| Player | Club | Factors | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up |  Donnarumma | MCI | C |
| Up |  Verbruggen | BHA | C, Vs |
| Down |  Raya Martin | ARS | A |
| Up |  Darlow | LEE | B, Vs, £ |
| Up |  Petrovic | BOU | B |
| Up |  Henderson | CRY | C |
| Player | Club | Factors | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up |  O’Reilly | MCI | B |
| No Change |  Gabriel Magalhães | ARS | A |
| Up |  van Hecke | BHA | B, Vs |
| No Change |  Hill | BOU | B, £ |
| Up |  Struijk | LEE | B, Vs, £ |
| Up |  Lacroix | CRY | A |
| Down |  van Dijk | LIV | C |
| Down |  Thiaw | NEW | C, Rest |
| No Change |  Kayode | BRE | B |
| No Change |  Cash | AVL | C |
| Player | Club | Factors | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Change |  Bruno Fernandes | MUN | A |
| Up |  Semenyo | MCI | B |
| No Change |  Palmer | CHE | C |
| Up |  Tavernier | BOU | C, £ |
| Up |  Ismaila Sarr | CRY | A |
| No Change |  Gordon | NEW | A, OoP |
| No Change |  Rice | ARS | C |
| No Change |  Rogers | AVL | C |
| No Change |  Anderson | NFO | B, £ |
| Down |  Szoboszlai | LIV | B |
| Down |  Wilson | FUL | A |
| Up |  Hinshelwood | BHA | B, Vs, £ |
| Player | Club | Factors | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Change |  Haaland | MCI | C |
| Up |  João Pedro | CHE | A |
| Up |  Welbeck | BHA | A, Vs |
| Up |  Calvert-Lewin | LEE | C, Vs |
| No Change |  Bowen | WHU | B |
| Down |  Thiago | BRE | B |
Mark A senseless dismissal for Robin Van Persie. A seething response from Arsene Wenger. A public apology from Cesc Fabregas. Beyond all the noise, it’s difficult to deny the quality of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, as Arsenal were again beaten in the Nou Camp to end another Champions League campaign.
“Great support from the arsenal fans. I take full blame for the result tonight. One of the worst moments of my life. I apologise.”
Morning all,
Having a debate with a mate at work and was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction of where to find stats on the results between the 'big 4' clubs for the past 5 seasons. So liverpool beating man utd 3-1 at home losing 3-2 away etc
CRICKET:
Anyone know if a captain change at 8.59am will be OK?
hopefully not 😉
Nice write up Mark, thanks. I dont have any arsenal coverage at the moment which was a worry, but the possible blank fixture could turn out to be a blessing
I have szczney but im with you on the blessing
Thats unlucky with his injury there. Been a good cheap option into the arsenal defence lately. If you have a solid back-up keeper, you'll be fine. Its the rvp, fabregas, nasri owners that i could make a jump on. Was a bit annoyed seeing rvp back, but selling him got me Lampard so its worked out well so far. Can get him back for Berbatov if need be
anyone getting rid of tevez, chelsea liverpool and spurs in their next 4?
I was hoping to get rid this week but may be forced to make transfers elsewhere, I still have brunt and odem!
I was but i think i may have more pressing transfers.
Not in my plans at 6 ppg.
Tempted to get Roonpig in with UTD fix bit it looks like RVP is back on the scene. Suarez looks the bizness too.
Cricket
Who are people captaining today? I have gone for Khan, also have Sehwag
Gone for H Singh... don't think Neds will play him too well.
I see you are from the Netherlands. In that case, sorry in advance. we are going to walk all over you 😀
the pitch looks like a dream to bat on, already regretting going khan
the indian bowling is one of the worst bowling attacks in the competition. i am sure there are much better bowlers you can get in the fantasy game.
KOL link your team? That's right, I'm nosey like tosey
I can get on the PL site in this office but my link is 2028. How come?
morning
already have spent my free transfer, kelly->walker. My keepers are szczesny and myhill.
OOPS
now what do i do?
Arteta + Carr + 1 point vs Baines 🙂
maybe get Almunia? Surely he's a shoe in...but I understand you don't wanna risk the hit.
+ 3 point lead, dont short me, I need all i can get. bittersweet if i can win this week, this keeper situation will probably knock me out next week.
cry
Learn the most important attribute needed for this game: patience.
I actually watched the game yesterday, and I am stunned that no Barcalona players got booked, ie for grabbing RVPs throat, and I agree that RVPs' booking ruined the game.
ruined my bets too...
Got my bets up 🙂 I cant belive RVP got his second booking with his first touch of the ball 😉
i had messi to score first and 2-2.
also had barca to win first half and arsenal full time.
also arshavin last goal.
RVP off effectively killed all of those.
thats pretty bad mate. 🙁 arshavin last goal would have could still have happened.
I had barca minus 1 at 5/6 🙂
any squad news for brum tonight? not sure if they travel there on the day.
Anyone elses team in a bit of a state?
Got question marks over Coleman, Kolorov, and Lennon starting. Barton, Nani, and Zigic with injuries.
Exactly the same problems for me, except swap Lennon for Kelly. I'm chasing a massive lead, and thinking of taking 4phs for the next 3 gameweeks to really change things up. Looking at the ditching the common players such as Tevez, Nani, Adam, Coleman. Not going to win if I keep them, so may as well try without.
I am defending a 100 point lead which was slipping until this week when i got Lampard. Still not totally confident tho.
Got Coleman, Kolarov, Lennon, Barton, Nani and Zigic.
Barton is scheduled to be back this weekend so he's not a worry.
Man Utd may not have a game in GW30 anyway so Nani's health may not be an issue.
Kolarov and Coleman will play more often than not so unless you have a real pressing need I'd leave them for now.
Lennon and Zigic are the ones I'd ship out first in your shoes. I got rid of Lennon last gw.
If for instance someone has Coleman and he does not start, though he comes on in tonights game at some point, how many minutes does he need to play to score more than 1 point?
Or is 1 point the maximum Coleman scores regardless of when he comes on?
(sorry it's my first season playing this game)
1pt definite if he comes on at any stage. Needs to play 60mins+ for any cleansheet points, which is unlikely unless he comes on before 30mins due to an injury. Only other potential points are goals / assists / Bps. Obviously could get -points for cards.
Ahhh so thats y you had Kuyt 😉
60 min gives you 2 points and is the amount of time you need to be on the pitch to be eligible for a clean sheet bonus.
Thanks all. In the Telegraph game for instance, if a defender comes on in the 89th minute and his team does not concede, that defender still scores 3 points!
Time to think about shipping out Nasri.
I hope that the Utd Arsenal FA cup game is a draw so I can leave off getting RVP or Rooney for a gw and get VdV and Adam back instead.
Chasing an 86 point lead with this team (and 4.3 in the bank)
Foster, Al Habsi
Kolarov, Huth, Coleman, Rafael, Djourou
Nani, Van der Vaart, Nasri, Downing, Meireles
Tevez, Berbatov, Zigic.
I need to make pretty big-time changes. I know on paper this is a decent team, but I need to take a chance for big points. Am thinking of taking 4pt hits the next few weeks to really change things up.
QUESTION: Regardless of how many transfers/hits, what changes would you make to this team?
I'd ship out the popular players such as Tevez, Berbs, Zigic, Nani, Kolarov, Coleman, Huth, Rafeal. Load up on Chelsea from 32 onwards, Luiz and Lamps a good choice. I think Defoe and Bale will have good ends to the season, great time to bring them in next GW if they're fit. Rooney a good choice to cover MU. Carroll when guaranteed starts. O'Hara could be a lovely little pick, look at Wolves run in and home fixtures, plus they're looking at lot better at the moment.
Anyone notice the lack of analysis on how poor Wilshire was for Xavis goal?Just watch it again nicely drifts out to nobody ,doesnt track the Xavi and is basically redundant in the move.
He doesnt seem the smartest tactically on that viewing
Hmmm and Fabregas is made the scapegoat. (his error was atrocious)
But both mistakes are as bad in my book .
Yet Wilshire got a highlights reel at the end of the game.
Are you actually comparing Fabs to Wilshires overall performance?
Fabs was a bystander for the entire time he was on - was most energetic when shaking hands/kissing Barca players in the tunnel (Im serious).
Wilshire was Arsenals best player by a huge margin last night.
Why do you feel the need to criticize one of Arsenal's best players over the last few months, he is young and won't be perfect in every game. It just seems you are being contrary for the sake of it
because he got a highlights reel im trying to bring it back to reality.
And what about his pass in the last minute that could have won the game?
How about criticising Bendtner instead DBRonaldo or because you already nailed your colours to his mast you won't mention it.
Amidst being totally outplayed, there was a chance for Arsenal to come through last night.
Bendtner has no where near as much talent as wilshire but the desperation to build up any english player to god like status is pathetic
if the media want to compare to the modern greats then he is open for scrutiny just like they are
And he was at fault or played a major role in the concession of 2 goals. You want to say he has potential i agree but you cant do what sky did and show a highlights reel with no analysis of his performance showing mistakes aswell.
'god like status'. Bit of an overreaction I think. Nobody thinks he's up there with the best at all - just that he was Arsenals best player last night and you disagree? What Arsenal player was better?
They also did a highlights reel of Fabs. It consisted of the pass to RVP (before sending off), him getting fouled, and his ludicrous backheel. Hardly buildign him up to god liek status.
Its not when immediately after the Ist leg every single meida outlet was saying how he was as good as Xavi based on one game.
Again have a look at the 2nd and 3rd goals and tell me Wilshire isnt someway at fault.
Alumina , the 2 centre backs were better easily.
Xavi hasnt even got a great scoring record and he doesnt make that many forward runs and the times he did Wilshire and Co failed to track him which resulted in 2 goals.
Again why are you talking about Fabs? (I get it its the deflection from actually looking at Wilshires performance)
Talking about Fabs as your comments were:
"Hmmm and Fabregas is made the scapegoat" (because his performance was the worst I've ever seen him play - completely lacklustre)
and
"Fabs was injured" (Wenger thought he was fit enough to play and he knows better than we do)
Your points are made redundant by "Wilshire and Co". The whole Arsenal team couldn't deal with Barca. Neither can the rest of Europe. Doesnt make it solely Wilshires fault.
You can look at the 2nd and 3rd goals and point out 3-4 players at fault. You couldn't look at the WHOLE GAME - not just the highlights and say Wilshire didnt have a good game.
media outlets saying he's good as Xavi? Daft. You need to get soem different media!
My point about Fabregas was he was made the sole scapegoat which is unfair.
Wilshire actually was at fault, Look at him not tracking his man Xavi for 2nd goal
Or allowing Xavi 10 yards with nobody marking him which leads to the penalty - and then they blame Koscienly.
Rather than Diaby and Wilshires who's job it was to sit and mark there men.
2 simple things by Wilshire meant the concession of 2 goals. I dont see blame for the rest of the team their bar Diaby.
Seems your problem is with 'They' rather than Wilshire.
Agree that pointing finger at just Fabs is wrong.
but if 'they' pointed finger at Wilshire would that then be ok? Because he's English?
Almost every goal scored in football could be prevented, and normally someone (or many) is at fault for a goal conceded.
Im sure we all agree that pundits arent the brightest bunch and highlighting the fact that a backheel on the edge of box, or conceding a penalty is a much more obvious mistake than allowing a player 10 yards of space.
Besides who is 'they' that seem to be doing all this blaming? Most common themes I've seen in the media has been 'injustice of red card' and 'Barca dominated'. Certainly not a witchhunt for Fabs and Kosielny as you're suggesting...
Its nothing to do with nationality. It the misleading of the facts.
His performance wasnt as great as it was made out to be.
Xavi and Inesta are performing at a level now probably never to be seen again for many generations and have been consistently at this level for 3 years. Yet its become so consist and "normal" for them its passed off as if nothing.
Wilshire played ok nothing more and made 2 very important mistakes.
The coverage paints an entirely different picture.
Not sure why you have such a problem with it. Your sense of injustice with 'false' reporting is obsessional.
It's the English way, build up and player and then knock him down. They did it with Gazza, Rooney and they will do it eventually with Wilshere.
agree. You've got to get over your obsession with the English media and them building players up - thats just how things are done there. How about you just don't read it, you don't even live there! I manage to avoid it!
Perhaps then you won't feel the need to post incendiary comments so often.
"thats just how things are done there"
Doesnt make it right.
So you agree his ability is being overstated?
Why am i against it? - because their job is to report what happened in a factual way.
And besides as much as It is amusing to see England build these superstars only to pull the rug from under them when they exit yet another tournament it would be more pleasing to see the press and the team actually try to learn form mistakes and move on.
I dont understand this mentality of hype in England.
But the presses build up of players is just beyond a joke now. After both 2006 and 2010 WC i remember 2 seperate tv segments saying we will learn from this not hype things up etc
Less than a year since 2010 and England has found another saviour who as Pep Guardiola has said would do well to make the Barcelona B team.
It may not make it right but you know that it will not change so why get annoyed about it, just ignore it - I find that by not living in the UK I manage to avoid almost all the English media. You should try it!
Wilshire may not be a saviour but he could well become one of England's best midfielders for a while.
Guardiola's comment is just b*llocks I'm afraid. He was good enough when he helped them beat Barca at the Emirates! He's at least as good a player as Affelay.
Just ignoring something you feel is wrong is the weakest of standpoints. Especially something as grossly misleading it borders on propaganda. You just wait and see if England get knocked out and Wilshire commits the same 2 mistakes people will be saying how unusual it is and he isnt that type of player - all because of misleading coverage by sky and others.
Your second point is again not relevant. England dont have a great team currently being the best in that bunch really doesnt equate to the praise he is getting
His comments arent "boll*xs".
It made a good point in the sense that barcelona have many great talents - who arent given this praise so young and also it pointed to the desperation in England to make someone a saviour. With this desperation very good players like Wilshire is currently are made into something they are not.
Messi didnt get this praise at Wilshires age. (i know different positions but illustrates Guardiolas point)
Affellay plays a different posititon. He is irrelevant.
This kind of thing happens in every country with young players. You need to get over the anti-english thing.
Every time a decent young Argentinian kid comes through he is the 'next Maradona' before provign anything (Saviola, Aimar, Ortega etc.)
Brazil currently have a crop of young players that are already hyped as world beaters (Neymar, Ganso)
Its not a standpoint. I don't feel the need to go on about the nonsense that is spouted in de Bild or Marca - you know why? Because its not relevant because I don't live there! I'm sure most of the English on here don't want to hear any campaigns for a non-bias press in the UK from foreigners like us.
I will amend my point then, I think that he is already a very good player who I feel would not look out of place in the Barcelona 1st team squad.
I will repeat as you didn't answer the point I made about him being good enough when Arsenal beat them at the Emirates.
Affelay is relevant as he is a technically good player (like Wilshire), not great yet but can fit into a team system that they play.
Well done Wilko talk about the Nazi on internet forum.
That law always proves to be right.
Their coverage is misleading and biased in favour of the english player. It does him, the team and people who have interest in football a disservice by building him up to be something he is yet not.
And no other countries dont build up other players as much as the UK and anyway they can as their teams win things so it is relevant to compare.
Pompey - the papers you mentioned and others are openly biased . Sky and others are worse for pretending to be neutral.
I Agree he is a good player too and potential to be very good
Than being said ignoring the fact he was at fault fully and partially for 2nd and 3rd goals is a valid point and that is is being ignored deliberately is also valid
BTW, Messi had massive hype, absolutely massive. I heard of him at 16 at the time that Ronaldinho signed for them.
It could be argued that British media pundits have there own agenda, and you have your own, only it comes from the opposite direction.
Granville
No amount of Hype would do Messi justice. His performances will lead to him going to as probably the best ever
Wilshire if he achieves the highest he can will be what? - an excellent centre midfielder.
They are worlds apart. But they hype isnt.
My agenda is for fair and balanced discussion and actually putting all the facts on the table. Not one match report comments on wilshere and his role in 2nd and 3rd goals
Dont try to paint this as anti english. Its anti bias nonsense.
Don't get all precious - read my comment properly.
Just find it daft that you're treating coverage of a young English footballer... broadcast to a mainly English audience as 'propaganda'.
and Yes other countries do hype up players. I just named a load - could name a few more if you'd like..
Freddy Adu anyone? - shall we start a campaign againt the States and their biased media now?
Media can say what they like - you don't have to believe it. Dont take it so personal
I'm sure he mentioned the nazis as just to try and show you how ridiculously absurd your 'point' was.
What the f*ck do you know about other countries building their players up?! You are wrong as they are also outrageously partisan here in NL and build players up. As Wilko points out it has always been a huge problem in Argentina with 'new Maradona syndrone'. It doesn't matter whether they win things or not they still do it just as much as in England. Maybe you would know this if you didn't waste all your time pouring over the awful English rags trying to find things to annoy yourself.
Since when do Sky and others pretend to be neutral?! You are talking about the Murdoch empire!!!
Wilko
Yes freddy was daft hype agreed
but thats 1 in million
Literally any young English player who can lace a pair of boots is a potential superstar.
Iniesta wasnt even rated in his early 20's. He wasnt even rated by media here until he played United in 2009.
Inesta will go down as an all time great - yet where is his hype?
No he is too busy actually performing at the top level and winning things.
Talking of the Spanish. For how many years did they hype their players and chances of winning a major football competition.
There have been so many overhyped players from all over eg. Adu, Nakata, Karembeu, Ibrahimovic, Dzeko.
It's nonsense to suggest that it's just the British media
DB I agree that young English players get outrageous hype by the English media.
My point is that it happens everywhere.
No Iniesta didn't have any hype in England when he was younger, but Im sure he must have done in Spain. Its what the local media do! Im sure you're average Spanish audience hear hype about their young players same as every country does.
See Canales, Javi Martinez etc.
Also to consider is that the Prem has so few actual English players that the media have a field day when one a young one pops up who actually looks decent.
Messi was hyped up about as much as Marinelli, Ortega, D'allesandro, Saviola, Aimar & Gallardo - eventually one of them would come off!
Kerlon was hyped up massively.
Iniesta was hyped up in Spain when he was 19/20 as well as lots of other promising young players.
It is the nature of the press, each nation's press hype up their OWN nation's players. You just don't here about the one's that don't amount to anything because you don't read the press of every football nation in the world!
So you guys think its ok the way they reported his performance last night?
Thats wasnt merely hype it was misleading and deliberately leaving out mistakes to paint a different picture
That goes beyond hype.
Granville Zlatan isnt over Hyped. He has been one of the best players in the world for years.
If you want to mention his record in CL then the same argument could be used to discredit Cantona. Its not only about the CL.
Theres lots of things I didnt like about the broadcast.
I didn't like the endless replays of every Barca chance (I know there was lots)whilst the game was goign on - or replaying of penalty incident 20 mins after it happened when they should have been showing the game.... but thats what happens as it was a SPANISH signal/cameras.
Its to be expected.
Likewise, Wilshire had, in most peoples opinions, a decent game so the ENGLISH reporters bang on about it.
Such is life
+1
He is 19 years old playing in his first proper season and I don't think it can be argued that he certainly didn't disgrace himself over the 2 games vs the best team of a generation.
Give the lad a break, he is bound to make the odd mistake.
Exactly
but when he does something well why is xavi or inesta?
Its double standards
The thing that surprised me the most about the game last night was the ridiculous space Barca had down their right side.
Arsenal were obviously playing the back four very, very narrow to stop Barca playing through the middle of them, but the ball out to Alves was on all evening long and Arsene did nothing to change it. It must've been about 20+ times Alves was put in behind the Arsenal defence, which is just ridiculous.
That would have worked as a tactic if Arsenal stayed deeper.
Its all about Space behind for Barcelona. If they stay deep Alves having all the room on the right is redundant as Barcelona have no one to cross to for Alves nor have any great long distance shooters from outside the box
But its very hard to do for so long.
Kolo Toure dropped by 0.1 last night.
Looks like I need to do my next transfer ASAP.
Any suggestions for replacements? I'm thinking Haageland. Fulham are quite solid at home nowadays.
Current back line is:
Cole-Evra-Coleman-Ridgewell-Kolo Toure
Fulham have been solid, but as a Hangeland owner I'd say he isn't worth the money, think if you're spending that much it'd be better to get Luiz
I already have Ashley Cole. I don't fancy having 2 Chelsea defenders.
Another mid-range option might be Bardsley of Sunderland.
How about Djourou?
Possible. I already have Nasri + Bendtner.
However, Bendtner will not be a definite starter (I bought him in for RVP's expected 6 week absence!), and Arsenal are keeping clean sheets at the moment.
If you don't have walker I'd suggest him, at a low price he's an absolute bargain. Only getting more confident when going forward and Villa's fixtures are great
A good shout. He looks to be a nailed on starter. I'm a bit worried about Villa's lacke of clean sheets, though.
So we coming to the back end of the season where some of us are going to try some crazy stuff to secure mini leagues and boost overall rankings.
So, am I crazy to consider Defoe considering his games until the end of the season instead of Berba/tevez? Or is VDV enough cover?
What is the difference between Arsenal's performance last night and Ashley Cole? At least Cole managed a shot on target...
🙂
Tevez or Torres > Bent...?
Torres looks a bit fruity. Tevez will probably take what he can get.
What game does RVP miss through suspension because of his red card?
Any news on Drogba injury?
He's in a stable, but critical condition in Chelsea NHS Primary Care Trust.
86 points behind with this team (and 4.3 in the bank)
Foster, Al Habsi
Kolarov, Huth, Coleman, Rafael, Djourou
Nani, Van der Vaart, Nasri, Downing, Meireles
Tevez, Berbatov, Zigic.
I need to make pretty big-time changes. I know on paper this is a decent team, but I need to take a chance for big points. Am thinking of taking 4pt hits the next few weeks to really change things up.
Here's an adjusted squad (changes starred):
Foster, *Mignolet
*Luiz, *Cahill, *Hughes, *Baines, Djourou
*Lampard, Van der Vaart, Downing, *Nolan, *O'Hara
*Rooney, *Suarez, *Sturridge
Agree with this possible changes?
If you dont have your wildcard, that is going to be costly!
Haha, tell me about it. Unfortunately I already used my WC. This is obviously a ridiculous amount of transfers - but I thought I'd put all the ones I'd considered down, and see what people thought were the best/most vital!
Anyone taking a punt on blackburn vs Blackpool? Is Gamst Inj?
Any ideas for transfers to my squad this week? Looking at
a) Tevez -> Defoe
b) Tevez -> RVP
c) Kelly -> Walker
d) Kolarov -> Walker
e) Kolaov -> Dawson
Which is best, and are there any better? Cheers
Kol - Luiz? I cant see your team so you might already have him
How the hell do i fit in Adam for the gw 32-36 if I have VDV/Young/Nani/Nasri/Lampard(shortly)?
Maybe Nani gets infection in his wound and solves my problem.
Im going for adam over nasri and going with RVP up top
which line from yesterday is better for abuse -
'Guardiola is needing back surgery because of all the trophies he's lifted in the past few years'
OR
'Barcelona have 20 Wilshires in their B team'
🙂
