This season Portsmouth have shifted formation from the the 4-3-3 cum 4-5-1 system largely used last season to a greater emphasis on a 4-4-2 shape. To this end, manager Harry Redknapp has signed midfielder Diarra as well as Nigeria striker John Utaka, who is likely to compete for a midfield spot (Crouch and Defoe having secured the striking roles).
But it has been Pedro Mendes who has started every one of Pompey's friendlies, as well as the Community Shield against Man Utd. Listed in FF at the cheapest possible £4.5 million, Mendes will represent fantastic value if he gets a starting spot.
Mendes has scored a couple of goals in preseason games, and took some of the corners in the Community Shield match. With Pompey having some tall players in the squad, including Crouch up front, Mendes' crosses are likely to lead to assists as well as goals.
It was expected that Mendes would likely challenge Diop for the remaining central midfield spot alongside Diarra, with Krancjar and Utaka taking the wide berths. But the Community Shield saw Diop take the wide position from Utaka, and Redknapp put his faith with Mendes in the centre for 90 minutes. Whilst the majority of points from Pompey's midfield will probably come from Kranjcar, if Mendes is given a starting role he will certainly be worth attaining.
We recommend keeping an eye on him for Portsmouth's opening fixtures, and if he starts then consider picking him up as another bargain basement midfielder.
Our Fantasy Picks for GW1Schmeichel Ivanovic Mertesacker Cedric Walcott Lallana Hazard Barkley Costa van-Wolfswinkel Rooney |
Leicester are a good shout to keep a clean sheet against Sunderland. Chelsea are the big guns and can't / shouldn't be overlooked. Lallana & Walcott are fantasticly good pre-season. S'hampton play the dreadful Newcastle, who will be booed off their home park in GW1. Everton are likely to put a few past Watford & Barkley is good value. van Wolfswinkel put a few away in preseason & knows where goal is. Man Utd have epic mids now, and Rooney is the sole forward. |
One To Watch: Pompey's Mendes
Labels: Midfielders
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5 comments:
Could i get some help with my team? Right now i've got:
GK: Cech 6
DEF: Ferdinand 7, Clichy 6.5, Carvalho 6.5
MID: A Young 8.5, Bentley 8, Modric 7.5, Scholes 7, Bullard 6.5
ATT: Bent 7.5, Alves 7.5
BNCH:
Schwarzer 4
Shorey 5.5
Meite 4
Defoe 8 (because he's going against Chelsea, i guess i should probably replace him? only just realised his first few games are tough)
Thoughts/suggestions?
Thanks for the help.
That is a very balanced squad, and could do well if they all fire. Be aware than Man Utd have no game in the 3rd week, so you will want reliable subs to cover Ferdinand and Scholes.
Personally I like to have a big gun midfielder if possible... so swap, say, Melchiot (4.5) for Shorey. Defoe should do ok this season, but for now swap Ashton for Defoe to save another 1.5, and Bosingwa instead of Carvalho to save another 0.5m (perhaps a gamble there on Bosingwas return from injury in the 2nd week).
That should leave the 3m needed to upgrade Bentley to Lampard.
I think Bentley's FF output will drop this year as he is no longer the big fish in a small pond, as Bill Davidson said in response to the Anelka post.
Cech is a solid choice, but I prefer to save money on goalkeepers. Friedel at 5.5, Green and Carson at 5.0, and even Kirkland at 4.5 all seem like good value for starters to me. Clean sheets are great, but I'll take more minutes played, saves, and bonus points any day. (If Reading hadn't been relegated, Hahnemann would be my starter for a second consecutive season. BTW, Schwarzer's a steal at 4.0! Good one!)
OK, here's my latest effort after taking in your advice.
GK: Friedel 5.5
DEF: Clichy 6.5, Carvalho 6.5, Luke Young 4.5
MID: Lampard 11, Ashley Young 8.5, Bentley 8, Modric 7.5, Bullard 6.5
ATT: Bent 7.5, Afonso Alvez 7.5
BNCH: Schwarzer 4, Bosingwa 6, (will replace L Young on return) Meite 4, Ashton 6.5
Questions:
I got rid of Scholes instead of Bentley as i could afford it, right choice??
Should i be starting Ashton week 1 at home to Wigan, or am i right to go with Bullard against Hull?
Any other changes i should be looking to make or is my team now looking good?
Good moves, Joe. I'd keep Bentley over Scholes, too. Scholes is a legend, but at his age, he's unlikely to get as much playing time as Bentley. (Perhaps put Scholes on your watchlist.)
Ashton vs. Bullard? Good question. Given their opponents, they're both likely to do well. However, I'm sure Fulham are thrilled to have Jimmy fit for the season opener at Hull. Start Bullard and make Ashton your first substitute.
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