The Week Ahead: Player Picks for Match Week 34

For the first time in a while I didn't have a spectacular week in fantasy. It was certainly OK with RvP and my two Newcastle guys (Hatem Ben Arfa and Papiss Cisse) carrying the majority of the load. What I will say is that despite the fantasy outcome, the week unfolded in a very entertaining way that made me extremely happy. What do I mean? Here are some examples:

• TW14 - Arsenal won which always makes me happy and they did so with a strong contribution from Theo Walcott. Walcott drew the penalty on Bassong. He also scored a goal. Just as important as scoring the goal was HOW he scored it. When Theo scores it is usually due to him cutting in from way out on the right wing and beating the keeper to the far side with a shot that he's good at but has a high degree of difficulty. This time, he was in a fairly typical position when he took the shot but he got there running straight toward the keeper rather than cutting in and he went near side rather than to the far side. This represents some real progress for someone who has quietly been having a pretty good run of form as Arsenal have been winning matches over the last 10 weeks or so.
• Old Man Scholes - An interesting thing happened on the way to Wigan beating Manchester United. Paul Scholes may have won Most Valuable Player (which I realize doesn't exist in the EPL) without playing a minute. They were terrible in his absence and the combination of Cleverly and Carrick weren't able to orchestrate the midfield against mediocre-at-best opposition. It is fascinating to wonder where the title race would be if Scholes hadn't decided to un-retire. It is also fascinating to speculate on whether United can afford to buy a replacement/supplement over the summer - surely at 200 years old or whatever he is Scholes can't be counted on to play all of next season. The fact that they were unprepared for this last summer leads one to believe that their finances aren't everything they seem.
• No Pressure? - Oh yeah, that's what City looked like earlier in the season. You'll understand why I may have forgotten. Was it that Silva had a chance to rest for a little bit? Was it the fact that they have essentially conceded the title and the pressure is off? Regardless, with United's loss and a head-to-head match-up remaining it will be interesting to see if City plays well enough to give United a scare down the stretch or whether they'll wilt again now that the pressure could be seen as back on.
• Spurs and Chelsea Sputter - I completely understand what is going on at Chelsea (fading stars, poor management, a mismatch between players and styles, etc.) but Spurs are a complete mystery to me. The names are by-and-large the same ones that had me terrified for the first half of the season. And unlike when Villa or Everton have challenged for a Top 4 spot into February and early March in recent years you look at Spurs roster and think that they are legitimate contenders. I've seen all sorts of theories
• The Officiating - If ever there was an advertisement for video replay, it came from all directions over the last 10 days or so. City could rightly say that United should have dropped 5 points rather than 3 over their last two matches which could have a direct impact on the title race. Wigan could likewise say that they are "owed" a point from the Chelsea "loss". If Chelsea take those two extra points and secure a Champions League spot over Spurs or Newcastle United then then whichever of those clubs loses out has the right to be furious as well. And those are just the ones that I remembered off the top of my head that could have implications in the millions of dollars.
• Newcastle - They just keep chugging along. Can anyone explain how it was this easy and (relatively) inexpensive to field a strong team while at the same time Liverpool spent a ton of money of players who are neither exceptional nor exceptional fits with each other?

As you all know, this week finds us with only 6 matches due to the FA Cup semi-finals taking place concurrently with the Premier League. The first set of decisions you have to make revolve around players you may be holding at a discount (e.g., Ben Arfa, Cisse) who aren't playing this coming weekend. Here's my quick logic without addressing specific cases:

• How big is the discount?
• How critical is the player to your roster?
• What are your alternatives?
• What is the impact of selling now and likely wanting the player back later without the discount?
• And maybe most importantly: Where are you in the standings and what are your goals?