Fantasy Premier League Blog

Check out this post at our new blog home, Never Manage Alone.

The original is after the jump, but really you should check out the new version.

It's international week, but that doesn't mean we're not already looking ahead to the next gameweek in ten days time. Here's my team, assembled over the course of last weekend.



There are injuries here, and some questions. Look for changes, and the (surely faulty) reasoning to come.

I have three different options for you to choose from this week.  Please vote in the comments below.

First there is the real Barn Door team, the one I came out of the weekend with:


I was nervous about going all in on the North London derby, but surely there are goals there.

 Then came the news about Tevez and Dzeko, and all of a sudden Balotelli (God help us all) looks like a great option, at Rovers.  So out goes RvP, who to be fair was flattered by a 10-man Bolton side, and we shake up the team with the extra money.  

It's all change at the back for me as Kieran Gibbs seems to have lost his place to Andre Santos.  Who knows what is going on at Arsenal but the Brazilian did but up good points against Rovers, and gets Bolton at home this week.  Another flying (former) Arsenal fullback, Armand Traore, gets the nod too.  I was hoping to get him last week but didn't like the way he limped out of the Newcastle match previously.  My loss as he even got an assist.  Queens Park Rangers host Aston Villa, which isn't a great matchup, but I do like the option.

Another QPR new boy, Shaun Wright-Phillips, remains a bright spot in my otherwise run-of-the-mill lineup. He continued his good form in an advanced midfield role, and at 4 and change is becoming an indispensable player.

Maybe not as indispensable as David SIlva, however.  This was Silva's worst week to date, but he's still putting up points with the promise of continued returns.  Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero round out the Manchester City contingent.  Hosting Everton isn't an ideal matchup, but I dare anyone to start dropping these players.

That being said, I did move former Gunner Nasri out for current Gunner Mikel Arteta.  "Who knows what is going on at Arsenal" but Arteta scored a goal and was taking corner kicks.  His price jumped as a result and it was worth getting him in the team before that happened.

The final midfield spot is a bit of an enabler. Yohan Cabaye is becoming the almost man for Newcastle, striking the bar against Aston Villa on a lovely snap shot from range. However, I like that he's shooting and taking kicks. Newcastle also host Rovers on Sunday and that seems to pay off. I was origianlly looking at Gabriel Obertan as a true enabler, but picking Dedryck Boyata in defence allowed me to move off someone whom I'm taking to calling "The Invisible Man".  I just never see him on the pitch.  Sometimes I do see him, but I've yet to see him make an impactful play. Until then, I'll keep my distance.

Of course, all this movement is to afford Wayne Rooney.  I didn't keep him against Chelsea and I almost paid a very heavy price. He ended the day with a respectable 9.5 points, but missed a penalty, hit the post on another shot, and had Dimitar Berbatov skew what would have been a assist off target. Manchester United are at Stoke this week, and as we know that's a tough place to play. In fact I originally had Javier Hernandez in the team, but with his potential injury layoff combined with Rooney's irresistible form at the moment, I don't want to take the chance of missing out.

Who's on your barn door team this morning?

Here's my mid-week attempt to assemble a squad for the upcoming weekend. The defence is largely unchanged, with David De Gea, the wonderfully mellifluous Angel Rangel, and Matthew Briggs (though John Arne Riise started and played an hour of Norway's 0-2 loss to Denmark yesterday). I have brought in Armand Traore after his move to QPR. Hopefully he's an attacking left-back or even a spot starter in midfield. We'll see.  Traore and Briggs are probably on the bubble.

In midfield I've added Samir Nasri to complement David Silva, who is playing like a season keeper.  Theo Walcott and Yossi Benayoun (cheap and probably starting in place of the still suspended Gervinho) host Swansea, and while the Swans aren't pushovers (see Rangel, Angel above) Arsenal will be looking to put a few past the newly promoted team.

That's why I've made room in my team for Robin van Persie.  He's more expensive, thanks to his consolation goal at Old Trattford but he is likely still value-for-money should things go Arsenal's way this weekend.  Edin Dzeko gets a barn door place after his amazing four goals against Spurs. The final spot was either Sergio Aguero or Juan Mata, but with doubts over Aguero's staring place (flying back from India) and Mata's role in the team I'm leaning towards Fulham's new boy, Bryan Ruiz.  They're playing Blackburn Rovers this weekend, which seems to be the recipe for fantasy success this season.  Well that or playing for a Manchester side.  

Another disappointing week in week 2 has me scrambling for answers.  I'm trying to follow The Rules and Mo's Rules and it's not happening for me.  Looking at the team I have "on paper" for week three and I'm less than thrilled.

Rooney came in, but as well as he's doing he's going to have to keep producing at that level to be worth 20.  Would it be worth gambling with a cheaper option?  There are equally hot players like Long and Klasnic, as well as gambles with high upside like Torres.

In midfield it's all well and good but pehaps a little safe.  Yes, Cabaye is doing fine and he is home to Fulham.  But is he going to get the goal or score a ton of fantasy points?  I guess he could. But would it suit me more to field Sessegnon or Cahill who are more out-right attackers?

In defence, I like the idea of Bosingwa again but he's just a touch expensive. I wonder if I should just keep Richards for a little less.  I'd be happy enough with Brown - why did all of you gamble on him in a derby match? - but I'd be just as happy to get someone else.

So... all very wishy-washy.  But that's what a barn door team is -- a canvas.  A wet lump of clay to be molded over the course of the week.

How is your clay shaping up?

UPDATE:  Rooney/Cabaye/Bosingwa to Long/Malouda/Kelly?  Or will Barton's possible move to QPR enhance Cabaye's value enough to make him work keeping?

A bit of analysis, including who is on the bubble, coming soon.

This was my team after the weekend matches, though in truth I do have Riise and Formica held "behind the scenes", as Nik likes to say.  There's obviously a strong Manchester City contingent after yesterday's match.  Aguero was devestating in his 30-minute cameo and I wouldn't expect his playing time to be limited going forward.  Silva was the straw that stirred the drink, and Richards and Toure were sometimes the most advanced players on the pitch!  They travel to Bolton this weekend (top of the table clash!), and I am still betting against the Trotters.  Yes, I tried that last weekend with Taarabt and DJ Campbell, and no it didn't work out.  Bolton have a settled back five at the moment, even if those players couldn't keep a clean sheet to save their lives last season.  I'm not going to over-react to the QPR match (though maybe I'm over-reacting to the Swansea match?) and I'm going to bet on Citeh to do the business again.

Everton and Aston Villa get strong representation here, with two players apiece. Everton are opening their season and get to do so now at home, against QPR.  Saha is fit and does well when healthy.  Cahill should again play as a withdrawn forward, which is great for a fantasy midfielder.  He's also healthy, and scored for Australia against Wales last week. Mikel Arteta is back for Everton, but I'm not sure he'll start.  Osman is a bit more expensive than Cahill but could also represent a good bet.

Aston Villa are represented after their credible 0-0 draw at Fulham.  Given goes into the team and can hopefully replicate the clean sheet at home against a struggling Rovers side. Rovers played Hanley and N'Zonzi at center back last weekend so N'Zogbia (battle of the N's!) gets the nod in midfield.  Other candidates for the fantasy team would include Darren Bent - LOVE the idea of his running at that makeshift backline) and Warnock - who is back in the team and getting involved going forward as far as I can tell.

Rounding out the team is Luis Suarez, who picked up right where he left off after last season and seems to be a +10 fantasy player.  He should love running at, and around, the Arsenal defence this weekend.  That defence may or may not have Gibbs as he is not "unlikely" to be fit.  I may keep Gibbs at his ridiculously low price, but I may look to gut Bosingwa and bring in two mid-price defenders (back to Riise?) for the combined value.

One Carlos Tevez (and two goals) forced a barn door re-think on my part. That's not entirely true. Your comments and a viewing of the Premier League Review Show also "helped".

I had to grab Carlito. I'm not convinced he'll play at Bolton, but I wanted the option. So out went Ba and Hennessey with Carson coming in as an enabling keeper. Krul and Mignolet are also (bad) options at the price.

In the defence, a lot of questions were being asked about Onuoha. And rightly so. The better pick there would be Bardsley, who has been surprising good this season. But the real pick for me is Blackburn's Martin Olsson. He's been great in a midfield role for Rovers over the last month and I expect he'll be value for money at 10. Gibbs is a relatively cheap ticket into Arsenal, who must win on Sunday. I'm not sure his status or Clichy's health. If it doesn't look like he'll play, or if I want money to upgrade the keeper position Gibbs is likely to be gutted.

How is your final XI shaping up?

Finally had a good week last week. Seven players in double figures with Torres close, and Kusz and Fabio the only real disappointments. Kolarov to play on Tuesday, but no telling what Manchester City will look like the rest of the way.

For next week, I've assembled another team that's more "who's that?" than "whose who". This was put together before West Ham made their fall through the Premier League trapdoor - with N'Zogbia pulling the lever - so I'm sure to revisit Ba at the least. Also Ivanovic is at Everton and I'm guessing the home teams have the advantage this week. At the very least they'll want to put on a show for their fans.

Otherwise, Birmingham, Blackburn, Wigan, Wolves and Blackpool will be the teams on a mission. You could certainly argue for a team picked exclusively from those squads.

Finally, Manchester United will be fielding the kids this week against Blackpool. All the more reason to load up on the Seasiders. But if you fancy being contrary, maybe today's reserve match is a guide.

There is still much football to be played this "week" as Liverpool travel to Fulham later today, and the big Spurs/ManCity clash on Tuesday. But the barn door (and time and tide) wait for no fantasy manager. Here's the state of my team after the weekend's action:


A few enablers in Heitinga, Zenden, and even Hitzlsperger allow for some big spending up top with Odemwingie and van Persie.  Tevez comes into the mix depending on how he looks against Spurs.  Of course he'll have the FA Cup match before the rematch against Stoke the following Tuesday so I may stay away.  Same goes for David Silva, whom I'm holding, but in this team I've replaced him with Matty Taylor.  Bolton are on the road against a motivated Blackpool, but I figure there will be goals on both sides of the pitch in that one.  Hence my keeping Sturridge even after he broke my heart against Sunderland this weekend.  When will I ever learn not to bet on Bolton?  It should be a rule or something!

In net I've moved from Hart to Edwin Van Der Sar.  I expect Manchester United to clinch the Premier League title this weekend at Ewood Park and to do it "to nil".  However, that is a pool of money to draw from to upgrade elsewhere... I'm looking at your spots, Johnny Heit and B.Zenden!

Where have you netted out on the barn door?

Not that sticking with my Barn Door team last week was very successful -- or successful at all! -- but here's this week's version:



Concerns:

• Howard. What's the opposite of what you are looking for in a fantasy keeper?  That would be THo this season.  Everton haven't been consisten winners, which hurts your keeper's value.  But even when they win, Howard has a knack for letting in the soft goal.  Or more than one.  He's been in the red (minus points) more weeks than he's earned points.  Of course, that's why he's cheap.  And cheap is very attractive in a keeper.  And he's playing at Wolves, who have lost their leading scorer and just got hammered by Newcastle United.  So hope springs eternal, but I'm really not sure that this is a good pick
• Valencia and Hernandez.  Am I buying a false view of these players based on West Ham's ineptitude?  I'm probably only owning them for a week as they have an FA Cup semifinal the following week instead of a league match, but they are home to Fulham.  They are also in Champions League action against Chelsea on either side of this match, which could easily become a trap game.  Valencia's barn door price makes him an attractive midfield option, and the other best opition at Hernandez's price range is Sturridge who also misses the following week for an FA Cup semi.
• Lampard.  See above re: the Champions League.
• van Persie. Have Arsenal just collapsed?  Is it redeemable?  If so, it's going to be against Blackpool who are increasingly vulnerable.  At 9, returning 7 per week would be acceptable.  At 18 it really isn't.  He's probably staying in the team because the matchup is just too good, but also because I can't quite get to Nani without making other sacrifices.  But I will admit to have looked at what to do with the $10 that RvP to Sturridge would net.  For instance, maybe a real goalkeeper.

It's odd that the fantasy football schedule is so busy at the moment, yet I feel so disconnected from it. Being at home, and not sitting at a computer for nine hours a day means I'm not plugged in to every story, rumour and gossip that comes across the wires. With family commitments and the chance to take a four-hour bike ride up the coast yesterday, I missed the big Boxing Day fixtures as well as any chance to pick up players on the Barn Door.

But because the schedule is so packed, there's every opportunity to get back into the swing of things.  Today is the big Chelsea-Arsenal clash.  I'll be watching the returns (most likely) of Robin van Persie and Frank Lampard as they are highly under-valued in the fantasy game compared to their historical pricing.

Then the next round of matches starts up tomorrow, so don't forget to set your team.  We'll be looking at the team news and trying to bring you any information.  But just remember that with two matches in as many days for teams there is always the risk of rotation.  And unannounced rest and rotation at that.

For what it's worth, my squad at the moment (subject to change) is:


* Brunt is suspended, and near cost, so he's unlikely to stay in the team long.
**  Read my thoughts below.
*** Over-thinking Arsenal in the comment below.

Replay after the jump.

Welcome to our weekly chat where we discuss the matches as we watch them and discuss who managers should be considering picking up in advance of price changes.

Recap after the jump.

OK, here we go again.  We'll be here for the first two matches.  Here's my line-up:
Foster, Bale, Koscielny, Wilson, FloMal, Eth, Barton, Adam, Drogs, Carroll, and Dembele.

Based on the schedule for next week, here are the teams we'll be tracking especially closely:
Spurs (@WHU), Birmingham (vs. Wigan), and Arsenal (vs. WBA).  We'll be looking especially carefully at who Spurs and Arsenal start with all of their early injuries and how Brum align with their newcomers in light of the injury to James McFadden.

Recap after the jump.

Well, my late changes on Friday yielded one correct choice (removing Chamakh) and one incorrect one (removing Theo) but in general I'm OK with how things ended up.  Here's how I'm lining up:

Hart, Bale, Kos, Skertl, Evans, FloMal, Scholes, Barton, Drogba, Crouch, Carroll

Chat recap after the jump.

For those of you who couldn't make it to the live chat, there weren't a ton of Barn Door options that presented themselves today but I figured I'd send along some options if you have time to make some moves before Yahoo! posts scores:

• Jussi - Foster had a better game today but Jussi has a better match-up next weekend (home to Foster and Birmingham).  Really though, either would be a good "get" while you decide what you want to do this week.  You might not want to keep either of them in the end but wouldn't you rather have the choice?
• Bale - Did I mention, he's a stud?  If you didn't listen last week, you should listen this week.
• Nzonzi - I guess we'll see how Dunn recovers but if Nzonzi continues to play then you should consider him for the price - even against Arsenal.
• Malouda - His price is going up but you should get in on the action before it gets to Lampard level.

Honestly though, there weren't too many "finds" this weekend.  The best match-ups go to the big clubs next weekend with ManYoo, Liverpool, and Spurs all having what should be easy home matches.  Chelsea shouldn't be too challenged by Stoke at the Bridge and Arsenal and Citeh have relatively weak opposition on the road (Rovers and Sunderland respectively). 

Why no love for Hat Trick Hero Theo Walcott? Too much uncertainty.  Maybe he starts but more likely he doesn't with RvP and Cesc coming back into the side.  My guess is that Theo starts most of the time at home and Eboue starts most of the time on the road.  I don't know if that's exactly how it will turn out but I can say with certainty that Walcott is not a guaranteed starter.  If you want to pick him up before his price goes up, that's fine but don't be shocked when he's on the bench next week at Ewood Park.

Welcome back everyone.  The blog is back at full strength after a summer of relaxing a bit.  Join us for our first Live Chat of the season.

My line-up for anyone interested...
Cech, Kolarov, Koscielny, Fabio, MPet, JCole, Gera, FloMal, Drogba, Chamakh, Boselli

Click "Read More" for the chat recap.