It’s bee a while since I went through the monthly rankings and with the international break, now seems a good time.
The rankings have had a good going over this afternoon and have been updated with current form and forthcoming fixtures in mind. For those new to these, they plot my thoughts on how players stack up over the next five games or so. The arrows to the left represent a rise or fall in stock – influenced by form, fixtures, the prospect of being rested, injuries etc.
One more thing, I try to limit selections to one per club unless there are special circumstances such as a clear budget option at the same club. So you won’t find the entire United back four up there, even though Ferdinand would clearly rank high. If I did that the top 10 defenders would look rather boring.
The key below the table will help you out figuring all that nonsense out. The following text meanwhile, might help you out even more…
There’s little change in the goalkeeping rankings. James suffers a slight drop with fixtures at Villa and Liverpool to come in the next five, while Bolton’s Jaaskelainen improves with three home games in five. With Cahill back, I can see Bolton firming up a little, particularly at home.
There are strong climbs for both Hart and Friedal with good fixtures. City have just two in five at home, but their next five look kind. Friedal and Villa meanwhile, have three at home in the next five against Portsmouth, Blackburn and Middlesbrough. Kirkland and Schwarzer drop a little as a result. West Brom’s Carson drops a little, despite form, with United and Liverpool immanent over the next five games.
In defence there is a significant climb for Vidic and the United defence due to strong home fixtures. Villa’s Laursen also climbs lower down with, again, decent home games. Alex drops with the threat of Carvalho’s return and the emergence of Ivanovic. Clichy drops a little more as Arsenal conceded in consecutive games. Traore and Kompany continue on an upward slope as fixtures look strong, albeit with four away in the next six.
Bolton’s Steinsson climbs a little with decent fixtures. Figuroa drops slightly as Edman nears fitness as competition for the left back spot. Agger and Neville are new entries, offering cheaper options in the Liverpool and United defence. Hull’s Turner and West Brom’s Olsson are new entries with strong form at budget level.
In midfield it’s as you were at the top. Ireland is a big climber lower down, edging over Fabregas, while Denilson drops with the threat of competition for places looming. Nasri drops for the same reason. Arteta has good form but fixtures prevent him from climbing.
There’s a slight climb for Bullard with strong fixtures, while Joe Cole suffers a drop with his recent injury problems. Bentley drops out of the rankings altogether as a result of Ramos’ selection policy. He makes way for Bolton’s Taylor with strong fixtures, while Fulham’s Gera and United’s Fletcher are also new entries. Geovanni is the highest newcomer, coming back into the rankings after dropping out after losing his place. He comes in at a decent ranking, on the back of his recent spectacular form – his tough fixtures hold him back a little though.
Up front, Torres is back on top of the pile up front with outstanding form and good fixtures. Adebayor drops a little then, as does Zaki as his fixtures and calf muscles stiffen up a little. Defoe climbs with superb current form.
Van Persie and Santa Cruz suffer big drops with injury doubts. Carew and Berbatov above them climb a little with strong fixtures, as do the City pairing of Jo and Robinho for the same reason. Agbonlahor and Bolton’s Davies also climb with fixtures and in the case of Davies, strong form. Fuller and Bednar are new entries at the budget end with Mido and Bent dropping out.