Week 24 - My Team

 Hilario

Hutton   Fox   Bale

Lee CY   Gerrard   Eagles   Richardson

Bendtner   Drogba   Bent

I thought long & hard about whether to pick Torres this week...in fact my entire team was based on him at one point. Up to yesterday evening I had him in there, but I couldn't find any news confirming he would start.

If anything, there were more quotes from Benitez stating he wouldn't rush him - and the fact he didn't even get a 20 minute run-out on Thursday makes me think he's unlikely to start the Blackburn game. 

Even if he does start, I imagine he'll only get 60 mins max...yes, that's enough time for him to do serious damage, but he won't be match sharp yet. In the end it was the sensible choice to let him go & I won't have too many regrets if he does fire in a hattrick (although I'll obviously be very annoyed!!). In a week when others will hold Rooney for zero I have the chance to gain ground & I couldn't allow almost £16m to be wasted.

So I've gone for 11 players who I feel are 100% certain to play. In goal it's Hilario - as I wrote in my player picks post, it's rare to be able to buy the Chelsea keeper for £6m with a home game & City aren't playing well. Jussi & Jensen we're both in my thoughts but in the end I had the spare cash to upgrade, so I did just that.

My defence will be similar to many other teams: Bale - a bargain held £2.6m, in fantastic form, at home. Hutton - dirt cheap, guaranteed starter, at home. Fox - set piece taker, affordable, at home. I thought about Cork but the slight doubt over his selection with Alexander returning meant I stuck with the left back.

In midfield Steven Gerrard was the first name in my team this week, I expect a big performance from him at home to Blackburn. Eagles was brought in on the barndoor & he should terrorize a Pompey side who will be feeling just about as low as you can possibly get. 

Lee has been getting more & more set pieces (30 successful crosses already) as Taylor's form has dipped, he has a good fixture & is sure to start. My alternative was Larsson, but he's been on the bench or subbed early in recent weeks so I decided not to risk him. Final spot is Kieron Richardson...a set piece taker at home for 4.5m? I'll take that!

Drogba is taking up £22m of my teams budget but I was able to build a side I was happy with despite this & I'm glad to have him. He loves big games & I'd be hoping for 20 points minimum from him today considering my investment. Bendtner stays at a very decent price - he will get chances as the spearhead of an excellent attack & I think I'll probably keep him for the season given Arsenal's fixtures in the run-in.

My final pick is a pure hunch - those of you who have followed the blog from the start will know that Darren Bent has let me down on many many occasions in the past, but I pray that for once he does the business...I wanted to do something different & hopefully not too many others will pick him as he gets a goal or 2!

That completes my team for Week 24 - I like it although I'm slightly annoyed I couldn't fit a Birmingham player in somewhere & I'll be fearful of a Torres backlash, but I have 11 players who should start including plenty of set piece takers.

I also have a feeling about Sunderland - hence 3 players picked today. This is a huge game for them, they badly need a win, the crowd will get behind them, Fulham will be tired after their long trip to the Ukraine on Thursday & haven't won away in the league since August. I hope I'm right...the result will swing my week.

Let me know your Week 24 teams - good luck to all, especially if you're still in The Blog Cup!

Cheers,
AM