With the first manager of the month award and £10,000 been and gone, we at YTM are looking at ways to make you budding managers kick yourselves for not picking players!
We have already shown you the best possible team, but here are eleven players who perhaps were not expected by many to do as well as they have done in the first few weeks of the season.
1015 - D James - 3.5m - 18 points
James moved to the South-Coast to be with his fiancee, but even he must not have expected the great start to the season that he has experienced. James has once again shown the critics why he was in the squad for the World Cup, and how any England manager would have to consider him for the England setup.
2106 - L Primus - 3.5m - 15 points
Harry Redknapp's revolution at Pompey seems to constantly include Linvoy Primus. He was seen by all of his other managers as merely a fringe player, yet Redknapp keeps picking him, and is currently being repaid for his faith. Primus has started the season very well alongside Sol Campbell, and he is currently a bargain at 3.5m.
2104 - D Stefanovic - 3.5m - 14 points
Stefanovic has been a regular for the new-look Portsmouth team, and he as well as all his team-mates have surprised all of us at YTM HQ with their fantastic start to the season.
2023 - I Campo - 3.5m - 14 points
Campo is down as a defender on YTM, but Bolton boss Sam Allardyce seems to prefer to play the veteran Spaniard in the centre of the park. Campo has contributed to Bolton's start to the season with a goal against Spurs in the first game of the season, and this haul of 14 points is well worth the 3.5m you would have to part with to get him in your team.
2040 - W Bridge - 4.5m - 14 points
Everybody expected Ashley Cole to be a Chelsea player by now, but Cole's loss seems to have been Wayne Bridge's gain, as he has started for Chelsea in every game of the season so far, and has been solid, chipping in with the odd KC.
3116 - D Francis - 3m - 17 points
Damien Francis moved to Watford from Wigan, and has played very well so far for the newly promoted team. He has chipped in with 2 goals in three games, and has been one of the most cosistent performers in a team that made Man United work hard for three points last weekend.
3122 - A Young - 2m - 10 points
Ashley Young has had a solid start to his first season in the top flight of English football. He has chipped in with a couple of KCs, and has looked like he will be terrorising full-backs for the rest of the season.
3093 - S Davis - 4m - 14 points
Three clean sheets for Portsmouth and three Key Contributions for Sean Davis has meant that he has had a great start to the season. Portsmouth look like they are starting to get the best out of this tireless midfielder, after his mid-season move from Tottenham last season.
4076 - B Zamora - 5m - 22 points
Dean Ashton's broken ankle meant that Alan Pardew needed someone to fill the striker gap in his team. Zamora stepped up to the plate and has so far scored 4 goals in three games. This form will surely see him stay in the Hammers' starting eleven... unless West Ham go and buy one of the best young strikers in the world in a sensational transfer coup... Zamora will not be too happy!
4061 - K Doyle - 3m - 12 points
Doyle has taken well to life in the Premiership, and has helped himself to a goal and one Key Contribution in Reading's first 3 games. He has proved so promising that there was talk of him signing for Man United before the transfer window closed, but that move failed to materialise. However, if he keeps on performing to his ability, expect the big clubs to come knocking come January.
4087 - N Kanu - 2.5 - 21 points
The gangly Nigerian has proved to everyone that Harry Redknapp was right to take a gamble on him, as he has so far scored 4 goals for his new club. Not many people would have expected Kanu to perform so well, and with the new signings coming just before the transfer deadline, Portsmouth, and Kanu will be hoping to go from strength to strength in the coming months.
These eleven players on You The Manager would have cost you a piffling 38 million. However, they would have scored any manager 171 points for August... enough to win the monthly award of £10,000...
...shame.
YTM HQ
Thursday, August 31, 2006
August Team Of The Month
The end of the first month of the Premiership is done, and YTM's monthly prize has gone to a manager whose team scored an admirable 160 points. How very different it could have been if someone had chosen this eleven:
GK: 1015 - D James - Portsmouth - 3.5m - 18 points
D: 2034 - J Terry - Chelsea - 8.5m - 20 points
D: 2008 - O Mellberg - Aston Villa - 5m - 15 points
D: 2077 - M Silvestre - Man United - 7m - 15 points
D: 2106 - L Primus - Portsmouth - 3m - 15 points
M: 3028 - F Lampard - Chelsea - 9m - 20 points
M: 3044 - J Bullard - Fulham - 5.5m - 18 points
M: 3116 - D Francis - Watford - 3m - 17 points
S: 4046 - L Saha - Man United - 6.5m - 22 points
S: 4076 - B Zamora - West Ham - 5m - 22 points
S: 4087 - N Kanu - Portsmouth - 2.5m - 21 points
With this team, at a total combined amount of £58.5m, any manager would have amassed 203 points...
...but who would have guessed that Portsmouth would have such a phenomenal start to the season!
Thats fantasy football management for you!
YTM HQ
GK: 1015 - D James - Portsmouth - 3.5m - 18 points
D: 2034 - J Terry - Chelsea - 8.5m - 20 points
D: 2008 - O Mellberg - Aston Villa - 5m - 15 points
D: 2077 - M Silvestre - Man United - 7m - 15 points
D: 2106 - L Primus - Portsmouth - 3m - 15 points
M: 3028 - F Lampard - Chelsea - 9m - 20 points
M: 3044 - J Bullard - Fulham - 5.5m - 18 points
M: 3116 - D Francis - Watford - 3m - 17 points
S: 4046 - L Saha - Man United - 6.5m - 22 points
S: 4076 - B Zamora - West Ham - 5m - 22 points
S: 4087 - N Kanu - Portsmouth - 2.5m - 21 points
With this team, at a total combined amount of £58.5m, any manager would have amassed 203 points...
...but who would have guessed that Portsmouth would have such a phenomenal start to the season!
Thats fantasy football management for you!
YTM HQ
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
YTM Additions: The £6.5m Striker Brigade!
With the transfer deadline looming, Premiership managers are scrambling to get the players that they think will spurr them unto success or save them from their poor start to the season.
There have been 3 major striker signings so far, and we at YTM HQ fully expect there to be more before midnight tomorrow.
But we have decided to highlight three new strikers, all signed for big money, all valued on YTM at £6.5m, all signed by clubs who need a kick-start to their seasons...
4089 Nicholas Anelka
Remember when Anelka was sold to Real Madrid by Arsenal for a silly amount of cash? Well the pacey striker has been to countless clubs in his career, and now the Anelka travelling show has pulled up at the Reebok Stadium, and Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has paid £8 million for a ticket.
There is no doubting Anelka's natural ability, but whether he can work in Big Sam's formation is another story, and would it be worth changing his plans for one striker?? YTM predicts goals from the Frenchman, but who knows how long until he gets itchy feet?
4088 Dirk Kuyt
Dirk Kuyt had a dissappointing World Cup, but was still a highly sought-after striker after the tournament. Liverpool have managed to obtain his services for £10 million, and he will be hoping to start paying back that fee as soon as possible. With Crouch, Bellamy, and now Kuyt in their barracks, Liverpool are beginning to have much needed competition for striking positions. YTM predicts a shakey start for the big Dutchman, but the goals will come.
4090 Obafemi Martins
Newcastle believe that they have found a capable replacement for Alan Shearer to wear the coveted number 9 shirt. Martins has pace to burn, and a rasping left-foot shot. He will be looking to grow a good partnership with Shola Ameobi, and Toon boss Glenn Roeder will be hoping for an injury-free forward, something Newcastle have not had for a very long time! YTM predicts a good partnership... but Ameobi could well steal the show.
If you agree or disagree, get your transfers done, and post your views now!
YTM HQ
There have been 3 major striker signings so far, and we at YTM HQ fully expect there to be more before midnight tomorrow.
But we have decided to highlight three new strikers, all signed for big money, all valued on YTM at £6.5m, all signed by clubs who need a kick-start to their seasons...
4089 Nicholas Anelka
Remember when Anelka was sold to Real Madrid by Arsenal for a silly amount of cash? Well the pacey striker has been to countless clubs in his career, and now the Anelka travelling show has pulled up at the Reebok Stadium, and Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has paid £8 million for a ticket.
There is no doubting Anelka's natural ability, but whether he can work in Big Sam's formation is another story, and would it be worth changing his plans for one striker?? YTM predicts goals from the Frenchman, but who knows how long until he gets itchy feet?
4088 Dirk Kuyt
Dirk Kuyt had a dissappointing World Cup, but was still a highly sought-after striker after the tournament. Liverpool have managed to obtain his services for £10 million, and he will be hoping to start paying back that fee as soon as possible. With Crouch, Bellamy, and now Kuyt in their barracks, Liverpool are beginning to have much needed competition for striking positions. YTM predicts a shakey start for the big Dutchman, but the goals will come.
4090 Obafemi Martins
Newcastle believe that they have found a capable replacement for Alan Shearer to wear the coveted number 9 shirt. Martins has pace to burn, and a rasping left-foot shot. He will be looking to grow a good partnership with Shola Ameobi, and Toon boss Glenn Roeder will be hoping for an injury-free forward, something Newcastle have not had for a very long time! YTM predicts a good partnership... but Ameobi could well steal the show.
If you agree or disagree, get your transfers done, and post your views now!
YTM HQ
Friday, August 18, 2006
Team Watch: Wigan
Paul Jewell has a relatively injury-free squad for selection for the first match of the season. However, his Wigan team still look fairly sparse in midfield. It is very likely that Jewell will play one of his defenders in an advanced role.
Expect all 5 of Wigan’s summer signings to start at the weekend, along with want-away Pascal Chimbonda, who looks resigned to staying at the JJB.
YTM’s predicted starting XI vs Newcastle on 19th August:
GK: Kirkland
DR: Boyce
DC: Hall
DC: De Zeeuw
DL: Baines
MR: Chimbonda
MC: Landzaat
MC: Scharner
ML: McCulloch
SC: Heskey
SC: Camara
What are Wigan’s chances in their difficult 2nd season in the top flight?
Will Heskey get the goals that his transfer fee demands?
Can Jewell make Chimbonda calm down and stay with the Latics?
Post your comments now!!
Expect all 5 of Wigan’s summer signings to start at the weekend, along with want-away Pascal Chimbonda, who looks resigned to staying at the JJB.
YTM’s predicted starting XI vs Newcastle on 19th August:
GK: Kirkland
DR: Boyce
DC: Hall
DC: De Zeeuw
DL: Baines
MR: Chimbonda
MC: Landzaat
MC: Scharner
ML: McCulloch
SC: Heskey
SC: Camara
What are Wigan’s chances in their difficult 2nd season in the top flight?
Will Heskey get the goals that his transfer fee demands?
Can Jewell make Chimbonda calm down and stay with the Latics?
Post your comments now!!
Team Watch: West Ham
With injuries to Dean Ashton and Matt Etherington, Pardew has a depleted squad for the first game of the season. This may force him to play with three forwards, and look for a convincing first victory of the 2006/7 Premiership campaign.
Pardew has worked well in the transfer market, signing England ‘keeper Rob Green, Ghanaian start John Paintsil, Combative midfielder Lee Bowyer and Forward Carlton Cole. I would expect all 4 of these signings to be present on Saturday.
YTM predicted starting XI vs Charlton on 19th August:
GK: Green
DR: Paintsil
DC: A Ferdinand
DC: Gabbidon
DL: Konchesky
MR: Bowyer
MC: Reo-Coker
ML: Benayoun
SC: Harewood
SC: Cole
SC: Zamora
Injuries:
Ashton – Broken ankle, out for at least 3 months
McCartney – Knee injury, out until mid-October
Spector – Shoulder injury, out till early September
Etherington – Knee injury, out till early September
Will West Ham be able to cope with the added strains of a European run?
Can they survive the first three months without star man Ashton?
Where will the Hammers finish this season??
Post your comments now!!
Pardew has worked well in the transfer market, signing England ‘keeper Rob Green, Ghanaian start John Paintsil, Combative midfielder Lee Bowyer and Forward Carlton Cole. I would expect all 4 of these signings to be present on Saturday.
YTM predicted starting XI vs Charlton on 19th August:
GK: Green
DR: Paintsil
DC: A Ferdinand
DC: Gabbidon
DL: Konchesky
MR: Bowyer
MC: Reo-Coker
ML: Benayoun
SC: Harewood
SC: Cole
SC: Zamora
Injuries:
Ashton – Broken ankle, out for at least 3 months
McCartney – Knee injury, out until mid-October
Spector – Shoulder injury, out till early September
Etherington – Knee injury, out till early September
Will West Ham be able to cope with the added strains of a European run?
Can they survive the first three months without star man Ashton?
Where will the Hammers finish this season??
Post your comments now!!
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