Week 30 - Player Picks
I normally write a purely football related introduction for these posts, but it's been a week for some perspective.
Less than a month after New Zealand was hit by an earthquake which killed close to 200 people, Japan has been hit by tragedy on an even larger scale as an earthquake & tsunami has left thousands dead and thousands more missing. There are many other awful examples, and the utter devastation occurring around the world is shocking. My heart goes out to the victims, their families and anyone affected by these tragic events.
The week has also brought extremely sad news from inside football. Barcelona's Eric Abidal has been diagnosed with a liver tumour and will have surgery later this week, while former Manchester United & England captain Bryan Robson has been diagnosed with throat cancer. I wish them both a full & speedy recovery.
Taking all this in makes you realise how brittle our existence is and how little the game of football matters in the grand scheme of things. But football does do one very important thing - it brings people together, from all walks of life and from all around the world. The global following of this blog is a prime example and I'm sure some of our readers have been affected in some way by the disasters. I pray you and your families are safe, and my thoughts - and I'm sure the thoughts of all our followers - are with you.
On to the task at hand.
Stand-Out
MAN UTD v Bolton
ARSENAL @ West Brom
SPURS v West Ham
ASTON VILLA v Wolves
United were hardly convincing last night & Bolton are on a good run, but they tend to get the job done at Old Trafford. Arsenal need to snap out of their funk now to keep up their title & I think they will with a win at the Hawthorns. West Ham have had a bit of revival but Spurs should have too much for them at White Hart Lane & I fancy Aston Villa to beat a Wolves side who have the worst away record in the league.
Should Win
LIVERPOOL @ Sunderland
EVERTON v Fulham
BLACKBURN v Blackpool
If Liverpool can keep up the tempo they showed vs United then I see a narrow away win for them at the Stadium of Light, with Suarez likely to shine again. Fulham are another team who find it difficult away from home so I think Everton will edge it, and I'm tipping Blackburn to scrape the 3 points vs Blackpool in a huge relegation battle at Ewood Park.
Draw/Close
Chelsea v Man City
Stoke v Newcastle
Wigan v Birmingham
Chelsea have been on a great run recently but Man City will pack the midfield and make it very difficult to break them down, so I see a draw in the big game this weekend. Stoke v Newcastle & Wigan v Birmingham have 1-1 written all over them.
With all that in mind...
KEEPERS
Van Der Sar
Friedel
Howard
Al-Habsi
DEFENDERS
Smalling
Walker
Luiz
Kolarov
Bale
Baines/Coleman
Skrtel
Shawcross
Koscielny
Heitinga
MIDFIELDERS
Nani
Nasi
Van Der Vaart
Hitzlsperger
A Young
Lampard
Adam
Arshavin
Hoilett
Meireles
Lennon
N'Zogbia
Valencia
STRIKERS
Van Persie
Rooney
Hernandez
Bent
Defoe
Suarez
Beckford
Torres
That's it - I'll try to add my analysis for each position later tonight or tomorrow.
My team currently:
Friedel, Kolarov, Smalling, Walker, Hitzlsperger, Nasri, Young, Van Der Vaart, Bent, Suarez, Defoe
1.3m left in the bank.
My keeper, defence & Hitz will stay, but the rest is open to change. I accept I need to find a way to fit Nani and/or Van Persie in. This will probably mean dumping VDV and/or Ashley Young and I'll probably downgrade Nasri if RvP comes in. I'm not sure which striker to drop or exactly how my team will end up looking, but there's certainly a lot to think about.
I'll leave it there, but please check back on Friday for my update post containing all the important team and injury news. Until then, please let me know how your Week 30 team is shaping up!
Cheers,
AM
95 comments:
1351st?
P
RvP or Roo?
RvP/Hernandez or Roo/Bent
friedel
kolarov walker smalling
vdv adam meireles hitz
rvp ba suarez.
no chelsea,man u,city attacking player..
hope van persie will bounce back at his full price
My team atm :
Howard
Kola,Shaw,Walker
VDV,Nasri,Hitz,Hoilett
Bent,Defoe,Hernandez..
Great post, Nik. How can one NOT be affected by the images coming out of Japan, regardless of if you have personal ties to the country or not. It's truly a horrendous event, and they are still not out of danger. I can't even imagine what it must be like to experience something like that first hand.
Peace to all.
hey AM
what are your views on baines(arteta is injured) and giggs/valencia?
thanks
will Valencia play?
OK, on to Football ...
What do people think of Demba Ba? 4 games, 4 goals, 13.88 points average. Still fairly cheap. Maybe the match-up isn't the best this week.
Currently:
VdS
Kol-Luiz-Walker
Hitz-Nasri-Osman-VdV
Ba-Suarez-Bent
Osman is my only hold-over from the double week. I think he might be worth keeping @7.73. Thoughts?
If I drop VdS to Friedel, I can upgrade Ba to RvP, but still not enough for Nani. I'll have to think about that one.
second 2nd batokalf... hahaha
Brilliant post Nik. My prayers go out to all of victims and families affected by this natural disaster, and I hope Abidal and Robson make full recoveries.
On a more optimistic and fantasy football related note, my team is:
Friedel
David Luiz / Smalling / Walker
VDV / Hitzlsperger @5 / Osman @6 / Nasri
Bent / Suarez / RVP @ full price (ouch)
1.13 in the bank
Should I swap RVP with Rooney? What about Charlie Adam? Any advice/comments on my team would be appreciated.
Hope all is well with everyone,
Chad
Top post Nik.
I'm having real trouble trying to decide my team this week, there are simply too many good options. Whatever you do, you're bound to miss out on a high scorer. I'm currently settled on:
Howard
Kolarov Walker Smalling
Nani VDV Hitz Nasri
Bent Defoe Hernandez
I like this team, but i'm uneasy with not having Young, Persie and Rooney.
Irons
no mention of the brutal killing in libya and some other middle eastern countries/
is Olsson a good choice ?
blackburn defender
any comments
and wat about fabio ?
Prayers for the people of Japan.....Hopefully the loss of life will be limited against the predictions, as property (in time) will be replaced. Families..I cannot even imagine.
A tip of the hat to you Nik for encouraging us to keep whats important in clear view during this time, and the times that are sure to follow...
Prayers to you also and your family, that they never see such a day.
It's worth to mention that Paul Scholes will be suspended for the next 2 games due to YC accumulation. Thanks AM for the great picks!...as always.
-Saul
you just did ayb50
How about Beausejour at Birmingham. 2 goals in 2 games. I have him at 7.68 and up against Wigan. Current team.
Howard
Luiz Heitinga Bale
VDV Hitz Kuyt Lamps Osman
Defoe Suarez
Kuyt may go and Beausejour comes in. That would give me an extra 2.01 to play around with.
BCB
Up to 435th
ayb50 - I think the fact he posted this was a kind gesture, he can't list every global issue.
Thanks for the thoughtful post Nick, and great picks as always.
Damien
And great post AM - All my sympathies to our brothers in Japan and Family/Friends. Wish them the best in these dark times.
-Saul
Five game touchline ban for Fergie time. Also fined $30k, but that is walking around money for Fergie so I doubt it will impact him greatly.
Just curious, when Fergie is not on the touchline, is "Fergie time" still in effect?
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6817025,00.html
Thanks for a wonderful post Nik! My family's from Japan and everyone we know of is safe...my prayers and thoughts go out to all those affected, as well as the people recovering in NZ. I cannot begin to imagine what people are going through both physically and emotionally after such an ordeal.
As for my team
Howard
Kolarov Smalling Walker
Hitz Young Silva VdV Nasri
Suarez RvP
I have Silva at 7, but I will probably drop him. I could swap him straight for Valencia or think about reshuffling my midfield...
Two big decisions I'm juggling are Rooney for RvP and Bale for VdV. What do you think?
ayb-50....
We offer our thoughts and prayers from within..
Not by instructing others to do so.
Thoughts and prayers to all those affected and to those that will be affected in the future from these tragic events.
Ive managed to fit both RVP and Nani into my team thanks to a cheap keeper and 4 cheap defenders.
Friedel
Kolorav Smalling Walker Heitinga
VDV Nani Hitz
RVP Suarez Bent
Id prefer not to have 4 defenders and would like to drop Heitinga but that would require me to downgrade VDV RVP or Nani so i may leave it. What do you guys think?
C-Hawk
C-Hawk
If both at full price.
Drop Nani
Add A.Young
Use extra funds to drop Heitinga
Add Luiz
Goals seem to be for M.U Strikers lately
Thanks, i do have both at full price and if i were to drop one it would be Nani for sure. I like Luiz but if i drop Heitinga id prefer to add another mid and go with a 3-4-3.
C-Hawk
@AM: All players the same except for my Howard/Lampard versus your Fridel/Nasri
Best of luck sir :D
Freidel
Luiz/ Huth/ Walker/ Bale
Pedersen/ Valencia/ Richardson
Bent/ Gyan/ Suarez
With plenty of cash to play around with..
Gyan could go for Ba or Chicarito
Richardson could go for a midfielder worth 10-ish
For some reason I fancy Sunderland this week though
Just came across this on the Guardian site and felt I should pass it along. Amazing animation of Gareth Bale against Inter.
http://www.runofplay.com/s/17571/
Enjoy,
Backcountry Dave
Last one promise. Just can't help myself.
C-Hawk
Maybe drop Nani
Add either Adam/Nasri
If you have zero in bank then you should have about 8.43 with dropping Heitinga.I like Maxi Rodriguez/Liverpool. Got a hunch.
If you have a nice 1.5 in the bank + 8.43 then I suggest Giggs.
Nani/Heitinga or Nasri/Giggs. No funds left Nasri/Rodriguez
Howard
Kolarov/Luiz/Walker
Lampard/Hitz/Nasri/Nani
Welbeck/Defoe/Suarez
Welbeck is my one surprise pick, I guess. But liking the team. Don't we always have high hopes though?
Howard
Kolarov Walker Figueroa
Nani VdV Hoillet Hitz A.Young
VanPersie Chicharito
I dropped Luiz because i see a lot of cards in the Citeh/Chelsea match. i'm worried about chicharito cos you don't know what SAF will do.
Ebi/Den of Thieves
Who's this Hoilett guy and why is everyone picking him?
Very well put thoughts, AM. Since donating to relief efforts is as easy as sending a text I hope everyone here will contribute what they can.
How about Kevin Phillips as a cheap filler up front? I read he's agitating for more playing time. At 1.79 if he gets a SOT he's more than paid for himself, and if he scores ... Could be this year's Tuncay, and gives you more than two points to spend elsewhere over Carew. Who knows when Stoke will score again in the league?
Let me qualify my comment abt Stoke ... they haven't scored a goal in open play since January 4.
Are you still bullish on EVDS even with the injury "crisis" afflicting the back line of Man U? No Vidic, Rafael, O'Shea, or Ferdinand.
AM,
Been trying to figure out how to contact you privately, as I thought this clip would make a great blog post in itself (if you can place YouTube Videos on blogspot) rather than just a link on a comment.
The animation is incredible, and the soundtrack and commentary made me tingle, even though i'm not a spurs fun, so I hope it has the same effect on you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRZMjHzWXQc&feature=player_embedded
Great to see you mentioning Japan, Abidal & Robson in your opening paragraphs. These events & other things in my life have really made me think recently about the fragility of life and made me change some of my attitudes to start achieving things I keep putting off.
Thanks for all the positive responses guys.
Raconteur - it's great isn't it mate! I became aware of the Bale animation via Football365 last week. It truly is stunning and I recommend anyone who hasn't viewed it click the link provided.
My apologies for not knowing how all of the different tournaments link together with the EPL but will RvP be suspended for this week's game because he received a red card in the FA Cup v Barca?
Mahalo,
- Toekicker
Any thoughts on Heitinga getting more run with Arteta being injured?
Mahalo,
-Toekicker
Hi guys
My team for this week is
Friedel
Smalling, Walker, Kolorov
Nani, Lampard, Rodwell, Sandro, Hitzelsperger
RVP, Suarez
I know i have 2 fillers in Rodwell and Sandro but i think Nani and RVP will go very big this week. Lampard is @17 so im gonna keep him as Chelsea have a double week in a few weeks and Chelsea have good match ups.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
LC
@Toekicker
RvP is NOT suspended for league matches.
And from Fantasy Football Scout: Phil Neville is a doubt for Everton after suffering a hamstring injury against Liverpool which also saw him miss the visit of Birmingham. He should come in at right-back and replace Tony Hibbert in the side, with Johnny Heitinga continuing in defensive midfield alongside Jack Rodwell.
Looks like Heitinga could be a good filler but he does have an average of 1.33 for a reason...
do you think Chicharito will be rested for the weekend? Berba hasn't played in a while and I don't want to put Chicharito in my team if he's not starting.
Hi AM
My team
Friedel
Huth, Walker, Evra, Vidic
Adam, Pedersen, Etherington, Brunt
Jerome, Bent
SL
Friedel
Kolarov Smalling Dawson
Nani VDV Nasri Hitzlsperger
Suarez RVP Bent
Any suggestions?
how long is Toure's ban? need to decide if I keep Lescott at 6.2 ?
@ToeKicker: Definately a lot of difference between the Champions League and the FA Cup, had it actually been the FA Cup then yes, but since it was a European Competition the answer is no, not suspended.
Howard
Smalling, Walker, Coleman
Giggs, Nasri, Clevery, Etherington
Rooney, bent, Defoe
Pls comment
Max
pls help me.bale or rvp.thanx for urs helps
Thanks for the RvP clarification.
My Team:
Almunia
Kolarov - Walker - Smalling - Heitinga
VDV (@6) - Nasri - der Hammer
Bent - Defoe - Suarez
Still have 16.84 left in the bank. Any suggestions? Change Defense or drop Defender to include another middie but who to drop?
Mahalo
-Toekicker
currently at:Friedel
K.Walker G.Bale J.Heitinga
R.Van Der Vaart S.Nasri T.Hitzlsperger D.Etuhu
Luis Suarez J.Carew R.Van Persie
@ Toekicker,
"Still have 16.84 left in the bank"... Are you kidding me??? If true, then upgrade Heitinga to Bale (confirm Bale's training ground injury status though...)
@ AM,
You're the man! But when will you be 29?
My thoughts go out to all the victims of natural and man-made disasters world-over!!!
Let's spread LOVE, not hate...
Best regards to all!
Tayo.
(Port Harcourt).
Wonder if 'Arry will do us all a favour on friday and tell us what his starting line up is for the game against the 'Ammers? I can't decide between Bale and VdV (both at full price).
Also a warning to other manager's I've picked Darren Bent and he's never done well when I've picked him.
@ToeKicker: I would definately drop Heitinga
(3.76) for Nani (19.11) A.Young (16.81) with the available funds.
wonder why S.Downing not in the list? Is he injured?
oh yeah, and O'Hara as well. anyone can confirm?
LOL. sry Toekicker, but that RvP question had me in stitches. :D
Friedel
Smalling/Heitinga/Luiz
VDV/Adam/A.Young/Hitz
Bent/Defoe/Suarez
Problem is, that it looks like everyone's team.
Friedel..happy
Smalling..worried
Heitinga..filler/zero (or worse) if not a clean sheet?
VDV...not sure but love match up
Adam...Hope the time off gives fresh legs..worried about yellow cards or worse.
A. Young...should be good
Hitz...Going with the flow
Bent...(WTF)has never done well with my team/everyone seems to have him/Can't find anyone so far to replace him, but continue to TRY. Have at 10.52
Defoe..picked up on door,but would really like to know (IF) he is truly a good start?
Suarez..Like him more all the time especially at current price.
Only .25 left in bank.
When I first look at my team I see a lot of potential for goals/points.
If I look at it for more then 1 minute I hate it.
I need to take chances. Currently 5th but only 63 points between 5th & 2nd in my league.
Is this the week to move ahead or just try and keep pace????
Sorry, but I just have to comment.
16.84 left in bank?????
Misprint I hope.
I guarantee you will get a zero with that investment.
how about torres AM? is he a good pick & will score?
@ Ken
An alternative to Bent at that price would be Hernandez - in good form, has a good match-up, and seems to have got ahead of Berbs.
But then, none of that guarantees him to start! Who knows what goes on in the mind of SAF?
@Jon
Thank you. Hernandez was very much on my radar but I also have (small) concern about playing time as you mentioned. M.U Games to follow make him even more of a good choice but then we are back to playing time.
Must say I am considering Giggs at midfield to replace Bent and use slightly extra funds to help at defense but there is little to go around. My discounts mean little to me at this point as they are few and far between. It is shoot from the hip from here to the end...
Good luck to you
What about getting Carroll now that he seems to be back for Liverpool? Thank you.
Nani Nasi Yossi Habsi Persi Vieri. lol.
Great post as always, Nik.
I think Suarez will do well Fantasy-wise but I think Liverpool @ Sunderland will be a closer to a draw than a 'Pool narrow win. Despite their recent revival, Liverpool are poor on the road
nasri or adam??plsssss help me...
Nani if you have the funds...Adam if you have to sacrifice other good players.
Nani/filler or VDV/Wilshere ?? Who has the better matchup Nani or VDV?
Canton Gunners
"16.84 left in bank????? Misprint I hope. I guarantee you will get a zero with that investment"
I won the week last week and had 7.1 left, so it's possible to do well, or get very lucky :-)
Sorry..no harm ment. I'm Jealous that's all.
Not quite sure if I have ever had more then 1.0 left after picking a team.
Hopefully, one day I will have the same problem.
Apology if I sounded/implyed anything other the envy..
Good luck this week
From BBC live text:
"Fifteen starts for Mario Balotelli in a Manchester City shirt, which have brought eight yellow cards and two reds. There's something just not quite right about that boy. I worry about him".
I don't think anyone is questioning his talent but guy is clearly a complete liability
My team
Empty
Empty Empty Empty
Empty Empty Empty Empty
Empty Empty
What do you guys recommend to make this better?
Some green beer...........
Balotelli is a complete and utter cu*t. Go spread the word. Inter did well to get rid of this troublemaking moron. Totti had the right idea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0Zsd38GssA
Irons.
Wow Liverpool sure do suck! Maybe Welbeck and Gyan aren't looking too bad at ~10...
Difficult to pick a team this week, lots of good options which inevitably means missing out on some big scorers. My current team (will probably change):
Friedel
Kolarov/Luiz/Walker
Hitzlsperger/Van der Vaart/Valencia/N'Zogbia
Van Persie/Bent/Suarez
2.59 left in bank
Valencia won't get 90 minutes, but he will probably see some game time and only needs to get 7 points to return his value, which frees up funds for RVP and VDV.
suprise of the week = sandro @4.08
For those of you looking for a discount defense to fit in the likes of Nani and RvP and VdV
Friedl (3.5)
Wilson (2.94)
G. Caldwell (3.64)
Heitinga (3.76)
A little different than the Howard, Walker, Smalling, Luiz line-ups.
I think all have a decent chance at a CS and should all return their value this week.
Ole'
Tigers
Is my squad good?
gk:reina/howard
def: g.caldwell smalling luiz walker(they're all cheap :D)
mid: nasri nani rodwell
frd: RVP hernandez suarez
WHo should i change?
Did anyone mention Albrighton? He is much cheaper than Young and Downing and can do as well. I'm also considering Fabio as a variation of David Luiz.
My current team:
Howard
Walker-Smalling-Luiz
Nani-Hitz-vdV-Nasri-Albrighton
Gyan-Ba
Comment this squad PLEASE
gk: friedel
def: caldwell luiz smalling walker
mid: nasri nani downing
frd: suarez carew rooney
or with rodwell and without carew?
how bout LAMPARD n BECKFORD? please comment on this...
Please help...
Which of the 3 should I choose at full price?
1. Nasri
2. Bent
3. Defoe
I am leaning towards Nasri, but I already have RVP in my side. Bent and Defoe can be hit or miss but they are against weak oppositions.
how bout downing????
just the japanies are human other not!! :S
Saved Team is
howard
smalling heitinga walker
vdv lamps hitz Beausejour
defoe suarez rvp.
2.6 left
I could drop rvp and go 352 with nani in midfield.
Thoughts
Ignoring price, who do you guys think will get more points - N'Zogbia or Adam?
Adam
Any comments are welcomed !
Thanks !
Friedel
Kolarov - Smalling - Heitinga
Hitzlsperger - VDV - Nasri - Silva
Rooney - Suarez - RVP
my team....
Howard
Smalling/Walker/Luiz/Heitinga
van der Vaart/Nani/Hitzlsperger
Hernández/Suárez/Beckford
I have never posted on here but I have been reading your columns for the past 2 years. I think you had a very good column by starting it out with what is happening in real life instead of the fantasy world. I have been sending my prayers to the people involved in this horrible disaster since it happened. It is great to be playing fantasy sports but enjoy the people in your life since you never know what will happen next for you or them.
Great post and please pray for anyone involved in it no matter how a person is affected by it. These people need all the help that anyone can give to them.
On the other side, your fantasy posts are always great and I enjoy reading them every week to figure out my team and how to play the game. You do a fantastic job on it.
Everyone likes Smalling Heitinga and Walker. Iffy? Hit and miss? Cheap yet unproductive? This is a result of constantly changing lineups in an effort to get DGs the last few weeks. Not enough moolah left to make a good line up for the remaining season.
will Nani start?
http://www.gendercide.org/case_nanking.html
Karma?
Smalling isn't gonna return much for a lot of us just swapped osman for Valencia ?
Keep posting stuff like this i really like it
cialis online
Post a Comment