Fantasy Premier League

Thu Jan 24 08:45PM by Neal Thurman

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You'd think, being an American and all, I'd be pretty excited about yet another compatriot being recruited into the Premier League.  I know we had a lively discussion of the merits of new Fulham striker Eddie Johnson in a previous comments section but I figured I'd add my two cents to what was discussed and put it into a little perspective. 

I'm not particularly happy with the move.  I had a great seat for EJ's best match (a hat trick in a substitute appearance in a world cup qualifier for the US National Team) and know what he can do at his best.  On the other hand, I've also seen him disappear when faced with superior competition, sulk when he isn't playing, and cause locker room turmoil when he's not happy.  Think of him as a very poor man's Drogba (the current version who wants out of Chelsea and can't wait to tell everyone about it).  He's tall, fast, strong, and makes decent off-the-ball runs.  On the other hand, he can't dribble, he loses concentration, and he doesn't shoot exceptionally well.  I think he has potential but I'm not sure Fulham is the place he's going to realize it.  I think he would have been much better served heading to a team in the top half of the Championship, earning a regular starting role, and earning his way to the Premiership (and the resulting payday). 

As it stands, he joins a team where he already knows a quarter of the squad (fellow Americans Keller, Bocanegra, McBride, and Dempsey) and won't feel as desperate a need to prove himself.  He'll be in a relegation fight the rest of the year and I'm sure the atmosphere isn't going to be great.  Doesn't seem like a recipe for someone whose career is at a crossroads making a big splash as he takes two or three steps up in level of competition. 

Oh yeah, fantasy managers - please note all of the above before you buy in...

Not much else to report on the transfer wire that is of note... Fulham, Brum, and Pompey have all purchased some players that might turn out to be interesting but none with sufficient reputations to get me to bite.  Sunderland have added their second ex-Red Devil reserve (adding Bardsley to Evans) and that could be interesting home to Birmingham but that's about it so far.

The quick rundown of the match-ups...

I'm breaking out a new way to discuss match-ups this weekend (apparently, I haven't had enough else on my mind).  For each match-up I'll indicate whether the match-up should have you actively seeking to add people from that team, holding players you already have, only hold guys you have at a good (> 2.00) discount, or dump those players regardless...

Villa v. Rovers - keep the guys you have from Villa, only keep the ones you have at a discount from Rovers

Arsenal v. NUFC - go get Arsenal players, dump the NUFC guys

Boro v. Wigan - consider acquiring from Boro, hold Wigan guys you have at a discount

Bolton v. Fulham - I'm likely to avoid this stinker all together - I have no earthly idea what's going to happen and if you say you do, you're either lying or a bookmaker.

Sunderland v. Brum - cautious acquisition on both sides, not an all-in situation but there is some potential value here given the transfer activities on both sides.

Chelsea v. Reading - go get Chelsea players, dump anyone from Reading who you may have.

Derby v. Citeh - Robert is the only Derby player you're likely to have and you should dump him; stating the obvious but go get some guys from Citeh on your squad.

WHU v. Liverpool - I anticipate a grind it out match with more fouls and tough midfield play than elegant scoring moves.  Probably best to keep anyone you have at a discount but this isn't a place to buy in on either side.

Everton v. Spurs - Tough call - I'd say that you should go for any attacker in this match you can find with a preference towards Everton's.  Spurs are scoring a lot and Everton are good both ways. 

ManYoo v. Pompey - Keep your ManYoo guys (both discounted and market value) but I'd invest new slots in Chelsea or Arsenal players.  Not the week to go after new Pompey guys.  If you have Benjani (or someone else) at a good discount, keep him but not the time to buy.

Now on to the specific names...

Strikers
I'd suggest Bianchi but the rumors have him packing his bags for a move to Lazio, with £8.8M in the balance, even if the transfer isn't completed, I'm pretty sure he won't start at Pride Park if the rumors are true.  If they are, Vassell? Samaras? or a lot of midfielders out of position at striker will be the answer.

Among the expensive guys, Anelka, AJ and Adebayor are preferred to Rooney and Tevez.

Among more modestly priced options - EdS (or Bendtner if he looks like he's going to start), McFadden, and Tuncay.

Midfielders
CRon, Bentley, and Gerrard are the form choices with Arteta and Cesc fading slightly from their early season heights.

If you're playing the match-ups then MPet, Elano, Dempsey, Rosicky, Hleb, Joe Cole, SWP (if healthy), and Malouda are all relatively economical options.  Rosicky is probably a bit overpriced and MPet is expensive (but represents good value this week).

In the bargain basement, we have a lot of formerly impressive names who find themselves seeking new life - Bullard, Robert, Kewell, Nolan, and Duff would have been a heck of a fantasy midfield if each were in their prime.  As it stands, each is struggling for form and clearly represents a risk. 

Defenders
As has probably been very clear to readers, I haven't spent a lot of money on my back line.  As such, I'm hoping Senderos returns with some sort of crazy mask to potect his nose.  Of guys I might pick up, Michael Ball seems the best bet for a CS at just under 5.00 - his opposite number Corluka is good value at 6.48 as well.  Evans and Bardsley are good value.  Ryan Nelsen - while unlikely to be great - has some value.  Carlos Bocanegra appeared to be playing a more advanced role in midweek and he produced fairly well from that position last season (not so much for a true defending role).

If they make the list and seem likely to start, you still have to look at Murphy (Brum) and Ivanovic (CHE).

Until you start talking about really expensive guys, I'm not sure there's a ton of value to be had by spending between 7.00 and 9.00 on a defender.

Keepers
The big question on AIM this week has been Schwartzer or Kirkland - I see Schwartzer as a strong play at around 5.00.  Obviously, Cech, Hart, or Almunia (with Almunia being the much better value for the money) are the strongest choices if you're spending in net.  If you're in-between and spending around 10 or 11, then Carson vs. Rovers or Taylor vs. Sunderland would be my consideration set.

Sorry to take so long to get this posted...

Best of luck choosing before the weekend and then waiting until midweek for the matches.

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