Week 5 - Player Picks
With that out of the way, I'll move on to the Champions League - and I was a very proud Spurs fan last night as the club made their debut in the competition's group stage.
We made an unbelievable start and at 2-0 were coasting, but a moment of madness from Assou-Ekotto led to Werder Bremen grabbing a goal back before half-time and the inevitable pressure led to an equaliser straight after the break. It was a cracking game though, end to end, both sides could've won it but I certainly would've taken a draw before the match...a solid start to the campaign!
Back in the UK, Sir Alex decided to make 10 changes vs Rangers and it backfired as they were held to a goalless draw at Old Trafford. The biggest story from the match was the awful injury to poor Antonio Valencia - a badly broken ankle means he's unlikely to play again this season, terrible news for him and Manchester United. Let's hope he makes a speedy recovery.
Chelsea and Arsenal play their ties tonight, and Chelsea's team news has made me feel slightly more comfortable about the coming weekend. I was concerned Ancelotti may rest Drogba for the home game vs Blackpool this weekend, but I'd completely forgotten he's serving a European suspension after his sending off vs Inter last season, so his rest comes tonight and he'll be ready to go on Sunday...phew!
Of course, Chelsea at home to Blackpool is my stand-out fixture for Week 5. Blackpool have been excellent so far, but we all saw what Arsenal did to them and I expect Chelsea's pace and power to overwhelm them at Stamford Bridge. Tottenham must win at home to Wolves after two disappointing results in the league, and I think they will do as they look to avenge the double defeat from last season. Manchester City are away to Wigan and I fancy them to get back to winning ways, and I can see Stoke beating point-less West Ham at the Britannia.
The biggest game from the weekend is Manchester United v Liverpool, and having seen Liverpool a few times already this season I think Man Utd (with a rested team) will win this one by a couple of goals. Aston Villa will be looking to bounce back from their late defeat on Monday night, and I'd expect them to have a little bit too much for Bolton, while Arsenal have been really impressive and can take all 3 points from Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Everton v Newcastle, Blackburn v Fulham & West Brom v Birmingham are the 3 games I find tough to call either way this weekend, so would tip all 3 matches to be draws, but there will be goals so attacking players from these teams will still be worth a punt.
That's the fixtures covered, so we move on to this weeks player recommendations...
KEEPERS
Howard
Robinson
Foster
Cudicini
Kirkland
Hart (* added)
The majority of us have had a torrid time picking keepers so far this season, which is why I am leaning towards filling my goal with Chris Kirkland. He won't play, but he also won't be able to provide negative points - something 3 out of 4 keepers have done to me this year. He's also priced at just 1.60, which means you'll have oodles of cash to spend on your 10 outfield players.
If you would rather not do this (which I understand) then I quite like Tim Howard being priced at just 7.5. Everton are usually solid at home, and provided they drop the out-of-form Distin they'll have a decent shout at a clean sheet vs Newcastle. If not him then Paul Robinson appears to have been a popular choice on the barndoor, and Blackburn are another side who can be hard to break down at home.
Ben Foster is another in the 7.XX bracket who rewarded managers who stuck with him vs Liverpool and he now has a chance of more points at West Brom, while Carlo Cudicini should continue between the sticks for Spurs vs Wolves and is slightly cheaper, just 6.24. Or you could take the zero for Kirkland! :)
* Hart - great pick...duh, I completely forgot about him!
DEFENDERS
Bale
A Cole
Terry
O'Shea
Koscielny
Kompany
Ferreira
Heitinga
Faye
P.Jones
Kelly
Salgado
Carr
Jara/Tamas
Mancienne
A lot of people have started discussing the possibility of dropping Gareth Bale, with fears that his scoring potential will be harmed by Van Der Vaart's set piece stealing and Bale's demotion from left-midfield to left-back. I can understand the concerns, as £13m is a lot to spend on a defender, but I still think he'll play left midfield more often than not, he still took some set pieces last night, his crossing was immense, he won free-kicks, won corners and got shots on target...AND he can get clean sheet points. He stays in my team, no question about it.
If you're spending a lot on defenders this week (and I may be as I have lots of spare cash left over) then Ashley Cole and John Terry are top picks vs Blackpool - I'm seriously considering Cole who is to be rested for Europe tonight so should be fresh for Sunday. O'Shea is the best value Man United defender, and Koscielny should keep his place as Vermaelen continues to struggle with his achilles injury.
Kompany disappointed last week but City will be looking to keep a clean sheet vs Wigan and his value has decreased below 8, with Ferreria an option for a cheaper Chelsea defender (although I fear the Ivanovic v Ferreria concern will return as we near the deadline). Jonny Heitinga was a very handy pick last season but started this one a touch expensive - yet we now see him down at 6.61 after a booking last weekend, and that makes him outstanding value for Everton's game at home to Newcastle.
As always I like to recommend a few defenders who aren't as obvious and may help to seperate you from the crowd - Faye at home to West Ham, Jones (playing in midfield for Blackburn) and Salgado at home, Stephen Kelly or Salcido (depending who's set to get the left-back spot) for Fulham in the same game, Stephen Carr at West Brom, Jara or Tamas in the same game, and Michael Mancienne / Lars Jacobson filler options, below 4.5 and likely to start for Wolves/West Ham.
MIDFIELDERS
Malouda
Nani
Fabregas
Arteta
Lampard/Essien
A.Young/Downing
Etherington/Pennant
Van Der Vaart
A.Johnson
Albrighton
Cahill/Pienaar
Scholes
Barton
Adam
Larsson/Gardner
Brunt
Yaya
Etuhu
Malouda's benching last week was frustrating, but he'll be back this weekend and I'm expecting at least 1 goal from him to make it up to us! With Valencia out for a while it'll be down to Nani to provide all creativity from the wings for Man Utd so his point production should stay solid, while I wouldn't blame anyone for hanging on to Fabregas or Arteta after their performances last weekend - although I assume you have them at their barndoor price & would not recommend paying full whack.
Frank Lampard will sit out Chelsea's game tonight and it's unclear whether he'll be ready for Blackpool. If he's back then you have to consider him - I've just got a feeling that the threat to his England place will see him burst back in to form on his return. If he's not then Essien will be given licence to get forward as he was vs West Ham and I'd be tempted to put him in, but if Lampard is fit then he'll be back to holding and his value decreases significantly. Aston Villa face Bolton so one of Ashley Young or Stewart Downing (in the best form of his Villa career) are both tempting, with Young my slight preference.
Matt Etherington was in my team before his double assist on Monday night, and I really fancy him to open his goal account for the season vs West Ham...if you can't afford him then Jermaine Pennant is an alternative. Van Der Vaart picked up a calf strain vs Bremen and may be doubtful, but if he's fit I'd expect him to terrorize the Wolves defence. Stephen Pienaar showed flashes of his best form vs Man Utd so he's an option, and we all know how impressive Adam Johnson has been - I don't believe Wigan will be able to cope with the Man City man.
The third (and most affordable) Villa middie to be recommended is the hard-working Albrighton, Tim Cahill may continue upfront for Everton and Scholes will bring some much needed creativity to the centre of Man Utd's midfield - but beware a yellow card vs arch-rivals Liverpool. Barton & Adam are two player's who've done fantastically well for my team in recent weekend and continue to score well above their cost, so it's difficult to drop either of them despite tricky fixtures.
If you want an attacking Birmingham presence vs West Brom then Seb Larsson or Craig Gardner are the best options, with Brunt the opposition's best threat from midfield. Yaya Toure and Etuhu are the pick of the midfield fillers.
STRIKERS
Drogba
Berbatov
Chamakh
Dembele
Crouch/Pavlyuchenko
Tevez
K Jones
Agbonlahor
Anelka
Carroll
Odemwingie
Gyan
Kalinic
Drogba, hattrick.
I'm not recommending Rooney at £20m, but I have to big-up Berbatov. He's finally starting to show the quality he showed consistently throughout his time at Spurs and I think Carragher & Skrtel will struggle to cope with his movement. Chamakh will continue to lead the line for Arsenal and he's going to get plenty of chances at Sunderland with Fabregas back pulling the strings, while Dembele will be the focal point for Fulham and has had a sensational start to his career in England.
The last time I recommended Crouch he flopped vs Wigan, but either he or Pavlyuchenko will lead the line vs Wolves and I just can't imagine a midfield including players like Bale, VDV, Modric, Lennon, Hudd & Kranjcar will fail to provide chances for a second time in a row at White Hart Lane. Tevez has had a couple of poor weeks including THAT miss vs Sunderland, but it's time to break that run vs Wigan and Stoke's new boy Kenwyne Jones will be looking to continue on the goal trail vs West Ham.
Injuries have blighted the Gabby Agbonlahor's season thus far, but he's fit now and often performs better at home than away - bad news for Bolton. If you really don't want to splash out on Drogba then Anelka is the next option, but I do fear he could be the next in line for a rest after Malouda, Drogba & Cole all got to put their feet up. Andy Carroll was hugely popular last week but I reckon he'll be dropped by many of us for Week 5...meaning if you choose to hold on to him then he could reward you.
Outside picks would be Odemwingie (who has a great average so far) for West Brom vs Birmingham, début goalscorer Gyan vs an Arsenal side who could be missing Vermaelen again, and finally Blackburn's Kalinic who has benefited from two glaring goalkeeping errors so far this season, and remains dirt cheap for a striker guaranteed to start.
That's it - anyone I've missed? It's early in the week so I expect some injuries/unexpected team news will crop up before the deadline - I'll update you as the week progresses.
As always, please vote in our Week 5 - Player Picks poll to help us shape the rapidly improving Blog Team :) Once again, Drogba, Malouda & Bale are excluded as everyone votes for them every week - we need some variety!
I'm sure you'll agree there are loads of great options for Week 5, but as we start to get an idea of player consistency it's becoming difficult (as it is every season) to drop the likes of Joey Barton & Charlie Adam at big discounts in favour of players with better one-off match-ups. I currently hold both of the players mentioned but one of them will probably go this week in favour of a player with an easier home game.
What are your opinions on this? Are you keeping the discounts or picking purely on match-ups? As always, let me know your team...and good luck to all those in Round 1 of The Blog Cup!
Cheers,
AM
p.s. I will often send out Cup reminders via Facebook message, so if you're a Facebook user then please make sure you join the blog group!
95 comments:
kirk
bale - kosc - ferr
maloud - VDV - AJ - ether
drogba - chamwow - k jones
Def keeping kirk in goal and stocking up on attacking players. Worked well last week and cant be getting negative pts for goalies any longer. Only worry right now is ferreira. Have him at 6.06 and 2.16 in the bank. Cant afford ivonovic even if he starts so may downgrade midfielder to upgrade to another chelsea defender.
Any suggestions?
-GB
What about Salcido? Will he be available for Fulham?
As always, thanks for the great breakdown AM. I'm considering going in a completely different direction than most I think, which is not including Drogba. I've got a lot of players on fairly big discounts and need to decide which ones that I'd prefer to drop. Right now I'm considering two different options.
Option 1:
Cech
Bale, Koscielny, Skrtel
Malouda, Adam, Etherington, A. Young
Carroll, Dembele, Chamakh
Option 2:
Kirkland
Bale, Koscielny, Skrtel
Malouda, Adam, Essien, VDV
Drogba, Dembele, Chamakh
Carroll, Dembele and Chamakh cost me a combined 19 points. At that type of cost, I'm really hesitant to drop any of them. Going forward I think they can continually outproduce their price by a decent margin as a group. I can't put Drogba in the lineup if I keep those three though, and I fully believe he will score 20+ points this week. That's where my decision needs to be made. Koscielny, Skrtel and Adam are all on big discounts as well right now. As long as they are all starting, they are going to be worth keeping.
Finding out the injury news on VDV and Lampard (as it affects Essien's value) are going to be important parts of the decision making process probably.
Cech's Mates
VDV injured?
@Cech's mate. I like option 1, wish i was bold enough to do that. It should easily get you more than 120.
i had tuncay @ a point last season which allowed me to keep drogba, i'll be doing the same with kirkland for the forseeable
bale has to be a season keeper, terry & cole v blackpool standout & i have koscielny at 5.97
malouda is another season holder as is adam (takes everything for blackpool), yaya toure & etuhu @5.6 & 4.45 respectively
leaving me with drogba, easily the best striker in the world atm plus gyan who i've admired for the past two world cups (shame he is at sunderland, lol)
thanks for all your hard work as usual AM!!
I would say don't drop drogba this week to anyone who asked...20ish the past 2 weeks without scoring - nuff said
Wish I had Cesc on BD but can't afford him, esp with the way he seems to be playing in the CL right now...
Lots of options this week and the way my season is going I am guaranteed to pick the wrong ones... still sore about dropping Nolan/Carroll in week 2 and can't get too excited about the game any more!!
Robinson (oh dear!)
Bale, Heitinga, Kompany
Malouda, Barton, Adam, VdV (or Gardner if unfit)
Drogba, Dembele, Gyan
I like the forwards - hit or bust!!
@GB: Very nice looking team, I just wish I didn't have to work on Sunday/Mon so I missed the BD on Jones and Eth. As per your Ferreria selection, its just too up in the air with Ivano completing 90min today. For 8.26mil you can get in O'Shea, Kompany, or Faye, all have reasonable CS potential. I think beyond that you should keep the same team :D
@Cech: Drogba is a must have, but I think your pretty much on the ball with your thoughts. Just check Essien v Lampard status on Firday as you may have to ship Essien out. But my vote is option 2.
@Donut: Well BBurn have defeated Fulham two times running at home all the while keeping a CS in both games. This bodes well for Robinson, but with the introduction of Dembele, I'd be a bit scared of a 1 Shot 1 Goal situation that PRobbo has trademarked in. Good luck mate!
My Team ATM:
Kirk,
Bale, Kos, Mancienne,
Malouda, Downing, Ethrington, VDV,
Drogba, Chamakh, Dembele
is vdv fit to play this week?
any thoughts on kalou? he's played well in his limited time this season - maybe anelka gets rested and kalou gets the start?
Kellz - like the kirk option and I think 9 of your team can score big... I assume you are thinking about VDV being out possibility?
I am close to swapping Robbo, Heitinga, VDV, Gyan for Kirk, Mancienne, CFab, 4.04 M or F...
Stupid game lures you in every time!!
for now my team,
kirk
bale kompany a.cole
malouda c.adam barton vdv
drogs chamakh kalinic
im thinking to change a.cole for much cheaper
df and change kalinic to dembele
dunno yet.
what do u guys think?
The only goals kalanic has scored is when the keeper basically gives it to him with an open net in front of him (Howard, Hart)... He has had his points this year in my opinion...but I'm normally wrong!!
Also, Blackburn have a certain Benjani (remember him? used to be good but signed for Man City and didn't get a game) on the bench - I can't believe he won't be called into action at some point soon and he is soooooo cheap.....is he worth a risk?
Also, does anyone think that with 3 goals in 37 mins football in the last 2 games that Wenger might give Vela a start at home to Sunderland this week? He must surely be shouting for it, and he must be tough to ignore......
Do you think collins from Stoke would be a good option?
Thanks
LC
I had this horrible nightmare that Chelsea would score 4-5 goals, and then Kirkland would come in as a sub and give up another 2-3...hope it doesn't come true.
My team ATM:
Kirk
Bale Kos Kompany
FloMa CAdam VDV AJohnson
Drogba Gyan ChamWow
Still have 3.19 left over, which is bugging me, but it's not enough to fit in Dembele for Gyan or ACole for Kompany. So, I'm staying with this for now.
this is how it looks currently:
kirk
bale squillaci heitinga
malouda adam vdv a.young
drog chamwow pavlyuchenko
left 1.59, waiting for team news, i really like spurs forward for the week, so either pav or crouch should be in my team.
about the bale situation, i'm thinking of dropping him, when harder games will come ( though i remember last year against chelsea)
drog and malouda are season keepers for me, along with bale the money is very limited, but i've done brilliant so far, some tough decisions ahead.
AM thanks for the jinx. you predicted that arsenal should take all 3 points at the stadium of light. it is not an easy place to play. it was this game last year, that saw the first loss for arsenal, after van persie went down. they struggled for five weeks after this game.
AM.....
Whats your opinion on Gallas? Is he a sure starter for league matches?
cudicini
Bale-Feireira-S.dann
Adam-AJ-Barton-Holden
chamark-dembele-drogba
Any suggestions?
thanks ^^
cech
bale evatt skrtel
malouda c.adam Albrighton vdv
drogs chamakh Dembélé
want to switch evatt & skrtel but can't think of better option since I got them cheap.
got to wait on vdv's injury news though.
cudicini
koscielny-kompany-heitinga
malouda-VDV-AJ-osman
drogba-chamakh-crouch
any comments? thanks =]
I hate that I have to buy Drogba for 24--i know if i don't, i'll regret it! arghhhh!
so far..
hart
kompany koscielny bale
malouda barton vdv arshavin
dembele chamakh carrol
and with 6.98 in the bank!!
I wish to get drogba but dunno which player need to be drop.
And if vdv is not fit, will replace wiyh adam johnson (9.09) before the price will be higher.
So managers, appreciate your help
Still struggling to get into things this season, maybe it's me, maybe it's the many freak results but guess it's still very early days, 2 or 3 more games and we will see how things are going to pan out, need Teams like Everton, Man City, Villa, Liverpool etc to get into their strides to give more picks, those with Spurs and even Man Utd have been too inconsistent, that coupled with Derby...sorry Blackpool looking fairly good and Newcastle complicating things when they were suppose to be crap giving a 6-0 but then reverting to type last weekend, and as for West Ham, are they really going to continue this bad?
I guess what I am saying is I have made bad picks, from week 1 loading up on Wigan to last week loading on Newcastle, then there's the Drogba/Malouda/Bale dilemma, they just take up too much cash (nearly 50%) meaning the usually fun from picking a very different team is gone as I am left scraping for fillers. I think am going to 'lose' Bale after this week. Spurs in the league have looked far from convincing and with VDV I think 'arry may look to be a bit more solid back in the Team.
But anyway after random ramblings, my discussion point of the week, and not aimed at Nik as I do exactly the same, but now question why, the question? why do the majority of us look for the cheapest keeper, which usually backfires!!! to load up elsewhere when indeed keepers are worth just as much as outfield players in terms of points, had I picked a Stockdale, Foster, Hart or Jussi for example or even gone out for a 'big' keepert they return their value.
There are discussions about Malouda being a season keeper, but a few quid cheaper is Cech who has scored more. We drool over Chamwow but Hart well outscores him, hey so does Matt Gilks!!
My point, and one I haven't taken on board is I believe it would be worth spending on a decent keeper, one that takes away the weekly worry and is also affordable and then keep them, I know Hart and Foster have of course increased and in hindsight were sure fire picks, but it's not too late yet to change my tactic and I think the keeper point is certainly food for thought rather than the usual weekly hurt!!
there is something very normal about that picture that truly displays the simple life of the Worlds Greatest Striker Mr. Didier Drogba!
Is jcole and hleb ready for this week or is cole stil baned?
My team nw
kirk
bale kosc ?
mal vdv hleb cole
drogba cham tevez
not sure yet
Is Squillaci playing for Arsenal this week ?? I'm thinking of keeping him till vermalen returns as he's very cheap and can act as a filler for me
AM - Salgado, blackburn, is injured till October 9th according to PhysioRoom.
...but it does seem like D. Dunn is back.
Im 99% sure i will have a NO Drogba team this week , its a nightmare ... and i will not add him @24.xx NO WAY .......
if he gets under 30 i will be OK
Ill gamble on Anelka , i hope he will play , any chance of a rest !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Damn Chelsea line up this week is so confusing me :(
Really cant put myself to buy Drogs at 24.
My Team as follows and really crossing fingers to make it thru the top 600 for Blog Cup :P
Foster
Bale Michelson Kompany
Nani Fabs Nolan CGardner Malouda
Dembele Chamwow
jandre - Joe Cole is back from his 3 game suspension, he should play. Also, PhysioRoom has Hleb back from his leg injury this weekend.
Kavedas - I agree, Ancelotti is driving me crazy as well. I'm also with you on the NO Drogba @24.xx. Too much cash to invest on 1 player as it will mean messing up the balance of my team. I tried to get him back on the BD 2 weeks ago since I thought his price would stay at 21.xx but no, as soon as I was ready to BD him his price rose to 23.xx. I gotta confess I have no one to blame but myself for not trusting in the "Drogulator".
My, Drogba-less, team atm is...
Carson
Bale/Heitinga/Jacobsen
Malouda/Nani/Barton/Adam/Pennant
Tevez/Chamakh
I could bring in Kirkland to upgrade Jacobsen but Carson's home stats don't lie...he tends to do really well at home. Also the possibility of Kirkland playing vs. city also crossed my mind, and the thoughts were not pretty, so...NO KIRK!
6 FK/CK takers, 2(possibly 3) penalty takers, 5 natural goal scorers and an okay defense makes this team balanced.
Great picks AM, and as always thanks! Here's to Pennant starting vs. West ham...cheers!
Suggestions and comments gladly welcomed. Thanks all!
Hi everyone,
I'm a little confused by the FA website for suspensions? It says that Koscielny is suspended?
http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/Disciplinary/SuspensionLists/
@Rob: You need to read the columns carefully.
Start: 15/08/2010
End: (No date)
Description: Suspended from all first team football until the Club have completed 1 first team match for a Sending Off in a match played on 15/08/2010.
Arsenal has played in more than one FTM since August. So Koscielny has more than completed his ban.
Notice that there is no End date (unlike some others). The person-in-charge of entering the data failed to key it in.
Presumably, the system will automatically remove entries based on the End date, but Koscielny's entry may need to removed manually, which they have not done so at this point in time.
Arshavin ?? Could be a sick buy
I figured it was wrong but you'd imagine that who ever updated it would be good enough to remove it after a week (instead of this far down the line.....). It doesn't make that much difference to me because ive been so "big gun" crazy that I couldn't afford him if I tried! My team includes:
Kirk
Squillaci/A Faye/Olsson
RVdV/Fabregas/Malouda/Mikel/Albrighton
Drogba/Dembele
Trying to get Fab, FMal and Drog in your team at full price is a nightmare but how can you go without them when the forms this good? It could conceivably be 90 points in the bag with just those three.....
@ Alex Darko
Good point with reference to the goalkeepers but I'm afraid that brains jst dont work that well. It's easy to see the chances of Drogba putting goals passed Blackpool but not as easy seeing Hart saving goals. It's the same reason that people who bet on football look for a team to win rather than which game will end in a draw.
There's also the variation between what you can win and what you can lose. If you had chosen the best and worst performing forward you would have scored -.83 and 22.4 per week. This would give you an average return of 21.57 per week. If you had done the same with goalkeepers then you would have recieved a maximum of 12.8 and a loss of -13 per week. I guess its everyone trying to be cautious and limit there losses.
In an old film (can't remember which one) the character says "Some of my worse decisions have been haircuts", well to be honest for me it's goalkeepers.
I suppose the hardest thing to get your head around is that trying to get a great scoring goalkeeper is only really achieved by picking a goalkeeper who is going to have saves etc. Picking Cech this week against Blackpool looks safe but other than a cleansheet he may not actually get any more points.....
You could go a different way and choose GK's like Foster, Howard, Robinson, etc. They are far more likely to score points than Cech.
You could of course go crazy under than rationale and choose Gilks, he's proven to be a solid goalkeeper and he's going to get shots fired at him right, left and centre. He may well score you -13 but he could just as easily record you a +30 score.
I'm with AM, ignore the problem, go with Kirkland and spend all of your money on attackers! :-)
Managers, appreciate your help
hart
kompany koscielny bale
malouda barton vdv arshavin
dembele chamakh carrol
and with 6.98 in the bank!!
I wish to get drogba but dunno which player need to be drop.
And if vdv is not fit, will replace with adam johnson (9.09) before the price will be higher.
http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330015504308/noticia/Noticia/_The_team_is_progressing_very_well_.htm
"Karim Benzema is intelligent and I hope he knows what he has to do to play more. It's easy. You can see the game very well from the bench... The way the opposing defense moves, the changes in positioning, the aggressiveness... It's a perfect spot. He will understand sooner or later."
@ Alex Darlo
I had Howard against Wolves he gave me 0, and i had Hart against Blackburn he gave me 2 points...
I had Reina against WBA and he gave me 16 points...
GK place is hardest to choose imo
@Bojan
You at least got some points from GK's. My best this year was Howard with 0.
So my team:
Kirk (please don't play)
Bale, Squil, Wilson
Fabs, Ether, Mikel, Reo-Coker
Drogs, Chamwow, KJones
One recommendation - Mark Wilson. Dirt cheap @4.77, listed as defender, plays in mf and Stoke are playing WHam.
Otherwise had to drop FloMal but couldn't resist Drogs vc Bpool. @24 it hurts, and I ain't droping Fabs the way he's playing.
I am surprised that no one mentioned about Vidic. I think he faces a pretty competitive match against liverpool at home and hope he scores too. Hopefully.
Robinson
Bale Vidic Squillaci
Malouda VDV AJohnson Fab
chamakh kalinic Odemwingie
any help?
In the champions league fantasy, all the keepers scored positive points due to the high number of saves;10,11,13. It doesn't happen it the epl where players are shy about shooting. I intend to pick Hart against chelsea cos he'll make at least 6 saves and if they are lucky to keep a clean sheet i'll be looking at 20+
In the champions league fantasy, all the keepers scored positive points due to the high number of saves;10,11,13. It doesn't happen it the epl where players are shy about shooting. I intend to pick Hart against chelsea cos he'll make at least 6 saves and if they are lucky to keep a clean sheet i'll be looking at 20+
@kooskoos
I'd be pretty sceptical of Vidic, he always seems to get run ragged by Torres. Plus Man U seem to be pretty shakey at the back in general at the moment. And of course Ashley Cole is cheaper...
You never know though, I suppose that's half the fun...
GL
doug
In the champions league fantasy, all the keepers scored positive points due to the high number of saves;10,11,13. It doesn't happen it the epl where players are shy about shooting. I intend to pick Hart against chelsea cos he'll make at least 6 saves and if they are lucky to keep a clean sheet i'll be looking at 20+
PAULYS FAB FILLERS - WEEK 5
After fine results from last week's top picks, here's this weeks top of "the bottom of the barrel" scrapings!
GK
Kirk - Wig - 1.60 - won't play again imo, so a guaranteed 0
Carson - Wbrom - 6.09 H *
Mignolet - Sund - 6.41 H *
Al Habsi - Wig - 6.52 H *
Begovic - Stoke - 4.96 H ** ?
DF
Jara - WBrom - 5.86 H **
Jones - Bbn - 6.18 H *
Heitinga - Ev - 6.64 H *
Squillaci - Ars - 5.40 A **
Richards - MCity - 6.44 A **
Wilson - Stoke - 4.77 ** H (Plays MF)
MF
Muamba - Bolt - 3.73 A *
Albrighton - AVilla - 6.68 H **
YY Touré - MCity - 5.60 A *
Nolan - NCastle - 6.47 A **
Van der Vaart - Tott - 6.33 H ** ?
Etuhu - Ful - 4.43 A **
Reo -Coker - AVilla - 2.62 H **
N'Zonzi - Bbn - 4.52 H **
Mereiles - Lpool - 4.63 A *
Mikel - Chels - 4.47 H **
FW
Jovanovic - Lpool - 6.05 A *
Kalinic - Bbn - 5.11 H **
Fuller - Stoke - was 6.49, now 7.10, so expensive filler! : H **
H - Home A - Away match
* Filler pick
** Top filler pick
? Unsure starter
Hope that saves you time & head scratching for this week-ends' matches
Good luck
Pauly
What do you guys think of Vela's prospect of playing? He got 2 in a sub role for Arsenal in the CL and he only costs less then 5. Thoughts?
J0J0
What do you think of Danny Collins for 6.7 from Stoke?
Some nice posts guys - I like the GK discussion. Its a tough position mostly because you only have one of them...
Seemingly shoe-in Hart can get you -1 against Sunderland in injury time, Harper at home to Blackpool after beating Villa 6-0 can get you minus 2 just as easily as Gilks can get 20 points in the same game after being hammered by Arsenal!!
Rob - I am almost giving Robbo a chance this week, very tempted by Foster at 7.55 but I have a feeling that whichever route I choose will be wrong, which is why the Kirk 1.6 is so tempting!! I like the malouda/drogba/fabregas combo but no bale?
kooskoos i wouldn't pick kalanic and you don't have drogs which is a risk. fab is on fire tho...
gasper - good call mark wilson, i like your team, I am in a malouda/fabs dilemma myself, i would like both but that means kirk and no adam...
Saul actually I really like your drogbaless team apart from chamakh who I have a funny feeling about playing. Wenger made some comments after the game about rotating players and I think he might go for Vela this week...just a hunch...Heitinga also is a good pick imo...
With Valencia out, does that make Giggs a sure starter v Liverpool? Anyone have any thoughts - at 12.45 that's a bargain isn't it?
What about Alcaraz? 36.5 points is impressive for a wigan defender!
kirk
bale koscielny wilson
malouda vdv nani hleb\cole(need advise)
Drogba chamakh gyan
It doesnt feel right! is tevez a good choice cause if i play cole and hleb and take nani(playing liverpool)and gyan(playing arsenal) out i can afford him!(tevez)
kirk better sit at the bench this week or else.haha
nice posts guys.really enjoyed reading all your posts.helps me a lot.
btw whoever watch man city match right now.
tevez gets haircut.he might scored this week.lol
and wayne bridge is back.probably gonna play this weekend.his playing right now
my thoughts on the gk dilemma is simple. pick a gk with a solid defense who makes saves. Picking up ben foster after week 1 has worked wonders. Birmingham's defense was solid last year, especially at st andrews nothing has changed this year. He easily returns his value away and has a chance for great points at home at ~5 why not keep him :). also pretty hilarious the disparity in defensive quality between brum and man city. ask joe hart which foru he would rather have in front of him and I think he would say johnson ridgewell carr and dann
This is the news that worries me:
"[Malouda] was rested to the bench at West Ham last time out and could be under threat again here." (from FantasyFootballScout)
All this talk about dropping Bale and/or Drogba, but could it be that Malouda is really the one to drop? He was playing so well, not sure why he's getting benched now all of the sudden.
With Malouda out, and a bit of juggling, I could get Fabregas into my lineup. Does anyone think this is a good idea? I was planning on keeping FloMa for the season, but now I'm not sure. Any thoughts?
@J0J0
yeah i'm thinking about vela too.
super sub.if he starting i'll pick him tho.
his cheap.
Drop Malouda and pick up Downing of
Villa? I want a point producer that many will not have.
BCB
So here's the questionable players (not an inclusive list)
Evans, Alex, Al-Mu, Nelson, Malouda, N'zogbia listed from probably WON'T play to may start-- in my various leagues, I have them all. Any suggestions, other than cointoss.com. Thanks.
Oh, I would add Joe Cole at 5.97 to the list, he just scored goal vs Bucharest
arshavin looking good up till now, worth having? which is better between him and nani? if not because of the match-up, i'd say nani.. what do you guys think? any opinions?
@Anon 8:48pm: Drop every single one of those players EXCEPT Malouda. The rest are really average to crap. If you want a decent sure starter for Utd then go for O'Shea, if you want a sure starter for Chelsea go A.Cole or Terry, if you want a Wigan midfielder (but why vs Man City?) then i'd go with Cleverly, but still I wouldn't, if you want a BBurn defender Nelson and Salgado are injured/late fitness test, Chimbonda or Samba look good prospects, Al-Mu vs Arsenal? Good luck, Joe Cole scored against a much weaker side than what Utd will bring, especially with ALOT of their first team rested midweek, so again why?
Not happy with this line-up: Any thoughts on changes - specifically forwards/mids?
C. Kirkland
Defenders
G. Bale
J. Terry
L. Koscielny
Midfielders
F. Malouda
C. Adam
M. Essien
S. Parker
Forwards
D. Berbatov
M. Dembélé
A. Gyan
Cheers all FLScott
@FSL: I would agree your defense looks great, but might make some forward and mid changes.
First the mids:
-Parker vs Stoke, its an away game, granted Stoke have lost 3 of their opening matches, they certainly didn't play badly. I would think Stoke can take the win at home here, so no need to gamble on Parker.
-Adam if at discount should stay in your team until he proves to accumulate YC (like his 13 YC in the championship) or his production falls, but I can't see many pts at Stamford Bridge.
-Malouda stays he will start, I doubt he'll be rested 2 matches running
-Essien is a great pick if Lampard missed the match, if not, Essien gets pushed back to partner Mikel which means his production will suffer from limited forward runs.
Forwards now:
-Gotta say Dembele looked really good since joining Fulham, and for 6mil (I assume) he should have no problem regaining that and more vs BBurn.
-Gyan is a pick you need to make when the match up is good, the big question is do you actually think he can score on Arsenal who haven't been letting in many goals.
-Berbatov has had a good start to the season, and home to my Liverpool side which leaked 3 goals to Citeh and has yet to get motivated offensively (expect tonight yey!) I say hes a good bet.
Possible additions include Ethrington, Downing, AY, Albrighton, Gardener, Larrsson, Holden, VDV (should be ok), Ben Arfa, Drogba (a must have, he can easily hit 4 against BPool at home), Chamakh (still decent price more likely to score than Gyan), Kalou (outside chance he could start in place of Anelka and Ancelotti shows his hand before the deadline)
Good luck!
@BCB: I'd say Downing isn't good a straight swap option for Malouda, I can't see Malouda rested again here and his start to the season of 4 goals 4 SOT means hes a must have. If you can try and squeeze in Downing I think that will help you more than missing on Malouda's pts vs BPool.
@Anon 11:17: Yes Arshavin has looked great and the 2 times I have picked him he has netted me 19pts and 16pts respectively for 13mil. Not the best pt to price ratio as you want him to score big, but hes been consistent for 3 games now, no reason to drop him now, but if hes at full price, I think there are better options with home matches like Ethrington, Downing, and Nani.
@Kwyjibo: Fabregas has had only 1 promising game with big points, and yet for 17mil you feel 19pts is a bit of a let down when you know he can score up in the 30's. I doubt Malouda will be rested 2 games running plus hes been on fire with 4 goals to 4 SOT. I think Arsenal will handle Sunderland, but its an away match and theres no need to gamble just yet.
@Jimmy: Cole should start but hes facing a very well rested Utd side at home, don't think this is the correct time to pick him up even for 5.97mil. Hleb is still injured? Even so Hleb isn't a particularly good YFF point producer, there are far better options for the money. If you can get in Tevez, I don't see why he couldn't score away to Wigan.
@Anon 5pm: Alcaraz had one great game, but do you think he can repeat that against Citeh? I say no, better to go with a defender capable of a CS, try Mancienne or Wilson if you don't have the money. But better stick to Spurs/Chelsea/Utd/Arsenal/BHam defense this week.
Hope that helps guys, just my thoughts!
@Kellz - Thanks for the input mate. I will definitely do a bit more research on your suggestions! How I do love this blog. :)
A photographic tour of Stephen Ireland's house. Warning: not for the faint of heart or the weak of stomach...
http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/A-photographic-tour-of-Stephen-Ireland-s-ridicul?urn=sow-270226
@Kellz - Yes, I second that, thanks for the input. I just worry because another missed game by Malouda will really hurt...especially in Blog Cup week!
Currently have:
Kirk
Bale-Kos-Terry
FloMa-CAdam-VDV-AJohnson
Drogba-Gyan-ChamWow!
I missed Dembele on the BD, and don't have enough to fit him in now at 10+, so I'm sticking with Gyan for now, despite the poor match up.
Overall I'm happy with what I have.
@Bradley - Thanks for that...my retina's are still burning from the Princess room...now how will I watch EPL this weekend? Lol!
Hi guys,
I need some advice here..
I'm stuck in the midfield n forwards:
Barton,VDV,Cahill,S.Downing/J.Cole
Drogba,Chamakh,Carroll/Dembele
any advice?
~P.K~
hi guys,
any news on vdv?
is he gonna play?
my team atm
kirkland
bale,koscielny,a cole
malouda,barton,adam,vdv
drogba,carrol,chamakh
i also prepared alternative in case vdv not playing:
kirkland
bale,koscielny,p jones
malouda,barton,adam,etherington
drogba,carrol,chamakh
any advice guys
-iyank-
Do people not know Malouda went 88 minutes in CL? Do you think he will see significant time at home vs. Blackpool? Unless you have him at a good discount, he'd not be that hard to pick back up for the next week. I suppose there might be some pile-on points for him in that game, but who knows. Espicially if you are starting Kirkland, couldn't you use some of that Malouda money to pick a GK? (I am kind of shocked at the number of people who are going the Kirkland route this week)
Thanks for the advice. I especially appreciate the low cost, potential players list. (PAULYS FAB FILLERS - WEEK 5)
Here is what sits on my team page atm, and I'd be very brave to stick to it.
Kirkland
Bale Cashley Mancienne
Flomal Adam Whitehead A Young
Drogba Dembele Kalinic
Please give me some comments on this team. Is it one too many fillers? I really want cashley and ashley young in there and this is the best I can come up with.
Comment Anon 6.00 AM is me, bengoh91 btw.
@Douglas: I am sure 98% of us that read the blog are fully aware of Malouda's 88min vs Zilina on Wednesday. However I doubt Malouda will be rested 2 games running. There is a Carling cup tie at home vs Newcastle the following Wednesday, but theres no reason to rest Malouda this weekend for an early round Carling cup clash especially at home.
Ancelotti would value another Prem win over the Carling cup. Plus you have to take into account the form Malouda is in,If I were Ancelotti I wouldn't rest him 2 Prem matches and risk losing that. But thats me.
Over all I feel 100% confident he will start and 100% confident he will play. But the good news is Ancelotti usually releases his squad list before the deadline so make sure to wake up (or stay up) to check the squad in your given time zone. If I am wrong you can atleast make an informed decision. But I feel many others on the blog will agree with me that malouda will be staying in their teams!
Good luck.
@Bengoh91: Personally I try to stay away from fillers as they are usually low priced for a reason, either not starting or not good YFF players. I would like to know if Dembele is at discount or full price? I think if hes full price drop him down to say Chamakh and use the money to upgrade Whitehead.
I think you'll probably be fine with Mancienne who usually starts in Defensive Mid role in away matches and Kallinic who will start for BBurn at home. But I am unsure about Whitehead with his YFF relavence or starting status. You might be better off choosing between BFAY or A.Cole. I'd say A.Cole has a very good chance for a CS w/ maybe an assist, but i'd rate A.Young a bit higher with a juicy matchup at home with Bolton missing their best defender and keeper. Plus A.Young should continue to play off the striker giving him ample chance to score (which I feel he may very well) I'd probably drop down A.Cole to Ferrerria or Squillaci, and use the money to upgrade Whitehead or Kallinic. AM has some great picks up top so give another read through and look at the good matchups for your choices.
Good luck as always!
@Bengoh91: One more point, Chelsea defense looked a bit shaky for about 20min in the 2nd half vs Zilina and were thus scored upon. It would be a dagger to go A.Cole over A.Young and have a silly goal scored by BPool to ruin your CS. So basically I feel A.Young has the better chance to score big points.
Sorry to compound your thoughts even more! I know because I am there too!
Love the Kirkland thing...to anonymous who asked why so many? Because Cech is the only sure clean sheet and he's over 13. All others risk tanking your points.
BD'd Essien, Gyan, and Dembele so gonna give them a go as they're all in great form. Essien scored again in CL this week.
Can't drop Malouda...HE could have the hat-trick against Blackpool and then cost almost 20.
Lastly, Nic...I think you should have added Kalou to the strikers...he's a risk but with the likelihood of a lot of Chelsea goals, Kalou comes in and dominates.
Kirk is fit ~ he could start vs Man C ??
Also W.Bridge playing 65 mins in CL ~ he might start @ Lback vs Wigan ??
@donut
I've decide to drop FloMal since his discount is less than 1. If he does well the I will BD him back. Otherwise I saw 2 of Stoke matches this year (vs Tot and Villa) and they played some great football. And vs WHam who are really horrible I think there might be some goals and asists, hell maybe even a CS for Wilson.
why are you all picking adam and dembele ? to be honest what are adam's chances against chelsea...my guess is he won't make more than 5 points....and dembele !? he scored 2 goals the previous game and now everybody is picking him....my team is
Kirkland
Bale Squillaci A.Cole Ferreira
Malouda A.Johnson VdV(if he starts )
Chamakh Drogba Carroll/Kalinic
where can i get news if van der vaart is going to start ?
my team this week...~
C. Kirkland
L. Koscielny,M. Wilson,P. Jones
C. Adam,Nani,F. Malouda,N. Reo-Coker(not sure yet)
M. Chamakh,C. Tévez,D. Drogba.
Please give me some comments on this team.Is my team ok??or not??
any advice guys..
Please help me pick between my two options:
Kirk
Bale/Kos/Wilson
Barton/FloMa/Fab4/Reo-Coker
Drogba/Chamwow/Carrol
or
Kirk
Bale/Kos/A Cole
Barton/FloMa/VDV/AJ
Drogba/Chamwow/Carrol
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks guys,
Superfly Jim
i think option 2 is more good^^ jim..
hey jim..comment on my team ya..
C. Kirkland
L. Koscielny,M. Wilson,P. Jones
C. Adam,Nani,F. Malouda,N. Reo-Coker(not sure yet)
M. Chamakh,C. Tévez,D. Drogba.
Please give me some comments on this team.Is my team ok??or not??
any advice guys..
@ Jim
I also like the 2nd team better
@fad
Like your team a lot. Basically u got 6 MF players in there and Wilson&Jones are a good bet for a CS. Just hope that Kirk isn't in goal and Tevez gets a hattrick. That would hurt :)
option 1:
hart
kos, bale, wilson
malouda, adam, barton, vdv
chamwow, drog, caroll
or option 2:
hart
kos, bale, mancienne
malouda, adam, barton, holden
chamwow, drog, caroll
prefer option 1 barring vdv injury update, if not what option do i get with 6.94 in the bank if i want to stick with wilson? mancienne + holden are away to tough opponents.
cheers,
MRA
@ fad
I like it - apart from Nani, Mutd v Liv are always tight affairs even if one team is playing poorly. I think there are better options for the money.
Also, consider Barton instead of C Adam ?? You've got to think that Barton will pick up more phantom points v Everton than Adam will against Chelsea...
Superfly Jim
thanks for the advices guys..i really appriciate it..,gasper n superfly jim..(",)
Kirk
Bale M.Wilson A.Cole
FloMa VDV Barton AJ
Drogs ChamWoW Kalinic
i just change c.adam to barton.
as @superfly jim said that barton probably score more points than adam this week.it make sense afterall
what do you guys think?
Ken
What about M.Wilson? Neal has suggested him.
And your opions about R.Fuller, guys?
Calucifer.
hart
kompany koscielny bale
malouda barton vdv arshavin
dembele chamakh carrol
and with 6.98 in the bank!!
I wish to get drogba but dunno which player need to be drop.
And if vdv is not fit, will replace wiyh adam johnson (9.09) before the price will be higher.
Any comments??
cheers
-jack-
Whichever goalkeeper you pick, I'm picking someone else.
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