Comments and Injuries
Fri Dec 08 04:29PM
So, it would appear that there is some disagreement on whether we should continue with the Friday post in its current form. Never let it be said that we don't read the comments of our readers and adjust accordingly. I'd like to hear more on the topic of what everyone would like to see on Friday's with the assumption that Wednesday Night/Thursday Morning (The Week Ahead) and Mondays (Monday Morning Manager) would stay essentially the same.
I do like the idea of this forum being interactive because the back and forth with our readers is part of the fun of what we're doing but I'm not married to the current format. Your thoughts are welcome (and of course, if the current format continues, you're welcome to submit more general comments than "Who should I choose?" - I loved the comment last week (or maybe it was two weeks ago) about Henry's positioning and how it's impacting Arsenal and his fantasy value.
Injury Brief
Djourou looks like he's going to make it but Gallas is out and Toure is suspended. Obviously Henry is still out.
Dyer is out for NUFC.
Heskey is suspended for Wigan's match w/ Boro meaning McCulloch is probably going to play up top w/ Camara.
Mido looks to be healthy again for Spurs so Berbatov is a question for the starting line-up again. Zakora is suspended so Huddlestone is likely to start in midfield (and remember kids, he's listed as a defender).
And now to your comments and questions:
Silveykyle (K2 vs. RvP? Robben vs. Cesc?) - RvP tends to take more (but not all) kicks and he's cheaper so he's my choice of the two Arsenal strikers. I like Robben better than Cesc as a player (and fantasy player) but who knows how much playing time he'll get even w/ the crowded fixture list - Cesc is guaranteed two full matches so he'd be my choice.
jeanrenerousseau (Wigan?) - Not sure what happened with Camara midweek (trust me, I was as bitter as anyone) - you have to think that with Jewell thinking at least occasional rotation, Camara becomes a less interesting choice given his price.
vprasad217 (Heskey to start 2? C-Ro at 15 or Lamps?) - I'd guess that Heskey will start both matches but I'm not wild about him regardless. If you can get to Lamps, then do it, if you have to mortgage the rest of the team and are going to be wishing you had Ronaldo back come next Friday, then you should probably keep him and hope Lamps doesn't have a crazy week.
pscarlyle (Berbs, Saha, Sheva, Cesc, Lamps, CRo, Beast, Boyce, (C)Ashley, Kolo and Kirk - comments) - Well, other than Toure being suspended, I like that line-up so long as you're prepared for Baptista probably not starting both matches. I'd have gone w/ Kilbane before his price went up but that ship has sailed. Might want to consider Berbatov to someone with two matches as well.
djnima_19 (Gilberto for PKs? Why not RvP? Who for the long haul RvP, K2, or Kuyt?) - I can't claim to sit with Wenger when he's making these decisions but my impression is that you want your penalty taker to be someone who is going to be on the field. RvP seems to come off between the 60th and 70th minute on a regular basis. Throw in Gilberto's generally strong performance from the spot and you have a winner. That said, of the guys you listed, my order of preference on selecting one for the long haul would be RvP, Kuyt, K2 with the decision being pretty close between RvP and Kuyt.
stormlord152001 (T-Ho vs. Lehmann next week?) - Team looks fine and I'd go with T-Ho next week and then Lehmann after the Arsenal/Pompey match.
sloration (sheva, drogba, rooney, C-ro, gerrard, Beast, sibierski, (C)Ashley, riise, boyce, cudicini ) - Nice team other than Cudicini who is a doubt for this weekend.
laiisok01 (8.79 for D & M or 18.18 for D, M & M/F - Senderos?) - I'd go Babaryo, Martins/Sheva, and Baptista. Senderos is an OK idea but you shouldn't expect TOO much out the Arsenal defence given their state of health/suspension. It's going to be patchwork back there and they're playing Chelsea. Not a great combination for the weekend.
jasey_bo (didn't like my comment on derbys) - So, as a Spurs supporter, you're saying you get as fired up about the outcome of Spurs/Charlton as you do about Spurs/Arsenal? Given the long and contentious history behind Arsenal's move to North London and closeness in geography and the belief on both sides that they are "big clubs" there is sufficient emotion to claim that the match means more than just bragging rights among friends for the next week or two. I venture to guess that if Spurs had beaten Arsenal last weekend Spurs fans would be rubbing that fact in for YEARS not weeks. Ditto Fulham fans and their victory over Chelsea last season (I know for a fact that even Fulham employees are still talking about that one). If Charlton were to be victorious at White Hart Lane they'd be excited because they need the points badly but no one would be talking about it next year when Charlton are relegated. The former situation brings out a level of emotion in supporters and players that has to change the way you think about predicting the outcome that is worthy of the term "derby". The latter is, well, just another match in a Premiership schedule where nearly every match is important whether you're chasing the title, a place in Europe, or attempting to avoid the drop.
sparta_prague2001 (Hilario?) - Unless there is an announcement that Hilario is definitely the choice for both matches, I'd look elsewhere. The match against Arsenal is too big a question mark (remember that there were people thinking Paul Robinson vs. Arsenal was a good idea a few weeks ago).
ngjeejing456 (line-up w/ lots of one-gamers at a really cheap price) - I like that line-up a lot, keep the faith since you've already stuck with them and missed out on some two-gamers as a result. Would be a shame to turn back now.
angleonghao (McCulloch vs. Essien?) - McCulloch seems to have more potential to do something interesting AND slightly less chance of seeing yellow.
mscogle (Sibierski) - He's a little on the expensive side now but if you grabbed him when he was cheap, he's not a bad bet. The schedule is tough for him though.
vprasad217 (Heskey/Lamps or RvP/CRo @15?) - RvP/CRo unless you want to continue with Heskey next week (and I'm not sure why you would).
Namanparikh_1902 (How many Chelsea matches?) - 2
bloodyscholesy (Cotterill to enable Lamps?) - Given that both will probably be no more than subs, I'd probably go with Walcott rather than Cotterill. Hard to evaluate since I don't know what other changes you'd have to make. Who are you giving up for Cotterill? Lamps?
towcestrains2win (lamps/faye/boyce/clichy vs. robben/ballack/terry/eboue?) - As much as I think Lamps should be in every line-up this weekend, I'd go with the second group.
mady84us (Ballack vs. Geremi?) - Geremi if you can afford him but if you can do something useful with the extra money Ballack is probably a good enough bet to keep him.
jalalkhan303 (What happened to Arteta?) - I believe he tweaked his ankle in warm-ups last weekend. It looks like we shouldn't expect him back until next weekend at the earliest according to PhysioRoom.com.
cgirvine (Toure recommended but he's suspended) - You are correct, my apologies. I try to stay current but I missed this one. Hopefully, it didn't cause anyone any harm.
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IM this storyanyone know if wigan's Wright will play this week? i have him for 4.9 but i dont know enough about wigan to know if hes going to play
From joshtottenham on Fri Dec 08 04:48PMdanergous to pick where you don't know, but wright should start alongside hall in wigan's central defence. de zeeuw is out and jackson is struggling with an ankle injury. the other option for them is webster, but i get the sense that he's not ready to start yet (too young and green). good luck.
From jspitzberg on Fri Dec 08 05:00PMupdate to my comment.... wright may be playing at right back with boyce moving infield to partner hall. that's a fantasy boost for you joshtottenham!
From jspitzberg on Fri Dec 08 05:45PMTo be honest, I quite like your feedback to those who post with their relative quandries each week. Makes me think I'm not alone in agonising over the decisions of who I should pick each week. Its tough, but any little helps.
Therefore I'm of the impression If you have the time to answer peoples posts and the desire to keep doing so Neil, then those who are questioning it should keep their mouths shut or maybe just shouldn't bother reading the Friday news comments?? thought about that you lot??
From rjgdudley on Fri Dec 08 06:32PMI think the general "rate my line up" or "tom/dick/harry vs. larry/curly/moe???" questions degenerate the otherwise intelligent debate and discussion. Save those for the message boards on the Fantasy site people. I must admit to being more of a voyeur than contributer, but I have to commend you guys (Jeremy and Neal) for keeping this up and really doing your homework. I enjoy checking in almost compulsively. I also like the Week Ahead, Injury Update and MMM format. My only comment would be - have you considered using a value for money variable when looking at potential players? (i.e. Points per game/$$) For instance, Sheva currently has a Earned Value (EV) of .81 while Drogba has an EV of .67, indicating Sheva is a better use of your funds (historically of course). This could be important when trying to squeeze for that in-form player. I know its a bit much, but hey, we're all a bit obsessive about all this, or else we wouldn't be here, right? Keep up the good work.
From alexdecouto on Fri Dec 08 07:45PMhey gents, just wanted to say thanks for the time you invest in answering everyone's questions. good luck this weekeend!
From djnima_19 on Fri Dec 08 08:34PMhi there! Just wanted to say that if your exuse for doing this is because you are not married, and therefore have the time to do so, then please dont ever get married, otherwise your fans will miss you both!!!!
)">
From sywasim2001 on Fri Dec 08 09:35PMrjgdudley -- There should be more options than take it or leave it. How about reform it? I don't want to just not read, I want to interact and get involved in conversation. I will admit, I'm not into the X or Y advice that others are into, I prefer to use the blog to get better information and opinion, then base my own decision on that. I understand how some people might be torn between two players and seek advice, and that's ok, but in my ever-humble opinion I think the current format encourages that too much, to the detraction of anything else. And most fantasy conversation happens on Thursday and Friday, so if there's nothing to look for in those days' posts, that basically means no comment participation at all, which would be a shame.
All that said, I commend you, Neal, for being up to answering all those questions. A Herculean task, on the fantasy prem scale!
From shadow_over_innsmouth on Fri Dec 08 10:14PMwaaaaaaat... should i swap my Boyce for Wright????? (since now boyce's now gonna be one of the CBs)
From victa1234567890 on Fri Dec 08 11:03PM(that's in response to jeremy's advice to joshtottenham)
From victa1234567890 on Fri Dec 08 11:04PMno worries, sywasim2001. married w/ 2 kids. i think it tickles the wife that she's married to the king of the dorks. no offense intended.
neal, however... well he's free and easy. mostly easy! thanks to all for the nice words and the feedback.From jspitzberg on Fri Dec 08 11:13PMBoyce and Cashley Cole or Wright and Carvalho???
From victa1234567890 on Sat Dec 09 02:44AMyour comments over KUYT / VAN PERSIE.......tough choice as liverpool playing home to fulham and whereas arsenal playing both away......comments over this....
From namanparikh_1902 on Sat Dec 09 03:21AMYou know, I think I know the real problem: most people don't SAY anything anymore. It's not hmm I'm leaning towards Lampard because of XXXXX, but this piece of news got me thinking maybe the money is better spent on 3 cheaper players. It's just a three word question. Not really that interesting, and generally if you just want one of the bloggers to spit his opinion back at you, you can figure it out from what he's already written.
From shadow_over_innsmouth on Sat Dec 09 05:06AMI bought F. Hall for 4 odd dollars before last week and he gave me 12.50 from his two games. He's worth 6.44 now which I suppose is not the cheapest of defenders but perhaps is worth a look with two games to play if you're not feeling heinze (.04 more expensive) with his one game against City.
From innominepatris713 on Sat Dec 09 05:45AMhate to say i told you so but I feel tevez is on the verge of something
From innominepatris713 on Sat Dec 09 05:46AMif someone was listed as defender, but he play as midfeild in game ,is it a good news or bad one?
cos i dont understand how was the scoring for each player..can anyone answer me?pls..From scpe_okc on Sat Dec 09 06:01AMhow about tevez?
From sakti_246 on Sat Dec 09 07:35AMi'm all the in south africa, so u guys in the uk hear about the latest injuries etc much sooner than i do, this forum keeps me updated with the latest news and i think that jeremy and neal are doing an awesome job....wish i could say the same for sheva & rooney tho.....i have stuck with them for such a long time and i hope this w/end proves to be a good one for those 2
From sloration on Sat Dec 09 08:04AMIt seems that kirkland has gone off at the half for wigan. Anyone know what's going on? If he's injured, his back-up, Pollitt would be a good pick-up before prices are updated.
From vprasad217 on Sat Dec 09 04:29PMPollitt's actually more expensive than Kirkland, and seeing as he got a goal scored on him, I don't think his price is going up too quickly...
From shadow_over_innsmouth on Sat Dec 09 06:59PMI made the comment before the goal when he had 4 saves. Anyway, will kirkland still be playing midweek?
From vprasad217 on Sat Dec 09 10:22PMWell... I stick with Kuyt for this week's fixture. When I first looked at the result (4:0) I thought Kuyt would at least have one goal and probably two.... but now, I got only 7.5 points from 5 players playing yesterday
From laiisok01 on Sun Dec 10 03:16AMsad week , unexpected players performing well , got only 18 points after five players performing.....hope that chelsea vs arsenal is a good match and expecting good results from chelsea players....
cheers!!!!!
From namanparikh_1902 on Sun Dec 10 07:39AMI believe the bloggers should just ignore those messages that include the question 'Who should I choose?' There is enough information out there, including in these mailbags for anyone with some footie intellect to choose for him or herself!
From vriesjan on Sun Dec 10 07:16PM
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