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Fantasy Football: Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea to clean up this week

December 3rd, 2009 Neil Jones


Another week, another manager under-fire. This week it is Arsene Wenger’s turn to assume what has recently become known as “The Rafa Benitez” position in front of the media’s firing squad. Back-to-back league defeats, coupled with a League Cup exit, have led to some uneducated souls calling for the Frenchman’s head. Short memories eh?

For Fantasy Managers, the pressures are much less of course, but Arsenal’s troubles are playing havoc with many a team, especially as the goals have seemingly dried up at the Emirates since Robin Van Persie’s international injury. Chelsea are suddenly the team en vogue, their free-scoring forwards and water-tight defence making them Fantasy League must-haves. What a difference a week can make.

You can join the Football Media fantasy football league (and try your hand at beating Neil to the finish line) by signing up here.

The Men in Form

So where better to start than at Chelsea? Carlo Ancelotti’s pace-setters are looking good bets to end a four year wait for the league title. Solid at the back, where John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and Ashley Cole look especially impressive, they also boast the league’s most potent double-act in Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, who have more than 150 points between them.

Manchester United are hot on their heels, however. Last week’s hat-trick for Wayne Rooney secured his status as United’s main man, but the impact of the evergreen Ryan Giggs should not be underestimated either. The Welshman’s goal and two assists took him to 63 points for the season, and 100 goals for the club, which at 36 is not bad going at all.

The Men to Avoid

Clean sheets are what defenders dream about, so I’m told. In which case you probably wouldn’t want to be playing for Manchester City this season. City’s recent run of draws – seven in a row in the League – have brought just one clean sheet, with the likes of Wayne Bridge, Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott shredding their reputations at every turn. Mark Hughes will likely sort that problem out in due course, but with Chelsea in town this weekend, City defenders should be off the menu.

Bargain Hunt

Paul Scharner (Wigan, £4.5m) – Ok, he might have hair that would have made Kevin Pietersen circa 2005 cackle, but the eccentric Austrian is having a useful season at the DW Stadium. Last week saw a goal and a clean sheet, to follow his goal the previous week (the 1 in a 9-1 thrashing). Considering Scharner has played in midfield in the past, he might be worth having in your squad, especially when Wigan are at home – as they are this week.

Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea, £5.7m) – A Chelsea defender is a must at this moment in time, but with John Terry and co pushing or exceeding the £7m mark, it may be worth taking a chance on the young Serbian. Jose Bosingwa’s injury has given Ivanovic a chance to impress, and he has slotted in well at right-back. Will probably relinquish the role when Bosingwa returns, but until then should be snapped up.

Steven Pienaar (Everton, £6.2m) – One of the few positives for Everton after a derby day defeat. The South African’s knee injury has prevented him from maintaining his early season form, but with his value suitably diminished, he should be on the radar now as he returns to action. Creative, eye-catching and with a fierce shot. Won’t get many better for £6m-ish.

Premier League Fixtures

Portsmouth v Burnley
Arsenal v Stoke City
Aston Villa v Hull City
Blackburn v Liverpool
West Ham v Man Utd
Wigan v Birmingham
Wolves v Bolton
Man City v Chelsea
Fulham v Sunderland
Everton v Tottenham

Manchester City v Chelsea stands out of course. The Nouveau Riches v the Nouveau Riches. Chelsea are the form team, but City have home advantage. Manchester United have struggled in recent seasons at Upton Park, and cannot afford a repeat this weekend. Arsenal have a home game against robust Stoke in which to get back to winning ways, whilst Liverpool look to replenish their points tally at Blackburn. Everton v Spurs on Sunday is another eye-catcher.

My Team

Back to some kind of form at least. Poor captain choice – Fabregas’ late booking at the Emirates only exacerbated that – was offset against a hat-trick for Rooney, two for Drogba, and usual clean sheets for Carvalho, Thomas Sorensen and Liam Ridgewell. Kevin Prince Boateng’s omission was regretted, however, as I missed out on six points from the German-Ghanaian.
This week’s transfer is a low-key one. Aaron Hughes of Fulham replaces the injured James Collins of Aston Villa. It leaves me with £1.5m in the bank, which can be used to upgrade elsewhere.

Football Media League

Jon Reeson’s Westfield Irons assume top spot, after a swashbuckling week – inspired by captain Rooney. He replaces Pavenpal Bhullar’s Boca Juniors at the top, whilst behind them the pack is bunching up neatly. There were good weeks for Savage Cabbage (Joe Cassidy) and The Gronners (Jonas Gronners), whilst my team – Baroque Social – sit well placed in 12th spot, ready to launch into action this Christmas.

You can join the Football Media fantasy football league (and try your hand at beating Neil to the finish line) by signing up here.

“Fantasy Football: Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea to clean up this week” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.



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Fantasy Football: Manchester United and Manchester City to clean up this weekend

November 26th, 2009 Neil Jones


Crisis. That’s what the papers are saying. A team in crisis, a manager who is losing the plot. No, I’m not talking about Liverpool here. This is about the Baroque Social! A bad week for me in the Fantasy League, but a memorable one for most. Unless, of course, you happen to be a Wigan defender.

Tottenham’s 9-1 win over the Latics equalled the second-highest ever winning margin in the Premier League, as records tumbled in the rain at White Hart Lane. The win puts Harry Redknapp’s side in pole position in the race for fourth place, with Liverpool and Manchester City sharing the spoils in the dullest four-goal thriller on record.

Elsewhere, we had Arsenal imploding without Robin Van Persie – well, they lost one game – Chelsea and Manchester United rampant in home wins, and Portsmouth’s slightly unfortunate defeat to Stoke proving a defeat too far for their mysterious board, who sacked manager Paul Hart.

You can join the Football Media fantasy football league (and try your hand at beating Neil to the finish line) by signing up here.

The Men in Form

One place to start I guess, at White Hart Lane it was the Jermain Defoe show as the would-be England line-leader rattled in five second half goals – equalling the record set by Andy Cole in 1995 and Alan Shearer in 1999 – to rack up a preposterous 25 points for the week.

His team-mate, Aaron Lennon, was in similarly fine form. His trio of assists, plus a goal of his own, netted him 18 points, with even David Bentley (2 assists) contributing as Wigan were swotted aside.

It was also a good week for Hull City. Four points from six, six goals scored, and plenty of points flying round for the Tigers. Stephen Hunt, Jimmy Bullard, Kamil Zayatte and Andy Dawson all featured in the Dream Team for Gameweek 13. How many times will that happen this season?

The Men to Avoid

I guess it is too easy to criticise Wigan and their defence for the debacle at the Lane. The nature of the result, and the speed at which the goals arrived, suggest it was a freak result. A one-off. But still, the likes of Chris Kirkland, Emmerson Boyce and Titus Bramble are unlikely to be high on many shopping lists this week.

Nor should Everton’s defenders. Six goals conceded in the week, and some defending that would make Bramble and Boyce chuckle, David Moyes’ men are struggling at the moment. Languishing in 14th place, with Sylvain Distin, Lucas Neill and Joseph Yobo out of sorts, the Merseyside derby this weekend offers little comfort.

Bargain Hunt

Clint Dempsey (Fulham, £6.5m) – Ok, he costs more than some, but “Deuce” is fast becoming one of the most dangerous midfielders around. His all-action style may not be technically exquisite, but boy is it effective. He sits behind only Cesc Fabregas and Frank Lampard in the midfielder charts, and his side host beleaguered Bolton this week.

Lee Bowyer (Birmingham, £4.7m) – Remember when Lee Bowyer was good? Circa 2002, he was seen by some as the future of England. A snarling, dislikeable future. It never worked out, but at Birmingham, the veteran midfielder is showing signs of recapturing the form which made him so valuable at Leeds. Not a huge points getter, but capable of chipping in with goals semi-regularly, and plays every week.

David Ngog (Liverpool, £5.2m) – People laughed at this lad. How can he be a replacement for Fernando Torres, they asked? Silly people. The young Frenchman is in fine form deputising for Torres, and is one of Liverpool’s few bright spots this autumn. He will probably be benched once Torres returns, but in the meantime….

Premier League Fixtures

Blackburn v Stoke City
Fulham v Bolton
Man City v Hull City
Portsmouth v Man Utd
West Ham v Burnley
Wigan v Sunderland
Aston Villa v Tottenham
Wolves v Birmingham
Everton v Liverpool
Arsenal v Chelsea

Another week, another big clash. Arsenal/Chelsea will dominate the SKY adverts this weekend, and should be intriguing. Everton v Liverpool is a battle of two struggling sides, whilst Avram Grant’s first game as Pompey boss should be against Manchester United (just as it was when he took over Chelsea, spookily).

There is a black country derby as Birmingham travel to Wolves, a chance for Sunderland boss Steve Bruce to avenge former chairman (and rent-a-quote) Dave Whelan at Wigan, whilst Villa face Spurs in a battle of the pretenders at Villa Park.

My Team

The less said the better! Poor week, lit up only by Stoke’s clean sheet, and a penalty save from Thomas Sorensen. Poor transfers made by me, neither Ricky Carvalho nor Robbie Keane played, cost me dearly. My side picked up just 45 points this week. Bad stuff.

This week, I have turned to Manchester. Darren Fletcher and Emmanuel Adebayor come in for Michael Ballack and Keane. It is another gamble, but gambling gets you places if you do it right. So I’ve heard.

Football Media League

Two clear leaders at the moment – Messi’s Boca Juniors and Westfield Irons – who have a 30+ point lead over the chasing pack. Captain Defoe assisted Messi and co with 50 points, whilst the defence played its part with a minimum 8 points each. Lucky lucky lucky.

Honourable mentions should go to Rod Perez and his Rodney FC, not just for a great, simple, name, but for a 110 point gameweek, which propelled him into the top 50.

You can join the Football Media fantasy football league (and try your hand at beating Neil to the finish line) by signing up here.

“Fantasy Football: Manchester United and Manchester City to clean up this weekend” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.Share/Bookmark



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Fantasy Football: Injuries to Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United forcing changes

November 20th, 2009 Neil Jones


So the last international break of the noughties has been and gone, we know who will be lining up in South Africa next summer, and we know that Robin Van Persie’s ligaments will soon be enjoying the sweet, sweet smell of placenta fluid as he looks to regain the momentum lost in another meaningless friendly.

But, more importantly, the Fantasy League is back. Managers up and down the country have been anxiously pacing the floors of their homes, awaiting terrible news of their charges. It was not just Carlo Ancelotti who grimaced when word of Frank Lampard’s thigh strain reached England.

Gameweek 12 was nothing too special, we had Captain JT leading Chelsea to a controversial win over Manchester United, big John Carew slaloming his way through Bolton’s defence like a graceful giraffe, and another Arsenal masterclass at Wolves. The more things change….

You can join the Football Media fantasy football league (and try your hand at beating Neil to the finish line) by signing up here.

The Men in Form

It is getting tiresome to say so now, but if you don’t have Cesc Fabregas in your team, you really need to remedy that. The Spaniard is in majestic form for Arsenal, picking up another 13 points in their 4-1 win at Wolves last time out. His value has already risen by £1m since the start of the season, and it would appear that this figure is only going to rise further.

Meanwhile, England’s friendly with Brazil may not have had the excitement the name suggested, but there were lessons learnt. One was that Aston Villa’s James Milner is very much in contention for a place at next summer’s World Cup. The 23 year-old is tearing up the flanks at Villa Park, his goal and two assists against Bolton gave him 11 points – a figure which would have been even greater had he not fluffed a penalty in the second half (although Steve Sidwell is the man who should be embarrassed!).

Ok, and finally, a mention for Blackburn. Jason Roberts and Benni McCarthy may have only inconsistency in common, but both emerged from the Ewood Park bench last week to change the game against Portsmouth. Roberts netted twice and picked up a cool 12 points, not bad for 45 minutes’ work.

The Men to Avoid

Injuries are mounting around the Premier League, and some big names are slipping under. Among the biggest has to be Rio Ferdinand. The Manchester United defender has been ruled out for an indefinite period due to back and hamstring complaints, after a string of substandard performances. As a £6m plus defender, he should be off everyone’s radar until the spring at least.

Likewise Gael Clichy, although he should be expected back much sooner than Ferdinand. The Arsenal and France full back has sustained a stress fracture of his lower back, and is likely to miss at least a month. His Arsenal colleagues Nicklas Bendtner and Robin Van Persie are also set for lengthy absences.

At Chelsea, meanwhile, Frank Lampard, Jose Bosingwa and Ashley Cole are all facing at least four weeks out, with both Michael Ballack and Yuri Zhirkov also struggling. Picking a side this week is looking like a tough ask, for Ancelotti, and for you.

Bargain Hunt

Cameron Jerome (Birmingham, £4.4m) – Right, he might never hit another ball so sweetly again, but Jerome’s goal at Anfield last week was something special. The lanky frontman may lack consistency, the howitzer in the fog was his first of the season, but he is one of the cheapest strikers around, and with Garry O’Connor injured, Christian Benitez awful, and Kevin Phillips ancient, Jerome is likely to start plenty of games. A useful, money-saving, third choice striker if ever there was one.

Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa, £4.9m) – An England international for under £5m? That has to be worth a look. Warnock’s form since his August switch to Villa from Blackburn has been good enough to re-register him on Fabio Capello’s radar, and his crossing is improving Villa’s side. Both he and James Collins are available at knock-down prices, and both are useful punts.

Zavon Hines (West Ham, £4.5m) – You can tell Hines is going places at West Ham, his two late misses in their defeat to Everton were greeted not with derision, but disbelief by the Upton Park faithful. The pacy, diminutive winger-cum-striker is making a name for himself under Gianfranco Zola, and is very much a regular these days. Should not be banked upon, but certainly a worthy squad player for Fantasy gamers.

Premier League Fixtures

Liverpool v Man City
Birmingham v Fulham
Burnley v Aston Villa
Chelsea v Wolves
Hull City v West Ham
Sunderland v Arsenal
Man Utd v Everton
Bolton v Blackburn
Tottenham v Wigan
Stoke City v Portsmouth
Hull City v Everton
Fulham v Blackburn

Right, points of interest. Liverpool v Man City starts the weekend, the pretenders versus the vulnerable in the race for 4th place. Liverpool should have Steven Gerrard back fit but not Fernando Torres. Manchester United and new-dad Wayne Rooney face Everton, Wazza’s old club. Tottenham and Chelsea have winnable home games whilst Arsenal travel to Sunderland for a thorough examination minus Van Persie and co.

Furthermore, Hull, Everton, Fulham and Blackburn have two fixtures in this gameweek. Stick Jimmy Bullard, a Fulham defender or David Dunn in your side and hope for the best.

My Team

Another so-so week, lit up by Cesc and Van Persie as usual, with Milner making his move into my first choice. Let downs from Drogba and Rooney in their head to head, Drogba’s first game without a goal or assist by the way. Sorensen and Shawcross looked nailed on for a clean sheet at Hull until a second half collapse, and Gallas conceded a late goal to Wolves which drew more than a few expletives from my mouth.

This week I have been forced into 2 changes, ceding 4 points to my rivals. Van Persie’s injury is too long term to ignore, so in comes Spurs skipper Robbie Keane. The money saved allowed an upgrade in defence, so Ricardo Carvalho replaces Michael Turner. Hopefully Chelsea and Spurs will win those winnable home games.

Football Media League

Well, my sojourn at the league’s summit was a brief one. These newcomers are dangerous. Ray Wall’s Razors United remain top after a solid 63 point gameweek, but competition beyond him is fierce. Jon Reeson’s Westfield Irons, Pavenpal Bhullar’s Boca Juniors and Jon-Eggert Hallsson’s Handavinna are all lurking between the Baroque Social and a title push.

Kudos should also be given to the week’s top scorers (in the top 100 anyhow), George Bowles’ Jammy Donuts, who amassed 81 points. Jammy? Yes. Donuts? Not this week.

You can join the Football Media fantasy football league (and try your hand at beating Neil to the finish line) by signing up here.

The winners announcements have been delayed but they will be made (for the months of September, October and November) during the first week of December 2009.

“Fantasy Football: Injuries to Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United forcing changes” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.



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Fantasy Football: Its all about Arsenal and Manchester City this week

November 6th, 2009 Neil Jones


Eight red cards, thirty two goals and more talking points than a Peter Andre exclusive, Gameweek 11 had everything. Even by the implausibly high standards set in Fantasy Football, this week was a bit special.

Whether you winced as Shay Given batted away James McFadden’s penalty, rejoiced as Jamie Carragher finally got his comeuppance, or sat indifferently as Phil Brown’s tenure at Hull approached its conclusion, chances are you will have had an exciting last seven days in the world of Fantasy Football.

You can join the Football Media fantasy football league (and try your hand at beating Neil to the finish line) by signing up here.

The Men In Form

Claret and Blue was the colour of the week, with no fewer than five Burgundy boys making up the week’s top scoring team. Graham Alexander of Burnley was the week’s top point scorer with 21 points, the veteran Scot is enjoying his first taste of the Premier League at 37, and his two goals tightened the coffin lid on a hapless Phil Brown.

Portsmouth fans have had little to smile about this season, but things are looking up at the moment. Wigan were worryingly swotted aside 4-0 at a jubilant Fratton Park, with Aruna Dindane grabbing his first league goals with a neatly taken hat-trick, earning him 20 points in the process.

And let’s not forget the big boys too. Robin Van Persie is fast becoming the hottest left footer in the business, with two more goals for Arsenal in their 3-0 derby success over Robbie Keane’s “definitely on a par” Spurs side. Bacary Sagna and Cesc Fabregas also continue to shine, whilst Thomas Vermaelen is fast looking like £10 million well spent.

The Men To Avoid

He was once touted as the next big thing in English football, scoring goals with his head, showing off his incredible athleticism, swearing on TV, but Micah Richards has fallen away since bursting onto the scene in 2005. So much so that he can no longer consider himself first choice at Manchester City. Pablo Zabaleta was playing at right-back this weekend, and with Kolo Toure, Joleon Lescott and Vincent Kompany competing for central defensive berths, the feeling is creeping in that Richards may need to leave Eastlands if he is to maximise his undoubted potential.

Same goes for David Bentley at Tottenham. It seems only yesterday that many – including myself – were blindly tipping him for an England starting slot. How he has dropped away since. Against Arsenal, the ex-Blackburn man preened, pouted and strutted his way around the park, offering little by way of genuine threat, and generally irritating with his body language. He has just 3 Fantasy points this season, and when Aaron Lennon comes back, Harry Redknapp will have little hesitation in lancing that particular boil.

Bargain Hunt

Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal) – It wasn’t all good news for Arsene Wenger this week. Losing Gael Clichy to a stress fracture of his back for a month is not ideal, but the Frenchman’s replacement is. Kieran Gibbs is quick, smart and uses the ball well. At £4.5m, he also represents the bargain of the century in a swashbuckling Gunners side.

Matthew Etherington (Stoke) – Once upon a time, Matty Etherington and his Peterborough team-mate Simon Davies, were the most sought after property in England. Neither career has really reached the heights they once promised, but Etherington is enjoying a renaissance under Tony Pulis. A goal and an assist against Wolves last week earned him 13 points, and his £5.2m price tag is far from restrictive. Take a punt.

Jack Collison (West Ham) – This kid has talent. End of story. Two assists at Sunderland last week for the Welshman handed him 10 points for the week. His style is reminiscent of someone like Frank Lampard or Paul Scholes, a smart user of the ball, who gets around the pitch. £5.2m equals bargain for this youngster.

Premier League Fixtures

• Aston Villa v Bolton
• Blackburn v Portsmouth
• Man City v Burnley
• Tottenham v Sunderland
• Wolves v Arsenal
• Hull City v Stoke City
• West Ham v Everton
• Wigan v Fulham
• Chelsea v Man Utd
• Liverpool v Birmingham

Obviously the main one is Chelsea v United on Sunday, try to avoid too big a clash in your side for that one. Arsenal look to capitalise on that match with a win at Wolves in Saturday’s evening game, whilst Man City will look to end a run of draws with a home win over Burnley’s travel-sick side. Liverpool have to wait until Monday night to take on Birmingham, with an injury list longer than most people’s list of grievances with Rafa Benitez.

My Team

Well, I jinxed myself. A poor week of 67 points all things considered. Captain Cesc and super Robin Van Persie did me proud, and there were goals for Didier Drogba and Wayne Rooney to boot. But my Villa gamble failed, James’ Milner and Collins did nothing in their two games (Milner picked up an injury half-way through his first), and fellow newbies Michael Ballack and Jamie Carragher also didn’t help much.

This week, Carragher is gone. William Gallas of Arsenal is my choice to replace the suspended Scouser. I am considering another, costly, change to my lineup should Milner be ruled out. Gareth Barry is my choice to replace him, but I have faith in my team to bounce back.

FM League

As a result of my poor week, I have slipped down to 4th spot. Two of the first three spots, however, are taken by newcomers, with Ray Wall (Razors Utd) and Pavenpul Bhullar (Messi’s Boca Juniors) sneaking into the top of the league (latecomers, tsk!). Credit though must go to the excellent Jon Reeson and his Westfield Irons, who move into 2nd spot after a 101 point week – thank Alexander, Ashley Young, Lampard and Van Persie for that!

Myself, well I sit 24 points off the lead, but there is still so much to play for.

You can join the Football Media fantasy football league (and try your hand at beating Neil to the finish line) by signing up here.

“Fantasy Football: Its all about Arsenal and Manchester City this week” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.



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Fantasy Football: Pick Manchester United and Aston Villa players this week

October 30th, 2009 Neil Jones


It was a momentous week in the Premier League, as we saw Arsenal give further ammunition to those who claim they have a soft centre with a late collapse at West Ham, Nemanja Vidic pick up a third successive red card against Liverpool, Harry Redknapp beg Aaron Lennon not to leave him and Liam Ridgewell play his way into the Fantasy Premier League team of the week. Yes, people, Gameweek 10 had it all. Thrills, spills, and those sweet, sweet points.

You can join the Football Media fantasy football league (and try your hand at beating Neil to the finish line) by signing up here.

This week’s Fantasy Football column is brought to you by Soccerlens Babes, and this week’s lovely lady on the right is Asdis Ran, a rocking model and mother from Iceland. We love her, she loves us, it’s a match made in heaven. And we also interviewed her this week: Asdis Ran interview.

The Men in Form

It was a good week to be a Chelsea midfielder, that’s for sure. Blackburn’s squad may have had swine-flu on their mind when they travelled to Stamford Bridge, but Carlo Ancelotti’s diamond geezers still had to swot them aside. And swot them aside they did, with Frank Lampard (14 points), Michael Ballack and Michael Essien (both 11) making up an all-Chelsea midfield in the team of the week. Competition in this position will increase now Joe Cole and his fancy footwork has returned, but Chelsea’s engine room are driving the team forward at the moment.

So too, is Hugo Rodallega at Wigan. The Colombian is a talent and a half, according to South American expert Tim Vickery, and he is wowing the Premier League with his all-round game and inventive finishing. Two goals at Burnley made the Wigan man the week’s top striker, and his season tally of 54 puts him up at the top end of the game’s forwards.

The Men to Avoid

It was a strange week last week, in that my men to avoid actually didn’t do too badly. Nicola Kalinic, Croatian not Serbian of course, picked up a goal – albeit a penalty – in the Carling Cup, but his fellow “avoidee” Lucas Neill collected two assists for Everton at Bolton, and looks set to retain his place this week. But still I persist, and it is fair to say that my record this season is more right than wrong.

Ok so this week my first man to avoid is Javier Mascherano. Avoid him like he is steaming towards you with his studs up. Mascherano is a fine player, one of the best in his position, but at Fantasy level he is more of a hindrance than a help. His red card last week proves this. He will pick up more bookings than assists, and has scored just once in his three year Anfield career. Avoid.

Same goes for Nigel De Jong at Manchester City. Speak to any City midfielder – Gareth Barry for example – and they will sing the Dutchman’s praises. He gives us a platform to attack, they say. He never wastes the ball. Fine, but he also has just 11 points from 8 appearances this season, and has not really threatened to pick up any more. The unsung hero is all well and good, but not too unsung please.

Bargain Hunt

Jamie O’Hara (Portsmouth) – That’s the thing about struggling sides, you always wonder when they will hit form. Pompey have taken four points from their last six, and that is down to players like O’Hara (and my own favourite, Kevin Prince Boateng). The on-loan Spurs midfielder costs just £4.5m, and takes a mean set-piece with his left foot. Three bonus points at Hull last week hint at his potential.

Joe Hart (Birmingham) – The big goalkeepers are not the way forward. That is a fact. Pepe Reina, Edwin Van der Sar and Petr Cech may be the best keepers in the league, but their value is disproportionate. For a couple of million less, you can pick up a bargain like Birmingham’s Joe Hart (£4.1m). The young keeper cannot play this week, as he faces parent club Manchester City, but is very much first choice at St Andrews. Bargain.

Abdoulaye Faye (Stoke) – Stoke keep clean sheets more often than most mid-lower reach sides. And Abdoulaye Faye costs just £4.7m. You do the maths.

Premier League Fixtures

• Arsenal v Tottenham
• Bolton v Chelsea
• Burnley v Hull City
• Everton v Aston Villa
• Fulham v Liverpool
• Portsmouth v Wigan
• Stoke City v Wolves
• Sunderland v West Ham
• Man Utd v Blackburn
• Birmingham v Man City
• West Ham v Aston Villa

A couple of points worth noting. Blackburn take their swine-flu to Old Trafford, having shipped 11 goals at Chelsea and Arsenal. Get a United man in there. Liverpool’s resurgence can continue at Fulham, whilst there is a north London derby to start the weekend. Interestingly, Aston Villa and West Ham players feature twice this week, as the Claret and Blues face off in a re-arranged fixture next Wednesday. A Villain or two may be sensible.

My Team

It has happened. The wildcard has been played. As manager’s may blandly put it, “I just felt I needed to freshen things up”. Fitness doubts over Steven Gerrard played a part, he has gone and Frank Lampard has replaced him. In also come James Collins, James Milner, Jamie Carragher, James Dean, Jay Spearing and Jim Leighton (ok, not the last three). Dave Edwards and Liam Ridgewell make up my new-look squad.

Last week was a so-so week. Captain Didier Drogba picked up 18 points for me, whilst Robin Van Persie, Cesc Fabregas and Ryan Shawcross all made useful contributions, but by and large it was a week of missed chances.

Football Media League

But I am still top! Albeit by only four points from Jon Eggert Hallsson, but top nonetheless. There are new challengers emerging of course, with 67 point Westfield Irons – under manager Jon Reeson – and Mark White’s 82 point side, The White Oxen. In general though it was a moderate week for most, with 55-60 points the average score. With my reshuffled side set to take on the world this week, will I yield top spot? Or zoom away? I predict the latter. Of course.

You can join the Football Media fantasy football league (and try your hand at beating Neil to the finish line) by signing up here.

“Fantasy Football: Pick Manchester United and Aston Villa players this week” was originally published at Soccerlens.com – Football News.



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