A League 2011/12 Fox Sports Fantasy

[BlueStorm]

My Chumps - Up to about 2 rounds ago, I still harboured hopes that we would shake off this lethargy, jell as a team, and smash our way into the finals, bent on a mission. The best I can hope for now is to scrape into the finals, hope to knock out Heart or Sydney, then get pummulled by the Big Boys.

Bearing that in mind, I would be open to trading Dear Fat Cat. One option I have heard is for him to sign with them, with the ability to come back for next season (a la Van Dijk, who chose to stay in Adelaide). It pre-supposes we'd actually want him back, but it in an option discussed.

I think we can do without him for the rest of the season. Try and give Rojas some more confidence, play Harry as play maker rather than striker, and freeing up the cash and import spot would allow us to sign a decent centreback (as a priority!) and some midfield cover - preferrably not an inconsistent youngster or and periennially injured veteran.


Luigi - I certainly concur! Trying to pick your starting defenders each week is harder than a groom back in the hotel room. I presume you mean GC Kristian Rees? Good to have as cheap playing cover. He did score 2 goals in a win-to-nil game a few years ago, when I was one of a few to have him (bless you 18 points!), but GC were a better team then.

The other trades look solid - maybe worth getting Carle early in the game round week, Thursday this week, as I suspect he will be a popular addition and rise steadily in price as deadline approaches. Maybe the same approach for those looking at Broich.

I know we are neck and neck in the rankings Luigi (you have come a long way  ;)), but I can promise you one thing. Even as we hover around the 80th rank, we are a Dees-to-win-the-flag-this-year chance of walking away with top prize. The leaders have approx 55 points on us, and obviously know their stuff to be at the pointy end at this stage of the season. Experience tells me it's very hard to win, let alone break into the top 10, if you aren't in Top 50 by now. I am not saying it's impossible, but it would take a super-charmed run with a couple of unusual picks, plus uncanny Captain selection to make it happen.

Still time to make a run though. Think there is 7 or 8 more game rounds in the season, and remember, this continues through all 4 weeks of finals. Ah screw it, I don't mean to be a downer Luigi - let's kick it up a notch and continue the charge!  ;D

And great work to all on our improvements, or lack thereof. It's funny how the guys who have never changed their teams tend to score well in bizzare weeks like this  ;) Our league is currently ranked 7th of 2025. Bam!

[McRooster]

McRooster - Did you have your head in the sand?  ;)

Should be my new DP hey  ;)

I knew he was out but had missed the appeal scenario  :-[

Can't see image  :P darn iPad  >:(

Link might work?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38104469@N00/3899953986/lightbox/

[Luigi197]

will be interesting to see what your trades will be BS? ;)

[BlueStorm]

I have no desire to discuss the Victory result. All I will say is I saw it happen again. For at least the 4th time this season, an ex-Victory player has popped up at the death to consign us to another loss or draw. Really p*ss*d off!  >:(

Will accept the Heart criticism coming my way after my joy at your pain last week  :-[ I fear for what happens on Saturday. Heart are missing both Fred & Thompson, plus 3 Olyroos, plus a few other injuries. They only have 15 fit to select a team of 14 (outfielders). Oh, and their coach announced today he was jumping ship (ha, didn't even mean that pun ;)) at the end of the season. Couldn't get them at a better time.

If Victory don't live up to their name, I predict ugliness post match Saturday.
Note - I have nothing to do with any offiicial or non-official Victory fan clubs. I just think the supporter groups will lose their rag if the blue side doesn't bring home the points this week.

Luigi - Current trade thoughts are Nichols to Broich, and Golec to Adnan/Risdon/?. Backline is the weakest point, and have some coin for improvements but can't find many worthy defenders.

Anyone looking at trading - make sure you check the players stats, and go to the scoring tab. Check the Yellow Card count. A player misses a game after 5 yellow cards, and 2 games after (I think) 8. A lot of attractive options are on 4 yellows - Muscat & Lochhead (Well) & Mullen (Adel) were a few defenders I thought good options until I noticed that. I am sure there are many others.

[BlueStorm]

Changing my mind Luigi - won't lock in a thing until approx 4pm tomorrow, but since we are both agreed picking decent defenders this year is a tricky task as best, I will settle for the goats I have now  ;) Still looking at Nichols to Broich, but considering Covic to Vukovic as the 2nd trade. Leaves me with $66k.

Victory have proved a clean sheet is only something mummy wraps round them before tucking them in at night. I know I said Perth were fantasy poison, particularly on the road, but this Perth outfit has some steel to it. The addition of Miller to help Burns control the midfield is working nicely, and they have a friendly run over the next few weeks (as friendly as it gets in the crazy, unpredictable A League).

That would give me a line-up of:

Vukovic
Zwaansjik, Bosschaart, Hamill
Broich, Vidosic, Sanchez, Halloran
Thompson, Berisha, VanDijk

Bench: Amini, Foschini, Golec, Tyson - will worry about Amini & Golec next week.

Teams are out - very little in the way of news. Berisha back as expected: http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/check-out-all-the-squads-for-round-nineteen-of-the-2011-2012-a-league-season-this-weekend/story-e6frf4gl-1226261134749

[Luigi197]

I've had enough.

Im going ALL in.

risking it all.

3 trades done.

Carle, Halloran and Adnan from
Nichols, Dugandzic and Golec.

its a risk, but i like luck

[Luigi197]

forgot to mention. this is my make or break week.
whn the round starts, look at my formation. YOUCHA!

[BlueStorm]

Good luck Mate, the trades look solid enough - particularly when you are getting squat from the guys you are flicking.
Will look at the line up with interest. I have a feeling we won't be neck and neck within a fortnight, but no idea who will succeed, and who will slip...

[Luigi197]

Good luck BS, and may the best (or now may the most riskier) Fantasy Player win!

:)

[McRooster]

I hate it when we lose  >:( but admit to an odd sense of pleasure when an opposition player (Sanchez) scores a goal for your fantasy side  :-\

[BlueStorm]

Ahhhh Gold! Victory find a way to win again!!! ;D

Luigi- I went Golec & Foschini to Luzardo & Risdon. Bring on the good times!

[Luigi197]

interesting trades BS.

Archie Thompson my captain this week let me down :(

[BlueStorm]

As did mine Luigi, lousy Van Dijk  :'( I suspected one of us would continue to improve, and one would slide. I was right, but kudos to you for heading in the correct direction  ;)

OK, heaps of news for Everyone:
The postponed GC v CCM match will take place this coming game round (Wed, 8pm). I see little to recommend from the GC side, but CCM should have a better time of it - taking on a weakened Phoenix, then GC. Could be worth taking a risk on Pasfield - I believe the Olyroos players don't get back until late next week, so Ryan will miss both games. The defenders look tasty too, but hard to pick any mids or forwards.

Archie Thompson tweaked his hamstring at training this morning. Shooting drills at the start when he felt at the hamstring and missed the rest of the session. Early reports are that it was precautionary, and SHOULD start v Brisbane this week. Owners beware - while he will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness, Magic Magilton will not hesitate to leave him out if he has any doubts.

Expect Fred back this week for Heart. While they are only facing Gold Coast on Friday night, I'd give him a week or two before you jump back on. Hard to see him playing more than 60, and maybe rested early if Heart can actually find a goal  :D

Same idea with any of those still holding, or considering buying, returning Olyroos - most should be available for selection next game round. After playing one game in -12c, and God knows what the other one holds, plus plenty of travel, they will be eased back into teams by many managers (suspect Dugandzic and Ryan might be slightly immune to this).

Wellington looks to be in a world of pain this week - they have to travel to leaders CCM on Saturday night with a threadbare squad. On top of existing injuries, Sigmund might be suspect after going off early injured last week, while both Durante & Brown picked up their 5th yellow for the season and will miss the clash. Manny Muscat returning from suspension can't offset all that!

On the subject on Yellow Cards, good news for all those holding players on 4 yellows. As of the end of last round, the threshold for a one week suspension has been lifted to 8 yellows (rewarding those who stayed under for 70% of the season). When shopping, remember the extra leeway you now have. If they have survived this far through the season with 4 or less, hard to see them accumulating 1 every 2 weeks from here on in.

And lastly, while talking yellows, good to see Aussie ref Ryan Shepphard has proved himself world cup standard - well Graham Poll standard anyway  ;) The goose gave Curtis Good from Heart 2 yellows on Sat night. Admittedly one was early, one was late, but what the f u c k does he carry round that friggin' notepad if he can't keep track of simple math!

Yes, OK, one of my fantasy rivals had Good in his team, which only made me madder. Even though the FFA has done the right thing - suspending both Good & Shepphard this week, it slipped through in Fantasy land. Good with a red card would have scored -2 for the week. Good with one yellow scored 0. Obviously the fantasy site can't reconcile the idea of a player copping 2 yellows (and why should they!), but Good with his 2 yellow cards should have been -1 at the least. Fools, the lot of them!

Happy Valentines Ladies & Gents  :-*

[Luigi197]

http://aleaguefantasy.foxsports.com.au/M/eventhist.mc?id=415

What do you think of my team BS?
Any trades?
Formation?
Captain?
Subs?

[BlueStorm]

Damn, that is a much easier way to show everyone your team. Stupid typing and tabbing, I'm done with that! ;)

Considering you have no coin, I would be tempted to leave things as they stand at present - no trades, but we'll tweak the line-up a little.

Don't have time for pretty formatting:

Covic
Franjic, Zwaansjik (c), Hamill
Sanchez, McGlinchey, Carle, Halloran
Berisha, Van Dijk, Thompson

Bench: Tyson, Bosschaart, Adnan, Watson

Keep an eye on the team sheets. If Tyson is fit, he should replace that goat O'Connor. Then you have to weigh up - Tyson with 2 games (v Heart & CCM) or Covic with 1 (Roar, away). I'd lean towards Tyson in that scenario.

Major proviso - If Archie doesn't come up, and I admit we'll have a hard time finding out for sure pre-lockout, you may have to head to the trading market.  You could rely on cover from Adnan/Bosschaart down back if you want, but you have a free trade. If looking to trade, and only if we have news he is out, then options incl Ifill ($241)  & Brockie ($194). I don't have high hopes for either of their teams this week, but you could be ballsy and pick-up Sterjovski ($169) and free up coin for other areas next week.

Your team, just some options to consider  ;)