The Manager wonders why Bolton gets no respect? They are not flashy and have a reputation as a very physical team over-reliant on set-pieces for their offense. But when the mood strikes they can play some neat soccer (football). But defense does come first for them and they are very hard to beat. They have a good keeper, a deep and experienced back-line with Campo and Speed protecting them from the midfieldYet week after week, fantasy managers pick against them. Last week it was Pedersen. This week there were teams featuring more than one ManCiteh player. There will be few points in these games, and they will be spread around. So don't look to take advantage of the team playing Bolton because it is not a favorable fantasy match-up.
While picking against Bolton is not the best idea, picking against Chelsea is the kiss of death. Credit to Danny Murphy for coming out of the game with almost 10pts, but Chelsea just shut down opponents. 6 wins. 6 clean sheets. Let's just hope that del Horno recovers quickly as he's the only affordable Chelsea defender. Though Michael Essien is cheap and is putting in great performances in the midfield. He appears to be the real deal, box to box middie that he was billed as. And he's going to be great for Chelsea as he seemingly can play in place of Gudjohnsen, Makelele, or one day, even for Frank Lampard. Once Lampard breaks David James' consecutive games streak that is.
In the last few weeks it was Chelsea's subs doing the damage. Duff. Drogba. On Saturday it was the starters. Crespo - it was hinted that he would start - and he did, scoring the game winning goal in the process. And Arjen Robben - probably the most exciting player in the EPL, with Henry in the treatment room, seemingly fully fit after his own injury problems.Looking ahead to next week, Aston Villa are next to run up against the Chelsea buzz saw (or is it a brick wall?). Villa were one of the winners in the last minute transfer sweepstakes, bringing in Baros and Bouma, and getting Milner on loan from Newcastle. Baros and Milner have paid immediate dividends for their club and for fantasy owners. Both have been lively and gotten points for goals and all the various and sundry (and sometimes "hidden") categories. Though Baros needs to be more accurate in front of goal (squandered 2 good chances over the weekend) he is playing with his head up and bringing others into the game - something he never did at Liverpool. Bouma hasn't settled in to the flow of the EPL yet, though he's more accustomed to playing in the middle of the defense rather than as a left full back. How long will DO'L keep faith with Liam Ridgewell to partner Olof Melberg?
Charlton's fortunes should improve as they play at struggling West Brom. After the Chelsea game, Charlton players are a bit more reasonable. You could do worse than have an Addick at every level... Bent, Murphy, Powell, and Andersen. Rommedahl has been playing well too. In WBA's favor, they got the goal from Zoltan Gera as predicted by Mr. Thurman. And Kirkland was able to get decent points in the tie with Sunderland.
Tomorrow sees Arsenal trying to recover build some momentum home to Everton. After losing to Middlesbrough and barely getting by pub team FC Thun, Arsenal are short on belief. Beating Everton by a few goals would do their attitude a world of good. Everton have lost big to the Arsenal in the past and will be hoping to avoid the hangover that have afflicted so many teams when they are new to European competition, like Middlesbrough last year. A lot will depend on whether or not Arsene Wegner has figured out how to get through a five-man midfield who will try to get on Arsenal and deny them time and space. Here's a thought... keep your wide players wide and keep at least one forward on the last defender. Make Everton defend the width and depth of the field rather than having all of your attacking options collapse around the middle third of the pitch.
Until next Monday.
The Manager
Congrats to Neal for finally getting some credit. the only question is now how are we supposed to break into the top 50 with everyone getting out data.
ReplyDeleteJ