Fantasy Premier League

Monday Manager

Mon Nov 20 04:32PM

Unbeaten, but unsatisfied.  That's how the Manager feels this morning, and honestly for much of the past few months.  First place in his private group and hovering around 1,000 overall.  But the gap is shrinking and there have been far too many 'draws" where a win here and there were needed.

Much like Martin O'Neill's Villa. ;-)

This weekend in the Premiership played out pretty much as expected.  Arsenal flattered to deceive and dropped points to a Newcastle team they should have buried.  Henry sat out the first half, but still got a goal and 20pts in 45 mins of "work".  Sheffield Utd made it tough for the visitors, but ManU made class tell and Rooney's brace took the three points.  The Manager had CRon on that game and can't tell you how painful it was to watch first the crossbar, and then his missing the open net.  "At least he's getting into good goal-scoring positions." is scant consolation.

After sitting on Giggs all week, The Manager decided to give old "friend" Claus Jensen a run in the team.  Perhaps that was the bad karma that poisoned any return from that game.

As expected, Fulham did enough to score against Citeh, but not enough to win the match.  And Jensen didn't do much of anything.  Jensen was a pick against the matchup, but the real pick would have been Arteta against Bolton.  Sorry to have missed out on those points.  Bolton becoming a soft touch?  Not a team to avoid at all costs anymore?  Regardless, Arteta goes into this week's squad, more for the @CHA than @MAN. 

BFAY got his points, but Watford found a way to lose to POR, as expected.  And speaking of predictable, Thompson, a good cheap option in that game picked up a yellow card. 

Anything else?  Chelsea grinding out a close win.  Spurs and Liverpool struggling on the road.  Charlton losing.  Reading beating a team outside the top 4.  Villa grinding out a draw.  

Expected.  Predicatble.  Unoriginal.  Routine.

What we need is a week to really shake things up.  

Eureka!  Inconsistent two-game schedules!  Now we're cooking with gas!!

Gonna be a fun week.  Do you keep your ever-presents and cheap finds?  Do you sell to pick up Liverpool and Villa players at home for two games?  (and which Liverpool players at that?)  Do you keep Chelsea and ManU even though they square off in what is sure to be a pivotal, but ugly match?  If you are in the USA, do you have an internet connection at your in-laws house if you are visiting them over Thanksgiving weekend?

Stay tuned because I think the blog is going to be fun this week.  A lot of possiblities and that can only mean a lot of stress that we need to dump on you, our readers. ;-)

The Manager 

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