| Player News |
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Muntari, Sulley Ali - CM, RM (POR)
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Updated July 25, 2008 |
| News: As we forecast over a week ago, Muntari is to sign for Inter Milan, subject to a medical. He has already said goodbye to his former teammates. |
| Analysis: The fee of £12 million represents a profit of £5 million over a year. Harry Redknapp wins again - but fantasy managers who owned Muntari last season will wonder what on earth Jose Mourinho, the Inter manager, is thinking. |
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Pienaar, Steven - CM, LM (EVE)
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Updated July 24, 2008 |
| News: The midfield player will not feature in the friendly away to Nottingham Forest as he takes an extended break in the wake of five summer matches for South Africa. He is expected to join next week's tour to the US. |
| Analysis: How refreshing to see that not all footballers' flights this summer were taken to keep a date with a sun lounger. Not that Pienaar's schedule will necessarily please David Moyes, the Everton manager. |
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da Silva, Eduardo - FOR, LM, RM (ARS)
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Updated July 23, 2008 |
| News: The forward is on target to return to Arsenal at the start of August as he continues his recovery from a fractured left fibula and dislocated ankle in Brazil. |
| Analysis: The medical team at the North London club have yet to produce a timetable for his return and there is plenty of competition for places up front at Arsenal so he should remain at the back of fantasy managers' minds for now. |
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Bullard, Jimmy - CM (FUL)
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Updated July 23, 2008 |
| News: Bullard is being linked with a return to Wigan Athletic. Despite the fact that the energetic midfield player was one of the most significant contributors to Fulham's escape from relegation, the London club are said to have made him available for transfer. |
| Analysis: A willingness to let such an influential player as Bullard go does not mark Fulham out as a club likely to improve much this season. So a move to Wigan would not harm his fantasy prospects. |
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Kapo, Olivier - (WIG)
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Updated July 23, 2008 |
| News: Kapo praised the team spirit at Wigan after making his debut for the club as a substitute in the 2-0 defeat away to Eintracht Frankfurt. "Football is a bit like going into battle," he said. "You need to be able to trust the guys around you. There is a fantastic team spirit here." |
| Analysis: After leaving Birmingham City to move to Wigan, Kapo should know all about the importance of team spirit. An expression involving frying pans and fire comes to mind. |
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Toure, Kolo - CB, RB (ARS)
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Updated July 23, 2008 |
| News: The centre back has contracted a mild strain of malaria while on holiday in the Ivory Coast. |
| Analysis: It may be worth bumping him down a notch or two in your player allocation rankings but at least Toure is back with his team-mates and under the watchful eye of club doctors. |
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Given, Shay - GK (NEW)
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Updated July 23, 2008 |
| News: Given made his first appearance for Newcastle in six months when he played in the pre-season victory over Hartlepool. |
| Analysis: The Irishman is one of the best keepers in the league but he has struggled with injury for two years and is now playing for an attack-minded manager. Perhaps wait to see how he begins the season. |
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Owen, Michael - FOR (NEW)
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Updated July 23, 2008 |
| News: Kevin Keegan has confirmed that Owen will retain the Newcastle captaincy regardless of who he signs over the summer. |
| Analysis: Whether that will improve his performances remains to be seen, though Owen certainly has the correct temperament for the job. |
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Milner, James - LM, RM (NEW)
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Updated July 23, 2008 |
| News: The Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan has suggested he is ready to play Milner in a more central position to get the best out of the forward and hopefully persuade him to stay at the club. |
| Analysis: That will not stop Liverpool continuing their pursuit of a player who has played mostly on the wing. Their limited funds, however, could yet prevent the deal. |
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Chopra, Michael - FOR (SUN)
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Updated July 23, 2008 |
| News: Chopra could be suspended for the start of the season after being sent off in a pre-season friendly against Sporting Lisbon. |
| Analysis: Sunderland plan to appeal the dismissal but could face a difficult task if, as expected, the Portuguese FA reports the forward to its English counterpart. |
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Richardson, Kieran - FOR, LM, RM (SUN)
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Updated July 23, 2008 |
| News: Richardson suffered a dead leg in training and will take no part in the friendly against Vitoria de Setubal in Portugal. |
| Analysis: He is expected to miss only a week so it should hardly affect his preparations for the new season. |
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O'Donovan, Roy - FOR (SUN)
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Updated July 23, 2008 |
| News: O'Donovan has been linked with a season-long loan to Leeds United |
| Analysis: Such a move could suit the young Irish winger as he played only sporadically for the Sunderland first team in the last campaign and, given Roy Keane's apparently imminent signings, will face greater competition come August. |
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Fulop, Marton - GK (SUN)
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Updated July 23, 2008 |
| News: According to reports, Stoke City have made a bid for Fulop that could be worth a staggering £6 million. |
| Analysis: If it's true and Sunderland accept, Fulop can expect a busy season at the Britannia Stadium. PTG managers will know better than to sign a member of Stoke's backline. |
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Belozoglu, Emre - (NEW)
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Updated July 23, 2008 |
| News: Emre has joined Fenerbahce in a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee. |
| Analysis: The Turkish captain's recent vulnerability to injury would have made him a PTG gamble, anyway. |
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Johnson, Andrew - FOR, LM, RM (EVE)
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Updated July 22, 2008 |
| News: The forward is not in the Everton squad to play Preston North End in a friendly. |
| Analysis: Given the recent transfer speculation, it doesn't take too much grey matter to put two and two together here and come to the conclusion that Johnson's time at Goodison Park is limited. A move would equal more starting appearances and a considerable boost to his fantasy value. |
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Crouch, Peter - FOR (POR)
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Updated July 22, 2008 |
| News: Crouch scored his first goals for Portsmouth in a 4-1 win away to Bournemouth. The first was a tap-in after a deflected free-kick, the second a far-post header from Pedro Mendes' corner. |
| Analysis: The goals came in a friendly against a League Two side that struggled to raise a team, so let's not get carried away ... |
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Essien, Michael - CM, LM, RB, RM (CHE)
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Updated July 22, 2008 |
| News: Essien has followed Petr Cech and Wayne Bridge by signing a new long-term deal. |
| Analysis: He won't be at right back much this season but Claude Makelele's departure has reduced competition for midfield places. |
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N'Zogbia, Charles - CM, LB, LM (NEW)
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Updated July 21, 2008 |
| News: The Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan is confident that N'Zogbia will stay at the club this summer despite reports that he wants to move to London. |
| Analysis: Toon fans should be encouraged by Keegan's claim that the winger "has worked very hard", but they might be less cheered by his admission that he hasn't talked to the player about his future. Best wait to see how this develops. |
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Guthrie, Danny - CM, LM, RM (NEW)
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Updated July 21, 2008 |
| News: Guthrie scored a goal and provided an assist on his debut for Newcastle as they beat Hartlepool in a pre-season friendly. |
| Analysis: With Newcastle lacking strength in depth in central midfield and the funds to strengthen significantly, Guthrie could prove a decent PTG acquisition. |
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Dossena, Andrea - LB (LIV)
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Updated July 21, 2008 |
| News: Rafael Benitez says he was satisfied with Dossena's debut for Liverpool in the 1-1 pre-season draw with Wisla Krakow. |
| Analysis: The Liverpool manager added, however, that the Italian "needs to understand our system" so it may be better to give him to adapt to English football before drafting him. |
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Pennant, Jermaine - RM (LIV)
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Updated July 21, 2008 |
| News: Pennant has moved to quash rumours that he is set to leave the club over the summer by insisting that he wants to stay at Anfield. "The boss hasn¿t come to me and said any other club is interested,¿ he says. |
| Analysis: Rafael Benitez, however, has not expressed his thoughts on the subject and, given that the Liverpool manager needs money to fund moves for other players, it's best to wait before trying to draft the winger. |
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Voronin, Andriy - FOR, LM, RM (LIV)
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Updated July 21, 2008 |
| News: Reports suggest that Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing Voronin. |
| Analysis: That the Ukrainian was a lot more successful in 12 years in Germany than he has been at Anfield lends the rumour credence. That the story was published in the Daily Star does not. |
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Gerrard, Steven - FOR, CM, LM, RM (LIV)
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Updated July 21, 2008 |
| News: Gerrard had to quit Liverpool's training camp last week after picking up a groin injury. |
| Analysis: Rafael Benitez says his captain will miss only about a week and is certain to be fit for the start of the season. |
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Muntari, Sulley Ali - CM, RM (POR)
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Updated July 21, 2008 |
| News: Muntari has played down reports that he could be sold to Juventus to fund the purchase of Shaun Wright-Phillips from Chelsea. "I'm just looking forward to the new season," he said. "I'm going to try my best and work for the team." |
| Analysis: Lassana Diarra has nailed down one of Portsmouth's central midfield berths, but Muntari may have to fight for the other with Papa Bouba Diop and Pedro Mendes. |
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Davis, Sean - CM, RM (POR)
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Updated July 21, 2008 |
| News: Davis is surplus to requirements at Fratton Park, and Harry Redknapp, the manager, would like to sell him to fund new player purchases, but The Times understands that Davis is happy to see out the remaining year of his contract and become a free agent in a year's time. |
| Analysis: Staying at Portsmouth, with little chance of first-team action, will depress Davis's fantasy value to almost nil. Even in Leagues made up only of Portsmouth fans. |
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Arteta, Mikel - CM, LM, RM (EVE)
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Updated July 20, 2008 |
| News: David Moyes said that Arteta will be fit for the beginning of the league campaign after the Spaniard, who had a niggling abdominal injury last season, came on for 15 minutes in the 4-2 defeat away to Cambridge United. "It was very noticeable that he is a long, long way off," the Everton manager said. "But he will be ready for the start of the Premier League season." |
| Analysis: Not exactly a glowing testimony to Arteta's ability to hit his straps straight away but the midfield player remains a good bounce-back candidate after a slightly disappointing 2007-08 season. |
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Brown, Michael - CM (WIG)
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Updated July 20, 2008 |
| News: Brown converted a cut-back from Emmerson Boyce to score his first goal for Wigan and round off a 3-0 win against St Veit in Austria. |
| Analysis: Odd happenings indeed at the Jacques Lemans Arena, but if you're looking for an explanation and a little fantasy indicator, the clue is in the phrase "Austrian part-timers". |
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Walcott, Theo - FOR, LM, RM (ARS)
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Updated July 20, 2008 |
| News: The 19-year-old was substituted at half-time in Arsenal's 2-1 victory away to Barnet. |
| Analysis: Before you read too much into this, it should be added that every other Arsenal player was taken off at the interval as Arsene Wenger sought to baffle the fans at Underhill. |
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Zamora, Bobby - FOR (FUL)
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Updated July 20, 2008 |
| News: Zamora was outstanding in Fulham's 3-1 victory over Celtic at Craven Cottage, leading the line well in the 45 minutes he played on his debut and scoring with a stunning half-volley. |
| Analysis: Zamora's ability has seldom been in question. If his confidence is high and the supply to him is right, he can be a fantasy asset in several categories. |
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Crouch, Peter - FOR (POR)
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Updated July 20, 2008 |
| News: Crouch had few chances to score on his debut for Portsmouth, a 3-1 win away to Swindon Town, and Harry Redknapp had no difficulty in diagnosing the reason. "You have to get crosses in the box when you play Crouchie," he said. "He can get on the end of those and knock the ball down for others. But him and Defoe together will be a good pair." |
| Analysis: If Redknapp can sign Shaun Wright-Phillips, that problem will be solved - but he must sell first. |
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Ramsey, Aaron - FOR, LB, LM, RB, RM (ARS)
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Updated July 19, 2008 |
| News: The 17-year-old displayed some impressive touches on his first start for the club as Arsenal won 2-1 against Barnet at Underhill. |
| Analysis: Arsene Wenger spoke after the game of Ramsey's worth and a possible central midfield role after the summer departures in that area. It may be a little early on the fantasy front given that Arsenal's transfer activity is not finished but he's certainly one to watch. |
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Granqvist, Andreas - (WIG)
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Updated July 19, 2008 |
| News: The Sweden defender has left Wigan in a move to Groningen, of the Netherlands. |
| Analysis: Granqvist has not appeared for Wigan since last December, after spending half the season on loan to Helsingborg, so this transfer will not hurt too many fantasy preparations. |
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Mido - FOR (MID)
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Updated July 18, 2008 |
| News: The forward says he is not ready to leave Middlesbrough yet despite interest from Zamalek, his former club in Egypt. |
| Analysis: Mido did not exactly sound upset at the inquiry from Zamalek, so a poor first half of the season could yet see him scurrying back to his homeland. |
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O'Neil, Gary - CM, RM (MID)
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Updated July 18, 2008 |
| News: The Englishman admits he was unsettled towards the end of last season but says he will definitely remain at the Riverside this term. |
| Analysis: O'Neil is determined to improve on a good first season after joining from Portsmouth and is talking buoyantly. |
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Cattermole, Lee - CM, RM (MID)
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Updated July 18, 2008 |
| News: Gareth Southgate, the manager, says Middlesbrough have received an offer for Cattermole. |
| Analysis: Southgate is said to be prepared to let the player go, with Wigan Athletic a possible destination. Whether a move would make Cattermole more attractive in fantasy terms will depend on where he moves. Stay tuned. |
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Downing, Stewart - LM (MID)
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Updated July 18, 2008 |
| News: Gareth Southgate, the manager, says Downing is not for sale in the face of reported interest from Liverpool and Aston Villa. |
| Analysis: Another summer, another raft of reports suggesting that Downing is a wanted man. He should also be a wanted man in fantasy football. |
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Kranjcar, Niko - CM, LM (POR)
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Updated July 18, 2008 |
| News: Portsmouth have rejected the first of many likely bids for the Croatia midfield player. "Monaco have come in for Niko and offered around £12m for him," Harry Redknapp, the manager, said. "We wouldn't sell him and he didn't want to go anyway so that was the end of that one." |
| Analysis: Arsenal are also reported to be interested in Kranjcar, but he could lose playing time at the Emirates Stadium, so his fantasy value will stay at its highest if he stays with Portsmouth. Who knows? They might even score some goals this season. |
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Primus, Linvoy - CB, RB (POR)
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Updated July 18, 2008 |
| News: Primus made his comeback after an absence of 14 months, which included reconstructive knee surgery, in the second half of the friendly away to Exeter City. "Fortunately, I didn't feel a thing through the game," the defender said. "It's now about taking it game by game because it's a long time since I last played." |
| Analysis: Primus's 2006-07 stats would have made him one of the most valuable players in PlayTheGame, but he is likely to spend most of the season as an understudy at best unless anything happens to Sylvain Distin and Sol Campbell. |
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Hleb, Alexander - (ARS)
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Updated July 17, 2008 |
| News: Hleb has finalised his transfer to Barcelona for a reported fee of £11.9 million. |
| Analysis: Gilberto, Flamini, Hleb ... will the last person to leave the Arsenal midfield please turn out the lights. |
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Silva, Gilberto - (ARS)
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Updated July 17, 2008 |
| News: The Brazilian has completed a move to Panathinaikos after six years of plying his trade in North London. |
| Analysis: Unless you're stuck in the 2006-07 season, this is no fantasy loss - Gilberto's effectiveness dwindled noticeably in the last campaign. |
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Johnson, Andrew - FOR, LM, RM (EVE)
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Updated July 17, 2008 |
| News: Everton have rejected a bid of £9 million from Wigan Athletic for the forward. |
| Analysis: Fulham and Sunderland are also rumoured to be interested and, frankly, any move could only enhance Johnson's fantasy prospects as Yakubu Ayegbeni holds sway at Goodison Park. |
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Cahill, Tim - CM (EVE)
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Updated July 17, 2008 |
| News: The midfield player will miss the start of the season as he recovers from surgery in the wake of a fractured metatarsal suffered in March. |
| Analysis: This is a precautionary measure from David Moyes, the Everton manager, but there is no need for fantasy gamers to be so cautious because it should be a short-term absence. |
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Ferdinand, Rio - CB (MAN)
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Updated July 17, 2008 |
| News: The Englishman is thought unlikely to be punished for his part in the rowdy scenes after United's defeat away to Chelsea in April. |
| Analysis: Reports had suggested he might receive a four-match ban but it is believed this will not happen, so fantasy owners can benefit from his presence from the start of the new season. |
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van der Sar, Edwin - GK (MAN)
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Updated July 17, 2008 |
| News: The Dutchman is among several players left behind by United as they embark on their pre-season tour of South Africa. |
| Analysis: Van der Sar is taking a well-earned rest after Euro 2008 but he will be hoping to retain his position as the club's first-choice goalkeeper. |
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Hargreaves, Owen - CM, RB, RM (MAN)
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Updated July 17, 2008 |
| News: The midfield player has not travelled to South Africa for United's pre-season tour because he has tendonitis. |
| Analysis: Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager, is confident Hargreaves will be fit for the start of the season as United prepare to give the player injections, but the recurrence of an old problem should ring alarm bells for fantasy players. |
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Evra, Patrice - LB, LM (MAN)
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Updated July 17, 2008 |
| News: The Frenchman has not travelled to South Africa for United's pre-season tour because of his involvement with France at Euro 2008. |
| Analysis: The extra rest should be welcomed by Evra and his potential fantasy owners after a hectic season. |
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Carrick, Michael - CM (MAN)
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Updated July 17, 2008 |
| News: The Englishman converted a penalty in United's 2-0 friendly win away to Aberdeen at the weekend. |
| Analysis: Carrick also scored from the spot in the Champions League final shoot-out, so he is putting a strong case to be the team's penalty-taker should Cristiano Ronaldo leave Old Trafford. |
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Rooney, Wayne - FOR, LM, RM (MAN)
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Updated July 17, 2008 |
| News: The forward scored from a header and was felled for the penalty that brought United's other goal in the friendly victory away to Aberdeen. |
| Analysis: Rooney was reported as looking keen, which is just what his prospective fantasy owners want to hear. |
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Martins, Obafemi - FOR (NEW)
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Updated July 17, 2008 |
| News: Martins says he will stay at Newcastle over the summer despite reports linking him with a move to Arsenal. |
| Analysis: Toon fans will be pleased but another season on the fringes of the first team would make him only second-rate PTG choice. |
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Giggs, Ryan - FOR, CM, LM, RM (MAN)
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Updated July 17, 2008 |
| News: Jimmy Calderwood, the Aberdeen manager, was impressed by Giggs during United's 2-0 friendly win at Pittodrie at the weekend. |
| Analysis: However, Giggs has a long way to go before he can convince United fans that he will recapture his great form of 2006-07. |
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Fletcher, Darren - CM, RM (MAN)
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Updated July 17, 2008 |
| News: The Scot says he will only consider a move away from United if Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager, talks about it. |
| Analysis: Fletcher is reportedly attracting interest from several rival Premier League clubs and might be tempted by the prospect of regular football elsewhere. |
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Jones, Kenwyne - FOR (SUN)
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Updated July 17, 2008 |
| News: Jones is expected to miss the first two months of the season due to knee ligament damage he suffered playing for Trinidad and Tobago. |
| Analysis: The forward is awaiting a second verdict from a surgeon so it could be even longer. Best wait for news before trying to draft him. |
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Saha, Louis - FOR (MAN)
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Updated July 17, 2008 |
| News: The French forward, who is expected to leave Old Trafford this summer, is having treatment for an injury in France. |
| Analysis: The injuries just keep coming for Saha, who has proved his class but not his fitness at Old Trafford. United will surely cash in on him if they can find a buyer. |
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Carson, Scott - GK (WBA)
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Updated July 17, 2008 |
| News: Stoke City have pulled out of the race to sign Carson despite having had a £4 million bid accepted for him. |
| Analysis: The England goalkeeper is reportedly close to moving to Blackburn Rovers instead, which would make him a more attractive PTG proposition. |
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Ronaldo, Cristiano - FOR, CM, LM, RM (MAN)
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Updated July 17, 2008 |
| News: The injured forward says he misses playing with a ball and hopes to return to action soon. |
| Analysis: Whether that return to action will be as a United player remains to be seen, although the fact that he is only expected to be fit in October after ankle surgery could put his proposed move to Real Madrid in greater doubt. |
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Neville, Gary - RB (MAN)
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Updated July 17, 2008 |
| News: The United captain is flying out to Cape Town today with his team-mates for the pre-season tour of South Africa. |
| Analysis: Neville was unable to break into the team at the end of last season having missed so much action through injury, but it seems he should be as fit and ready as his team-mates for the start of the new season next month. |
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Makelele, Claude - (CHE)
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Updated July 17, 2008 |
| News: Makelele is considering a move to Paris: city of romance, city of Paris Saint Germain. |
| Analysis: The lure of returning home to a three-year contract and all the boulangeries a man could want is strong for Makelele. Less appealing is the significant wage reduction it would entail, as well as the fact PSG were dire last season. |
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Adebayor, Emmanuel - FOR (ARS)
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Updated July 16, 2008 |
| News: AC Milan's signing of Ronaldinho could end speculation linking Adebayor with a move to the San Siro. |
| Analysis: That door may have shut but a move to Barcelona has also been touted for the joint second-highest scorer in the Premier League last season. The Catalan side's gain would be fantasy managers' loss. |
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Hleb, Alexander - (ARS)
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Updated July 16, 2008 |
| News: The Belarus midfield player is having a medical before a proposed £11.9 million move to Barcelona. |
| Analysis: At least Arsenal have the decency to sell him before fantasy sides are finalised. Hleb would have been high in most competitiors' player rankings but he should be bumped to the bottom of the list now. |
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Little, Glen - RM (POR)
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Updated July 16, 2008 |
| News: Harry Redknapp has been impressed by his new signing after Little's first few pre-season training sessions. "I think he could prove to be a surprise this season," the Portsmouth manager said. "If he can stay fit he has great ability and will cause sides problems. I think he can shock a few people and be a great free transfer. He can do things, and he can create chances." |
| Analysis: Little is likely to be used as an impact substitute, so playing time will be an issue. But if Shaun Wright-Phillips is not signed, and John Utaka fails to impress, that situation might change. |
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Bridge, Wayne - LB (CHE)
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Updated July 16, 2008 |
| News: Portsmouth's hopes of acquiring the England left back were dashed when Bridge signed a new four-year deal at Stamford Bridge. |
| Analysis: The Chelsea left-back timeshare with Ashley Cole is set to continue. |
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Paintsil, John - CB, RB (FUL)
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Updated July 16, 2008 |
| News: Paintsil completed his move to Fulham yesterday along with Bobby Zamora, his former teammate at Upton Park. The whole package cost £6.3 million. |
| Analysis: The Ghana full-back immediately becomes worth fantasy consideration. His attacking instincts could lead to assists, and although he may not win as many league points as he would have if he had been a regular with West Ham, he will certainly increase his playing time. |
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Zamora, Bobby - FOR (FUL)
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Updated July 16, 2008 |
| News: Zamora completed his move to Fulham yesterday in a deal worth £6.3 million that included John Paintsil, the West Ham defender. He has big shoes to fill after the departure of Brian McBride, the club captain, but the confidence to succeed. "Bobby is a talented striker who not only has a desire to score goals but always looks to involve the rest of the team with his intelligent play," Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager, said. |
| Analysis: Injuries made last season a frustrating one for the lifelong West Ham fan, who scored only one goal. But when fully fit, he has the skills and presence to trouble the best defenders. Just ask Sol Campbell, who walked out of Highbury at half time after a torrid 45 minutes attempting to mark Zamora. |
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Bouazza, Hameur - FOR, LM (FUL)
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Updated July 15, 2008 |
| News: Fulham have turned down an approach from Charlton Athletic for the Algeria winger. Roy Hodgson, the manager, wants to assess Bouazza's form in pre-season before deciding on his future with the club. |
| Analysis: Wigan Athletic and two Spanish clubs are also reported to be monitoring the situation, but Bouazza needs to show sustained form and fitness before you need to take any interest. |
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Anichebe, Victor - FOR (EVE)
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Updated July 15, 2008 |
| News: The forward has been called up to Nigeria's provisional squad for next month's Olympics in China. |
| Analysis: Anichebe could miss games against Blackburn Rovers and West Bromwich Albion, but the possibility of Andrew Johnson moving from Goodison Park is of greater significance to the 20-year-old's chances. |
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James, David - GK (POR)
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Updated July 15, 2008 |
| News: The England goalkeeper has had an untypical summer break in which he won a $500,000 prize as the best goalkeeper at the Free-Kick Masters in Houston, Texas. "I haven't done the usual holiday thing," he said. "This summer I had a week off in which I had an all-day breakfast every day. I've been going to the gym plenty of times and doing a lot of running, but I've not had a ball kicked at me properly for four or five weeks." |
| Analysis: Despite the fry-ups, you can be sure that James will be as fit and sharp as any goalkeeper in the Premier League come the opening day of the season. But given that Portsmouth's first two games are away to Chelsea and at home to Manchester United, he will need to be. |
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Defoe, Jermain - FOR (POR)
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Updated July 14, 2008 |
| News: The signing of Peter Crouch, with whom Defoe has played for England at three different levels, is good news for both players, according to Harry Redknapp. "It's a good prospect - they link up really well together as we've seen with England," the Portsmouth manager said. "They should be an ideal partnership." |
| Analysis: Defoe's fantasy value has been boosted to potentially elite level by the arrival of Crouch, if only because it signals the demise of the 4-5-1 formation that he found hard to play in. It was hard to watch too, as Portsmouth failed to score in more than half their home games. The Crouch-Defoe tandem could change that. |
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Bridge, Wayne - LB (CHE)
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Updated July 14, 2008 |
| News: The Portsmouth Evening News has named Bridge as a target for Harry Redknapp, the Portsmouth manager, who is searching for cover at left back. |
| Analysis: Formerly with Southampton - Portsmouth's hated rivals - Bridge once scored against Portsmouth for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and made a point of celebrating in front of the visiting supporters. Do you think they will forgive, forget and welcome him to Fratton Park? No, neither do we. A long and happy career back in Hampshire is difficult to forecast. |
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Muntari, Sulley Ali - CM, RM (POR)
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Updated July 14, 2008 |
| News: Muntari has been linked with a £12 million move to Juventus, and opinion on the fan website of Portsmouth's local paper suggests that supporters think that Harry Redknapp should "bite their hands off". |
| Analysis: If Portsmouth play 4-4-2 this season, as the signing of Peter Crouch to play alongside Jermain Defoe suggests that they will, then there will be fewer places for central midfield players. And the sale could fund the signing of Shaun right-Phillips, a long-time target for Redknapp. |
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Gera, Zoltan - FOR, CM, RM (FUL)
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Updated July 14, 2008 |
| News: Gera chose to return to the Premier League with Fulham rather than stay with West Bromwich Albion, whose prospects of remaining in the top flight must be about the same, given that the Londoners only avoided relegation on the final day of last season. Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager, emphasised his versatility, suggesting that he will play as a forward as well as an attacking midfield player. |
| Analysis: Gera could score well in successful passes, minutes played and even goals, but Fulham could struggle again - which will make league points hard to come by. |
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Niemi, Antti - GK (FUL)
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Updated July 14, 2008 |
| News: Liverpool and Inter Milan are among a number of clubs to have enquired about the Finland goalkeeper since the arrival of Mark Schwarzer at Craven Cottage, but he has suggested that he wants to stay and fight for his place. |
| Analysis: Schwarzer will be Fulham's first choice, barring accidents. Niemi is likely to have little fantasy value unless he moves elsewhere. |
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Babayaro, Celestine - (NEW)
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Updated July 13, 2008 |
| News: Babayaro is on trial with Portsmouth, who are looking for cover for Hermann Hreidarsson at left back. Babayaro, 29, is a free agent after leaving Los Angeles Galaxy. |
| Analysis: Harry Redknapp has taken on reclamation projects before with some success, so it may be worth checking back on this situation if you are looking for extra depth at what can be a shallow position. |
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Nugent, David - FOR (POR)
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Updated July 13, 2008 |
| News: Nugent is widely expected to leave Fratton Park following the arrival of Peter Crouch from Liverpool and Ben Sahar on loan from Chelsea, but the striker is having none of it. "We are in Europe and I want to be part of it," he said. "I don't want to leave this football club now and I intend to stay. I want to show what I can do." |
| Analysis: His minimal fantasy value would actually be increased by a move to another Premier League club where he had a chance of being a starter. Barring a miracle, that will not happen at Portsmouth, and he has no business in your fantasy squad as things stand. |
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Crouch, Peter - FOR (POR)
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Updated July 11, 2008 |
| News: Crouch completed his transfer to Portsmouth yesterday and will be unveiled to the media this morning. This is the first time he has been signed by Harry Redknapp, who has sold him on two previous occasions. |
| Analysis: The playing time issues that hit his fantasy value at Liverpool should be a thing of the past, and his partnership with Jermain Defoe should result in plenty of goals and assists. |
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Bullard, Jimmy - CM (FUL)
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Updated July 11, 2008 |
| News: Rumours of a player swap with Middlesbrough for Luke Young proved unfounded, although why Fulham would give up their most influential player (and a home-loving Londoner) is a mystery. |
| Analysis: Bullard would be a valuable fantasy contributor wherever he played as long as he can avoid another serious injury. |
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Utaka, John - FOR, LM, RM (POR)
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Updated July 9, 2008 |
| News: Harry Redknapp has said that Portsmouth fans will begin to see the best of the speedy Nigeria winger this season. But he has also signed Glen Little from Reading, a player who usually plays in Utaka's best position, wide on the right. |
| Analysis: This has all the hallmarks of a position battle that is unlikely to end up with Utaka starting and finishing many games. Not the same ones, anyway. |
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Campbell, Sol - CB (POR)
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Updated July 9, 2008 |
| News: Portsmouth's attempts to sign cover in central defence suggest that Harry Redknapp will be more selective in his use of Campbell this season, especially with the extra demands of involvement in the UEFA Cup. |
| Analysis: Expect Campbell to begin the season as a regular, but to sit out more often as fixtures pile up, affecting his contribution to the "minutes played" category. |
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Torres, Fernando - FOR (LIV)
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Updated July 8, 2008 |
| News: Torres ended the season in grand style with the winning goal in the final as Spain took the European Championship crown in Vienna. |
| Analysis: An elite player in any fantasy format who will be one of the top targets for managers. |
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Torres, Fernando - FOR (LIV)
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Updated May 15, 2008 |
| News: Torres' goal away to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday made the Spain forward the highest-ever scorer among foreign players in a maiden Premier League season, beating the record previously held by Ruud Van Nistelrooy. |
| Analysis: Despite all the playing-time issues - thanks, Rafa - Torres has delivered the results you expected. An elite fantasy talent who could be even better next season. |
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O'Donovan, Roy - FOR (SUN)
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Updated May 12, 2008 |
| News: O'Donovan wasted several good chances in Sunderland's 1-0 defeat by Arsenal after coming on as a half-time substitute for the injured Kenwyne Jones. |
| Analysis: Sunderland manager Roy Keane has promised to make significant changes to his squad over the summer. O'Donovan has struggled in his sporadic appearances this season and should be wary of his place. |
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Jones, Kenwyne - FOR (SUN)
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Updated May 12, 2008 |
| News: Jones was substituted at half-time in Sunderland's 1-0 defeat by Arsenal after chipping a bone in his wrist. |
| Analysis: His replacement, Roy O'Donovan, spurned several chances that Jones would surely done better with. Expect him to be highly coveted in next season's fantasy leagues. |
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Kitson, Dave - (STO)
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Updated May 12, 2008 |
| News: Kitson scored one goal and set up another for Reading in their 4-0 win over Derby County yesterday. |
| Analysis: Pity he had shown none of that form before the game. That was Kitson's first goal - and the first by a Reading forward - since March 8. |
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Jagielka, Phil - CB, CM, LM, RM (EVE)
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Updated May 11, 2008 |
| News: On the day that he helped Everton to record a 3-1 victory at home to Newcastle United and ensure Uefa Cup qualification, Jagielka was named in the England squad for the forthcoming games against the US and Trinidad & Tobago. |
| Analysis: He's had worse days, we're sure. A fourteenth clean sheet would have been nice but Jagielka's fantasy value still skyrocketed this season with the acquisition of a regular starting place. |
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Toure, Kolo - CB, RB (ARS)
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Updated May 11, 2008 |
| News: Toure missed Arsenal's 1-0 victory away to Sunderland with what the club described as a "slight hamstring injury". |
| Analysis: Would that "slight hamstring injury" have kept the defender out if there was something riding on the game? We'll never know, and those few fantasy managers who selected Johan Djourou, who played in Toure's place, will never care. |
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Silva, Gilberto - (ARS)
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Updated May 11, 2008 |
| News: Gilberto picked up an assist for setting up Theo Walcott to score the only goal of the game against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. |
| Analysis: The clean sheet was handy, too, given the Brazilian's centre back eligibility but you get the feeling we've seen the last of Gilberto as a fantasy force. |
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Walcott, Theo - FOR, LM, RM (ARS)
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Updated May 11, 2008 |
| News: The forward finishes the 2007-08 season with four goals after his winner against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. |
| Analysis: The signs remain good for a much improved contribution next season as Arsenal show the patience with Walcott that Sven-Goran Eriksson couldn't manage when picking a World Cup squad. |
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Fernandes, Manuel - (EVE)
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Updated May 11, 2008 |
| News: Fernandes put in the balls for Yakubu Ayegbeni and Joleon Lescott to score with headers in Everton's 3-1 win at home to Newcastle United. |
| Analysis: That display, from a player who arrived at Everton in January, was about three months too late to catch fantasy managers' eyes. |
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Ayegbeni, Yakubu - FOR (EVE)
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Updated May 11, 2008 |
| News: A header and a penalty left Yakubu on 15 league goals for the season as Everton beat Newcastle United 3-1 at Goodison Park. |
| Analysis: A tidy return but the month out on African Cup of Nations duty with Nigeria hurt his fantasy owners, as did an assist tally of two. |
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Carvalho, Ricardo - CB (CHE)
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Updated May 11, 2008 |
| News: Carvalho faces a late fitness test on a back injury to see if he will feature against Bolton today. |
| Analysis: Alex could replace Carvalho if he's not good to go. |
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Davies, Kevin - FOR, LM, RM (BOL)
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Updated May 10, 2008 |
| News: The forward has talked of the prospect of Bolton putting ten men behind the ball to prevent Chelsea from running up the high score that might leave Gary Megson's side at a slight risk of relegation. |
| Analysis: Despite reports to the contrary, it seems Bolton are taking the remote possibility of being relegated seriously, so Davies and his team-mates will at least be highly motivated at Stamford Bridge. |
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Ronaldo, Cristiano - FOR, CM, LM, RM (MAN)
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Updated May 10, 2008 |
| News: Gabriel Heinze, the former United player, says Ronaldo will not leave United while Sir Alex Ferguson remains in charge. |
| Analysis: If that is true, with Ferguson apparently unlikely to retire yet, Ronaldo will face Wigan tomorrow in a settled mood. |
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Nolan, Kevin - FOR, CM (BOL)
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Updated May 10, 2008 |
| News: Gary Megson, the Bolton manager, says Nolan has the right qualities to become a manager. |
| Analysis: Nolan has certainly led from the front in the past few weeks as Bolton have all but assured themselves of Premier League survival. |
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Hunt, Nicky - CB, RB (BOL)
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Updated May 10, 2008 |
| News: The season is over for Nicky Hunt, who is still out after dislocating his shoulder. |
| Analysis: Hunt had lost his place at right back to Gretar Steinsson anyway in what has been a disappointing season for him and his fantasy owners. |
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Friedel, Brad - GK (BLA)
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Updated May 10, 2008 |
| News: The American will become the first Rovers player to have recorded four ever-present seasons in the top flight if he plays against Birmingham City tomorrow. He will also equal the club record for the most consecutive league appearances - 152. |
| Analysis: Friedel may have to be at his best tomorrow, though, as Birmingham desperately throw everything at Blackburn in an effort to beat the drop. |
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Wheater, David - CB (MID)
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Updated May 10, 2008 |
| News: The young defender says he hopes to force his way into the England side for their forthcoming friendlies. |
| Analysis: For this reason alone, Wheater can be expected to put in a committed display in an otherwise meaningless last-day game against Manchester City. |
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Scholes, Paul - CM (MAN)
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Updated May 10, 2008 |
| News: Steve Bruce, whose Wigan Athletic side face United tomorrow, says England have missed Scholes badly since the player retired from international football. |
| Analysis: Scholes has displayed his enduring excellence this season for United and should feature against Wigan. |
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Gardner, Ricardo - LB (BOL)
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Updated May 10, 2008 |
| News: The Jamaican has failed to recover from his broken rib and will miss the final game of the season away to Chelsea. |
| Analysis: A disappointing final few weeks of a fairly mediocre campaign. Bolton's late recovery to beat the drop - barring an astonshing set of results - has taken place without him. |
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Bentley, David - CM, LM, RM (BLA)
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Updated May 10, 2008 |
| News: Mark Hughes, the manager, has reiterated his stance that Bentley will not be leaving the club this summer. |
| Analysis: The focus will be on Bentley, given that speculation will continue that this could be his last game for the club, and he tends to thrive in those situations. |
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Shawky, Mohamed - CM (MID)
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Updated May 10, 2008 |
| News: The Egyptian is out of tomorrow's match against Manchester City with a back problem. |
| Analysis: Shawky has been marginalised anyway in recent weeks, so this is no great loss to his fantasy owners. |
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Giggs, Ryan - FOR, CM, LM, RM (MAN)
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Updated May 10, 2008 |
| News: The Welshman will equal Bobby Charlton¿s club record of 758 appearances if he appears against Wigan tomorrow. |
| Analysis: Giggs may well start the game because of Nani's suspension and Wayne Rooney's injury. |
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