[sbu_large_image] Preamble
14 April 2012 1080 comments
Mark Mark
Share:

Seven, Eight, Eleven? How many is enough? That’s the puzzle, the conundrum facing Fantasy managers with little under an hour to go on another deadline.

We won’t have the answers until the final ball has been kicked. However, we do already know that it’s not really about the number of players you take into Gameweek 34 but, as always, whether you’ve got the right ones.

Let’s ponder that further while we take in our pre-match stroll, purring through the papers to discover whether the press boys and their predicted lineups can provide any last minute inspiration.

My weekend worries in terms of team selection is a tale of two wingers. With both Arsenal and United facing home matches against “obliging” opponents, just days after midweek matches, there’s just part of me concerned that we’ll see rotation in the ranks.

Theo Walcott’s form is sparking but, with Alex Oxlade Chamberlain straining at the leash and Yossi Benayoun and Gervinho competing for the left-flank, I just wonder if Arsene Wenger will opt to rest Theo on Monday, ahead of next weekend’s potentially key clash with Chelsea.

The press boys don’t think so. Perhaps not surprisingly, every one of our papers this morning go with Walcott on the right flank, while all but The Sun retain Yossi Benayoun on the opposite flank.

United’s Ashley Young is my other concern. On paper, a reunion with former club Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday looks on the cards. Defeat to Wigan in midweek will surely have sewn the seeds for Sir Alex to tweak his lineup for today’s game, though, with Young one player who looks vulnerable. He only got 45 minutes at the DW Stadium with Tom Cleverley replacing him as a result of United’s abject first half showing. While Ferguson will likely start with two wingers against to help unlock Villa, with Nani now an option, there’s clearly a question mark over those roles in his starting XI.

The press seem split on this one. The Times, The Sun and The Mail all go with Nani to start with Antonio Valencia safely snuggling to the right touchline. The rest – The Independent, The Telegraph and the The Guardian all stick with Young on the left, with Danny Welbeck largely tipped to return up front across the board.

Clearly the temptation to unleash Young on his former team-mates will be strong, although I’m totally convinced it could work in United’s favour. There’s already chatter in the press surrounding the ease of which Young drops to the deck under a challenge, with reports of Alex McLeish giving direct instructions to his defence to stay on their feet. I just wonder, in the light of the negative attention that Young gained for the penalty that saw QPR’s Shaun Derry dismissed, whether we’ll see Ferguson will take the heat off Young with Nani now at his disposal.

We can only hope, in a Gameweek ripped in two by the FA Cup schedule, that both Wenger and Ferguson play ball. When it’s a struggle to get something that even resembles a Fantasy team over the line at 11.30, we need the whims and tinkerings of the Premier League bosses to stay in check. Just for this weekend at least.

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

  1. Dirty Dhalsim
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Huge points hits and crazy captain choices.

    It's what all the cool kids are doing 😉

    Open Controls
    1. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      i'm crazily going with RvP

      Open Controls
  2. r0nh
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Who to captain?

    RVP or Valencia

    RVP; only scored one penalty in 5 games, playing against a wigan side that are very high in confidence & fighting for their lives.

    Valencia; a bit quiet the last 2 games, but has the potential to hit double figures, playing against a Villa side that are in bad form & pretty much safe from relegation.

    Please help!!

    Open Controls
    1. My name is an echo
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      SESS

      Open Controls
    2. Willis.
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      RVP.

      Open Controls
    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      are villa safe from relegation though? they got a massive game v bolton next week which could put them down there

      Open Controls
    4. OneTwo
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Wigan are def attacking the game will be open and its at Emirates...RVP long over due for a goal from the run of play.

      Open Controls
    5. r0nh
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      OK I changed back to RVP at the very last minute!!!

      I really hope that is the right decision, as I HAVE to catch the guy ahead of me!!

      Open Controls
  3. Jonny
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    outside of RVP - which would be the best punt for (C) -

    Rooney
    Valencia
    Mclean
    Siggurdson

    Open Controls
    1. Willis.
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      McClean.

      Open Controls
    2. Sizo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Sigz

      Open Controls
    3. nedfoo
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Rooney

      Open Controls
  4. HappyAnkit
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Suarez>Kun for a Hit?
    Yay or Nay?

    Open Controls
    1. Sean.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      if u need 11 yay

      Open Controls
    2. Pinoche
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      When in doubt Save your transfer ..

      Open Controls
    3. Sizo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Nay. City will struggle this weekened and Pool have good fixtures remaining although they are shit

      Open Controls
    4. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      No if 11 players.

      Yes if 9

      If 10... Toss a coin

      Open Controls
  5. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Graham Or Turner

    Who to bench?

    Actually its Graham

    Open Controls
    1. Smarty Pants
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      or Turner

      Open Controls
    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      prob graham but wouldn't bench any of the two

      Open Controls
  6. UKG
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Just went back to RVP cap from Sess and think I will be disappointed by the end of the gw.

    Open Controls
  7. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Should I captain sess instead of rvp n rooney????

    Open Controls
    1. Ron_Swanson
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      definitely

      Open Controls
    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      if you are feeling brave

      Open Controls
    3. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      No way

      Open Controls
    4. Willis.
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      No!!! McClean will steal all of Sess' points.

      Open Controls
      1. Sizo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        I loled

        Open Controls
  8. Djerbil
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    GO GO Everton

    Open Controls
    1. HappyAnkit
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      -7

      Open Controls
  9. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Ade out Gabby in, I've done it. Good luck to everybody

    Open Controls
    1. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      LeWhore?!

      All the best mate, all the best...

      Open Controls
    2. HappyAnkit
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Gabby. 😯
      Weimann would have been better.

      Open Controls
      1. FPL Daniel
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        I am scared about Weimann minutes and I have a hunch about Gabby even in the UTd game. One counter attack is all I need. That Bol game is gonna be huge too IMO.

        Its Gabby utd, SAFC, BOL vs
        Ade qpr

        Well I don't fancy Ade for that game and looks like with everybody fit he isn't nailed on anymore. He is sharing minutes and is being rested. FA cup too. Well I was talking about Gabby for whole week and it would hurt a lot, I mean really a lot, seeing him scoring and I didn't go for him and was a chicken.

        Bring onnn the gamesssssss!!!!!!!!!!!

        Open Controls
  10. HappyAnkit
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    1 min.

    Open Controls
  11. pjomara
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Mignolet or Vorm??? (have 1 def from each team as well)

    Open Controls
    1. Nickyboy
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      went for Mig in the end (join me in crying when he is rested 😉 )

      Open Controls
  12. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Finally made a decision..... 😕

    Open Controls
    1. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      And, what did you do?

      On edge of my seat....

      Open Controls
      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        I did Vermaelan, chickened out of the Villa defender. Scout reports normally work out. Vermaelan to score a goal, you heard it hear 1st.

        Open Controls
        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          here* 😳

          Open Controls
        2. Evs
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          Ah... You shandyarse

          Open Controls
          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 11 months ago

            I couldn't live with myself if Verm scored double figures.

            Open Controls
            1. Evs
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 16 Years
              13 years, 11 months ago

              Fair enough.

              Poor James Collins...

              I take it you have held onto Graham.

              Ps - seen my elite 64 oppo? Local derby 🙂

              Open Controls
              1. TorresMagic™
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 16 Years
                13 years, 11 months ago

                I was always playing Graham this week.
                Watch Villa get 2 CS next week now. I might still get a Villa defender next week. Collins/Cuellar likely to score a goal now.

                JOMT will be after some Welsh blood. 🙂

                Open Controls
        3. J0E
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          I got verm in too. Putting my money where my mouth is. He has a great record against Wigan. Fingers crossed.

          Open Controls
          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 11 months ago

            Good luck Jonty. My rival got him in so that maybe swayed it in the end.

            Open Controls
    2. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      I made it in final hours to. Let me guess Gollins?

      Open Controls
    3. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      What was it TM?

      Open Controls
    4. HappyAnkit
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Cuellar?

      Open Controls
      1. FPL Daniel
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Its a Villa defender clearly

        Open Controls
  13. Menly
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    It's the final countdooown!

    Na na na na

    Nananana na

    Open Controls
    1. Smarty Pants
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Na na na na
      nananana - na - nanana - nanana - nana - na - nanaaaaaaa!!!

      Open Controls
  14. Champ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Squeaky bums

    Open Controls
  15. Nickyboy
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    good luck and big love

    Open Controls
  16. Canelo
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Time please gents.

    Open Controls
  17. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Good luck everyone. 🙂

    Open Controls
    1. reply fail
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Yes and especially MoHeatOs

      Open Controls
  18. NATSTER
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Last minute.. Good luck all.

    Open Controls
  19. Tin of Directors
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Can't believe I did it but gut was ruling head and my gut is bigger than my head so I listen to it more.

    Verm and Sess in
    Enrique and Bale out

    10 starters but Graham on the bench!
    Hope he's dropped today.

    Open Controls
  20. Djerbil
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    GO GO Norwich

    GO GO Swansea

    Go Go Raikonnen

    Open Controls
  21. Le Limpar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Totes wearing my Marseille shirt around the house in honour of my Nasri transfer. Winning!

    Open Controls
  22. Demí
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    EFC team. Howard Baines Gibson Heitinga Jelavic Distin Cahill Neville Gueye Osman Fellaini

    Open Controls
    1. Pinoche
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Looks good ..

      Open Controls
    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      gueye again??

      shame pienaar not eligible

      Open Controls
    3. HappyAnkit
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      No Pienaar

      Open Controls
      1. Djerbil
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        cup tied

        Open Controls
    4. Bad Pen
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Hmm, no Jagielka.

      Open Controls
    5. Djerbil
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      They are going to kick the Fool's a**

      Open Controls
    6. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      No Hibbert? Well with cheap 3rd striker in my team atm, I might go for Jelavic in the double or Crouchy

      Open Controls
  23. HappyAnkit
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Updating!!!!!!!!!!!

    Open Controls
  24. Pinoche
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Goodluck everyone , I'm off to watch Scorecast ..

    Open Controls
  25. Gylfi Sigurdsson < That&…
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Hart

    Evans Komps Verm Caulker

    McClean Walcott Valencia Siggy

    Rooney RVP

    My Smugness Personified:
    http://www.gceenterprises.com/

    Open Controls
  26. Perthite
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    I hope Kompany gets a 1 or 2 point haul, since I ended up surviving until lockout to stay with Baines and my 10 man team (and FT).

    Open Controls
    1. Kylos
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Na -1 Holt to score 6

      Open Controls
  27. Pratik
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Sess as captain.......Hope it pays off...

    Open Controls
    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Good luck Pratik.

      Open Controls
  28. tangtastic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Who should I captain? Was thinking of taking a wild punt (currently on Miyachi) but in all seriousness should I go for RvP or Roon?

    Open Controls
  29. In Like Flynn.
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Watch for Silva to score massively as I just got stuck in the garden with the dog, ran back as I remembered and missed the confirmation by 30 seconds. 😡

    Open Controls