At goal, Jussi Jaaskelainen wins my vote as Bolton kicks off against Stoke City, recently promoted to the EPL. I fancy him to have little problems keeping a clean sheet, and figured that if Bolton throws this away, they might as well deregister themselves from the EPL. I actually had Mark Schwarzer from Fulham in my team for a long while, but the more I think about Fulham's defence, the more I shudder at the thought, even against Hull, another newly-promoted team. Let's hope that Trotters boss Gary Megson doesn't whoop me in the ass and decides to go with Ali Al Habsi instead, since Jussi seemed to be dead set on moving to another club the WHOLE of last season...
In defence, I have decided to go for Gareth Bale (Spurs), Jose Bosingwa (Chelski) and John Pantsil (Fulham) this week. Bale is a decent defender and a superb dead-ball specialist who shone for Spurs when he actually played last season. At 5.75 units he is an absolute steal and looks like a season-keeper (unless he gets himself crocked again). Bosingwa, Chelski's new right-back, looked pretty solid and promising during the Euros, and being Chelski's most expensive buy this season and at 5.77 units, simply cannot be ignored. Pantsil? Let's just say that he would be my go-to man whenever I find that I have no units left. Just don't get yourself sent off and punish my 2.88 units 'investment' in you ok?
My midfield comprises of Sami Nasri (Arse), Deco (Chelski), David Bentley (Spurs) and Mikel Arteta (Everton). There were really good options available due to the glut of new signings by various clubs, and I eventually settled for Nasri and Deco, two attacking midfielders who will most likely figure in the attacking moments in their respective home matches against lesser lights. Bentley was a highly consistent YFF selection last season for Blackburn, and you can only see him rack up more points at Spurs this season. He has had a cracking pre-season with his new club so far, chipping in with the goals and assists that he is always capable of. Arteta for this week, would hopefully turn out to be the ace in my pack. With most YFFers looking towards the direction of the Gerards and Lampards, they may overlook the influential and potentially explosive Arteta. Everton plays a weakened Blackburn side, and while I do not see them scoring many goals, I do see Arteta getting many opportunities to pump in his deadly free-kicks and crosses against butter-fingered Paul Robinson.
In attack, I have finally settled for Robin Van Persie (Arse), Nicolas Anelka (Chelski) and Darren Bent (Spurs) after much deliberation. I changed my combination no less than 5 times, and had to painfully give up Liverfool's Torres and Bolton's Elmander in the end. Though it is a bitter pill to swallow, I have to admit that Torres is world-class and threatens to score against anyone, anytime. I'm sure he is a popular pick this week, which is why I hope Scouser-chewing Roy Keane will send his Sunderland troops to chop him down and knock the living daylights out of him in the Stadium of Light. Van Persie was the first name on my teamsheet, and I chose him over Adebayor as he has the added advantage of being Arse's chief deadball taker, given that Fabregas is injured. the flying Dutchman had a crazy first few weeks last season where he was knocking in goals for fun, before getting sent onto the treatment table for the rest of the season. Anelka is the lone striker in Chelski this week, and without the injured Drogba, he is a definite starter and would be counted upon to put goals into the Pompey net. Bent's pre-season form for Spurs was so stupendenous (12 goals in 8 games!) that he has even managed to force himself into the England reckoning based on that alone. Bent had a terrible last season with injuries and lack of matches, but without the departed Keane and departing Berbatov, he would be the main man for Spurs this time round to knock in balls provided by the likes of Bentley and Modric.
No Man United players from a Red Devils fan!? Without the injured Ronaldo, I can't see my beloved team score that many goals, even against woeful Newcastle. Man U has been traditional slow starters and Rooney and co. will need more games under their belts to get into their eventual free-scoring mode.
Whew, that was a mouthful of armchair footballing analysis... now watch my players shoot against goalposts and get themselves sent off, heh. That's it for Week 1!
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