October
05

The Watchlist – Jan Vertonghen

Filed under: The Watchlist - Posted by: Paul

When researching players for Watchlists or Scout Reports, the term “Product of the Ajax Youth Academy” always tends to pique your interest that little bit more. It almost serves as a seal of approval – an indication that the Dutch side’s finishing school has helped refine their talent from an early age, affording them a versatility and extra edge on their Premier League counterparts. Such is the case with Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen.

Despite being linked with the likes of Barcelona this summer, the Belgian opted for White Hart Lane and arrived in London having captained the Amsterdam outfit to the Eredivisie title last term. Vertonghen also picked up the Dutch Footballer of the Year Award for 2011/12 after grabbing eight goals in 31 league appearances and has quickly established himself as a crucial component of the new-look Spurs under Andre Villas-Boas.

There’s no denying it was a slow start for Vertonghen this season. The opening three Gameweeks returned a mere three Fantasy Premier League (FPL) points as the London outfit struggled to adjust to a change in system and personnel, with a host of new arrivals taking time to gel. Three back-to-back Premier League wins, including last weekend’s 3-2 triumph at Old Trafford, however, have persuaded plenty Fantasy managers that Spurs are now a viable source of points once again and with his opener against United following on from a goal in the Capital One Cup win at Carlisle three days earlier, Vertonghen’s keen eye for goal has come to the fore.

His aforementioned versatility offers Villas-Boas plenty options, too. Fielded at left-back in the last couple of matches, Vertonghen’s shift from the centre has afforded Steven Caulker a chance alongside William Gallas in the heart of defence as the Londoners plug the gap caused by injuries to Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Kyle Naughton.

With a couple of FPL bonus points also accrued last weekend, the Belgian, with a mere 2.9% ownership, is shaping up to be a handy differential over the next four Gameweeks. Priced at 6.4 in FPL and 7.4 in the Sky Sports game, Vertonghen is now handed three home matches in the next four (AVL, CHE, sou, WIG) to continue his recent resurgence – if he can replicate his returns in the previous campaign in Amsterdam, we may have ourselves a viable contender to the likes of Thomas Vermaelen and Leighton Baines as our principle Fantasy defender.

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paul

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  1. mikeyred64
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Captaincy issues here.

    Michu Aguero Defoe or Jelavic?

    1. afcblegend
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      I'd go Jelavic, Wigan have conceded 2 goals in all home games so far

      1. mikeyred64
        • Reputation Level: Scout

        Good stat, thanks :)

    2. RamaJama
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Aguero

  2. GARETH BALE WELCOME TO MANC…
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    captain Tevez??

  3. Feed tha Sheep
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Tevez or jelly?

  4. Godfather Bandit
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    #repost
    Fellow Fantasists.
    I’ve got no BA, BAines, BArfa or BAle!!! Lool.
    1FT to happily spend on a slight tweak…..

    A) Kaca>Sterling
    B) Jaasi>Bergovic
    or
    C) McCauley>Rafael
    Whadya think?

  5. zgunce125
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    What does it mean BANDWAGON??

    1. Godfather Bandit
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      To follow the crowd and pick a player that has suddenly become popular........(I think!).

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

      It's like a fashion. When lots and lots of people suddenly decide to get a player, usually on the basis of one or two good games.

      Michu was a perfect example - he got 2 goals and an assist in his first game and suddenly everyone wanted him. That was a bandwagon.

      You sometimes get anti-bandwagons too, like loads of people suddenly getting rid of Tevez because he was rested for a game.

    3. philthy
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      for eg gervinho bandwagon

  6. weetonyharris
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    captain dilemma

    Tevaz, RVP, BA ?

    i am leaning towards Mata instead as i would captain Tevez but just no guarantees he starts

  7. zgunce125
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    What does it mean BANDwagon???

  8. Bow Locks
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    I am not convinced that Spurs or Bale will do anything against Villa on Sunday.

    1. Go ahead Bap Chap...make my…
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      Check it out everybody - we've got a maverick here! :p

  9. afcblegend
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    seeing as Berbatov isn't likely to play at all, worth a FT to Defoe?

  11. BENTEKE - My punt this GW
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    RMWCT:

    Foster McCarthy

    Jenks Rangel* Clyne Demel Baines

    Bale Mata Gervinho Michu* Sterling

    Jelavic RVP Fletcher

    *Michu and Rangel just for the next to GWs

    1. Go ahead Bap Chap...make my…
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      fantastic team!

  12. divijtevez
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    hughes,jagielka,williams,jenkinson,demel
    bale,gervinho,silva,duff,sterling
    aguero,suarez,jelavic
    howard,mccarthy
    GUYS SUGGESTIONS PLEASE

  13. fergalc90
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    is it worth going Dembele - > Gervinho and Ridgewell - > McCauley for a hit? not sure if Ridgewell will be fit for the weekend

  14. Armageddon. Brighton Fan
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    Begovic
    Baines Jenkinson Rafael
    Hazard Ben Arfa Feillaini Gervinho
    Aguero RVP Fletcher

    Considering swapping barfa for michu & Rafael for verthongen .... whaddaya reckon

    1. mosnan
      • Reputation Level: Scout

      ive done rafael for vertthongen

  15. mosnan
    • Reputation Level: Scout

    who would you play fletcher or sterling? Man city - no clean sheets and fletcher is a goal a game so far
    Sterling has had no bonus points and 2 assists in 5 games

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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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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

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