Friday 13 May 2011

Week 37 - Update

What a nightmare!

Blogger are having major problems, all of my analysis from the Week 37 Player Picks and all of the comments from the past 48 hours have disappeared (how annoying!?) and I've only just managed to login to my account to post this. Not good.

Anyway, here's what I posted on Facebook earlier today...

Lets start at Arsenal, where Wenger has more-or-less confirmed Mr Vermaelen will start! Koscielny's injury means he'll partner Djourou and I'm pleased to see him back. Clichy is back too, but Fabregas & Nasri are doubts and Diaby & Rosicky are out.

Ancelotti didn't reveal all in his press conference, so it's probably best to avoid the possibly injured David Luiz - Alex could continue. He did say Torres will definitely start, but no details on whether this will be alongside or instead of Drogba. Bosingwa will miss the rest of the season, while Zhirkov is a doubt.

Interesting stuff from Sir Alex, as he suggested the very reasonably priced Kuszczak could get a start to give Van Der Sar a rest. Unfortunately that was it, no news on injuries to the full-backs so no confirmation on Fabio, whether Valencia gets a rest/Nani starts or who plays up top. Berbatov scored 5 vs Blackburn earlier in the season, so he may get the nod.

Andy Carroll is pushing for a return to the Liverpool team, but Dalglish may be tempted to stick with the XI which performed so well at Fulham. The one saving grace for Carroll is the injury to Meireles, so he could squeeze back in alongisde Suarez, with Maxi & Kuyt on the wings, but don't be surprised to see them unchanged.

Spurs are ravaged by injury and I really fear we could get a bit of a pasting this weekend. No Bale, Gallas, Assou Ekotto, Gomes (phew), Jenas, Palacios or Hutton, while Modric & Huddlestone are doubts, and our 3 strikers are out of form. Bad times.

Man City & Stoke have the small matter of an FA Cup Final tomorrow, so we don't have a clue what'll happen in that game and how it may affect the line-ups in the rematch next Tuesday. For that reason, I'd avoid the players from both sides this week.

Sunderland are without Muntari, Anton Ferdinand, Craig Gordon, Titus Bramble, Michael Turner, David Meyler, Fraizer Campbell, Marcos Angeleri, Kieran Richardson, captain Lee Cattermole, Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck - wow! Wolves are surely sensing this is their big chance to pull away from trouble, with an almost fully fit squad to choose from, including the returning Kevin Doyle.

Steven Reid and captain Chris Brunt are fit for West Brom.

Birmingham are without the suspended Graig Gardner and Liam Ridgewell, while Zigic remains out. Parnaby or Davies will come in to the defence alongside Carr, Johnson & Jiranek.

Blackburn's Phil Jones has recovered from a back problem, while Michel Salgado and David Dunn are also fit again.

Charles N'Zogbia is set to start for Wigan despite nursing a dead leg.

West Ham captain Scott Parker could play after returning to training, as could Upson.

Both Blackpool and Bolton are claiming near fully fit squads, with no new injuries to report.

That's all the major news, I'll add anything else I find as I find it.


My current team:  

Carson, Figueroa, Craddock, Vermaelen, Hitzlsperger, Valencia, Adam, Lampard, Suarez, Torres, Van Persie

It's very close to a final team, although Sturridge is still on my radar in Torres' place & I may move Figueroa to Jiranek. There's also a chance Valencia may get a rest, but United kick off at 12:45 tomorrow (along with 3 other games) so we may get line-ups before deadline - fingers crossed. If he's benched I'd probably switch him to Malbranque vs Wolves.

How are things looking for you?

Cheers,
AM

30 comments:

Bayu Ekaputra said...

Never thought that I will be joining this "first" trend. but yea. FIRST!

Cheers,
DarkZero

ja_terrerz said...

Hi Nik...

Rodalega/RVP/Sturige or Rodalega/RVP/torres?

SEMBAT UTD..:)

ja_terrerz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Preliminary team with 2.42 left.

Kuszcak
Kolarov (at 4.44) Vermaelen, Mancienne
Adam, VdV, Kuyt, Pennant
Suarez RvP Torres


Now some thoughts on YFF:
I'm not happy about how they handle player additions to teams. This is especially bad in Spain where I also am trying to run a team this season. For example, Malaga has been playing a new keeper since Feb and Yahoo hasn't added him to the team yet.

Chaos said...

Welcome back Nik.

Walcott, crazy signing or decent pick?

Irons said...

Nice round-up Nik. Great to get confirmation on Vermaelan and Torres starting, i was going to bring them in anyway.

I'm thinking it could be time to drop Kolarov with Richards back. He might get rotated with Zabaleta who is playing well, with Richards going to right back. I don't see Richards being chucked straight in for the FA cup final. Kolarov hasn't really impressed the fans from what i've read on forums, i really don't want to take a 0 at this stage.

I hope Valencia gets benched as i'm 0.2 short of having him in the team i want. I'm sure we will get the team sheets before-hand. I will swap him for Anderson or Beausejour.

Carson
Ivanovic Vermaelen Craddock
Hitz Lampard Adam Beausejour
Suarez Persie Torres

If we know Valencia starts beforehand i will have to do a late tinker to bring him in..not sure what that will be exactly.

Irons said...

Chaos - definitely not a crazy pick. He was in my original team before i BD Adam. I'm still tempted to bring him in, but Adam's pens swing it just...i think :/

Anonymous said...

Can't believe people are still rolling with Lolarov or Lulz...

SCOTT said...

Been reading this blog for 2 years now, that may have been the best damn post ever AM.

Thanks as always,
FLScott

kwyjibo said...

For a time today, even YouTube was giving off server errors. What's up with Google?

Anyway, the news about VdS made me make a bunch of changes. Here's what I've got now:

Carson
Kolarov(@4.43)-Verm-Figueroa
Hitz(@5.42)-O'Hara-Adam-Lampard
Suarez(@7.20)-Odemwingie-Sturridge

No RvP, maybe it's a mistake. Wanted Valencia instead of O'Hara, but playing time doubts kept me away. Also worried about Kolarov playing time. Maybe it's finally time to drop him?

Ken M. said...

Team:
Carson
Craddock/Heitinga/Cadwell
Hitz/Lampard/O'Hara/Adam
Suarez/RVP/Torres

Discounts dropped: Kuyt/Maxi/Valencia

Lost so many post just wanted to list team and say good luck to all!

kendo said...

Hi Ken M

I bd'd maxi do you think he will not stay on his roll?

kendo said...

my team
foster
luiz lescott skrtel
hitzl yaya silva maxi adam
rvp suarez

i know nik recomennded staying away from citeh but i think those 3 will play v stoke

kendo said...

swapped luiz for vermaelen

kendo said...

kuszcczak likely to start anyone fancy?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/13/squad-sheets-blackburn-manchester-united

SCOTT said...

Looks like:

S. Carson

A. Kolarov
J. Lescott
N. Shorey

D. Silva
C. N'Zogbia
V. Moses
F. Lampard

E. Dzeko
F. Torres
J. Defoe

Available funds: 0!

Cheers everyone,
FLScott

HarambeeStars said...

Had a very hard time deciding my forward line this week...Drogba, Torres, Berbs, Rooney, Hernandez RvP, Odemwingie, Tevez...all good choices, but thanks to the members on chat here's what I've settled on

Carson
Kolarov Vermaelen Cole
Hitz Valencia Adam Lampard
Suarez Rooney Torres

Good luck!

C Hawk said...

Heres the team ive currently settled on

Carson
Kolorav Cradock the Verminator
Adam Nani Hitz NZogbia
Suarez Odemwingie Sturridge

If news that Nani is still riding the bench comes out then ill have to scramble and sort out another team, other than that the only other swaps im considering are:
NZog--->Larsson
Odemwingie or Sturridge--->Torres

Any thoughts?

@Kendo i am thinking about bringing in kuszcczak if the line ups are announced before the deadline, to do it id have to swap Odemwingie to Torres but i may do that anyway.

Mell fantasyonthego said...

Better hold onto your Berbatovs, Nanis and Smallings this weekend, as I think the trio will start nonetheless.

Everybody reckon not fully fit Nzog will run riot in the penultimate game eh. Worth transferring though

My prediction for the drop would be Hammers, Pool & Rovers. So guys, whose yours?

kendo said...

I'd prefer odwhinge chawk?

Radiopool said...

Drogs or Rooney? Drogs or Rooney? Drogs or Rooney? Drogba or Roonsky? 1=Drogs and 2=Rooney. 1 or 2? 1 or 2? One or Two?

Thanks!!!

Ken M. said...

@kendo

As far as Maxi goes I just can't figure him out. He has had some great runs lately, but for some reason I feel playing time may be an issue this week.

I have been one to miss out on ALL his good scoring games and have only had him for modest point returns.

Hopefully he will give you a good return should you choose to keep him.

Best of luck to you...

David S said...

What source do folks use to check team sheets prior to kick-off?

Kevin said...

such a tough week...whats everyone's thoughts on this

Odemwingie or Sturridge + O'Hara

O'Hara or Jarvis?

Kevin said...

or to confuse even more...

Odemwingie + Pugh > Sturridge + O'Hara/Jarvis > Torres + M.Taylor?!?

arrrgh

Anonymous said...

@kevin
I would rate them
Torres + M.Taylor = Odemwingie + Pugh > Sturridge + O'Hara/Jarvis

I think torres will score again. I also think instead of taylor if you can squeeze jarvis or valencia(if he's playing) in it'd be better. But if you're going for value I'd look to see if you can free up a couple more mil for n'zogbia. couple mil more you can have someone with good form with a great fixture.

As for me I'm stuck on Kuszczak/Figueroa/N'Zogbia... or I could go carson/caldwell/adam. I figure Kus for some pts and fig>cald. Zogs could very well outscore adam. Bolton isn't that bad in the back(although they havent been impressive lately), while the hammers are horrible. Thoughts on this swap?

Anonymous said...

Really wanted to upgrade Carson but couldn't.

Carson
Figueroa Richards Vermalen
vdv Adam Nzogbia Larsson
Suarez VanPersie Torres

kendo said...

David I find the guardian team sheets are close

Anonymous said...

Hmm this is how my team is looking...reasonably happy with it.

Kuszczak
Kolarov(@4.4) Vermaelen Carr
Lamps Hitzl Adam Nzogbia
Suarez Sturridge Torres

I wanted to swap out Kolarov since he could well be rotated due to the Cup Final but only have 0.56 left. Can't find a better defender option for 5.

Bartholomew said...
This comment has been removed by the author.

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