Gameweek Eleven – This Much We Know

Paltry returns from double gameweek investment. Yet more predictable points from Drogba, Fabregas and Van Persie. Is it me or is it proving difficult to find that spark of fantasy football inspiration this season? If you answer “no” and tell me you captained Dindane, I just won’t believe you.

Here’s some thoughts on the “gameweek of early baths”…

The red mist descended…
There were a record nine red cards fluttered in the Premier League this weekend, leading to an array of suspensions for gameweek 12. Luckily, very few of these are of direct significance to fantasy managers.

The pair of Liverpool dismissals will affect their defensive resolve (you do remember Liverpool’s defensive resolve right?) at home to Birmingham next weekend. A clean sheet in that one still looks a strong possibility though (no really), given that Birmingham don’t offer the biggest attacking threat away from home. Whisper it, but should they recover from injury, Skrtel and Agger could offer some short-term value.

Everton will lose Bilyaletdinov for three matches, quashing his appeal as a fantasy option and possibly opening the way for returns for Osman and or Pienaar. More significantly, Kenwyne Jones will miss Sunderland’s trip to Spurs (and ARs wig) – that should see a start to Frazier Campbell who, along with Darren Bent and Andy Reid, will have a point to prove to Spurs. Sunderland will also be without Cana for that game however, after he picked up his fifth yellow against West Ham. With Cattermole injured, that rips the heart out of the Black Cats’ midfield. That’s a worry at both ends of the field for Turner/Bent owners.

Almunia is back as Wenger’s number one…
The selection of Almunia against Spurs appears to reinstate the Spaniard as the first choice keeper at the Emirates. However, Arsenal notched up only their third clean sheet of the season at the weekend – hardly the kind of defensive form that will have us fantasy managers looking to make the most of the situation.

Wenger’s pack has been reduced by Bendtner blow…
The cocky confident Arsenal striker lasted 37 minutes of the North London derby and it’s now been confirmed that he’ll be sidelined for up to four weeks – at least. While that’s not a massive blow for fantasy managers (sorry Nik) – his absence could prove significant given that Walcott is also struggling for fitness. Wenger’s options either side of Van Persie now consist of Rosicky, Eboue, Eduardo, Arshavin and perhaps Nasri. The latter would seem more likely to be handed a central midfield role, perhaps even a holding position. Arshavin looks more secure, while Rosicky, once fit, should be in line for a run of starts until Walcott is available.

Rio is creaking…
Rio Ferdinand’s fragility is becoming a bigger concern by the week. He missed the weekend clean sheet against Blackburn, along with Vidic who was also troubled by a calf injury. Brown and Evans deputised and were singled out by Ferguson in his post-match comments. Evan’s would appear to be higher up the pecking order as the stand-in for either Ferdinand or Vidic and he now seems set for a run of starts while United insist on a Rio making a full recovery from his calf and prolonged back problems. According to some reports this could be anywhere from 2-6 weeks, putting Evans firmly on our radars. A trip to Stamford Bridge next weekend is far from the best starting point however.

Joe Cole is no use to us on the bench…
Ancelotti and just about everyone else has been singing the praises of Joe Cole over the past week. While we can all recognise his talent and potential as a fantasy signing, he’s no good to us on the bench. Predictably, that’s exactly where he stayed on Saturday at the Reebok. Clearly, Joe Cole is still some way from establishing himself as a certain starter in the league and may never do so if the Chelsea boss prioritises starts for him in the Champions League. For now then, he remains a big fantasy gamble.

Nobody can figure out what Wigan are about…
One week they are penetrating Burnley’s seemingly impenetrable defence at Turf Moor; the next they are drawing a blank and getting a thrashing at the hands of Portsmouth. Fantasy investment in Roberto Martinez’ side remains minimal, although three home games in the next four at least gives them a platform to change that. Rodallega owners have every reason to keep the faith then.

It’s time to consider Cottage industry investment…
Much has been written about Liverpool’s demise at the Cottage but us fantasy managers shouldn’t be distracted from their opposition. Fulham have scored five goals in their last two against City and Liverpool – and that’s without the prompting of Murphy in midfield. Fixtures are the key consideration here though. Not only do Hodgson’s men have two matches in gameweek 13 approaching, they have also have kind opposition to come (wig bir BLA BOL SUN) including three consecutive home games. Two clean sheets in 10 may put you off the likes of Hangeland and Schwarzer, but Dempsey and even Zamora look well worthy of consideration. Yes, I did say Zamora – 2 goals and 2 assists in the last three fixtures don’t lie.

We can’t expect security from budget strikers…
That would be too much to ask from Messrs Coyle and McCarthy. They decided to drop both Nugent and Ebanks-Blake found to the bench big muscular strikers were the order of the day. Fletcher again got the nod up front for Burnley, with Eagles earning a start and impressing in midfield. For Wolves meanwhile, McCarthy went for Iwelumo’s size and presence against the physical Stoke threat. Ebanks-Blake will surely return against Arsenal, but it appears that Doyle is the safer option in the Wolves attack.

Dindane merrily on high…
Did the tabloids really miss that headline opportunity? Perhaps I’m too early, although I swear I’ve seen decorations on sale in M&S.

Back to business though and the hat-trick from the Ivorian suddenly presented us with a new budget option up front. It’s hard to see many taking the plunge however – at the time of writing only just over 4000 Fantasy Premier League managers had shown interest in the 5.5 striker. That’s not surprising given Portsmouth’s form to this point and the fact that tricky fixtures at Stoke and against United come in the next three. Should Dindane find the net at Blackburn next week though, there’s likely to be more singing from that particular hymn sheet.