Selection
12 April 2011 1708 comments
Mark Mark
Share:

Our Watchlist rankings have been updated today to measure our current thinking on player acquisition strategies with just six gameweeks remaining. You can view this now in your right-hand sidebars.

Predictably, Chelsea’s double gameweek boost cements their players as key targets right now, with leaders in three of the four positions. Only Carlo Ancelotti’s rotation policy up front keeps their strikers from threatening a clean sweep.

The dominance continues at the back with Petr Cech and David Luiz topping the goalkeeper and defender rankings. There can be few arguments here, although Birmingham’s Ben Foster and Sunderland’s Simon Mignolet clearly offer potential at a lower price point. Liverpool’s Pepe Reina is the big climber in the keeper rankings – he offers a secure route to Kenny Dalglish’s backline which should earn further shutouts before the end of the season given the goal threat offered by some of their opponents. City’s Joe Hart, with improved fixtures after the gameweek double, makes a return to our Watchlist reckoning.

With Luiz topping the defenders, there is very little movement below him. Everton’s Leighton Baines, Villa’s Kyle Walker and Birmingham’s Roger Johnson remain our top back four options, with Sunderland’s Phil Bardsley climbing to fifth spot.

The intriguing option is offered by Liverpool’s Fabio Aurelio who, with injuries to Martin Kelly, Glen Johnson and Dan Agger, appears to have secured a starting role for Liverpool and will offer attacking threat and set-piece involvement over the run-in, together with clean sheet potential of course. At 5.8 in the Fantasy Premier League game he comes at a price but clearly offers a forward-thinking alternative to Martin Skrtel.

Frank Lampard remains the top target in midfield going into gameweek 33, despite a frustrating blank against Wigan last time out. The fact remains that only six midfielders have fired in more efforts on goal than Lampard over the last four gameweeks; similarly only six midfielders have contributed more key passes – of these players players, only team-mate Flourent Malouda has a double fixture this week. Lampard is a big investment, but, on his day and particularly with the assistance of spot-kicks, he’s unquestionably a heavy points scorer.

Blackpool’s Charlie Adam is the next in line with four home matches in the next five gameweeks, while Cesc Fabregas with assured starts over Arsenal’s double, climbs to third spot. Team-mate Theo Walcott claims fifth place, banishing former top spot tenant Nani to a lowly sixth spot in our rankings. Despite a sparkling showing with two assists against Fulham, with his starting role under threat from Valencia – there are stronger options than Nani in midfield right now; he will likely climb again however, once Arsenal’s double fixture has passed.

Charles N’Zogbia is the big climber below him as Wigan’s fixtures improve – more on him to come this week. Dirk Kuyt’s incredible run of 5 goals in as many gameweeks has him continue to scale the rankings – despite a run of opponents that will test Liverpool’s newfound fluency and goal threat. Further down, it’s worth noting that Luka Modric now tops team-mate Rafael Van der Vaart in our reckoning. The Dutchman badly needs to find returns if he is to stall his slide, while Modric continues to hoover Fantasy Premier League Bonus Points to boost his stock. Lower still, the likes of Clint Dempsey, Matt Etherington and Jamie O’Hara need the gameweek 33 blank to pass before they are ready to climb the rankings.

Moving up front and Arsenal’s double fixture maintains Robin Van Persie’s position with Wayne Rooney ranked second – he is set to return against Newcastle barring injury in tonight’s Champions League Quarter-Final.

Darren Bent holds third, with Sunderland’s Asamoah Gyan well placed as his run of fixtures presents ample opportunity for a season end goal glut. The form of Daniel Sturridge, coupled with his tough gameweek 34 double fixture keeps him high in our thinking, as the Liverpool pair of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll threaten. Investment in that pair looks inevitable following last night’s beating handed out to City, although as our earlier “Frisking the Fixtures” discussed, we have some reservations about Liverpool’s run-in.

With plenty of budget potential offered by the likes of Junior Hoilett, Peter Odemwingie, Demba Ba and, in gameweek 34, Bobby Zamora, many Fantasy Managers could be leaning towards two cheaper striker options with heavy investment in midfield once again.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

  1. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    You waste enough possession and that's what Utd do to you, I'm afraid.

    Open Controls
  2. wozza
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    £10 on Barc Win and £10 on United win.

    Great 2 minutes for me!

    Open Controls
    1. Joey
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Hardly. They were both more or less through before today

      Open Controls
      1. Cooper123
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        United were certainly not more or less through, by any means.

        Open Controls
      2. Fray Bentos
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        I think he means on the night, douche bag

        Open Controls
      3. Heisenberg
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        he bet on them to win though, not to qualify

        Open Controls
  3. Johnny Unitas
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Lols. Good half Chelsea, unlucky, and I am not even being sarcastic, but the best teams pull the goals out when they matter.

    Open Controls
  4. TommyK
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    THAT WASN'T BLOODY OFFSIDE WAS IT! 😛

    Open Controls
  5. $hahriyar
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Simply Hernandez......

    Open Controls
  6. Darv
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    YESSSSSS and a Messi (captain) goal for my cl team 😉

    Open Controls
  7. DGno9
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    barca 1-0 up also messi!

    Open Controls
  8. G0SS
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    I love that man!!!!!

    Open Controls
    1. RoysBrotherJohnson- Irish p…
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      gay alert.

      Open Controls
      1. G0SS
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        Ha does loving your dad make you incest so?

        Open Controls
  9. jamsiep
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    F*cking idiot Essien. Why did he deliberately handball it there for that free kick?

    Oh wait....

    Open Controls
    1. SOM.... This is Fellaini�…
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Who gives a shit if it's deliberate or not, handball is handball when his hands are in the air. If it was deliberate there would be further punishment such as a yellow card.

      Open Controls
    2. TommyK
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      It's starting....... 😛

      Open Controls
    3. $hahriyar
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Are you for real? that was a handball and am not a Utd fan.

      Open Controls
      1. Johnny Unitas
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        can't give out about the goal JP, we have already had one denied through offside, Torres is brutal, I would be far more wary of Anelka and Drogba, and think that has to happen sooner rather than later.

        Open Controls
      2. Boom!!!
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        he did not say that it was not a handball 😕

        Open Controls
  10. Attila the Bum
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM
    Level 5 Jerkicle Alert
    ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM

    Open Controls
    1. RoysBrotherJohnson- Irish p…
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      please proceed to the evacuation bays

      Open Controls
    2. Back on the horse
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      what's the jerkicle alert? I missed the health and safety briefing 🙁

      Open Controls
      1. 1966 was a great year for E…
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        Wear goggles.

        Open Controls
  11. gooner dave
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Ah well tie over. Can't see Chelsea doing nowt now.

    Open Controls
    1. Boom!!!
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      i don't think it is over yet before the start of the match i think chelsea targeted to score 2 goals and go through on away goals rules but as a manutd fan now i can calm down now 🙂

      Open Controls
    2. dribbler
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      dunno...if they score once it'll be sweaty for Utd

      Open Controls
    3. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah, game over now.

      Chelsea have to do some major rethinking at the end of this season because they have a heavily assembled team that has been naive and fairly clueless in 135 mins of football against Utd so far.

      If the Champions League is their goal then they need to get some players in with some nous and creativity. You know Anelka's done when a 40 yr old keeper can race out the box and tackle him.

      Ramires is a headless chicken, Torres is carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

      You Chelsea fans really have the right to have expected more for the amount of money that has been wasted on this team.

      Open Controls
  12. dribbler
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    brilliant from Giggs AGAIN!!!

    Open Controls
  13. TO
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    WTF is drogba doing on the bench

    Open Controls
    1. $hahriyar
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Ask roman

      Open Controls
    2. Jas aka The age of Ozil is …
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      +1

      Open Controls
  14. RoysBrotherJohnson- Irish p…
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    50k a week for anelka, and this guy cant even remember the guy who passed the ball in front of him a splitsecond before he decided to trot forward. What a *edited by admin*. I dont care if he's a centre forward. He's a stupid *edited by admin*.

    still, not game over by a long shot i reckon, hopefully drogs will come on asap

    Open Controls
    1. Akers
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Loved it when VDS haunted him again.

      Open Controls
    2. dribbler
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      didn't you factor-in the stupid *edited by admin* effect before you placed your bet?

      Open Controls
      1. RoysBrotherJohnson- Irish p…
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        meh, 20 quid- i wipe my arse with those 😀

        game is NOT over though

        Open Controls
    3. $hahriyar
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      I cudn't believe he got done by that! Unbelievable!

      Open Controls
      1. RoysBrotherJohnson- Irish p…
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        patheic wasnt it.

        tv3 are so united Biased its not funny ( in ireland) gushing over rooney, and dont even mention anelka's bad defending.

        pathetic fat c*nts

        Open Controls
  15. AriseSirGiggsy
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    United - intricate and industrious
    Chelsea - too many chiefs, not enough Indians

    Open Controls
  16. applebonkers
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    anelka: ahh zer is giggsy. ah but look at ze pretty ball going over there, c'est tres belle. what was i doing? oh yes giggsy where is he now? oh no sacre bleu i have left giggsy and they have scored.

    p.s graham anytime scorer > maynard anytime scorer

    Open Controls
    1. TommyK
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      😆

      reminds me of this:http: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK9pi-XsV0M

      Open Controls
      1. Open Controls
        1. applebonkers
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 10 months ago

          lol. but seriously that wasn't green's fault it was bad defending from terry 😉

          Open Controls
    2. PFOR
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      hahaha!

      Oh yeah +1 on the Danny Graham part, he's prolific.

      Open Controls
  17. AP
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Casual.

    Open Controls
    1. Boom!!!
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      as usual 😛

      Open Controls
  18. super zlatan
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Cmon united. Easy easy easy!!!!!!

    Open Controls
  19. TommyK
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone else see that hilarious missed tackle from park earlier? He basically just sat down adjacent to Cole..... 😛

    Open Controls
  20. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Rooney has been top class again tonight. Great goal but im not having all this Giggs praise, that was a shot if ever i saw one.

    Open Controls
    1. arfa
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      😕

      Open Controls
      1. AriseSirGiggsy
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        naaaaaaaaaahhhhh

        Open Controls
    2. Boom!!!
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      chamakh that grow up mate it was a perfect cross from giggs 😕

      Open Controls
      1. Drip Doctor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        Being told to grow up by Boom, really....

        Open Controls
    3. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      i call fish.
      the technique, power, everything was a cross/pass

      Open Controls
    1. TommyK
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Another classic Chegger's fail there. 😉

      Open Controls
    2. PFOR
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Oh feck off, your buggu's are always so vague! Saying a striker will score - genius 😉

      Open Controls
      1. SOM.... This is Fellaini�…
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        hehe shhh

        Open Controls
        1. PFOR
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 10 months ago

          And that Hoilett one? You whip that out whenever he fecking scores! 😛

          Open Controls
  21. Goalarov
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    No single Chelsea player is to blame. They just suck as a team.

    Open Controls
  22. applebonkers
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    anelka should be in one of two positions; in the final third or on the bench. i wince when he drops deep, he goes from a dangerous sharp finisher to a sh** playmaker

    Open Controls
    1. Goalarov
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      +1

      Open Controls
      1. AriseSirGiggsy
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        +1

        Open Controls
  23. Boom!!!
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    apart from ramires no chelsea player looks up for it!

    Open Controls
    1. Goalarov
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      cole looks good as well . . .

      Open Controls
  24. jamsiep
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Well isn't that just glorious.

    Open Controls
    1. Akers
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      +1

      Open Controls
    2. TommyK
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      I'll tell you what's glorious- biking 3 miles to the pub to find out they're not showing the game.

      Bleurgh. 😕

      Open Controls
      1. AriseSirGiggsy
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        isnt a pub you need to visit ever again

        Open Controls
    3. PFOR
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      As long as Cole and Malouda are marauding down Johno's flank you're in with a chance. He has a yellow too.

      Open Controls
      1. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        That's the danger, Park and JOS are giving them chances down the left.

        Open Controls
        1. PFOR
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 10 months ago

          Tony on for Nani soon hopefully.

          Open Controls
  25. King Eric, in America
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Ivanovic = embarrassing dive. Really. Shameful.

    Otherwise, a balanced game, IMO ... Chelsea first 20, United last 25.

    Looking forward to 2nd half.

    Open Controls
  26. Ini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Messi- 48 goals this season!

    Open Controls
    1. Boom!!!
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      cheers (C) messi in ucl fantasy as always 🙂

      Open Controls
    2. Ini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Yup..broke Ronaldo's record from 96/97 I believe.

      Open Controls
    3. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      it's a shame he'll take ronaldo's record. i love that buck-toothed fatty

      Open Controls
    4. Fray Bentos
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      is that all?

      could do better

      Open Controls
  27. arfa
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Chelsea needed two goals o the game is still on..

    Open Controls
    1. gooner dave
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Can't see it myself arfa. Can't see how they can get back into this game, heads started dropping after that goal. However here's hoping......

      Open Controls
      1. arfa
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        i couldn't give a shit who wins...just think maybe Drogba could do some damage.cant believe he didn't start

        back to the game....

        Open Controls
  28. SOM.... This is Fellaini�…
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    Not much has changed tbh for Chelsea, they still need to score twice.

    Open Controls
    1. TommyK
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Well, it has- they only needed one to be level before.....

      Open Controls
    2. PFOR
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      It's almost like having a 1 and a half goal lead.

      Open Controls
    3. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      they got half hour less to get them

      Open Controls
      1. jamsiep
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        ...and have been playing like absolute shit for the last 15 minutes.

        Open Controls
  29. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 10 months ago

    I'm sure I've seen comments on here saying Hernandez is overrated. Total b*llocks. The guy is the most natural finisher in the league right now.

    Open Controls
    1. jamsiep
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Agreed. That tap in from 2 yards was different class.

      Open Controls
      1. applebonkers
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        it's not worth it, even if you have a point you'll get mis-understood and shot down

        Open Controls
        1. Granville
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 10 months ago

          It's also all about his movement. No one ever questioned Jimmy Greaves or Gary Lineker in their time.

          Open Controls
          1. jamsiep
            • 16 Years
            14 years, 10 months ago

            Where 'movement' here means standing behind all the Chelsea defence.

            Open Controls
            1. AriseSirGiggsy
              • 14 Years
              14 years, 10 months ago

              silly thing to say

              Open Controls
            2. denial
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              14 years, 10 months ago

              Oh don't be silly.

              Open Controls
            3. King Eric, in America
              • 15 Years
              14 years, 10 months ago

              😀

              Open Controls
      2. denial
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        Thing is, it was.

        Open Controls
        1. denial
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 10 months ago

          *different class.

          Open Controls
    2. King Eric, in America
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      + everything.

      Open Controls
    3. dribbler
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      lol making up enemies to argue with denial?

      Open Controls
      1. denial
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        heh..no, I'm not trying to start a dumb row or anything. It might have been MF...

        Open Controls
    4. $hahriyar
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      Tell that to the blindfuks ABU's. Excuse moi french.

      Open Controls
    5. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      A natural finisher is someone who can score from anywhere, he's a poacher, and a class one at that.

      Open Controls
      1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        Is it? I thought that was a 'Matt Le Tissier'

        Open Controls
      2. TommyK
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        If you're implying Hernandez can't score from outside the box then you're wrong.

        However I still agree that he's not as well-rounded a player as someone like Rooney (obviously).

        Open Controls
    6. AriseSirGiggsy
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 10 months ago

      did someone really comment that?
      gosh, its hard to get praised these days huh?
      didnt he have a record a few weeks ago of something likr 10 goals from 13 shouts over the season?

      Open Controls
      1. AriseSirGiggsy
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 10 months ago

        *shots

        Open Controls