The Watchlist – James Collins
Having missed two Premier League weekends on the trot through domestic cup duties, Aston Villa return to action with the first of two consecutive Double Game Weeks.
Investment in Martin O’Neill’s squad will understandably be high, and with Villa’s favourable run-in (plus, following the postponement of their weekend GW34 match with Everton, they may, unless the Everton game is re-scheduled midweek, have two more yet-to-be-scheduled outstanding doubles) any transfers in could easily be considered “keepers” from here on in.
Whilst the likes of Richard Dunne and James Milner are the most obvious choices, there are definite bargains to be had amongst the Villa team. Priced at just £4.5m, James Collins falls firmly into that category…
Earlier this season, Collins was in sparkling form alongside Dunne in central defence, and had impressed his manager to such an extent that O’Neill talked of him as a possible future captain of the club.
A groin injury suffered against former club West Ham in November sidelined the Wales skipper for a couple of months but having now fully recovered, he has played every minute of Villa’s league games since the turn of the year. His recent performances that have helped maintain the club’s run as the only unbeaten club in the Premiership for 2010.
Collins return to central defence has seen Carlos Cuellar shift to right back in O’Neill’s preferred line-up, and he has subsequently caught the eye of the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Bonus Point judges, scoring more bonus than any Villa defender since coming back to the first-team fold. Villa’s defence have been the foundation of their success this season, and with eleven clean sheets, have only two less than Chelsea, having played two fewer games.
A great “differential”, Collins currently has just 6.5% of FPL owners compared to fellow centre half Dunne at 40%, who is also currently £2.1m more expensive. With Villa’s next five gameweeks now confirmed as: (stk & wig, WLV & SUN, che, bol, EVE), Martin O’Neill’s team will be looking to turn up the pressure in this season’s close-run battle for fourth and James Collins could and should have a big part to play.
About the Author
Sir Paulos is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season.
I wanated to know opinions from more experienced players about WC. I started the game recently and still have WC. If I have to take 8 points hit to bring in Villa players, is it worth using WC at this time of season? (maybe i can do some future transfer ahead as well)
difficult to say without being able to see the rest of your team. Try linking your team in your screen name (see FAQ)
If you’d started early it would certainly make sense to use your WC now. This is a good week to do it. Load up on Villa, Everton and Arsenal players with Drogba/Lampard and Gerrard/Torres for good measure…
If you don’t use it now, when will you use it?
Time to use WC now if you have it IMO especially with your late entry, you can easily get a great team for the last 9 GW’s.
morning all, wats the chances of big john carew playing both games in villa’s double
Slim I’d say despite his good show in the FA Cup
What’s the story on this AVL-EVE postponement in GW 34? Will other teams that are in the FA Cup semi’s postpone their matches too? Any reliable information, Andy (if you’re here)?
Pretty sure thats correct Milan, Chelsea should miss GW34 along with a few others.
If the FA Cup semis are played on weekend 10/11 April, then we’ll have another dreadfull week which will miss:
AVL-EVE
CHE-BOL
WIG-POR
and one of
TOT-ARS
LIV-FUL.
This will be even more monstrous than this week.
These next 5 weeks are the transfer period of the season. Great points to be made by those that plan well.
that would leave almost my whole first 11 out if the Arsenal game was off.
It will be same for everyone who loads up on Villa, Chelsea, Everton and ARS/LIV players. Add Lee, N’Zog , O’Hara and some TOT or FUL missing players and it will be a disaster.
those games will reschedule to midweek, that’s what happened last year
What Louie said, it’s obviously just an assumption that it will happen and by no means a certainty – but I believe it’s more than likely to happen and I’m trying to find a way to put it across properly.
Think and hope you’re right, cause this “postponement season” is really starting to p*** me off.
When will the dates for the FA Cup semis be announced?
The games are most likely to be rescheduled for midweek GW34, in which case there will be no impact. We will find out over the next week probably, so not worth worrying about now.
am tempted by early transfers this week but have been bitten before!! I want to get drogs back in for bent but am not sure whether waiting for the champs league game before pulling the trigger is a good idea?
Also what do you guys think of getting kuyt out for a villa mf this week (instead of next) and some cash. Kuyt has pompey at home but his points return is so hit and miss that I think a villa MF – especially for the long term is a good move?
guys do you think this will be good transfers?
ivanovic>collins
tuncay>milner
leaving me with 3 villa players. dunne collins and milner
am i taking a risk on bringing on 3 villa players or is it a good idea 2 do so?
I’d keep Ivanovic. Tuncy to Milner definitely.
Doing Carra to Colling & Hunt to Milner + have Dunne myself… Up to you, Ivanovic is nice to have even if Chelsea’s defence hasn’t been brilliant lately
BEWARE loading up on Villa – yeterday they win 4-2 I have Freidl, Milner and Dunne yellow for Milner, Yellow for Dunne and no points for The keeper…….total points haul….MINUS 2 POINTS!!!! MARVELLOUS!!!!
But how many did Carew get?!
But you can’t put the entire team in though!!! I think Carew is a great player but his returns this year have been patchy at best…..
Shame he can’t be relied on for a starting spot. Best striker Villa have, always liked him.
20
Milner and Ashley Young – which to bring in? I think if Carew were to get a run in the team then Young might be the wise choice….otherwise, now that Downing is on the scene, it is too close to call….
i would take young out of picture
After watching the game yesterday with the full intent of deciding which Villa players i want. I just think Young is quite unpredictable. He had a couple of good passages of play, but apart from that didnt do much. Milner was all over the pitch and deserved more than he got. Seems a safer option to me.
Good shout lawman.
Is Silvestre a cheap option for Arsenal now? Noticed he’s played two of the last 3
I reckon it’s more of a rotation issue for usual starters; Arsenal’s back four still is Clichy Verm Gallas Sagna with Campbell covering Gallas while injured.
Song is the interesting cheap option IMO, just another ban for him & might bring him in then.
I think Song is the best option for a Cheapy. Almost certain of a place in the team and at about 5.6 quite cheap. Playing a bit higher up the pitch too. I’m looking at getting him in sometime soon.
Even 5.3 right now!
Ok, last time i checked he was 5.6. He’s a bargin now!
Indeed & might go down again before playing – I’m definitely getting him, too good to be missed
which is better combination in terms of long term?
rooney (if fit)/benayoun
torres/valencia
neither,,,,and i have Rooney Benayoun. Valencia still is a rotation risk and Rooney I think may have had his purple patch and has some hard fixtures coming up and a niggling injury, benayoun could get 15 points then not start due to Rafa being unpredictable, and Torres not yet back to full fitness
Ok as everyone else is, looking at loading up on Villa players.
Dawson to Collins
Lee/Bowyer to Milner
& Maybe
Rooney to Agbonlahor
Any thoughts? Who to get rid of, should i get rid of Rooney?
Thanks!
Considering losing Shrek myself, but for Gabby…not sure
Just thinking that gabby has got 4 fixtures in the next 2 GW’s. Good fixtures too. I need something of a little gamble as i’m about 40 points behind my mini league leader.
35 with sorenson, fox, eagles, nzogbia, lee and torres to play.
- 4 point hit.
chances of advancing in the cup?
With an average score of about 12 so far. I would say very good. I have 35 as well with 5 players left to play. Feel very confident, just because of the amount of hits people have taken.
I’m on 23 (coz of 1 hit) with 6 left to play (Hart, Ridgewell, Carra, Bikey, Ricketts, N’Zogbia)… Hunt & Rooney left my with 9 players (praying N’zog will make it) – don’t feel confident for the cup… hopes will be gone if Brum concedes @ Fratton Park
Hi hillbillypete, 31 is a good score so far but most of your guns have fired. Ironic you are 511th in the Reserves. Pretty good chance to go through unless Pool go silly vs Wigan.
Anyone know if we will know a score that at the moment would get us qualified, so we have some idea of how we are doing?
Too hard to get a score that is right due to autosubs, emergency captains etc. I would say 30 is a safe score & 25 is a borderline score.
Ok cheers!
could all depend on liverpool, I know I’m counting on them with reina, gerrard and torres in my team
Transfers done nice and early this week to save the mental torment, Evra and Hunt out, Collins and Young in.
Wanted Milner but everyone has him plus I would just be chasing his points, Young seems to have finaly realised that there is a WC coming up and is playing well again.
What about Warnock vs Collins? Warnock more offensive but maybe not guaranteed starter?
I think both are certain to start. I was toying between the two, but think im settling on Collins, cheaper and goes forward for Corners etc. Warnock doesnt get forward that much.
Unsure who start out of Pienaar, Modric or Moses who has a double GW for gameweek 30
Thinking of going for:
Hart
Warnock, Ivanovic, Evra, Scharner
Pienaar, Fabrigas, Milner
Tevez, Agbonlahor, Rooney
Subs: Sorenson, Moses, Modric, Ridgewell
Fabregas and Rooney doubts though??
I don’t wanna think about the upcoming GW… have my 2 transfers in mind and already know I will want to play all of my players… this is gonna give me headache… on Sat morning
Ditto, actually even hard to picka starting 11 of the ones I have already without throwing two Villa players in there??
In a way a Rooney and Cesc injury may make things more obvious?
Kind of
Given > Friedel
Nzogbia > A Young
Hughes > Collins
sound good?
N’Zogbia has a double in gw 32. Bolton away & Villa home. Followed by Burnely at home.
Indeed (you meant GW30?), keeping him until after the Burnley game
Just seen that! Will have to be lee or eagles out then.
I’ve got N’Zogbia and he is staying till after the Burnely game in GW31.
Gameweek 30 not 32.
With Rooney being a doubt, and not great fixtures coming up. Would it be worth a 4 point hit to get in Gabby for the next 2 GW’s then go to someone like Torres?
It will be interesting to see whether Cesc and Rooney’s prices rise or fall this week…..
If none of them plays CL, they will both fall IMO
How’s everyone doing? Not so well if the green arrow next to my name has anything to do with it.
Annoying about Rooney though, I could have just got Torres if I’d waited a few hours.
Same boat, green arrow with an average score (less than you!
) only fielding 9 players (no less, fingers’ crossed) but 2 DGWers to “compensate” (despite being Burnley & Bolton DEFs lol)… to make a long story short, not too good
hi guys,
going to get milner & collins in but need to decide who for.
my options are
1. pienaaer and higginbottom out – colling and milner in (4 point)
2. nzog, higgin, ivan out – collins, milner and song (8 point)
having trouble with this one, keep nzog or pienaar?
or
3. bent, nzog or pienaar, ivan > agbon, milner, song.
Look at this team:
http://fantasy.premierleague.c.....p;event=29
Can anyone tell me how the owner of this team know who to be captained and scored very high in dis gw?
He basically doesn’t have Fabs and it was out of Arteta & Torres, and he went with the player with a home game. Someone in my mini league doesn’t have Fabs, Rooney or Torres with Lamps & Drog sitting on the bench the past week so he captained Arteta also.
How about Scholes? It is a bit strange when someone chooses Scholes as he usually not in the first team?
Are you saying he is cheating? Its pure luck!
look at his overall ranking and that tells you how smart it is to go with players like scholes and nasri. Would have been a fair bit lower before this week too
He’s not that far from me lol (no offence, it’s my 1st FPL and I’m going through a long learning process with a hectic start) but yes, you made a point
After spending you’re 1st 8 g”s outside the top 1,000,000 I’d say you’ve come on very strong. You should be right to hit the ground running at the start of next season
“8 gw’s”
Cheers, I hope so… didn’t pay attention to fixtures when I set up my team in GW1… then used my WC and was gutted being last in my mini league so started to take the game more seriously…
Also, it’s sometimes tricky for me as I don’t see any game as I live in Geneva + might take too many hits (which I kinda enjoy though)
Out of >2 million players, you will always see funny lineups who will score big during one GW
Wildcard week for me this week. Obviously gonna make sure i’ve got 3 Villa as stantard. Who’s the ideal tri-force? for the next 2 GWs?
Dunne/Cuellar – ?
Milner/Young – ?
Agbonlahor/Freidel – ?
I was a little surprised Diaby did not start. He won’t be in the starting 11 for sure once Song is back then ?
I wouldn’t read too much into him not starting this week, he was just coming back from an injury
I guess Bendtner won’t ever play for Arsenal again?!
He will for sure, Arsene likes him!
who else can do a better job for them up top? Even if he never scored he’d be first choice for his hold up play, they have plenty of mids to get the goals
Lol, after missing those I can do better!
so dunne milner and gabby best combo next week by the sounds of it (if you can afford it) but what about arteta? i didnt see the game but was thinking of bringing him him last week but went for baines (gutted) anyone going for him this week or is it bandwagon season again
I would honestly rather collins and young regardless of price. I think collins is more dangerous at corners regardless of who’s scored more so far.
I watched the Everton game.
Sure Arteta was good but Hull were gash. He wont be playing them every week.
yes but he’s a fantasy favourite and it’s a sign he’s getting back to his good old self. I held off on pienaar to keep my options open for an everton mid in gw31, was hoping arteta or cahill would present a better option than pienaar and mikel’s now looking the front runner
If you have the cash then for sure he’s a bettter bet than Pienaar
I have no villa players!
The last couple GWs i struggled to get 10 playing so i couldnt bring in villa players if a wanted a good gw, now the have a double double gameweek im f*****
I have one transfer and have taken hits the last two weeks.
my team
Jaask/Sorensen
Gallas/Ivan/Bridge/Tomkins/Brown
Fab/Lamps/Gerrard/Jarvis/Whelan
Bendtner/Donovan/Kalinic
Gallas was meant to be back last month so ive been keeping him in as ive had other issues
Tomkins was brought in for the double gameweek and has done well since but two hard gws
Jarvis and Whelan need to go but they have played so ive had to keep them
Donovan now could be an issue as he looks like he wants to go back to the US
Kalinic i somehow brought in this gameweek when i swear i went for Davis >:(
Should i take an 4/8 point hit to take advantage of the dgws? or bring in one or 2 as dgws can be disastrous
Do you peeps think i should get rid of duff and bring in downing? Cant really afford any other villa Midfielders.
Im thinking Fabregas > Lampard (easy home game then double trouble)
Surprised not reading more of this considering possible injury