Fantasy Football - Gameweek 7

My tips did slightly better this week, with Emmanuele Giaccherini earning himself 6 points due to his second half goal against Liverpool as part of an impressive performance from the Italian. My other pick for the week, Samir Nasri, also bagged some points, getting himself an assist as part of Man City's slightly baffling 3-2 loss away to Aston Villa.

Of my tips to avoid, Jack Colback earned himself just 1 point as he lost a point for gaining a yellow card during the match. Luckily for the Ginger Prince though, his classification as a midfielder rather than a defender meant that he avoided the -1 penalty for his side conceding three goals. Despite West Brom playing extremely away to win 2-1 away at Old Trafford at the weekend, Stephane Sessegnon still only managed to gain 2 points as his reward for playing 89 minutes. This probably wasn't, in reality, much of a fair reflection of another good performance from the Beninese attacker. I'd say he's starting to make Sunderland look like fools for letting him go, but I'm still convinced his form will nosedive in a few weeks.

This week Sunderland have a very interesting fixture, with Interim Head Coach in charge again for the visit of the champions. Usually this is a fixture that we'd write off even if we were in good form, but this season David Moyes' Manchester United side look atypically vulnerable - the most noticeable stat being their failure to score a goal from open play since their opening day win away against Swansea. Elsewhere, other interesting fixtures see the sporadically impressive but hugely inconsistent Man City host the league's only unbeaten side Everton, whilst Steve Clarke's United-slayers host the Premier League's in-form side Arsenal.

Sunderland Player To Watch: Ki Sung-Yeung

The South Korean got an assist last week after his shot was turned into Giaccherini's path by Simon Mignolet, and I'm backing him to impress again in a the centre of the park against a distinctly ropey looking United midfield. With Lee Cattermole seemingly firmly installed back in the side, I'm hoping this could be that rare game where Sunderland's midfield actually wins the battle in the middle. Just a shame we don't still have Alfred N'Diaye to stick Fellaini back in the pocket he was stuffed in the win against Everton last season.

General Player To Watch: Hugo Lloris

Spurs have perhaps been a tad unlucky this season in that their impressive start has been somewhat overshadowed by the even more impressive early season form of their North London neighbours. One thing that's been extremely noticeable about Spurs form is their excellent defence, with them still having only conceded two goals. Part of this is the excellence of their French 'keeper. Always quick and proactive off his line, Lloris' presence allows Villas-Boas' side to play a higher defensive line and press confidently in midfield.

Sunderland Player To Avoid: Adam Johnson

Whilst Sunderland were notably improved in their last fixture against Liverpool, Adam Johnson wasn't. In fact, the winger has been in a fairly run of form ever since he was awarded the first Roker Report player of the month award for this season. We apparently have a lot more influence than we thought! Coming up, in all likelihood, against the still extremely talented Patrice Evra at left back for United I can't see Johnson getting much joy from this match.

General Player To Avoid: Danny Gabbidon

Danny Gabbidon is first choice centre-back for Crystal Palace, and this week they're coming up against Suarez and Sturridge fresh after their demolition job against our backline. Despite the conclusions that may have been drawn from our game against Palace earlier in the season, their defence is probably even ropier than ours, and I can see a Liverpool side packed with attacking talent licking their lips (literally, in some cases) at the prospect of taking them on.

The Roker Report League

So, as the real league table begins to firm up, so does ours with it becoming more stretched between the bottom and the top. Daniel Parker moves to top of our league this week with a hugely impressive 383 points. 6 points behind, is Danny Dougherty sits on 377. It's then all very close down to 6th place, with Chris Worthy on 375, Jack Barker on 373, John Downing 372 and Gino Bawn 371. It's starting to feel like a pack is beginning to break away, with Daniel Parker, Chris Worthy and John Downing all fixtures in the top 10 or so for the last few weeks or so.

Amongst the Roker Report writers a firm ranking seems to have been established. Craig is on top still in 64th with 331 points and I sit on 321 points in 86th. A fair way behind Luke is in 178th on 297 points, Dave a little way behind him in 241st with 282 points and then, trailing behind as ever, Stephen on 253 in 313st and Simon in 336th on 238 points.