Playing the Spurs Stock Market

Fantasy Football has come to Cartilage Free Captain. Our league is already steeped with competitors (info to enter here).  So now its time to start assembling your dream team.

Unfortunately, the game restricts you to only four players from any given team, so your dreams of putting out the Spurs first XI is thwarted. Therefore, if your team is going to compete for a title whilst boasting a strong squad of North London's finest, you need to assess our own players.

Unfortunately, Tottenham supporters tend to be a bit biased towards our own players. They are viewed either as messiahs (Bale, VdV, Luka, Robbie Keane before he went to shit) or the worst player ever (Hutton, David Bentley, Robbie Keane now that he is shit). So this website of intrepid Tottenham writers is here to help you out through your bias. Who on Tottenham is overvalued, who is undervalued, who you should wait on, and who you should leave on the side of the A10.

Leave On the A10: (Prices in Parentheses) 

Carlo Cudicini (4.5)- Never going to play in the league

Alan Hutton (5)- Even if he moves to a club where he starts ever week, still unable to do anything well

Sebastien Bassong (4.5)- Not good, never going to play

Ledley King (5)- He's beloved and the inspiration for this site's name, but you don't want to play Russian Roulette every week wondering if he's going to play.

Wilson Palacios (5)- Midfielders that are unable to function with the ball at their feet will never score enough to be a value in fantasy.

Danny Rose (5)- If he was listed as a defender, he might just be great value. But at midfield he'll never get enough minutes to be worthwhile.

Steven Pienaar (7)- Thoroughly uninspiring since arriving, poor fitness right now, unlikely to contribute.

Sandro (5)- Midfielder + Knee Surgery = DO NOT WANT

Robbie Keane (5)- It hurts me deeply, but he's done. 

Undervalued:

Gomes (5.5)- Look, he's extremely likely to have the starting job. The defense is healthier and more settled now then it was going into last season. He's hungry now and know he has an experienced, talented keeper over his shoulder. Could be in for big things.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto (5)- Criminally underrated. Highest scoring defender on the team last year. Gets opportunities for attacking points. Least competition at position, most durable, and most likely to play ever week.

Michael Dawson (5.5)- Only center defender I can pretty much guarantee will play 30 games this year. Unless he suffers another freak injury, Daws will be leading the defense. With actual talented right backs to his left this season and some better goalkeeping, defense could post big points. 

Rafael van der Vaart (10)- The price seems very steep. But you look at all the high priced midfielders around him, and he's about the only one who's coming off a strong season and will play every week. He's looking very strong in preseason and back to fit, so he can probably go 90 on a regular basis this season. Massive scorer.

Gareth Bale (8)- Destroyer of Milan. Welsh Jesus. Bale's deserved a lot of superlatives, but he's yet underpriced this year. He's looking the most game ready in preseason right now, and a full season in the Premiership should have given him the experience to adjust physically to the demands.

Tom Huddlestone (6)- Injuries derailed Tom's season a bit last year, but his form is looking as good as ever. Huddlestone's passing is more accurate, and he's starting to locate his howitzer of a right foot even better. A season of health should make him a value player for Spurs.

Peter Crouch (7)- Crouchie can get a lot of stick around here, but he's at least dependable fantasy wise. His ability to get assists gives him an extra bonus, and it seems likely that a rebound in form can lead to big boost in goal scoring. He's the only striker VdV seems to enjoy playing with, so he should keep getting minutes.

Overvalued:

Brad Friedel (5.5)- The new signing has looked slow so far this offseason. Very unlikely that he gets starting minutes off the bat. Could become great value if Gomes gets hurt or is shocking, otherwise not worth owning.

William Gallas (5)- Fitness is a major question entering the season, and at his age and injury record its hard to imagine that he will be starting enough to be valuable to own.

Aaron Lennon (7.5)- A phenomenal player, but has never been enough of a scorer from midfield position to be worth this price. If Harry actually buys a striker that can finish Lennon's crosses he might gain some value, but if not Lennon remains a price too high.

Niko Kranjcar (6)- Niko has been a fan favorite and shown the ability to score important goals. But until he gets out of Harry's doghouse and gains a glimpse of some starting minutes, his price is a roadblock to any potential ownership.

Jermain Defoe (8.5)- Defoe is so mercurial that he could easily come back this season and score 20 goals. But he could also more easily score five, or even get sold before he gets the chance. With VdV in the system Defoe seems unlikely to ever be a 30 game starter, so pass on JD.

Wait and See

Kyle Walker (5.5)- The kid is a stud and was a major scorer in only a half season with Aston Villa. But until Harry gives the inklings that Walker will get a majority of starts, he isn't worth owning. Stay with the site, and we'll give you the drop if he gets the nod.

Vedran Corluka (5.5)- Same as above. Could be a high scorer if Harry shows a major affinity for him in the starting line-up. Until then, wait.

Younes Kaboul (5.5)- Kaboul has more ability to rack up points than any of the central defenders. Kaboul has impressed as a half back this preseason, but unless the injury news looks very ominous on Gallas, not worth owning. Pay attention to the training table.

Luka Modric (8)- Simple. If he stays, could have a massive season. If he goes, will hurt too much to own and might not even play ever week. Please stay, Luka.

Jermaine Jenas (5.5)- Directly related to Luka. If Luka goes, Jenas could step into his roll and rack up some major points. If Luka stays, will barely play. Stay tuned.

Roman Pavluychenko (7)- Hardest to figure of all the strikers. Most natural goal scorer of the trio. Best performing last year. Playing time and finishing still questionable. Could be massive this year, could be on the next plane back to the USSR. If no strikers are added by Levy, give him a shot.