Last week started with a whimper for Team Travi, as what looked like was going to be a guaranteed clean sheet for Stefan Frei turned into an injury-induced one point round. Now, with the transfer deadline looming (FRIDAY at 10PM CENTRAL) and no confirmation of Frei’s timeline for starting, many of us are wondering what to do. This leads to the opening question, asked by several players:
What do I do with Frei?
I’m going to dump him. I have two options to choose from: Steve Clark or David Bingham, and I think both are good picks.
Even though Columbus Crew SC has not had a clean sheet in a while, Clark is a consistent performer, pulling in an average of 4.8 points over the last few matches. Also, the Crew have a DGW next week, so that would set me up nicely.
Bingham, on the other hand, has been hot lately, and is playing a Dynamo offense that’s struggled to score away from home, especially without Jamaican international, Giles Barnes. The Quakes have a DGW in week 25, and unlike Columbus, don’t have a bye week anytime soon.
@rvbfit: Goodson, Bingham, or Castillo for captain?
I rarely choose goalkeepers or defenders for captains, just because the ceiling is usually higher for the attacking players. Castillo has been solidly in the 7-8 range over the last three weeks, and could definitely match that in Orlando. Bingham is a solid (and safer) second choice.
@Sk_Zizou: Who to drop for Benny? Gio or J. Morales?
That’s a toughie, and it’s one that I’m struggling with myself. Right now, my gut’s telling me to drop Javi, as I don’t think Gio will stay off the score sheet two weeks in a row. I don’t feel comfortable having any of those three off of my roster, though. I know whoever I don’t have is going to put up a double-digit score.
@RealColinDowd How can I make up a 100 point gap from the leader?
I hear a lot of talk about seeking out differentials — less-popular players that may not be on people’s radar — but for me, there’s still plenty of time left in the season, and 100 points isn’t as much as it sounds. Keep sticking with a core group of solid players — Feilhaber, Giovinco, Kamara, Keane, Villa, etc., and try to make sure your secondary players and captain choice can pick up the difference.
@hcsued Having missed multiple weeks, should I spend the rest of the season making as many transfers as possible to see how many times I can get to #1 overall?
Why not? If you think you have absolutely no chance of getting yourself back into the prize money, and you don’t have any chance of making the playoffs in any of the H2H leagues you’re in, at least have fun with it and go all out!
As always, best of luck this week… unless you’re playing against me!
