Knew it!!

Plus also knew he was Master of knowledge that's why I was nervous about arguing with him (and you) about Arshavin - guess we'll see who is right eventually

......and I'm hoping that considering we've both shipped out Bale this week, yet in the knowledge he was due a goal/meaningful contribution to a game soon, that he got it out of his system this evening!!

Just for the record, I never said I thought Ironfist should keep Arshavin. I just said I'm not sure NOW is the right time to get rid of him (and I used kind of wishy-washy language at that). As my 5AS teammate, I sometimes feel I need to talk him down from those transfer hits (although I don't think it actually affects 5AS and it looks like we're on an off-week anyway). But I don't have him and don't have any plans to get him any time soon.

On the other hand, he's looked better than his scores might indicate and I alway enjoy watching that socially-awkward little Russian play this game.

As for the stats stuff, one of the reasons I "put it out there" is so that if I'm wrong, someone can challenge me on it and I can figure out where I made a mistake so that it doesn't influence my decision some where along the line.

and during the day you're a politician

Anyway, need you two to check out Dull Maths shortly as would like you to join the challenge I'm about to set!!

Regarding Bale/replacement... I certainly hope VDV will prove useful against the AVL defence which lacks a bit of backbone lately, while Bale remains restricted to the back... well, now that I haven't got him.

I think Bale played midfield today with Assou-Ekotto back in the line-up. But he's still making crosses like he's a left back. I would really like to see him come central jsut a bit more to give his crosses a little more accuracy. And VdV did you a favor with his relatively early red card. He'll now be more rested for the weekend.

It will be interesting to see if Bale & VdV can begin to hook-up on a regular basis. Could be worth a lot of points.

In between these two I think that VDV has become a better option.
While Bale at times will get to assist and even a more rare goal - contributing in general to the team's success, VDV will take the free kicks and play in general more forward than Bale - getting more FPL points. In fact, I think that VDV is/was behind Spurs inspired performance against Twente, even if just in spirit and getting things started.
What worries me with regards to timing is that he (VDV) plays for Holland NT and the International games could result in injury. But he's a resilient chap and hopefully will repay for my trust.

And Bale plays for Wales.........

That's true, though in my mind, this is not prceived as an injury threat... besides, more chances Wales will be out of the competition sooner than Holland.

Personally If you want my opinion.


If you look at the last three fixtures where they both feature in the same setup.


VDV has the pest point haul for this reason alone VDV is the better option

Thank you VDV for cooperating 15pts & 0.2m in value in 3 days.

Now that Alex has been red-flagged I am even more tempted to take an 8 point hit against my better judgement and do;

Alex Al-Mohamdy / Huth
and
Arhsavin Fabregas

Your team is doing really well without the need for Fabregas IMO.

The question is whether I'm doing well because I AM making these kind of (rash?) decisions or not?
I need some more information and real related data on this matter... hrumph...

If you are sure you will recoup the 8 points from Fabs and Elmo/ Huth then do it!

Isn't that a 4 pt hit? Must be alMo of the two. Seems ok for a 4pt hit, excesive if indeed 8pt.

It would indeed and unfortunately be an 8pt hit as I already did Konchesky Alcaraz a few days ago.
I am not totally averse to taking 8p hits, have done a few last season which were quite alright (finished in a good spot eventually). Just have to make sure these 8pt hits are worth it. Am not convinced yet, hence the discussion.

Still stuck with choosing a cheap alternative for Alex... these are my alternatives;

Al-Muhamady (SU 4.7) / Coleman (EV 4.4) / Z.Knight (BW 4.5) / Williamson (NU 4.4)

I will make the swap tonight, PLEASE advise which one...?

With Everton having a fair few players out for significant periods; Felliani, Pienaar & Rodwell; I'd have to go for Coleman. If you feel Moyes is still unsure of the kid*, Zat Knight is the next best choice.
*read as: incompetent

Why do you want to get rid of Alex anyhow? Ancellotti favours Boswinga at fullback, and Alex is still preferred over Ivan alongside Terry. Ferreira poses no threat.

Are you sure (x2).

Elmo easily best pick - he's come through very tricky games well and now has a good run to take advantage. I assume his place is safe - correct me if I'm wrong.

I agree with you orr regarding Alex - i think he is first choice as well. He may or may not miss next week's match but I think you should keep him.

If you have to change, I would pick Al-Muhamady but I would wait until after his match - if something happens to him, it is a wasted transfer and that is much worse than losing out on price imo.

Hancockjr and orr = my hunch on alex is based on last year when he preferred ivanovic to boswinga when both fit and the fact that that the manager has used alex and terry as first choice cbs since pre-season. i haven't seen or heard anything different to this.

Edit: I see you have you transfer already - unnecessary risk imo.

My wife complained I play too much, so my normal itchy trigger finger acted out and I brought Elmo in... ...though now I have enough money to bring Fabregas in.

This has and still is, an awful week.

Crocodile tears Ironfist when your Captain's still to play,which very few others can say !

My Captain is "tired and disillusioned" with football - great expectations I have for him, and the total of my points so far is about half of most people... this is definitely a RedArrows week!
It's my party and I'll cry if I want to... ... ...

Well, Tevez came through big time for me so I'm reasonably happy with him.

This is my current team for GW9:



Since I have 2.4m in the bank and I'm unhappy with Arshavin and to lesser degrees with Albrighton (and Foley, Carroll and even Carson...),... I'm considering a few other options;

1. Arshavin Fabregas {0.2m in the bank}

2. Arshavin & Albrighton {16.5m}
__ (any two of) - Walcott/Nasri/Cahill/Arteta/Downing/N'Zogbia
__ If I go for two of the cheaper options like Nasri & N'Zog, I can later upgrade Carroll to Bent.
__ Mostly though, I like this option Arshavin & Albrighton Arteta & Nasri. However, I am worried about Nasri's playing time once (and if) Fabregas is back.

What do you gents think?

Forget it this week - your 4 point hits will cost you in the end. Fab is close to "must have" after this week, but is against second best defence in league this week, so stick with what you have and do it next week.

With 2.4m in the bank, I'm waiting to see if Fab survives the clash with City. If he does' I'll probably bring him in for Arshavin which will leave me with 0.2m in the bank.

Also contemplating doing;
Samba Coleman
or
Foley Jara
or
Carroll Varney (to enable a later Albrighton Burnt/N'Zog/somesuch)

Wha'da'ya think?

As usual - forget it. The point hits would not pay off, just do the one transfer and be done with it.

You obviously put a lot of effort into this; one thing you should do is go back and evaluate all your suggestions and see what themes emerge - I'd guess taking points hits where you have suficient players playing, unless it is to get a captain in, lose you points in the long run. Maybe not, but either way I'd be interested.

Hmm... thank you Sir. I know you have a point there and a very valid one indeed.
While I still wish to see Fabregas in my team, his role in the team, performance and being targeted by every mean/wicked/brutal holding midfielder makes him a dubious choice. That on top of Nasri's superb form, the difference in price between them and more.

If I do the gentle Arhsavin Fabregas swap I'll get more points per player and I hazard a guess that also better VFM. H-o-w-e-v-e-r... I'd love to do at least a double transfer and bring at least one Everton player in. Thus
Arshavin Nasri & Albrighton Arteta.
If I do that, than my Midfield will have 5 very capable players {Nasri, Arteta, Nani, Malouda, VdV}, which means I'll start playing with a 3-5-2 formation, leaving Carroll on the sidelines as my 1st sub.

My concerns are numerous;
1. Will Nasri play enough? Will he keep his form or even get better with Fab in play?
2. Per that thread in the main forum... Is fabregas a 'Must have'?
3. Is Arteta fit? wouldn't Cahill be a better option?
4. Is it a waste keeping Carroll on the bench?

I'm looking towards doing N'Zog & Ferguson Nasri & Pienaar, leaving me a near-identical midfield to the one you propose; Nasri, Pienaar, Nani, Malouda, VDV.
I feel Arteta's injury niggles and Cahill's price tag of 8.5mil make Pienaar super value at 6.6mil, whether he's playing in the middle or out wide...
As for Carroll; is he the best option in that price range? Dembele, Zigic, Doyle, Odemwingie are all good options. What about his 4.2mil strike partner, Shola Ameobi?

Sorry, I seem to have brought more questions than answers...

OK gentlemen, this is my current team.

Three spots of concern: Foley, Albrighton & VdV.



I have 2.4m in the bank and alternatives lined up... what do you suggest?