Preview #5 - LSG Camden

G AV 6.0 FriedelG SC 5.0 Sorensen
D MU 7.0 Vidic
D EV 5.5 Jagielka
D CH 6.0 Bosingwa
D BI 4.5 Dann
D EV 4.5 Coleman
M CH 9.5 Malouda
M EV 8.5 Cahill
M AR 7.0 Walcott
M BW 6.0 Taylor
M WA 5.0 McCarthy
F AR 10.0 Van Persie
F MU 8.5 Berbatov
F FU 6.5 Zamora

99.5 Spent
0.5 Remaining

Wiggum Unscientific Projected Ranking: Upper to mid table 
Probable Captain: Robin Van Persie
Biggest Strength: Potent strike-force
Biggest Weakness: Defense
Potential Draft Steal: Theo Walcott
Wildcard: Dmitir Berbatov

Analysis: LSG Camden appears to be the hardest team to predict for Coach Wiggum. On the one hand, there are proven superstars throughout this roster, suggesting an upper table finish. At the same time, there are enough question marks leading Wiggum to go into deep thought while picking his nose to figure out where this team may land. Factoring in the old injury or two and the possibility of some of these guys losing their starting roles, a mid table finish appears to be Wiggum’s best guess.

There is enough on this squad, however, to aim higher than mid table. Van Persie should be the anchor of a high scoring team which could be a Berbatov renaissance away from challenging the leaders all season. The midfield has guys like Malouda and Cahill who if healthy will bring speed and points. At the back, top to bottom this isn’t the league’s strongest defense, but with Vidic and Jagielka there is enough quality to produce points. Finally, the team has two proven keepers who can be substituted week in, week out depending on the schedule and still produce.

But it appears at the end of the day that there might not be enough here to be thinking about the title. Malouda finished strong last season, but early struggles suggest he may have been picked too high this season. Walcott should start, but if he form dips, how long until he rides the bench on an Arsenal squad with so many quality midfielders. And can anyone tell me the last time Tim Cahill stayed healthy, or that Berbatov appeared to care about his job?

That Jonathan shares similar doubts seems evident. With Joe Cole already having taken a medical, we may see a radically different squad come August 14 – another factor making the final projected ranking of LSG Camden so difficult to say.