Week 3 - Update

Apologies for not updating my Player Picks post this week; I have very little spare time at the moment and as I explained earlier this month it's one of the reasons collaborating efforts for the Never Manage Alone blog (to be launched later this season) makes so much sense. On the occasions I don't have time there will be other knowledgeable folk on hand to cover for me, and vice-versa.

Anyway, I am back on this Friday afternoon to update you on all the team and injury news you need to know as we move quickly towards the Week 3 deadline. As always it will flow in drips and drabs throughout the day so I'll get things up as I read/hear about them. Here we go...

- Yahoo's efficiency was in full-swing this week as they took less than 48 hours to add Juan Mata to the game @ 6.56. Unfortunately (but understandably) he's been listed as a forward rather than midfielder, so I can't fit him in, but he could be an interesting cheap option in future.

- AVB has hinted Mata willl be on the bench for his first game, so Malouda should be a safe starting pick. David Luiz and Cech remain sidelined but Torres is being tipped to continue, as is Anelka.

- Bad news for everyone's favourite attacking full-back, J A Riise, who suffered a leg injury in Fulham's Europa League game last night and is almost certainly out. The good news for fantasy managers is that this brings bargain reserve full-back Matt Briggs, available for just 3.10, in to the equation.

- Arsenal can't catch a break on the injury front at the moment - they had the good news that Koscielny was looking ready to return against Man Utd, but that's blown out of the water by the news that Vermaelen has picked up an ankle problem is a doubt. I imagine Wenger will do everything to get him on the field but it's not what the Gunners need right now.

- On to Manchester United, and you have to imagine Fergie will go with a similar team to the one that easily dealt with Spurs on Monday. Darren Fletcher is back in the squad and could challenge for a starting spot and Hernandez is fit too, but it would be harsh on Welbeck if he was dropped to the bench after his goal and assist. Personally I think it'll be the same XI unless Rio Ferdinand recovers in time.

- Modric is fit and is set to start against Man City, as is Kyle Walker, but on-loan Adebayor cannot face his parent club. Defoe should continue upfront after Pavlyuchenko put in an absolutely atrocious performance against Hearts last night.

- City are likely to give Nasri his debut alongside Dzeko, Aguero & Silva, with Tevez, AJ, Milner & Balotelli also available if needed. I'm scared.

- Obertan is likely to get a start with Barton on the verge of a move to QPR, so he could be your man if you need a dirty cheap midfielder. Ryan Taylor played 120 minutes on Thursday night but Newcastle don't have another left back, so he'll be expected to be ready on Sunday.

- Roy Hogson has to decide whether to start Odemwingie alongside Shane Long this weekend. If he goes for that pairing then Tchoyi could be back on the bench.

- Heskey & Agbonlahor were subbed with injuries last weekend but should both recover in time to face Wolves in the early kick-off tomorrow.

- Speaking of Wolves, they're expected to remain unchanged for a third week in a row after starting with two wins out of two. Hennessey, Stearman, Berra, Johnson, Ward; Hunt, Henry, O’Hara, Jarvis; Doyle, Fletcher.

- Victor Moses is a slight doubt for Wigan with a groin strain, while captain Alcaraz is out for a month.

- Suarez and Carroll will start upfront for Liverpool's game against Bolton but Glen Johnson faces a late fitness test to check if he's ready to return. Meireles was injured in the Carling Cup and faces a couple of weeks on the side-lines. 

All other news can be found over at ESPN SoccerNet

My current team:

De Gea, Brown, Senderos, Richards, R.Taylor, Watson, Silva, Van Der Vaart, Aguero, Suarez, Rooney

Amazing attack, decent midfield, woeful defence and no Chelsea players so it definitely needs work and I'm thinking Rooney or VDV may need to be downgraded to level things out. Maybe something like this?

De Gea, Senderos, Bosingwa, Richards, R.Taylor, Watson, Silva, Hoilett, Aguero, Suarez, Rooney

Bringing in Holiett for VDV allows me to upgrade Brown to Bosingwa, improving my weak defence and adding a Chelsea presence in one go. Thoughts?

And how's your own team looking?

Cheers,
AM