Well … not sure where to start. You’d expect me to go straight into the Gunners, but after this weekend, I just don’t feel like it. So, let’s start with Man United’s absolute destruction of the Magpies. I know people were expecting a hight scoring game, but 6-0 is just taking the piss. The funny thing is I told a mate it wouldn’t surprise me if they won 6-0. So the Red Devils take first spot through goal difference. The good news was the ridiculous amount of points I got in Fantasy Football, what with Ronaldo as captain, Tevez and Ferdinand. Yuh! I can’t believe I just said that, fuck the Mancs. Sorry.
Chelsea, with their newly acquired striker Anelka, played Spurs in the other must watch game, with the Blues coming out winners, 2-0. Again, Spurs were Robinson-less. Oh deary Pauly, what are you going to do now? Liverpool weren’t so lucky with Boro though, managing a point thanks to a Torres goal. The Blackburn-Bolton game was one of the most dismal examples of the sport despite a cracking volley from Kevin Nolan in the first half. Blackburn came through on top, deservedly so, 2-1 after Samba and super-sub Roberts scored. Roberts goal was a delightful solo effort from his own half, nevertheless, it was a Premier League match best avoided.
OK then, on to Arsenal v. Birmingham, I mean, 3 points in the bag right. Players are playing well (don’t count Carling Cup match, that was a young team, aight), the crowd always gets behind the team (no change in that this weekend), Wenger is a master tactician, and so on and so forth. We were missing Toure, Eboue and Song, but with Gallas, Clichy, Sagna and Senderos we should be covered. I was a bit worried about playing with two strikers though. We do get more protection from the 5th midfielder. I have heard a lot about the way Arsenal try to walk the ball into the goal. They don’t shoot. Gooners always love it when players actually go for it. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy watching them walking the ball into the goal (don’t we all), but if it’s not working shoot! Someone on the BBC’s 606 (which is crap, incidentally) said Rosicky should shoot for goal more often. I agree with that. I would also like someone to take advantage of dead ball situations (I wonder who could teach them that? An expert with a dead ball… wait, what’s the name of that guy who is married to a Spice Girl? If only he could help). We need to defend from these situations too. ASAP! So, a 1-1 draw meant we lost the top spot. No worries though, I’m sure they’ll come back this weekend, and focus. Lads, this past weekend wasn’t the first time you were confident of the three points and lost 2 of them. Focus. Play your game well, and win. Keep in mind Van Persie is once again out for a few weeks with a virus. Please, the pharmacies in Lima are running out of heartburn medicine. Cheers.
FA Cup games this week too, with Liverpool thrashing Luton 5-0. It was a near full team though, and Luton were at Anfield. Well, at least Rafa gets a confidence booster. So, Klinsmann eh? I wonder what’s going through Rafa’s head? Spurs got through at the expense of Reading, Keane scoring again … should I get him is the question on my mind (we’ll see, I do like Tevez and Adebayor). Tomorrow Newcastle play Stoke, and West Ham play Man City. All the other games involve lower league games. We’ll see what happens.
Anyways, must sign off now. I do love writing about football, but I need to get some work done. I was at the beach and missed a lot of the weekend games and had a lot of online reading to do to catch up. So, have to catch up on real work now! Laters, see you all on the show.
Oh, and Reverend Gonzo, go fuck yourself, Hah!
GENERAL CLUB NEWS
11 years after quitting Newcastle, Kevin Keegan returns as manager to take the place of Allaydyce. Keegan was responsible for the Magpies coming oh-so-close to winning a League title in 95/96. He’s asked the fans for time to turn the team around.
Chelsea have been hit with a 40,000 quid fine for failing to control their players during the league tie with Derby on the 24th of November. Not a worry, they’ve got the money.
Liverpool’s owners, Hicks and Gillet, deny they are selling the club amid rumors of such. Rafa’s position, on the other hand, is less than assured as mentioned above.
ON THE FANTASY FRONT
Several African players are missing due to the African Nations Cup and the January transfer window has seen players moved around and some new blood. Check out the Footy Fetish summary below to get a quick heads up of who’s missing (injury, suspension, away for international tourneys) and dedicated penalty takers.
Join our fantasy football league on Yahoo Sports HERE. Our group name: Footy Fetish Show, our group ID: 38402, our group password: aceradio.
FOOTY FETISH SHOW SUMMARY
For a list of injured players, click HERE.
For a list of suspended players, click HERE.
For a list of players to be suspended, click HERE.
For a list of dedicated penalty takers, click HERE.
For a list of African players away at the African Nations Cup, click HERE.
Tune in to tonight’s show HERE.
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Here are some comments following up on the second half of your show:
I had Anelka last week and got slightly burned. Not sure what to do. Waiting to hear confirmation that he’ll start this week. If not, then onto Berbatov.
For my money, stay away from Ballack. I had him for most of last year because he was cheap. And there is a reason he is cheap. last year - 23 games, 3 goals, 4 assists, 7 yellow cards and one red card. You would think that he would step in for the injured Lampard and be more offensive, but buyer beware.
Good call with Arsenal. I have Senderos for 4.90. He is the best Arsenal defender value until Toure comes back. Although he’s not afraid to get a red card. So I’ll probably get burned sooner rather than later.
Torres is owned by 50 percent of all Yahoo. Interesting to consider because you almost have to keep him just to not lose ground.
Nice info on Scott Carson. Villa is a little up and down defensively. But his backup, Taylor, is probably a good risk with lots of value.
This is the most important Reading stat - 15 home goals allowed. 32 away goals allowed. Translation - when Reading travels, get opposing strikers or midfielders.
Here is my lineup for the week:
What do you guys think?
FWD
- Torres (LIV)
- Santa Cruz (BLA)
- Tevez (MAN)
MID
- Ronaldo (MAN)
- Flamini (ARS)
- Ballack (CHE)
- Petrov (MAC)
DEF
- Sagna (ARS)
- Hreidarsson (POR)
- Nelsen (BLA)
GK
- Given (NUF)
As recommended by my co-hosts, I’ll be making changes to my fantasy team, namely, getting rid of some players. My co-hosts inform me that is a good strategy to select players who will actually be on the field, I’ll be taking that to heart.
Thanks for the comment Gentry. I’ll have to reconsider Ballack for my team.
Also, I just want to plug our Wed Night Mayhem show. Every Wednesday Night at 9PM EST on BLogtalk radio. Next week we are going to be having Heather from VH1’s Rock of Love, as well as musician Alicia Marie.
If you guys have myspace, add us as a friend
http://www.myspace.com/aceradiolive
I’m off to play some Call of Duty 4 on PS3. I’ll be back again tomorrow for last minute updates as we get ready for this weekend’s games.
Much Love,
B.
Benny
MPet is good call. He’s been really consistent.
Wondering if Santa Cruz is cooling off.
Flamini might be due. He’s been a little more offensive minded this year. He was more of a defensive guy last year.
Here’s my lineup. Although waiting to see if there is a declaration of Anelka starting:
FOR
Torres (LIV)
Anelka (CHE)
Nugent (POR)
MID
Richardson (SUN)
Elano (MAC)
Ronaldo (MAN)
N’Zogbia (NEW)
DEF
Pamarot (POR)
Senderos (ARS)
Alex (CHE)
GK
James (POR)
Flamini has certainly been making more forays forward lately. He lacks a clinical finish in front of goal, though, so luck is important in his case.
Bianchi out of Man city? Reference.
Bianchi will be looking for sure. Whether or not someone wants to pick him up is a different story. If there is an issue between him and Eriksson, he’s not going to see any action… ever.
Shaun Wright-Phillips is the latest to join the injury list with suspected ankle ligament damage. It was being assessed today but it is expected to keep him out for several weeks.
http://www.myfootballnews.co.uk/news_jump.html?story=793030
Wow, my team was FC Fort Poop last weekend.
@ Bubba: Pffft, the Gunners were properly embarrassed by the Spurs, 5-1, in the Carling Cup. I suppose Wenger learns how far his younger players can really go.
Here’s the latest from the EPL Transfer Market:
Fulham have completed the signing of USA striker Eddie Johnson.
The 23-year-old leaves Kansas City Wizards for a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Premier League strugglers, after his application for a work permit was successful late on Wednesday.
He joins Danish midfielder Leon Andreasen and Norwegian defender Brede Hangeland at Craven Cottage since the transfer window reopened.
Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson told his club’s official website: ‘I have made no secret of the fact that I believe the squad lacks a certain balance in specific areas of the team and following the loss of Brian McBride to injury, this is true of our strike force.
‘At 6ft 1in Eddie has the presence that will complement the other forwards within our squad and he has the ability to offer us another dimension to our attacking play.
‘I am delighted that he has joined us and am grateful to the representatives from the Home Office for granting him the work permit which will enable him to play for us as soon as possible.’