The monthly scout picks (in the menu to your right) have had a good going over today, as we approach gameweek nine. Read on to get the beef on the big climbers, the new entries and the dying swans.
Those who are new to this monthly picks business can read here for the gist of what’s on offer.
Let’s start at the back then and in goal we have United’s Van der sar remaining at the top with some slight doubts over the fitness of Cech going into the next two games. Reina suffers a drop after a recent lack of clean sheets, while Almunia continues to drop as Arsenal ship careless goals. He also has tough games with a local derby with Spurs and United and Villa to come over the next five.
James climbs again as Pompey’s fixtures and defensive form improves. Schwarzer offers strong value just below him with good fixtures. Hart also has very good fixtures, although City’s defensive form is faltering. Jaaskelainen falters as his fixtures stiffen up with City and Liverpool to come at home. Friedal enjoys a climb on the back of the weekend’s clean sheet and good fixtures. Myhill drops despite very strong form as Hull’s fixtures enter a hateful period.
In defence, Ferdinand continues on the rise with strong fixtures and form – the same applies to Bosingwa. Traore is the big climber with improved defensive form, good fixtures and the thereat of attacking points from a midfield position. Garrido is the other big climber with very strong fixtures, held back by dubious defensive form, as City continue to leak goals.
With Carvalho’s return likely at some point in the next two fixtures, Alex suffers a drop, as does United’s Neville who still remains a major uncertainty with Brown and now, Rafeal, a threat to his place. Turner also takes a hit with Hull’s nasty schedule – despite his superb form. Fulham’s Hangeland climbs with strong fixtures and good defensive form.
No major changes at the top in midfield. Lampard, Ronaldo and Wright-Phillips hold firm. Below them Arteta and Ireland are the climbers. The latter with improved fixtures which get even better once gameweek nine’s fixture against United is out of the way. Deco comes back in with Denilson, Etherington and Barry dropping with form, fixtures and, in Barry’s case, a change of role. Lower down, Nasri and Bolton’s Taylor climb with decent form from last weekend. Valencia falls with his forthcoming one match ban.
Up front, Zaki rises to the top again with his Anfield goals and Wigan’s strong-looking schedule over the next five. Defoe stays firm though with decent fixtures offering potential returns. Adebayor takes a tumble with sporadic form, as does Torres with injury. Rooney is the big new entry with outstanding form and good fixtures. Van Persie and Robinho enjoy slight rises with good form last time out and in Robinho’s case, very strong fixtures. Yakubu’s improved fixtures after the United game also see him on the rise. Zamora and Santa Cruz drop despite decent fixtures, with poor form and injury doubts respectively.
*UPDATE* Ferdinand was replaced by Vidic with news of tonight’s absence from the Champions League tie with a groin injury.