The Digest – Gameweek 3
Filed under: The Digest - Posted by: Mark
A Gameweek which saw Fantasy managers dealt both the familiar and the unexpected, as a Dutchman shot to prominence and a formerly fragile back four continued to show resilience. We’re now in a two-week limbo, coveting potentially “essential” assets, while failed stars begin to depreciate. There’s plenty to digest…
The Player
It took just two full appearances in a United shirt for Robin Van Persie to turn our Fantasy squads on their heads. A devastating St Mary’s hat-trick hammered home the message that the Dutchman remains every bit as potent in his new surroundings. It also arrived on day that saw Shinji Kagawa provide little evidence that he could be maintained as a supplier of suitable cover within United’s attacking lineup. Factor in the captaincy at home to Wigan next weekend, when both Carlos Tevez and Eden Hazard face tricky away games, and it’s pretty clear that Van Persie’s stock has soared and will go on doing so.
Four goals in two games, with a missed penalty thrown in, is evidence enough to suggest that Van Persie will push his incredible 30-goal tally of last season. There’s little doubt that Sir Alex Ferguson will be putting emphasis on scoring goals and killing teams off given the significance of goal difference in the previous campaign. In addition, United’s fragility at the back seems to ensure that they will need two or three goals every game to ensure victory. The platform is there, then, for Van Persie to provide huge returns for his owners.
With Wayne Rooney sidelined and the likes of Kagawa and Antonio Valencia threatened by rotation and role changes, Van Persie clearly offers not only the most profitable route to United’s attacking returns, but also the most secure.
The Team
While there were several contenders in the Gameweek, notably West Ham and West Brom, it was Arsenal’s victory at Anfield and the key performers on show that perhaps had the biggest impact on our Fantasy seasons.
The emergence of Santi Cazorla as a Fantasy asset was signposted over his two appearances prior to Sunday – any of our members privy to his stats from the Sunderland and Stoke games will have known just how he’s teetered on the edge of strong returns. Anfield saw that potential come to fruition and there’s little doubt that the Spaniard is now firmly in our minds from this Gameweek on.
Lukas Podolski also came out of the shadows to show his worth, delivering a goal and assist haul in the 2-0 win that will rouse some interest. The German is likely to be overlooked in our crowded forward lines, though, in favour of the pivotal Cazorla in midfield.
The foundation for Sunday’s attacking returns was, however, Arsenal’s defence, which has now delivered three consecutive clean sheets. Steve Bould’s appointment as coach can be cited as key to this new resolve and, what’s even more impressive, is that the shut-outs have been achieved without Bacary Sagna, Wojciech Szczesny and Laurent Koscielny – all first choice in their respective positions.
While that’s offered decent short-term value options, owners of Carl Jenkinson and Per Mertesacker will now be anxiously awaiting Wenger’s teamsheet in a fortnight, wondering if their assets will go on delivering value. Sagna was on schedule to return after the international break, while Koscielny and Szczesny were kept on the bench at Anfield. It remains to be seen if Wenger will keep faith in light of the defensive performances so far.
One thing is certain, however – Arsenal’s defence is currently standing alone in terms of form and returns with some coverage looking essential. Thomas Vermaelen is, of course, the jewel in the crown. With goals and bonus likely over the season, already he is looking a stronger option for those holding City and United defenders.
The Talking Point
The international break is a testing time. With three Gameweeks down and a host of talent emerging, Fantasy managers now face a fortnight of deliberation, with patience tested to the full.
While the likes of Van Persie, Carlos Tevez and Eden Hazard look a new powerful holy trinity, it’s left assets such as Gareth Bale and David Silva floundering and their owners surely twitching over the transfer button.
Both Bale and Silva are class players, assured of Fantasy returns over the season but the question remains – just how long to keep the faith while others are stealing a march with form players?
Bale, in particular, along with Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez, finds himself a key attacking threat but within a side short on confidence and fluidity. Both Tottenham and Liverpool will likely need time to find the form that will see their players deliver on their potential and, in the meantime, there appears to be assured routes for returns elsewhere – across all the price brackets.
The volatile Fantasy Premier League prices is driving increased transfer activity and it’s genuinely difficult to sit still on proven, but out of form assets, when viable alternatives are spiraling out of sight.
In many ways, Van Persie’s showing will have made the decision easier. Wildcards will surely be thrown at the “problem”, with United’s striker the key target. That will surely see continued sales of Bale, Silva and even Kagawa who, overnight, appears to have slipped in favour as a result of Van Persie’s output.
Showing patience will, undoubtedly be costly in terms of team value. In the short-term, it could also cost points unless Bale and Silva can quickly wake from their slumber to challenge the protagonists so far.
I, for one, adopted a policy of patience with my squad last season – but then I had the comfort of a lineup based on a free Gameweek 2 wildcard which could anticipate the early transfer trends and form. Having twitched severely on Sunday, I can empathise with the dilemma faced over the break and fear that we’ll see many squads scrapped and templates formed that could well take a month or so to break up. Those who “stick” will be doing so in hope that the courage of their conviction pays off, to almost earn them a “differential”, but it won’t be a decision made with any degree of comfort.
About The Author
“Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.”
Mark
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September 3 at 6:00 pm
Arsenals Number 19. Santi Cazorla says:
Worth taking a hit for this
Lamps to Hazzard
DDG to 4.9 m keeper or under ?
cheers
September 3 at 6:02 pm
Elwood says:
DDG will play at Wigan according to SAF so don’t take a hit on him
September 3 at 6:06 pm
Arsenals Number 19. Santi Cazorla says:
utd defense is v poor though
September 3 at 6:07 pm
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
Then obviously Lindy will play. Haven’t you learned the lesson yet?
September 3 at 6:04 pm
MICHELIN says:
Lamps->Hazard is a good long term move.
If you need to downgrade someone to do that, why not DDG.
September 3 at 6:05 pm
Arsenals Number 19. Santi Cazorla says:
worth a hit though ?
September 3 at 6:10 pm
triggerlips says:
i think it is even if de gae plays , their fixtures toughen up and their defence is no good , they relying on Van Persie to win games , not their defence,
6.0 wasted , there are keepers costing 5 that will do better for you over the season
September 3 at 6:02 pm
kaz says:
for the WCers like me. i think the following players have the ability to go up by .2 and make u a .1 profit:
-McAuley
-nolan
-demel(unless any news regarding his injury comes out)
-jenkinson
-reid winston
-lambert
-cazorla
of course, the likes of RVP,michu,dyer,hazard or even tevez will rise more than once but ur not looking to make profit from such players.(u could add cazorla to that list too)
September 3 at 6:09 pm
The Question says:
I’d add Yaya to that list as well
September 3 at 6:14 pm
Natas says:
yaya
ivanovich
rutledge
podolski
dyer
dembele
September 3 at 6:02 pm
adam says:
Hi all
I have 2 transfers and i am thinking of taking a hit tonight.
Vertonghen / N Taylor / Kacalicinik or lambert — OUT
And either
Remel / Ben Davies / Cazorla in ..
Or
Remel / Ben Davies / Torres in
What are peoples thoughts on this?
September 3 at 6:12 pm
UNITED FORCE says:
repost
\
almost same dilema with me, i was thinking for Tate and hes maybe better pick than Davies ? What do you think ?
Think Torres is better pick than Cazorla, last season Torres score hat-trick (6-1) against QPR
September 3 at 6:21 pm
generalsport1 says:
don´t throw out lambert. Think he will be a big hit
September 3 at 6:02 pm
Henry Hill says:
Anyone know when Sunderland v Reading is set to be rescheduled?
September 3 at 6:03 pm
The Parmtree- In Berba we Trust!!! says:
Dunno, but i’ll be getting a bit of S’land coverage!
September 3 at 6:05 pm
MartinUnreal says:
Stop asking this question, it will be announced on football websites and this site as soon as it is confirmed.
September 3 at 6:05 pm
Henry Hill says:
Its first time I asked it
September 3 at 6:36 pm
Crouch Potato says:
Have some manners!
September 3 at 6:02 pm
maltasi says:
Just seen the new prices. Pity Cesar is 5.0. That’s a big price for somebody who will play in a team that do ship alot of goals. Lloris at 6.0 is pricey too I suggest.
September 3 at 6:18 pm
Natas says:
They wont be shipping as many goals. Have you seen who they bought?
September 3 at 6:03 pm
Seamy - Park Colts FC says:
Will Ramirez affect any of Lambert’s set pieces?
September 3 at 6:03 pm
ReinaMan - Click Here for Photo Collection says:
Following on from my list of possible Neil Taylor replacement earlier, here is a list of some of the better strikers currently available on a free
Premier League:
Michael Owen (Man United, 32)
Emile Heskey (Aston Villa, 34)
Somen Tchoyi (West Brom, 29)
James McFadden (Everton, 29)
Championship:
Caleb Folan (Birmingham, 29)
Ivan Klasnic (Bolton, 32)
Serie A:
Alessando Del Piero (Juventus, 37)
Hernan Crespo (Parma, 37)
David Suazo (Catania, 32)
Others:
Alfonso Alves (Al Rayyan, 31)
Robbie Fowler (Muangthong United, 37)
Eidur Gudjohnsen (AEK Athens, 33)
Danko Lazovic (Zenit St. Petersburg, 29)
Tuncay Sanli (Wolfsburg, 30)
Florent Sinama Pongolle (Sporting, 27)
Gokhan Unal (Fenerbache, 30)
Which of these, if any, would do a reasonably good job at Liverpool?
September 3 at 6:04 pm
maltasi says:
Didn’t Del Piero join Sydney? I’m a Watford fan and obviously we were after him. On that theme, isn’t Iaquinta a free agent now too?
September 3 at 6:04 pm
kaz says:
i thought del piero joined sydney fc?
September 3 at 6:06 pm
ReinaMan - Click Here for Photo Collection says:
Apparently there has been a contract offer, but he hasn’t signed yet, Sydney FC announced that they had signed him before he had agreed anything
September 3 at 6:04 pm
The Parmtree- In Berba we Trust!!! says:
The return of Florent Sinama Pongolle….
September 3 at 6:05 pm
JKisthe1 - Los Colchoneros 2 - The Revenge says:
you have a link to the other list Reinaman? Would love to see if any offer a threat to Ben Davies
September 3 at 6:05 pm
Mr Blue says:
You should send that list to Rodgers..
September 3 at 6:05 pm
Anonymous says:
Isnt Drogba free as well?
September 3 at 6:09 pm
Ms.Red19ML Code 75-669 says:
Isn’t he in China?
September 3 at 6:11 pm
ReinaMan - Click Here for Photo Collection says:
There is talk that he and Anelka could be released, due to financial constraints in a current power struggle at Shanghai Shenhua, however Drogba’s representatives have said he is staying at the club
September 3 at 6:05 pm
Thesteady-Michu = "Siggy 2.0 " says:
Del Piero would do good, but there would be a problem with the partnership between him and Suarez I think.
September 3 at 6:05 pm
Lateriser12 - "I am a consulting detective. The only one in the world" says:
Some teams good really use a few names here. McFadden and Del Piero are good shouts.
September 3 at 6:05 pm
Elwood says:
It would be simply amazing if they got Heskey.
Alves would be interesting.
September 3 at 6:07 pm
MICHELIN says:
Klasnic.
If things get really, really bad.
September 4 at 8:50 am
Waitakere_MGTH says:
Heskey would be amazing
September 3 at 6:04 pm
kaz says:
NEW POST, GUYS
September 3 at 6:04 pm
LAKERS says:
New post ladies
September 3 at 6:05 pm
Thesteady-Michu = "Siggy 2.0 " says:
My team atm:
DDG(WIG)
Baines(NEW)-Zabaleta(sto)-Demel(nor)
Barfa(eve)-Bale(rdg)-Noble(nor)-Michu(avl)
Petric(WBA)-Tevez(stk)-RVP(WIG)
Bench: Green (CHE) – N’Zogbia ( SWA) – Hughes(WBA)- Clyne(ars)
101.0
1M in bank
Which transfer should I do first?
A:N’Zogbia > Pienaar/Fellaini/Johnson
B:Zabaleta > Ridgewell/Saylor/Rangel
C:Bale>Hazard
D: Some other transfer, please suggest
Appreciate your help very much!
September 3 at 6:09 pm
Nerdlinger says:
Pienaar isn’t actually injured, right? Presumably it’s just a meaningless friendly across the other side of the world type of thigh strain?
September 3 at 6:10 pm
teddy says:
Hey Chaps!
On the whole to-wildcard-or-not-to-wildcard question…
Last couple of seasons I’ve been very much “don’t take a hit, don’t WC unless you absolutely have to, softly softly catchy monkey”.
However, this hasn’t really paid off. This year I’ve resolved to be a bit more aggressive. I still think that the WC is worth saving and hits should be avoided… but I’ve just taken a 12 point hit.
Here’s why: there are some prospects that can’t be ignored – RVP, Hazard, Tevez, Michu, Yaya. These 5 seem like phenomenal FF assets this year. Consequently their prices are going to shoot up. This would have priced me out, and meant that I couldn’t have the team I wanted. By getting on them now, not only do I have them, I gain the dollars as their prices shoot up.
I had Tevez & Yaya from the off. Had Michu from gw2, but I’ve just spent 12 points getting RVP, Hazard and Cazorla in. I think they should be able to recoup that in a pretty short space of time.
I wouldn’t normally do this with the international games happening too, but I do still have the WC in reserve if I need to make further changes, and that would then wipe out the point hit. I’ve already benefitted from ditching Bale, Sigurdsson and Tomkins who all went down in value last night, and it looks like I could have as many as 6 risers tonight. That’s some insurance in case I have to make more changes.
Next question, is what to do about Zabaleta in Sky – hold despite the threat of Maicon, or shift for another defender? Can afford anything up to 6.9 for a companion to Baines and Kightly in my back 3…
September 3 at 6:16 pm
lout3380 says:
Rite, I’ve made the decision to WC for GW4. My biggest transfer is Cazorla out Routledge in! Ok, I know it sounds a bit odd but I’ve done this to get Torres in (I really feel he’s gonna have a good season) I have also ditched J.Allen for Dyer and Pienaar for YaYa and J.Enrique for Gibbs and Petric for Torres and Lallana for Guthrie. It’s dissapointing to see Lallana & Allen play so well but they’re just not getting the points!!
My team now looks like this
Krul
A.Cole Hangeland Gibbs
Hazard Guthrie YaYa N.Dyer
Tevez RVP Torres
Cerny Routledge Gorkss Fonte
Weak bench I know but have full confidence that all the above will play.
I also have a feeling that Tevez could be rested soon after Aguero is back so I’m not quite sure what I will do there, maybe put Petric back in?
September 3 at 6:35 pm
Captain Robert Hatch says:
my D is cack in mine eye
DDG (Jaask)
Gorkks Lescott Williams(swa) (Boyce, Fox)
where is my priority?
or just stick the 2 mil into Joe Allen or Britton?
September 3 at 6:43 pm
lout3380 says:
I wouldn’t bother with Allen, although he’s playing really well he’s not scoring as many points as he should (6 points in 3 games) that doesn’t really mirror his performances
September 3 at 6:40 pm
gavtyle says:
When do people think santi cazorla will rise in price… Want to switch out bale for him…not confident in spurs whatsoever
September 3 at 6:42 pm
GREENDREAMS11 says:
Not tonight I don’t think but most likely over the next couple of days
September 3 at 7:01 pm
lasers says:
How many goals and assist will Ade get this year…?
15 / 7 ?
September 3 at 7:14 pm
Count Of Monte Hristo - Heisenberg 1 Gus Fring 0 says:
Is it not really irresponsible of Rodgers to allow Carroll to leave without guaranteeing the services of a replacement when he only has Borini and Suarez for attacking options? Seems really naive to me.
September 4 at 7:31 am
Pilko's Pump Pants says:
The word is that it’s the Liverpool board rather than Rodgers himself that are responsible… but if he did have a hand in it then he might have signed his own P45…
September 3 at 7:27 pm
eatemalive says:
Rank these midfielders from highest to lowest FF scores this season.
Ben-Arfa, Kagawa, Pienaar, Yaya Toure.
September 3 at 9:19 pm
Joey Barton and Friends says:
HBA, I wouldnt take any of them
September 3 at 10:18 pm
You're Not, You're Not Incredible says:
1) Yaya
2) HBA
3) Pienaar
4) Kagawa
September 3 at 9:21 pm
Joey Barton and Friends says:
should I bring Carzola in now for Bale. Obvious transfer but worried about international injuries…
September 3 at 10:22 pm
You're Not, You're Not Incredible says:
You need to weigh up the risk of potential injury over price changes (Bale’s value likely to go down and Cazorla’s up).
My opinion (if you want it) is that it is easier to make up a 4 point hit from transferring out an injured player than it is to make up for lost player value.
September 3 at 10:37 pm
spectrum says:
Right I seem to be edging closer and closer to the wildcard I’ve made a team I really really like the look of only thing im not so keen of really is the keepers, trouble is I’m .2 short of getting this actual team, do you think I can make the .2 up to fund it? Also what are people’s opinions on this team?
Jussi/Bego
Davies/Cuellar/Demel/Rafael/Baines
Cazorla/Hazard/HBA/Michu/Guthrie
Rvp/Tevez/Graham
Thoughts much appreciated
September 3 at 11:03 pm
You're Not, You're Not Incredible says:
If you are going to play your wildcard, pick some players whose value is likely to rise. You could choose two 4.0m goalkeepers in your initial (price rise) team (and maybe some other cheap players whose value will not drop) in order to free up funds to try and fund another player whose value will rise (hopefully by 0.4m) in order to get you the 0.2m that you need.
Then make use of your unlimited transfers before the next deadline to acquire the team you want.
September 4 at 7:35 am
Pilko's Pump Pants says:
With United shipping goals like a leaky sieve i wouldn’t have Rafael… you could fund that team with the .2 you would save if you switch him to Koscielny who is currently 5.4 and about to slip back into the Arsenal defence…
September 3 at 11:23 pm
Bobby Reds says:
Nolan or Dembele over next 6 gameweeks?
September 4 at 1:15 am
OrmskirkFC says:
I’ve seen my team go up by .6m in the last 48 hours, and expect it will climb even higher in value before GW4. I am, however, not confident in my defensive coverage, any suggestions with 1 free transfer and .2m in the bank?
Foster (Howard)
Hangeland, Rangel, Jenkinson (Cuellar, Shawcross)
Hazard, Michu, Cazorla, Nolan (Allen)
Tevez, RVP, Lambert
September 4 at 1:19 am
StGeorge says:
102.8m already!
September 4 at 11:28 am
RobinFatPursie says:
102.6 and quite happy with that