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Showing posts from January, 2009

Man United

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I started this post saying how the FA Cup weekend offers little guidance as to fantasy tips and only serves as a series of games in which our players get injured. However, I then tuned into the late kick off at Old Trafford in time to see Berbatov look incredibly dangerous and Ronaldo impotent once more. I have previously stated my recommendation to hold two United defenders over the next 5-6 weeks which means I only have room for one of these men in the side. I, along with many others, have held Ronaldo all season, who despite being the 5 th top points scorer, has failed to justify his lofty price tag. My original strategy was to hold him until at least the two double gameweeks pass, but I am now leaning towards Berbatov to capitalise on this scheduling anomaly. Berbatov's cup goal today gives him 4 goals in 5 along with 5 bonus points in his last 4 premier league outings. Ronaldo on the other hand hasn't scored in the league since 15 November. Berbatov is himself r

Gameweek 22 Diary

14:00 The big early story of the day (aside from all the Kaka drama) is that Didier Drogba has been left out of the Chelsea squad. With two weeks remaining in the transfer window, what's the betting the Ivorian won't be wearing blue by the end of January. I'd strongly suggest getting rid of Drogba is anyone stills owns him as even if he stays his first team place is a long from being guaranteed. 14:10 For those who took a gamble on the uber -cheap Johnny Evans, it has been confirmed that he has arrived at the Reebok along with Tevez , though word on their fitness tests is yet to surface. 14:12 Lets go round the grounds and maybe throw a few predictions out there. Six 3pm games today, with Hull-Arsenal following on at 5:30. Bolton - United. Bolton have been pretty tight at home conceding 11 in 10 tough have only managed 8 goals. When you welcome United in their current form you know are going to need to score and with the Reds shooting for a 10 th straight clean sheet,

Weekly Transfers

I've decided to spend 4 points this week and bring in Carvalho and O'Shea for Agger and Evra . I hate to give up the 4 points but with two players unlikely to play ( Agger ) and out ( Evra ) I need to ring the changes. O'Shea is pretty much guaranteed a game with United suffering through so many defensive injuries and Carvalho is a great play for the next two weeks (Stoke and Boro at home). After that I plan to move O'Shea out for Skrtel and probably Carvalho for Evra . I will also consider van der Sar for Reina to load up United players as they hit their typical United late season form. Who are you guys moving in and out this week? Who do you like over the coming weeks? I will be doing my first running diary in a while tomorrow so please log on as we track our teams once more.

100 million dollar man (at least!)

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Surely it can't be true: Kaka playing in Manchester (and not in red). With the initial ridicule at the audacity of the bid fading, it now seems that a bid has been made and Kaka may even consider the move. Kaka rates as one of the top 5 players in the world and for me is second behind Messi . The thought of him playing in the premiership is excellent and my intrigue as to his potential fantasy impact is off the charts. True, City have been up and down this year but they have still managed to supply the 4 th best striker ( Robinho ) and 6 th best midfielder (Ireland). Kaka will surely make a new big four (joining Ronaldo , Lampard and Gerrard as elite midfield assets. Where his price will fall will dictate for me how quickly I pick him up should he make the move to Eastlands . Anything around 9 - 10m makes him an instant buy. At 11m I would probably advise holding off to see how quickly he can adapt to the league. Although, with Chelsea in a bit of a slump and Ronaldo still

Mixed Doubles

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We all knew about United's double gameweek this week, but with two games postponed this week four more teams will enjoy double gameweeks over the coming weeks (along with United and Fulham who play their rearranged game from months ago). Although all double gameweeks carry value, some are clearly more valuable than others. For example, United's week 25 schedule sees them travel to West Ham and entertain Fulham . Whilst Fulham have improved greatly this season United should be able to see off both these opponents and have a great chance to notch two clean sheet and score maybe 3, 4 or even goals. Blackburn on the other hand will likely face a tougher double as they travel to Fulham and could see United, Arsenal, Liverpool or Everton as their second game (who they face between weeks 26 and 32). Until the fixture list is reset is isn't worth taking too many gambles now, but what is for sure is that United are a great play in week 25 and Fulham players could be very

Transfer Window Fantasy Impact

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One caveat before I start, you may find similar articles like this around, but rest assured I am not plagiarising, its just that there are limited issues to discuss during bye week. We don't restrict sports writers to one article about the Super Bowl do we! So, anyway, lets look at the transfers/rumours and assess the fantasy impact we might see from the fallout: Jermaine Defoe to Tottenham This one's a done deal and it sees Defoe re-united (again) with Harry Redknapp . I was astounded to read that the little forward notched 64 goals in 177 games whilst at the Lane, especially when considering he was considered third choice behind Keane and Berbatov for most of that time. I am a Defoe owner, and was set to dump him this week until this story started to break. Now I am totally unsure as to what lies in store for Defoe. Spurs have nice attacking fixtures over the next 7 games including 3 green light games. Whether Defoe will play or not depends on any issues with him resigning f