Premierleague.com Drafted League

[Hal]

In order of the draft (expect earlier drafting teams to fare better)


1604 -- Winning Connection FC (123.4/13 players, ignoring Coyne and Chopra)

757 -- 1800-UK.com (84.1/9 players, huge bet on newbies Postiga, Emerton, Van Brommel, Tarnat, Lehmann, and to a lesser extent Hall)

1320 -- Nocturnal United (130.5/10 players, 5 remaining are scrubs)

(Needs depth for injuries, suspensions, manager's non-selection, and no-game weeks.)

1203 -- London Saint-Germain (119.5/10 players + newbie Faye and then 4 scrubs)

(Needs depth for injuries, suspensions, manager's non-selection, and no-game weeks.)

1629 -- DC Chickenhawks (124.8/13 players + 2 scrubs)

1543 -- Romans Roubles (116.9/13 players + 2 scrubs)

852 -- New York United (117.7/7 playrs + newbies Zamora, Sibierski,Amoruso, and hopefully Kleberson + 4 scrubs)

(Needs depth for injuries, suspensions, manager's non-selection, and no-game weeks and needs newbies to produce immediately.)

983 -- Many Points FC (121.5/8 players + ? healthy Berger, newbies Howard, Todorov, Silas + 3 scrubs)

(Needs depth for injuries, suspensions, manager's non-selection, and no-game weeks and needs newbies to produce immediately.)

1482 -- Aviators (123.5/12 players + newbies Phillips perhaps, Holland, and Royce (starting keeper until Kiely returns)

(solid draft for 9th position, depth and quality that can still be improved with free agent acquisition and early switch to hot players)

1196 -- Kopite Juniors (119.4/10 players + newbie Reid and 4 scrubs)

(Needs depth for injuries, suspensions, manager's non-selection, and no-game weeks.)

[Ingromius]

Originally posted by Hal
In order of the draft (expect earlier drafting teams to fare better)




1203 -- London Saint-Germain (119.5/10 players + newbie Faye and then 4 scrubs)


1196 -- Kopite Juniors

Ahem. That's THREE scrubs...

I have a theory about the league this year: with so much competition for the top players, the league will be won in the later rounds and with low-salary acquisitions as the season goes on. I've made two picks of which I'm proud.

1. Faye (as you all know!) Attack minded major buy for probably the best promoted side, will play regularly and get up for the occasional goal.

2. Okoronkwo Am I the only one who remembers the sensation this guy created at the last world cup? I've been waiting for him to leave Shaktar Donetsk ever since and expect him to be an every-game starter and a possible surprise of the season. Had my sights locked on him early and counted on nobody else noticing him.

[Ingromius]

Heartbreak of the draft for me was seeing Tarnat go. He's a bit older but a few years ago used to be a weapon for Bayern in that he can score free kicks from about 30+ yards out. Might do the same for Man City and will certainly play regularly. Well done to Michel for getting there ahead of me. In fact, Michel and I seemed to have scouted many of the same players. I also wanted Postiga, but only as a second striker.

In terms of team analysis -- well it's a bit of a copout (not Kopout, Mark) but I really think most teams are too even to call. Should make for a fantastic season.

[Hal]

It probably isn't worth too much time analyzing the draft since most managers will adjust their teams before the season starts to swoop up the new signings and mine the free agency pool. Nonetheless, using the criteria of would I rather have Team A or Team B, I came up with the following relative rankings of the draft.

Strikers:

1. Mt Killamanjohno Winning Connection FC (Henry alone always seems to top the scoring by a substantial margin)
2. ingromius London Saint-Germain
3. Darr........ Nocturnal United
4. 1800-WorldCup 1800-UK.com (Van Nistelrooy, nuff said)
5. Clanblue Romans Roubles
6. Hal Aviators
7. DoctorJones24 DC Chickenhawks
8. Buffalo_Soldier New York United
9. JG_Revs Many Points FC
10. kopiteinkc Kopite Juniors

[Clan]

Originally posted by mtkillamanjohno
whats this bonus award? is that like man of the match?

Yes and no.
There is only one MOTM, but there have been several instances where 2 players have received this award to their score.
It is worth 3 points (double to 6 if the captain).
CYKI have a reporter at every game and it is his decision, and his alone, on this scoring.
Most of the time they make sence, however, there are always some eyebrow raisers.

[DoctorJones24]

Originally posted by Clanblue
Yes and no.
There is only one MOTM, but there have been several instances where 2 players have received this award to their score.
It is worth 3 points (double to 6 if the captain).
CYKI have a reporter at every game and it is his decision, and his alone, on this scoring.
Most of the time they make sence, however, there are always some eyebrow raisers.

IIR, Viera led the league last year in Bonus Points awarded, and in general, the Arsenal guy seemed much more liberal with them, than say, the Man Utd guy.

[1800-WorldCup]

Originally posted by Ingromius
I also wanted Postiga, but only as a second striker.



The very reason I had to pick him first.... by the time the draw got back to me, he would have been gone.

I'm hoping to be active in the transfer market, as always, and none of the players are ever guaranteed a place in the 1800-UK.com team -- not even a Henry or Nistelrooy.

Postiga might be one of the first to go but I felt we needed to give him a trial, just in case he turned out to this year's hot cake.

He's going to need some good service though.... cue Van Bommel.

[kopiteinkc]

Originally posted by Clanblue
I had though about asking you about a trade when i saw you pick him.

PM me he is tradeworthy

All Serious Offers considered

[DoctorJones24]

Handicapping the draft:

Mtkillimanjohno:
Forwards:Henry far and away MVP of the league, so tough to go too wrong. But only playing with 2 strikers (and one of them old and oft injured Campbell) could hurt.
Mids: Jenas is a risky pick with that crowded New. midfield, and Keane and Savage are both D-minded. But Cole could be a nice late round steal. Tugay is what he is...
Def/GK: Very solid all around. I'd expect 3 or 4 to start for W.Connetions most games.
Overall: Big gamble to plan on a "build from the back" strategy in fantasy soccer. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

1-800 UK.com
Forwards: Sorry Michel, but I'm not seeing it with this threesome. Longtime fantasy waste-products Smith and Heskey, plus an unproven new signing? I can easily see none of these guys still being on your team within a month. Then again, the stars could align...they're not without talent.
Mids: Verron, Bowyer, Emerton--I like this group, though not sure about Toure. And Van Bommel is obvioulsy a crapshoot.
Def/G: Tarnat, Weir, Traore--pretty good value. Keller and Lehmann is also the #1 GK combo in our league by a long ways.
Overall: Postiga will have to be a god to reward your faith in him. I see him more likely as somewhere between a Grabbi and a Maccarone type impact player, which will mean you gave up Ruud or Henry for not much. Tough to overcome...

Darr
Forwards: Excellent trio anchored by possible league MVP Ruud. Incredible luck to grab him at #3, and Keane and Euell are no slouches.
Mids: Very good attacking fivesome. Though not sure how much Morris will play. One of the stronger midfields in our league, perhaps.
Def/GK: High-scoring Silvestre is very nice to have back there. Not sure about rest. Robinson could be peppered all year--don't see many Clean Sheets from him in the future. No backup GK.
Overall: Nice balance, probably a contender for league title.

Ingromius
Forwards: Shearer, Hasselbaink, Vasell--excellent stuff.
Mids: Solid scorers (though not spectacular) across the board, and then Faye, who Jon is hyping bigtime.
Def/GK: Obviously planning on only 2 starting, and Unsworth/Distin should be a solid combo. Okorokowo is a nice cheap backup to them. Barthez could easily have a comeback year. Then again, he could also lose his spot.
Overall: Contender with good balance.

DoctorJones24
Forwards: Sherringham, Radzinski, Solskajer--lots of questions there. Not horrible, but not a team strength. A good ways behind Darr and Ingromius.
Mids: Best foursome in our league with Pires, Malbranque, Giggs, and Gravesen. Will probably have to drop Berkovic, but he's very good if he stays.
Def/GK: Only planning on playing 2 in back; good value from Samuel, Cunn, Campo. Schwarzer/Jaask. combo offers nice flexibility.
Overall: Middle of the pack, but could contend with some striker help.

Clanblue
Forwards: Nice first two with Djorkaeff and Anelka; Viduka is a question mark, obviously.
Mids: I'm one of the few not totally sold on Duff yet, at least as a proven fantasy commodity. In general, a very solid midfield of attacking players. Viera scores decently with those Bonus Points awards.
Def/GK: Probably only playing two, and Le Saux is a top attacking wingback. Will Short lose time this year? Wright might not duplicate last year's stats, but will be solid.
Overall: Good balance. Could contend with some good breaks. The Djorkaeff/Viera/Le Saux trio reminds me a lot of part of my core from last season.

BuffaloSoldier
Forwards: Injury-prone Owen, crappy Allback, and unknown quantity in Zamora. Needs LOTS to go right for this trio.
Mids: Gerrard and Dunn are a nice start, with Siberiski and Kleberson as potential steals.
Def/GK: Excellent trio in Yobo/Rio/Amoruso and Cudicini could be the best Goalie out there. Best defense in our league.
Overall: Might also need to play back to front, but if Owen is on, those hat-tricks can come in bunches. If the three mid-draft gambles pay off, this team contends. I'm guessing not, so mid-table seems likely.

JG_Revs
Forwards: Bellamy and Wiltord are nice 2nd tier guys; Todorov is a gamble. Still, all three should be solid.
Mids: Fantastic pair in Geremi and Ljunberg, who score like strikers. I also like the Berger call. Not sure about Parker and Silas though.
Def/GK: Best two scoring defenders in the league, likely, in Hyypia and Cole, with Woodgate as a nice third. GK situation seems a mess, though, as neither guy is likely to play much, if at all.
Overall: Mid-table appears likely. Will have to move for a goalie before the season starts, probably. Who's available?

Hal
Forwards: Beattie likely won't duplicate last year's stats, but I think he'll come close, and Dugarry should shine with a year in the Prem under his belt. But he was more a setup guy last year than a scorer, so that needs to change. Phillips is a gamble, and if Southampton goes in a slump, this offense will suffer bigtime.
Mids: Kewell and Fernandez are great, as is Solano if he can get the PT. Holland and Flitcroft should be solid at worst.
Def/GK: Good depth here, with Gallas a likely top point-getter. Seaman killed me last year, but he's much cheaper now, and not a bad option at that price.
Overall: As Southampton goes, so goes the Aviators. I don't see them matching last season, though. Still, this is a mid-table team.

kopiteinkc
Forwards: Gudjohnsen, Fowler, Burton--lots of questions here. Not a team strength.
Mids: Excellent crew with Scholes (admit it, he's a forward!), Murphy, Okocha, and Thompson as all studs.
Def/GK: Has three good point getters in O'Shea, Henchoz, and Bridge, and then uber-keeper Friedal between the posts. It's inconceivable that Brad repeats last year, but he'll still be good.
Overall: Needs striker help to contend; mid-table otherwise.

My picks:
League Champs: Darr's NOCTURNAL UNITED

Relegation Losers: 1-800 UK.COM

[Darr]

Originally posted by DoctorJones24
Handicapping the draft:

Darr
Forwards: Excellent trio anchored by possible league MVP Ruud. Incredible luck to grab him at #3, and Keane and Euell are no slouches.
Mids: Very good attacking fivesome. Though not sure how much Morris will play. One of the stronger midfields in our league, perhaps.
Def/GK: High-scoring Silvestre is very nice to have back there. Not sure about rest. Robinson could be peppered all year--don't see many Clean Sheets from him in the future. No backup GK.
Overall: Nice balance, probably a contender for league title.

My picks:
League Champs: Darr's NOCTURNAL UNITED

Relegation Losers: 1-800 UK.COM


If thats not an SI cover jinx, I don't know what one is... :)

[BuffloSoldier]

From the people in charge:

Aris Ohanessian wrote:
Hello,

When he is officially signed by Manchester United, how much will the midfielder Kleberson be "sold" at? 7.0m? 7.5m? More or less?

Thank you.

Aris

Hi,
He'll be priced similar to Keane I guess, we'll worry about that when it happens though ...

Cheers.

[1800-WorldCup]

Originally posted by DoctorJones24
Handicapping the draft:

My picks:
League Champs: Darr's NOCTURNAL UNITED

Relegation Losers: 1-800 UK.COM

The pressure is off.... it's all up from here. :)

The way I see it.

I didn't want to tie up too much money in the top strikers, or look too much at last season's points.

While I don't see my boys ripping the league apart (just yet), I'm nicely placed to play the transfer market, in order to ride some early gains and increase team value.

RvN and Henry:
Proven goalscorers and, to 'most' people, are worth their high starting price.

Without Veron (who would have benefited from Beckham's sale to Real Madrid), Man. Utd. will lose some of their creativity from the middle.

Veron had played well in the States, probably because he was in the shop window, and I hope he starts regularly for Chelsea; because I'll need his points.

Klebersen might take a while to settle in and will not be guaranteed regular starts.... one for the future.

I also feel Forlan will get more starts, especially when the squad rotation sets in during Champions League group stages. RvN may be rested at times.

Likewise with Henry. A slow starter and might get hamstring problems, if he's expected to do it almost single handedly on all fronts.

Heskey has been doing well in pre-season and, with Owen's treatment-room history, may play a leading role in the Anfield goal hunt.

And Alan Smith.....

With Hewell gone and Viduka in the rumour mill, someone's going to have to score for Leeds -- occassionally.

I feel Leeds might struggle but Alan Smith will want to get himself in contention for the England squad's trip to Turkey.

Postiga -- Saw him in the European games and he has great potential. Spurs need to give him service though.

Yes, a gamble.... but one I wanted to make sure was in the bag.... my bag.

All three strikers were chosen on what they might do.... and I might get lucky.

If I don't get lucky, they'll go in the pool and I'll dip in for some cheaper wonders and build team value.

In fact, the whole team is very provisional at the moment.

[1800-WorldCup]

He's in the database.

MtKillamanjohno -- W.ConnectionFC
1. Henry, Arsenal 12.0 -- Striker
2. Jenas, Newcastle 7.5 -- Midfield
3. Given, Newcastle 6.5 -- Goalkeeper
4. Southgate, Middlesbrough 6.5 -- Defender
5. Campbell, Arsenal 7.5 -- Defender
6. Carragher, Liverpool 7.0 -- Defender
7. Tugay, Blackburn 6.5 -- Midfield
8. Keane, Man. United 7.5 -- Midfield
9. Campbell, Everton 8.0 -- Striker
10. Svensson, M Southampton 5.5 -- Defender
11. Savage, Birmingham 6.0 -- Midfield
12. Cole J, Chelsea 8.0 -- Midfield
13. Coyne, Leicester 3.0 -- Goalkeeper
14. Chopra, Newcastle 4.0 -- Striker
15. Fortune, Charlton 4.0 -- Defender
Balance = 0.5

Nice call!

[Clan]

If a transfer is listed in the premiership forum at 11.59 tomorrow it doesn't count right?

It must read 12.00 right?

What if we have 2 at the same time?

[Darr]

Originally posted by Clanblue
If a transfer is listed in the premiership forum at 11.59 tomorrow it doesn't count right?

It must read 12.00 right?

What if we have 2 at the same time?


Someone looks like they want to make a run at Vieri?.... :)

[Clan]

Originally posted by Darr
Someone looks like they want to make a run at Vieri?.... :)

Well, i said right up front in the draft that i took Viduka with the intent of using his money for the purchase of whomever the Russian revolution brought in to lead Chelseas attack..
http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/european/story.jsp?story=431286
Looks like it wasn't a bad idea huh?

[1800-WorldCup]

As soon as they find out it's all laundered money, someone could get their assets frozen.

[Clan]

Originally posted by 1800-WorldCup
[Envious Yid]As soon as they find out it's all laundered money, someone could get their assets frozen.[/envious Yid]

:p

[1800-WorldCup]

Indeed.....

Where's the Russian Jews with loads of money? Bring them on down to the Lane.

[Clan]

Originally posted by 1800-WorldCup
Indeed.....

Where's the Russian Jews with loads of money? Bring them on down to the Lane.


er...they bought Chelsea.
Abramovich is a Jew by birth.