It’s Friday evening, it’s time for Strictly Come Selecting Fantasy Footballers. Controversially, I’ve decided not to change the judges panel this week – you’re stuck with me. Read on for the constructive comments behind my selection, paying close attention to yesterday’s Midweek-ish Meander for more background…
I’m starting with Shay Given in goal. Although West Ham are possibly the least predictable side in the league right now, I just see them concentrating their efforsts on keeping City out rather than threatening the goal at the other end. Given offers save points should the Hammers gets feisty but I’m fully expecting a cleanie from him on Monday night.
In front of Given, the defence has a familiar feel, with Everton’s Baines and Liverpool’s Johnson offering strong clean sheet potential against Portsmouth and Hull respectively. If you’re not backing these two defences against the bottom two in the league, when can you back them? Both Baines and Johnson also offering plenty of attacking potential too.
The same goes for Chelsea’s Ashley Cole who faces a slightly tougher fixture with Wigan this gameweek. I’m expecting another alarmingly efficient Chelsea display from the Blues though, with another cleanie and possible attacking returns from a resurgent Cole.
Birmingham’s Roger Johnson claims the final spot in defence. A slight gamble here as the home fixture with Bolton is hard to call. A 0-0 looks a strong bet, making the visitors Gary Cahill also worth a look. I opted for him on the bench though, preferring the Johnson’s goal threat from set-pieces for the home side.
The midfield was actually a tricky area this week. I was toying with one of the Man City trio (Wright-Phillips, Barry or Ireland) but, given that I’m slightly worried that West Ham will prove a stubborn obstacle, I’ve decided against them. Equally, I worry about Blackburn choking Villa’s current run of form and that’s seen me turn my back on Ashley Young and James Milner. This leaves me with Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs and Sunderland as sources of attacking points which has seen Gerrard, Fabregas, Lennon and Reid get the nod.
Gerrard should surely be guaranteed some form of returns at home to Hull, while Fabregas is the safest option right now in the Arsenal lineup, given the the resources on offer to Wenger further up the field. Lennon will be vital to Spurs’ attack at home to a charitable Burnley defence, while I fancy Andy Reid to be the creative force behind a Sunderland win over Wolves by a couple of goals.
Up front I’ve covered Everton’s likely goal haul at Portsmouth by opting for the fragile form of Louis Saha. He has strong form, plenty of confidence and will need to keep scoring in order to keep Yakubu on the fringes. I see two or three goals for Everton at Portsmouth and, with Pienaar an injury doubt and Cahill and Fellaini shuffling starting roles, Saha looks the best attacking option available.
It was a close call on the second striker with Sunderland’s Bent and Tottenham’s Defoe vying for inclusion. In the end, I’ve gone for Defoe because I have more confidence in Spurs against the Burnley defence. I see them needing at least a couple against Owen Coyle’s side, whilst I’m backing on Bent sharing attacking spoils with Reid and Campbell/Jones.
I had a tough choice on the bench this week. In the end I went with Bolton’s Cahill for the defensive role, Everton’s Tim Cahill in midfield and Arsenal’s Bendtner up front. I can see the Dane starting at Fulham, having been benched against Wigan last weekend. He should be amongst the damage dealers if he starts. For real budget considerations, the Burnley pair of Wade Elliot and Dave Nugent almost made it and are certainly worthy options – not least because they have very strong fixtures beyond this gameweek.