Fantasy Premier League Blog

Adding 'em up

It's a bit confusing, but while ESPNSoccernet is leading with the 8-2 scoreboard, ESPN Soccer has gone with the day's total score, and bigger picture.

I still prefer London 0 Hull 4.

What an incredible weekend. It started with a forward who scored one goal all of last season scoring a brace and ended with three of the more remarkable fantasy performances we are likely to see all season - one from a forward who himself only scored twice in the league last season (admittedly in limited opportunity over only 15 matches).

[NOTE: Yup, I'm still tweaking the format for this Monday/Matchweek Wrap-up column. If you have any suggestions, I'm happy to hear them. The content is the content but I'm trying to come up with a nice wrapper/theme to pull it all together]

The Barn Door Live: Week 3

Sorry, didn't realize that the match started a little earlier today

Blog Roundtable

It's been a while since we've had a good blog roundtable around these parts. Here's us trying to help each other through the perils that is Friday trading:

Jeremy Spitzberg: maybe it's the hurricane...
Jeremy Spitzberg: but I'm considering dropping Kun
Jeremy Spitzberg: for Torres
Jeremy Spitzberg: requires Obertan in midfield though
Jeremy Spitzberg: ddg brown rangel kelly (to be sold to upgrade...) obertan hoilett watson silva suarez torres rooney
Neal Thurman: very interesting
Jeremy Spitzberg: could go kelly to lichaj
Jeremy Spitzberg: and obertan to cabaye or rtay (love the kicks, hate the position)
Neal Thurman: not looking at Briggs?
Jeremy Spitzberg: briggs @nufc or lichaj home to wolves
Jeremy Spitzberg: still want hunt though :-(
Neal Thurman: if Lichaj plays - looked like there were two options
Jeremy Spitzberg: he played (and scored in the Cup)
Jeremy Spitzberg: he played (and scored) in the Cup
Jeremy Spitzberg: barkley?
Neal Thurman: I did like watching him last weekend
Jeremy Spitzberg: the league/game too stacked at fwd this year
Neal Thurman: agreed
Jeremy Spitzberg: ddg brown rangel lichaj rtay hoilett watson silva suarez torres rooney
Jeremy Spitzberg: hmmmm
Jeremy Spitzberg: friday trading ;-)
Neal Thurman: nice
Neal Thurman: do like the lichaj option
Jeremy Spitzberg: TUP
Neal Thurman: could use an upgrade from Moses who is 50/50
Jeremy Spitzberg: how much $ do you have to spend?
Neal Thurman: not sure yet - on a ConCall :-)
Jeremy Spitzberg: k
Jeremy Spitzberg: barkley, cabaye, rtay all in the same range ;-)
Jeremy Spitzberg: taarabt
Jeremy Spitzberg: one last chance for him?
Neal Thurman: meh
Neal Thurman: like all the others better
Jeremy Spitzberg: fair enough
Jeremy Spitzberg: never seen you come off a crush so quickly
Neal Thurman: even more so over time if Barton arrives to take kicks
Jeremy Spitzberg: right
Jeremy Spitzberg: but for this week...
Neal Thurman: Still very "meh" based on what I've seen - his kicks haven't been incisive and there hasn't been anyone who looked particularly dangerous on the other end of the ones that have been into the box rather than (theoretically) on net
Neal Thurman: at least with a guy like Adam you could see the quality even when it didn't go well on kicks
Neal Thurman: feels more like a Dorans situation than a Adam/Brunt situation to me
Neal Thurman: great Championship level player, not so much at the big time level
Jeremy Spitzberg: interesting comparison
Neal Thurman: different players (Dorans not nearly as athletic) but the stat lines were similarly impressive in the Championship with combinations of goals/assists
Jeremy Spitzberg: this year's gary macsheffrey
Neal Thurman: another solid analogy
Neal Thurman: nice to see Yahoo FINALLY getting on the bandwagon with ads to the right and left of the usable screen - perfect for fantasy game
Neal Thurman: ok, off my call - if I stick with Kun then I have a ton of money for a Moses replacement (12.5) - if I go Kun to Nando then I have 6.5 for the replacement in midfield
Jeremy Spitzberg: in what universe should one be ditching aguero?
Jeremy Spitzberg: just asking ;-)
Neal Thurman: lol - weren't you the one who just suggested it?
Jeremy Spitzberg: yeah, but I'm an idiot
Neal Thurman: Ha
Neal Thurman: well, that and the fact that Kun's price hasn't gone up THAT much
Jeremy Spitzberg: they 1.5 for the week "helped"
Neal Thurman: right
Neal Thurman: so the options are Barkley + Torres or Brunt/Hunt + Kun
Jeremy Spitzberg: if you go with Hunt and he goes off, i'm going to be super, doubly pissed
Jeremy Spitzberg: and will have to make changes to match you
Neal Thurman: and don't get me wrong - that could be a big part of the fun
Jeremy Spitzberg: hoilett/watson to barkely/hunt ;-)
Neal Thurman: just trying to figure out how I feel about Hunt on the road vs. a solid team (Villa) vs. Brunt at home vs. a solid team (Stoke)
Neal Thurman: hmm - bad mojo picking players who will be facing off against each other? (Hunt/Lichaj)
Jeremy Spitzberg: indeed
Jeremy Spitzberg: trying to remind myself that i can get hunt for next week
Neal Thurman: pulled the trigger on Hunt for now but am still very up in the air
Jeremy Spitzberg: home to spurs and qpr next for wolves
Jeremy Spitzberg: Chris Herd is favourite to replace Luke Young at right-back.
Neal Thurman: trying to decide if I want to keep MRichards at a discount for next match (home to Wigan)
Jeremy Spitzberg: accding to yahoo
Jeremy Spitzberg: grrr
Neal Thurman: so that means that Lichaj is almost a lock ;-)
Jeremy Spitzberg: who the hell is chris herd?
Neal Thurman: the one I mentioned in Injuries and Suspensions as the likely competition for Lichaj for the RB spot at Villa ;-)
Jeremy Spitzberg: both started in midweek
Neal Thurman: Warnock rested?
Jeremy Spitzberg: not even on the bench
Neal Thurman: or did one play further up the field (likely to be replaced by Gabby/Albrighton)
Jeremy Spitzberg: herd replaced by beye on 87
Jeremy Spitzberg: lichaj on the left, maybe?
Neal Thurman: perhaps
Jeremy Spitzberg: herd not in the system
Jeremy Spitzberg: damn
Neal Thurman: still, a solid enabler
Jeremy Spitzberg: do i go briggs even though i have rtay?
Neal Thurman: but might go to Briggs just to be sure
Jeremy Spitzberg: wilson for stoke?
Jeremy Spitzberg: but don't like @wba
Neal Thurman: I'm not going to
Neal Thurman: excited for Boyata to Bolton (not for this week but eventually)
Neal Thurman: Barton to QPR official
Jeremy Spitzberg: i guess briggs doesn't need the CS to return value
Neal Thurman: RSC to Real Betis likely
Jeremy Spitzberg: got both left backs in that match :-(
Neal Thurman: could be worse - that match could easily be a 0-0 draw
Jeremy Spitzberg: except rtay listed as a middie
Neal Thurman: NUFC ugly in attack and Fulham always that way on the road
Jeremy Spitzberg: so no joy there
Neal Thurman: well, except that you'd get value on Briggs
Jeremy Spitzberg: damn friday trading!
Neal Thurman: :-)
Neal Thurman: always fun
Neal Thurman: my biggest regret is that I'm not doing the obvious thing and going in on Torres
Jeremy Spitzberg: b/c he was worse than agureo
Jeremy Spitzberg: kun
Jeremy Spitzberg: easier to type
Neal Thurman: Kun away to a good team; Torres home to a bad one - should be an easy choice but I just don't believe in Torres
Jeremy Spitzberg: 'for good reason
Neal Thurman: true dat - just going to be embarrassing if/when he goes off
Jeremy Spitzberg: yeah...
Jeremy Spitzberg: but which one? ;-)
Jeremy Spitzberg: either or both
Neal Thurman: heh
Neal Thurman: which is why I'm sticking with the one I got
Neal Thurman: plus, he's home to someone bad next
Jeremy Spitzberg: can Mata pull an Aguero this week?
Neal Thurman: seems unlikely
Neal Thurman: don't think he's THAT good
Jeremy Spitzberg: and Sturridge comes into play next week
Jeremy Spitzberg: this would all make a good chat post ;-)
Neal Thurman: it would - haven't had one of those in a while
Jeremy Spitzberg: something for this afternoon
Neal Thurman: ok - headed out for a few - back in a bit
Jeremy Spitzberg: k. i'll be out till afternoon
Neal Thurman: enjoy
Jeremy Spitzberg: brewery tour, so yes
Neal Thurman: sweet

NCNB: Funny Feeling Friday: Yayga

Hugo Rodallega to put QPR under pressure | Never Captain Nicky Butt

Never Manage Alone partner Never Captain Nicky Butt is at it again. He has chosen Huge Rodallega as his Funny Feeling Friday pick. See his reasoning behind the link above.

Injuries and Suspensions: Week 3

Premier League team news - ESPN Soccernet:

There are a fair number of interesting line-up machinations related to injuries, suspensions, and transfers. For all of the fantasy implications for this weekend, here is everything you need to know:

Villas-Boas set to delay Mata debut - Yahoo! Eurosport

Manager Andre Villas-Boas has warned Chelsea fans they may have to wait until after the international break to see Juan Mata in action for the club.

Wednesday night saw the Blues complete the signing of World Cup winner Mata, who is expected to add some much-needed creativity to their midfield.

Villas-Boas has revealed the 23-year-old, for whom Chelsea reportedly paid Valencia around £24million, is unlikely to start their Barclays Premier League game against Norwich, although he could well be on the bench.

"This league is very, very specific in terms of intensity, emotionally and culturally," Villas-Boas said. "It doesn't mean he's not threatening the starting XI, but two training sessions is short for a player creating new relationships with the players.

"Friday is a decisive day in terms of the strategic part of our game, so that's when we'll decide."

Juan Mata
Chelsea
Forward
6.56

The Week Ahead: Part 2 - Player Recommendations

As we get a few weeks into the season, you may have noticed a few changes to the Yahoo game upon which this blog was founded. The most obvious are the visual and usability tweaks that have improved the experience of searching for players and changing your team around. I applaud Yahoo for the changes they made but don't want to leave it at that. There are also additional, behind-the-scenes, changes that it would probably be good for you to know about. Since we know some people at Yahoo, we're here to help.

#1 - Points Up Faster: At the beginning of each new season it has been my impression that the Yahoo game got points up (and prices adjusted) pretty fast for the first few weeks. However, like buying a new computer, the improved performance was generally a temporary thing that eroded over the course of the season. A person who knows about these things tells me that the change is the real thing this time around. Why do you care? It will mean that you know how you did faster which is always nice. It will also mean that the Barn Door will close faster all season. For those of you unable to sit in front of a computer during matches and make changes as you find out the results, you'll be well served to at least take some pre-Barn Door risks on players you think you may want for the next week before heading off to whatever other obligations come before your fantasy team (as hard as it is to imagine that such things exist).

#2 - Players In Faster: Another by-product of the improved performance of the database/fantasy game interaction is an improvement in the speed of players being added to the system. As of this writing on Thursday, Mata is not yet in (he signed officially late yesterday/early today) but Nasri is officially listed as a City player. For those of us who have suffered through silly circumstances like Sessegnon not ever being listed last season or missing out on players like Kolarov for the first match of last season because they weren't added in a timely fashion. This will answer a long-standing gripe. For those new to the game, it will function as you'd probably expect and you'll be spared this particularly painful form of digital torture.

#3 - Pricing Changes - I'm not sure whether to be impressed (by the insight) or depressed (by the amount of time spent thinking about it when the world has real problems to solve) but fantasy players have gotten pretty smart about figuring out how prices will adjust, especially for players new to the league/game. The key finding in this was the "7 match rule" that saw new players increase dramatically in price after their 7th match played. Before the 7th match, their prices tended to stay inappropriately low and afterward, it tended to go overly high if the player had had even a few solid performances. In recognition of this and a general trend toward wild swings in pricing, Yahoo has adjusted the way prices are calculated. According to our sources, the "7 match rule" no longer exists and price changes should be a little less extreme for all players than in years past.

We tend to be harsh on Yahoo when we feel they aren't getting things right so we want to make sure that we're equally quick to praise them when they get things right and the changes made over this past summer fall firmly into the latter category. Thanks to all involved in making that happen at Yahoo and also for listening when we have suggestions for improvements.

OK, on to the player recommendations...

A run-through of the news from ESPNSoccernet. More as it becomes available.

Cech set to return for Man Utd clash
The article isn't quite as definitive as the headline, but Cech is quoted as saying that, ""The rehabilitation is going according to plan," Cech told his personal website. "I don't want to jinx anything but it seems that I should be ready to return to action inside the original timescale" which could have him available for United on Sept 18. That would meant that Hilario will likely start just this weekend's game against Norwich and the trip to Sunderland after the international break.

Meireles injury blow for Reds
Suarez started the match and played an hour. Hopefully we'll see more of the same from him - goal and two assists - against Bolton at the weekend.

Alcararez blow for Wigan
Seemingly Stam will start at right back with Boyce coming inside to partner Caldwell. It may not matter against QPR, but Wigan will need all the help they can get when the schedule toughens up - Manchester City, Everton and Spurs are coming up after QPR.

Ebanks-Blake blow for Wolves
Just FYI.

Wilshere sidelined with ankle injury
Another month out for Wilshere and Arsenal can ill afford a prolonged absence from their team's new hub. They'll be missing Wilshere, Song, and Gervinho against Manchester United and still have questions over Koscielny and Gibbs.

Y!AM: Week 3 - Player Picks and Update

Yahoo! Fantasy Football Blog - Your Assistant Manager: Week 3 - Player Picks:

The weekly player picks column from Never Manage Alone partner the Yahoo! Assistant Manager. He hasn't started out the season in the greatest of form [who has? - Jeremy] but his pick column always provides some wisdom.

The Week Ahead: Part 1 - The Schedule

Talk about your all-time sigh-of-relief moment. I can't say I'm entirely out of the woods in my nervousness related to Arsenal and their direction. That said, the fact that they, you know, scored a couple goals and didn't have any players thrown out of the match was a nice step forward. Winning on the road in the Champions League, even the qualifying stages, isn't easy and the fact that it came after both Nasri and Cesc were gone provides some nice closure. That new addition Gervinho was integral to the critical goal was yet another positive sign that not EVERYTHING is going in the wrong direction. Gervinho looked good and the combination of he and Walcott will clearly cause problems for their opposition based on speed on both sides of the field. If one or both gets more comfortable with their end product then that's even better.

You can imagine a very strong Starting XI that includes Jack Wilshere replacing Frimpong/Rosicky. The issue continues to be depth. Targets for Arsenal in the transfer window can now be reassured that they will be moving to a team in the Champions League group stage. Will that be enough to get a big name like Eden Hazard? Hard to say. Regardless, it will be critical to find some cover at CB and CM. It might not be a bad idea to find another left back and another forward unless Bendtner will indeed be sticking around.

Only with some critical fortifications can Wenger and Arsenal ensure that their supporters don't go immediately from worrying about THIS YEAR'S Champions League to worrying about NEXT YEAR'S Champions League where Liverpool and Spurs will give them a run for their money even with the acquisitions suggested above.

Zombies Calientes del Getafe

Ever since last January's transfer window, my fantasy team name has been "A Scotsman Named McTavish" after a brilliant quote from Ian Holloway.

"If Charlie Adam’s worth 4 million then I’m a Scotsman called McTavish"

But I've found my inspiration for a change. Feast your eyes - and try to wrap your brain around - this promotional video from Spanish side Getafe. The premise is that they are a poorly supported team so the only way to get more fans in to have their current ones donate sperm. And to encourage said donations they've concocted some soccer/sci-fi porno, "Zombies Calientes del Getafe". This is not safe for work, nor is it suitable for anyone under the age of 18 without explicit parental consent. That being said... enjoy, "Zombies Calientes del Getafe".

Barn Door Team - Week 3

Another disappointing week in week 2 has me scrambling for answers. I'm trying to follow The Rules and Mo's Rules and it's not happening for me. Looking at the team I have "on paper" for week three and I'm less than thrilled.

Rooney came in, but as well as he's doing he's going to have to keep producing at that level to be worth 20. Would it be worth gambling with a cheaper option? There are equally hot players like Long and Klasnic, as well as gambles with high upside like Torres.

In midfield it's all well and good but pehaps a little safe. Yes, Cabaye is doing fine and he is home to Fulham. But is he going to get the goal or score a ton of fantasy points? I guess he could. But would it suit me more to field Sessegnon or Cahill who are more out-right attackers?

In defence, I like the idea of Bosingwa again but he's just a touch expensive. I wonder if I should just keep Richards for a little less. I'd be happy enough with Brown - why did all of you gamble on him in a derby match? - but I'd be just as happy to get someone else.

So... all very wishy-washy. But that's what a barn door team is -- a canvas. A wet lump of clay to be molded over the course of the week.

How is your clay shaping up?

UPDATE: Rooney/Cabaye/Bosingwa to Long/Malouda/Kelly? Or will Barton's possible move to QPR enhance Cabaye's value enough to make him work keeping?

What Did We Learn: Week 2

Still one match left to go and we still haven't seen Spurs play. That aside, here are some observations from a weekend where I got to watch a pretty serious amount of footie. Here we go...

One Shot. One Goal. One Loss.

... or the "Sigil" (Shot. Goal. Loss), as it's known.

Tim Howard shows you how it's done:

A classic example. The platonic ideal, even.

The Barn Door Live: Week 2

A big weekend for Arsenal as they look to prove that their season is not lost even before it begins. Despite all the drama they're two clean sheets in to the season after an away match and a Champions League qualifier against Italy's most prolific forward.

Nasri Selection for ARS Tomorrow?

Samir could be selected - Wenger | News

An interesting wrinkle that is being reported pretty widely at this point has Samir Nasri participating in a final match at the Emirates tomorrow against Liverpool before heading off to Eastlands for obscene amounts of money. If true, it would likely mean the following alignment for Arsenal tomorrow:

Szczesny

Sagna, Verm, Kos, Jenkinson

Frimpong, Ramsey, Nasri

Arshavin, RvP, Walcott

Honestly, not as hideously bad as it would look if there were yet another youngster (Lansbury or Ryo) in midfield. With Liverpool not exactly blazing with speed down the wings (or anywhere really) Jenkinson has a solid chance even if he's playing out of position. The key will be Frimpong and whether he can handle wave after wave of skilled Liverpool central midfielders without picking up one or more early cards.

Should be an interesting match and we'll look forward to sharing it with you with a Live Chat during the match.

NCNB: Funny Feeling Friday: Gabby Agbonlahor

For fans of gut instincts everywhere, here's the inimitable NeverCaptainNickyButt with his Funny Feeling Friday post.

Agbonlahor to score against Blackburn | Never Captain Nicky Butt: Our Funny Feeling Friday this weekend is Aston Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor. Last week, we went with another cheaply priced forward – Andy Johnson at Fulham – and the 5.5M rated forward did not disappoint. Though he was only owned by 2% of fantasy players, and Fulham failed to score, Johnson was rated the best attacking player on the pitch – from either team – and finished the match with all 3 bonus points, and a respectable gameweek score of 5. We’ll take that…

Y!AM: Week 2 - Player Picks and Update

From Never Manage Alone co-conspirator the Yahoo! Assistant Manager.

Yahoo! Fantasy Football Blog - Your Assistant Manager: Week 2 - Player Picks: The dust has settled on Week 1, we've accepted that most of us did pretty poorly, but it's a new week and it's time for blog readers around the globe to put their disappointment behind them and start the march back towards the Top 50/Top 500/Top 1000 or whatever personal target they've set themselves for this season.

Plus an update

NCNB: Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 1 Preview | Never Captain Nicky Butt

From our resident expert on the official Premier League fantasy game:

Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 1 Preview | Never Captain Nicky Butt: Bolton and Manchester City sit at the top of the Premier League table and are set to face-off in Gameweek 2, but we’re here not just to talk Aguero or Gary Cahill but more importantly to preview I) the best match from a neutral’s perspective II) the most fantasy friendly game III) Studs and Duds across the entire league and IV) A predicted best eleven. Let’s do it. Week 2.