Fantasy Premier League

Matchday Open Thread

Sun May 24 12:58AM

Manchester United's Italian forward Federico Macheda (R) leaves the pitch at the final whistle after scoring the winning goal in a 3-2 win against Aston Villa during the English Premiership football match at Old Trafford, Manchester.

It's the final week of the season, and I'm finding it more stressful that any that preceded it -- save for maybe the opening weekend (when I stayed in the hotel room at Disneyland to follow the games!) or the two-game weeks around the holidays. This weekend there are no second chances and because holding cheaper options doesn't matter every player is on the table. However, very few clubs have anything to play for and those that do, most of those clubs are TERRIBLE. After all, that's why they're fighting for their Premier League survival. Add to that a healthy dose of injuries, a smattering of suspensions, the wholesale changes that some clubs (*coughManUcough*) are making, and the smaller changes - blooding youngsters or giving veterans an appropriate sign off - and it's the hardest week to pick.

Or is it the easiest? Just pick players for whom you want to root. Pick the Ashley Youngs and Liam Lawrence's of the Premier League. Gamble on Brunt or Arshavin. Maybe Bale, if you're an eternal optimist. This is the MDOT, but indulge me as I break it down TWA style.

Strikers

I probably should have sold Arshavin two weeks ago when he was suffering from the flu. A big zero and then just 1.50 last week was quite the climb down from his fantastic run of games. Contra Neal, I think Arshavin will play at home to Stoke. And Arsenal have been known to hand out the final day smackdowns before. I remember Henry's hat-trick on his final Highbury appearance (the final Highbury appearance) against Wigan a few years back. So he stays.

Speaking of Arsenal strikers, Anelka is gunning for the Golden Boot. And with CRon rested the Elk just needs one goal. Look for Chelsea to get a few against Sunderland and the Elk to be in there.

Otherwise, you could go cheap or expensive. I'm casting my eye over Emnes, Macheda, Geovanni, and Agbonlahor.

Midfielders

There are a couple of cheap options here playing as, or off, striker. Utatka? Yes, Pompey have given up and are lousy on the road, but Wigan are worse. That sounds like a children's taunt, but it's not. That sound's like a taunt as well, doesn't it? Johnny Utah has been busy for Pompey and scored last week. And they'll be without Hughes, so a place off Kanu or Crouch could be had. Fagan? Hull are terrible, yes. But have you seen ManU's team sheet. They're kids. And yes, they're still likely better than Hull. But a middie playing at striker - who also scored last week - costing you 5? Too good to be true (and likely is).

Other cheap middies, with reason for price, would be SDavis of Pompey (decent return over his last few matches and taking kicks), MPet (good bet but not a nailed on starter), Tosic for ManU, or Kilbane (see Fagan, above).

I'm sticking with Lawrence. He returned seven points when that's what he cost. And last week he cost ten and kept up with the increase. Perhaps Stoke get played off the pitch @ the Emirates. They have nothing to play for. But Arsenal's weaknesses - too short, too light-weight, both things making them vulnerable at set pieces - play right into Stoke's strengths.

BFAY, if fit. I was sure to pick him. Love him. Would love to root for him. Same reasoning as last week - NUFC have to go for it which plays right into Villa's counter-attacking style. But he's an injury doubt. All the news says he's sure to be ready, but I just can't go for that. So I'll keep my premium money on Gerrard. Spurs aren't the best matchup these days, but they are a bit thin at the back for the match and I see him getting his points. And recently his points have been in the twenties. So hopefully that will continue.

Defenders

Paintsil. Bos if you still have him. Bale if you think he'll play and take kicks. Dawson if you have the money. Neville if you believe in the kids. Shorey, Rodwell or Givet, perhaps. Hyypia should get to play but either he won't start or he'll start and be given the honor of being taken off early to get the cheers from the Anfield faithful. Either way he's not getting clean sheet points.

Goalkeepers

Looks like Fabianski will be fit - for better or worse. Myhill is your cheapest option if you think that desperation wins the day. PRobbo has been good at home and is facing a relegated WBA side who have been bad on the road. But they haven't stopped playing football, and with Nelsen out , and well PRobbo being PRobbo, it gives one pause. Kuszscak is a possibility for ManU, but they could go for Amos, who isn't in the game, so I wouldn't recommend that.

So were does that net out for me? I'm at:

PRobbo, Paintsil, Shorey, ADawson, Gerrard, Utaka, Fagan, Lawrence, Arshavin, Geovanni, Anelka

And God help us. God help us, everyone. Here's the rest of the team news...

... and I look forward to your take on the final day in this, your matchday open thread.

Comments1 - 30 of 84
First
Previous
1
2
3
Next
Last

first.....
From arekganteng on Sun May 24 01:18AM
Report abuse
messssyahhhhhh
what happened to that guy?
Great season guys! Cheers to Jeremy and Neal! (and all the other usual suspects) Can't wait for summer transfers! Watching Spurs play at Wembley in the summer and again against Olympiakos!
COYS
From owen1981 on Sun May 24 01:30AM
Report abuse
I gutted my team for the final week, keeping only 4 players
Elk and Torres added with Arshavin up top
Fletcher, Fagan and Utaka in the middle with Gerrard
Shorey and Bos joining Paints at the back
PRobbo in the net.
still have money to spend.
Thank you bloggers and all the regulars
It's been fun see you in August
From redhawk363 on Sun May 24 01:49AM
Report abuse
(2) Messssyaahhh is sooo 2008.
Great season to Jeremy and Neal for your pro bono work.
From gentrykirby on Sun May 24 02:17AM
Report abuse
Yeah, cheers guys.
FIFTH!!!!
From wolvesboy85 on Sun May 24 02:26AM
Report abuse
thanks!
From mikelanglais on Sun May 24 03:02AM
Report abuse
TGIS-thank goodness it's saturday, and i can make some trades. decided to change a few from yesterday:
-PRoblem in for Boaz.
-Pants with Givet/Rodwell (in for Mok/GNev)
-Gerrard/Lamps/Fletch with Johnny Utah (in for Ballack)
-ArseShaving/Torres/Elk (unchanged)
have a great summer!
From mbean.rm on Sun May 24 03:13AM
Report abuse
Great minds. Good luck, all!
From jspitzberg on Sun May 24 03:55AM
Report abuse
-Last week and only 31 pts behind Fantasy Blogger FC (Jeremy or Neil?)
-Opted to shy away from the Elk, didn't BD and 17mil too expensive for a possible flop (yea I know he wants the boot but theres a damn feeling in my gut for good or bad. who knows)
Good luck on the last game!
Probbo, Shoery, Givet, Spector, Gerrard, Lampard, Cesc, Utaka, Arshavin, Torres, Drogba
From kellz_86 on Sun May 24 04:31AM
Report abuse
not much comments on Nani
any comments?
my comments: a rare starter this season, but a fine playmaker last season, scored a few world class long shots, taking kicks i believe, weak in movement (he has to learn from CRon), and most important, will he start?
From fung9815 on Sun May 24 04:50AM
Report abuse
Nani should start, but I hes not high on my fantasy list
From kellz_86 on Sun May 24 06:18AM
Report abuse
Robinson
Sagna, Shorey, Samba, Paintsil
Pedersen, Fabregas, Ireland
Arshavin, Anelka, Macheda
Any comments/suggestions?
From striker_4eva on Sun May 24 07:46AM
Report abuse
@ 10, 11 - Nani is cheap, and has potential for many points if he plays. Though didn't he have a meltdown at the end of last year with a "headbutt and flop" act? He's definitely a card risk.....so there, just talked myself out of taking a flyer on Nani!
Trying to finish out with a bang after a string of mediocre weeks. Still at position 407 overall, so no complaints. Pondering a last minute switch to Carew (Villa vs. desperate, defensively-depleted NUFC) to go with Arsh and Elk up front. Also thinking maybe Tugay, in his last hurrah, at home to relegated-WBA. He had a couple of go's at goal last week against Chelsea, and generally looked sharp for a geezer.
Hey, its been a fun season and thanks Jeremy and Neal, and all the regulars too, for all of your insight and advice - not to mention lots of entertaining reading. Good luck everyone on Survival Sunday!
From bp_9000 on Sun May 24 08:25AM
Report abuse
I just gotta post on the last MDOT, to add that with only a 20pt lead in my Korean Teachers league, if I win the treble, please send me the World Cup replica trophy I rightfully jacked to my home in Toronto. And Anelka is my ace in the hole! Chelsea is my team and sometimes in fantasy football, you have to root for your boys! good luck to all.
From elohkayee on Sun May 24 08:28AM
Report abuse
utatka might not playing
From vleam13 on Sun May 24 08:42AM
Report abuse
friedel,toure,givet,neville,lampard,barry,nzogbia,
fletcher,torres,carew,RVP. Any comments/suggestions?
From kaarmaataavi on Sun May 24 08:43AM
Report abuse
friedel,toure,givet,neville,lampard,barry,nzogbia,
fletcher,torres,carew,RVP Any comments/suggestions?
From kaarmaataavi on Sun May 24 08:46AM
Report abuse
will Nevland a sure starter? with Fulham is pushing for the Europa League
From fung9815 on Sun May 24 10:14AM
Report abuse
final week squad:
Robinson
Givet, paintsil, bosingwa, neville
Gerrard, Guthrie, Utaka, Fabregas
Anelka, Martins
good luck everyone
see you at next season!!!
From nicky_chan1985 on Sun May 24 10:14AM
Report abuse
Good luck, NewCastle!!!
must stay at BPL!!!!
All the best!
From nicky_chan1985 on Sun May 24 10:16AM
Report abuse
@18 No any of fulhams strikers could play. Id back it to be konchesky and Nevland though, but he could make a tactical change so who knows.
From joshtottenham on Sun May 24 10:27AM
Report abuse
Konchesky? should that not be Kamara?
From alex.ayre on Sun May 24 10:51AM
Report abuse
Barry, Ireland or Nasri? I'm thinking Barry, mainly because he's the penalty taker.
From rightleg2000 on Sun May 24 11:17AM
Report abuse
S.Given - J.Paintsil - J.Bosingwa - N.Shorey - F.Lampard - S.Gerrard - F.Fabregas - M.Pedersen - D.Drogba - A.Arshavin - B.McCarthy...
From kazzman_figo on Sun May 24 11:44AM
Report abuse
Nani or Fagan?
From dyosh15 on Sun May 24 11:53AM
Report abuse
So this is it then...
PRobbo
Shorey,Givet,Spector
Gerrard,Utaka,Bar
ry,Fletcher
Torres,Anelka,Geovanni
Nice talking to you people, you made this game even more exciting...hope to hear from you soon!!! See you on August...
From fidan_recica on Sun May 24 12:04PM
Report abuse
Swapped Macheda/Samba for Benni/Nani...so it is...
PRobbo
Sagna Shorey Paintsil
Pedersen Cesc Ireland Nani
Arshavin Elk Benni
From striker_4eva on Sun May 24 12:27PM
Report abuse
I went for:
PRob
Paintsil Toure Bale
Gerrard Murphy KGibbs MGP
Arshavin Elk Oba
From marcus7aurelio on Sun May 24 02:01PM
Report abuse
Robinson
Givet, Spector, Kompany
Gerrard, Fabregas, Barry, Pedersen
Arshavin, Rodallega, C Cole
I'm expecting at least a 100 point haul here...
From rightleg2000 on Sun May 24 02:09PM
Report abuse
.
From donegal08 on Sun May 24 02:20PM
Report abuse