Kightly to Miss Season Opener
So my hunch pick for Week 1, Michael Kightly, has been ruled out as he continues his recovery from his metatarsal injury (thanks to Dave for mentioning this in the comments section). He had initially looked to be on course to be fit, but a few niggles means no risks will be taken.
I now get to pick another cheap midfielder and at the moment I'm thinking of taking a punt on Zhirkov, who hadn't made my initial starting XI. However, things could (will) change, so if you have any suggestions on who you think could be a good alternative under £6 million, please feel free to comment below.
19 comments:
hi I joined your yahoo fantasy league because I loved this blog and the tips and what not you give. My suggestion for you is Nenad Milijas. He plays for wolves(just purchased) and is the player who scores goals from 20+ yards and is fantastic at free kicks. Also is left footed and is my dark horse for the season. Zhirkov eat your heart out!!
I am trying to integrate Valencia with Rooney. Lookslike over 30% of YFF users want Owen, so he might be overlooked. Plus hes been tracking back which gives tackles to SOT/crosses.
Milijas is a great option, and I think with the buzz around Gomez, why not take a risk? Villa are tough but I am not concerned with middies scoring as much as getting tackles and crosses. Plus at 5.56mil he wouldn't need to do much to justify his price.
try Cattermole Wigan 4.70 should play both games, gats lots of yellows
I have gone with Zhirkov given Chelsea have a couple of games in the first week. I generally like to pick a player from one of the promoted teams as more often then not one of these teams gets off to a flyer ie. refer Hull last year. Having said that, I'm going with Gomez as my second 'newbie' in my midfield.
SR how can you justify Zhirkov? I know he chelsea have 2 VERY easy games where they should score 3+ each but how sure are you that he's going to start? With malouda, essien, ballack, and even J.Cole providing alot of competition. My money is zhirkov being brought in as an early substitute at best. My midfield will consist of Lampard, Milijas, and a couple more newbies
ToffeeDave, it's really a punt on the unknown as I don't think Chelsea would have spent 18M on a player to come off the bench. If that's the case then I drop him after the first week but given how highly regarded he is I think he would be a better 'potential' source of points then perhaps a promoted team - however have been know to be wrong! Last year I took a punt on Amr Zaki, and whilst faded after Christmas provided some decent points prior to.
Thanks for all the responses guys - I'm going to have a bit more of a look at Milijas as I don't know much about him, and Cattermole is an option i hadn't considered. He did all right as a cheap pick for me at times last season but agree he picks up his fair share of negative points for fouls and cards.
I have the same concerns about Zhirkov as ToffeeDave mentioned, but at the same time, as SR said it would seem strange of Chelsea to spend £18 million on someone to sit on the bench. I'll keep an eye on team news nearer the time.
Less than 2 weeks until the new season, getting really excited now!
what about ryan babel, especially if alonso goes, eh is only 4.80?
Here's what we've posted about Nenad Milijas. He's +10 in my book.
@Greginho - Thanks for commenting. Unfortunately I can't see Babel starting either game for Liverpool, even without Alonso. Riera is first choice on the left wing and with Gerrard & Torres further forward he just doesnt fit. He'll probably get an appearance off the bench though, and one goal would more than return his value but I feel there are better alternatives.
@Jeremy - Thanks for coming over to visit the blog! I've been doing my research today, watching some YouTube vids of him & it looks like he could be replacing Kightly in my team for Week 1. I'm glad ToffeeDave initally brought him too my attention as he wasn't a player I was familiar with.
I guess my question now is whether Ebnaks-Blake will score more points than Jordi Gomez. Both Wigan and Wolves don't have terrible matchups, even against themselves. Sometimes strikers have a tendency to disappear in games, same with middies, but Martinez has tipped Gomez to be the midfield controller, to facillitate the play, could mean a bigger fantasy return based on price.
Oh bother
My pick in your situation is Gomez, due to the fact he'll get his fair share of set piece duties. He'll pick up points even if he/his team don't play well. It's different for strikers - it's far easier for them to go missing & score zero if they aren't getting a decent supply. I'm going to wait to see how Ebanks Blake settles in the Premier League.
I'm in the dilemna between choosing gomez or ebanks blake. I see Wolves as the darkhorse this year and I genuinely see them as a top 10 contender. THIS IS NOT THE SAME WOLVES AS BEFORE! They have real quality but I still cannot decide between gomez and blake. I guess the deciding factor for me will be whether or not West Ham will sell their top defenders as the papers say. If they do blake is my pick (see how he tore championship defenders to pieces last year)
Woah I just realised something looking through player prices. Deco is only 6.27 to start the season! I know he had a horrid time last season but ancelotti looks to be playing him at the base of his favoured diamond formation which would give alot of touches on the ball. Not to mention he takes occasional free kicks. Thoughts?
Thanks Dave. As you know, there are so many strikers who've had fantastic seasons in the Championship & then struggled in the Premier League. I'm not saying SEB will do the same (he's got all the attributes to succeed) but I'm gonna hang on & see how he gets on in his first 2 games before investing!
As for Deco, that is an interesting one & one I'd also forgotten about. He had such a good start last season then disappeared, but I'd noticed during pre-season that he seems to be in Ancelotti's squad plans. The problem is, Ancelotti is going to play 4-4-2, so Chelsea have Lampard, Essien, Malouda, Ballack, Zhirkov, Mikel, Cole & Deco to fill 4 spaces. I believe Deco will struggle to start the majority of games, but if he can get back in to form & becomes a regular then he'll be someone I'd consider.
Dave - have you got any tips for Everton players to keep an eye on this year? When's Arteta due back?
Re: Zhirkov - I agree that it's hard to envision such a big purchase/big name on the bench...but, it IS Chelsea, and those kind of things happen there LOL. And don't worry, Yuri will surely get plenty of time over the season. That said, I recall seeing Ancelotti talking about possibly moving Malouda to the right wing to allow him more chances to cut inside onto his stronger left foot, take more shots, etc. That would free up Zhirkov to maraud down the left flank. Makes sense to me right now, as Cole is crocked and I don't think Kalou is preferred. However, that is far from definite though, so I guess we stay tuned as game day draws nearer. Also, as mentioned above, Ancelotti stated yesterday that he wants to play a midfield diamond with 2 strikers, so I don't see space for Mikel, Ballack, Deco as starters right now. In more practical terms, for fantasy purposes, if I'm ever in doubt over a starter, I rarely gamble on the pick. Just my persective. In the case of Zhirkov, it may be a good gamble, because I can see him starting at least one of two games. And being week 1, not much to lose I suppose LOL.
Youngsters! Jose Baxter and Leon Osman would be my picks to bring in decent points but at their prices (6.38 and 11.21) they will not be regulars in my team. Admittedly, Osman will rake in points against burnley (10+) as he always dominates lower quality teams (stoke and he was the reason we got through alot of lower tier opponents in the fa cup. Look at the price of some players though. Rodwell is 3.57 and Vaughan is 2.20 who I think will have a breakout year. And Arteta will be back to form around mid-september
Guys, if you had sub 6 to spend on a defender who would be your choice? I would be keen on Ricketts - even though he's only playing once, although tossing up going with Hreidarsson as he has a tendency to push forward now and then.
I think I am gonna reveal my lineup a few days before next saturday to see what people think and if I should make any changes. I think im pretty solid with maybe 1 weakness in my lineup
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