Game Week 8 Wrap-up

All the acclaim is (rightfully) going to Robin van Persie today, after his double downed Sunderland. But for my fantasy team, the plaudits go to Manchester City's Adam Johnson.

Johnson has been on our radar ever since he was Stewart Downing's understudy, and heir-apparent, at Middlesbrough. With Aguero out, and Mancini hinting that his his international stars were tired, it seemed pretty clear that AJ would get another start. Indeed he did, and right at the start of the second half he scored a sweet goal and then followed it up with an assist from a corner.

I only wish that my selling Emmanuel Adebayor for Franco Di Santo had proved half as fruitful, or didn't cost me points! *Sigh* I didn't think 'arry would risk K2 this weekend, but he did, and it paid off.

Now I have a bit of a quandary. Every time I've dropped Aguero (before this weekend), he's burned me. I think he's scored at least five goals when not in my fantasy team. It's probably the number one reason that I'm in the hole that I'm in this season. But next week is the Manchester derby. Do I want to pick him back up before such a tough match-up?

Last week, I picked up Luis Suarez despite the "against Manchester United" match-up because someone had to take the shots on target that David De Gea has been saving all season. That worked out well to the tune of two shots for Suarez and a decent return on investment. For this weekend, that logic certainly holds for Aguero. But...

But there are some really tasty matchups this weekend and my forward line is taking advantage. I have the aforementioned K2 travelling to woeful Blackburn Rovers. Suarez stays in the team as Liverpool are hosting Norwich City who, despite all the plaudits have shipped at least two goals in each of their last three matches. The last spot goes to Daniel Sturridge, who is on a scoring tear and is travelling to Queens Park Rangers. Chelsea are ruthless against lesser opponents, and QPR shipped six to Fulham. Fulham!

So where is the spot for Aguero? There's just no room at the inn.

My reading list of Premier League wrap-ups, after the jump.

The Digest – Gameweek Eight @ Fantasy Football Tips, News and Views from Fantasy Football Scout
A double Dutch weekend, rescued for some by the elegant brilliance of the Arsenal skipper, after Alex Ferguson had conspired to baffle us by attacking Liverpool with a blunt instrument. With such unpredictable madness afoot, even the brawn and bluster on sale in the Potteries is beginning to appeal...

Premier Analysis: Lefty Liverpool, Arsenal's box-botherer, City's odd man out - Stats Zone - FourFourTwo

Five things we learned from the Premier League this weekend | Football | guardian.co.uk
Evan Fanning, Ian McCourt and Gregg Roughley: Why Mario Balotelli should be taken seriously; Bolton and Wigan are staying near the bottom; and why King's reign could end

Premier League chalkboard analysis | Michael Cox | Football | guardian.co.uk
Michael Cox: This week we look at Sunderland's ill-discipline, Frank Lampard's positioning, Liverpool's crossing, Blackburn's corners, and Manchester City's substitutes

Premier League Winners And Losers | Winners & Losers | Football365
See the winners and losers from this week's round of matches on Football365

Five things we learned from the EPL this weekend - Ravi Ubha - soccer - ESPN
Here are five takeaways from the Premier League weekend that featured a drab United-Liverpool draw and Super Mario making headlines for the right reasons, writes Ravi Ubha.