(Yawns & stretches)  Have a good nap?  Well that was a nice rest for some fun FA Cup matches but it is time to get back to work on the Premiership and get ready for Gameweek 26 of your SoB Fantasy Fix.  Of course, over here the big story is the run up to the Oscars.  Your sometimes humble writer should be up for best actor since I am called the “Special One” (but of course!).  But there will be more on that later…

As usual; our “Fantasy Zolo” league code is 694916-134116 to join our private league.  Select “Leagues” under your Fantasy Menu and then enter the code and you are good to go.

Thoughts on last week

Actually they are really thoughts on the extended prior Gameweek.  Anyone who had ManU players with the double fixtures this past week was very happy. What in the world were Fulham doing against United at Old Trafford?  Not trying to get a result obviously.  All that can be said about that match is that United has now secured an improbable lead to take the title race. 

Andrei Arshavin didn’t get a chance to play in Arsenal’s FA Cup match due to transfer regulations so we really don’t know if he is fit.  He should play this week but I truly doubt he will get a full run out at the Emirates.  What I do know is that he is overpriced at 9.5£m.

This week (Gameweek 26)

Make sure to consider each club’s fixture list for the future (and the past).  Last Gameweek we had “doubles” for Portsmouth, ManCity, ManU, & Fulham.  Meanwhile last calendar week’s FA Cup action involved Premiership sides Fulham, Hull City, West Ham, Middlesbrough, Blackburn, Chelsea, Everton, AstonVilla, Arsenal & ManU. 

Fulham, Hull City, West Ham, Middlesbrough, & Blackburn because of their draws, all face replay FA Cup matches this next calendar week. 

Why do I mention this?  Because your favorite strikers & midfielders might see less of the pitch and more of the bench due to fixture congestion.  Just something to keep in mind as you make your selections for this Gameweek. 

Also how can we forget the Champions League?  Arsenal & ManU play on Tuesday 2.24 with United travelling to Italy to face “the Special One”.  What…there is another one?  Not possible. 

Chelsea hosts Juventus and Liverpool will fly to Madrid to face Real on Wednesday 2.25.  Set the TiVo’s now or head out to the pub early form work for a liquid lunch.  Players may be rested ahead of these matches as well; you have been warned.

Now with all the attention surrounding the Oscars…let’s jump on the bandwagon and distribute some SoB/ Fantasy Zolo awards:

Best Foreign Language (Short):  Juande Ramos: – The former Spanish Tottenham manager really had a hard time settling in this season and never really got the chance to practice the English that he was learning during his very “short” stay this season.  Now the Manager of Real Madrid, he truly traded-up well for a fired Spurs manager.

Best Documentary:  Aston Villa: – It has been several years in the making but Martin O’Neill’s team has “documented” to the world how to be successful in the Premiership on a budget and do it with a good domestic English core of players.  Many teams that will be promoted in the future will try to follow Aston Villa’s “documentary”.

Best Director: David Moyes – Everton:  Moyes has done a brilliant job this season in the Premiership with what he has had to work with.  Even better than Martin O’Neill of Aston Villa when you consider all the injuries to his squad that he has handled masterfully.  Remember, at one point before Christmas, Moyes had no healthy strikers and either used Tim Cahill as a makeshift striker or started a 4-6-0 formation and Moyes was still getting wins for Everton.  Manager of the year if there is any justice.

Best Animated Feature:  Harry Redknapp – Tottenham: Good ol’ ‘arry gives some of the most animated pre & post match interviews.  His facial expressions during the matches alone are worthy of Disney’s animation studios.  I am sure his voice was used for the Disney cartoon version of “Robin Hood” as King Richard.  Or he was in “Bedknobs and Broomsticks” at the least.

Best Actor:  Nicolas Anelka – Chelsea: The Frenchman has been excellent in portraying himself as a team player this season.  Currently, he “acts” as if he doesn’t have has a problem with Didier Drogba as a feature striker while Anelka is shoved out to the wings.  Anelka is currently biding his time as he prepares for another big payday in another country at season’s end.  What an actor!

Best Actress:  Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United:  No, it is not for his hairgel, primping or effeminate posing on the pitch.  He wins it not for the reasons you think.  Many forget how tremendous he was earlier this year in his role as a cross-dressing footballer.  When in Portugal, Spain or anywhere really on continental Europe, he told the press he saw himself as a “Madrista” of Real Madrid.  When he was in England however, he claimed his loyalty to Manchester.  For the ability to “cross-dress” like that with no repercussions, Ronaldo wins the award hands down.

Best Comedy:  Manchester City:  With all the promise of that Abu Dhabi billions in oil money, City has been laughable on the pitch for most of the season.  The “richest club in the world”, as they have been labeled by the press, have been in the fight of their life just to avoid relegation.  I find that incredibly funny and a true comedy!

Best Drama:  Chelsea:  With all the different characters floating around the team, instead of a title winning “dynasty”, they are more like the 80’s TV Soap Dynasty.  There is always international intrigue about how the club has been financed and how will they ever retire their debt.  Now they have the “drama” of the firing of Phil “the Gene Hackman” Scolari as manager only to be replaced with stunt manager Guus “the spy who loved me” Hiddink who really wants to stay in Russia.  There is always behind the scenes gossip in West London and add to that the “drama” of strikers Anelka and Drogba refusing to play together (with French subtitles); you have one Oscar worthy drama.

Players to watch:

Let’s focus on players who hopefully will play this week

• Shola Ameobi:  “it’s Ameobi-like” shouts Dave from Newcastle.  Now how many of you really knew that he had a first name, hmmm?  The prodigal son has returned and he is a great value play.  I have a feeling that the well rested Magpies will be up for it against a fixture congested Everton team.
• Steven Harper: I usually don’t comment on goalkeepers but for the reasons mentioned above I have a good feeling about Newcastle.  I expect “the Big Four” clubs to be juggling lineups especially keepers ahead of the Champions League matches in less than 96 hours in some cases.
• Nani: Do I need to mention that his first name is Luis?  With him fit & fixture congestion staring ManU in the face, the midfielder should get a good run out, maybe even a start this week.  Good pick if you are a gambler.
• Maynor Figueroa:  Another player I have mentioned before but I have a good feeling about his defensive match up against Middlesbrough.  He is still a good value selection.

Players to drop/sit:

·        Steven Gerrard: He is still nursing an injury.  The Reds should be easily favored over ManCity at Anfield, even with Manager Rafa Benitez’s tinkering.  With the Champions League ahead, he will surely see the bench.

·        Deco: No first name necessary for him.  Although a rotation policy due to fixture congestion may give the Chelsea midfielder more playing time; I doubt it.  With the firing of “the Gene Hackman” Phil Scolari last week, I truly doubt that the Portuguese star midfielder will see much time this week (or the rest of the season for that matter) under stunt manager Guus Hiddink. 

·        Emmanuel Adebayor: The much criticized Arsenal striker will be out for “several” weeks with a hamstring injury that saw him taken off the derby match against Tottenham.  With only 1 goal in his last 8 premiership matches, it may be time to offload him for good. 

·        Robbie Keane: With the injury to Defoe that I mentioned in previous weeks, Keane is now the focus of the Spurs attack.  I expect Manager ‘arry Redknapp to be more focused on the upcoming Carling Cup final match at Wembley on Sunday 3.1.09 versus ManU.  This will be the Spurs’ only chance at a trophy this year & the Spurs will probably field a half-hearted squad at Hull City on Monday 2.23.  This advice also holds for all Spurs’ players.

My Moves:

My team is SoBphillyHarchester*. You can search for my team and take a look at it, I don’t mind, and see if you can find some ideas that may help your club.

• I intend to keep my powder dry this week and wait for the teams to sort themselves out after the FA cup matches.  I think Cech is due for a rest ahead of the Champions League next week.  This is also the case for Gerrard.  So bearing that in mind, I’ll go with the same side as last week.
• As requested, my starting XI is Schwarzer, Vidic Jagielka Clichy Konchesky, Mullins Arteta Lampard(C), Mido Agbonnlahor Cole

Next week:

The Champions League matches return (thank God) as does the Carling Cup Final and they will play a part in who plays, who is injured, & who is disgruntled for next Gameweek’s Premiership matches.  Thanks for reading…Be good.