Saturday Roundup

Pretty quiet fantasy day today despite 15 goals being scored in 5 games. Goalscorers like Yebda (0.0%), Vennegoor of Hesselink (0.3%) and Fletcher (0.5%) ensured that most teams will have failed to score too many points, as will the fact that the only clean sheet was kept by Portsmouth, on the road! The only fantasy star to register a goal for the week was the impressive Darren Bent who was also credited with a man of the match award of 3 points. Having missed out through the first 6 games, Bent now seems to have got the pundits attention having notched back-to-back clean sheets, despite the fact that Cana or Cattermole were widely praised as the dominate players in the fixture. This added scoring category makes Bent even better and the fact he went to Old Trafford and scored makes him not only a guaranteed every week play, but also a captain candidate if the matchup looks good.

The biggest game in fantasy terms was Sunderland's surprise draw at Old Trafford which reaffirms my high regards for Steve Bruce's side. I am also further convinced that United hold very little fantasy value right now as the majority of their team is either overvalued or at risk of rotation. Having assumed Giggs would keep his place in the side and that either of Carrick and Anderson might be rested, I was shocked that all three missed out, and worse for fantasy owners, Carrick and Anderson came on and contributed nothing thus sentencing their managers to a 1 point haul. Of the United midfield I think only Fletcher warrants consideration, and even he is at risk of rotation due to Ferguson's hesitance to drop the Scottish terrier in midweek European ties. Up front, Berbatov has shown some signs of life but is grossly overvalued at 9.5m while Rooney's display of petulance and sulking today show why he isn't - and never will be - in Torres' class in both reality and fantasy terms.
The real surprise though is United's frailty at the back, which was underlined again today. With just three clean sheets this season (Birmingham, Wigan and Stoke) United defenders are not worth 6.7m+ as similar points hauls can be found from Villa (4.5m+), City (5.5m+) and Stoke (4.5m+) players. Foster is still okay value at 5.1m but there is no way he keeps his place when van der Dar returns and with Liverpool and Chelsea on the horizon it might be worth shopping for his replacement sooner rather than later.

Hopefully tomorrow will bring more fantasy excitement and I am relying on Arsenal - Song, Cesc and Van Persie (c) - to rescue me after a poor Saturday on which just 13 points were scored.

Comments

The Gaffer said…
I need Fabregas to have a real good game. He's my captain for the 3rd week running.

Go Gunners!
The Gaffer said…
Fabregas

1 goal, 4 assists, 3 bonus points, as Captain.

Brilliant week.
Chris said…
That should do it. I hesitated captaining him and gave the armband to Van Persie instead. Not a total disaster but its gonna cost me a fair few points. Oh well, glad to see cesc succeed after I was widely criticised for daring to put him in the same class as Gerrard and Lampard (both have 1 points after 45 minutes this afternoon). Well done Gaffer.
Unknown said…
The one time I choose to captain RVP ahead of Fabregas.... oh well, I'm just happy that they both produced this week. Unfortunately I made the bonehead last minute sub of Bent to the bench for Assou-Ekotto. There goes 8 points down the drain. Fortunately the rest of my league did worse than me, moved up to second behind the guy who captained Cesc this week. That Lampard to Cesc transfer is really paying off!
Heres my team:

Hart/Sorinson

Evra - Collins - Distin - A.Cole

Benayoun - Bilyaletdinov - Wright Phillips

Torress - Drogba - Rooney

bench - Cohan/McSheffrey/Zayatte
----

Iv wanted Fabregas for a while now, waht do you reckon of this for a change?

Benayoun --> Fabregas
Wright Phillips --> Cattermole

It would cost me 4 points and use all of my money.
NotoriousDre said…
hey Chris,

been on vacation for 2weeks...missed the blog!

Cesc has proved you to be a genius!I too have come to the realization that Cssc NEEDS to be on your team if you want top points! Arsenal next 5 games look like a good source of points (even Tot at home).

By moving Lampard and Collins, i'm able to get Cesc and Baines. What you think?

Lampard seems to be struggling. Watching his chalkboard for the pas few games, shows him drifting back and playing along the halfway line instead of at the point of the "diamond".

Dare i sell Lampard?
Chris said…
DHS - I like it alot. SWP and Benayoun both have issues with SWP looking out of form and Benayoun being benched today. Cattermole is a nice option and I think cesc is a legit top 3 fantasy man. I never like taking a 4 point hit but this might just be worth it.
The Gaffer said…
Thanks Chris. I watched the Arsenal-Olympiacas highlights and noticed how many chances Arsenal created and also how involved Cesc was. I had the feeling that the Gunners were gonna do a big score against BR. And it was right. Was about to get RVP for Drogba, but didn't bother.
The Gaffer said…
Lampard is a big no-no this season, unfortunately. He is no way going to play in an advanced midfield position. I'd say get Gerrard, when Aquallani comes to fitness, Gerrard would play just behind Torres.
Unknown said…
You made mention last week about a guest spot on your blog. Where could I mail something to?
Chris said…
Andrew, send anything to chrisglover85@googlemail.com

Thanks for the input.

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