Matchday Open Thread
Sat Mar 22 05:16AM
First things first... let's draw a line under last week. Knew it was a risk but I was hoping that CRon would be rested and Rooney wouldn't. And to afford that I had to gut down to Robbo. It didn't work. I'm trying to accept the outcome - being outscored two to one by many teams. Not the smartest, no. But it wasn't beyond the pale, was it?
So this week I'm going back to basics. Still no CRon, but trying to buy players at home against stuggling opposition. So welcome the "Premier League's top scorer over the last five years who is still in the Premier League" - Everton's Yakubu - a player who can score for on his day against a West Ham team that can conceed four on theirs. Though I looked at BFAY, I didn't have the money, and surprisingly, Barry isn't too far behind and 5 cheaper. So hopefully he can chip in at home to a road-shy Sunderland. MPet comes back from suspension and into SGE's and my teams against struggling Bolton, even @Bolton. And even though we never bet on or against them. Unless we do.
Downing and Schwarzer come in for the weekly "v. Derby" picks. And though I went back and forth over Tuncay and Aliadiere, I decided to go with the sentimental pick and get fellow Yank, Brian McBride. Always been a fan of his, even though we sure rooted against him when his Crew would come to DC to play United. Here's hoping he can nick a goal against Newcastle and we can ride this particular horse through the barn door and into their matchup with Derby next week.
Torres keeps his place. No point selling him now even facing ManU, Everton, and Arsenal and Arsenal and Arsenal again in the League and Champions League. To be honest, I'm very tempted to gut Torres to McFadden, another striker on a hot streak. But I'm still chagrined by his being left on the bench for their Pompey match and can't bring myself to do it.
So that's the state of my world tonight. Let us know what's up with you -- who you got, who you watching, and how are they doing for you -- in this, your matchday open thread.
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IM this storyCRon: Sell or not Sell? - He's great but Bentley have better schedule; Robbo: Keep or not keep the keeper? - Spurs just know about attack but pompey is without Muntari&Defoe; What do you thing about those 2?
From daniel_menezes on Sat Mar 22 05:56AMwhat happened to Belletti? will he play?
From jeff_vlavich on Sat Mar 22 08:23AMis David Dunn (Blackburn) gonna play tonite ?
From pesszo on Sat Mar 22 09:03AM(2) He is out. Ferreira will be in his place. (3) He will most probably play alongside Reid keeping Tugay in the subs.
From zzzeclipse on Sat Mar 22 09:21AMHere's my picks for the week and thoughts:
I had a good 178 points last week and topped my mini group, so this week I need to keep the momentum up.
I had to drop CRon, because he was taking all my space away, and he might not perform as well this week, so his price will be back to last week's equivalent (I HOPE!)
In his place I have gone for BFDB, and with the extra money for Downing.
Dropeed Joe Cole (he was my star last week!) and gone for Pienaar and Majetovsky. Both these players impressed me last week, esp the Czech who came away with 4 shots on goal and 1 goal!
Had to dump Terry. I'm a Chelsea fan but if last week was any indication they're not going to keep it clean against the Gunners. But I'm going for Hutton in his place, as Defoe and Muntari are out. He is a good crosser as well. Good pace.
And for the weaker opps, I have Huth and Bouma, who might have a tougher time but the last (and only) week that I did pick him, he scored!
Schwarzer comes in for Foster, who I might say scored more than Cudcini or Robinson last week, despite only one outing.
For strikers, Carew is my first pick. I'm staying away from the top 4, so Tuncay/Aliediere was a tough one. But settled for Tuncay mostly coz he's cheaper. And the last slot is tough to pick. Its a tossup between McBride and Viduka and Kitson. I hope my pick of McBride turns out well.
Cheers.
From mr_rocky2001 on Sat Mar 22 09:41AMHere's my picks for the week and thoughts:
I had a good 178 points last week and topped my mini group, so this week I need to keep the momentum up.
I had to drop CRon. In his place I have gone for BFDB, and with the extra money for Downing.
Dropped Joe Cole (he was my star last week!) and gone for Pienaar and Majetovsky.
Had to dump Terry. I'm a Chelsea fan but if last week was any indication they're not going to keep it clean against the Gunners. But I'm going for Hutton in his place, as Defoe and Muntari are out. He is a good crosser as well. Good pace.
And for the weaker opps, I have Huth and Bouma, who might have a tougher time but the last (and only) week that I did pick him, he scored!
Schwarzer comes in for Foster, who I might say scored more than Cudcini or Robinson last week, despite only one outing.
For strikers, Carew is my first pick. I'm staying away from the top 4, so Tuncay/Aliediere was a tough one. But settled for Tuncay mostly coz he's cheaper. And the last slot is tough to pick. Its a tossup between McBride and Viduka and Kitson. I hope my pick of McBride turns out well.
From mr_rocky2001 on Sat Mar 22 09:43AMI was also guttd when mcfadden didnt play against p'mouth. But there was a genuine reason he did not play-bereavment or samthng bt al in al it was not a footballing reason nor tactical. So keep choosin McF if u lyk hm. Ithink he's a genuine article
From jaylaan on Sat Mar 22 09:45AMi wonder have u guys ever replied any of the questions asked ? haha
From kacakbergaya on Sat Mar 22 10:12AMHello Jonny Fry!
I've got Berbatov he will score 4 goals
I've got Santa Cruz he will get another hat trick against wigan
And Tuncay
From paulynightingale on Sat Mar 22 10:35AMHere is my pick for this week ,J. Aliadiere, A.Young, V.Anichebe, S.Malbranque, S.Downing, S.Pienaar, S.Hunt, D.Wheater, L.Young , R.Dunne and M.Schwarzer.....Still not sure abt my pick with pienaar over Parker and L.Young over Woodgate .... after this juz hope my pick will turn out well hhhmmmm....
From jason_kirage on Sat Mar 22 11:17AMGMTA - Torres, Yakubu, McBride, Downing, MPet, Schwarzer. Bullard of curse at +6. Joe Cole who I got at under 4 and he's been rolling ver since (now +9). Throw in Hutton (no DeFoe for Pompey), Wheater (vs DER) and Bardsley (because that's the best I can afford)
From hcthode51 on Sat Mar 22 11:47AMhuhu...its really getting excited tonight..my team: yak,torres,carew,BFDB,petrov,nolan,j.utah,wheater,
hutton,mok,Schwarzer..
dunn why,but im getting this kind of feeling: UTAKA WILL BE 1 OF THE SCORER TONITE!!!!!!!!!From dreck_lock on Sat Mar 22 12:26PMQuite many of you guys took a chance on Huth. I dropped him after I heard he was doubtful. I went with Boro's Taylor instead. I have Owen, Long, Aliadiere, CRon, Lamps, JCole, Reid, Taylor, Terry, Bouma and the Schwartz. Hope CRon gets his first goal against Liverpool.
From zzzeclipse on Sat Mar 22 12:34PMBaros is not in the starting eleven. I have a feeling Berbatov is gonna get a goal or two today.
From zzzeclipse on Sat Mar 22 12:49PM(13)On Huth... good that you didn't risk it. I didn't either, and chose Taylor, as well.
From donegal08 on Sat Mar 22 01:33PM(12) Utaka is the first player to get booked.
From zzzeclipse on Sat Mar 22 02:08PMTOT-POR 0-0 at White Hart Lane 65 minutes in. Color me stunned.
From the_burning_pen on Sat Mar 22 02:11PMIn addition to the YC, Utaka, despite expectations of the contrary, is not playing upfront.
From krokodil_g on Sat Mar 22 02:20PM2 goals from the substitutes...hmmmm
From jason_kirage on Sat Mar 22 02:30PMBent and O'Hara within minutes of subbing on. Ramos is a tactical genius.
From the_burning_pen on Sat Mar 22 02:31PMSure, old man Kanu as lone striker in a game where Portsmouth could definitely score was nutty. I think that we're all baffled by Utaka not up front and leaving K1 or even Baros alone. Portsmouth are a 4-4-2 side. Silly one 'arry.
From the_burning_pen on Sat Mar 22 02:35PM(12) Great feeling :P
From mdapache on Sat Mar 22 02:39PMNow that's a NUF starting line-up looking to score. Duke, Mickey, and Oba all in. Kevs coming in heavy. Interesting.
From the_burning_pen on Sat Mar 22 02:39PMO'Hara on the barn door!?!?!
From jspitzberg on Sat Mar 22 02:40PMMy gamble on Robbo paid off... That should offset the damage he did last week.
From krokodil_g on Sat Mar 22 02:47PMFaddy not even in todays squad? you gotta be kidding me.
From madscarstensen on Sat Mar 22 02:48PMBarn Door anyone?
From arshy1979 on Sat Mar 22 02:52PMAlmost foiled again... "Birmingham's James McFadden is out having had keyhole surgery on his knee earlier on Saturday" wow. are there no reporters or internets in the midlands?
From jspitzberg on Sat Mar 22 02:53PMbought back robbo in barn door b4 his value go up than its now
From jason_kirage on Sat Mar 22 02:54PMI got robbo in too.. Who are Derby playing next week?
From arshy1979 on Sat Mar 22 03:08PM
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