Manchester United: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Büttner, Carrick, Fellaini, Kagawa Januzaj, Lawrence, Wilson. Subs: Amos Vidic M. Keane Mata Giggs Young Van Persie Hull City: Jakupovic, Rosenior, Figueroa, Bruce, Davies, Meyler, Koren, Boyd, Quinn, Elmohamady, Long Subs: Harper, Huddlestone, Livermore, Fryatt, Faye, Sagbo, Jelavic It’s a strange end to the season […]
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Liverpool’s Suarez and friends : Premier League Team of the Season
Another fascinating Premier League campaign draws to a close on Sunday, and there can be few arguments that this season has been one of the best in recent memory.
Manchester City look to be about to snatch the league title just when it had been in Liverpool’s grasp, but who have been the standout individual performers of the campaign?
Here we pick our team of the season:
Goalkeeper: Julian Speroni (Crystal Palace)
David Marshall was superb for Cardiff but the league table doesn’t lie. His team are going down, whilst Crystal Palace find themselves in a terrific 11th place.
Much of that is down to the performances of veteran goalkeeper Speroni, who made some terrific and vital saves throughout the cause of the season.
Right-back: Seamus Coleman (Everton)
An incessant goal threat throughout the campaign, Everton’s Irishman was a constant menace down his side’s right flank in Roberto Martinez’s entertaining side.
Now transformed in the eyes of many from merely a good right-back to one of the top performers in the division, Coleman is certainly mustard.
Centre-back: Gary Cahill (Chelsea)
Another season of progression for Cahill, who will rightly go to the World Cup as England’s first-choice defender.
Most centre-backs who work with Jose Mourinho eventually show considerable improvement, and Cahill’s has been more apparent than most.
Centre-back: John Terry (Chelsea)
Seemingly on his way out at his beloved club last season, Terry has risen to the challenge set to him by Mourinho in this campaign and excelled.
There might be some brinksmanship going on over his new contract, but he’ll eventually get one.
Left-back: Leighton Baines (Everton)
More of a consistent force than Southampton’s Luke Shaw, Baines gets in for his importance to the way that Everton play.
The role of both him and Coleman has been crucial to Martinez’s team, and he has long become established as an idol of the fans.
Right midfield: Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
Adam Lallana has been superb for Southampton, but the Saints haven’t really had anything important riding on their games since about January.
The way that Sterling inspired Liverpool’s unlikely and ultimately failed title charge was incredible for one so young, and the teenager deserves recognition and place in the team.
Centre midfield: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
The late drama notwithstanding, Liverpool have been an incredible force this season, and much of that is down to their captain Gerrard.
Playing in a deeper role, he has been able to oversee matches and help keep his young, vibrant side ticking over. A few more years in this position awaits.
Centre midfield: Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
It might seem strange to include only one player from the likely champions, but as theirs has been very much a team effort, Toure has stood tall.
The Ivorian has seemingly taken his game to another level, dominating in midfield and almost trampling over any opponents who dare come near him.
Left midfield: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
The Belgian’s relationship with his manager might be being called into question, but Chelsea and Mourinho would be foolish to lose such a terrific talent.
With a remarkable balance and capable of shooting with both feet, Hazard is a remarkable player and one who has lit up the Premier League this season.
Forward: Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)
A terrific campaign for the English forward, who went into it as a possible World Cup pick but has ended it as one of the first names on the England teamsheet.
Fast, vibrant and with a seemingly infectious desire to score goals, Sturridge has been great to watch this season and only looks like improving in the seasons to come.
Forward: Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
An obvious inclusion for the remarkable Uruguayan, who continues to have his detractors but is quite simply one of the world’s best footballers.
Suarez’s tally of 31 Premier League goals has tied with the record for a 38-game Premier League season, and you wouldn’t bet against him breaking that record on Sunday.
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool : Lineups
May 5
Crystal Palace: Speroni, Mariappa, Dann, Delaney, Ward, Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Ledley, Bolasie, Puncheon, Chamakh. Subs: Hennessey, Gabbidon, Parr, O’Keefe, Ince, Gayle, Murray. Liverpool: Mignolet, Johnson, Flanagan, Skrtel, Sakho, Gerrard, Allen, Lucas, Sterling, Sturridge, Suarez Subs: Jones, Toure, Agger, Coutinho, Aspas, Moses, Cissokho https://twitter.com/FantasyYIRMA/statuses/463263681401610242 Last home performance of the season today for the @Crystals_CPFC at […]
Arsenal vs West Brom: Lineups
May 4
Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Flamini, Arteta, Cazorla, Ozil, Podolski, Giroud Subs: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Vermaelen, Kallstrom, Rosicky, Diaby, Sanogo West Brom: Foster, Dawson, Lugano, Olsson, Brunt, Amalfitano, Mulumbu, Morrison, Dorrans, Sessegnon, Berahino Subs: Myhill , Anichebe, O’Neil, Sinclair, Vydra, McAuley, Yacob https://twitter.com/FantasyYIRMA/statuses/462912093684236288 THE FantasyYIRMA Premier League Awards, Selected by @Mark_Jones86 With Luis […]
NO ROONEY: Manchester United vs Sunderland: Lineups
May 3
Manchester United: De Gea, Jones, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Carrick, Fletcher, Young, Mata, Hernandez. Subs: Amos, Smalling, Valencia, Fellaini, Januzaj, Welbeck, Van Persie. Sunderland: Mannone, Vergini, Alonso, O’Shea, Brown, Cattermole, Larsson, Colback, Johnson, Borini, Wickham Subs: Bardsley, Altidore, Ba, Giaccherini, Bridcutt, Scocco, Ustari. Whether or not Ryan Giggs’ tenure in charge of Manchester […]
GW37 Preview: Manchester United and City play twice!
UPDATE Friday 2nd May: Wayne Rooney is now a potential injury doubt for Manchester United’s game against Sunderland.
In his Press conference at 10am this morning, manager Ryan Giggs has said Rooney will be assessed over the next 24 hours before a final decision is made.
Whether or not Ryan Giggs’ tenure in charge of Manchester United stretches beyond these few weeks remains to be seen, but the Welshman could hardly have wished for a better start to his managerial career than the one he got last weekend.
All thoughts of David Moyes were banished at Old Trafford as United strolled to a 4-0 victory over a troubled Norwich City, with smiles returning to faces which has only seen scowls for the vast majority of this season.
Key to those smiles was Wayne Rooney (£11.7m), who returned to form with two goals as his side blew their relegation-threatened visitors away.
Both Rooney and United will have the chance to keep the goals flowing when they entertain both Sunderland and Hull City in the next week, with all three clubs making up half of the sides who face Double Gameweeks in this penultimate week of the Fantasy Premier League season.
Of the six, United have surely been dealt the best hand with two home matches against a side struggling near the bottom of the table then a mid-table Hull outfit who are now just hanging around for the FA Cup final.
Either one or both of those matches seem certain to feature goals for Rooney, whilst some of United’s other attacking talents should also be eyed. Juan Mata (£9.7m) may have only come off the bench last weekend but he scored twice, whilst despite being in and out of the team for the vast majority of his career in England, Shinji Kagawa (£7.1m) has now started five of the last six matches, and all of the last four.
Further back in the team, there is the potential for some more points from Giggs’ men too.
Selecting United defenders has never been a task for the faint-hearted, but the one man you can usually rely on in the side is Patrice Evra (£6.5m), with the Frenchman no doubt keen to put in some good performances at the end of what could be his final season at Old Trafford.
The left-back is ageing and might not be the player he once was, but as United double up this week he could provide valuable points.
Elsewhere, the other side of in Manchester also face two matches this week, with theirs of course being far more important.
With Liverpool’s loss at home to Chelsea opening up the title race once more, City know that only perfection will be needed from here.
They face a huge clash at Everton on Saturday before the slightly gentler task of hosting Aston Villa, and you can be sure that Yaya Toure (£10.3m) will be fit and firing for both of them.
Any concerns over Toure’s potential injury were dispelled with that wonderful lung-bursting run and finish in the win at Crystal Palace, and his influence will be crucial as City go into two matches in which they simply cannot drop points.
Sergio Aguero (£12.7m) will also be key of course, but it has been Edin Dzeko (£7.1m) who has been in the greater form recently and he’ll also be a threat.
Of the other sides facing two matches this week, some interesting options leap out.
Having drawn at City and won at Chelsea, Sunderland surely won’t feel too overawed heading to Manchester United, and if you don’t believe that Rooney, Evra and co are the men to back there then either Fabio Borini (£6.2m) and Connor Wickham (£4.6m) could be useful, whilst Hull’s front two of Shane Long (£5.5m) and Nikica Jelavic (£6.5m) are another pair who need to be respected.
Back in the land of those that only play once this week, Swansea’s Wilfried Bony (£7.3m) has been in inspired form of late and will look to be so again as the Swans host Southampton, whilst Eden Hazard (£10.3m) could return to Premier League action for Chelsea against Norwich.
Chelsea vs Atlético Madrid: Lineups and Fantasy Preview
Apr 30
Chelsea: Schwarzer, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c), Cole, Ramires, David Luiz, Azpilicueta, Hazard, Willian, Torres. Subs: Oscar, Schürrle, van Ginkel, Ba, Eto’o, Kalas, Hilário Atlético Madrid: Courtois, Juanfran, Miranda, Godín, Filipe Luis, Mario Suárez, Tiago, Adrián, Koke, Arda, Diego Costa Subs: Aranzubia, Alderweireld, Diego, Sosa, Cristian Rodriguez, Raul Garcia, David Villa […]
The Off the Mark Awards 2013/14: Honouring the Premier League’s best and David Moyes
‘I used to manage Liverpool you know, Luis. Well, for a bit.’
With Luis Suarez having been voted the PFA Player of the Year and the title race entering the home straight, it’s certainly awards season in the Premier League.
But just who have been the best, worst, brightest and dimmest in the division? @Mark_Jones86 puts on his best tux and gets ready to dish out the gongs.
Best Game: There have been a couple of 6-3s, with Liverpool and Manchester City coming out as the victors of both, but for the best game you have to look at the meeting between the sides at Anfield earlier this month, which the Reds won 3-2.
It had everything. One of Liverpool’s trademark fast starts, City’s quality seeing them roar back into the game and then an error from the visiting captain which swung the match and title race in Liverpool’s favour, at least until a more recent mistake from the other captain saw it go back the other way.
Worst Game: Back in August no-one knew quite how bad Manchester United were going to be under David Moyes, and so Jose Mourinho thought he was being really, really ball-achingly clever when his Chelsea side turned up at Old Trafford, opted to play no forwards and bored his way to a goalless draw.
He wasn’t.
Best Player: During one four-game spell in December, Luis Suarez scored 10 goals. Ten in four. That’s ridiculous.
By far and away the best footballer in the Premier League, Suarez has been sensational this season. Ill-feeling and a morbid fascination in him may remain from some, but it’s called Player of the Year for a reason.
Best Young Player: How young is young? Eden Hazard and Daniel Sturridge were both brilliant but they are 23 and 24 respectively, so let’s go for Luke Shaw. Still only 18 and now considered good enough for one of those ridiculously over-priced transfers that English players specialise in.
Best Goal: A worthy late entry here from Jonjo Shelvey, and whilst Wayne Rooney’s goal at West Ham was truly special, the fact that goalkeeper Adrian was flapping around like a beached seal somewhat ruined it.
No, for sheer bloody-minded Jeeeeeesus Christ-ness its Norwich City’s Alex Tettey, with the type of goal that Norwich City’s Alex Tettey shouldn’t be scoring.
Luis Suarez’s best goal: Probably the third of his four against Norwich in December. The control, the flick, the unstoppable blast. Maybe that’s where Tettey got it from.
Best Own Goal: Nice try Everton, but John Terry was always going to clinch this award for his glancing header against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. It was the goal which ensured that Palace would improbably stay in the Premier League and that Chelsea probably wouldn’t win it.
Best Manager: Brendan Rodgers. Less soundbites, more scoring.
Worst Manager: Look Moyesy, you’ve won something! *waves* Sorry Pardew.
The bit where I state how well Tony Pulis did at Crystal Palace: Tony Pulis did incredibly well at Crystal Palace, and is finally getting the credit he deserved at Stoke. London bias?
Worst refereeing decision: Not so much Andre Marriner’s genuine error in mistaking Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for Kieran Gibbs as a sea of red and white shirted Arsenal players surrounded him at Chelsea, but more the fact that Marriner didn’t sprint down the Stamford Bridge tunnel, grab Gibbs, haul him back on and dismiss Chamberlain once he’d learned of his error.
Do you not know what people are like on Twitter, Andre?!
Alternative, uncool team of the season: David Marshall, Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren, Joel Ward, Gareth Barry, James McCarthy, Jordan Henderson, Samir Nasri, Jason Puncheon, Wilfried Bony.
Best Signing: Romelu Lukaku was an unused Chelsea substitute in that aforementioned bore draw at Old Trafford, before Mourinho loaned him to Everton and then watched on as his forwards failed to hit several barn doors for much of the season. Meanwhile, the big Belgian was brilliant at Goodison.
Worst Signing: Roberto Soldado, Marouane Fellaini and Ricky van Wolfswinkel can rest easy, because we’re a little bit concerned that Tottenham might actually have killed the £30m Erik Lamela.
Actually lads, do you mind forming a search party? You’re not doing anything else.
Surprise of the season: Liverpool. Liverpool, Liverpool, Liverpool.
After years of in-fighting, grave off-field errors and mistakes at every turn, the Reds reinvented themselves as the Premier League’s great entertainers. Every match was an event. It might not be enough to secure league titles until they can back it up defensively, but it’s going to be fun watching them try.
Funniest Manchester United game: Loads to choose from here, but strangely we’re not even going to go for a defeat.
Fulham had barely ever scored a goal north of the Watford Gap until they went to Old Trafford in February, took the lead and then pinched a point through Darren Bent in stoppage time just as the ‘Moyes turns the corner’ headlines were being written.
He’d merely found another cul-de-sac.
The Arsene Wenger award for repeating the same season over and over again, although at least this time he’ll probably win the FA Cup, which will finally bring an end to that long trophy drought and give an admirably hard-working, respectable figure something to enjoy, although he must still have nightmares about the league collapse, I mean, they were top of the league before they went to Liverpool in early February and got battered 5-1, I hope he doesn’t leave though, because deep down I like him and wish him well: Arsene Wenger.
Yaya Toure rampaging run of the season: The one against Palace the other day? Or the one against, er… you know? And that other one. He does it every week. What a player.
Defining moment of the season: If Liverpool win the league then it’ll be Philippe Coutinho’s winner against Manchester City, but if, as now seems likely, they don’t then of course it is Steven Gerrard’s slip against Chelsea which allowed Demba Ba to score.
It was a moment in time which ensures that, no matter how hard you work, how much you sacrifice, how much you long for success for your team, your fans and your city, you are still susceptible to the crazy storylines which run throughout football.
And we wouldn’t want it any other way would we?
Champions League: Will Chelsea drive the Bus up front?
Apr 29
We did toy with the idea of running an individual Champions League game… But realistically we already struggle to keep up to speed with the Hollyoaks omnibus as it is! That’s why FantasyYIRMA recommends Fantasy iTeam if you are looking for Champions League Fantasy Action. Check out their free app and start building your UCL […]
Arsenal vs Newcastle: Confirmed Lineups and Preview
Apr 28
ARSENAL TEAM: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Arteta, Ramsey, Ozil, Cazorla, Podolski, Giroud SUBS: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Vermaelen, Kallstrom, Flamini, Rosicky, Sanogo NEWCASTLE TEAM: Krul; Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini (c), Dummett; Gosling, Anita, Tiote, Gouffran; Sissoko; Remy SUBS: Elliot, Haidara, Yanga-Mbiwa, S Taylor, Obertan, Armstrong, Shola Ameobi Read on for match preview […]
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