September
21

The Watchlist – Raheem Sterling

Filed under: The Watchlist - Posted by: Jonty

Featured in the forthcoming Channel Five fly on the wall documentary about Liverpool FC is a severe dressing down for teenage winger Raheem Sterling from manager Brendan Rodgers.

Fantasy managers would have been forgiven for thinking that Sterling’s first team chances would be limited after he dared to muttered ‘steady’ under his breath during one of Rodgers’ team talks. Turns out the incident was something of a red herring – Rodgers not only appears to have forgiven the 17-year-old, but rates him so highly that Sterling has managed 90 minutes in each of Liverpool’s last three matches.

After a disappointing end to the summer transfer window, which saw the Reds fail to land chief target Clint Dempsey and wave goodbye to Andy Carroll on loan, Sterling appears to have very little competition on the flanks. Fellow winger Stewart Downing is falling so far out of favour Rodgers wants to convert him to left back and new recruit Oussama Assaidi still needs time to adjust to the English game.

Rodgers appears so convinced of Sterling’s ability that he is also prepared to play him on either wing, as one of the key players to feed central striker Luis Suarez. While against Manchester City and Arsenal he was deployed mainly on the left wing, a switch to the right against Sunderland in Gameweek 4 increased his potential further, with Sterling producing an assist for the Uruguayan during the 1-1 draw.

England manager Roy Hodgson is also impressed. After the former Queen’s Park Rangers academy player’s recent run in Liverpool’s first team, he was swiftly promoted from the England Under19s to the full England squad earlier this month.

Priced initially at 4.5m in the FPL game and 4.3m in the Sky Sports game, he is arguably the pick of the cheap midfielders on offer. Sterling’s cost, however, is set to rise as he continues to cement a wide role, with expectations high on the back of his Black Cats’ performance. Already 17,598 managers have transferred him in this Gameweek in the FPL game, which has seen his price rise to 4.6m.

His emergence as a Fantasy prospect also coincides with a turn in fixtures for Liverpool over the next six game weeks. While this weekend’s home showdown with United may deter many, history shows that it may turn out to be profitable for the Merseysiders. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have not won at Anfield in the league for the last four seasons, with Liverpool registering eight goals to Manchester United’s three in the fixture since 2008/9. With (nor, STO, REA, eve, NEW) to follow, Sterling could well be set for a prosperous next few weeks as he looks to justify his manager’s show of faith.

About The Author

“Fantasy Football Scout community manager and podcaster.”

Jonty @newsandfeatures

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  1. chocolove
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    dwight tiendalli(SWA) join fpl for 4.5M
    kyle naughton(TOT) on 75% chance of playing

  2. floydy_floyd
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    For those worrying about ridgewell game time. For what it's worth my boss has been a WBA season ticket holder for 19 years and he reckons ridgewell is guaranteed to play every game he's available.

    1. Andrew
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Good to know, have been debating whether or not to bring him in.

      1. floydy_floyd
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        He says he's their best defender and would move central if popov played tho he thinks popov is back up

        1. thetinkerman
          • Reputation Level: Club Scout
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights

          Sounds about right to be honest. I'd be more worried about McCauley

    2. JK - All you need is... Shi…
      • Reputation Level: Scout
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member

      I would agree, IMO he is their best defender. I am looking at acquiring Foster instead as I have an injured/dropped Fed to replace. Am looking at Demel for WHU cover, a cheaper option than Jask and Ridge

      1. floydy_floyd
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        Prefer juski in goal and ridge in defence but just my opinion.

        1. Old Glory
          • Reputation Level: Scout

          Foster and Lowton is a good option for the same price as well.

          Lowton's positioning and chances created look nice thru the season, albeit he has crappier forwards...

        2. Sable
          • Reputation Level: Scout

          +1

        3. Joe
          • Reputation Level: Scout

          +1, opted for the same

    3. Squeakybumtime
      • Reputation Level: Scout
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member

      Have foster in goal but if I was looking for a WBA def now Ridgewell would be the man

  3. Adam West
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Is fabio to ridgewell for a 4 pt hit in order to field 11 players.

    1. Andrew
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Ridgwell would need a CS to make that worthwhile so it depends whether or not you think they will keep a CS

      1. Adam West
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        He should keep one at home to reading.

        1. Andrew
          • Reputation Level: Scout

          You never know with the Pog around ;-)

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

          This is optimistic!

    2. Mak_Gold
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Yes.

  4. goonerbyron
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Looking at the ownership stats now, Bale could be a real differential this GW.. Especially as captain.

    Hoping Bale (c) is something that goes right for me for a change!

    1. Dexter
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      My thoughts exactly. Very tempted, just slightly scared that by those same stats if he fails to deliver and Hazard, Tev, RVP do we'll be left right in the poo. Still he who dares and all that....

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

      I'd be confident captaining Bale personally if I hadn't sold him on my WC to make some cash

      Currently can't decide between Tevez and Hazard and I just know I'm going to get it wrong.

  5. BKR
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    anyone joining me to cap Ivans??

    1. Mak_Gold
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Thinking about it.

  6. Killitzer
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    I have Evra and Zab in my team. Evra has already dropped and apparently Zab will drop.

    Should I transfer out Zab instead of Evra as it's unlikely that Evra will drop again?

  7. Back on the horse
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    With Graham a doubt, is using a FT to get Lambert in the sensible option?

    Federici Mignolet
    Lescott Ivanovic Rafael Demel Cuellar
    Kagawa Hazard Michu Noble Marveaux
    RVP Tevez Graham

    only 0.6m

    Lambert?

    1. JK - All you need is... Shi…
      • Reputation Level: Scout
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member

      ah you and me may be that last Marveaux owners left in captivity. (He's gone for me next week though)

      With 0.6 in the bank your best options are Lambert, Lukaku or Long.

      1. Back on the horse
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        China Mag still has him ! :)

      2. Back on the horse
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        Your right about those options but I'm not convinced of Luakau's game time. I'm looking for a medium to long term option and I will need other FTs for other areas. Unless I WC soon

        1. JK - All you need is... Shi…
          • Reputation Level: Scout
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member

          swap Kags for Johnson and that is my mid. I'd consider selling Kags to Pienaar and maybe look to get Berba or Ba

          1. Back on the horse
            • Reputation Level: Scout

            I see you've been doing this a while. How come only came good last year? did you find FFS? :)

            1. JK - All you need is... Shi…
              • Reputation Level: Scout
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member

              I did indeed, about 5 or 6 weeks in I think. I was doing okish last season before then. Then I found this place and learnt much more, like about keeper and defensive rotations etc which helped me massively.

          2. Old Glory
            • Reputation Level: Scout

            Swap Kags to Pienaar and that allows you to go Graham > Podolski in 2 weeks.

      1. Back on the horse
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        what? I'm stuck in London unfortunately :)

    3. Mak_Gold
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Yep.

  8. Cooper123
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Long story short: In your opinion, is Ben Arfa very likely to outscore Noble by 4 points over the next 2 games?

    1. goonerbyron
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Quite likely I'd say..

  10. Nibbsy
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Will McCartney get his place back for west ham?

    1. Tom-Dwan
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      according to the guardian he will but i cant see it personally

  11. Back on the horse
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Loads of captain choices flying around this week, should make for an interesting spread of scores! :)

    I've got it on Hazard atm. What about you guys and girls?

    1. Mak_Gold
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Same. :)

    2. sminkypinky
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      +1
      Berba (vc)

      Morrison lurking in my head too...

      1. Back on the horse
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        I've gone heavy on Morrison for the PLayer Exchange game. He's found his shooting boots

    3. ProfessorS
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      I might captain Ben Arfa...might regret it though with Hazard at home against Stoke

      1. Back on the horse
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        Stoke might rough him up a bit, but then he is likely to win a pen. I would be OK with 7 or so points

    4. Nitin Nagaraja
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Ba.

      1. La Roja
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        Hazard is rotation threat, Ba it is!

        1. Back on the horse
          • Reputation Level: Scout

          Really? I would say Ba is maybe more of a rot. threat than Hazard!

  12. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Jussi

    Ivanovich / Baines / Demel

    Hazard / Cazorla / Michu / Dyer

    RVP / Tevez / Lambert

    Subs - Gibbs / Guthrie / Cueller

    Still got 1 FT. Nor sure to use to get Morrison in for Dyer or have 2 FT next week?

    Or a mad 4 point hit - Bale for Dyer - Berb for Tevez. Then I look at spurs fixture next week.

    Also Captain decision is really tough this week. After the RVP debacle
    Tevez Hazard seem risky choices.

    If I knew for certain Hazard would play it would be him.

    Thoughts on these assorted ramblings?

  13. King Nil Miss ✩
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Is Joey O´Brien nailed on?

    1. Tom-Dwan
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      imo he is bacause im selling mcartney cos he is droped for obrien

  14. Alice in Hangeland
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    thoughts on doing tevez to ba?

    Have the feeling tevez could be rested. hes not scored against arsenal before and ba seems to be scoring at the mo

    1. The Stock
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Bonkers.

  15. Nibbsy
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    FPL site has Graham 75% chance of playing. Is that really worth a hit?

    1. Avona Berbatov
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Not with his upcoming fixtures. Patience young man.

  16. uglaflyr
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    who should i buy ?
    Defoe or demba ba?

    1. Sable
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      I'm pondering the same dilemma don't forget Berba either....

      1. uglaflyr
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        No have thought of him too, but i think Ba or Defoe are better choices!

        1. Sable
          • Reputation Level: Scout

          I think so too ;-)

  18. Your Mums Athletic
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    how do i link my team? haha

    what do people think?

    1. Back on the horse
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      have a look at FAQ at the bottom of the screen

  19. crystalpalaceRus
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Dyer or Pienaar for this weekend?

    1. Avona Berbatov
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Pienaar sooner rather than later, he seems a far better long term option than dyer.

  20. uglaflyr
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Shawcross or Hangeland?

    1. uglaflyr
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      I meant Shawcross or Riise?

      1. Avona Berbatov
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        To play or transfer in?

        1. uglaflyr
          • Reputation Level: Scout

          Transfer in. :P

  21. crystalpalaceRus
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Kieswetter out for a duck, 4-1 England

  22. emperikal
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    I was tempted to downgrade Cazorla to Gervinho until I read this:

    Santia Cazorla - completed 38 of 45 attacking-third passes against Southampton, almost twice as many as any other participant – has created 18 goalscoring chances for his teammates this season: more than any other Premier League player.

    1. Sebastian Rooks
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      He's a Time Bomb. I was thinking the same and I'm willing t keep him a couple more weeks but I feel gervinho's a form player and Cazorla just ooze class. He'll destroy soon. I reckon it'll be against Man City or Chelsea.

  23. Big Mac 24
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Views please ladies and gents:

    Jussi
    A Cole
    A Williams
    Vertonghen
    Lampard
    Hazard
    Michu
    Sterling
    Ba (C)
    Tevez
    Van Persie.

    Subs Jenkinson
    Davies (Swansea)
    Taylor (WHU)
    Etheridge

    Thinking Ba as Captain as he's on form and at home, Hazard/Lampard/Tevez are rotation risks but surely will get gametime.

    Anyone else think Cole is due a good game with goal or assist and a clean sheet to boot (Bonus) other option for Captain with Michu playing also at home.

    Only RVP plays away, and he has a good record at Anfield so i'm hoping for a good haul this week.

    I tookn 8 point hit to get Ba and Cole in along with Taylor 4.9 (WHU - Good for 100 points a season not playing all the time) instead of Berbatov (great one week cameo last week :-) Baker and Pienaar (Made me 22 points from game one and 0.1 million.

    Team value 102.7, 0.7 in the bank so may flirt with Ba and Berbi week in week out for a month as their teams are always home on alternate weeks.

    Any views appreciated please and good luck everyone!

  24. DanielExeter
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Alright guys,
    What are your thoughts on my team this GW
    By the way I play Daily Mail FF – 433 formation

    Jussi
    Ridgewell, Terry, Baines, Hangeland
    Hazard, Pienaar, Michu
    RVP (c), Torres, Defoe

    [Subs, Begovic, Vidic, BArfa, Tevez]

  25. Hutovo Blato
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    need some help folks.

    Graham for berbs or ba?

    is there any chance ba will begin life on the bench again?

    1. DanielExeter
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Berbs

      1. Sebastian Rooks
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        all being well with both demba ba is the better option with the better players around him.
        If the media is to be believed he's unhappy and it remains unclear how that may effect pardew's selections.

        Berbatov is the more stable option particularly in his home fixtures, and is probably just about better value (official FPL 7.1m)
        Demba ba should get more points I'd imagine if he plays like he did first half of last season,

        so it depends if there's another player you want to get or if you want to savour some insurance money for the next GW.

        I'd go for Berbatov.

  26. Truelie
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Maicon or Glen Johnson? What are your thoughts lads?

    1. Hutovo Blato
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      will maicon start every game? i don't fancy any liverpool players though either.

      maicon it is

    2. Old Glory
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Glen Johnson based on gametime personally. His stats also look pretty good going forward...

    3. Sebastian Rooks
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      neither, baines is a better option than johnson certainly as a player who takes all set pieces and starts every game.

      Cheaper options
      otherwise I'd look at gibbs, rafael or walker for their attacking forays being cheaper options with little risk of losing precious clean sheet points. These players and cheaper than say maicon or johnson but offer you stability in playing every week, and offer no less attacking hreat tan the aforementioned duo.

  27. Sebastian Rooks
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Two Things..

    1. Oscar for hazard Good option for this week (-4 points mind you)
    Has he earned a starting berth.

    2. Anyone think Gervinho i a good buy based on his form in the last couple matches?

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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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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
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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

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