Fantasy Premier League

Matchday Open Thread

Sat Feb 23 06:32AM by Jeremy

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring a goal against Middlesbrough during their English Premier League football match at Old Trafford in Manchester

The best laid plans. 

Two weeks ago (it seems longer ago than that, doesn't it?) I put K2, Koumas, and Benjani on the barn door.  To afford that I've been living with a big red "In order to receive scoring for this week's matches, you must have selected a player for all 11 positions." hanging over my head.

[aside:  Getting drunk on Friday night and passing out with less than your full complement of players is known as "pulling a Spealman".  Be sure to look for that in the upcoming blog dictionary.  Seriously.] 

[one more aside:  All the thanks in the world to my sister for getting married over the FA Cup semifinal weekend rather than forcing me to beg, borrow, and steal internet access on the road.] 

Where were we?  Oh, yeah... sitting with too much money invested in too few players.  So I've worked out my line-up.  Cutting here.  Trimming there.  I need to keep K2.  He's been in incredible form.  Probably one of the best streaks we ever seen from a striker not initialed TH or RVN.  Then the news comes out of N London that Adebayor is doubtful with a stiff neck.  Now we know he's stubborn, but that's ridiculous.  Just what I didn't need.  Granted he's likely to start.  And he's likely to do well against a stuggling Birmingham side.  But I can too easily see the other side.  He needs a break after the CL match (and miss).  Brm kept Arsenal in check at Highbury, sorry Emirates, last month.  Arsenal are showing a fragile streak and traveling to Birmingham might be the last thing they need.  And I just remember their trip to Sheffield United last season where even with Jagielka in net, RvP skying their best chance when he was my sure thing that week...

So K2 is gone.  I hope I can sleep better with Rooney in the team, but I probably won't.  In last month's demolition of NUFC, ManU scored six and Rooney only collected a booking.  I could drop from Rooney to Torres... home to Boro, two matches next week, always scores at Anfield, even if he only plays twenty minutes of the match.  That gives me the money to upgrade the Mok to a real defender.  But he's home to goal-shy Bolton and could be in line for a sub cs [again, look for the upcoming dictionary].  

So here's hoping that Rooney can break out of what seems like a prolonged slump.  Here's hoping that Tevez and Ronaldo can pitch in.  And that Muntari and Defoe put a hurting on Sunderland with with added bonus of Gordon getting cheaper before their trip to Derby.

What are you hoping for?  Let us know in this, your matchday open thread. 

(105 user comments)

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User comments

  • (21)

    How 'bout that, hey?! The Scot does it! Brilliant!!! GO BRM! (Lost my CS for Senderos, but do not want Gunners winning the title.)

    Posted by: donegal08 on Sat Feb 23 01:18PM | Report abuse
  • (22)

    Walcott is really not good at crossing the ball from deep. The little flick against Milan was nice but he's had a few deep crosses already today that haven't been even close to useful. With K2 and Bendtner in the middle, that's a waste that can't be afforded.

    Posted by: neal_thurman on Sat Feb 23 01:20PM | Report abuse
  • (23)

    Re 23: Neal, absolutely, that's a huge problem here. With two big guys who are good in the air, Arsenal really needs not only Cesc kicking, but 'Sicky creating and crossing. Walcott isn't cutting it there. Poor EdS. Wenger keeps talking about how he's not pushing RvP's recovery, but this does change things, especially with 'Sicky out and seriously loosening the midfield.

    Posted by: the_burning_pen on Sat Feb 23 01:32PM | Report abuse
  • (24)

    here is to everyone working to get torres in their line up for a double next week only to have Rafa rotate him to keep him fresh.

    Posted by: mavrick_1212 on Sat Feb 23 01:54PM | Report abuse
  • (25)

    wow, nice shot from Cesc. RE: (24) - I guess it depends on how Bendtner looks. And just as I destroy Walcott, there he is for a goal. Right place, right time but not the easiest shot ever. RE: (25) - You didn't read Rafa's "I'm not going to rotate anymore" statement? Hard to believe Torres doesn't play at every available chance since Rafa probably wants to keep his job.

    Posted by: neal_thurman on Sat Feb 23 02:06PM | Report abuse
  • (26)

    He is cheap (Walcott), w/1 SOT before this goal. At 4.3, he's worth a look for next week if you poach him now. He simply needs to play more regularly, and will. He is out of position, as well, to be fair. All that said, he has struggled w/crosses...

    Posted by: donegal08 on Sat Feb 23 02:06PM | Report abuse
  • (27)

    As much as fantasy football is concerned, EdS is a no scorer this week, but in actual reality, i hope he gets well soon and his points doesn't matters this week, Get well mate and hope you make it for EURO 2008.

    Posted by: alwinlourdes on Sat Feb 23 02:07PM | Report abuse
  • (28)

    Hmm, maybe Wenger knew what he was doing with that Walcott purchase. The lesson, as always, Wenger knows more than we do.

    Posted by: neal_thurman on Sat Feb 23 02:10PM | Report abuse
  • (29)

    Walcott just knocked on the barn door with some authority!!

    Posted by: donegal08 on Sat Feb 23 02:11PM | Report abuse
  • (30)

    (28) Well said. (29) Neal - spot on! The lad needs to play. Ditto Bendtner. They'll both have their chances now.

    Posted by: donegal08 on Sat Feb 23 02:13PM | Report abuse