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Fantasy Football Pundit - Mark Lawrenson's XI
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Tim Howard
(Goalkeeper) |
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Alvaro Arbeloa
(Defender) |
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Ashley Young
(Midfielder) |
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Peter Crouch
(Striker) |
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Jose Bosingwa
(Defender) |
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Frank Lampard
(Midfielder) |
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Amr Zaki
(Striker) |
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Bacary Sagna
(Defender) |
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David Wheater
(Defender) |
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Cristiano Ronaldo
(Midfielder) |
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Emmanuel Adebayor
(Striker) |
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Overall Points: 802 Overall Position: 4850
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*** Transfer Update 18th October 2008 ***
I have made definite progress over the past 6 weeks, but I feel now is the time to make drastic changes if I want to get amongst the big boys...
OUT: John Terry
IN: Jose Bosingwa
This one is a fantasy football tactic to get a bit more cash... Bosingwa is a first choice starter for Chelsea, the same as Terry. I souldn't lose too many points...
OUT: Roman Pavlyuchenko
IN: Amr Zaki
The Russian is out after a very poor start to his Spurs career. I have made a bit of a knee-jerk decision, but hopefully Zaki can keep scoring goals. At £3m he is a very affordable risk...
OUT: Cesc Fabregas
OUT: Stewart Downing
IN: Cristiano Ronaldo
IN: Frank Lampard
This may well be where my fantasy football season is won or lost. Out go Fab and Downing for the points machines that are Lamps and Ron. If they both keep fit, they should get at least 300 points between them.
Lawro.
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*** Transfer Update 5th September 2008 ***
I've had a shocker.
I'd like to think that the 43,000+ YTM managers ahead of me have fluked it, but I don't think that's the case.
Having consulted Dennis Wise about my original team selection, it's now time that I took full control of transfer activity.
OUT: Fernando Torres
IN: Roman Pavlyuchenko
Fernando Torres has not exploded onto the scene this season and now his hamstring has gone. At £8m, he's too expensive to keep and his expulsion has given me some much needed ammo to kick start this year's campaign.
Roman Pavlyuchenko is a great goalscorer and represents good value at £5.5m, as I can only see Tottenham improving after a dodgy start.
OUT: Afonso Alves
IN: Peter Crouch
Afonso Alves has bit the bullet with only one goal (against Stoke, which hardly counts), and I'm going with Crouchy now that Portsmouth are up and running.
OUT: Matt Upson
OUT: Micah Richards
IN: Alvaro Arbeloa
IN: Patrice Evra
My defence has been as useful as a helicopter with an ejector seat, so I've shipped out Upson and Richards and brought in Arbeloa and Evra. Steady the ship lads, steady the ship.
Lawro.
*** Transfer Update 6th Aug 2008 ***
With only 10 days until the start of the season, I thought I would check in on my team and make sure there were no injuries or suspensions... and I am glad that I did!
OUT: Cristiano Ronaldo
IN: Cesc Fabregas
Ronaldo is sidelined for a considerable amount of time, and this means that he can't remain in my team as dead wood. Arsenal do not really have a tough game until November, so Fabregas should get plenty of early points, as he did last season.
OUT: Leon Osman
IN: Stuart Downing
Osman is a good pick, but with the extra funds from Ronaldo's sale, I have decided to swap him for Downing, who gets plenty of KCs and the odd goal.
OUT: Jermain Defoe
IN: Emanuel Adebayor
Pompey have a really tough start to the season compared to the Gunners, so for only £0.5m more, it makes sense to start the season with last year's top YTM striker.
*** Original Line-up 12th July 2008 ***
GK
Tim Howard (Everton)
Everton did well to finish fifth last season and Howard was a solid base for their success. I was tempted by a keeper from one of the top clubs, but Everton could improve again next season and their stopper represents good value at £4m.
DEFENCE
I'm looking for goals from my all-English defence and have picked some likelier sorts to hit the onion bag this season.
David Wheater (Middlesbrough)
This lad is not in the team for his looks, but he's an uncomprimising defender who is a major threat from set pieces. I expect Middlesbrough to have their usual solid-if-not-spectacular season and at just £3.5m, you could do worse than Wheater.
John Terry (Chelsea)
His goals have rather dried up in recent seasons, but England captain John Terry should stick a few in the net now that he is over some niggling injury problems. Forming part of Chelsea's formidable backline should also bring clean sheets galore, so it doesn't bother me that he is the joint top-priced defender.
Micah Richards (Man City)
Young Micah is an imposing, brutal athlete, a bit like myself. He can excel this season if staying fit. I hope Mark Hughes gives him the licence to marraud forward, as he has plenty of ability on the ball.
Matthew Upson (West Ham)
Perhaps the least glamorous of my four defenders, but Upson is guaranteed to start every game and should be the main target for the Hammers' set pieces. He should give a good account and is a model of consistency.
MIDFIELD
After years of selecting hopeful choices for my attacking players, I have finally admitted defeat with the tactic. I am going for proven fantasy football ability here, whatever that is.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd)
I can't really be bothered to write a paragraph explaining this decision. Last year, you couldn't win without him. I'm not willing to take the chance this season. Let's hope he stays at United.
Leon Osman (Everton)
Having conducted some very brief research, I see that Osman has scored 90 YTM points or more for the last three seasons. That's pretty consistent, and at £4m he'll do for me. Should chip in with a fair share of goals and Key Contributions.
Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
Here's a jewel in the crown. Young was a striker last season, and understandably is now a midfielder. His creativity from the wing could be invaluable this season and 134 YTM points from 2007/08 reads very well. If he adds more goals to his game, expect a repeat total.
STRIKERS
I've gone for some big names here, with one of last season's top strikers leading the line.
Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
Euro 2008 winner Torres has got it all. He can finish for fun, match the physical demands of Premier League football and has pace to burn. Defenders hate playing against this lad, I can promise you that. Having settled so well on Merseyside, I think he can only get better. A must have.
Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth)
The words "Peter" and "Crouch" will be music to the ears of little Jermain. He will be the chief benefactor now that Pompey have signed the beanpole striker. Reminiscent of Quinn and Phillips, but with more ability, Defoe could find himself in the 20-goal club this season thanks to chances aplenty - most of which will come from Crouch's kncokdowns.
Afonso Alves (Middlesbrough)
Alves finished last season well, and should continue to progress this term. At £5m, he could easily be this season's Roque Santa Cruz!
Good luck to everyone playing this season. I'm not making any bold predictions, but I'd hope to crack the top 1,000 this season!
Lawro
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2007/08 Performance
Final Points: 1202 Final Position: 9720th
Cup Run: Knocked out in 3rd Round
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