Frisking the Fixtures – Gameweek 23
Filed under: Frisking the Fixtures - Posted by: Paul
Our regular look at the upcoming schedules, taking in the next four to six Gameweeks, is rolled out once again. Arsenal and West Ham’s appeal is boosted by their imminent doubles and, while the likes of Swansea and City have reason to be cheerful, the bottom two are faced with a rough road to see them into the new year. With the season tickers freshly updated, let’s glance at what’s on offer…
The Strong
Swansea
Michael Laudrup’s side have three strong home games in the next six to take advantage of, as Stoke, QPR and Newcastle all roll up to the Liberty. While trips to Sunderland and West Ham could also be potentially prosperous, Swansea’s upcoming cup schedule suggests rest and rotation is likely to play a part in their manager’s thoughts; Wednesday’s FA Cup replay at Arsenal is the start of a run of games which sees them play five times in 17 days – a win at the Emirates would add another fixture to that congested schedule.
Nevertheless, this won’t dent our faith in Michu’s abilities to produce the goods, while Pablo Hernandez offers a cheaper, if far less explosive, option in the Swans’ midfield – he has scored or assisted in six of his last 10 appearances. At the back, Swansea have been particularly impressive on the road; they have conceded just two goals in their last trips, highlighting the appeal of 4.2 priced Ben Davies. Intriguingly, Angel Rangel was fielded on the right of the attacking midfield three at Everton on Saturday, though it’s likely this was a temporary measure brought on by Laudrup’s need for rotation and the ploy to shackle the Steven Pienaar/Leighton Baines combination.
Arsenal
Look beyond the upcoming double Gameweek and the fixtures continue to smile kindly on Arsene Wenger’s side. Arsenal are set for a run of four home games in the next five (che & WHM, LIV, STO, sun, AVL) suggesting that their Fantasy assets can be held for the next few Gameweeks. A home loss against City was hardly helped by Laurent Koscielny’s early dismissal and Wenger will be optimistic of recovering; his side had dropped just two points in the last five prior to City’s arrival on Sunday.
Kieran Gibbs’ attacking potential will be snapped up by plenty – the left-back’s five assists have kept the likes of Thomas Vermaelen and Bacary Sagna firmly in the shade, though Wojciech Szczesny comes in cheaper in FPL and affords an alternative option at the back. Theo Walcott is the most wanted Gunner heading into the double – the “out of position” midfielder has earned significant investment already, while Santi Cazorla offers a costlier alternative with the potential of similarly explosive returns. Lukas Podolski looks the only forward worth investing in here; although his appeal is somewhat tempered by a role on the left of the attacking midfield three, the German is next in line for spot-kicks in light of Mikel Arteta’s calf injury, according to Wenger.
West Ham
Sam Allardyce’s side will be licking their wounds after a 3-0 defeat at Sunderland but a double against QPR and Arsenal is expected to earn the Hammers plenty new Fantasy investment. With games against Fulham, Swansea and Villa also on their short-term agenda, the fixture list certainly looks kindly on the Upton Park outfit – whether they have the form to produce is another matter entirely.
With James Collins ruled out due to a calf injury and Joey O’Brien still struggling to overcome a hamstring problem, the Hammers potential for clean sheets is diminished – Jussi Jaaskelainen has save points to fall back on should his side concede, while Guy Demel’s 4.0 price tag should see more Fantasy managers snapping up his services. Kevin Nolan remains their top scorer despite netting once from Gameweek 9 onwards, while an influx of new forwards – in addition to the possible return of Andy Carroll – makes the lone striker role impossible to call, though Marouane Chamakh will miss the game with parent club Arsenal due to the conditions of his loan deal. Joe Cole has started both games since returning to the club from Liverpool and his 5.6 price tag could appeal to those intent on a mid-price punt.
Man City
Buoyed by their weekend win at the Emirates, Roberto Mancini’s side are handed a potentially prosperous schedule over the next six in their attempt to rein in United at the top of the table. City play host to Fulham this weekend and while Liverpool and Chelsea also pay visit, trips to QPR, Southampton and Villa hold plenty promise. Up top, much depends on the return of Sergio Aguero – the Argentine missed last weekend’s trip to Arsenal with a hamstring injury but had started 11 of the previous 12. If he’s fit, Aguero looks nailed-on, with Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tevez battling it out for the remaining forward slot, though Dzeko has certainly staked a claim with four goals over the last three matches. Despite supplying a pair of assists at the Emirates, Tevez continues to frustrate in front of goal with a single strike from Gameweek 13 onwards.
David Silva is the obvious option in midfield but with one goal all season, he’s struggling to replicate last season’s form, while at the back, City await the results of an appeal to overturn the red card received by Vincent Kompany on Sunday. While this is likely to promote Joleon Lescott as a short-term investment, Matija Nastasic looks more secure – he has started 12 of the last 14 and offers a mid-price appeal at 5.6, though Pablo Zabaleta comes in at 6.0 and offers far greater attacking potential than the teenage centre-half.
Also Consider
Wigan – A point at the Cottage helps steer Roberto Martinez’s men into a run of three Gameweeks that could well seem them calm their immediate relegation worries. Home encounters with Sunderland and Southampton, with a trip to Stoke in between, looks a crucial spell for the Latics. With the away trip to Stamford Bridge the only major test in the next five, Fantasy managers may be glancing at the Wigan squad, with Emmerson Boyce, Shaun Maloney and even Franco Di Santo deserving of some interest.
Sunderland – a comfortable home win over West Ham will boost the Black Cats’ confidence ahead of a strong run of fixtures as Martin O’Neill’s side begin to climb the table. Sunderland travel to Wigan and Reading in the next three and over the upcoming six, welcome Swansea, Arsenal and Fulham to Wearside. Those home games, in particular, will be earmarked for points by O’Neill – four clean sheets in the last six at the Stadium of Light highlight Simon Mignolet’s worth, while Adam Johnson has now scored or assisted in four of his last five at home, offering an attacking alternative to the likes of Stephane Sessegnon and Steven Fletcher.
Stoke – Tony Pulis’ side are afforded the chance to bounce back from the loss of their unbeaten home record against Chelsea last weekend. Three enticing home fixtures in the next six (WIG, RDG, WHM) look potentially profitable for the likes of Asmir Begovic and Ryan Shawcross, while Kenwyne Jones will be looking to continue the form that has produced attacking returns in four of his last five at the Britannia. With trips to Swansea and Fulham also on the agenda, Pulis will be desperate for a reaction after seeing his side collect just one point and concede 10 times in the previous three.
Everton – the Toffees have three enticing home fixtures in the next six (WBA, AVL, RDG) in addition to trips to Southampton and Norwich as David Moyes’ side looks to push on from their current fifth placed position. A first clean sheet since Gameweek 5 bolsters Leighton Baines’ potential of returns at both ends of the pitch, while Marouane Fellaini’s mid-price appeal continues to reap rewards. Nikica Jelavic has been afforded plenty chances in recent games and could pick up the points if he rediscovers the scoring touch that has deserted him of late.
The Weak
Southampton
Any Fantasy managers who loaded up on the Saints for the double Gameweek 22 will be wary of their next four. Nigel Adkins’ side now square up to three of the top five, with home clashes against Everton and City in addition to a trip to Old Trafford – a visit to Wigan offers the Saints some respite, however. While Rickie Lambert’s owners will be a little concerned, the 6.3 priced forward has already scored against both Manchester clubs this term, while Adkins’ side have been impressive at the back in recent matches, conceding more than a single goal in just one of their last 11 league games.
West Brom
The Baggies will be deflated after Saturday’s late collapse at the Madejski and now face three of the top five in the next six, in addition to a trip to Liverpool. Home fixtures against Villa and Sunderland offer potential of points for the in-form Romelu Lukaku but a single clean sheet in their last 12 is worrying for owners of Ben Foster and Liam Ridgewell, with defensive returns looking less promising for Steve Clarke’s side as he looks to arrest a run of three back-to-back defeats.
Fulham
It’s just two wins and a single clean sheet in the last 14 for Martin Jol’s side – a real concern as they face up to both Manchester clubs in two of the next three Gameweeks. The Cottagers also host Stoke and make their way to Sunderland and Norwich over the upcoming six; fixtures that are far from straightforward. Owners of Dimitar Berbatov and Bryan Ruiz will be worried after both dropped deeper at the weekend – the Bulgarian moved to “the hole” in order to accommodate Mladen Petric up front, while Ruiz was fielded in central midfield due to the absence of both Steve Sidwell and Momo Diarra.
Also Be Wary Of
Reading – Brian McDermott’s side showed plenty resilience to battle back and beat West Brom on Saturday but trips to Newcastle, Stoke and Everton in the next six could see them struggle. With a home game against Chelsea also thrown in, the Royals will likely be reliant on the visit of Sunderland and Wigan to boost their chances of survival – Pavel Pogrebnyak’s run of a goal in each of the last three will be firmly put to the test.
QPR – four points and back-to-back clean sheets from games against Chelsea and Spurs highlight the upturn in fortunes under Harry Redknapp but the R’s upcoming schedule continues to look decidedly dodgy. The next five Gameweeks pits them against United and City and also sees them travel to West Ham and Swansea – with two goals scored in the last five, Redknapp will likely rely on the heroics of Julio Cesar in his attempt to climb the table, though Adel Taarabt has proved something of a bonus magnet in recent games. The Moroccan has picked up nine bonus in the last six Gameweeks and with two goals and an assist also thrown in, has produced 35 FPL points over that run.
About The Author
paul
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“I understand you don't consider Dempsey a striker. He has developed into playing in different positions, but for me he is a pure striker. ”
Andre Villas-Boas reveals his views on Clint Dempsey's best position.
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January 14 at 10:09 pm
NickyKids says:
Yo peeps, Walks > Gibbs with my FT. No West Ham (I don’t really see the worth for a hit) Was going to play Sterling over Punch but the concerns over gametime might leave me to play Punch, plus it’s televised innit
Everything OK?
Bego (Bunn)
Baines Walker Luiz Davies Shorey
Mata Theo Michu Sterling Punch
RVP Suarez Pod
0.6 in the kitty
January 14 at 10:20 pm
NickyKids says:
Super Dunny has the same issues as me so I’ll just hijack his replies
January 14 at 10:10 pm
SuperDunny says:
Team at the moment for GW23 (Bank = £0.6m, 1 free transfer):
Foster(AVL)
Azpilicueta(ARS) Santon(RDG) Demel(QPR/ars)
Walcott(che/WHU) Sterling(NOR) Bale(MUN) Mata(ARS)
Suarez(NOR) Van Persie(tot) Ba(ARS)
Bench – Begovic, Taarabt, Nelsen, Hangeland
Only 2 DGW players at present. Best course of action for this week?
a) Azpilicueta > Gibbs
b) Bale/Mata > Cazorla
c) Ba > Podolski
d) Two of the above for -4
e) 2 DGWers is enough, save a transfer
January 14 at 10:12 pm
Chazza says:
I have the same doublers as you and I think they are enough. Arsenal aren’t on form.
January 14 at 10:13 pm
SuperDunny says:
I shouldn’t have really put e) as an option because i plan to wildcard next GW so there is no chance i will be saving a transfer
January 14 at 10:17 pm
Chazza says:
Ah right, then I suppose you’d want Bale or Ba out for a week and probably a doubler in. I personally can’t see Bale getting anything this week so I’d do Bale to Cazorla.
January 14 at 10:13 pm
Wild Rover says:
f) Sterling to Cole..
c) If you can get them back easily
January 14 at 10:15 pm
SuperDunny says:
Why get rid of Sterling? Norwich at Anfield is a decent fixture and he scored in his last game there. He will of course be gone when i WC but thought he was ok to start this week
January 14 at 10:16 pm
Wild Rover says:
He looks like he has run (literally) out of ideas. Can see him benched again
January 14 at 10:19 pm
NickyKids says:
I think there’s a definite possibility. Tempted to just play Jase over him – plus it’ll be some succour for when Bainesy’s CS goes
January 14 at 10:20 pm
SuperDunny says:
Bit too much of a leap of faith to get Joe Cole for me
January 14 at 10:21 pm
Wild Rover says:
Wish me luck!
January 14 at 10:22 pm
SuperDunny says:
January 14 at 10:16 pm
SuperDunny says:
You reckon it’s necessary to get Ba back if i sell him? I don’t really. Rotation with Torres is gonna be too much of a ball ache i think
January 14 at 10:17 pm
Wild Rover says:
Sorry, I mean’t b)
January 14 at 10:21 pm
SuperDunny says:
ah ok. I may just ignore Cazorla and get Bale & Mata. I will lose money whoever i sell and they could both outscore Cazorla anyway
January 14 at 10:21 pm
SuperDunny says:
*keep Bale & Mata
January 14 at 10:22 pm
Wild Rover says:
I agree, I did Bale to Walcott but didn’t cost me anything
January 14 at 10:13 pm
NickyKids says:
Personally I would do a) and leave it there
I’ve got Podolski – it could really be boom or bust with him. It’s whether you want to take the risk.
January 14 at 10:25 pm
SuperDunny says:
Cheers. Looks like a) is the way forward
January 14 at 10:15 pm
Spencer says:
a) looks good to me
January 14 at 10:15 pm
Jonny says:
Same doublers for me, and I’m doing either (a) or (e)
January 14 at 10:17 pm
SuperDunny says:
I think a) is my likely route this week as well
January 14 at 10:18 pm
1966 was a great year for English football - Eric was born says:
a) is the sensible move, b) could get you a monster haul though.
January 14 at 10:24 pm
SuperDunny says:
So hard to know who to sell out of Mata and Bale. Both are at home, in decent form (Mata especially) and could easily put up a double figure score next weekend. Assuming i do a) i’m not sure getting Cazorla in for either will be worth a 4 point hit
January 14 at 10:27 pm
NickyKids says:
Santi does seem a bit jaded and below par at the moment. Probs could do with a rest. I have Mata and would love to have Bale as well (will do after WC). Stick with those two
January 14 at 10:31 pm
NickyKids says:
Good luck with your choice! I’m bringing Gibbs in – 3 Gunners will do (for) me
January 14 at 10:10 pm
JamesT2525 says:
Which would you rather:
A. Midfield of Mata, Bale, Walcott, Michu and Fellani with Suarez and Cisse/Other up top
B: Midfield of Michu, Fellani, Walcott and 2 other mid priced mid fielders and have RVP and Berba up top
January 14 at 10:12 pm
TeddiPonza says:
The Midfield in A and the strikeforce in B. Downgrade your defenders if you have too.
January 14 at 10:11 pm
TeddiPonza says:
Who will score more points next gameweek:
A. Podolski
B. Nolan
January 14 at 10:22 pm
Dante says:
Pod.
January 14 at 10:11 pm
lfcserg says:
This is my team
Begovic – Bunn
Ivanovic – Cole – Davies – DEMEL – Gunter
Mata – Bale – Michu – Fellaini – Puncheon
RVP – Suarez – Lambert
I need dgw coverage
Should I:
A) Bale -> Walcott and Cole -> Gibbs for a 4pt hit
B) Bale -> Walcott and Puncheon -> J.Cole for a 4pt hit
January 14 at 10:11 pm
lfcserg says:
+ i will do my transfers after midweek games
January 14 at 10:13 pm
Spencer says:
A out of those for me. I think you’ll want to keep Puncheon long term as your cheap midfielder.
January 14 at 10:11 pm
BigAndy_79 says:
Guys,
Who do I transfer:
A) Ba to Lukaku
B) Collins to Demel
C) Azpil to Gibbs
Or do two and take -4 ?
January 14 at 10:11 pm
The Parmtree says:
A new page and a flurry of RMT’s…
#TypicalFFS
January 14 at 10:12 pm
alsybach says:
what were you expecting a recipe for ginger cakes……….???
January 14 at 10:16 pm
The Parmtree says:
Yes.
How to cook perfect ginger cake
For all its south-east Asian origins, ginger seems to me a very northern spice, its sweet heat perfectly attuned to the privations of a dull British winter. A whisky mac to cure a cold, a slab of parkin round the bonfire, a pocketful of gingernuts to cheer up a damp walk: all these things really ought to be available on the NHS from October to April.
Appropriately, then, ginger has a long history here: introduced by the Romans (who apparently prized it more for medicinal than culinary purposes), it enjoyed quite extraordinary popularity in Anglo Saxon and medieval times; the Oxford Companion to Food claims that, in the later middle ages “it was almost as common in England as pepper”.
By the 18th century, however, the flamboyant flavours of the British table had become as subdued as our revolutionary spirit, and ginger was relegated to the biscuit tin. And while I’m intrigued by the idea of the pungent, garlicky, gingery sauces for meat beloved of the medieval palate, I can’t in all honesty regret the invention of such delights as the modern ginger cake. Vaguely medicinal, and rib-stickingly, well, sticky, it’s gloomy Sunday teatime in a big sugary slab.
Fresh, dry, crystallised or candied?
David Lebovitz recipe ginger cake. Photograph: Felicity Cloake
The most important ingredient in ginger cake is, of course, the spice itself. Most recipes call for ginger powder, but David Lebovitz eschews the dried stuff entirely in his aptly named fresh ginger cake, preferring instead to use a hefty 115g of fresh root. Until I taste the finished product, I’m inclined to agree with his assessment that this is “an overload” of ginger – for someone with a fondness for a McVities Jamaica Ginger cake the “spicy zing” is just too delicate.
Delia also uses fresh ginger in her preserved ginger cake, beefed up with the eponymous preserved ginger in the form of stem and ground, and a good couple of tablespoons of spicy syrup from the stem ginger jar for good measure. This one has a more distinctive, well-rounded gingery flavour, and the chopped pieces of stem ginger give the cake a more interesting texture, but again, there’s no heat there. Otherwise, it’s a jolly fine cake – Delia describes it as “quite simply my favourite” and I’m not surprised. Rich and buttery, it just lacks a bit of oomph.
Geraldene Holt recipe ginger cake. Photograph: Felicity Cloake
Geraldene Holt also goes for the multi-gingered approach in the “truly ginger cake” recipe in Geraldene Holt’s Cakes (first published in 1980, and recently reissued by Prospect, this is an absolute gem of a baking book), adding chopped candied ginger as well as the fresh and powdered sort. I like this even better, firstly because candied ginger adds a pleasant crunch, and secondly because she uses an awful lot of all of it. Here’s a cake with real spice.
Constance Spry, meanwhile, sticks to the basic ground stuff in her boiled ginger cake, as do the other two recipes I try. Although, with enough of it, as proved by the Ripon ginger cake contributed by a Mr Herbert M Bower to Florence White’s 1932 collection, Good Things in England, there’s no danger of dry ginger fading into the background, it seems dustily one-dimensional without the fresh sort. Ginger cake demands both the pepperiness of the dried form, and the “zing” of the fresh root for absolute perfection.
Sweet stuff
Constance Spry recipe ginger cake. Photograph: Felicity Cloake
With the ginger aspect of things sorted (much and various will be my watchwords), it’s time to turn to the other principal ingredient – sugar. Ginger cakes divide into two main camps: dark and sticky … and golden and sticky. The former tend to deploy substantial amounts of treacle, as in Geraldene Holt, Mr Bower and Constance Spry’s recipes, while the others generally opt for golden syrup (see what I mean about the stickiness?) and white or golden sugar.
I’m torn: I find treacle, or molasses syrup, as used by Delia, rather overpowering, but equally, a blonde, spongy cake seems criminally unseasonal: ginger and dark sugar go together like rum and smugglers. (In fact, put them all together and you’ll have a hell of an evening on your hands.) As Geraldene Holt’s cake has won my heart, flavour-wise, I decided to include her dark muscovado sugar, but replace the treacle with golden syrup instead: still sticky, but less bitter than its more assertive relative.
Method
David Herbert recipe ginger cake. Photograph: Felicity Cloake
Both Constance Spry’s and David Herbert’s creations are boiled cakes – which, as I discovered during my Christmas cake period, sadly doesn’t mean the entire thing is boiled rather than baked, but simply that the butter and sugar are heated together, before they are combined with the other ingredients. With the exception of David Lebovitz, the others all go for the more common creaming method, where the butter and sugar are beaten together before the eggs and flour are folded in.
The boiled cakes, such as Lebovitz’s, which uses oil in place of butter, are all surprisingly moist, fluffy and light, but I think the strong flavour of ginger needs grounding with the denser, heavier crumb you can only get with the creaming method. Boiled cakes are often touted as quicker and easier, but as long as you have an electric beater or a food mixer, this is no longer true. Hurrah for technology, eh?
Extra ingredients
Herbert Bower’s Ripon ginger ‘cake’. Photograph: Felicity Cloake
Mr Bower adds oatmeal to his cake. Unfortunately it strikes me, as I begin to mix up his recipe, having lined the tin and heated the oven, that it’s actually not a cake at all, despite the name, but gingerbread, a distinction perhaps less strict in 1930s Yorkshire. And so it proves, when it comes out of the oven, some two hours later. In fact, the baking instructions have also been lost in translation because it’s definitely overcooked: a crumbly peppery gingerbread quite out of place in this array of juicy, fluffy spice. Sorry Herbert, I haven’t really done you proud at all.
Ginger isn’t enough for many of these recipes: Geraldene Holt includes cinnamon, David Herbert mixed spice, and David Lebovitz an appropriately medieval mixture of cloves, cinnamon and black pepper. These all work well together, but I’m single-minded in my pursuit of a clean, fierce gingery flavour: anything else is a mere distraction.
Spry and Delia Smith both use ground almonds in the cake mixture, while she and Geraldene Holt fold in dried fruit: Spry raisins, Herbert chopped prunes and mixed peel. All of these things, combined with the dark, stickiness of the cake itself, are rather too reminiscent of Christmas cake for my liking. Save the dried fruit for the Dundee, or the Genoa: ginger cake needs none of it.
Finishing touches
Delia Smith recipe ginger cake. Photograph: Felicity Cloake
To finish his cake, David Herbert drizzles it with ginger syrup, while Delia opts for a simple lemon icing. Much as I love syrup, my cake is quite sticky enough already, and the crackle of biting into proper icing is too wonderful to resist. Because I’m a purist, I’ve gone for a ginger icing instead, using ginger wine, as suggested by Diana Henry in quite another cake entirely, and stuck a slug of the wine into the cake mix as well for good measure. Keep it simple. Embrace the ginger. It can only make you feel better.
Perfect ginger cake
Felicity’s perfect ginger cake. Photograph: Felicity Cloake
100g butter, plus extra to grease
100g dark muscovado sugar
175g self-raising flour
4 tsp ground ginger
175g golden syrup
3 tbsp ginger wine
2 free-range eggs, beaten
Walnut-sized piece of fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
150g candied ginger, finely chopped
75g icing sugar
1 piece of stem ginger, to decorate
1. Preheat the oven to 160C and grease and line a 23cm loaf tin. Cream together the butter and sugar with a pinch of salt until fluffy. Sift together the flour and ground ginger.
2. Pour in the golden syrup (the easiest way to handle the syrup is with a lightly greased spoon and a silicone spatula) and 1 tbsp wine and mix to combine.
3. Beat in the eggs, a little at a time, then gradually mix in the flour. Finally, stir through the fresh and candied ginger and spoon into the prepared tin. Level the top and bake for about 50–60 minutes until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
4. Allow to cool in the tin. When it’s completely cool, make the icing by mixing together the icing sugar and remaining ginger wine and drizzle over the top of the cake. Slice the stem ginger thinly and arrange down the centre of the cake.
Is ginger the king of winter cakes, or do you have another favourite companion for a cup of tea at this time of year? And what are your other favourite ginger recipes, both sweet and savoury?
January 14 at 10:17 pm
King Eric - I don't know ... And neither do you. says:
Fook … beat me to it.
January 14 at 10:17 pm
The Parmtree says:
January 14 at 10:18 pm
Ginkapo-Rule No.1: wwkd? says:
Yours didnt take up four pages
January 14 at 10:17 pm
Captain Shirokov says:
Nice.
January 14 at 10:17 pm
★FC Borecelona★ says:
January 14 at 10:18 pm
Malcolm Tucker for England Manager says:
Let’s be avin ya. We need a twelfth man out here.
Now where’s my fackin cooking sherry?
January 14 at 10:15 pm
Malcolm Tucker for England Manager says:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/reci.....cake_51697
January 14 at 10:18 pm
alsybach says:
this is more like it boys!!!
January 14 at 10:16 pm
King Eric - I don't know ... And neither do you. says:
Butter, for coating the pan
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for coating the pan
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
3/4 cup light (or mild) molasses, such as Grandma’s
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup water
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup packed (peeled and minced) fresh ginger (from about 1 [5-inch] piece)
2 large eggs, lightly beaten, at room temperature
Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Whipped cream, for serving (optional)
January 14 at 10:19 pm
Zinedine Kilbane says:
My one gripe with this page, once then new comments set up is introduced it will r massive improvement. Will be good to keep all the repetitive RMT posts in one place and actually get to discuss the article in another
January 14 at 10:28 pm
King Eric - I don't know ... And neither do you. says:
That’s not likely happening.
January 14 at 10:11 pm
Spencer says:
Now thinking of bringing in a non-DGWer striker for Lambert.
What do you think?
A. Lukaku
B. Sturridge
C. Jelavic
D. No one
Looking to keep medium to long term
Jussi
Demel – Luiz – Gibbs
Mata – Michu – Fellaini – Wakcott
Ba – RVP – Lambert
Fed – Ramirez – Davies – Shaw
January 14 at 10:16 pm
Sebason says:
I would hold for a bit, see if Sturridge gets a run and hits form. As good as Lukaku is his gametime is too unpredictable, I would rather have Lambert. Jelavic a no go as well IMO
January 14 at 10:19 pm
Spencer says:
Thanks Seb.
Was going to WC after next week, which is why I wanted to use my FT.
Not sure I have to now, so will prob save it.
Thank you!
January 14 at 10:12 pm
Evs says:
Day 14….
Still on the wagon,
#alcoholfreejanuary
January 14 at 10:13 pm
Cheggers - Fool of a Took says:
hate to break it to you – but doctors recommend just giving up 2 days a week now and not having a dry month
January 14 at 10:14 pm
Evs says:
What do they know chegs init
?!
January 14 at 10:21 pm
Ginkapo-Rule No.1: wwkd? says:
Doctors would rather you always took a couple of days of every week than a clean month once a year. This doesnt really do much for your liver, but it does help change your lifestyle potentially. Depends how you react to February arriving.
January 14 at 10:13 pm
Malcolm Tucker for England Manager says:
Quitter..
January 14 at 10:13 pm
alsybach says:
had my first beer since boxing day tonight……….It doesnt feel great, keep on the wagon mate!
January 14 at 10:14 pm
Evs says:
I’m aiming for this weekend, then drink following
(Wont happen)
January 14 at 10:15 pm
King Eric - I don't know ... And neither do you. says:
Rock on … am thinking of a three-week detox sabbatical myself come the 27th. Give a chance for my liver to catch its breath after the holidays.
January 14 at 10:17 pm
Cosgri says:
Think i’m gonna wait for the superbowl and watch the Patriots lift the Vince Lombardi trophy again.
January 14 at 10:21 pm
King Eric - I don't know ... And neither do you. says:
Without the Giants, there’s always a chance of them doing just that.
Their camera guy in the stands should get another good pic of that.
January 14 at 10:17 pm
Locarno says:
Spooky. I’m targeting the 27th as well.
January 14 at 10:22 pm
King Eric - I don't know ... And neither do you. says:
Noice, we can be Detox Buddies.
“F**k you!”
“No, F**k *YOU*!”
January 14 at 10:25 pm
In Like Flynn says:
I’ll drink to that Evs. Cheers.
January 14 at 10:12 pm
crystalpalaceRus says:
thinking of getting Ox for the DGW instead of Caz, am i mad?
January 14 at 10:13 pm
Evs says:
Yes.
January 14 at 10:14 pm
Cosgri says:
aye boy
January 14 at 10:13 pm
Moinal says:
yes
January 14 at 10:14 pm
★FC Borecelona★ says:
That is pretty crazy
January 14 at 10:16 pm
Captain Shirokov says:
Wouldn’t get either tbh.
January 14 at 10:12 pm
★FC Borecelona★ says:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8Bc7eRTdWY
Still damn funny
January 14 at 10:13 pm
Cosgri says:
Ba — Suarez
OR
Lambert — Podolski
January 14 at 10:15 pm
Captain Shirokov says:
1st.
January 14 at 10:16 pm
alsybach says:
get the southampton players out of your team……………keep Ba!
January 14 at 10:19 pm
Cosgri says:
mmmmmmmmmmmmm
January 14 at 10:14 pm
Captain Shirokov says:
Christ above – just played the three most intense games of Fifa there with a friend.
Sweating buckets.
January 14 at 10:16 pm
alsybach says:
……jesus………..
January 14 at 10:16 pm
Locarno says:
The world’s a bit f***ed up.
January 14 at 10:18 pm
Captain Shirokov says:
Why’s that?
January 14 at 10:20 pm
Locarno says:
That you’re sweating buckets without actually putting a pair of boots on.
Don’t mind me – I just never caught on to the whole computer game thing.
January 14 at 10:22 pm
Captain Shirokov says:
Well, FWIW, I actually play football as well.
January 14 at 10:22 pm
Captain Shirokov says:
(as does he)
January 14 at 10:22 pm
Malcolm Tucker for England Manager says:
Football friend
January 14 at 10:22 pm
Captain Shirokov says:
You play Fifa?
January 14 at 10:24 pm
alsybach says:
he plays golf ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
January 14 at 10:26 pm
Malcolm Tucker for England Manager says:
Pot..kettle
January 14 at 10:25 pm
Malcolm Tucker for England Manager says:
No fella. Useless with xbox and that. Use it for netflix and skygo. Not enough time for fifa with the baby! Although if i have to sit through Curious George one more time i am gonna kick something!
January 14 at 10:27 pm
alsybach says:
in other words…………I am past puberty………….
January 14 at 10:27 pm
Captain Shirokov says:
January 14 at 10:23 pm
alsybach says:
football friend with benefits……………
January 14 at 10:26 pm
Jonny T says:
I find fifa intense when i am losing (all of the time).
January 14 at 10:16 pm
Alright Dave... says:
Luiz & Berb -> Tevez and WestHam Defender worth -4?
January 14 at 10:20 pm
Jonny T says:
no.
January 14 at 10:16 pm
King Nemanja says:
After the dgw, which combo do ye prefer?
1) Walcott and Pog
2) Puncheon and Sturridge
January 14 at 10:18 pm
The Mata is CR7 is Hazardous to Messi says:
Punch and Suarez if you can afford
January 14 at 10:20 pm
King Nemanja says:
Cannot unfortunately
January 14 at 10:19 pm
Gumpy01 says:
Arsenal Fixtures are good but Readings are nasty but still A for me
January 14 at 10:19 pm
Captain Shirokov says:
2.
January 14 at 10:20 pm
Jonny T says:
agreed if sturridge nails down starting role
January 14 at 10:21 pm
King Nemanja says:
Surely he will since they paid so much for him?
January 14 at 10:27 pm
Jonny T says:
wait until GW26 imo
January 14 at 10:28 pm
King Nemanja says:
Sound advice, may go with 352 and then reconsider
January 14 at 10:30 pm
Jonny T says:
yep, should be nailed on come GW26 as up to match fitness and the fixtures fall his way
January 14 at 10:16 pm
bmb100 says:
Potential WC draft for next week, what do people think?
Bego, Jaask
Evra, Wilson/Davies, Turner, Cameron, Cuellar
Michu, Walcott, Bale, Mata, Puncheon
Van Persie, Lukaku, Dzeko/Sturridge
January 14 at 10:19 pm
Jonny T says:
i cannot argue with that team. However i cannot see evra’s attacking displays continue. He is having a freek season so far though.
Would go dzeko and change to suarez in a couple of weeks when sturridge starts starting and dzeko returns to bench due to aguero’s return.
January 14 at 10:23 pm
NickyKids says:
Double Stoke cover when the defensive wheels appear to be coming off?
Nice team though, looks reet good
January 14 at 10:25 pm
Az says:
R.martin is destorying Turner on the stats side.
Would definitely go for him over Turner – I am
January 14 at 10:17 pm
Jonny T says:
a quickie. A fluttering of hands please …
for this week only…
a) fellaini
b) bale
c) nolan
January 14 at 10:17 pm
Locarno says:
C
January 14 at 10:18 pm
The Mata is CR7 is Hazardous to Messi says:
A
January 14 at 10:20 pm
Gumpy01 says:
A
January 14 at 10:20 pm
Jez says:
C
January 14 at 10:24 pm
We are Tottenham says:
B
January 14 at 10:30 pm
Jonny T says:
ty
January 14 at 10:17 pm
Gumpy01 says:
Piernar > Walcott
Berba > Lukakadu
for -4 point hit?
Wise move?
January 14 at 10:23 pm
kimoo says:
yes do it
January 14 at 10:28 pm
Paz12 says:
Yes.
January 14 at 10:20 pm
Jez says:
Has Matthew Taylor been dropped from West Ham’s starting lineup??
January 14 at 10:20 pm
JKisthe1 - A Founder of Berbism says:
hello again lads? Am i the only one who thinks RvP might get a rest v Saints? If he starts on Weds i can see it happening as there is no way he won’t start away at Spurs, so Fergie may see it as the perfect opportunity to give Hernandez a run out.
On another note, if I haven’t used my wc, would you prefer Pod (for DGW), Tevez/Dzeko or Sturridge for next GW. Might saw whoever I get for Hernandez the week after as a 1 week punt
January 14 at 10:21 pm
JKisthe1 - A Founder of Berbism says:
why did I put a question at the end of that first sentence. Has hello become a question now?
January 14 at 10:23 pm
Ginkapo-Rule No.1: wwkd? says:
Hello, is it me your looking for
can now be written as
hello?
January 14 at 10:26 pm
JKisthe1 - A Founder of Berbism says:
fair enough, but that wasn’t what i said
I think DGW is clouding my judgement over how to replace Berba as City and Liverpool have nice fixtures
January 14 at 10:25 pm
Locarno says:
When you’re robbing a gaff, you open the door and say “Hello????”
Apparently.
January 14 at 10:26 pm
JKisthe1 - A Founder of Berbism says:
Do I need to call the police?
January 14 at 10:28 pm
Locarno says:
Best not to involve them.
January 14 at 10:30 pm
JKisthe1 - A Founder of Berbism says:
ok I’ll just go chain up my stuff then and dig out my bat. It’s getting dusty, not been used since I beat up Captain Shirokov over the summer
January 14 at 10:23 pm
Doctor X says:
There’s 11 days between the Spurs and Saints fixtures :/ Ample time for him to rest.
January 14 at 10:26 pm
Chazza says:
I don’t see any particular need to rest but Fergie loves to rotate and Southampton (H) should be a comfortable win. I think it’s only even possible if Rooney is back fit.
January 14 at 10:21 pm
Scroobius Mac says:
Hypothetically if the weather goes haywire by next weekend and all but say WBA vs Villa and Swansea vs. Stoke are called off and we know in advance. What do you do?
Try and get XI out or just deal with the crap score because everybody else will have one?
January 14 at 10:22 pm
Ginkapo-Rule No.1: wwkd? says:
WC
January 14 at 10:22 pm
JKisthe1 - A Founder of Berbism says:
just take the crap score and wait for the DGW to role in with another wc in my back pocket
January 14 at 10:23 pm
Katie says:
Wrap up warm.
January 14 at 10:24 pm
★FC Borecelona★ says:
http://i.imgur.com/w7FsB.png
January 14 at 10:25 pm
Wild Rover says:
Lose my Cup Final… Likely opponent (should I get there) has a wc!
January 14 at 10:22 pm
Mr Smith says:
Anyone know the latest of Kun’s injury?
January 14 at 10:22 pm
Tony Hibberts Love Child says:
Anyone know how the Paddy Power fantasy flutter works? Links take me to generic android site.
January 14 at 10:22 pm
Gumpy01 says:
Will Lukaku start if Shane Long is fit?
January 14 at 10:22 pm
alsybach says:
I am gonna give up booze to lose some weight, my doctor however reckons the best way for me to lose 22lbs of ugly fat is, to chop my fooking head off!!
January 14 at 10:27 pm
Optimus says:
id change doctor
January 14 at 10:28 pm
Malcolm Tucker for England Manager says:
*42lbs
January 14 at 10:32 pm
alsybach says:
harsh
January 14 at 10:29 pm
Tony Hibberts Love Child says:
Your mommas so fat she puts her lipstick on with a paint roller.
January 14 at 10:33 pm
alsybach says:
my momma would sit on your momma………….
January 14 at 10:38 pm
Mr Smith says:
Your mamas so fat, her belt size is equator.
January 14 at 10:22 pm
tm245 says:
If I promise to bring him back in next gw, is it okay to have dropped Bale to do
Mata Walcott Michu Fellaini
RVP Podolski Tevez for this gw?
Have slowly rolled out the WC to get in before price rises and am sick not to see Bale in my team. My brain says MUN not the best fixture but my gut wants to have that dog in that fight. Any thoughts? Thanks.
January 14 at 10:35 pm
The Ultimate Keyboard Warrior says:
I dropped Bale for the game at old trafford earlier in the season,it still hurts.
January 14 at 10:23 pm
Jonny says:
Giggs Boson, r.e. your observation that RVP’s returns are “relatively mediocre” when he plays with Rooney… I looked into it, and of his top 5 scores (16, 15, 12, 12, 11) the top 2 came without Rooney on the pitch, 3rd, 4th and 5th came with Rooney playing too.
So not much in it really…
January 14 at 10:28 pm
Tony Hibberts Love Child says:
RVP he scores when he wants!
January 14 at 10:33 pm
The Ultimate Keyboard Warrior says:
This ^
January 14 at 10:32 pm
Jonny says:
7.625 PPG without Rooney.
6.46 PPG with.
January 14 at 10:23 pm
snoop_1987 says:
One requires serious assistance.
A) Luiz + Berba > Nastasic + Podolski (-4)
B) Luiz + Lampard > Zabaleta + Walcott (-4)
C) Luiz + Berba > Zabaleta + Dzeko (-4)
D) Lampard > Walcott (0)
Currently I have Demel and Jussi and no Arsenal players. Not too confident about Arsenal performing…
January 14 at 10:26 pm
We are Tottenham says:
C
arsenal are shit, don’t take a hit to bring any of them in.
January 14 at 10:33 pm
snoop_1987 says:
Says the Spurs fan
January 14 at 10:25 pm
JamesT2525 says:
How does this wildcard team look for after next week ?
Bego – Federici
Zab – Gibbs – Shawcross – Demel – Nelsen
Mata – Fellani – Michu – Bale – Walcott
Suarez – Aguero – Le Fondre
Ant thoughts are appreciated
January 14 at 10:26 pm
Doctor X says:
No Van Persie.
Hence poor.
January 14 at 10:29 pm
Jonny T says:
+1
January 14 at 10:27 pm
We are Tottenham says:
downgrade suarez to dzeko. upgrade aguero to van persie.
January 14 at 10:25 pm
The Parmtree says:
Citeh player Michael Johnson: http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BAm......jpg:large
January 14 at 10:27 pm
Wild Rover says:
Crikey.. Was such a great prospect too
January 14 at 10:28 pm
The Parmtree says:
Still on their books…
January 14 at 10:31 pm
Wild Rover says:
I know, but plagued by injury
January 14 at 10:40 pm
Cheggers - Fool of a Took says:
plagued by fat now too. Hes fatter than me