Week 22 - Wednesday

Once again it was another unbelievable night of Premiership action; only 1 of the Top 8 sides were able to claim victory, as the title race was blown wide open once more.

Arsenal were the side that may have forced there way back in to it, as they gave Liverpool a 1-0 reality check at the Emirates in a game of little quality with both sides well short of their best.

Meanwhile, Chelsea suffered a shock defeat at Goodison - anyone who saw the Toffee's pathetic showing at Anfield 4 days earlier could not have predicted this, especially once Chelsea took the lead, but as we've said countless times this season is completely unpredictable and Everton's season is well and truly back on track. United couldn't fully capitalise, despite a respectable 1-1 draw at Villa having being reduced to 10 men from 20 minutes onwards. They actually dominated the game after this so you have to feel Nani's stupidity has cost them 2 vital points.

I mentioned reality checks earlier, and this was no better demonstrated than Spurs at Wolves. When I saw the teamsheet before the game I literally couldn't believe what I was seeing. No Modric, no King, no Crouch, no Palacios, Kaboul at rightback, Gudjohnson starting his first game for months (surely you give him a few substitute appearances first to allow him to adjust?) and bloody Jermaine Jenas on the pitch.

I can only assume Harry Redknapp was resting players ready for the FA Cup tie at Bolton this weekend, but he got it badly wrong as we were comfortably beaten by a hard working Wolves side for the second time this season.

Only Bale & Gomes can come out of the game with any praise as the players wilted on a cold night, on a bad pitch, just like the Spurs of old. Just to clarify what a missed opportunity this was, a win would've put us back 2 points clear in 4th with a better goal difference than those around us. Now we're down in 6th & I'm fearing our season is on the brink - we are clearly not good enough for a Champions League place.

In the other 2 games, Blackburn & West Ham gained vital wins vs Hull & Birmingham respectively, with Diamanti & Carlton Cole impressing prior to the double week

In fantasy terms I was pleased the Drogba / Rooney goalfest didn't materialise as I dropped just 112 places despite only grabbing 5 points from Bale. With 9 players to go next week I reckon I've got a realistic chance of ending the week in the Top 1000 for the first time since August.

As for Week 23, Nani's sending off was significant as a 3 game domestic ban makes Valencia a huge pick for the double week. Vidic's non-appearance spreads doubts over his fitness, Giggs picked up an arm injury & Berbatov was benched, so at the moment the only players who seem likely to start two games are Van Der Sar, Evra Valencia, & Rooney.

Carrick & Fletcher also have a decent chance, and maybe Evans, but you have to have doubts over Wes Brown & Rafael. Perhaps Park? Only Ferguson will know, but with the Champions League tie with Milan & the Carling Cup Final vs Villa surrounding the fixtures, it simply adds to the confusion.

As for West Ham, I see Cole as their Number 1 striker so I've brought him in for the double week. I guess Diamanti, Ilan & Mido will take turns supporting him while McCarthy is injured & I'd expect Diamanti to start the home games vs Hull, but I'd be very surprised to see him play at Old Trafford. At £13m on the BD (£17m now) I don't think he's worth it for the double week. The only other West Ham players to interest me would be Scott Parker & Matthew Upson.

Because of the doubts/lack of options I don't think it's as important to have all double gamers. I can see myself maybe going for 5 doubles & then 6 singles. From the single games you have Arsenal home to Sunderland, Chelsea at Wolves & Villa home to Burnley as stand-out fixtures, so players like Fabregas, Bendtner, Rosicky, Drogba, Malouda, Zhirkov (if Cole is out), Rosicky, Milner, Downing, Young, Agbonlahor, O'Hara & Etherington are all options if you can find the cash.

My current unconfirmed team: James, Bale, Upson, Evra, Etherington, Adam Johnson, O'Hara, Valencia, C Cole, Bendtner, Rooney

Still holding Hutton, Drogba & Wes Brown behind the scenes. Upson might go back to Hutton so I can upgrade Johnson to a Villa midfielder, but there's still loads to think about & plenty of changes to make.

That's probably going to be it for posts from me for the next couple of days, unless I see any injury news that I feel you need to know. We still have 5 days until the final games of the week (Wigan v Bolton & Stoke Man City) & over 9 days until the next deadline. Before then we have the FA Cup so I'll post about the fall-out from that over the weekend. Please make sure you join the blog Facebook Group if you haven't already so any new posts appear on your wall!

In the meantime, let me know how you're getting on and how your team looks after last night's fixtures. Are you concerned about United players being rested for the West Ham game with the Carling Cup Final just a few days later? Or Will Fergie prioritise the League?

Cheers,
AM

p.s. In all the confusion I had forgotten Week 22 is the 3rd Round of The AM Challenge, with 250 teams left in it! Obviously we still have 2 fixtures to go, but I might spend tonight working out the early "cut-off" point to give you an idea of how you're doing. Remember, only 125 teams go through...