Barn Door Team - Week 8 Revised

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.

Season Preview - Wigan Athletic

Quick Reminder, Real Life

Wigan avoided relegation last season, just barely, finishing in 16th thanks to some late season heroics by Charles N’Zogbia (now an Aston Villa player) in a dramatic come from behind victory against relegated West Ham. Aside from N'Zogbia and goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi, who had a breakout season and has proven to be a very reliable Premier League goalkeeper with a nice arsenal of quite acrobatic highlight reel saves to his name, there wasn't much joy around Wigan. Hugo Rodallega took a step back and didn’t improve on his breakout 2009-2010 season and the likes of Gomez and Moses didn't step up. All things considered, however, Wigan did just what they set out to do - survive. A small budget club where television viewers can often witness empty seats at the DW Stadium, Wigan were able to do just enough.

Quick Reminder, Fantasy

N’Zogbia was one of the best value plays in Premier League history last season (along with Blackpool’s Charlie Adam) but is now gone. Hugo Rodallega chipped in with just 9 goals but did manage 18 bonus points - a nice return. Ben Watson scored a few goals and picked up a few assists on set-piece duty proving to be a ‘poor man’s N’Zogbia’ from his midfield role, and Al-Habsi kept a few 7 clean sheets and managed the position well after Kirkland's disasterous start to the season.

Summer Changes

Premier League Round-up

Sunderland win at Celtic

Richardson broke the deadlock with a composed finish after 12 minutes following a dreadful slip from Darren O'Dea as Steve Bruce's side capitalised on their early pressure.

Jones , who had looked a persistent threat in his lone-striking role, doubled the Black Cats' lead in the 54th minute, converting a free header to score with ease...

Fraizer Campbell entered the fray for Sunderland at the expense of Jones in the second half, but no further drama followed as the flurry of substitutions gave the match a fragmented finish.

Richardson was a sprightly presence playing off Jones in what represented Bruce's new-look forward line, with Campbell set to provide stiff competition.

Looks like Bruce is going to go 4-5-1 on the road or against the bigger clubs.  And with Darren Bent likely to sign, I guess we can call and end to Frazier Campbell's fantasy relevance.  On the flip side, it looks like KRich is going to be a really nice mid-price option in midfield.

Redknapp admits defender concerns

"I don't see (Michael Dawson) or Woody being fit for the start of the season."

That leaves Spurs limited at the back with 20-year-old Dorian Dervite an option while Tom Huddlestone and Vedran Corluka can both provide temporary cover.

Moyes reveals Fellaini concern

"Fellaini has had an illness for most of the summer which has affected him," said Moyes. "He picked up a viral infection in the summer. It got into his blood, he lost a lot of weight and he wasn't a boy that could afford to lose any weight."

He added: "It's noticeable looking at him how thin he has become. It has definitely had an effect on his overall performance.

"It is going to take a little while I feel for him to get his full strength back. I don't think he is there yet.

Not that Fellaini is really on the radar for week one - one-gamer and hosting Arsenal at that - but if Fellaini continues to play in an advanced role behind a lone striker, he could be a (say it with me this time...) really nice mid-price option in midfield.

Hadjuk striker Kalinic signs for Blackburn Rovers
Di Santo makes Rovers loan move
Blackburn swoop for strike duo

Blackburn Rovers have signed strikers Nikola Kalinic from Hajduk Split and Franco Di Santo from Chelsea.

Croatia international Kalinic, 21, joins on a four-year contract pending a work permit for a fee that could rise to £12 million, Hajduk said on their website.  Kalinic hit 32 goals in 59 appearances for Hadjuk...

Argentine Di Santo, 20, arrives on loan until January although Rovers have an option to extend the deal until the end of the season. The 6'4" target man joined Chelsea from Chilean side Audax Italiano in 2008 and made 16 appearances for the first team last season, all as a substitute, scoring no goals.

Neither are likely to be starters at the kick off, but certainly two to keep an eye out for as the season progresses.

And not that anyone was looking at the following players, but in the interest of completeness:

Finnan injured in Pompey loss

Finnan was introduced for the second half but within 25 minutes he went off injured with what appeared to be a hamstring injury

Double blow as Blues crash

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish will wait on the fitness of Martin Taylor and Marcus Bent after his side`s 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

The pair suffered injuries in the second half of the game at the City Ground...

Taylor was the most concerning of the two as he left the field on a stretcher and with his right leg in a brace.

Striker Bent hobbled off in the second period having been on the pitch for just 15 minutes.