View from the BaDMaN Boot Room – GW 4

One more round of matches and we break for that really exciting and important international tournament that everyone is buzzing about… 

The Nations League series of matches are absolutely NOT simply friendlies by another name to try to distract fans into paying up to £70 to watch a collection of mostly unused substitutes play out a meaningless match.

Bang wrong. Uh uh. Nope. Not at all.

It’s the Nations League. Y’know, a bit like the World Cup, but better. 

Anyway, the sweet FA say it’s happening so there’ll be no Premier League next week.

So savour the Team of the Season so far…

Goalkeeper                    Total        Last week

Neil Etheridge (CAR)               28pts         2pts

Defenders

Marcos Alonso (CHE)             35pts         11pts
Benjamin Mendy (MC)            27pts         4pts
Andrew Robertson (LIV)         27pts         9pts
Jose Holebas (WAT)               24pts         9pts

Midfielders

Sadio Mane (LIV)                    29pts        3pts 
Roberto Pereyra (WAT)          26pts        8pts
Mo Salah (LIV)                        25pts         8pts
Lucas Moura (TOT)                 24pts        15pts

Forwards

Sergio Aguero (MC)                 24pts        2pts 
Alexsandar Mitrovic (FUL)      24pts        16pts 

But who’s going to do a job wherever you put them on the park this week, gaffers?

Boots off, slippers on. We’re heading for the BaDMaN Boot Room…

How long can this Welsh drag on… 

Cardiff stopper Etheridge is hanging on to the No.1 spot by the skin of his Sondicos. But with Arsenal in town there are better options around. Pickford (EVE) is a decent option with Everton entertaining goal-shy Huddersfield. They’ve managed just three shots on target so far. This season. 

Gullit bullet… er… mullet

Alonso (CHE) took a bit of stick from Ruud Gullit this week. More like a midfielder, apparently. And too tall and slow. Perhaps it was just the two assists and 11pts this week. Liverpool’s left back Robertson pushed him close and is averaging 9pts a week so far – so is on schedule for a 342pts season. Get him in. Like now.

The other perma-member of our select back four, Mendy (MC) had a quiet one, but is likely to be tearing up Newcastle’s right flank on Saturday teatime. But who joins them…

Hornet Holebas (WAT) played his way back in with a goal at the weekend. But going to Tottenham on Monday night might have you thinking about drafting in a Palace or Everton replacement. Their assignments at home to Southampton and Huddersfield should keep your sheets pristine.

Schlupp (CP) is the cheapest and best option at just £4.5m. With more to come from the likes of Baines and Coleman (both EVE) for a touch more dollar. 

Get your Hazards on…

Another goal from Pereyra (WAT) has taken him to shirt-tugging distance of the Mane (LIV) man. With the jet-heeled Mo (LIV) and Moura (TOT) crashing the party on the back of match-winning performances. 

You’ll get no arguments from me about any of them. But I will throw in a Hazard (CHE) warning that Eden is ready to play from the start. That means trouble for Bournemouth. Wolves’ Neves is currently level on pts, but going to £5.4m less – and won’t let you down at West Ham.

And Man City might react to spilling a couple of points last week. Their midfield is a bit of a quandary at the moment though, with Pep tending to favour his technicians over his speedsters at the mo. Gundogan is the mack daddy at the minute – and a snip at £5.5. Bernardo Silva makes a case, but wants another £2.1 off you. 

Looking to the middle order…

Two goals and an assist for big Alex Mitrovic (FUL) means he bundles past Aguero (MC) and is officially the greatest ever striker to play in the Premier League. Between last week and this, that is. 

On the plus side, he and his West London dandies are off to Brighton this weekend. And could well come back with pts. On the negative side, he is a clumsy cunt who just as likely to drop the nut on someone. So – personally – I’ll be looking elsewhere. 

In the mid-range, Arnautovic (WH), Zaha (CP) and Tosun (EVE) are worthy of your attention. In the bargain basement I like the look of Jiminez (and the sound. Ahem… hhhhhhimineth. Nice.) And Burnley have had little joy in front of goal so far, but whipping boys Man United are in town. 

Wood has been mainly on PL duty. 

More BaDMaN Boot Room banter next week. Now GET OUT!