With just one match remaining of the penultimate Gameweek, we delve into the members data once again this evening. We assess the recent displays of Villa, Everton and Swansea’s frontman, cast an eye over David Silva’s season, and also analyse the main men from Southampton, QPR and Palace’s midfields.
Seriously?? Damn! He's being solid recently
he's back on the court..Josh Smith stumbled and awkwardly fell into Dwight's knee
Aah, had actually forgotten that he's Superman. Despite being the plastic one lol
he has ice on it now...ooooooooooooooooooooo
🙁
he's back on now but I'm not holding my breath..as someone who has suffered a major knee injury it can be tricky
Yeah. Bogut is out right? A walk in the park for him supposedly
nah Bogut is fine, been playing well all playoffs
Oops my bad. It's Speights according to the article.
Warriors would win the series even if he plays imo
here's hoping 😉
That's what you think.
Similar to what many said when they didn;t give us a chance last Round, given Blake's form.Sorry Nabil, but Warriors is just too good this year
😎
I know. Steph's been unreal. Klay is probably having his breakthrough season. And don't lemme start with Draymond.
I like to read this stat from Rotoworld:
"Four of the five top 3-point shooting teams in the league are in the Conference Finals, which is all the evidence you need to know that having a key big man is no longer a must in today's NBA. "
No Howard? No problem.mind sharing the link to that article?
Well he is fine and playing now so no excuses 😉
🙁
Having a key big man can be hugely beneficial for your 3-point shooting.
Only if he's any good at offensive Rebs
Na, if he can pass he'll draw double teams every time he's in the paint giving plenty of opportunity to work a free shot
Yeah, but he big guy need to have vision first, and then it would only work if the opponent carelessly double up on him.
Yeah, he'd have to be a hell of a player. Would need a monster offensive game to draw the double and guard-like playmaking abilities.
hack-a-capella is incoming. the guy has yet to make an nba FT lol
Indeed.
4 out of 8 FTs in Game 7 if I'm not wrong. Moronmy bad i watched him during regular season and he did have the longest streak of not making a ft (given how many attempts)...glad to see it changed. doesn't change the fact that hacking houstons frontcourt is going to be a legitimate strategy for golden state ( won't make or break them, but it's there).
Agree. Surely Warriors are going to do it.
Here's a tweet about Hack-a-Dwight strategy. Worth a read imo.
http://fw.to/W5DA9sj
He also made 4 in the regular season. Took 23 attempts mind.
Jason Puncheon has been my most frustrating player this season. I owned him for a reasonable spell and everytime I played him he blanked and most times I benched him he got something. When I gave up and sold him he goes on a scoring streak. So frustrating
I made a case for him yesterday. His ouput in FPl has been very good for the last 3 seasons (125 currently, 131, 110 pts to be exact). Problem is, like you said, he tends to go on a dry run for long, and then has a big performance out of a blue - read 2, 2, 3, 2, 12, 1, 2, 2, 14, 2, 1. Easy for owner to fall into the trap. Patience is key here, but definitely not the one thing we usually do lol
I like Puncheon and think he has great potential
Not had him this season but he does seem like one of those players. If I had to pick my fave moment from this season however, I bought bolasie the week he got his hat trick vs Sunderland. Couldn't believe my eyes when I checked the scores walking out of elland road at full time!
Don't understand the love for Puncheon and Bolasie this week. Swansea are solid, Palace play better away from home and there's simply better options out there.
Think I'm looking at Milner in that price range.
Good call.
Maybe because SWA have just conceded 4 against MCI
is Pool also solid at Anfield? look at what Cry did to them. Pardew hasnt even play his first 11
So this Sunday, expect the unthinkable, Zaha/Bola/Punchy vs Swansea who may play some of their reserve players?
Ariza on crack again
Aargh, wish I can watch the game.
Ariza is the big reason why me managed to beat Clippers - big attacking stats despite shutting down CP3wish he was still playing for my Wiz! guy has been on fire the past two seasons. Had a career year last season as well, seems to has honed his niche even more...three point shooting,steals and veteran championship Xp to boot
Imagine Ariza vs Krover in the finals.. battle of the veterans lol
*Korver
Imagine you could combine Kyle Korver with Tony allen. Drool.
Unless of course you ended up with a non shooter that struggles to defend.🙂
would be awesome both are the great glue guys for any squad
Really developed nicely since my Knicks did what they always seem to do and undervalued it's prospects to trade them for bigger name guys. Steve Francis was so cooked it was unreal and was essentially same player as Marbury but get him anyway....
Lakers would probably have had another year at least of contending if they kept him too.
When the time comes are you lads interested in a ffs nfl league? I was in one last year with a bunch of randoms I never talked to before but think it would be cool to have one going with the deadzone crowd. I'm from uk and just got into American football a few seasons back. Really enjoyed the fantasy game also as something a bit different but my mates over here aren't really interested.
draft-style "keeper" leagues would be awesome in FPL...one can dream!
oops meant to post that normally, but to answer your question i'd be interested in nfl and nba...have done random leagues the past years and it's pretty fun
For those NHL hockey fans, the Blackhawks / Ducks game tonight is shaping up as an instant classic
Not sure if im missing something on this Sterling issue.
Player from a club in the top 5-7 team bracket is wanted by a top 4 club. The player wants to win trophies and play Champions League.
Sterling= Bad,should stay loyal
Lallana and Lovren = Ok, natural they want to move
Dont get me wrong he comes across a greedy self centered, believes his own hype but that describes many many footballers.
Not trolling here, i dont follow a Prem team. Just seems double standards being applied.I agree. I really don't care where Sterling ends up. It is normal for players to want to move on to try to win things. I don't think this case is any different from most transfers going on I am not sure why everyone is making such a big deal about it.
Ok, thanks. Like i say, i would be loathed to defend him but this stuff happens all the time
All the time. I think his actions can be defended. Why can't he keep his options open? It is his career after all. Does he really deserve the criticised the way he is. If Liverpool fans want to drive him out they are going the right way about it.
If he is no longer welcome that is one reason less to stay
here's my thoughts:
Loyalist : He's a traitor, the club backed him and supported him, even allowed him to rest/get a holiday in mid season, somehow organized an unsanctioned interview without the club's knowledge, made a fuss about being played out of position.
Neutral : Normal for player to move to a club that actually win trophies and play UCL, despite this guy having a very bad left foot and can't score for his life. Somehow there's a feeling he's being "bullied" to sign a new contract.Again, looking at it neutrally, i actually agree he would probably be better off being a Lpool for a year or 2 at least. Will get more pitch time and still only 20. At Man C would get a lot less starts. But, thats up to him.
(if he stays, playing him in his best position might help)
Yeah, would be silly if he goes to a UCL club just to warm their bench a la Sinclair. Gerrard is right, imo BR is a great man-manager who knows how to develop talent apart from Wenger so he should probably stay.
It will be up to him to prove himself all over again at City. It will be very much sink or swim there. Could be the best thing for him (or the worst)
Nah, imho don't think he can make it at MCI. Look what happens to all the English talent (Milner, Sinclair, Lescott, Barry) except Hart.
I think its obvious why he's getting such a bad press. Southampton are not and will never be in the same 'strata' as Liverpool for a start. Sterling to City is what we would call 'sideways' in FPL terms, maybe even backwards.
Sterling (obviously) has an agent who tells him he is not paid enough for his abilities. After his season last year where he rode the wave of a brilliant Suraez and a fit Sturridge....and then going to a World Cup where eveyone was excited about what he could...I think he has an inflated sense of his own value and footballing worth. This season has been horribly disappointing for him. Footballing wise, he just hasn't done it. I can't think of one moment of brilliance, and electric dribble coupled with a finish....he's been wasteful.
So Carragher is absolutely right - and it's not rocket science. If he has dragged Liverpool through matches with his performances it would be more understandable. But he's done nothing.
I hope Rodger's makes him rot in the reserves next season.But Liverpool are not a top tier club. Sure Sterling has been disappointing this season but if he wants a crack at a higher level why shouldn't he? I am sure if Liverpool were offered a massive sum for him they would sell him just like that.
Not top tier, but that changes all the time....United fell out of it last couple of seasons but their young players were not agitating for moves. City were wobbling this year, next year they might have a new manager and be in transition again. Let's not forget Liverpool were right up there until the end of the season last year....
Budgie, i like the DZ as we can disagree rationally-
- I would not class it a sideways move to Man City if looking at the quality of teams. For his career i agree.
- Agree he has an over inflated opinion of himself, Rodgers calling him the best young player in Europe may of added to that
- He left QPR at 15 to go to Lpool, seeing them as a step up. Thats fine. Now he sees a move to Man C or ARS as as step up, again imo, fine.
- He has been poor this year (why did i get him for Lpool double)
Never going to fall out with someone who had a Bottom grav, just my opinion.why did i get him for Lpool double 😆
same here 🙁Hey mate, of course no disagreement, DZ is a bit better than hundreds of posts by 12 year olds every second in GMT daylight hours 🙂
I do think that talking about the 'step up' is dodgy. Firstly, Liverpool is a massive club, in my opinion bigger than City. Liverpool has a history and a soul and a philosophy. It just needs the right signings/manager for things to click. If the chemistry is right they can attract players who also see the bigger things about the club as mentioned above. Despite their 'fall from grace' they still won the champions league, the league cup, the fa cup etc.
At City he'll be a squad player and he'll ruin his reputation by heading towards the mercenary category at only 20. He'll also place way too much expectation on his own shoulders. But maybe he'll be happy being that guy who gets 200 grand for 60 mins football a week.
My point is he is getting slated and rightly so. He's getting bad advice and he's listening to it. The right thing to do, by a million miles, is shut up, negotiate a new contract and get on with it at Liverpool. He'd earn so much more respect doing it that way, and he can focus on building his reputation ON THE PITCH and earn that big money, big club move when he's 24/25. That's just how it works.
What does he really want. Success? Money? Fame and glory? Or a satisfying football career he can look back on with pride?
(and as i said above, imo, he should stay for the benefit of his career. But thats his choice)
He is getting a bad press ironically for doing this in the open in sight of the press. I agree it lacks class, sort it out behind closed doors.
This has opened him up for everyone to have their opinion and I think Carragher hit the nail on the head. You got to stand up and take the opportunities for trophies, they are not just delivered to you by signing for a big team. Sterling has been invisible for much of this season and if he was truly world class he would be delivering big performances when it matters.
Don't get me wrong he is a decent young player but lacking in key areas like shooting which is a pretty essential skill for an attacking midfielder. I see him wasting away at City like numerous other over hyped young players.
This should have been a season where he kicked on but he didn't. Showed patchy form here and there but for the most part he hasn't progressed much since the end of last season. He should have been a key player towards Pool getting a CL place or challenging the Fa Cup, BR practically built his team around him this season but Sterling wasn't good enough and he ended up being a passenger for the most part.
To then turn around and demand a move when your own form wasn't up to scratch it's no wonder Liverpool fans are taking a poor view. Also don't think he's worth anywhere close to the £30 or 35 million figure thats being thrown around -that's what you pay for the finished article not the potential.exactly this
Did Muppetrage disappear at some point? He never seems to be on when I am anymore
Very true cheese, forgot about him. Not seen him for ages
He used to post a lot. I know a lot of people didn't like him so maybe he went away
He's banned
That somehow doesn't surprise me. Are bans lifetime or is there some kind of period on them?
Depends on what they've done/how many times they've done it I think.
That will be lifetime then!
😆
He left right before Tekker's hatty.
I'd love to see Shaun Livingston win a Championship. Easily the most devastating injury I've ever seen. To come back and totally reinvent his game is inspiring.
How good would he have been if he stayed healthy? Prime Penny Hardaway maybe?Curry!!
on Camping?
"Howard left Game 1 of the Western Conference Final against the Warriors with an apparent knee injury and is questionable to return."
Outdated info, I guess?Yeah, you might've been better off if it was true though. Butter fingers tonight.
🙁
I wish Yao Ming can teach him some lesson
hakeem already tried.
Heaven and earth
I know there are people on this page talking about sport. It is definitely sport speak. But whatever sport it may be it is a sport I know nothing about so I am immediately distrustful.
sorry, we know it's FFS, but the lure of NBA Conference Finlas is too much to ignore.
So that is Basketball? I had assumed it was American Football previously
nope. Only WINDIE MILLA 42 mentioned about NFL
I read that and that is why I thought it. I might start talking about Snooker in a minute.
I know very little about snooker but I did see a bbc headline saying that Ronnie O'sullivan felt the standard of refereeing was below par. I did not clink the link it seemed fairly self explanatory. Thoughts cheesoid?
🙂 Refereeing is a constant battle in every sport
NHL hockey is also on conference finals, and while not as popular as basketball, much more like English Football.
Why is it not NIHL. Does regular hockey not get played in America/Canada?
Good question. It's the National Hockey League in u.s. But there are a number of Canadian teams
"For a 20-year-old kid to be taking on Liverpool Football Club over a contract - to the pit of my stomach that just winds me up, it angers me," said Carragher on Sky Sports.
"If it's about trophies, Liverpool had a chance for a trophy this year - in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley against Aston Villa. Where was Sterling?
"To do what he's done now, there's nothing worse than that. You keep your mouth shut - get on with playing football."
Well saidThey keep putting him as a wingback. That is just wrong.
He played wingback like 3 times...
Very well said. It's Carragher so he knows best.
Plus Sterling (or his agent) has already said the player wanted to wait until end of season to start contract negotiations again, but now he's set to go? Ridiculous.Sterling didn't have a good game v Aston Villa, but the entire team stunk it up that day. It's unfair to lay the blame with him. He's not Messi or Ronaldo or even Gerrard that can drag his team to a win.
I really think both Sterling and Liverpool have handled this like neither really expects a deal to be done.Agree. Too much attention is being put on him to deliver. Blame the media.
There are lots of fairly young players who are doing very well this season - Paulo Dybala, Michy Batshuayi, etc. Some are being linked with big clubs too, but none of them are having that pressure Raheem need to handle. Somehow I feel pity for the pacey guy despite thinking he's highly overrated.As with all exciting prospects in the Premier league he's been built up from the moment he looked even slightly good.
I think his and his representatives opinion of his ability is quite a bit off on his actual ability right now. And the media certainly fueled that. I think Potentially he could be a very very good player but he's got a lot of maturing before he'll get there.
But with the leaks of what he's been offered to the media, Liverpool can hardly complain that it's being played out in front of the world. They too could have been more respectful and handled it more in house and privately. It looks bad for him and the club with the way it's been playing outBoth parties should've done a lot better. In the end, maybe Raheem prefer to be the fall out boy rather than the fall guy
He's not helped himself has he?
This all blew up with the BBC interview he gave...
Why do Liverpool pundits and ex players take offence when players want to leave? We are no longer in their generation where Liverpool were a club on the up, they are a stepping stone with a mid table manager.
Only at Liverpool could they be deluded enough to think that the grass is not always greener on the other side as Suarez, Alonso and even Torres (who has the medals to dispute any counter claims) have proved.
Anyone else worried Kane will bag Vs Everton and show us all up? Might keep him.
I'm keeping him but only because I can't really afford anyone I think would do better.
I don't really expect much from him. Any returns would be appreciatedNot really. Spurs look bad right now.
Thats what I expected against Hull. He has already been a frustrating FPL pick for me, not anymore...
Too busy worrying about not having hazard. Never looked back since selling kane.
Point predictions for Giroud and Sanchez?
9
76
11 (*2)5
13*2
2
112 & 3
Any rotation threat for Bellerin, Ozil and Giroud? Thanks.
Probably not.
I believe there is, especially if the 3rd place is already sewn up.
I mean GW38, not tonight.
Yes
No
Yes
Enough about Sterling .Let's read about his Belgium starlet.
http://www.scoutedfootball.com/forwardsblog/michy-batshuayi
Lukaku, you may be the cover of this article, but if you don't buck up, Michy is all ready.*this
Best sterling's replacement for next season
A. Bolasie
B. Felipe anderson
C . Playing with two strikers (lacazette+studge/origi)
D. Wally
Thoughts!Already thinking about replacements? 🙂
Probably A from the lot.
Remember Origi is comingBolasie would be a horrible signing.
Better than Markovic at least
Who do you reckon is better for your team?We need goal scorers, so C or D.
I think D will stay nonetheless, Wenger is stubborn and has said he'll develop Theo as central striker more next season.
E) i think he'll still be there.
D
Walcott would be good for both club and player. Just fittnes concerns i guess
Struggling to find a transfer that would improve this starting 11. Any ideas? Best I have is:
A) Skrtel -> Kolarov/Janmaat (benching Schlupp/Albrighton)
B) Giroud -> Benteke
Schmeichel
Terry, Kos, Schlupp
Haz, Sanchez, Silva, Albrighton
Aguero, Giroud, Kane
Panti, Skrtel, PVA, Gomez
Bank 0.0m, 1FTB) Benteke/Lukaku
Well done on your single digit OR achievement. Now try to stay in there.Cheers. Yeah that's the plan unless Kos(c) scores a 30+ pointer tonight and I'm back to within 30 of top spot. Then i'll be gambling
*B) Giroud -> Benteke/Lukaku
Gomez to Young and bench Kane
Yeah I spotted that one also, but just not sure Young is a better option than Kane. I guess Hull have to go for the win so that could leave them exposed.
Giroud→benteke/lukaku
Hopefully a good finish in the NBA.
what's the latest Rockets-Warrios?
Can't find a live scorecast 🙁dubs up by 9, 2:45 to go
hmm so close
Warriors 106-97, 2.23 left. Warriors should win easy now.
Damn, just found the livecast!
https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/houston-rockets-golden-state-warriors-2015051909/
chance of kos playing?
anyone?
He trained yesterday. Assuming he felt ok after he will be inline to start
I truly hope this is so.
90.2% imo.
sound convincing... thanks guys... from a kosc owner
No love for C option
442 (diamond) is our best I think with
..........kondogobia/lucas
.....milner/kovacic henderson
................coutinho
...........lacazette studge
Dreaming?! 😀fail
I have no confidence pool wil be able to attract the top players.
Last year they went after Sanchez, ended up with Balo and bunch of Soton.
Which from these midfield punts for gwk 38?
A) Milner
B) Sissoko
C) Montero
D) Osman
Thank you!
Either A or C. Milner is available on a free and presumably will go all out to prove a point to potential suitors (plus he's been consistent of late). Montero had been playing damn well recently and has plenty of returns for the effort.
provided Navas doesnt start
Fair point. Since Montero is a guarantee start that may be the deciding factor.
now that u mention montero, i am looking at him!
but i prefer HOME players...bolassie hmmmmm
b
B
This is deadzone at its deadest. Feels like the summer break is already upon us
Quiet indeed.
Writing from my hotel in Vanuatu, just to keep you company
How's the weather?
The hotel owner apologised yesterday for it being so cold, due to it almost being winter. It's 30 degrees with blazing sun. Stunning place.
wow
what are you doing in Vanuatu?Spent 3 months travelling NZ and decided to stop off here for 8 days before heading over to Oz and Malaysia. Top weather, awesome people, a shedload of places to see (check out the blue hole lagoons and champagne beach on google). A few places are still in a crap condition due to the cyclone but they're making a go of it. Already planning visit number two to coincide with the Lions v NZ tour in 2017! Thoroughly recommend!
i recommend you guys to make at least 10 transfers this game week
this will counter your fpl depression the next 2 months
what do you think?nah
so both jones and kosc fit? dammit!
Kos fit? This a certainty or a presumption based on training pics? I bloody well hope so given that my rival has Bellerin!
No. Definitely out with Flu
Don't forget to vote for the scout picks community champion
It isn't like the site is so busy you're too busy replying to RMTs ; - )
everyone thiking Bellerin will start ?
cant see why not
Coppa Italia final tonight, who will win?
Juventus very strong atm but Lazio playing on their home pitch.Juve
Funny thing.
Having a keeper from shite Newcastle has helped me get so many Myhill points. Everytime WB have a bad fixture I keep Krul in the XI and then switch to Myhill before the deadline because Newcastle are shite. This wouldn't be possible if I had a better keeper from a better team.
8 years, 11 months agooooooooooooooo Dwight Howard being out could be huge