Spot the Differential – Gameweek 1
Filed under: Spot The Differential - Posted by: Paul
Having rolled out the Scout Picks on Friday evening, we now turn our attentions to the first Differential article of the new campaign. If you’re new to this, the idea is to highlight certain Fantasy assets with low ownership – typically under 5% – ahead of each Gameweek and wax lyrical over their chances for the fixture ahead. This term we’re concentrating on just one player per Gameweek and, to get the ball rolling, we’ve opted for a proven Premier League goalscorer…
Let’s be honest – last season was a bit of a write-off for Darren Bent. The Villa forward arrived on the back of 41 goals over his previous couple of campaigns but the installation of Alex McLeish to the Villa Park hotseat put paid to the forward’s Fantasy potential, as the midlands outfit attempted to grind out results under the former Birmingham boss. As a result, Villa returned a meagre 37 goals over 2011/12, the second lowest tally in the league and only one more than Stoke; starved of service up top, Bent managed just nine goals before his season was ended in early March due to an ankle injury.
With McLeish now nothing more than a bad memory, Villa fans approach the new season with far greater enthusiasm. New boss Paul Lambert has handed his players a license to attack as he looks to replicate the offensive threat of former club Norwich; the Canaries racked up 52 goals upon their top-flight return under the Scot, a goal haul bettered only by the top six last time round. Already, Bent has been singing the praises of the new man in charge, with a change in tactics set to alter how we assess Villa’s Fantasy prospects for the season ahead:
“He wants us to be really dangerous and create loads of chances. He wants us to be an attacking outfit. He has a philosophy where he says: ‘If we’re going to lose, we’re going to lose having a go’. He wants us to have a right good go at every single team. That’s how it should be. We have attacking players in the team who can cause real damage and he’s told them to go out and do their stuff. It’s certainly going to be a dream for me playing that way as a striker.”
Villa roll up to West Ham for their Upton Park opener on the back of decent pre-season form. Lambert’s side have racked up eight goals in their final four fixtures and Bent signed off on summer duties with a smartly-taken brace against Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen – aided by the creativity of Charles N’Zogbia, Brett Holman and Stephen Ireland, he could well be set to spoil Big Sam’s party tomorrow afternoon.
Bearing in mind the Hammers managed just seven clean sheets at home in the Championship last season, Lambert’s men will be anticipating goals. With spot-kick duties in his locker, an ownership currently under 3% and a strong set of fixtures to follow, Bent looks the man most likely to produce as the Villains seek to exorcise the ghost of McLeish with a new-found sense of optimism.
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4,292 Responses to “Spot the Differential – Gameweek 1”
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Recent Comments
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Only 3/1 but a ton in the bank. Tempted to slap it all on Forest for promotion at 4/1 » -
Most should have the next month off though. I know what you mean but it's tournaments like that that will keep Uefa off… » -
Noice. Only lost a tenner on the final tonight, must be a record for me ;) » -
Agreed, surprised at the lack of links in the media to cb's. http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3191221/… »
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We're solid at Rb and Lb. We could do with an other cb to go with Cahill though if Luiz stays in Midfield »
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Bayern, Froch double. Thank you Fred :lol: »
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Behave :D. Back to normality next season, or as close to normality as we ever get. Jose has his work cut out to sort out… »
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What's wrong with Rafa :) ? »
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Goodbye Rafa, Hilario, Yossi and Paulo. I will dearly miss one of you. »
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Ferreira still ok Yossi is rubbish. »
“I am happy with the way I’ve started, but on the other hand, I should have scored four or five more, so that’s something for me to work on.”
Robin Van Persie talks about his early form at United ahead of his first Manchester derby
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August 18 at 9:28 am
Wilhelm says:
Federici (DDG)
Zabaleta – Terry – Hangeland (Demel, Cuellar)
Hazard – Noble – Kagawa – Hoilett (N’Zogbia)
Tevez – Torres (C) – Graham
2 million in the bank
Please rate my team! Any suggestions for improvement?!
Thank you!
August 18 at 9:28 am
Deicide88 says:
Why everyone loves guthrie?
August 18 at 9:28 am
gunner1994 says:
What would starting Chelsea midfield look like?
August 18 at 9:29 am
pukey says:
Federici (DDG)
Mariappa – A Cole – Clichy (Rafael, demel)
Michu – Taraabt – Yaya Toure – Mata (Noble)
Aguero – Torres (c) – Pog
Have I benched the right people? Am thinking of putting Rafael in for Michu in case of a clean sheet… ideas?
August 18 at 9:29 am
Mezz says:
Valencia will probably start ahead of Rafael.
August 18 at 9:57 am
Specialist says:
Can’t see Mariappa starting.
August 18 at 9:29 am
Squerly4568 says:
any1 watch the fantasy football show last night, any good?
August 18 at 9:32 am
seantbn says:
shite
August 18 at 9:30 am
Chuck Norris says:
This is a rookie question I know but:
When are starting teams announced and where can I find them?
August 18 at 9:29 am
pukey says:
on here… hour or so before the games start usually.. or twitter.. or the fan sites
August 18 at 9:30 am
theismeister says:
1. Aguero and Jenkinson
2. Tevez and Vermaelen
Looks like 2 but finding it hard to trust Tevez
August 18 at 9:30 am
Maximerized-You'll Be Sorely Missed - Feel Free To Join These FPL Leagues @ 401-764 & 401-854. Contact Me For Deadzone Leagues. Indian Posters Join These Leagues- 401-53820 & 401-53838 says:
New Post
August 18 at 9:31 am
seantbn says:
might start the season off with this
fed/freidel
cuellar/ ivanovic/ zabelleta/ demel/ clyne
lampard/ bale/ noble/ nzogbia/ snodgrass
torres/ tevez/ graham
and a 4M war chest, a little different , what do u think lads?
August 18 at 9:31 am
gazh83 says:
……………. Federicci Jaaskerlainin
….COLE. HANGELAND RAFAEL fabio tierney
MATA Y.TOURE. MICHU. NZOGBIA. noble
…….TORRES. BENT. AGUERO
August 18 at 9:32 am
Maximerized-You'll Be Sorely Missed - Feel Free To Join These FPL Leagues @ 401-764 & 401-854. Contact Me For Deadzone Leagues. Indian Posters Join These Leagues- 401-53820 & 401-53838 says:
http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....ameweek-1/
August 18 at 9:32 am
RichRover says:
Am I crazy Playing VP week 1?
August 18 at 9:38 am
Bebop says:
yes, but if he plays its a masterstroke
August 18 at 9:33 am
Intricacy says:
a) Yaya Toure and Rooney
b) Nani and Tevez (+£2 million)
August 18 at 9:35 am
Bebop says:
val and tevez or nasri and tevez
August 18 at 9:35 am
Intricacy says:
Who’s Val?
August 18 at 9:41 am
Bebop says:
Valencia
August 18 at 9:41 am
Bebop says:
with all the posts i’m trying to keep my answers short, sorry
August 18 at 9:53 am
Barca forever says:
valerie
August 18 at 9:33 am
Someone else - Yaya Vam po faci says:
McCarney is only left back in West Ham, so i think hes more nailed on than Demel !
August 18 at 9:33 am
alex5-clio says:
DDG with 4 pointer with hangeland
Or
Fed jaas and a man u defender
August 18 at 9:47 am
Bebop says:
fed,jass and rafeal (assuming tottenham don’t sign a goalie
August 18 at 9:35 am
RenNy says:
Federici
Lescott Hangeland A.Cole
Kagawa Bale Guthrie Yaya
Tevez(VC) Graham Torres(C)
De Gea Noble Demel Clyne
Am I good to go, is this generic
? You reckon Kagawa will start?
August 18 at 9:34 am
Barca forever says:
crazy generic, don;t start with kagawa, get chelsea coverager in mid
August 18 at 9:36 am
bds says:
And make it even more generic?
August 18 at 9:35 am
bds says:
Mata(c) or Torres(c)?
August 18 at 9:37 am
alex5-clio says:
NO DDG
RAFAEL OR HANGELAND?
August 18 at 9:45 am
Bebop says:
rafeal
August 18 at 9:38 am
Benzemabob says:
*CAPTAIN SENSIBLE POST* Has everybody saved their starting 11 before the inevitable site crash??
August 18 at 9:40 am
Intricacy says:
Don’t usually do these, but I think I’m ready to go. Wouldn’t mind your expert opinions on this bad boy…
de Gea, Federici
Lescott, Cole, Hangeland, Fabio, Demel
Nani, Noble, VDV, N’Zogbia, Pienaar
Tevez, Torres, Graham
August 18 at 9:46 am
Brumfor1st says:
Strong all round, good coverage of the various teams.
Defence is strong.. are you going to play 3 defenders or more? If so you may want to weaken it slightly to strengthen mid
August 18 at 9:43 am
GreennRed says:
Cleverley not nailed on for now? Who’s the best 6.0 or less midfield option?
August 18 at 9:48 am
Bebop says:
I have taarbt, but thats a minefeild but I don’t see anyone with a better upside
August 18 at 9:49 am
Brumfor1st says:
De Guzman for Swansea? Good fixtures and looking sharp.
August 18 at 9:50 am
GreennRed says:
Cheers but have Michu already. Might risk it for a biscuit with Cleverley.
August 18 at 9:45 am
Brumfor1st says:
RMT please!
Federici (jaask)
A.Cole, Rangel, Hangeland (Clark, Fonte)
Bale, Noble, Mata, Yaya Toure (Pienaar)
Aguero, Graham, Torres
Not sure if I should sub tevez in for aguero to strengthen def and free up the funds for torres > rooney gw2?!
Thx
August 18 at 9:48 am
Lil Hundred says:
Some people on here are saying that Ivanovic might not start? Shed some light please?
August 18 at 9:49 am
The hope that kills... says:
Oh gawd! What have you heard? Way too late to deal with a bombshell like that…
August 18 at 9:50 am
Lil Hundred says:
Chelsea forums saying Luiz is going to play RB, allowing Cahill to partner Terry. I’m not buying it personally, but have to admit I don’t need the bother. Tempted to go Cole, despite his zero attacking threat.
August 18 at 9:53 am
The hope that kills... says:
There’s been no sign of that in pre-season has there? Just to give you further worries, I know some suspect Bertrand to get more gametime this season. Probably not in the first two games, but you never know…. Guess Terry and Cech are the only absolute certs!
August 18 at 9:56 am
Bebop says:
Thats just mean
. If what you say about ivan is correct then thats a big issue. But I don’t belive for a second that cole will be rotated. hes the best left back in the world plus if he does go off in a match in more than likely will be after 60mins and you’ll get your clean sheet
August 18 at 9:56 am
Lil Hundred says:
Yea, good point. I’ve been killing myself over Nasri or Yaya and now I have this to deal with. Screw it, I’m going to roll with Ivanovic. Like you said, no sign in pre-season. Though part of me thinks it could be true, with RDM trying to resolve the pre-season frailties.
August 18 at 10:00 am
The hope that kills... says:
My thoughts exactly. It’s ‘que sara sara’ time. FWIW, I’d go Yaya, less explosive but more nailed on. Gotta walk away from my team now, like sending a child to their first day at school. Good luck!
August 18 at 9:48 am
GreennRed says:
Cleverley.
Keep him
Or lose him
August 18 at 9:56 am
spiritof82 says:
Great player in the real football world, not a great player in the virtual interactive fantasy football world.
August 18 at 10:07 am
GreennRed says:
I get you me man.Modric like.
August 18 at 9:49 am
max1537 says:
Sigurdsson or Cazorla????????
August 18 at 9:49 am
Bebop says:
is ivanovic nailed on or is cole the better option
August 18 at 9:50 am
Hutton dressed as Lahm -Bring on 2012/13 says:
P.A.N.I.C!!
August 18 at 9:51 am
cheeky_ash says:
Bargains this year: -
Defoe
Allen
Bent
Any others?
August 18 at 9:53 am
billyscott says:
De Guzman SWA is a class act for 6.0. i think he is going to do well in the Prem
August 18 at 9:55 am
jonathancard13 says:
Kolarov, Clichy or Zabaleta?
August 18 at 9:54 am
billyscott says:
Zabaleta is the only likely one to start for def
August 18 at 9:55 am
billyscott says:
I have Kolarov with my fingers crossed, but got Tomkins WHM as my automatic sub