The Suspension Tightrope – Sticky Toffees
Filed under: Suspensions - Posted by: Anorak
As the days tick by towards the next raising of the suspension threshold, the conveyor belt of footballers vying to show off their balancing skills grows ever richer. This week saw the second player to fall foul of the 10 card limit instantly replaced on the tightrope widget by three more eager faces, each now with nine cautions to their name. Elsewhere, a couple more red cards ensured that the ban list at Soho Square is kept fully stocked for the weeks ahead.
Marouane Fellaini
It’s not a huge surprise to see the Everton man grace these pages again. After picking up his ninth card in the previous weekend’s FA Cup home loss to Wigan, Fellaini lasted just seven more minutes on the high wire before crashing down to earth with a bookable challenge on City’s James Milner. The standard punishment for reaching double figures in yellows before the April 14 is therefore headed his way, with the Belgian set to sit out the following pair of fixtures at home to Stoke and away at Spurs respectively. From a Fantasy perspective, however, it means the ban is no longer hanging over him ahead of the Toffees’ double Gameweek 33 – Fellaini will be freshly rested and available just in time for a home clash with QPR and trip to Arsenal; with attacking returns in three of his last five, he can expect plenty renewed investment once he’s served his spell on the sidelines.
Steven Pienaar
The South African also misses the Stoke and Spurs games, further adding to David Moyes’ midfield woes. Pienaar saw red an hour into Saturday lunchtime’s Goodison game after collecting a pair of yellows due to fouls on Gareth Barry and Javi Garcia – the standard one-match ban for such a misdemeanour is doubled as this is his second dismissal of the season. A couple of spots in the Everton midfield immediately therefore open up – Steven Naismith and Bryan Oviedo could be set to benefit, though Nikica Jelavic may return to the starting XI if Moyes decides to utilise Victor Anichebe in “the hole” as a result of Fellaini’s absence.
Mark Bunn
Completing the ban list for Gameweek 30, the Norwich goalkeeper was sent off after less than half an hour of the draw against Sunderland. Bunn’s dismissal, as a result of handling outside the area and denying a goalscoring opportunity under pressure from the onrushing Danny Graham, carries a single match ban, but he has cause to feel aggrieved at the decision with the replays clearly showing the ball came off his chest. The Canaries stopper looks under threat to retain his place now, though. Chris Hughton admitted in last Friday’s press conference that John Ruddy is closing in on a comeback from the thigh injury which has sidelined him since Gameweek 13 and is expected back in a fortnight’s time. No doubt the ‘Hot Cross Bunn’ jokes were doing the rounds as Easter approaches later this month.
Luis Suárez
Having gone three games without a yellow card, and with just one solitary booking in his last 11 games before this weekend, you would have been forgiven for thinking Suárez might not trouble the disciplinarians again this season. A yellow card accrued in injury time at the end of the loss to Southampton – incidentally his third yellow in five domestic losses since Christmas, contrasted with no cards in the nine games Liverpool have won or drawn – sees the tricky Uruguayan climb aboard the Tightrope for potentially the next three games. Can he hold out and avoid the mass Fantasy sales that will result? Maybe if Liverpool return to winning ways he will.
James Perch and Stéphane M’Bia
Suárez is joined on the tightrope by Newcastle’s utility man (and third choice right back yesterday) Perch, and the midfield rock at QPR, M’Bia, with both also picking up their ninth yellows of the season in the weekend games. The Suspension Tightrope in full therefore reads as follows, with all players needing to navigate a minimum of 3 fixtures unscathed to avoid a two match ban:
- Matthew Lowton (AVL)
- David Luiz (CHE)
- Luis Suárez (LIV)
- James Perch (NEW)
- Stéphane M’Bia (QPR)
- Craig Gardner (SUN)
- Gary Caldwell (WIG)
A trio of protagonists climb off the naughty step and return to action in Gameweek 30. Fabian Delph is welcomed back by Villa for the home game with Liverpool after serving a two-match suspension for picking up 10 cautions. Robert Huth and Pavel Pogrebnyak return for Stoke and Reading respectively – their three-match bans for violent conduct have now come to a conclusion.
Commenting is now closed for this post.
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March 18 at 3:47 pm
Demi says:
On paper, England looks the strongest with Australia a close second. West Indies a clear outsider.
March 18 at 3:48 pm
Laernu ogaitnas says:
Doesn’t past form mean nothing though?
March 18 at 3:50 pm
Demi says:
Why is there such a clamour to get you in people’s teams then?
March 18 at 3:53 pm
Laernu ogaitnas says:
March 18 at 3:48 pm
Pepin says:
Where is the GB ‘I see what you did there’ cute gif
March 18 at 3:49 pm
Fratboy says:
Hear hear.
March 18 at 3:50 pm
Fratboy says:
Think Sri Lanka could have a good tournament too actually.
March 18 at 3:51 pm
Scroobius Mac says:
I’m useless in H2H tournaments – I wouldn’t count on much.
March 18 at 3:53 pm
Demi says:
Is it H2H?
Thought it was people’s GW scores getting added up to create a cumulative score for their country.
March 18 at 3:55 pm
Ginkapo - FPLcode 5546 says:
Its a nation H2H. One Nation against another.
March 18 at 3:55 pm
Fratboy says:
+1
March 18 at 3:56 pm
Demi says:
So we play each nation? Then QF’s, Semi’s and Final… or?
March 18 at 3:58 pm
Ginkapo - FPLcode 5546 says:
Two Groups with matches starting GW33.
Then Semi’s and Final
March 18 at 3:58 pm
Fratboy says:
2 groups of 4 nations. Play each other in the group then progress onwards to semis in GW36.
GW37 is the loser’s final
GW38 the final.
March 18 at 3:59 pm
Demi says:
I see. May the best men win.
March 18 at 4:04 pm
Fratboy says:
You’d better do well Demi, I can axe you don’t forget.
March 18 at 3:55 pm
Scroobius Mac says:
Yeah it is – still kind of H2H though. Hopefully I’ll be counterbalanced by other people in my team not being rubbish at H2Hs.
March 18 at 4:31 pm
"1MATA"-I BLEED BLUE! says:
Is there any space for me?
March 18 at 3:48 pm
OrmskirkFC says:
I’m going to let Suarez play at Villa, then Suarez, Michu —> Rooney, Cazorla. I imagine lots of managers planning on something similar?
March 18 at 3:50 pm
John Terry's Dog -Who is most deserving of all of the money that I, Zlatan, am paid? says:
if they are nobody is saying then
March 18 at 3:49 pm
TheresOnly1AW says:
Bunn -> Fabianski?
March 18 at 3:50 pm
TheresOnly1AW says:
Other Keeper is Migs who is playing Man U
March 18 at 3:51 pm
John Terry's Dog -Who is most deserving of all of the money that I, Zlatan, am paid? says:
sunderland are going to win that one havent you heard
March 18 at 3:54 pm
Toonzie says:
save imo
not practical to waste a xfer on a gk
March 18 at 3:57 pm
TheresOnly1AW says:
Other reason to transfer out Bunn is because Ruddy is coming back end of March. Transfer before price drop if any.
March 18 at 3:53 pm
Lawro says:
On paper, NZ looks the strongest with India a close second. SA a clear outsider.
March 18 at 3:54 pm
Ginkapo - FPLcode 5546 says:
We both know that on the official bit of paper NZ really arent up to much. Luckily, its not about that official piece of paper.
March 18 at 3:56 pm
Lawro says:
Being in the pack at the beginning is a good thing I think, low expectations, no one is really talking about us, we might just cause an upset!
March 18 at 3:57 pm
Tommytour - Show us what you Gotze says:
Need a quick opening bowler?
March 18 at 3:59 pm
Ginkapo - FPLcode 5546 says:
I will pass your name on, your interest is much appreciated. We are having to be careful now as we have a large squad already.
March 18 at 4:00 pm
Tommytour - Show us what you Gotze says:
They call me The Tommy Express (Tank Engine)
March 18 at 3:54 pm
Toonzie says:
On paper, _____ looks the strongest with _____ a close second. _____ a clear outsider.
March 18 at 3:55 pm
Laernu ogaitnas says:
If you’re captain in the ICC thing, does that mean your points count for double?
March 18 at 3:56 pm
Scroobius Mac says:
No.
March 18 at 3:57 pm
Ginkapo - FPLcode 5546 says:
Oooh that would make it interesting. Can I just point I am club captain and not necessarily matchday captain.
March 18 at 3:58 pm
Laernu ogaitnas says:
It would also mean if I was captain for anyone that team would have a better chance of winning…considering I am now elite
lol
March 18 at 4:00 pm
Mr.KK says:
Not as elite as Aqua though.
March 18 at 4:01 pm
Laernu ogaitnas says:
Then why am I ahead of him?
March 18 at 4:05 pm
Mr.KK says:
Your overall rank may be better than his but he was the first one to declare himself elite. It’s like who climbs and pees on top of Mount Everest first.
March 18 at 4:03 pm
Limpar says:
You could nominate a different captain each gameweek – and procrastinate endlessly between yourselves on which team that should be. #justsaying
March 18 at 3:56 pm
Jonah says:
Repost:
By the way, is anyone from team Australia interested in getting the professor on board? Might be able to bend his ear about it……..
March 18 at 3:56 pm
Thomass67 - ID- 62564 says:
Did I get picked for SA??
March 18 at 4:00 pm
Ginkapo - FPLcode 5546 says:
yup
March 18 at 4:06 pm
Thomass67 - ID- 62564 says:
Thanks when are the squads announced
March 18 at 4:06 pm
John Terry's Dog -Who is most deserving of all of the money that I, Zlatan, am paid? says:
but dotn expect to stay they are rubbish at keeping their players
March 18 at 4:07 pm
Thomass67 - ID- 62564 says:
Why?
March 18 at 4:08 pm
John Terry's Dog -Who is most deserving of all of the money that I, Zlatan, am paid? says:
to me other teams want all their players, they are kind of wigan like
March 18 at 3:56 pm
unitednations says:
howzit gents…finally a green arrow after a rut of 3 reds.
ddg (bunn)
baines clark davies (cueller harte)
bale wally maloney michu (sissoko)
rvp sturridge benteke
have 2FT and 3.3m. For my 1st FT, def planning to do cueller >> mertesacker..good?
Confused about my 2nd FT. I can do michu >> cazorla but swans playing at home and i had set aside michu to bring in fellaini. Also, as my 3rd arsenal cover, i was planning to get giroud as opposed to cazorla. So yeah…is it even worth using my 2nd FT…chel have a good fixture but rotations…lack of form midfield options
March 18 at 4:04 pm
BenjaniMwaru says:
Like your Cuellar > Mertesacker. But with your team I would save the other ft till after that FA cup replay.
March 18 at 4:05 pm
thetinkerman says:
Use 1 this week if you can help it IMO.
I like the sound sound Michu > Cazorla.
March 18 at 4:00 pm
Laernu ogaitnas says:
I think Sri Lanka have a real chance of causing an upset…
March 18 at 4:01 pm
Dynamic says:
Just seen our newest signing in the form of IT. Great signing boys, now have a complete team of great regulars. Come on you Windies!!!
March 18 at 4:04 pm
Impressive Tackle says:
Apparently we are clear outsiders
March 18 at 4:06 pm
Fratboy says:
Wish you hadn’t signed for someone without reviewing the coaches!
March 18 at 4:10 pm
Impressive Tackle says:
I was tapped up by Lateriser. PM’d me on Twitter.
March 18 at 4:12 pm
Fratboy says:
naymind.
March 18 at 4:15 pm
Ginkapo - FPLcode 5546 says:
You realise you can steal him back.
March 18 at 4:18 pm
Impressive Tackle says:
He’s just flirting with me. Playing mind games. He has already turned down a possible transfer on Twitter.
March 18 at 4:11 pm
Dynamic says:
I can see what they mean as Sri Lanka have to be clear favourites with beasts like Ronh and Bemba Da.
March 18 at 4:05 pm
John Terry's Dog -Who is most deserving of all of the money that I, Zlatan, am paid? says:
cant beat being regular
March 18 at 4:06 pm
roscola says:
Hey Dynamic. Unlucky in the first leg of our Europa tie. Looks like I’m riding my luck good and hard again
March 18 at 4:09 pm
Dynamic says:
Congrats, you had a few good picks this week. Hopefully I can claw back the advantage this week, but it looks unlikely. Good luck if you do progress
March 18 at 4:09 pm
roscola says:
Cheers man, I’ll certainly need it!
March 18 at 4:09 pm
beric says:
http://24.media.tumblr.com/17e.....o1_500.gif
March 18 at 4:03 pm
thetinkerman says:
Szczesney > Ruddy next week leaving me with Ruddy & Bunn, or Bunn > Fabianski leaving me with Szczesney & Fabianski?
Your face:
March 18 at 4:04 pm
Scroobius Mac says:
Won’t Camp play next week?
March 18 at 4:08 pm
thetinkerman says:
I would be doing it ahead of GW32, if at all, for 2 reasons:
- No Bunn or Ruddy if Bunn’s red card isn’t overturned
- If Szczesney gets his place back, it will be after the international break IMO (i.e. for next week) so I don’t want to risk wasting a transfer to bring Fabianski in
March 18 at 4:06 pm
BenjaniMwaru says:
You don’t want to waste 2 Arsenal slots on goalkeepers imo. But i like the Ruddy transfer.
March 18 at 4:09 pm
thetinkerman says:
The moment it dawns on me that I will have Cazorla and Wally at that point:
March 18 at 4:10 pm
Fratboy says:
I almost debated doing this early in the season on Lindegaard and DDG but then realised the same. It limits the other positions.
March 18 at 4:11 pm
thetinkerman says:
I could live with only 1 outfield player from Norwich though!
March 18 at 4:11 pm
BenjaniMwaru says:
Haha
March 18 at 4:07 pm
roscola says:
If you don’t want 2 outfield Arsenal players for DGW then having their two keepers makes plenty of sense.
Unfortunately I want Wally & Caz more than I want certainty with my keepers.
March 18 at 4:09 pm
thetinkerman says:
Obviously I haven’t thought this one over. Back to the drawing board!
March 18 at 4:09 pm
Tommytour - Show us what you Gotze says:
Two Arsenal keepers is a waste for Dgw
March 18 at 4:10 pm
thetinkerman says:
Just realised
March 18 at 4:10 pm
thetinkerman says:
Nothing to see here everyone. Move on now.
March 18 at 4:11 pm
heco87 says:
Szcz –> Robles?
March 18 at 4:12 pm
thetinkerman says:
I don’t know what that means ….
March 18 at 4:13 pm
heco87 says:
Wigan GK who played yesterday… may have dislodged Al Habsi .. DGW coming up… cheap option – risky though.
March 18 at 4:15 pm
thetinkerman says:
Ah yes, I noticed my rival had Al Habsi in net with Bunn coming off the bench, didn’t think to check why!
March 18 at 4:14 pm
Ginkapo - FPLcode 5546 says:
Wigan second choice keeper. Played this week, whilst Al Habsi was benched
March 18 at 4:12 pm
Limpar says:
I’m all over Robles. Rolling in Robles in fact…
Potentially looking and Robles and Mucha (depending on Howard news)
March 18 at 4:14 pm
thetinkerman says:
Is this some kind of in-joke that I missed, or am I being thick?
March 18 at 4:16 pm
Limpar says:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21070611
March 18 at 4:17 pm
thetinkerman says:
Ta
March 18 at 4:11 pm
Limpar says:
Camp, Ruddy and Bunn…
Norwich have the most whimsical set of goalkeeper names I’ve encountered in a long time.
March 18 at 4:12 pm
thetinkerman says:
March 18 at 4:34 pm
Gaz Downright says:
More on that here: http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....nt-4794248
March 18 at 4:16 pm
thetinkerman says:
New plan:
Robles and Al Habsi…
*gets coat*
March 18 at 4:27 pm
Gaz Downright says:
Aren’t Rudd and Manone both in contention though?
March 18 at 4:40 pm
Plymouth says:
Scz/Bunn here too, horrible timing getting that red card now, when Scz is benched. Tho I dont know why you would even see a possibility of Scz getting his spot back after international break? Flappyanski with 2 CS in a row. Dont think we will see a overturn off the red card decision either.
Sucks having to use transfer on goalkeeper spot
March 18 at 4:05 pm
jamesmather says:
Current Team:
De Gea Bunn
Evra Zab Bassong Monreal Clyne
Walcott Sissoko Bale Caz Townsend
Suarez Rooney Lambert
£0.6m in the bank.
What do you think of the squad?
I’ll drop Clyne at some point. Zab too, not sure for whom.
Any opinions appreciated!
Cheers
J.
March 18 at 4:14 pm
BenjaniMwaru says:
Team looks great, save ft
March 18 at 4:40 pm
jamesmather says:
Thanks mate!
March 18 at 4:07 pm
thetinkerman says:
I would be doing it ahead of GW32, if at all, for 2 reasons:
- No Bunn or Ruddy if Bunn’s red card isn’t overturned.
- If Szczesney gets his place back, it will be after the international break IMO (i.e. for next week) so I don’t want to risk wasting a transfer to bring Fabianski in.
March 18 at 4:07 pm
thetinkerman says:
March 18 at 4:09 pm
Impressive Tackle says:
Any good #ff accounts to follow on Twitter? Don’t say @FPL_Adivce_Tips because that guy is a complete and utter d*$khead.
Already follow a few, just wondering if any actually give good advice out?
March 18 at 4:11 pm
Fratboy says:
@ohthatfratboy
March 18 at 4:16 pm
Impressive Tackle says:
March 18 at 4:18 pm
Kostja says:
Shots on target, and Chris Glover
March 18 at 4:19 pm
Impressive Tackle says:
Yep. Two very good accounts. Cheers.
March 18 at 4:24 pm
Evs ( Warburton Lions (c) ) says:
Made me chuckle that IT
March 18 at 4:28 pm
Impressive Tackle says:
I see you got the elusive GREY arrow this week
quite an achievement in itself! You have the weight of FFS behind you. Would love it Kevin Keegan style if you could win it.
March 18 at 4:13 pm
Tommytour - Show us what you Gotze says:
I’ve never even planned for Utd having a Dgw in 33 cos I’m so confident we will go through, its all we have left to play for and Chelsea still need to perform in the league so shouldn’t take Southampton for granted given they just beat Pool and drew with them at the Bridge.
March 18 at 4:14 pm
heco87 says:
- Cue some CFC fan bookmarking & subsequently gloatmarking
March 18 at 4:17 pm
Tommytour - Show us what you Gotze says:
March 18 at 4:22 pm
The Mata is CR7 is Hazardous to Messi says:
Chelsea will hammer SOU…
Remember we beat them 5-1, a couple of months ago in their own stadium…
And how dare you think that SOU can get something against Chelsea just because they beat Pool… Chelsea are a much bigger and stronger team than Pool…
March 18 at 4:23 pm
Tommytour - Show us what you Gotze says:
Never said they wouldn’t, just Utd can comfortably rest players Chelsea can’t
March 18 at 4:27 pm
The Mata is CR7 is Hazardous to Messi says:
Thats true about United, but I feel that Sir Alex will want the league to be secured, before resting players in the PL games… It would be insulting to lose games, thinking in advance that you have already won the league…
March 18 at 4:25 pm
Andrew says:
Keep your hair on
March 18 at 4:26 pm
heco87 says:
Haha “how dare you”..
Football is football… Chelsea may hammer Southampton and they may not .. that is why we all love the game.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20955084
March 18 at 4:28 pm
The Mata is CR7 is Hazardous to Messi says:
I get a little carried away while talking about Chelsea…
March 18 at 4:26 pm
Andrew says:
Anyway Chlesea and Liverpool, equally as badly run
March 18 at 4:27 pm
Breadbin - Surbiton's Most Handsome Man says:
How dare you, matron.
March 18 at 4:28 pm
Limpar says:
HOW DARE YOU!
March 18 at 4:44 pm
Plymouth says:
Oh really? draw in the last PL game
March 18 at 4:19 pm
Tommytour - Show us what you Gotze says:
Beware Bego Fed owners that if Utd win we may be without a keeper for 33
In that case I’d look at getting Fed > Mucha for -4
Leaves you with Bego to play for rest of season and future Dgw
March 18 at 4:21 pm
AGUEROOOOO!!!!! says:
howard will be back by then, hope fabianski nails his spot down and grab him
March 18 at 4:31 pm
BabyDave says:
“I’ve never even planned for Utd having a Dgw in 33 cos I’m so confident we will go through”
rolls eyes
March 18 at 4:23 pm
The Mata is CR7 is Hazardous to Messi says:
How do I join the FFS ICC Champions Trophy 2013 South Africa Team?
March 18 at 4:26 pm
Gaz Downright says:
How do I not join any ICCs?
March 18 at 4:26 pm
Breadbin - Surbiton's Most Handsome Man says:
FFS TBH WTF.
March 18 at 4:27 pm
Jonah says:
Probs decrease your rank as far as possible, that seems to appeal to them
March 18 at 4:28 pm
megatron x says:
kill a lion with nothing but a toothpick
March 18 at 4:23 pm
Breadbin - Surbiton's Most Handsome Man says:
Newest member of team Sri Lanka signing in.
March 18 at 4:25 pm
Jonah says:
Of course I’d never want to wish an injury on anyone, but…..
My Lord it will be fun if Clichy gets an injury before the City double gameweek. KOLAROV!
March 18 at 4:26 pm
heco87 says:
Would love that … until I transferred him in and they shifted Zabaleta to LB :/
March 18 at 4:27 pm
Evs ( Warburton Lions (c) ) says:
Please no Jonah, I can’t face being stuck with Kolarov (again) – dodged him all season
March 18 at 4:32 pm
Jonah says:
What’s funny is how we’d all hate ourselves, but we’d probably all still do it
March 18 at 4:33 pm
Evs ( Warburton Lions (c) ) says:
If I mutter his name here, shoot me – I already took 2 punts on sess & Ba last 2 GWs !
March 18 at 4:27 pm
The Light Knight " Valour is the contempt of death and pain" says:
New Post for all ICC comments
March 18 at 4:28 pm
Gaz Downright says:
March 18 at 4:34 pm
The Light Knight " Valour is the contempt of death and pain" says:
Have you not made the Spurs team?
March 18 at 4:36 pm
Gaz Downright says:
Pernod Monsieur?
March 18 at 4:31 pm
Gaz Downright says:
“The Suspension Tightrope – Sticky Toffees”
we have two threads, and this is also sticky?
#confusedenoughtouseahashtagbutstillenjoyingtheconfusionsomewhat
March 18 at 4:39 pm
heco87 says:
Lol
March 18 at 4:33 pm
Jibble says:
Team linked above. Is this a good transfer?
Evra & Michu -> Rafael & Hazard?
March 18 at 4:39 pm
hillbillypete says:
do we Fabianski’s spot in the first team is his to lose now?
March 18 at 4:40 pm
heco87 says:
Unknown… I would give it another week or 2 before bringing him in. Twitchy Szczesny owner here…
March 18 at 4:44 pm
hillbillypete says:
i have Beg and Jussi……..would be nice to downgrade Jussi
March 18 at 4:50 pm
heco87 says:
Tempted by Robles myself
March 18 at 5:08 pm
hillbillypete says:
robles?
March 18 at 4:44 pm
jimnastics says:
Would not waste a transfer on getting Fabs in, or Jenkinson or Monreal for that matter. I think people are seriously setting themselves up for a depressing DGW if they do that… far too risky, it’ll be 2 transfers wasted if you find yourself having to ship out. And you’ll likely have missed out on someone else who is guaranteed a DGW.
March 18 at 4:45 pm
hillbillypete says:
it’s about freeing up some funds for me. im guna play Beg most games.
March 18 at 4:47 pm
athreya says:
What are Mata owners doing? Keep him till the FA cup replay and then decide?
Also keeping Michu worth a shout against Spurs who seem to be hitting their stride in their annual pastime of collapse?
March 18 at 4:51 pm
heco87 says:
Keeping for the moment. Don’t have the Michu predicament..
March 18 at 4:52 pm
LOCO ABREU says:
I’m keeping for now.
March 18 at 5:17 pm
athreya says:
I want to do Mata to Caz but since both are on international duty I might as well wait for some time.
Michu might also stay put till GW33 when Afro will walk into my team.
I am guessing all the conversation has shifted to the ICC thread.