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.

Comments31 - 60 of 84
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Gera, Rodwell, Pavs and KJones are my gambles today.
From donegal08 on Sun May 24 02:22PM
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A good week would get me into the top 20K which would satisfy me as it's the first season and I've had quite a bit of mediocrity to be honest.
From marcus7aurelio on Sun May 24 02:44PM
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Lamps rested. Totally forgot to mention Belletti. He was a good pick. BFAY fit. Owen and Hyypia on the bench. Robinho back displacing MPet. Nevland and Kamara keep their places. Bale starts in midfield.
From jspitzberg on Sun May 24 03:27PM
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Guus misled us. Chelsea field their big guns, but not THE BIGGEST gun...
From krokodil_g on Sun May 24 04:12PM
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Too bad about Lamps. Dropping him would have let me afford better gambles than Nani and Rodwell and Givet. Well, at least the gambles are playing and my private league competition all have Lamps as well.
From dyosh15 on Sun May 24 04:22PM
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I'll miss the Yahoo Matchcast commentators: "Dirk Kuyt hits an inch-perfect pass straight to the referee; the man in black looks at the ball and sizes up having a crack at Gomes from 25 yards (if you're ever going to beat a Premier League keeper he's probably the one you'd take on), but wisely decides to step over the ball instead."
From krokodil_g on Sun May 24 04:51PM
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16 points separate the top three hanks in my private league, with me in first position. One inspired pick by any of us will be enough to win. Thankfully, nobody had Robin man Puzzy.
From battyboy1804 on Sun May 24 04:54PM
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I was contemplating on getting RVP, but ended up buying the Elk as I already had 3 Arsenal players. Dear me...
From marcus7aurelio on Sun May 24 04:54PM
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where are the tums?
From jon_wolfsthal on Sun May 24 04:57PM
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Belletti out with an injury anyway.
From battyboy1804 on Sun May 24 05:09PM
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I dont often post but I read each week and enjoy the info...Im up 120 in my private league so I should win, glad I dumped Lamps yesterday and fiddled around with some other players, I think I had paintsil week 1 and never looked back....thanks for all the good reads Jeremy and Neal!!
From sulldaddy on Sun May 24 05:16PM
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And Lampard is supossed to be Chelsea's energizer bunny, hes never rested! Atleast my 2nd place competitor has him as well, great waste of 18mil, woulda gone with Reina had I known. Good Luck on the 2nd half!
From kellz_86 on Sun May 24 05:20PM
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Alright! Givet and PRobbo clean sheets! Doh! on Spector. Switched last minute to the Elk after telling myself it was too risky. Gerrard 5 shots none on target! Still love you though
From kellz_86 on Sun May 24 05:57PM
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And so ends another great year. Big thanks to Neal, Jeremy, and the whole Blog family for making it special.
From krokodil_g on Sun May 24 06:02PM
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WHERE ARE THE POINTS ???!!!
From iansanderson197 on Sun May 24 06:24PM
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Can someone tell how to delete myself from a Public league. I want to check-out form La Liga FF. Someone help me...!!!
From fidan_recica on Sun May 24 06:59PM
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anyone know how many people are in the whole of yahoo fantasy premier league all together?
From bouncy_crew_miglock on Sun May 24 07:05PM
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A respectable 80pt return for the final day, not bad. Look forward to next season!
From kellz_86 on Sun May 24 07:09PM
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68 pts. Well, an okay week, better luck next year though.
From marcus7aurelio on Sun May 24 07:14PM
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YEY accomplished my season goal to get into the top 10,000 with a 9,937 rank finish! (if you had seen my first 5 weeks I didn't break 40pts per week).
From kellz_86 on Sun May 24 07:18PM
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Hey, I thought Kuyt scored? anyways blog commentors. post your final scores! 2,896.
From elohkayee on Sun May 24 07:23PM
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83 for the final week. I beat Neal by 10 points but Jeremy beat me. I finished 8,890 which I think is quite respectable for my 1st year in YFF. I got under 30 points for the 1st 4 weeks Kellz! I was picking players that weren't even appearing for their clubs, like David Healy. I would love to be invited to some of the Bloggers or regular posters private leagues next year, I have been avidly reading the blog for the year and I should be even more competitive next year. Feel free to invite me lads.
From doughboy_og on Sun May 24 07:34PM
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YAHOO keep Neal & Jeremy!!!!!! See you next season xperts!
From daniel_menezes on Sun May 24 07:38PM
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If I remember that the last year's I was in the (overal) top 10 in the middle of the season & finished top 30, i should think this year was very bad... BUT i still won my Private League, so it was not bad, was it?...
Total points: 3,241.00
Overall rank: 976
From daniel_menezes on Sun May 24 07:46PM
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miserable...48 pts this week and 2.933 for season...couldn't seem to get my head round the scoring system this year, seemed fairer last season..oh well! c u n year! ahem!
From ronson_a on Sun May 24 08:24PM
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Big thank you to Jeremy and Neal for all your wise words this season, I have made big improvements to my FL selections since discovering the Blog!!! ;)
See you all next season
Kendo
From kennymcdowell on Sun May 24 08:39PM
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Scored 86 today, even after some ill-fated last minute changes: A.Cole, HRod, Milner, Fletcher out and Carew, Tugay, Noble, Melchiot in. Should've left well enough alone - Saturday trades appear to be no less unwise than Friday trades! Still managed to win all my private leagues, which I did not imagine could happen when the season began.
Total points: 3,339.50
Overall rank: 384
Cheers, and an enjoyable summer (or winter, to those south of the equator) to all!
From bp_9000 on Sun May 24 08:42PM
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there's no way barry only got 2 points?! no shots on target?! no assist?! no goal?! even if he isnt credited with the goal due to it being deflected in, that is a shot on goal AND and assist!
From rwlwhite1 on Sun May 24 10:08PM
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finished 1,218th place. total points were 3,215.50
funny how like 30 points is almost 300 places.
Enjoy the Champions league final on wednesday!!! get THAT fantasy team set!!
From owen1981 on Sun May 24 10:45PM
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I played only the last 16 weeks...anyway I surely am happy with my achievings. I got 1353.5 points. I hope next year to start with a bang... I believe everyone does hope that, so why annoy you more...
See you on August
YNWA
From fidan_recica on Sun May 24 11:23PM
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