Week 9 Tidbits

Having watched all the EPL games and highlights on TV this weekend, here are some impressions. Eight games into the season, some tendencies have certainly developed and patterns have evolved.

- Reading continues to be a very difficult opponent, especially at home. We've seen that in the draw they earned with ManU, and it was on display this week as they forced Chelski to grind out a hard-earned 1-0 win. Definitely not looking like relegation fodder and a style of play that has not (yet?) yielded many fantasy points to opponents.

- Charlton is just horrible and strong candidate for the drop based on current form. I would think that with Darren Bent & JFH up front, they would score some goals, but it really looks like they are bereft of creativity and service in the midfield. And the defence lacks quality. Sure, the strikers will score the odd goal, and Charlton won't suffer many goal-less games, but to me, they seem like they will lose 2-1, 3-1 every week.

- You can put West Ham in that category as well, they look awful currently.

- Newcastle is undergoing a rough stretch at the moment, with the back line particularly out of sorts. They seem like a squad likely to give up goals and YFF points, and I am starting to look at NUFC opponents weekly as potential picks.

- Chelsea continue to march along, scrapping out another tight win. Good for their title hopes, but not especially good news fantasy-wise. They are not generating many chances per game and just don't appear cohesive in the attacking third. The defence is rock solid again, but the injury blow to their GKs will be interesting. If Cudicini recovers for the weekend, he could be a bargain pick. I've seen Sheva play several times now, and he simply does not look any closer to scoring. He's not getting many shots per game and seems to be dropping deeper to collect passes. Maybe some wider wing players can supply some service that will help him. Speaking of - Robben was the Blues most dangerous player, and Joe Cole came on for 25 minutes.

- ManU are in fine form right now and look a very good attacking team. They average 20 attempts at goal per game, tops in the Premiership. Saha fired another and created numerous chances. Rooney looked much livelier and was unlucky not to score. After seeing him run all over the pitch and set up a couple of goals, I don't think it will be more than a game or 2 before he finds the net. Giggs looked very good in a 45 minute appearance as well, and his return should permit Roon to move further forward again. All of this without Ronaldo, who sat out the match.

- Arsenal are hitting stride, especially within the friendly confines of their new stadium, and seem good for several goals every time out. Rosicky started and had an eye for goal, hitting 4 SOTs, and Fabregas' passing was sublime as it orchestrated the attack. Henry scored and assisted on a goal, but still has not put in a "Henry" 30-point performance of seasons past. But it will come.

- Ashley Young played most of the game against the Gunners as a striker, or at least in a very advanced support striker role.

- Bellamy scored for Liverpool, but the Reds continue to flounder a bit, drawing with Rovers. And Rafa's squad rotation make YFF picking difficult. Personally, I anxiously await a break-out game from Stevie G.

- Tottenham just never give me a sense that they will win or keep a clean sheet.

- Villa remain undefeated after another draw; a great start to the season for a team that hovered at the bottom of the table last year. They seem to be a solid bet at home, though picking their goal andYFF point scorers is a bit of a guessing game right now.