Fantasy Premier League

Wed Mar 26 04:11AM by Neal Thurman

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...to start thinking about next year.  Please don't get me wrong, I'm still very much focused on trying to win my group, finishing in the Top 100 overall and supporting Arsenal as they chase the Premier League and Champions League titles (call me an optimist - the first of those things is probably the only one with any grounding in reality).  That said, with a few free minutes, I can't help but start thinking about where some of the about-to-be-relegated players might end up.  Most will end up in the Championship where they belong but there are a few who deserve consideration.  I'll probably throw in a few other player moves that SHOULD happen...

We know Derby is going down and we have to assume that Fulham is pretty close to certain to join them.  Given that Bolton and Birmingham are separated by only a point, we'll include players from both teams in this analysis...

Derby
Honestly, the only guys who are likely to merit consideration are Giles Barnes (based on potential, not so much on what he did this season which wasn't much), Alan Stubbs, Tyrone Mears, and maybe Roy Carroll.

Honestly, Stubbs and Carroll are best suited for back-up duty on good-but-not-great teams.  I could see a team like Rovers doing worse business than picking up Stubbs as cover for a thin defence.  Carroll would make a lot of sense at the home for wayward ManYoo cast-offs at Sunderland.

As for Mears, there are plenty of teams that will be looking for a competent right back with some speed and ability going forward.  Aston Villa could do worse - he'd need to fight for a spot once he arrived but they could use some competition for that spot.

As for Barnes, there are likely to be a lot of teams sniffing around.  I'm guessing that the most likely candidates will be Spurs (he's young and English after all and their midfield needs some help), Villa (still looking for a player who can play the role that they had hoped Petrov could), and NUFC (looking for anyone who can, you know, attack, defend, pass, dribble, or otherwise kick the ball in the right direction).  The smart money says he ends up at Villa (if he's smart he avoids the NUFC mess and Spurs seem like they're more intent on foreign investments right now).

Fulham
There's actually a fair amount about the Fulham roster to like.  It should be fun to see what happens to it.  Here's the rundown of guys worth picking up...Keller, Niemi, Konch, Bocanegra, Volz, Jummy, Dempsey, Davies, and maybe McBride if he's still interested in playing.  I have to be honest, I haven't seen enough of the new Scandanavian contingent to evaluate who should or shouldn't be interested in them, if anyone.

Keller and Niemi - neither are up to being starters but both have value as back-ups on good teams.  I'd think Wigan and Villa would be well-served to think about making bids.  Keller may well come back to the States and opt to end his career on home soil.

Bocanegra and Volz - both of these guys are nice utility defenders.  Both are capable of playing multiple positions and even moving forward into a holding midfielder role.  Both rate as adequate defenders - Bocanegra adds some power in the air (see his status as second leading scorer last term) while Volz has a better shot and can play a fairly good long ball.  Neither are particularly pacey nor agile but as squad players, you could certainly do worse.  I'm going to nominate Volz for Pompey as they look to add depth to their back line (plus, Harry has always had a thing for Arsene's cast-offs).  For some reason, I like the idea of Bocanegra playing a deputy role at Man Citeh.  They have had trouble keeping their defenders healthy and whether it is on the right side or centrally, adding another capable body who will sacrifice for the cause seems like a good idea.  As an American, he'll likely come cheap. 

Konchesky - A lucky man indeed, left backs are hard to come by and, well, he's adequate.  Since adequate would represent an upgrade on Tyneside, I would suggest Newcastle as his landing place.  I'd suggest Pompey who need a left back but Konch doesn't seem like 'arry's style.

Bullard - Clearly the biggest name so far.  Jummy has so far been cast as the best threat on bad teams (Wigan and Fulham) when not injured.  Is he ready to move from relegation battle to mid-table? Beyond?  Boro have already made noises about acquiring Jummy and that would be a great move if they could afford it.  If they could also keep Downing, they'd be in great shape with two pretty good wingers to serve balls in for Tuncay and Alves (if he ever gets in shape).  Man Citeh would be another great option as a compliment to MPet (although that would be terrible for the fantasy value of both players).  One final thought is that Rovers could buy Bullard and slide Bentley into a central role permanently.  What an array of talent THAT would be - RSC, McCarthy, MGP, Bentley, and Jummy.  Yikes.  My vote is Rovers.

Dempsey - I'm uncertain why Dempsey isn't getting more love from either Fulham or the rumormill.  Not that being Fulham's leading scorer is a huge deal but he is a midfielder with six goals while not starting every match.  He's young, fairly quick, taller than average, and has some decent footwork.  Sure, he's American and we aren't very good at the soccer and all but I'm guessing that if he were English he'd be getting a lot more attention.  If I were a club looking for a midfielder who can play multiple positions and occasionally even play a little striker, I'd throw a few million at Fulham for Dempsey.  As it turns out, the list of teams that fit this description is fairly long.  Reading, Sunderland, Boro, and Villa would all make sense.  Throw in Rovers (if they can't bring in Jummy - see above) and Everton (for the half of the season that Cahill will likely miss again).  I'd like to see him end up at Sunderland as Keano looks to get more dangerous going forward.

Davies - Reading looked to have lightning in a bottle with the signing of Seol Ki-Hyeon.  That worked out great for about 15 games and then he sort of just disappeared.  Heading to Fulham at the beginning of this campaign hasn't helped any.  With a gaping hole still on the right side of the attack at Reading, Davies would be an affordable option and an improvement over the current situation.

McBride - There's certainly a good chance he'll retire but if he wants a final run, then he'd be a nice fit at NUFC as a mentor to Andrew Carroll as they try to develop him as a partner for Martins or Owen (assuming one or both is back).

Bolton
They're above Fulham in the standings but much less interesting from a talent standpoint since their best player already left in January.  Of the remaining players, Jussi, Cahill, Nolan, Taylor, and Diouf are clear cut options for decent Premier League teams.  There are other players who newly promoted clubs would do well to investigate but the above are the ones I'd be interested in if I were running a team that stays up.  I'm keeping Steinsson out of the analysis since we've seen so little of him so far although what we've seen looks pretty decent.

Jaaskelainen - Wigan? Spurs? Rovers? (Friedel can't go on forever) Pompey? (James either) Villa? (Carson seems to be on the outs).  If I were Jussi, I'd choose Rovers or Villa from that group.  Of course, there are rumors of interest from Arsenal which would trump any of the above if he's interested in fighting for a place with Almunia.

Cahill - Its pretty easy to just assign any central defender available to NUFC and in this case, it makes sense. If Keano is smart, he'll consider Cahill as either a partner for Evans (if his move is made permanent) or a replacement if SAF isn't ready to part with Evans quite yet.

Nolan - wasn't it just two years ago that he was being mentioned as a possible transfer target for ManYoo?  Think Wanderers management wishes it had pulled the trigger on that deal?  As it stands, there is still some hope for Nolan if he latches on to a team that is better suited to his talent.  A change of scenery might be exactly what he needs.  I'd think Reading, Boro, Villa, Rovers, and Sunderland would all have some interest.  Of the group, I'd think Reading would be the best landing place for Nolan.  They need someone behind their strikers who can cause trouble and Nolan could be their guy.

Taylor - Seems like he should have more suitors.  The obvious choice here is for him to leave for Boro if Spurs (finally) successfully recruit Downing away.  If that doesn't happen, then a return to Pompey would be a reasonable landing spot.  There isn't really a decent left back right now so why not?

Diouf - Hard to place this guy.  You'd hate to wish him on anyone based on his outward personality but when Anelka was around he was a great complimentary striker.  I'd love to propose reuniting the two of them at the least lovable club in England.  I know it isn't going to happen but hear me out.  Chelsea has made a (bad) habit of buying lead strikers who are either past their prime (you know who you are) or incapable of adapting to life as role players.  Having someone like Diouf around as a squad player who is happy for the paycheck and happy to be seeing European competition wouldn't be the worst idea ever.  Given the alignment at Bolton, we know he's capable of adapting to Chelsea's attacking alignment.  

Birmingham
Lots of spare parts to like here.  Ridgewell, Muamba, Larsson, Kapo, Jerome, Faddy, and Forssell are all worthy of staying up even if Brum don't enjoy the same fate.  

Ridgewell - You can pretty much cut and paste the Gary Cahill note above here if Brum go down instead of Bolton.  NUFC and Sunderland would be logical new homes with NUFC being more desperate and having more money to make it happen.

Muamba - Fresh from the Arsenal "Next Vieira" assmebly line.  Muamba is a good but not great holding midfielder.  There would be great irony in Keano picking up someone who was referred to in that way but I see a better fit Reading or Rovers with Reading getting the nod.

Larsson - Anyone who can play on the left wing and serve quality balls into the box from the run of play and set pieces is going to have a job in the Prem for a long time and Larsson is no exception.  Pompey, NUFC, West Ham, and Spurs could all use a left winger.  I hate to say it but Spurs would stick a dagger in the hearts of Gooners by recruiting someone who can actually play a decent left midfield.

Kapo - I really like this player, we've already had a bunch of available attacking midfielders between Nolan, Dempsey, and Barnes but Kapo is another pretty solid player in this spot.  I'd think about the same teams as possible landing spots.  This time, I see Sunderland as the landing spot - he could drive the attack and provide some speed and skill where it is desperately needed.

Jerome - Higher up the table, he'll be a reserve so he might do well to head back down if Brum do go down so that he can continue to improve his craft with playing time.  If he elects to stay up and go elsewhere, I'd suggest that he take a look towards Wigan where there is a lack of striking talent or even able bodies.  With budget always a concern, he should be affordable.

Faddy - Can you imagine Kenwyne Jones with a competent partner up can get him the ball?  Can you imagine how many assists Faddy would rack up if he had an athlete like Jones on the end of crosses and set pieces?  Seems like a good match of target forward and great complimentary skills.  There will be plenty of competition for Faddy's services but Keano really needs to land this one.

Forssell - A big risk given his injury history but there's plenty of opportunity for upside if he stays healthy.  Probably best in a reserve role where he won't be counted on every week.  If Everton are smart, they'll think about adding someone like Forssell as cover for what is a fairly small group of proven strikers. 

So, there you have it - no need to worry about reading the rumor mill over the summer, you now know what SHOULD happen.  We all know that NUFC would never be sensible enough to follow such sound advice nor would they acquire such low profile names even if it meant actually getting a good deal on a player for once.  Boro also seem unlikely to have the budget to follow all of my advice.  Reading don't seem to spend money under any circumstances.  Wigan, well, they just don't have any.  That leaves Rovers and Sunderland as the two teams most likely to profit from the teams bidding farewell to the Prem.

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