What Would Neal Do?
Fri Jun 12 08:47PM
Since my post last night on CRon, I've had a few minutes to think about who I'd buy if I were ManYoo (and I'm trying to stick to spending only the CRon money)...
The first question to answer is whether you think Rooney will partner Berbs or whether his future lies as a Ballack/Gerrard-style attacking midfielder. I tend towards the latter but since SAF seems to tend towards the former, I'll prioritize ManYoo's needs in the following way...
1. An attacking midfielder (a Scholes replacement)
2. Two wingers (to fill the spots vacated by CRon being gone, Giggs being old, Nani being no good, and Park being limited)
3. A holding midfielder (to fill the spot created by Anderson not developing fast enough or just not being that good, Carrick being mediocre, and Hargreaves being hurt all the time)
4. A third striker (to fill in when Rooney is injured or suspended and SAF isn't ready to rely on the youngsters)
How would I fill these?
1. I'd wander right back to Madrid with some of their own cash and see what they're planning on doing with whichever of Sneijder or van der Vaart is going to be left out now that Kaka and CRon will require a lot of the ball.
2. So many names are being thrown around - David Silva, Valencia, Ribery, and the like. Seems like Valencia is pretty much a done deal so we'll assume that's going to happen and that's not bad business so long as he's the second best winger ManYoo acquires this summer. As for the player on the right side, I'd save the money on Ribery and stop first at Villa Park and see if I could pick up Ashley Young. Is he as good as Silva or Ribery, not quite but you have to assume that either of those two is going to head to Barca/Real in a year or two anyway so why not go for someone who might actually be thrilled to stick around at ManYoo for the next 5 to 10 years.
3. Yaya Toure seems to be the name that's making the rounds in relation to Arsenal and Citeh but why not ManYoo? Gattuso is too old to take the risk or spend the money. Other alternatives to consider are Masch (if he's unsettled at Pool, you might as well try); Palacios (not that you want TOO many ex-Wigan players on your team but he seems to be better than his current surroundings); or Marcos Senna.
4. Let's not repeat last year's problem where we had three (or maybe four) players who all expect to be full-time starters (Rooney, CRon, Berbs, and Tevez) on the roster. There is room for Rooney, Berbs, Macheda, and one more player. Rather than being another young guy on the way up (like Benzema) or in his prime (like Zlatan), the wise move might be to bring in someone content with being an extremely strong veteran who understands that he's best served playing in 20 or 30 minute increments most days with the occasional start to rest the top 2 guys. Honestly, there's one name that would be perfect here but being a Gooner, I'm not willing to type it. Alternatives that I am willing to type include Emile Heskey, Eidur Gudjohnsen or David Trezeguet. An alternative might be seeing if they can breath some life into the artist formerly known as Adriano.
If there's any money left over after then they could certainly do worse than going after an extra central defender.
Why the above solution instead of the litany of huge names? Because it would consititute more of a team and would likely remain intact for more than a year or two. Oh yeah, it also wouldn't put ManYoo at risk of running up against the limits of its financial resources. Who knows, when the insanity of their purchases comes back to haunt Real, maybe Sir can go back in and get some more talent on the cheap next summer. [No one really thinks that Real can afford this do they? The other shoe has to drop in the next couple years, right?]
Well, enough of the random musings and back to work.
Enjoy the weekend and remember to check out the summer home of the blog at http://fantasyepl.blogspot.com/
Cheers - Neal
"Honestly, there's one name that would be perfect here but being a Gooner, I'm not willing to type it"......ahem....r u tokin bout the "GREAT MAN"..
From varun502 on Sat Jun 13 06:04AM- I wouldn't splash that cash on 1 or 2 guys only (Ribery being the case).
- Valencia seems like good business and Silva would do well at Man Yoo.
- They SHOULD sign Tevez, but no more than £25 mil.
- as for #4 - why not RvN?? He's been link to the Spurs for less than £2 mill!!! Bring him back!
- I think this will be Fergie's last challenge(re-building this team to Champions glory) before he packs it in.
From owen1981 on Sat Jun 13 06:04AMEhm, Hargreaves should be fit for next season. Consider that, perhaps, Neal ;)
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fantasymixx.comFrom gentrykirby on Sat Jun 13 02:49PMStop calling them manyoo u idiot, its offensive to the club and the supporters
From loafer_11 on Sat Jun 13 03:03PMYou seem to have forgotten a great holding midfielder for "number 3" in Darren fletcher. He has had a brilliant season despite the sending off in the semi final of CL, There has been a good couple of times i remember watching pundits pointing out his performances in the holding position. He's experienced, played lots of important games, can find the back of the net when hes given the chance,can keep the back four in line and do the nitty-gritty when asked. Hes everything you want in a holding midfielder and if he keeps clear of injuries he can only get better..
From naphapornduff on Sat Jun 13 03:08PMhow abt david bentley he mayb cheap and will like to prove himself after a year of "spurs hell"
From adityaarun on Sat Jun 13 03:47PM￡80million transfer fee to buy
1) Antonio Valencia and/or Franck Ribery (replace CR7)
2) Eto'o/Benzema.
From cdburok on Sun Jun 14 02:23AMStop calling them manyoo u idiot, its offensive to the club and the supporters.
No it's not!!! I hope you're not the same moron who was complaining coz we call them Man U earlier in the season. Still no idea what country you are from, but it's not Britain obviously.
From morreypaul on Sun Jun 14 09:21AMRooney, Tevez and Ribery would be a truly frightening forward line, especially on a dark night
From ukbillb on Mon Jun 15 10:55AMIn all future communications, please consider Morreypaul's feelings and stop calling Manyoo, Manyoo. ManUre seems a better alternative.
From ukbillb on Mon Jun 15 10:58AMErm ukbillb (comment 12), maybe you should read comment Number 5, you may then understand my comment a bit better
From morreypaul on Mon Jun 15 04:26PMSpot on spotting Senna, no transfer rumors surrounding him, but he would be a great fit for Man U, but the problem his in his thirties.
Ashley Young is a good pick and no need for adaptation with English football but the risk is that Villa wont sell him because he became more important with Barry out.
Trez also is a good buy, can nick a goal or two and is proven in Europe
From daulay07 on Tue Jun 16 07:30AMAshley Young is going to Spurs in a swap for Bentley and Jenas.
That's what the Media is saying anyway.
From morreypaul on Tue Jun 16 11:11AMSenna is old and injured. He's a great player, but no one is going to shell out the cash for him.
From jspitzberg on Tue Jun 16 03:29PMthe media is saying ALOT of things these days.
SO many rumours.**However, EPL scheduale is due to be released tomorrow at 10am BST** (that's 2am PST, and 5am EST)
From owen1981 on Wed Jun 17 01:52AMMasch to Man United ? Come on, be serious !
From radun5 on Wed Jun 17 11:25AMWell the fixtures are out and Yahoo will be starting with a double week! Pretty huge news.
On paper both Chelsea and Man U have fairly ok games. It's going to be a hell of a start.
From morreypaul on Wed Jun 17 12:10PMMorreypaul and others, the team ias called Manchester United. I am Manchester born and bred and I refuse to answer people who ask me about Manu, it is disrespectful to a great club and a great City (not the ones who play in blue who are correctly addressed as Manchester city). As for Carrick being poor, neal should have gone to Specsavers. Carrick and Hargreaves or Carrick and Fletcher are more than capable of bossing the midfield. Valencia looksa cert and if we need an experienced forward why not bid for Anelka,he's played in the Premiership and hasa proven goal scoring record.
From redgeoff on Wed Jun 17 12:38PMQuote: "On paper both Chelsea and Man U have fairly ok games. It's going to be a hell of a start."
Since when did having 'fairly ok games' ever constitute as a 'hell of a start'? Also, games aren't played on paper, they're played on grass.
From guitar_man_bry on Wed Jun 17 09:56PMKleber from Brazil. The LB, he could play midfield or wing as well.
From tandrewkennedy on Thu Jun 18 09:06AM@comment 21. The hell of a start was in reference to starting with a double week. Not about who was playing who.
Oh and the phrase "on paper they look like like...." is a common phrase used in England with regard to football matches. The undertone/meaning to it is that yes it looks easy, but anything could happen.
Hope this explains everything to you now.
From morreypaul on Thu Jun 18 10:54AMHello everyone. Can someone please tell me will we pick GJohnson (if he is to join L'pool) at his current price or he's considered a transfer and a "new player" with "6.something" price?
This year is my second YFF year so I'm not so familiar with post-season issues. I'd appreciate. C.U. all when season begins!!!
From fidan_recica on Thu Jun 18 12:21PM@18 Morreypaul.
How can I see the YFF fixtures and the double weeks?From fidan_recica on Thu Jun 18 12:24PMTO: bp_9000: Portland Timbers FC to play Seattle Sounders July 1st in 3rd round Open Cup @ PGE Park!!!
From kellz_86 on Fri Jun 19 12:23AMcarrick is just perfect
From shittymcgee on Sat Jun 20 09:23PMsorry uve jus proven u no jak @#$% about football.
From mufcmoet on Sat Jun 20 11:14PMlol 'Carrick being mediocre'. lol that made me laugh. whoever wrote this knows nothing about football.
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From almagre07 on Wed Jul 29 09:36AMfergie please buy one playmaker for man.u
From seliparjepun_82 on Tue Aug 04 03:59AM
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