Fantasy Premier League

How you doin'?

2009-12-20T09:09:00.001-05:00

I was doing pretty lousy. But now... Now I'm better. I had a pretty bad Saturday with 32 points from 5 players. Tevez was my high scorer with 14.5, and Given was propping up the table having lost 4 points. (I wonder if Mancini's appointment will be the boot up the butt - and/or he'll bring catenaccio to Eastlands. Either way I'm curious to see how it turns out; but thinking Given might be a

The Barn Door Live - Snowed In Edition

2009-12-19T07:24:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone, I'm coming to you live from the basement in snow-bound Mclean, Va. We had about 8" of snow since midnight last night with the promise of more to come today. It looks great outside and what better excuse to stick around in an online chat between now and when Arsenal and Hull finish up in about 7 hours. Here's the line-up I'll be following: Reina, Verm, Heiti, Foley, BFAR, O'Hara

Injuries and Suspensions

2009-12-18T12:22:00.001-05:00

Ramsey behind Denilson again?Premier League Team News - Barclays Premier League - ESPN SoccernetLooks like Glen Johnson and Nando will be back for Pool but Riera will not be - Nando is obviously a strong bet playing against Pompey.DDunn is doubtful/facing a late fitness test which means you should run scared from Rovers players. The plus side is that Spurs defenders are just that much more

The Week Ahead

2009-12-17T11:05:00.000-05:00

OK, I'm going to try something different this time around. Why? Because as we get farther and farther away from the most recent transfer window and farther into a season, there is less and less of interest to say about the same set of teams and players. Sure, there are hot streaks and cold streaks and sometimes I get my team selection right and sometimes it is miserable but that only takes me

Fixture List

2009-12-17T07:43:00.002-05:00

Help me out here. I'm looking at Yahoo!'s fixture listings for the next few weeks... Is it my imagination or are there some teams with more upcoming matches than others? I'm going to break down what I'm seeing, but can someone/anyone help confirm these issues? This week (12/19-21) there is a full slate of matches. Everyone plays once. Next week (12/26-30) is a double week. There will be a

How did you do?

2009-12-16T17:28:00.001-05:00

Our long midweek nightmare is finally over. How did you do?I got goals from Rooney and Kranjcar, and a clean sheet from Bassong. I was also 90 seconds away from a Reina clean sheet before N'Zogbia put a minus nine (6 lost for the clean sheet and three lost for the goal allowe) on me. And yes, I'm VERY bitter about that.On the barn door, which is still open:Rooney to AnelkaKranjcar to

Midweek Team News

2009-12-15T14:05:00.001-05:00

No, there isn't anything more frustrating than midweek team news. You've already made your decisions and this can't help you one little bit. But I'm posting it because it may start informing your decisions for this upcoming weekend. With Drogba in an injury scare and other popular fantasy players like Giggs and Traore suffering from hamstring injuries of some severity it's worth a look.Drogba

Didier Drogba injures back during training

2009-12-15T10:53:00.001-05:00

Don't you just LOVE double weeks?The Guardian reports:Chelsea could be without 18-goal striker Didier Drogba against Portsmouth after the Ivory Coast international hurt his back in a training ground incident earlier today.Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed that Drogba had to leave their training session after sustaining the injury which now threatens his participation against Avram Grant's

How did you do?

2009-12-14T11:36:00.001-05:00

This is becoming a familiar sight again in the English Premier League.How did you do this weekend? We're only halfway through the week - hence the Monday Morning Manager's reticence to say too much just yet - but there were lots of points to be had this weekend. Did you get them? I got points from Birmingham City's offense, but couldn't afford the real bonanza from their D. Rooney disappointed

The Barn Door Live - December 12, 2009

2009-12-12T07:34:00.000-05:00

That's right, we're back! Argentina has been and gone and as my reward for going on a fantastic vacation, I get to come back to a 2-match week. Even better, I was gone for the better part of 2 weeks and actually gained ground on Jeremy last weekend (we're actually dead even for the year so far). Here's my team - Reina (who I'm very nervous about), Verm, Heiti, SeaBass, BFAR, Collison, O'Hara,

Late Fitness Test

2009-12-11T12:18:00.002-05:00

Premier League Team News - Barclays Premier League - ESPN Soccernet Hello everybody. I'm back from my 10 day football pilgrimage to Argentina. I used the opportunity to soak in the incredible passion for the game that the Argentinians have and hopefully that extra passion and energy will translate into me making better picks for myself. Looking back on my last 3 or 4 TWA posts, I am not

The Week Ahead

2009-12-10T06:52:00.004-05:00

Welcome home, Neal. What did you miss? Well, read the posts below of course. What about the week ahead? Well, let's see if we can get you up to speed on that too. First, go and read the Yahoo! Assistant Manager's Week 15 Player Picks. The Y!AM was kind enough to write last week's TWA and he has a really good look at this week's double-game schedule and a nice list of the

Bridge out for Six

2009-12-09T09:09:00.001-05:00

CITY have been hit by an injury blow after a scan revealed Wayne Bridge could be out of action for up to six weeks - ruling him out of the two-legged Carling Cup semi-final against United next month.Initial diagnosis suggested two to three weeks, but a scan revealed a medial ligament injury which could keep him out for four to six weeks..."Now we have Wayne injured. But we have Sylvinho who can

Rooney "will be fit"

2009-12-08T20:26:00.001-05:00

So says Sir Alex:United take on Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday and Fergie said he expected to have some of his injured players back."We expect Nemanja Vidic to be fit for Saturday's game," said Fergie."Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov will both be fit, as will Ryan Giggs.

Modric on the Mend

2009-12-08T11:12:00.001-05:00

Luka Modric will play in a behind-closed-doors friendly for Tottenham on Tuesday afternoon as he continues his recovery from the broken leg he suffered in August after a challenge from Lee Bowyer.The Croat was originally ruled out for just eight weeks but complications mean he has only recently returned to light training. If he comes through the friendly unscathed, he could return to the full

Monday Morning Manager

2009-12-08T00:03:00.004-05:00

Out of the shadows Another "mid-table" performance from the Manager's team this week. Reina - clean sheet, but no win. Same points as PRobbo, who cost 1/2 as much. Vermaelan - Nice to have Verm back as Arsenal keep a clean sheet against Stoke. Guess I was wrong to think Stoke's size and aggression would get them at least a goal. Bassong - Do no harm, indeed. Nothing exciting, but 4.5

Black Cat Black and Blues

2009-12-07T22:48:00.001-05:00

Sunderland players are going to be popular this week as they have nice home matches against Portsmouth and Aston Villa. But be careful how you pick because according to Yahoo!UK/Eurosport, the Black Cats are struggling with both injuries and suspensions:Full-backs Phil Bardsley and Kieran Richardson both picked up fifth bookings of the season in the 1-0 defeat at Fulham and will miss bottom side

Bullard out until February

2009-12-07T18:12:00.001-05:00

Rueters:Hull City playmaker Jimmy Bullard will be out until the end of January after injuring his left knee at Aston Villa at the weekend, the Premier League club's manager Phil Brown said on Monday.

Rooney doubt

2009-12-07T16:34:00.002-05:00

ManU's innovative "check your neighbor" approach to injury prevention doesn't seem to be working. from ManUtd.com: United are facing an injury crisis of epic proportions, and not just in defence, with Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov joining an ever-increasing list of players on the treatment table. There was a further blow to the Reds' rearguard with news that John O'Shea and Jonny Evans

Late Fitness Test

2009-12-05T03:57:00.003-05:00

You've all talked yourselves into the Captain, haven't you? Kirkland is (well, was) dirt cheap and he got the clean sheet last week against Sunderland. Well... if he's a good bet this week, hosting Birmingham, here's my thinking: I'll take the money I was spending on Duff (still a good bet, home to Fulham) and get Scharner. He's listed as a defender so he'll do well if Kirkland does well.

Injuries and Suspensions

2009-12-04T11:45:00.002-05:00

So Torres won't be risked, but is this the week we see Aquilani? Walcott is out again for Arsenal who also have Song suspeneded. Everton lost Distin and Gosling in midweek further diminishing their options, and already had Heitinga suspended for the visit of Spurs. All your team news, including a glut of crocked strikers: Soccernet: Premier League Team News Football365: Premier League

The Week Ahead

2009-12-02T12:59:00.004-05:00

A guest TWA this week from our friend (and yours) the Yahoo! Assistant Manager. --- Hi guys, Firstly, thanks to Jeremy & Neal for giving me the opportunity to write The Week Ahead for Week 14. I've followed their blog for 5 years & they were the inspiration for me to start my Yahoo! Assistant Manager Blog this season, so it's a great honour! I always begin with a look at the fixtures & the

Downing Starts and Scores

2009-12-01T18:02:00.002-05:00

When last we saw him. Home to Hull City this weekend, he suddenly becomes a very interesting pick at 8.64. Here's his day according to the BBC. 45:00+0:05 Stewart Downing sends in a cross, Richard Hughes manages to make a clearance. 73:41 GOAL - Stewart Downing: Portsmouth 1 - 3 Aston Villa Stewart Downing finds the back of the net with a headed goal from close range. Portsmouth 1-3 Aston

Monday Morning Manager

2009-12-01T03:18:00.007-05:00

This is going to come in pieces and I apologize for the delay. The Arsenal/Chelsea wrap-up alone has taken me more than an hour to write. I hope the time translates to quality, though I'm afraid it doesn't. Regardless, our look back at the week that was - and who did and did not make the Manager's fantasy team - and our attempt to use that to inform future choices... after the jump.

Jummy

2009-11-30T16:15:00.001-05:00