Commentator Sense

I am going to post a quick statistical dis-proof of all the 'common sense' nonsense the commentators spew on a weekly basis. The first is the oft-quoted rule that Drogba and Anelka can't play together. It is hard (if not impossible) to prove things like how well they interchange passes, link up and create space together but what can be proven is the ultimate result of all that work: goals.

Looking at this season only (a small but still useful sample size) we see the following data (including the Champions League and Community Shield):

Games played with Drogba and Anelka starting: 8
Goals per game in these games: 2.89
Goals by Drogba and Anelka in these games: 8 (3 for Anelka, 5 for Drogba)

Games played with either Drogba or Anelka starting: 7
Goals per game in these games: 2.29
Goals by Drogba and Anelka in these games: 7 (6 for Anelka, 1 for Drogba).

Conclusion
The pair seem to be able to play well together given that they are averaging over half a goal more per game when they do so. The only loser seems to be Anelka who has excelled when played as the focal point of the 4-5-1 this season (6 goals in 7 games). Two lessons to be learned: one, commentators rarely let statistics and facts get in the way of a convenient statement, and, two, if Drogba were to get injured Anelka might just be the most valuable fantasy player around.

Gameweek 11 Running Diary (Part I)

15:05 Ronaldo opens the 3pm scoring with his 5th league goal of the season. This man is pure fantasy gold and is proving that 14m was well worth it. So long as you captain him his PPMS is well over 1.000.

15:13 Stoke take the lead via another Delap throw which is turning into one of the most dangerous weapons in the league right now. He, along with scorer Fuller are turning into legitimate fantasy starters this season.

15:13 Benni McCarthy slots home a soft penalty to take the lead over West Brom. The former Porto man has 2 in 3 and might be developing into a decent fantasy player at 7.2m.

15:21 Former Pure Juice substitute Hayden Mullins scores for the Hammers and suggests he may be a decent bench man at 4.3m. Boro's defense is looking less convincing by the week.

15:24 Hull tie things up at Old Trafford and Van der Sar's clean sheet goes begging. The big Dutchman was benched last week and might be heading towards the Pure Juice chopping board in the near future. Dawson is in the points again with a long assist and Daniel Cousin nets for Hull as he did in the famous win at the Emirates.

15:28 Gameweek 11 sub Alex nets for Chelsea to put a huge smug smile on his manager's face. Joe Cole, who just returned to the first team with the assist.

15:31 United are back in front through a wonderful flowing move finished well by Michael Carrick after being put through by Berbatov for his second assist.

15: 31 Chelsea extend their lead as if to respond to the events at Old Trafford and this time its Anelka with the big man Alex getting the assist in a suspiciously offside goal. No matter though, that 10 points already for the Brazilian.

15:37 Goalscorer McCarthy is sent off for two yellow cards and Paul Ince is incensed. BBC suggest the South African striker can have no complaints though. I remove my potential buy recommendation!

15:38 Ashley Cole limps off at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea's defensive woes continue. If this is long term Wayne Bridge becomes a definite buy.

15:45 Ronaldo doubles his tally and probably seals the three points for United. I repeat - fantasy gold.

15:47 Blog favourite Amr Zaki converts the spot kick given away by Bouba Diop (again!). I'm pleased he will silence those suggesting he is in a slump having not scored for two games! The only downside is the loss of the clean sheet for Traore.

15:49 Anleka scored again as Chelsea run riot. Very unselfish play by the frustratingly good Malouda who squares for Anelka to roll the ball into the net. Chelsea look like the team to beat right now, and Malouda looks like the man to buy so long as Ballack remains out.

15:51 Half time goes and i can take a breathe, what a first half! 48 points for the Juice lead by captain Ronaldo on 22 and surely on his way to more bonus points. I'd be dissapointed not to hit 65 again this week.

I am going to continue the second half in another post for fear of the internet crashing!

Injury Update

First of all, apologies for the lack of posts recently, its been a combination of work and the international break that has stifled my blogging of late.
Before previewing this week's games I thought it might be useful to have a quick look around the league to see who's in and who's out for gameweek 8.

Goalkeepers
No injuries here of any note, though if for some reason you're one of the 2% of players to own Paul Robinson, you may want to look elsewhere as he is still questionable for this week (@Bolton). His potential replacement, Jason Brown (4.5m) is not particularly good value.

Defenders
Chelsea are the biggest question mark this week with Terry, Carvalho, Alex and Cole all listed as injured at physioroom.com, and Bosingwa being ruled out of the midweek game against Albania. Carvalho will almost certainly not figure, where as the other four look set to play at this point (all have missed international duty tonight). If you hold them, you are probably safe to start them if you have a decent sub, though I wouldn't recommend buying them at this point. However, after Boro away and Liverpool, Chelsea have a pretty nice run of games so you may want to position yourself accordingly.
Martin Skrtel will miss Liverpool's game this week and could be out until beyond christmas (knee). It is suggested that Daniel Agger (5.9m) will replace Skrtel, though this is somewhat questionable with all the current transfer rumblings. Agger would be a great addition if Benitez picks him and would be a sure fire way to make a bit of cash if you jump on him early.

Midfielders
Deco is still a doubt for this week having not featured for Portugal this week, though is still owned by a surprising 15% of owners. His value has crashed to 9.2m in recent weeks and he could be a nice pickup when he does return (though I'd hold off on this for now).
Deco's team mate Joe Cole
Tim Cahill will miss the next two weeks through suspension which is tough for owners with the lack of talent in his price bracket. A downgrade in price to the likes of Denilson, Valencia or Ireland may be a decent idea for the next couple of weeks.
Scholes and Carrick will definitely miss the visit of West Brom, and Hargreaves looks to be a doubt which could make Anderson (6.0) a steal. Anderson racked up 3 bonus points last week against Blackburn and has impressed when given a chance this season.
Gutierrez (5.9) could potentially return for Newcastle which will be a boost after his promising start to the season. With a decent run of fixtures on the horizon he could be a decent pickup for those looking for someone a bit different.

Forwards
Ashton is out until the new year and should not be held by anyone right now, though he inexplicably is by 5.5% players. West Ham have added the once prolific Diego Tristan who could be worth monitoring over the coming weeks if he can force his way past the likes of Di Michele, Cole and Bellamy.
Drogba is still out (knee) and Anelka will lead the line in his absence. Anelka has scored 4 goals so far this season though owners have been dumping him in the thousands and his value has fallen to 9.3 which makes him a decent pickup this week against Boro.
Pavlyuchenko is out until the end of the month though I can't see why you would have the so far unimpressive big man anyway.