January
21

The Knee Jerk – Captain America

Filed under: The Knee Jerk - Posted by: Mark

We knew it was coming, we just didn’t quite expect it against one of the best defences in the league. We’ve screamed about the merits of Clint Dempsey during this wildcard window for several weeks – top pick in our Wildcard Watchlist article, climbing to second in the Watchlist this week, in the Scout Picks again – we couldn’t have laid it on any thicker. Returns were due, but three goals against the Newcastle defence, albeit without the protection of Cheik Tiote, was an unexpected bonanza.

A fortnight ago, Dempsey signposted such form: a hat-trick against Charlton in the FA Cup signaled the intent. With fixtures falling kindly and our own ICT Index forever indicating that Demspey was a top ten Fantasy attacking performer, it was likely that even stronger Fantasy returns were overdue.

Today’s three goals took Dempsey to nine for the season – level with Frank Lampard as the top goalscorer from midfield. Unlike Lampard, Dempsey’s ownership in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game is set to soar. Indeed, having been subject to over 50,000 net transfers in prior to this morning’s deadline, Dempsey’s bandwagon is already rolling at pace. With Gameweek 23’s deadline extended until the Tuesday, there’s little doubt that we’ll see Dempsey’s FPL price rocket up from the current level 8.5 – his price tag at the start of the season.

There will of course be doubters – those who now look at Dempsey as a ship that’s sailed. A move to acquire the American now will surely be chasing points?

While it’s true that Dempsey’s best day in the Premier League may have now passed, every indication points to continued profits. Martin Jol’s side have underachieved thus far – with fixtures falling nicely for them, handing them beatable opponents at the Cottage over the next nine Gameweeks, further Fulham goal flurries could be on the cards.

Regardless, Dempsey remains one of the most potent goal threats in the league. Wayward at times, but always at the races when it comes to raw goal attempts, he’s fulfilled his potential in a big way today.

If, like me, you missed it, you should consider swallowing that wounded pride. Dempsey has the platform to cause more damage to your season.

Having sat smugly on my wildcard for a week too long, only to watch him grab his big payday ahead of schedule, I’m all too aware of the dangers of chasing points, but not stubborn enough to turn my back on Dempsey’s potency for another Gameweek.

About The Author

“Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.”

Mark

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  1. Hyperion
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    After deliberating for ages in the past week about whether to play my WC I'm left devastated that I didn't; would've brought in Demps and captained him. Never mind...suppose I should stick to the plan and save the WC for one more week? Or is the Demps price rise just too much to miss out on?

    1. Keep Caz and Carry On
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Get on him now! West Brom next week and he's on fire!
      (by the way, don't listen to a word I say.... I captained Walters!!! TW@T!!!)

      1. Hyperion
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        Haha OK I won't get him then. I get that feeling almost constantly when it comes to FF though; that anyone doing exactly the opposite of what I do would be pretty amazing.

    2. Shane Warnes Flipper
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      I did bring him him on w/c and had him captain all week, then changed him at 11.20 to Van Persie! But I'll take to 17 + 3 bonus to come!

      1. IANALLAN75
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        I got Gerrard in as captain as he was definately gonna get points against Bolton! oh well. Anyway I got rid of him for Dempsey last night before price rise

        1. What about Wenger, Mourinho…
          • Reputation Level: Scout

          At least you didn't captain Gerrard - with Dempsey, Ben Arfa and Sessegnon in your team... I did :(

  2. applebonkers
    • Reputation Level: Club Scout
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights

    tough one this week:

    Sessegnon 3, McClean 2, Bardsley 1 (close Brown, Gardner)
    Keane 3, Bent 2, Clark 1 (close Hutton, Edwards, Collins)
    Cahill 3, Fellaini 2, Goodwillie 1
    Dempsey 3, Zamora 2, Ben Arfa 1
    Steinsson 3, Davies 2, Bellamy 1 (close Reo-Coker)
    Naughton 3, Whitbread 2, Cech 1 (close Ruddy, Terry)
    Buzsacky 3, Smith 2, Wright-Phillips 1 (close Young, Figueroa)
    Dorrans 3, Mulumbu 2, Foster 1 (close Morrison, Jerome)

    1. Hatliz - RIP Rovers :(
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Where did you get these numbers? (Sess, Bardsley and Dempsey = 7 pts yay)

  3. pajomaginty
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Using my wild card Ive got RVP Ade and Sturridge. thinking, ade for Rooney and sturridge for robbie keane or Bobby Z. What you reckon?

    1. taubstar
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Given the weekend's performance and upcoming home fixtures you can't ignore bobby z for a punt.

      Sturridge has been playing and reaped little reward. May be worth holding him for now.

  4. Pigvig
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Murdered in my cup game 13 to 65. Ouch

  5. kbiffo
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    I'm a bit gutted people.
    Wildcarded Dempsey in a few weeks ago.
    Had him as my captain all through the week until yesterday morning when I swapped him for Sessegnon.
    Ohhh well at least my mistake wasn't punished too badly.

    Tip - Go with your gut, not what the captains pole on this site says ;)

    1. What about Wenger, Mourinho…
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      I agree. I captained Gerrard when I was close to captaining Sessegnon, Dempsey or Silva from my team.

  6. What about Wenger, Mourinho…
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    What a Saturday! I had Ben Arfa (10), Dempsey (17) and Sessegnon (11). I am on 49 pts thus far with Silva, Richards, Jones, Lindegaard and Van Persie still to play. Avg Score - 14, My Score 49.

  7. Access
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    I'm getting rid of aguero.what is the possible replacement

    1. JimmyDeemo - Sir Puntalot
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Depends, who else do you have? Maybe link your team?

      RVP if you don't have him. Maybe a cheaper forward with a good run of games, then upgrade midfield.

      I wouldn't drop him personally.

  8. GHall123
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Hi there- I played my WC on Saturday morning. My new team is;
    Vorm, Sorenson
    Richards, Enrique, R Taylor, Senderos, Simpson
    Silva, Bale, Sessignon, Walters, McClean
    RVP, Aguero, Graham

    What do you think? I can't believe I took Dempsey out at the last minute!!
    Any suggestions for what changes to make to get him back in? I have £0.4M
    In the bank. Thanks!!

    1. Hatliz - RIP Rovers :(
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      No need for both McClean and Sess. Get another filler for McClean. Personally I've shipped Enrique for newt GW. Tired of that Liverpool defense.

      1. TonyVilliers
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        Doh! However I agree with Hatliz that losing Enrique is a good move. I brought him on a WC for Richards and have regretted it massively. Will be switching him out next GW.

  9. TonyVilliers
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Bloody buggering hell.

    Decision for captain needed having shipped Rooney and Nani for Silva and Aguero.

    Sessegnon v Norwich,
    Silva/Aguero v Everton
    Bale/Adebayor v Wigan
    Dempsey v West Brom.

    Any thoughts welcome as to who the hell I put the armband on. My initial thought is Silva.

    1. ChristIna
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      1. fix your link.
      2. when in doubt. rvp.

      1. TonyVilliers
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        1. Will do
        2. Do not have RVP. Have Aguero, Sturridge and (sigh) Ade.

        1. ChristIna
          • Reputation Level: Scout

          How can you not Have Rvp?

          1. TonyVilliers
            • Reputation Level: Scout

            I did have him. Then everyone in my league had him so I thought I’d look for an edge and brought in Rooney. Turns out my “edge” was more blunt than Frankie Boyle.

  10. TonyVilliers
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    I did have him. Then everyone in my league had him so I thought I'd look for an edge and brought in Rooney. Turns out my "edge" was more blunt than Frankie Boyle.

  11. reo19uk
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    what time do bonus points go on?

  12. Senile Delinquent
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    What's going on with Forum? We go from 12.52 am on 22nd to 8.07 on 23rd with no posts. Also posts dated 22nd am and 23rd am next to each other?

  13. JimmyDeemo - Sir Puntalot
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Sorry to those who were kind enough to answer this last night, but I'd like to gather some more opinions from the morning lot.

    Team link in user name, should I wild card this week or wait like I had planned. I really feel off the pace and my best chance of winning some money is to make up a 126pt gap by the end of the season. Mata, Nani and my defence are killing me at the moment.

    Opinions much appreciated.

  14. v3soccer
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    should i drop silva and enrique for dempsey and kompany?... i really dont want to drop silva but sick of enrique and dont want to miss out on any more from demps

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