First up, apologies for the late Picks post – had to hang on late at work tonight. Ready yourself though, because here they come in the usual format and to the usual questionable standard. Don’t forget to soak up the midweek meander for more twisted logic behind this little lot…
Cracking straight on – in goal I’ve opted for Boro’s Turnbull. He’s been hovering up the save points this season across the games and while Boro’s clean sheet record if far from impressive, the home fixture with Bolton looks a tight affair which could see the keeper profit.
Turnbull’s selection allows me to bring in the almost-essential Chelsea and Liverpool defenders to my defence. Bosingwa is the regular Chelsea pick given his contribution going forward. The home game with Newcastle should see further returns for his impressive points tally. As for Liverpool, I’ve opted for Arbeloa as he appears to offer the best security in terms of starting role. He missed the Bolton game through suspension and with Degen injured, Rafa will surely turn to him at right back. Agger perhaps offers a stronger goal threat but, along with Carragher, there’s a slight risk of rest/rotation with the Champions League coming up in midweek.
Portsmouth’s clean sheet looks under threat at home to Hull but with Belhadj occupying a left wing role, he still looks a strong option. I’ve gambled with the final place and gone for Higginbotham of Stoke. He is a good option for a home clean sheet against West Brom and he’ll be on penalties with Fuller suspended. Shawcross is an excellent alternative if you backing the Delap throw.
Ronaldo and Lampard take their now customary midfield roles. There are doubts over Lampard’s fitness but he reportedly trained on Thursday after missing England’s game in Germany with a rib injury. That’s enough evidence to assure me that he’ll figure against Newcastle and if he does – he should reap in the points in a heavy Chelsea win.
I’ve gambled somewhat on the other two midfield places – opting for Bentley of Spurs and Downing of Boro. The Spurs man is up against his former club at White Hart Lane and that’s enough for me to plump for him in the hope that he’ll something to prove. Spurs should need a couple of goals here and I’m hoping that Bentley will come good after a disappointing season thus far. As for Downing, he is showing form without bringing in major profits. His penalty misses earlier in the season are hard to forget and Boro players are hardly ever reliable – so I’m taking a risk here.
Kuyt is an excellent and safer alternative here if you can’t bring yourself to forgive Downing for his previous crimes. Wright-Phillips could also be a strong option if you’re backing goals but he has struggled for form for so long, it’s difficult to put faith in him, even against the vulnerable Arsenal defence.
I’m sticking with Bent up front after last weekend’s blank at the Cottage. As I’ve mentioned, Spurs should need a couple of goals against Blackburn at the Lane and Bent will surely figure somewhere amongst them if that’s the case. He too, will have a point to prove having been benched for England in midweek.
The final striking role goes to Cisse. He is in strong form and should find some joy against the West Ham defence at the Stadium of Light. Team-mate Jones is the other option here but I’m opting for the goal-power of Cisse with Jones still short of sharpness.
Looking at the alternatives – Wheater at Boro is worth a shout if you’re strongly backing a Boro clean sheet. He is set for a recall and will offer his usual goal threat against Bolton. Ferdinand offers the best option in the Sunderland defence at home to West Ham and for a cheeky short-term choice, Evans should start for United at Villa with Ferdinand out if you’re backing Ferguson’s men to keep Villa at bay.
Delap is the obvious budget choice in midfield – his long throws will surely be the most potent weapon on show against West Brom. Fuller’s absence could reduce his likely returns however, although Shawcross will be a threat. Up front meanwhile, I’ve got an inkling that Tuncay will profit if Boro can seal the win over Bolton. Anelka is the other key figure of course. Again, I’ve only omitted him in order to avoid selecting the three Chelsea players. He is clearly a very strong option up front however and should be backed in his current form and with Newcastle in opposition. If you feel nervy about Lampard, then Anelka provides an excellent alternative for FPL captain too.
Indeed, the FPL captaincy is a real tricky one. Lampard looks the strongest option if you are convinced that he’ll start. I’m backing him to be available and selected and so at this point, I’m opting for him but only just. Ronaldo has a very dicey game at Villa but is the obvious alternative. I may switch my allegiance by tomorrow morning’s pre-match preamble.