The first two rounds are in the books so it's time to get stuck into the meat of the Roto FC Draft.
Picking your first two players isn't overly taxing - Ronaldo, Fabregas or Torres - it's hard to go wrong with the best of the best. It's when the rounds get deeper that your squad really begins to take shape and the draft-day winners and losers are made.
Here's a look at who's gone already:
Round 1
1 - Cristiano Ronaldo
2 - Steven Gerrard
3 - Cesc Fabregas
4 - Fernando Torres
5 - Emmanuel Adebayor
6 - Carlos Tevez
7 - Dimitar Berbatov
8 - Petr Cech
9 - David James
10 - Edwin van der Sar
Click here to see Round 1 in full.
Round 2
11 - Gael Clichy
12 - Ashley Young
13 - Frank Lampard
14 - Patrice Evra
15 - Nemanja Vidic
16 - Jose Bosingwa
17 - David Bentley
18 - Robbie Keane
19 - Didier Drogba
20 - Rio Ferdinand
Click here to see Round 2 in full.
Reminder: The Roto FC Draft snakes from round to round, hence the order of Round 1 will be reversed for Round 2, back to normal in Round 3, and so forth.
Round 3
Pick 21 - Manager 1
Niko Kranjcar
Midfielder/Portsmouth
The partnership between Kranjcar and Lassana Diarra will be key to Pompey's success this season.
Last season's ranking - 10
Pick 22 - Manager 2
Bacary Sagna
Defender/Arsenal
After an excellent first season at the Emirates, look for more of the same from the French right back.
Last season's ranking - 28
Pick 23 - Manager 3
Stewart Downing
Midfielder/Middlesbrough
I expect progress from Boro under Southgate and Downing is the fulcrum of their attack. At 24 years old, the local-born winger is entering the prime of his career.
Last season's ranking - 12
Pick 24 - Manager 4
William Gallas
Defender/Arsenal
Suffers from the occasional mental breakdown, but the Arsenal captain is a quality defender and his goalscoring is a bonus.
Last season's ranking - 38
Pick 25 - Manager 5
Ashley Cole
Defender/Chelsea
His attacking play has deteriorated since joining Chelsea, but his defending has improved and he will play a vital role in Scolari's watertight defence.
Last season's ranking - 32
Pick 26 - Manager 6
Elano
Midfielder/Manchester City
The versatile Brazilian made City tick last year and his productivity (8 goals and 44 attempts created) should improve in his second season.
Last season's ranking - 31
Pick 27 - Manager 7
Deco
Midfielder/Chelsea
There's no doubting his ability, but how will he fit into Scolari's plans? Production tailed off towards the end at Barca.
Last season's ranking - N/A
Pick 28 - Manager 8
Wayne Rooney
Forward/Manchester United
If he falls this far he'll be a steal. Currently suffering from a virus but should only miss the first two games.
Last season's ranking - 52
Pick 29 - Manager 9
Roque Santa Cruz
Forward/Blackburn Rovers
If Morten Gamst Pederson can redicover his best form and make up for the loss of Bentley, Santa Cruz won't fall off the face of the earth like Benni McCarthy did in his second season at Ewood Park.
Last season's ranking - 8
Pick 30 - Manager 10
Nicolas Anelka
Forward/Chelsea
What he lacks in personality, "Le Sulk" makes up for in finishing ability. Scored 4 goals against AC Milan in pre-season.
Last season's ranking - 25
Round 4
Pick 31 - Manager 10
Michael Carrick
Midfielder/Manchester United
After taking a selfish forward with their last pick, Manager 10 goes in the opposite direction with the creative Carrick. Not the toughest, Carrick still managed the fifth best net tackles (62) in the league last season.
Last season's ranking - 29
Pick 32 - Manager 9
Glen Johnson
Defender/Portsmouth
It's hard to believe Johnson is still only 23. After his disappointing time at Chelsea he has once again established himself as an England contender.
Last season's ranking - 36
Pick 33 - Manager 8
Jamie Carragher
Defender/Liverpool
With Daniel Agger back, Liverpool and Carragher should keep more clean sheets this season.
Last season's ranking - 42
Pick 34 - Manager 7
Tim Howard
Goalkeeper/Everton
Has Flourished since making the journey along the M62 to Goddison Park. Benefits from Everton's defensive style and registered 14 clean sheets last term.
Last season's ranking - 51
Pick 35 - Manager 6
Gabriel Abgonlahor
Forward/Aston Villa
Even if he doesn't match last season's goalscoring (11) he is still maturing and should compensate by improving his attempt creation and net tackling tallies.
Last season's ranking - 23
Pick 36 - Manager 5
Mikel Arteta
Midfielder/Everton
Struggled with a stomach injury during last season and only featured in 28 games, the third fewest among the top 40 overall performers. Fitness permitting, picking him up in the third round could be daylight robbery.
Last season's ranking - 37
Pick 37 - Manager 4
Michael Owen
Forward/Newcastle United
With Owen's injury history this could be a bit of a gamble, but since Manager 4 already has Torres in the bag they feel confident enough to go with Owen's upside.
Last season's ranking - 35
Pick 38 - Manager 3
Kolo Toure
Defender/Arsenal
Away at the African Nations last winter so should see his value increase with a full season for the Gooners.
Last season's ranking - 40
Pick 39 - Manager 2
Salomon Kalou
Forward/Chelsea
Manager 2 covers their bases and drafts the rapidly improving Kalou, thus softening the blow if Drogba fails to perform or moves before the end of the transfer window.
Last season's ranking - 44
Pick 40 - Manager 1
Gareth Barry
Midfielder/Aston Villa
Who knows where he'll end up, but Barry should be a consistent performer for any team. Rarely injured, Barry provides solid if unspectacular stats in every category.
Last season's ranking - 26
What do you think of our Round 3 and 4 choices? Comment and let us know!
0 comments:
Post a Comment