Continuing our round-up of the Christmas period, it’s time to treat our members to a series of articles which examines each of the positions and analyses the form of the key protagonists over the past four Gameweeks. We start in defence, by casting an eye over the top tens for our ICT Index, plus a more in-depth look at the main performers in terms of goal threat and creativity….
So just to confirm...basically everyone on this site has Mata ?
Open Controls
Basically. Wouldn't say he is essential though as he is a rotation risk.
Open Controls
Not yet. Had him. Moved him when they were lollygagging around in Japan. Bringing him back in. Bagged a few points out of Silva in the meantime.
Open ControlsMay move him out again after the DGW (undecided as to the timing). Really don't like having that much salary at rotation risk and really don't think that Rafa "learned a lesson" by losing to QPR. Too much stubbornness in that man to change stripes after a single match.
Open Controls
Does it mata that you are the only juan without him?
Open Controls
Turnbull (C)
gibbs hughes cuellar
Michu fellani bale snodgrass
Berbatov Van persie suarez
Madness? or do i need wildcard Seems to me turnbull about only one guaranteed 2 starts
and because im not wildcatding to get him can flick him off next weekOpen Controls
That is something Tosey would do. Did Mignolet last DGW from memory.
Open Controls
madness, if chelsea concede in both you look stupid. Plus Mata will be most captained by active high ranked players.
You're playing with fire here, trigger.Open ControlsBorderline madness, imho, but I'm way down in the standings. I know he'll get two starts, but I don't know about the points. Stoke has only been shut out twice in ten home EPL matches so far. Saints have scored in 7 of 9 road matches this season and 16 of 20 overall.
Open ControlsHave a feeling people are basically captaining mata for the stoke game , because he unlikely to play much in the other
Open Controls
If he's rested for Carling Cup I think there is good chance he'll play both. Could be worth waiting till Wed.
Open ControlsAgree, which is why I'm hesitating about bringing him in for DGW vs just hanging on to Silva, who seems to be about nailed on and who I would certainly want to have around for 23 and 24.
You don't like Bale as captain at QPR? I don't see any way that they get up for another big defensive performance and Spurs certainly won't be taking them lightly after seeing last week's result.Open ControlsI'm contemplating between Hazard and Bale for next week. Bale certainly a good C pick for next week but with DGW think it could be a bit of risk not captaining someone from Che.
Open Controls
Cuellar injured? Please check but I think it's corect....
Open Controls
He did get injured.
http://tyneandwear.sky.com/sunderland/article/51980Open Controls
I think it might be wise to WC - not having 3 Chelsea players this week could be damaging..
Open Controlsit could also be damaging not hving fellani , or bale or berbatov or suares
and the damage could extend for weeks into the future , for example being stuck with a non playing keeper and expensive chelsea defenders , not to mention southampton playersOpen ControlsYes very true, ideally you'd fit the Chelsea players in around them.
Open Controls
How's my WC team?
Begovic – Bunn
Ivanovic – Rafael – Sagna – Cameron – Demel
Fellaini – Michu – Mata – Schneiderlin – Walcott
Ba – RVP – Benteke
This for the next 3 or 4 GW. Try to save transfer next week so i can have 2 available FT in every weekOpen ControlsIvan to Azil to save cash
Schhneidthing to Punchy
Benteke to Lambart
Perhaps?
Otherwise good.Open ControlsQuestion:
Why Schneiderlin to Punchy? Isn't it Schneiderlin cheaper especially his my 5th choice mid for long term.
I think i will stick on Benteke. His fixtures look better.Open ControlsBetter attacking threat and more nailed on for Punchy
Yeah Benteke is good.....just thinking of DGW...Open ControlsYea u right better in attacking threat But i have seen Schneiderlin's stats. He keeps playing for 90 mins except in two games. By the way did Schneiderlin ever get suspended before? Because his yellow cards already 5
Open Controls
Not sure about Ba's starting chances at Chelski, he'll at least suffer heavy rotation. Although worth a punt for the DGW. I'd do Ba -> Pod in GW 23.
Open Controls
Anyone got the article bout Sturridge playing down the middle?
Open Controls
Meh, was just looking at how to get some team value out of this WC.
My strikers: RVP(B13.0,S14.0), Benteke(B6.6,S6.7) & Suarez(B10.3,S10.4)
Plan is to keep RVP & Benteke and switch Suarez -> Lambert. Looks like Lambert will rise before Suarez, and can't see a way to benefit from the Ba double rise either. 🙁Open Controls
You won't make any money, only lose it.
Open ControlsThink you're right, unless Suarez (34%) rises before Lambert (74%). Suarez being bought at a faster rate, so there's a small chance....
Open ControlsBut as soon as you sell them you lose 0.1, then even with a double rise you're back where you started.
Open ControlsI'd have an extra 0.1m in the bank going forwards.
If Suarez rises first I'd sell him for 10.4m and buy Lambert for 6.2m
Otherwise I'd be selling Suarez for 10.3m and buying Lambert for 6.2mOpen Controls
And just as a cautionary tale, during the last ten-day break (before GW8), they held off on posting the final set of price rises until after the match had started, so trying to play the TV game during the long break, moving in and out of players who rose by 0.2 and cashing 0.1 each time, didn't work out that well.
Open Controls
Pratik you WC ?
Open ControlsAnyone watching Pakistan vs India? India 37/3
Open ControlsPlease.. Bro..
I seriously Doubt it is match Fixed. .Open ControlsShould have told me, I would have bet. I thought it was only fixed when India won?
Open Controls
Anybody who says an entire match is fixed is talking rubbish. Why would a cricketer fix a match when they can earn by just "spot fixing" like what the young Pakistanis did a few years back whilst touring England.
Spot fixing also pays a lot more because the odds for bowling a no ball or wide at a certain time are crazy.Open Controls
Cricket is a game that divides opinion. There are those who are mad keen on it and then there are those that just don't get it.
Open Controls
Did someone say Cuellar was injured? Might make my w/c decisions easier if he is. Anyone know any details?
Open ControlsLimped off.
Open ControlsAh yes - hamstring injury reported... http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/sunderland-afc/safc-news/2013/01/05/bolton-wanderers-2-sunderland-2-final-whistle-match-report-72703-32551163/
Open Controls
Thought it was worth writing down why I've chosen not to WC for the DGW's
I’m saving my WC till after the DGW’s so that they don’t confuse me when I seek to create a team that is set for the long term. I know its possible to do this gradually by selling DGW players but it is so much easier doing it all at once.
I have been preparing for the Arsenal/West Ham DGW for a while now and inadvertently I already have Ba and Puncheon for DGW1. So far I have Gibbs, Walcott, O’Brian, Ba and Puncheon so I’m reasonably well set. The injury to Aguero also means I no longer need to sell Tevez so along with Fellaini and Bale I can keep the core players in my team that I would otherwise have to lose if I were to WC now.
So far my only plan is to sell Enrique for Azp for a hit. It appears Terry is some way away from a return and he may only end up replacing Cahill anyway. I think its worth the risk. Ultimately I’m excited about the prospect of being able to select a WC team in GW24 without DGW’s clouding my judgement. Hopefully by doing so I will be in a better position long term.Open ControlsI doubt that Cahill would just be replaced like that. I think Cahill Terry is probably the ideal partnership.
Open Controls
WC Team:
Bego/Jaask
Turner/Clark/Cuellar/Naughton/Harte
Michu/Mata/Walcott/Fellaini/Hazard
RVP/Berbs/Ruiz
Budget defence to accomodate that midfield + RVP.
I don't like doubling up on Fulham attack, however I obviously don't plan to start Ruiz when the rest are fit.
GW 23 Haz -> Caz, GW 24 Caz -> Bale
Thoughts? Any cheap defenders I'm overlooking? Considering downgrading Berbs to Lambert so I can upgrade defence a bit.Open Controls
1) average hours you spend on here per day?
2) average hours you wish you spent on here per day?
3) average hours you think santiagounreal spends on here per day? 😀Open Controls2
zero
24Open Controls
1) 24
2) 0
3) see aboveOpen Controls:D.
0?? then what are you doing on here all the fecking time!?
and I thought you were counting sheep. what happened to that?Open ControlsHow many days could you take off if pushed?
Open Controls
1) 2-3 (hrs that I have the site open... less than that that I'm posting)
2) maybe a bit more (but I might have family/marital issues if I did, so prolly not)
3) does he ever leave?Open Controls5-6
don't really care now but much less when I have uni.
18Open Controls2 mins
Fine with 2 mins
Don't know who that isOpen Controls
OOT. I'm targeting to watch 50 good movies this month since I'll be pretty much unable to do anything because of my recent ACL surgery. Preferably something recent but don't mind older movies if it's either really good or something that ferks your mind like Fight Club or Inception.
Recommend me some guys. 😀Open Controlssource code - similar to inception in some way
have you seen the dark knight rises yet?
matrix
dunno... can't think of movies right now sorryOpen ControlsThe LOTR trilogy will keep you occupied for a while.
Open ControlsThe Room is my favourite movie
Open Controlshttp://www.imdb.com/list/k80FazMxsaY/
This list stuff on IMDb is massively useful. Just browse through them.
Though, The Room is a personal favourite of mine.Open Controls
Check out Memento
Open Controls
If you want mind-f u c k s....Shutter Island, some of Christopher Nolan other movies (i.e Memento), The Machinist etc...
Open ControlsShutter Island was one of the strangest movies I have ever seen. Total mind*ck, but good all the same.
Open Controls
The Usual Suspects is also reaaallly good if you haven't seen it. Kevin Spacey puts in excellent performance.
Open Controls
+ 20
Open Controls
I really liked Let The Right One In (Swedish version).
Open ControlsI don't know why I can't reply to some but yeah quality stuff guys thanks.
It doesn't have to be a mind-ferking movie actually. I just really like those kinds in particular.
But anything comedy or something with a twist like Sixth Sense or Usual Suspect (which I haven't watched either actually) is enjoyable as well.
CheersOpen Controls
For wildcard, would you rather have:
A) Azpi Cuellar (if fit) and Joe Cole
or
B) Ivan 4.0 and Puncheon
That Joe Cole seems a little expensive for a 5th mid is my worry.Open ControlsIvan is more of a goal threat than Azpi, Sunderland aren't exactly in great defensive form (could go for Wilson and bench him till he is no longer injured which is meant to be soon?), and Puncheon is more of a goal threat than Joe Cole imho (though Cole may be more likely to get you assists). Also is Cole nailed on considering he just moved to W Ham?
Open ControlsI read somewhere that Sunderland have third most clean sheets so far this season (or something like that). They also have excellent fixtures coming up. Then again, I've just read Cuellar has a hamstring problem, so may all be moot.
Open Controls
I'd go with second option
Open Controls
Any thoughts on my team...I have played the wildcard and can make changes
Jussi (Rudd)
Azip/Zaba/Shaw (Demel/Harte)
Hazard/Mata/Walcott/Puncheon (Michu)
RVP/Suarez/Lambert
Will make a Hazard to Santi switch for GW23Open ControlsBeg > Jussi
Rudd > Turnbull
Luiz > Azpi
Wouldn't want Hazard.
Just ideas.Open ControlsThanks for the reply
The other option i was looking at was
Turnbull (Rudd)
Zaba/Demel/Shaw (Harte/4.3)
Walcott/Santi/Mata/Puncheon (Michu)
Ba/Suarez/RVP
When cech comes back i would have to make a double switch and downgrade on of the big front 7....what do you think?Open Controls
I'd sooner have Gibbs/Sagna than Zabaleta. And doubling up on Arsenal mids is a bit risky vs. City at home. I'd go with Fellaini over Santi, then buy him for the DGW.
Open Controls
Hiya guys,
Here's my one and only WC.
Turnbull* Bego
Gibbs* JOB*? Jones Cameron Shorey
Walcott* Mata* Felon Bale Punchy*
RVP Berbs Lambert*
For DGW 23 plan is
Mata > Nolan
Lambert > Podolski (-4)
GW 24 plan
Nolan > Michu/ Mata
Podolski > Dzeko. (-4)
Is this a good plan??Open ControlsUsing a wildcard and planning to take two 4pt hits seems like a bad idea to me. GW23 I'd just go Mata>Santi, then GW24 go Santi>Michu and upgrade Lambert afterwards.
Open Controls
Feel like I'm getting close to my WC team now. Minor decisions left like this one - whatcha reckon? 10.8m available
(A) LUIZ & Wilson (then either Bale -> SANTI next week, or Benteke -> GIROUD)
(B) AZP & SAGNA (save the transfer next week)
TURNBULL, SZCZESNY
XXX, Baines, XXX, Martin, DEMEL
MATA, WALCOTT, NOBLE, Bale, Fellaini
Rvp, LAMBERT, BentekeOpen ControlsJust realised Chelsea play their first swansea semi final BEFORE the stoke game , Should provide plenty of clues
Open ControlsIndeed. It would be best to wait on that fixture. Swansea will start their strongest team.
Open ControlsSwansea
Stoke
Southampton
Atsena;
in space of 11 days , even a non rotating coach would be pinpointing southampton as chance to swap things around. And this is rafa so likely be wholesale changes , and thats without likely injuriesOpen Controls
Hmm... Should have this place jumping with all new RMTs and questions... again.
Open ControlsYay! 😐
Open Controls
1) average hours you spend replying to Santiagounreal per day?
2) average hours you wish you spent replying to Santiagounreal per day?
3) average hours you think people spend talking about Santiagounreal on here per day?
I rest my case...
Goodnight everyone 🙂Open Controls
@Koflok
Check these films out (if you prefer non-generic viewing):
Memento
A Prophet
Incendies
City of God
Oldboy
The Lives of Others
Aftershock
The Man From EarthOpen Controlsthanks for these suggestions....they seem interesting. Some i already watched....memento,city of god, oldboy
Open Controls
What do people think of the following wildcard team?
Turnbull Jaask
Ivan Gibbs Cameron Demel Wilson
Mata Bale Walcott Fellaini Puncheon
RVP Jelavic Berb
Then Mata -> Cazorla for Arsenal dgw.
Thoughts?Open ControlsBenching Berba I guess? Not sure about Jelavic btw - hasn't looked great this season. Have you considered Lambert for the DGW? On pens and their biggest threat.
Open Controls
Pretty good. Out of interest, why losing Mata instead of Bale? Mata has the better fixtures, but I guess will always be subject to rotation....
Open ControlsJust think Bale is the best m/f in the game. Don't want to be without him. Regretted it every time I've tried to go without so far this season (twice).
Open Controls
Jussi (Rudd)
Azip/Zaba/Shaw (Demel/Harte)
Hazard/Mata/Walcott/Puncheon (Michu)
RVP/Suarez/Lambert
OR
Turnbull (Rudd)
Zaba/Naughton/Shaw (Demel/Harte)
Walcott/Santi/Mata/Puncheon (Michu)
Ba/Suarez/RVPOpen Controlsjust saw the guy who said he didn't know who santiagounreal is! 😀 :D. surprised that's even possible
Open Controls
just one observation.
since DGW22 was announced and everyone went WC crazy, have people simply forgotten about the potential wave of new players coming in the Jan transfer window?
last year we had Papiss, Siggy and the rest to boost our season. be nice to have a WC over to bring in the new blood. right?Open ControlsIndeed, which is my plan. I can see a busy transfer window.
Open Controls
am i the only one on this site who will have only Hazard and Mata for dgw?
i also have Pouncheon but i am likely to bench him cause i dont wanna bench one of Santi,Jelavic or SuarezOpen Controlsit's going great tw
how you doing yourself?Open Controls
11 years, 3 months agoAm I mad to be considering? The alternative is to go without Santi for the DGW and do Azp/Luiz -> Gibbs next week.
GW23: Bale -> Santi
GW24: Santi -> Bale