Analysis: Ba to NUFC

While Jeremy is our resident NUFC supporter, he is out of pocket this week so I'm going to take over with my thoughts on the transfer of Demba Ba from WHU to St. James' Park.  Taken as a move by itself, there is little to do other than like it a lot.  NUFC is desperate for strikers and Ba was very effective over the second half of last season at Upton Park.  If he can stay healthy, I don't have any trouble seeing him match the goal total of the man he is, in essence, replacing - Andy Carroll. 

What could go wrong with this move? A couple of things:

Barn Door Team

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?

Friday Trading

In my infinite capacity to mess with a good thing, and in clear violation of the fantasy rules, I've made the following trades today:

• Howard to Carson. I don't trust any of the cheaper keepers, but West Brom is coming off a six-match unbeaten streak. They are on the road against a Sunderland team in dire form and may see this match as their last chance for points for a while with Chelsea and @Spurs next on the schedule.
• Walker to Heitinga.  I may regret selling Walker as he is such a good attacking fullback.  But he hasn't been bringing in the fantasy points recently and I don't trust the Villa defence to keep it clean against anyone.  Heitinga should play in Everton's midfield against a limited, but dangerous Wolves side.  In the end, this one came down to price.
• Valencia to Hitzlsperger.  Like the above trade I can argue for the rules here. Hitz was playing well and taking kicks for West Ham before the poor showing against Manchester United.  Valencia has been rumoured to be getting some sort of a rest against Fulham, which is enough to make me nervous.  But in the end, this move also came down to price as I needed the money for...
• Osman to Fabregas.  Osman has been playing well for me but the siren song of Arsenal @Blackpool, coupled with their double match week next week was enough to lure me over to Fabregas.  Wenger says he will start against the Tangerines, and hopefully he can put on a show on the seaside.

Any last minute trades for you?

Barn Door Team

The international break has thrown me for a bit of a loop, especially on the heels of the FA Cup break we just had. So I'm having a tough time getting back into the swing of of EPL things. But we have to start somewhere, right? And what better place than with the team I assembled on the barn door last weekend (two weeks ago!).

Part of me says, stop right there.  Don't look again.  Don't, whatever the inclination, Friday trade!  But let's be honest... that's inevitable.  Stupid, but inevitable.  Looking at the team, what jumps out at me is:

• Two Hammers facing Manchester United.  Yes, WHU are playing better and ManU struggle a bit on the road.  But do I really want both Ba and Hitzlsperger?  They're both at cost so they could be moved out for the weekend and brought back for the upcoming games against Bolton and Aston Villa without penalty.
• Osman.  What to do with Osman?  He was a GREAT pickup over Everton's recent double-game week and was ok last game week against Fulham.  Everton have a good run of fixtures upcoming and it might be worth keeping him.  But it sure isn't a sexy pick.
• There are injury doubts over van Persie (could be back), Walker (should be back), and Adam (expected to be back).  Obviously all signs are good at this point, but the uncertainty is starting to make me nervous.

Clearly there is much to discuss over the next two days, but that's where I am right now.  You?

Hammers Sign Hitzlsperger

London Bridges falling down, falling down...


HAMMERS SNAP UP HITZLSPERGER

West Ham have announced the signing of Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger on a three-year deal.

The 28-year-old will join the club on a free transfer on July 1 following the expiry of his contract at Italian side Lazio.

Hitzlsperger becomes the first new arrival at Upton Park this summer as the club bid to rebuild after narrowly avoiding relegation last term.

Changes are afoot at the Hammers with Avram Grant due to be installed as manager later this month subject to a work permit, and West Ham co-owner David Sullivan expressed his satisfaction with the direction the club is taking.

Hitzlsperger was always a decent fantasy bet in his time with Aston Villa. He got his share of set pieces and had a, um, hammer for a left foot. He was Huddlestone before Huddlestone was Huddlestone.

It will be interesting to watch West Ham this off-season. Getting Grant was an excellent move, and Hitz should add more steel (or at least depth behind Parker) to the midfield.