Monday Morning Manager

Another week, and try as he may, the Manager keeps slipping down the rankings. Like a lot of Mangers, he bet on Arsenal and for the first hour it looked like the blog had really oversold the matchup. He was as glum as Wenger looks to the left. But three goals later we all felt a little better about ourselves. Though not as good as those of us who were able (willing) to swing Henry and Lampard. Kudos.

Same for Reading/Manchester United. No Saha. Rooney still struggling. And Ronaldo continuing to put his shots into the stands until his late goal salvaged the tie and the Manager's fantasy weekend.

One further thought on Sheffield United... Chris Armstrong is listed as a defender. Just saying.

Newcastle looked impressive against Everton even without Damien Duff (Duff Duff Duff!) until the ball reached their strikers. Martins is a graveyard of good chances. And Ameobi needed a linesman's dispensation to score. Milner getting some games, but nowhere near the fantasy force he was for Villa last year. And Emre should be getting tons of points, but stupid fouls and bad deliveries from set pieces (not the mention the black hole at striker) are holding him back.

Everton line up a defensive wall.For their part, Everton did not look comfortable in defence. Do they need one from Stubbs or Weir to organize the D, despite the fact that the two of them are mobile as Easter Island statues? And now Hibbert is banned and Naysmith is injured. Valente and Neville to the rescue? The winner in that scenario may be Beattie if Neville's moving back forces Moyes to go to 4-4-2. I don't understand why he didn't bring on Beattie v NUFC. I know he was on the road, but with 10 v 10 and NUFC's defence as shaky as his own, that game was there to be won. Beattie's presence could have unsettled NUFC and made more space for Johnson to run into. As it was AJ was forced wide and out of danger. Could Beattie have been worse than Osman? Two or three break-aways squandered. Shooting practice for all of Everton, and please drill into their heads the virtue of the quick pass.

Angel continues to be Angel. Price not-with-standing. He even had an assist at the weekend! That's like real points! But the only other thing he did all game was illegally back into his marker 4 times cutting his fantasy point tally in half. The Manager knows he's a stiff, but couldn't pass up the chance on a lead-the-line striker who was at home to a shaky Charlton side and was CHEAPER THAN A CRAP DEFENDER. Now that "hope over experience" spot will go to Jason Euell who is cheaper than Angel. And yes, the Manager knows why. But @SHE, it's worth thinking about.

Until he comes to his senses,
The Manager

PS. A big fantasy "Screw you!" to Rafa "A player can't play three games in a week" Benitez for starting Kuyt who made it two goals in two games.