Saturday 5 September 2009

Week 4 - Midfielders

Firstly, it seems Yahoo have made changes and are making next weekend Week 4 instead of the usual method of leaving this week as a blank Week 4 and next week Week 5. I've changed all my previous posts to reflect this.

Now, on to Midfielders...

Gerrard (Home to Burnley) – In my opinion Gerrard is the premium Week 5 pick, with the best fixture and the dream combination of taking all free kicks, corners & penalties for his team. Scores points whether he (or the team) plays well, he was the first name in my team and I’d expect over 95% of all managers to have him in for Week 5.

Lampard (Away to Stoke) – Never write him off. He’s been disappointing so far & he’s lost some corners/freekicks to Deco/Malouda/Ballack/Drogba so with a tricky fixture and high cost it’s easy to completely discount him. Wouldn’t it be typical if he popped up with a goal & an assist at Stoke? It’s often very difficult to fit both Gerrard & Lampard in without gutting your team but thanks to Tuncay this is one week you could probably afford both without total destruction, so if you feel Frank could be due to break out then go for it.

Matt Taylor (Away to Pompey) – Bolton have zero points. Portsmouth have zero points. It’s not going to be a game for the purists, but Taylor is one of those players who can rack up points in any situation. He’s pricey but like Gerrard he takes everything for Bolton and he could easily rack up 15 points without a goal. If you’re a bit short on cash to afford Gerrard & Lampard then 1 + Taylor could be a good compromise.

Young (Away to Birmingham) – In past seasons Ashley Young has threatened to become as valuable as the Top 2 in this list, but he hasn’t quite got there yet. However, there are signs he’s getting back to form, he’s taking penalties (although he missed a vital one in the Europa Cup) taking free kicks & corners and doesn’t have the worst fixture. The thing is he’s pricey and there are other options cheaper/with better fixtures. I think he’s a bit of a gamble and not many managers will go for him, so if he performs well it could really pay off.

Pederson (Home to Wolves) – MGP is a funny player. He can cross, he can shoot, he takes corners & freekicks but in the past couple of seasons he hasn’t got close to living up to his potential of 2006 when Man U were rumoured to be interested (he was also a great YFF points scorer back then). He’s started this season a bit better, Wolves at home is a pretty handy fixture and he looks really good value at under £11million for Week 5.

Arshavin (Away to Man City) - Expensive, but as we've seen in his short time in England he saves his best performances/goals for the big games and Man City is a big game for Arsenal. Again if you fancy something a big different to Gerrard & Lampard then he's a real alternative

Malouda (Away to Stoke) - A bit of a curve ball but Malouda is someone I'm seriously considering. He's a had a poor start to the season but Anchelotti is using rotation and seeing as he missed out vs Burnley I expect him to start next weekend. He will have a big game at some point and although he's not getting forward as much due to the switch to 442 he is under £10million so could be a bargain.

Dempsey (Home to Everton) - Demsey is one of those players who will score goals. Fulham are looking a bit flaky but I expect this game to be a score draw & I really think he could have a good weekend as he continues his role playing just behind the main striker. Another option I'm considering at under £10million.

Benayoun (Home to Burnley) - Great fixture, so if you're looking for a midfielder around the £8million mark then Yossi could be your man as I expect him to start. He'll get himself in to great positions and will have the chances to create & score goals as I expect Liverpool to run rampant. The only reason I probably won't get him in is the risk of Liverpool overload with Gerrard, Torres & Johnson already in my team.

Gomez (Home to West Ham) - Cheap, home fixture, taking set pieces, taking shots from distance, returning his value+...need I go on? It's very likely that he'll be in my team for Week 4.

Rodwell (Away to Fulham) - Great value option if you're struggling for cash and you're confident he'll start...he's better than a standard filler as he'll get involved in most of the good things Everton do (as can be seen from his average over 5 points per game) and as I've already mentioned I think they'll be goals in his fixture.

So they're all the middies I'm considering. Do you think I've missed anyone? Please comment below & expect Strikers to follow tomorrow or Monday.

Cheers,
AM

38 comments:

MyChoice Editor said...

The only way I can fit anyone on your list (I already have StevieG and JRod) is by swapping them with Hunt. But I'm not sure I would make the switch just yet.

Fidan said...

@ AM
Hey, you forgot to mention Dini (Bilyaletdinov) and that's not good, if you intent to keep DaveToffee in here :D...I'm sure he won't start, just a lousy joke...!!!
I think you mentioned some solid middies and expensive ones (appart from Rodwell), but of course having Tuncay I think everyone's MF will look expensive. But, there are some low-to-mid-price MF worth mentioning:

Jordi (home to WHam) - Scoring above his price and only around 7mil (6m if you bd-ed him)...

Milijas (against B'burn) - he hasn't score as much as we all expected him but with some new players in for Wolves (including his partner in ex-team - Segundo) and with that tall Maierhoffer in box, he might get some more assist and successful crosses...!!!

Riera (home to Burnley) - If he starts he can well get you twice of his price (and thats only 7.24). One to be seriously considered..!!!

O'Hara (against Bolton) - He's maybe the most talented player P'mouth got right now. And I think he's about to take lion's share of set-pieces with Kranjcar off to HartLane...He can be great bargain at only 4.23...

Duff (vs Everton) - crossing a lot and scoring solid

Good luck...!!!

YNWA

MyChoice Editor said...

What about Lennon guys?

Assistant Manager said...

Hey Fidan, I mentioned Jordi (Gomez), so far Milijas tends to get subbed at half time in away games, I don't fancy Riera as I think Benayoun may start on the left (I could be wrong) and O'Hara could be my hunch... :)

Fidan said...

Ooops, sorry. I missed that one with Jordi. I mentioned "if he starts" about Riera...and God how I wish Rafa puts Benayoun ahead of Lucas in center and Riera on the left...Lucas is...aaaaarrrgh...!!!
In Rafa We Trust (still)...!!!

Anonymous said...

@ AM -

sorry to keep troubling you like this..

i already have StevieG/Torres/GJohn in my team and have 15$ remaining.should i go in for Matty,Young or MGP?

this is my line up ... please advice..

Myhill
Verma/Sonko/[OPEN]
Gerrard/Mokoena/[OPEN]
Torres/Drogba/Tuncay

Should i go in for MTay/GlenJ/Brown??

please suggest..

Cheers,
~ Sam :D

Jeremy Spitzberg said...

MTaylor and K2 are also playing their former teams. Always seems to be a boost.

Anonymous said...

I'm stuck between Gerrard and Torres... who should I pick?

Fidan said...

@ 4:37 - These are the decisions that no-one can help you with. Decisions like this are the reason that the Season and Weekly Tables exist. Just...follow your senses.

Good luck...!!!

Anonymous said...

my team:

Gordon
Cole Givet Johnson
Lampard Gerrard Gomez Cattermole
Drogba Torres Tuncay

what you think?

Anonymous said...

My team now..

Foster

sonko parnaby ricketts
lampard gerrard milijas gomez taylor
drogba tuncay

give some comments>
who should i move..
who should i bring in..
i had lamp and drog at discount..same goes with foster..

Dave said...

FYI - Tuncay scored twice for Turkey today. Bodes well... :D

Anonymous said...

Any thoughts on Nani and Hunt? I have both at discount, Nani still got 6.5pts in a very tough Arsenal game, does anyone expect he can do better against Spurs? I just don't think T'Ham has the team to beat United even at home.

What about Hunt, he has been getting invloved. Sunderland are improved but I don't think this writes off Hunt with his phantom production.

If I drop Nani or Hunt, I could afford to bring in a striker around 8.9mil. Possibly Rodallega home to West Ham?

Thanks guys!

Anonymous said...

What about Fabregas? He played 30 minutes for Spain today, so I would think he would be good to go for next weekend. Plus he was huge in week 1..and is now priced just below 17. -B.

Douchebag United said...

Currently my mids are Gerrard, Lennon, Hunt, and Gomez

Should I stick with these guys? I like both Lennon, Hunt, and Gomez because they are averaging more than their value at this time. I have all at a discount but only Gerrard is the only one that I have at a steep discount.

nuwa said...

i got Lennon too.

others are;
milijas, nani & gomez

how about nani? will he gets me big point for next weekend?

wait & see

Anonymous said...

Baines or Young??

mehicoradio said...

I wish i could share the same feeling and get Gerrard in my team, but, not only with him being owned by 50%+ week 3, you mentioned it seems he will be in everyone's team this week.

What are your thoughts on % of ownership and factoring that into deciding your line-ups?

Anonymous said...

My team now..

Foster

sonko parnaby ricketts
lampard gerrard milijas gomez taylor
drogba tuncay

give some comments>
who should i move..
who should i bring in..
i had lamp and drog at discount..same goes with foster..

MyChoice Editor said...

AM, come on. Give us the striker recommendation already. The football-less week is killing me already.

MyChoice Editor said...

Sorry for the double post, Can't help it.

MyChoice™ line up so far

Myhill
McCartney, Ricketts, Insua
Hunt, MTay, Gomez, MGP
Nando, Tuncay, K2

Call me stupid (I am) but I'm not sure I'm going with SteveiG this week.

Any comments?

Anonymous said...

My team now..

Foster

sonko parnaby ricketts
lampard gerrard milijas gomez taylor
drogba tuncay

give some comments>
who should i move..
who should i bring in..
i had lamp and drog at discount..same goes with foster..


please help!!
thinkless

Sulldaddy said...

Ive got
Howard in Net
wilkinson, bassong, and alexander (burnley)
lamps, Mtay, A Young, and Milijas
Drogs, Rodallega, Tuncay

About 1.2 in bank any obvious upgrades? I feel pretty good as all my Def are at close to +1 discount. Howard at +1.5
may switch milijas for gomez

Great blog BTW!

Fidan said...

@ thinkless - I'd love to have Lamps,Gerr,Taylor and Drogs in one team, too. Even the defense doesn't look THAT bad...
If I had to choose, I'd drop Lamps for Torres. But, then again, that's just me...!!! Anyway, very competitiv team...!!!

@ Sulldaddy - Not sure about Howard, especially when he is IN net...:D!!! Different team from most of others...!!! Nice one, too...!!!
Good luck

Anonymous said...

To whom it may concern: George McCartney pulled a hamstring in training Friday for the NI-Poland match yesterday. The initial estimate is that he'll probably be out for up to six weeks. And so begin the international break injuries...

-Bradley

Anonymous said...

AM
what do u think of fabregas? he looked really sharp the first 2 games and i'm tipping him to perform really well against man city. arsenal have got something to prove after losing to united?

Jeremy

Fidan said...

Make that two defenders OUT...Bassong got off the pitch with injury. He is injury-doubt for clash on next weekend. With Dawson,WooDoo (and also King) out it is very likely we'll see a THudd/Corluka partnership in defense, again...!!!

Funny thing is that I dropped McCartney yesterday and thought about picking Bassong but in the end I decided to ship in Johnson (no, it's Roger :D)...!!!

Good luck with your players...!!!

Anonymous said...

My team now..

Foster

sonko parnaby ricketts
lampard gerrard milijas gomez taylor
drogba tuncay

give some comments>
who should i move..
who should i bring in..
i had lamp and drog at discount..same goes with foster..


please help!!

assistant manager..any suggestion?

Unknown said...

Hmmm looks like I'll be needing to find a suitable replacement for McCartney then. Thanks for the heads up.

Unknown said...

Edit: I've got just under $8 to play with by the way. Any suggestions? I'm looking at Kyrgiakos, however I already have G.Johnson in my back line.

Kellz said...

@Anonymous 7:38PM: Stop spamming the forum. This site is a guide for your team with people here to give their advice. We are not here to be your personal player pickers. Read AM's posts and decide your team, then if you have a burning desire for help ask once or twice. Whats the fun of having others pick your team?

Heres the advice:
(1) Keep Foster at discount, this week is not a week to jump on Given. If you want to switch to an alternative maybe go for PRobbo/Myhill/Howard.
(2) To me your defense is weak with Sonko as a filler, Parnby not likely for a CS, and Rickets in a bottom table scrap-fest which could go either way.
(3) My thought is to drop one of Lamps/Gerrard/MTAY and boost your defense. The premium players aren't the only ones to get big points and Lamps hasn't been at his YFF best just yet.
(4) I like running a 3-4-3 whenever possible, so maybe use some funds from selling one of your middies to fill in a forward. Benitez/Rodallega/Bent/Saha/Jo are all reasonably priced off the top of my head.
(5) otherwise looks good.

Kellz said...

Current:

Given
Vermaelen, Kyrgiakos, (Stearmen/Givet)
Gerrard, MTAY, Hunt, (Milijas/Gomez/Jiminez)
Drogba, Tuncay, (Hunch)

For anyone interested. Lets see if I can't climb out from 8,194 place. (Robinho pick hurt bad last week, and Richards with no CS)

ToffeeDave said...

hahaha Fidan thanks for the support. WHAT ABOUT BILLY!?!?!? I have some concerns about this section although the Taylor+Gerrard portion is spot on. First, Im dropping Milijas for Kightly. Kightly was my original value pick of the season but got injured so I swapped him for Milijas who I feel should be 10+ points a game; whic Kightly can probably do. Also, Rodwell has been dropped from the senior squad to sit the bench now. Everton are not a team to spend 10 million on an creative-attacking midfielder to bench him for a 19 year old defensive minded player, when they are short on creative-attacking options. If you haven't guessed my midfield is this SOLID lineup

Kightly
Taylor
Gerrard
Billy

ForeverBlue said...

A good read with a great discussion from the members.. Kudos to Assistant Manager and the others for this quality site.. Im officially a fan now :)

Max said...

@ToffeeDave.. what do u mean by Rodwell been dropped from the senior squad to sit the bench?.. just came back from a one-day holiday.. mind my lazy azz.. :p..

Max..

ben. said...

Is Fabregas gonna get any play time this weekend??

Anonymous said...

@ ben. -

You bet he is...

he played 30 for spain... and he's bound to have recovered after almost 3 weeks..
so most likely Wenger would make him play a minimum of 60.....
so imo... he's likely to have an impact against Citeh.....

but this is entirely my opinion only... you can confirm wit oders if u lyk...

Cheers,
~ CrazyEyed-Sam

ben. said...

alrighty! thats what I thought too.

thanks CrazyEyed-Sam! (:

Post a Comment