G MU 6.5 Van der Sar
G NU 4.5 Harper
D CH 7.5 Cole A
D SC 4.5 Higginbotham
D BI 5.0 Johnson R
D FU 5.0 Baird
D BR 5.0 Chimbonda
M EV 8.5 Arteta
M CH 7.0 Essien
M LI 9.0 Kuyt
M FU 6.5 Duff
M BI 5.5 Bowyer
F TH 9.0 Defoe
F AV 8.5 Agbonlahor
F EV 8.0 Saha
100.0 Spent
0.0 Remaining
Wiggum Unscientific Projected Ranking: Mid to lower table
Probable Captain: Mikiel Arteta
Biggest Strength: Best strikeforce in the league
Biggest Weakness: Defense – or lack thereof
Potential Draft Steal: Mikiel Arteta
Wildcard: Louis Saha
Anaylsis: Given that this squad appears to have been assembled not in a data driven, high tec war room but a local library and farmers field, Inoffthepost FC can be very happy with the final results. There is no clear cut “I’m going to score 250 points this season” superstar on the squad. But with the exception of the defense, there is quality throughout this team – and the SR’s best strikeforce if you ask me.
Lets start with the positives: the Defoe-Agbonlahor-Saha trio should put up a significant amount of points up front, with a stronger Tottenham team giving Defoe a good opportunity to improve on his annual 150 point haul. In the middle, there is a lot of quality – Arteta and Kuyt are proven point producers, and Essien is one of the best players in the prem. And in goal, Eddie is as solid a choice as you can make.
The clear weakness here is in the back, with perhaps the worst defensive 5 on paper of all the SR teams. Ashely Cole will put up points, but his recent health record isn’t too much to write home about. After that, the drop off is steep – its very possible none of these guys will crack 100 points. Add to this worries about Arteta’s health, Saha’s injury history, and the fact that Dirk Kuyt is rumored to be very interested in a reunion with Rafael Benitez, and there are enough question marks to suggest change will come.
The results of the forwards will largely determine where this squad will finish. If they don’t produce, it could be in serious trouble. And if Arteta gets injured early in the season, expect a wildcard to be used promptly.
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