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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  • (71)

    re(68) i agree with you 100%, the ref ruin a good game.

    Posted by: rickyklc on Sun Mar 23 06:09PM | Report abuse
  • (72)

    After the Portsmouth game, where Fergie blasted the referee and Keith Hackett, that was just a way of ensuring that decisions did not go against Manyoo in the final games of the league.....he always does it, as did Mourinho. They don't want to upset the big egos and have any grief come their way. Maybe Mascherano shouldn't have run 10 yards (not 40) to speak to the referee, but if Scholes had been booked early on for a challenge similar to Mash's then maybe things would have been different. If Mash deserved to go, then so did Rio.........hoofs the ball down pitch after free-kick..gets booked, then mouths off at ref (similar to Mash), gets away with it. SG clearly tells ref "you're taking the piss".......no booking..............no consistancy whatsoever. Looking forward to the 'Mute' Merseyside derby next week......maybe the crowd should be silent too, just incase they upset the ref or incite the players?!?!

    Posted by: leffeman101 on Sun Mar 23 06:54PM | Report abuse
  • (73)

    No thats preposterous. Masher DESERVED to be sent off. As did Cashly. Masher had been mouthing off to the ref since the first kick of the game [non ball] Torres should not have been booked but Masher had already been booked but felt the need to yap AT the ref the entire game. He got booked not for that one isolated incident but for the last half hour or play; he was warned and then booked. The united players wound their neck in [most likely under orders] and just gave Liverpool enough rope to hang themselves [see Rio talking to Torres and Masher throughout the game]. Dirty play on all sides but the Refs 'fault'? certainly not.

    Posted by: fansarigt on Sun Mar 23 07:19PM | Report abuse
  • (74)

    I want to see a rugby type situation where only the Captain has the right to talk to the ref. If the entire squad rolls up to a rugby ref they get a 10 yard penalty and trust me no one argues with the ref in that game.

    Posted by: fansarigt on Sun Mar 23 07:22PM | Report abuse
  • (75)

    isn't it already in the rule-book that only a team's captain may approach or speak to the ref? If so it is just a matter of everybody respecting the rules, or it just becomes school-yard football and unworthy of being called "premier"

    Posted by: goeasy27 on Sun Mar 23 07:46PM | Report abuse
  • (76)

    very nearly my worst week all season! Ug. Couldn't afford to sell Torres and he cost me points, Pienaar didn't even play, Palacios cost me more points, BFAY gave me no return at all... Good thing I used to have such a big lead over my nearest private league rival.

    Posted by: goeasy27 on Sun Mar 23 07:55PM | Report abuse
  • (77)

    @72 Mash had been giving it all game and had been warned no more, Gerrad's reaction, or lack of, showed what his team mates thought. @75 No it's not law...yet..it is being trialled in a non league with a view to rolling it out across all leagues, though I believe it is Fulham (maybe wrong but it's one preier or championship team) have unofficially introduced this and if they dont abide by it they are fined.

    Posted by: alex.ayre on Sun Mar 23 09:14PM | Report abuse
  • (78)

    off the subject of the latest games here but villa look to have the best run of matches coming to the close of the season,after utd they have bolton,@ derby, birmingham,@ everton, wigan and @ west ham, worth a thought ? spurs also ?

    Posted by: lennonaa on Sun Mar 23 09:25PM | Report abuse
  • (79)

    It was almost like that MASH wanted to be sent off. I think he deserved it. The players do NOT respect the refs at all. They cry and whine like babies. that's soccer players for you. Gerrard does not seem to be the quality captain for England. As much as I don't like Terry, it should go to him. BARN DOOR - Andreason, McBride. and as a cheap Def, Bocanegra...IF he plays?! Keller is goal or Niemi? I'm going with the Elk is hopes he starts against MID because he didn't today. and Gallas for DEF. at 7 and change, I think it's good value. I TRIED Chelsea's defence. but who knows who is starting?!?!?!?! anyone? Bueller? anyways...Belletti looks SOLID while playing. Any word on Cech? I have Cidicini at +5

    Posted by: owen1981 on Mon Mar 24 01:04AM | Report abuse
  • (80)

    Re: 70 - For players who have a high point average but have played a limited number of games, Yahfool's formula keeps their prices artificially low for awhile, then adjusts the prices, which often means a big price bump. Currently, the adjustment occurs after their 8th appearance. It happened to Evans and Steinsson in recent weeks, and to Bardsley and Skrtel this weekend ...

    Posted by: reverendike on Mon Mar 24 03:17AM | Report abuse