Gameweek 25 – The Transfer Deadline Day

Firstly apologies in my extended hiatus for the past few gameweeks. Moving flats and a lack of internet temporarily halted my fantasy premier league updates.

At the time of writing (15:39) on transfer deadline day Newcastle have just had a £35 million bid for Andy Carroll accepted by Liverpool. This would make Andy Carroll the 6th highest ever transfer fee – more than Barcelona paid for David Villa in the summer! Fernando Torres is currently in a helicopter flying to seal a £48 million deal from Liverpool to Chelsea. The chubby Andy Reid has just sealed a deal from Sunderland to Blackpool, most probably as a replacement for Charlie Adam, whilst Carlos Vela and Jamie O’hara have joined West Brom and Wolves respectively. But what does this mean for fantasy premier league;

Andy Carroll

It is hard to see how Andy Carroll will do at Liverpool. Currently he is in his comfort zone, playing for the only club he has ever known. Take him out of this environment and who knows how he will react, especially as he is currently injured. However if the deal goes through, Carroll at £6.1 million on fantasy premier league (like an offer from Don Corleone) is surely too good to turn down.

Fernando Torres

“His armband proved he was a red Torres, Torres”. Not anymore. Personally I’d leave Torres out of your fantasy premier league team for a few weeks if a deal to Chelsea goes through. With Chelsea playing with 1 central striker (Drogba), Carlo Ancelotti will either need to change to 2 up top or introduce Torres into the team slowly with a view to replacing the Drog next season.

Andy Reid

It’s a shame that Andy Reid is £6.0 million on fantasy premier league. Last season Reid “smashed it” with 2 goals, 6 assists and 16 bonus points for Sunderland in the best form of his career. Sadly for Reid he got injured and piled on the pounds. Again. Although a touch portly he is still a great shout for fantasy premier league due to his corners, free kicks and above all bonus points but at £6.0 million this could be too much.

Who do you think is the best transfer deadline day signing?

Will you be getting any of them in your fantasy premier league team?

Gameweek 22 – Predictions for 2011

Happy New Year.

Spending cuts, a royal wedding and riots but what does 2011 have in store for fantasy premier league?

The Decline of Blackpool
As much as I don’t want to see it, I think 2011 could spell the end of Blackpool’s good form.  With offers already coming in for Charlie Adam from Aston Villa and Birmingham you would worry for both Blackpool and Adam if he moved on.  At Blackpool, Adam makes them tick.  He is the main man and does it all.  With 27 bonus points this season, Adam has the most of all fantasy premier league players.  Take Adam out of Blackpool I am not sure you would see the same player.  As @footballagent46 says;

“Play Charlie Adam in a 4-4-2 and he doesn’t have the mobility to survive, game passes him by (Rangers). Play a 3 CM formation and he thrives”

Loan deals and lots of them
Look out for the bargain loan deals coming in, in January.  The players who are currently sitting in reserve at “big clubs” but when on loan they will become the main man. Last year Jamie O’hara was the blue print but this year watch out for Carlos Vela, Shaun Wright-Phillips and maybe the return of O’hara.

Big players to come good
Surely now is the time for the galactico’s to rise again; Cesc, Gerrard, Lampard.  With Cesc (and his hamstring) in full flow, Gerrard inspired by King Kenny’s return and Fat Frank seemingly back to fitness and scoring goals I can see big points (and bonus points) for the midfield galactico’s in 2011.

North London bonus points
With Arsenal finding their swagger going into the new year with the return of Cesc and Van Persie you can be sure they are going to rack up serious points in 2011.  Cesc is guaranteed bonus points every time Arsenal win and Van Persie has fantasy premier league pedigree.  Last season he scored 9 goals, had 7 assists and 21 bonus points in under 15 games.  At the back Johan Djourou has yet to lose this season and has notched 4 bonus points in his past 2 games – priced at £4.2 million, Johan is a must have for 2011.

Do you agree with these fantasy premier league predictions for 2011?  Let me know on the comments section below or through my twitter.