deviate much less than home does from away. If you add up the figures for a few gameweeks along the curve you see they check out
September 13 at 9:03 am
Nitin Nagaraja says:
No idea. Here’s the article – http://premierleaguefantasy.bl.....eason.html
September 13 at 9:26 am
Anonymous says:
But why arent the game weeks and number of clean sheets a fixed point, shouldnt game week 5 total be either on 10 or 12 or bang in the middle on 11. Just doesnt look right to me, but without the data behind it difficult to be sure.
September 13 at 9:31 am
Daniel says:
It is true. You just saw a picture and said it is wrong. check the article. I am fully convinced. Near Christmas I will spend big in defense. I always do bad for the festive period now I see what
September 13 at 9:46 am
Anonymous says:
Yeh granted Im only glancing cos Im at work and its awkward so I may be wrong, it just didnt look right initially and if it is just slightly out then it make me suscpicious about the rest of the info.
September 13 at 8:58 am
In Tommy We Trust says:
Chris Glover blog
http://premierleaguefantasy.blogspot.co.uk/
September 13 at 8:59 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Ah, I should have known. What a machine.
September 13 at 8:47 am
Danapussy. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgrim says:
I’m looking at opposite. Gibbs / Ivan / Baines. Or, a West Ham, W Brom double up.
Jask – Demel / Foster – W Brom def.
September 13 at 8:58 am
Jonny says:
Baines I like, Ivan I’m not totally sold on… Arsenal could be a decent option but I’m wary of their upcoming fixtures. I keep swinging between budget and premium! Gonna have to make my mind up soon enough I guess!
September 13 at 8:52 am
In Tommy We Trust says:
Thinking of doubling the rotation with WBA/SUN. What’s stopping me is i don’t want three Sunderland
September 13 at 8:43 am
Daniel says:
QPR Nelsen, Ryan DEF 3.9 Price decrease from 4.0 to 3.9
Just saying
September 13 at 8:57 am
Mid-Table Obscurity says:
far from nailed on though surely…
September 13 at 8:44 am
Chrissy Waddle - Luca Modric: The Gail Tilsley of Madrid says:
Hey TW, you around buddy?
September 13 at 8:51 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
I finally came up for a concise, appropriate and above all accurate name for my UCL team
15 TWUNTS
September 13 at 8:53 am
Daniel says:
Meaning?
September 13 at 8:53 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
http://www.urbandictionary.com.....term=Twunt
I don’t think UEFA will notice it!
September 13 at 8:53 am
Chrissy Waddle - Luca Modric: The Gail Tilsley of Madrid says:
That’s tweriffic!
September 13 at 8:56 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Or absolutely twerrible!
September 13 at 9:03 am
Doosra - "Loyalty is the handmaiden to success" - A Noble Quote says:
I don’t like it …
September 13 at 9:06 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
I reckon I’m probably only mischaracterizing around 40% of my squad
September 13 at 9:08 am
Doosra - "Loyalty is the handmaiden to success" - A Noble Quote says:
True, I suppose … see below!
September 13 at 9:08 am
Doosra - "Loyalty is the handmaiden to success" - A Noble Quote says:
15playersseekingform … after Pirandello … ?
September 13 at 9:11 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
A quick search of his Wiki (as if I have heard of this guy LOL) reveals some interesting book titles.
September 13 at 9:12 am
Doosra - "Loyalty is the handmaiden to success" - A Noble Quote says:
He is fantastic.
September 13 at 8:56 am
Nitin Nagaraja says:
September 13 at 8:53 am
pogre ogre baby says:
a) Bale+Lambert
or
b) Berba+Yaya?
September 13 at 8:54 am
In Tommy We Trust says:
A for me
September 13 at 8:57 am
pogre ogre baby says:
In that case, Bale please drop another 0.1
September 13 at 8:59 am
In Tommy We Trust says:
I’m likely to wildcard Friday night and bring Bale in for 9.3
September 13 at 9:06 am
pogre ogre baby says:
FRIDAY NIGHT…ja crazy. Then again price rises haven’t really tipped the balance. Here’s the team I’m hoping to get once Bale drops:
Foster (Jussi)
Jenkinson Cuellar Baines (Demel 4.0DEF)
Bale Hazard Cazorla Michu (Guthrie)
RVP(c) Tevez Lambert
BOOM
September 13 at 9:16 am
In Tommy We Trust says:
Nice.
I have the main people who have gone up anyway. RVP, Hazard, Michu, Tevez, Yaya etc
Will be looking along the lines of
Foster, Bego
Cuellar, Ridgewell, Baines, Demel, Gunter
Bale, Hazard, Michu, Lallana, Maloney
RVP, Tevez, Fletcher
September 13 at 9:17 am
In Tommy We Trust says:
Then again, I really want Jelavic so might rip it all up
September 13 at 8:58 am
Sporting ABG says:
anyone taking any cheeky punts for GW4?
something a little off the wall?
September 13 at 8:59 am
ChristIna says:
Guthrie(c)
September 13 at 9:00 am
Lateriser12 - "I am a consulting detective. The only one in the world" says:
Damn, you beat me to it!
September 13 at 9:10 am
Old School says:
hey lady boy… how’s it going?
September 13 at 9:03 am
Doosra - "Loyalty is the handmaiden to success" - A Noble Quote says:
Ruiz.
September 13 at 9:03 am
Lateriser12 - "I am a consulting detective. The only one in the world" says:
Surely you mean Petric
September 13 at 9:09 am
Doosra - "Loyalty is the handmaiden to success" - A Noble Quote says:
Nope. I mean Ruiz.
September 13 at 9:27 am
In Like Flynn says:
Yes.
September 13 at 9:00 am
Ain't Got A Kalou says:
Nitin, are you from India? Or a Non-Resident?
September 13 at 9:01 am
Lateriser12 - "I am a consulting detective. The only one in the world" says:
Cracking start to the season mate.
September 13 at 9:05 am
Nitin Nagaraja says:
+1. Brilliant!!
India. Bangalore. You?
September 13 at 9:34 am
Ain't Got A Kalou says:
New Delhi.
September 13 at 9:33 am
Ain't Got A Kalou says:
Getting lucky, and still early days, finishing in 10k is still what I’m hoping for. And the credit goes to you guys on FFS too, just that the Hazard choice is mine
September 13 at 9:00 am
Old School says:
so I have RVP and Kagawa and already did my FT for Bale to Hazard to avoid proce rises / falls… Hindsight is a wonderful thing as could have done Kag to Haz.. never mind I am sure I am not the only one…
My subs are Cuellar, Guthrie, Clyne in that order
is it worth a 4 point hit for Kagawa to Santi… I can’t see any of my subs giving much returns so think it is.. Just looking for thoughts.
Will wait for press conf first obviously
September 13 at 9:02 am
Mid-Table Obscurity says:
i wouldnt be surprised if we kept a cleansheet to liverpool at home
September 13 at 9:44 am
Anurag Khetan - Ain't Got A Kalou says:
I agree. 17 goals conceded at 19 home games and a 1-0 win over Liverpool too.
September 13 at 9:10 am
roscola says:
Morning, ex-co-manager. Nice new identity, man
September 13 at 9:17 am
Old School says:
hey roscola… how’s it going?
September 13 at 9:22 am
roscola says:
Not too bad mate. Just sweating on the price rises to get the WC team I want. How about you? Life treating you well?
Just noticed we don’t face eachother in La Liga until GW11
September 13 at 9:28 am
Old School says:
things are good thanks.. Just got back from the UK after a months holiday… The weather here is cooling down a little which is great… still hot though… Another baby is on the way so happy about that…
Just popping out for lunch but will catch you later….
September 13 at 9:02 am
DonTheSpecialOne - Ken Bates is a money grabbing prick says:
Gooood morning!
September 13 at 9:10 am
Doosra - "Loyalty is the handmaiden to success" - A Noble Quote says:
… Vietnam!!!
September 13 at 9:12 am
DonTheSpecialOne - Ken Bates is a money grabbing prick says:
Hey there, Doosra!
September 13 at 9:13 am
Old School says:
Doosra, how you been?
3rd in cloud nine, very happy with the start
September 13 at 9:11 am
GreenWindmill says:
…Judge?
September 13 at 9:16 am
DonTheSpecialOne - Ken Bates is a money grabbing prick says:
10cc?
September 13 at 9:17 am
GreenWindmill says:
Bingo! I wondered whether anyone would get the reference or if I’d just be left to look like a weirdo!
September 13 at 9:22 am
DonTheSpecialOne - Ken Bates is a money grabbing prick says:
He didn’t do it, he wasn’t there – he didn’t want it, he wouldn’t dare
September 13 at 9:04 am
pogre ogre baby says:
is Bertrand:
a) a 4.5 bargain who will get a regular slot at chelski
b) a 4.5 bench zombie
?
September 13 at 9:09 am
Mezz says:
c) He’ll play the odd game
September 13 at 9:09 am
Doosra - "Loyalty is the handmaiden to success" - A Noble Quote says:
a), I hope!
September 13 at 9:12 am
GreenWindmill says:
d) he’ll repeatedly get 30 minute cameos earning you 1 point.
September 13 at 9:13 am
Scroobius Mac says:
I don’t see how people think he can get a regular slot. Unless Cole gets injured long-term the most you can hope for is 15 starts and a bunch of 1 pointers – and I think that’s the very upper limit of optimism too.
September 13 at 9:20 am
Nick says:
c) a 1 pointer machine
September 13 at 9:22 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
I believe this is his season. I think Cole will decline faster than we expect, primarily injuries but also form. He still won’t play enough to make him totally worth getting IMO. In between a and b.
September 13 at 9:04 am
Taxi for Maicon says:
Is Jenkinson (Arsenal) still expected to be in the starting line-up? I’m looking for cover whilst Simpson is out and I don’t particularly want to start Cuellar or Figueroa GW4.
September 13 at 9:07 am
Mezz says:
While Sagna is still recovering from his broken leg, Jenkinson will cover.
September 13 at 9:08 am
DonTheSpecialOne - Ken Bates is a money grabbing prick says:
Nice grav
September 13 at 9:08 am
Taxi for Maicon says:
Sweet
September 13 at 9:08 am
Scroobius Mac says:
Start Cuellar.
September 13 at 9:09 am
Taxi for Maicon says:
Yeah seen a few people saying that, might go for it.
September 13 at 9:08 am
Pasqualinho says:
Absolutely. Sagna’s only just started training so we won’t see him in September – maybe a cameo 5 mins but that’s it. I wouldn’t turn my nose up at Cuellar, though – fairly confident starting him at home to Liverpool.
September 13 at 9:11 am
Taxi for Maicon says:
Just because your avatar is Joe Pasquale, I’ll start Cuellar and save my FT.
September 13 at 9:13 am
Pasqualinho says:
That must be one of the strangest reasons for team selection ever – but always a bonus if you can save a transfer. With half a million plus Wildcarders this week that’s no mean feat.
September 13 at 9:16 am
Brian (Not the Messiah) says:
where do you see how many wildcarders there are?
September 13 at 9:20 am
Taxi for Maicon says:
It’s tough, but first you have to play chess with real life chess pieces, and then catch some sort of key that floats, and then get past a big dog by playing the flute.
September 13 at 9:21 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
The drugs clearly DO work
September 13 at 9:20 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Status page
September 13 at 9:08 am
Stollybakken says:
So I was just trying to set up a team with heavy investment at the back, to get it not-so-generic. I’m on a wildcard.
Foster, Jussi
Baines, Vermaelen, Ivanovic, Demel, Clyne
Hazard, Michu, Pienaar, Maloney, Guthrie
RVP, Tevez, Lambert
1.6m in the bank, so Guthrie, for example, could in magic ways be turned into a 6.0mid
Any opinions?
September 13 at 9:10 am
Stollybakken says:
I have Begovic, and not Jussi.
September 13 at 9:22 am
Pasqualinho says:
You’ve managed your cash well – some may say the defence is too strong but it’s given you a reasonably generic looking team (not a bad thing, I must add) but with a differential of loading up at the back. I think this may be an advantage over the herd. Good luck with it.
September 13 at 9:33 am
Stollybakken says:
Could maybe change it from
Baines, Guthrie, Begovic to
Rafael, McClean, Mignolet.
Would then have 0.6 in the bank. Who would you prefer of Adam Johnson/McClean?
September 13 at 9:15 am
Brian (Not the Messiah) says:
3 captaincy options isn’t bad I guess…
September 13 at 9:30 am
Brian (Not the Messiah) says:
oh, and I think I would drop ivanovic for a cheapie and have 3 that rotate 1 spot. 2 bench warming defenders is pointless.
September 13 at 9:39 am
Stollybakken says:
Im not agreeing on the pointless-part, really. It seems on this site that you have to rotate 3 of 5 defenders. The 2 benchwarmers dont take any money from the budget either, and I would rather have 3 players to play week in, week out, than take a lottery ticket to find out which one of my three low-budget-defenders who are gonna give me 1 or 2 points that given week.
But thanks for the contribution!
September 13 at 9:11 am
DonTheSpecialOne - Ken Bates is a money grabbing prick says:
Did the stupidest choice last GW, Cazorla -> Kagawa for a hit. Considering swapping them back, without the hit this time. Thoughts lads?
September 13 at 9:18 am
Nick says:
Go for it.
September 13 at 9:22 am
DonTheSpecialOne - Ken Bates is a money grabbing prick says:
Thankssss, mate
September 13 at 9:32 am
beric says:
Do it. But you should be ashamed of yourself
September 13 at 9:34 am
DonTheSpecialOne - Ken Bates is a money grabbing prick says:
HAHA. This^
September 13 at 9:12 am
Taxi for Maicon says:
Anyone feel Pienaar is becoming a £6.5 waste of space?
Are there better options for the next 4/5 GW’s?
September 13 at 9:14 am
daisybcfc says:
no.
September 13 at 9:17 am
Taxi for Maicon says:
No waste of space or no better options?
September 13 at 9:39 am
daisybcfc says:
over the season he’ll pull in more points than most 6.5m midfielders.
September 13 at 9:14 am
FORCA INTER says:
i am going with baines+jelavic and morrison as cheap midflider
i also consider mcclean
September 13 at 9:15 am
Taxi for Maicon says:
Just looking at Morrisson – Very tempting as that gives me .7 to improve my defence.
September 13 at 9:16 am
FORCA INTER says:
fantastic run of fixures and good form
September 13 at 9:19 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Can’t believe I was short of FPL stuff to read this international break when this site was staring me in the face the whole time:
http://premierleaguefantasy.blogspot.in/
September 13 at 9:20 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
The newest two articles are both extremely relevant.
September 13 at 9:23 am
Taxi for Maicon says:
Clean sheet rankings for GW4 looks interesting
September 13 at 9:23 am
Brian (Not the Messiah) says:
The number of FPL tip sites around now is a joke! I’m not sure there are enough visitors to go around!
September 13 at 9:24 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Luckily this guy is an old schooler. It’s Chris Glover, he’s an FFS guest writer!
September 13 at 9:24 am
Billy Ketsu - Another World League for supporters of Non-Premier teams - 30555-258766 says:
I like Wigan being 4th. on that chart.
September 13 at 9:26 am
Kostja says:
ITs a great read especially the shots in the box article. But one thing is funny this guy has like 150 pts total right now
. He had a real bad first 2 weeks finished under 100 with first 2.
September 13 at 9:28 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
lol I was gonna say. I did sneak a look at his FPL page and he’s like 937k. BUT his history is impressive. Two top 10k finishes in the last 5 years.
September 13 at 9:33 am
Kostja says:
yeah not reading anything into this he basically got all the unlucky players for the first 2 GW. He got like 83 pts with first 2, that was just hilarious
September 13 at 9:34 am
Daniel says:
shhhhh…
September 13 at 9:45 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Hahahaha it’s all out…
September 13 at 9:22 am
Brian (Not the Messiah) says:
so… I think I’m finally settled on my WC team!
I’m not sure how well I’ll do GW4, but I think its a good general setup until xmas WC.
Foster-Jussi keeper combo is bothering me for some reason… would a Vorm – 4.0 (and change Vorm to Szczesny when the fixtures change) not be a better option?
September 13 at 9:24 am
In Like Flynn says:
I’m sure you know better than to have a non playing second keeper Brian.
September 13 at 9:27 am
Brian (Not the Messiah) says:
sorry sir…
September 13 at 9:27 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Murphy’s Law is very relevant to picking a 4.0 keeper.
September 13 at 9:27 am
Brian (Not the Messiah) says:
yeah fair enough… non playing player is silly silly silly…
September 13 at 9:31 am
beric says:
Foster – Begovic?
September 13 at 9:37 am
Anurag Khetan - Ain't Got A Kalou says:
+1
September 13 at 9:42 am
In Like Flynn says:
Apart from GW8 I like it. It’s what I’ve gone for.
September 13 at 9:27 am
beric says:
Todays the day I move to London
September 13 at 9:28 am
Brian (Not the Messiah) says:
whereabouts you moving to?
September 13 at 9:30 am
beric says:
East Ham, I think it’s called. East anyway, near Docklands (I think) – I don’t know my way around London yet!
September 13 at 9:36 am
MartinUnreal says:
I believe it is directly opposite to West Ham (thank me later)
September 13 at 9:39 am
beric says:
Yeah I am really near the Hammers, sadly my team won’t be coming up against them this year
September 13 at 9:43 am
MartinUnreal says:
I take it you’re a Birmingham supporter?
September 13 at 9:44 am
beric says:
Oh yes. So I’ll have a ffew away games to catch this year!
September 13 at 9:32 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Congrats Beric!
How much do you already know about London? I lived there for 3 years. There are too many things to say, but if I was to spout the first and most urgent random tips off the top of my head… transport is a ripoff, get a railcard and have it linked to your Oyster card. It saves you 1/3 on many journeys… DON’T DO NIGHT BUSES… don’t use the circle line. Ever.
September 13 at 9:34 am
beric says:
I’ve spent a fair bit of time there, but not lived there. Yeah, not looking forward to travel costs, I have a railcard, need to look into getting it linked to the Oyster card, cheers for the tip!
September 13 at 9:34 am
Brian (Not the Messiah) says:
and only use the district line if you really have to!
September 13 at 9:36 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Yeah and don’t fall asleep on it. You’ll end up in a terminus somewhere which most people wouldn’t even call London. You also drop off the edge of the earth…
September 13 at 9:36 am
The Stock says:
Worst line there is.
September 13 at 9:36 am
beric says:
I live on the DLR
September 13 at 9:36 am
beric says:
will be living*
September 13 at 9:37 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Nice, you’re sorted then. It’s not that fast and it feels a bit like a kid’s train set but it does the job!
If you are living near Docklands it is quite a nice area! Nice catch!
September 13 at 9:39 am
beric says:
That’s exactly where I am
September 13 at 9:41 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
There are floating chinese restaurants in the river and stuff. Really lovely at night.
September 13 at 9:41 am
Pasqualinho says:
I’m not so sure, Isacki. Using the circle line is ESSENTIAL for the Circle Line pub crawl. Other than then, it’s good advice.
September 13 at 9:44 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Correction gratefully received, the only time anyone should ever use the circle line is for the circle line pub crawl.
We can’t possibly be talking about the same pub cral can we. Not the Imperial College Medics Pub Crawl in the spring?
September 13 at 9:58 am
Pasqualinho says:
I don’t think so – but can you get me an invite? I have a nurse’s uniform.
September 13 at 9:32 am
DonTheSpecialOne - Ken Bates is a money grabbing prick says:
Congrats Beric! Did you know that about sixteen percent of the UK’s restaurants are located in London, and there are more Michelin-rated restaurants in London than in any city except for Paris?
September 13 at 9:34 am
beric says:
I actually did know this as it was on a repeat of QI I watched the other week!
September 13 at 9:37 am
DonTheSpecialOne - Ken Bates is a money grabbing prick says:
Haha, nice!!
September 13 at 9:52 am
GreenWindmill says:
Tokyo?
September 13 at 9:34 am
Nitin Nagaraja says:
Packing done?
September 13 at 9:35 am
beric says:
Mostly, I gotta come back to Birmingham in a week to help my frail old Ma clear out her spare room, so will finish the job then. EXCITED MAN
September 13 at 9:39 am
Nitin Nagaraja says:
Good luck!
September 13 at 9:40 am
beric says:
Thanks buddy!
September 13 at 9:40 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
I was born in Birmingham QE2 hospital and lived in Quinton! I always have time for Brummies. Wonderful people!
September 13 at 9:42 am
beric says:
I was born there too! And live just North of Quinton for another 45minutes!
September 13 at 9:42 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Yeah we did go on trips to the Black Country occasionally in my childhood…
September 13 at 9:43 am
beric says:
I can’t wait to not come to the Black Country ever again. Eurgh.
September 13 at 9:46 am
Doosra - "Loyalty is the handmaiden to success" - A Noble Quote says:
All that stuff about the tube is crap. It works very well, on the whole.
September 13 at 9:36 am
EpicFAIL - AVFC <3 says:
Sell out.
September 13 at 9:38 am
beric says:
September 13 at 9:40 am
EpicFAIL - AVFC <3 says:
haha no problem, Im a sell out too. Am now living in Sheffield permanently.
Enjoy yourself down there.
September 13 at 9:43 am
beric says:
Cheers! Enjoy yourself up there!
September 13 at 9:46 am
Doosra - "Loyalty is the handmaiden to success" - A Noble Quote says:
How close is your address to Stratford?
September 13 at 9:33 am
Crouch Potato says:
Very good morning folks, snippet of news, Reading winger Jimmy Kebe could make his comeback from torn hamstring on Sept 22 v WBA.
September 13 at 9:38 am
DonTheSpecialOne - Ken Bates is a money grabbing prick says:
Morning, Mr. Potato
September 13 at 9:38 am
beric says:
Oooo, my B7 team is listening…
September 13 at 9:40 am
Crouch Potato says:
Hey times are hard, shouldn’t you be packing or something?
September 13 at 9:45 am
beric says:
I should actually. Got a few bits to do and my lift will be here soon
September 13 at 9:37 am
Brian (Not the Messiah) says:
is it crazy to double up on swans midfield?
September 13 at 9:38 am
EpicFAIL - AVFC <3 says:
I’d rather spread the risk, but you can’t argue with their form.
September 13 at 9:40 am
DonTheSpecialOne - Ken Bates is a money grabbing prick says:
Wouldn’t say so, Ok fixtures, but you should be aware that the Swans-bubble will burst in GW 9
September 13 at 9:42 am
daisybcfc says:
yes. lots of good players out there, what 2 you thinking of?
September 13 at 9:42 am
daisybcfc says:
i have 2 but i wish i didnt.
September 13 at 9:46 am
MartinUnreal says:
It would be madness to put a swan anywhere near a football team but if you insist…
But seriously, I think one of Michu/Dyer is enough, the disappointment of having both scoring 2 points one week would be too much.
September 13 at 9:42 am
FORCA INTER says:
it would be nice to see RVP benched this week
Vc pick will be way more funnier and people wont score around same score
September 13 at 9:42 am
Berbilly Gilmore - Nuevo Gerente del Betis says:
New post http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....-on-diaby/
September 13 at 1:48 pm
reece says:
Any tips? Wildcard active.
Foster (begovic)
Baines, demel, jenkinson (Hughes,cuellar)
Morrison, hazard, cazorla, dyer, sahin
RVP, Tevez (lambert)
I know I’m taking a risk with sahin but think he’s gonna make an impact on Liverpool.
September 13 at 1:54 pm
reece says:
0.4 in bank