April
27

The Watchlist – Fernando Torres

Filed under: The Watchlist - Posted by: Paul

So much for the theory that stability is the foundation of success. While many were up in arms over the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas, with the Portuguese manager granted a mere eight months of the 2011/12 season before his services were deemed surplus to requirement, the chopping and changing seems to have worked at Stamford Bridge.

Roberto Di Matteo has made an immediate impact since settling in as interim manager earlier last month. Guiding the Blues to the FA Cup Final and upsetting the odds with a Nou Camp draw last Tuesday, the Italian is now afforded the chance of two lots of silverware, boosting his chances of landing the job on a permanent basis. With a couple of home ties against QPR and Newcastle this Gameweek, many Fantasy managers are eying up Chelsea’s Fantasy assets but, with rest and rotation set to kick in, picking the right choice is proving to be a tricky task.

Step forward Fernando Torres. A look at Di Matteo’s recent selection policy suggests it’s Didier Drogba who is likely to be tasked with leading the line in the cup competitions and, with three starts in the last four Gameweeks, the Spaniard looks more inclined to be handed game time in the league. Priced at 9.8 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Torres has returned a respectable 5.25 points per game over the last four matches, with a goal, three assists and a bonus point accrued.

Although QPR have upset the form book with wins over the likes of Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool in recent weeks, all these results have come at Loftus Road – Mark Hughes’ outfit have lost their last six on the road, in comparison. While Newcastle’s defence have been returning the points with a recent regularity, it’s worth noting that most of their clean sheets have come at the Sports Direct Arena – they’ve kept out their opponents only twice in the last seven road trips.

Let’s be honest – El Nino has hardly set the league alight since moving to the Bridge but, as his equaliser at Barcelona highlighted, he’s still more than capable of finding the net and seems to have increased in confidence under Di Matteo’s guidance. It’s a risk, clearly – there’s every chance he could fail to fire and you could be left kicking yourself for snapping up his services – but, with an ownership of just 2.9% and games against Liverpool and Blackburn to see out the season, it’s one that could reap reward for those Fantasy managers scouring the market for a mini-league gamble.

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paul

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  1. The Stock
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Worried about Bale potentially filling Left back slot if BAE is out? I have him and VDV in my WC team, which i'm a little uneasy of but i'm struggling for 2 solid starters with attacking threat.

    thoughts?

    1. Henry Hill
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Na Danny Rose will probably go left back

      1. The Stock
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        Fair point. I'm unsure if I want to take the Ade risk, but if so he'd have to go.

    2. stilicho
      • Reputation Level: Regional Scout
      • Has Moderation Rights

      Harry has always been quite happy to play Rose at left back when Benny's out, against top opposition, I think it's extremely unlikely that Bale plays lb.

      1. gledy
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        True, but it's likely that he will sub Rose later in the games and switch Bale to the left back.

        1. Lucky
          • Reputation Level: Scout

          That's the very definition of over thinking

        2. stilicho
          • Reputation Level: Regional Scout
          • Has Moderation Rights

          I don't see why, if anything Bale plays further forward late in games, no point having your best counterattacker at lb for the last ten minutes.

      2. The Stock
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        Thoughts on the Ade situ Stili? I'm WC this week so don't want to be taking undue risks (i.e if I already had him keeping him)

        1. stilicho
          • Reputation Level: Regional Scout
          • Has Moderation Rights

          I'd be tempted if I were on WC as he's got good fixtures in 37 and 38. Who would your other strikers be?

  2. Chris_White
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    So, Bosingwa/Mikel/Essien to partner Terry against QPR

    1. THE BAD
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      do you predict chelsea with no Ivanovi, Luiz and Cahill to keep a CS?

      1. Chris_White
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        I fancy QPR to nick one, being a London derby and all

        1. Henry Hill
          • Reputation Level: Scout

          Ya Cisse will probably start too, he's a great finisher if he doesn't get sent off.

        2. gledy
          • Reputation Level: Scout

          QPR are terrible away from home and Cech is in superb form.

          Also, Terry will be 100% motivated and he can cover for Ferreira.

  3. gavlaa
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Anyone considering benching RVP?
    I'm thinking of bringing in Torres, VDV and Pienaar for Tev, Walcott and McLean, but it will leave me with:
    Sess, siggy, dempsey, vdv, pienaar
    torres, jelavic, RVP.

    Crazy?

    1. Heiro
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      I was thinking of Aguero to torres also. As balotelli might play

    2. Wild Rover
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Can't see the point of taking a hit to bench RVP personally...

      1. gavlaa
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        just really don't fancy RVP this week. But want to keep him for norwich, and would captain torres

    3. El Chinito
      • Reputation Level: Scout
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member

      RVP is being overlooked, he can score a few against Stoke

      1. Karl
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        Agreed. Stoke not looking great recently and don't have anything to play for

    4. mysteryDave
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      I sold RVP for Aguero last week. So don't think it crazy.

      Rooney threatening to steal the golden boot might wake RVP up again though.

  4. Wild Rover
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    FFS, another dgw player bites the dust.... :(

    Do I play Cahill and hope he plays v Newcastle at home or Verm at Stoke? Verm would come in if Cahill doesn't make either game.

    1. SmokeyH
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      I would just go ahead with Verm....I am doing similar with Sagna :-(

      1. gavlaa
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        With the set pieces that are bound to be on offer, would rather have verm than rvp this week

      2. ludi
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        What would you do if it was Evans? Think I might gamble on Cahill.

        1. mysteryDave
          • Reputation Level: Scout

          Fergie will have given his defence the hairdryer treatment after conceding 4, I think a MUN clean sheet is a real possibility.

          Remember after the 6-1 they won the next few games all 1-0. You can be sure they will have tightened up.

  5. Chris_White
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Anything useful from the Spurs press?

    Just came in after lunch...

    1. Heiro
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Adebeyor SHOULD start

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

      Hasn't happened yet

      1. Chris_White
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        Sigh

    3. Duffman91
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Adebayor and Kaboul trained and are back in the frame.

  6. mysteryDave
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Really need some advice this time. Chasing a 19 point deficit. 6.9m in bank 1 FT.

    Bogdan (Vorm)
    Simpson, Caulker, Turner (Evans, Collins)
    Dempsey, Bale, Sigurdsson, Sessegnon, (Valencia)
    Cisse, Rooney, Aguero

    I really want Jelavic, maybe Peinaar and VDV & some Chelsea coverage. Will take points hits if I think they'll pay but don't know what if anything improves this team.

    1. So Long !! Alex Song
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      sess val + roon/ag > vdv pienaar + jelly

      1. mysteryDave
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        VDV & Pienaar both going to outscore Siggy v Wolves by more than 4 points each? I don't see it.

  7. El Chinito
    • Reputation Level: Scout
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member

    how many points hit are people taking?

    1. mysteryDave
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Somewhere between 0 & 6.

    2. super zlatan
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      1 hit so far. Considering 2 hits though

    3. GreenWindmill
      • Reputation Level: Club Scout
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights

      0 thankfully :)

    4. OnTheShelf
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      I have just spent my 16th point. 5 transfers, 1 free.

      I have had to take a massive gamble this week to make an impact. 38 players in my mini-league, I'm clear in 3rd so hopefully won't go lower than this.

      10 points behind 2nd and 70 behind 1st - had to go for it.

      Plus, I had to replace BAE when it was clear he won't start both games.

      WISH ME LUCK!!!

  8. Fernando Torres
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Vorm Mignolet
    Williamson Evans Vermaelen Kompany Caulker
    Ferguson Valencia Dempsey Bale Siggi
    RVP Tevez Rooney

    What changes would you make?

    2 FT 0.3M bank

    1. mysteryDave
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Tevez, RVP -> Jelavic & Cisse
      maybe also Valencia -> Pienaar/VDV

  9. Goonther
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    I really gotta bow down to Pep....as a football fan he allowed arguably the best player and best team ever to flourish....gotta give it to barca

    1. AriseSirGiggsy
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      more likely than not, they will come back stronger next year

      players like Villa, Xavi and Puyol are getting older, but the age of the other key players is fine, plus they have had a season of blooding plenty of young players who will improve increasingly

  10. Cosgri
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Tevez and Van Persie out ? and ? in for a -4

    OR

    keep Van Persie?

    1. mysteryDave
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Jelavic & Adebayor.

  11. roscola
    • Reputation Level: Scout
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member

    Assou-Ekotto definitely out for the season after dislocating his shoulder in QPR game

    1. roscola
      • Reputation Level: Scout
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member

      Redknapp's words

      1. super zlatan
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        Spurs will ship goals IMO this gw

  12. Elniñorules - Join t…
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    NEW POST

    ages ago.

  13. Zlatan
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Anyone know why Jelavic didn't play against Sunderland?

    1. mysteryDave
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      I reckon Moyes probably does.

      1. Zlatan
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        I just thought if it was an injury that should be taken into consideration now. Is he worth a -4p hit for Kun?

  14. harris
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    why are most people going for pienaar over osman?

    anyone considering osman instead?

    1. Karl
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      great differential and Moyes is a big fan - he'll play both.

    2. mysteryDave
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Only if I couldn't afford it Peinaar. Not much between them but Peinaar probably has more legs left this season.

      1. harris
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        i thank u both

  15. unoaime
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Cech
    Walker, Huth, Jagielka
    vDV, Pienaar, Bale, Dempsey, Sigurdsson
    Cisse, Jelavic

    Bench: Robinson, Evans, De Laet, RvP

    2.3 in the bank, considering ways i can free up money to do Cisse > Rooney next week. Any suggestions without ruining my team?

    1. Torres76
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Downgrade Cech to Vorm?

  16. COMH
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Pretty worrying this hostage situation. Apparently has explosives strapped to him. Usually there is no going back when people put themselves in these types of situation.

  17. Perthite
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Likely to do:

    Walcott->VdV
    RvP->Jelavic (with money in bank to do Cisse->RvP after this GW)

    Would you do either of these for a 4 point hit?
    BAE->Terry
    Valencia->Bale

  18. gedda
    • Reputation Level: Scout
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member

    min 2. Chasing a big lead.

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Scout Picks

Team of the Season 2012/13

  • Jääskeläinen
  • Baines
  • Vertonghen
  • Zabaleta
  • Davies
  • Walcott
  • Mata
  • Michu
  • Bale
  • Suárez
  • van Persie
  • Evra
  • Cazorla
  • Benteke

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  • In Like Flynn says:

    Isn't it worse if he has a low starting ownership Triggerlips? More buy him in if he does w… »

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    4, 4, 4, 4,.... PUNCHEON, BAINES »

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Hot Topics

Next Six Ticker

The Watchlist

Goalkeepers

Player Club Factors
No Change Hart MCI B, Vs
Up Cech CHE B, Vs
Up Robles WIG C, Vs, £
No Change Lloris TOT C, Vs
No Change Foster WBA C, Vs
No Change Vorm SWA C, Vs
No Change Mignolet SUN B, Vs
No Change De Gea MUN A
Up Boruc SOT B, Vs, £
No Change Jääskeläinen WHM A
No Change Begovic STO C
No Change Howard EVE A

Defenders

Player Club Factors
No Change Kompany MCI B, Vs, Rest
No Change Vertonghen TOT A, Vs, Rest
Up Luiz CHE A, Vs, Rest
No Change Baines EVE A
Up Boyce WIG C, Vs, OoP
Down Bassong NOR B, Vs
Up McAuley WBA C, Vs
Down Johnson LIV B
Up Jones MUN A
No Change Sagna ARS B
Up Huth STO C
No Change Cuéllar SUN B, Vs, £
No Change Rangel SWA C, Vs
Up Clyne SOT B, Vs, £

Midfielders

Player Club Factors
Up Bale TOT A, Vs
No Change Mata CHE C, Vs, Rest
Up Walcott ARS C, OoP
Up Hazard CHE B, Vs, Rest, Inj
Up Maloney WIG B, Vs, £
No Change Y Touré MCI B, Vs
No Change Silva MCI B, Vs, Inj
No Change Fellaini EVE C
No Change Coutinho LIV B
Up Morrison WBA C, Vs
Down Cazorla ARS C
No Change Snodgrass NOR B
Up Kagawa MUN B, Rest
Up Walters STO B
Down Lallana SOT C, Vs
Down Sissoko NEW C

Forwards

Player Club Factors
Up Tevez MCI A, Vs, Rest
Up Koné WIG B, Vs, £
Down van Persie MUN A, Vs
Up Sturridge LIV B
Up Lukaku WBA B, Vs, Rest
Up Benteke AVL A
Down Aguero MCI B, Vs, Inj
Up Rodriguez SOT A, Vs, £
Up Defoe TOT B, Vs, Rest
Down Lambert SOT C, Vs
Down Rooney MUN C
Up Carroll WHM A, VsX
Up Ba CHE C, Vs, Rest
Down Berbatov FUL C
Up Cissé NEW B
Down Remy QPR B

Selection Factors

A, B, C Current Form
Vs Favourable Fixtures
VsX Unfavourable Fixtures
Rest Rotation Risk
Inj Injured/Returning from Injury
OoP Out of Position
£ Potential Bargain
Sus Suspended/Near Suspension

“We have dynamic players with good movement, so if he can link with them fine. He can play a bit higher because his timing getting into the box is very good.”

Rafa Benitez talks up the role that Frank Lampard can play in his Chelsea revolution