Fantasy Premier League

Matchday Open Thread

Sat Mar 22 05:16AM by Jeremy

Fulham's Brian McBride celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the game

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. 

(85 user comments)

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  • (61)

    The ugly; Steve Bennett and his lack of respect for himself, and trying too hard to appease his superiors (who seem to include Fergie). Sending out a message to the rest of the prem? Do me a favour. Chelsea and Manyoo hound the ref week-in, week-out and Liverpool who have one of the best disciplinary records get made an example of because they haven't got the balls to do it to Manyoo or Chelsea. Easy target. If this is the way it's going to go, then the Merseyside derby will end with 8 vs 8 next week, and another big game ruined sadly. But hey at least there won't be any talking to the ref, marvellous.

    Posted by: leffeman101 on Sun Mar 23 03:35PM | Report abuse
  • (62)

    I finally realized why the England team didn't do well for so long. Sir Alex is the cancer that destroying the player mentality when his guys is representing England. They always got themselves in troubles when they are facing international referees because they so used to pamper by the League referees. Over the years, we saw so many teams that lost to MU because of the help from officiating just like today, agree ?

    Posted by: rickyklc on Sun Mar 23 03:57PM | Report abuse
  • (63)

    Teams lost to Man Utd because....they were not good enough to beat a great Team.

    Posted by: alex.ayre on Sun Mar 23 04:18PM | Report abuse
  • (64)

    re (62) No. bennett had a bad game. Nothing to do with fergie or MU doing anything.. cancer destroying english football??? LOL

    Posted by: lilie_me on Sun Mar 23 04:20PM | Report abuse
  • (65)

    Fergie always doing something to intimidate the referees before a big game and it shows everytime and it works in MU favor.

    Posted by: rickyklc on Sun Mar 23 04:59PM | Report abuse
  • (66)

    Not sure Bennett had such a bad game, has Mascherano not ran 40 yards to argue with a refereee about something that had nothing to do with him he would still be on the pitch. It was obvious after Cashley's show of petulance combined with last weeks initiative 'respect the ref' that things were going to, had to change, and these guys now have to change there spoilt ways. Closing thought on all these players arguing with refs after a decision...how often does the referee actually change his decision? eaxctly.

    Posted by: alex.ayre on Sun Mar 23 05:04PM | Report abuse
  • (67)

    re(66) i agree..why did Mascherano come from 40 yards away to say anything to the Bennett?!? Bennett had just given Torres a yellow for saying too much & here comes a guy who's already booked to throw his two cents in. & if i remember correctly...Liverpool was given the free kick for a United foul anyway. so why was anyone arguing?!? its just pure stupidity if you ask me. United prolly would have won anyway but the red guaranteed it.

    Posted by: leg17end on Sun Mar 23 05:17PM | Report abuse
  • (68)

    i don't think it was necessary for him to actually produce a card for torres, ferdinand and arbeloa.. it wasn't even a physical game.. he was just imposing himself too much and it ruined the contest.. but i do agree that mascherano shouldn't have reacted the way he did..

    Posted by: lilie_me on Sun Mar 23 05:20PM | Report abuse
  • (69)

    it's the day of the unexpected scorer Brown?? Sagna?!?

    Posted by: goeasy27 on Sun Mar 23 05:21PM | Report abuse
  • (70)

    Somebody tell me how Skrtel can score only 1.50pts and yet his value this week has jumped up by £3m. Very mysterious the old yahoo points/price calculator!!

    Posted by: jasey_bo on Sun Mar 23 06:05PM | Report abuse