Another meaningless walk through my final thoughts, my fantasy lineups and the very latest team and injury news from around the net on this, the most injury-strewn week in memory (well so far this season anyway).
I’m not sure how to feel about this week. Yes it’s been a tough one injury-wise but looking at the fixtures and the my lineups in both the Fantasy Premier League and the Guardian – I’m pretty content under the circumstances.
There’s more than a few questions I want answered by this weekend’s team selections though. Will Neville come back in for Brown and therefore show Ferguson’s hand with this rotation for one. I’m convinced that Brown will be handed the Champions League games and this evening’s game should reveal whether I’m right on that one.
I’m also interested to see what Ferguson does with Giggs. He’s a certain starter apparently, and I wonder if he could start in a central role behind the striker(s). Ferguson certainly remarked earlier in the season that he saw him in this position rather than out wide. Could it be that Gigg’s sits just in front of Fletcher today with Anderson a doubt through fatigue and Scholes, Hargreaves and Carrick all out.
Elsewhere I’m curious to see if Taylor returns for Bolton on the left of midfield and whether Gardner is shifted to left back. I still see Taylor as a decent mid-price prospect. If he plays today, his crosses and set pieces will be a danger. Sky have just revealed that Blackburn have conceded a goal for every on-target header they’ve given their opponents – Megson and Kevin Davies will be rubbing their hands in anticipation I imagine. I’m not expecting a pretty one at the Reebok.
I’m expecting to see Cuellar earn a start for Villa that should keep him in the side for the long haul. Hopefully, he’ll improve Villa’s solidity at the back which has made Laursen more of a gamble than he should be so far. I’m also looking out for a Bellamy start for West Ham and keeping an eye on Frazier Campbell, who could yet offer good value should Spurs find some form.
In terms of my own fantasy sides – I sacrificed a 4 point transfer hit in order to bring in Ireland of City for Arteta and Ferdinand of United at the back for Wheater. I’m hoping Ferdinand comes for free by earning a clean sheet at home to West Brom. Long term, he’ll be swapped for Neville or Brown once there’s some clarity. I’m hoping Ireland keeps his place and form in the City side over the long term. He and City should enjoy some attacking profits at Newcastle on Monday.
In the Guardian meanwhile I’m going with a 5-1-3-1 formation with Anton Ferdinand, Turner of Hull and Olsson of West Brom in defence. I’m banking on West Brom getting worked defensively at Old Trafford with Carson also in my goal. So far, I’ve made the right decisions in that game and got lucky, so I’m hoping that continues this weekend. Adebayor is my striker in that linuep – he surely must profit against Everton today.
As for FPL captain – with just under half-an-hour to go, the armband is still on Lampard’s arm. A big gamble I know but Ronaldo’s sharpness, the proximity of the Champions League and the likely responsibility that Lampard will have to get forward in Drogba and Ballack’s absence, is proving enough to convince me to shun Ronaldo again. I really hate giving my captaincy to the early Saturday kick-off, it can spoil a fantasy weekend very early if it goes wrong. It looks like I’m going to go with it though.
Let’s finish off with just a couple of this morning’s articles, linked to today’s team news and this week’s injuries.
I’m a little concerned that Chelsea are still saying that Cech is “likely” to miss today’s game at Boro. Very bizarre that one – according to reports everywhere, Cech is definitely out with the BBC omitting him from the Chelsea squad for today’s game. Not sure what to make of that. My advice if you have him in the FPL, start with him and let the auto sub do the work.
There’s more on Walcott and his likey rest today in the Guardian. That looks nailed on then with Nasri likely to start against Everton. He could well profit as a result.
Meanwhile, all the talk this morning is that Martin Petrov will be out for around six months with the knee injury sustained for Bulgaria in midweek. “The fear is that Martin has done his anterior cruciate ligament, which would mean five or six months out,” remarks Hughes. A major blow certainly but then I’m sure Hughes will have his options improved somewhat come the January window.
That’s just about it for another Saturday morning stroll. As always, best of luck with the gameweek. See you on the other side with the notes.