Fantasy Premier League Focus
Filed under: Fantasy Football Games - Posted by: Paul
The second international break of the season gives us time to take stock and roll out our weekly regular. As always, we take a look at the top of the Scout League and cast an eye over the market activity as we count down the days until Gameweek 8 is upon us. Only 12 to go, then:
Scout League Standings
There’s no move at the top of the Scout league, where T.I. racked up 64 points over the weekend. Captain Eden Hazard brought home 18 points, while Santi Cazorla, Nikica Jelavic and Leighton Baines were all amongst the goals. Asmir Begovic chipped in with nine points between the sticks as T.I. moved to 516 points for the season and third place overall.
Ivo V moves up into second position, having returned 67 points in Gameweek 7. He also decided to captain Hazard, while Wayne Routledge and Cazorla produced 21 points between them in a four-man midfield. At the back, both Rafael and William Gallas earned clean sheets to take Ivo’s total to 498 points.
In third spot is Iyad Zahlan after a 46 point haul last time out. Baines, Cazorla, Hazard and Michu grabbed the goals and though his decision to captain Luis Suarez failed to pay off, he still sits in 42nd place in the overall rankings.
Damon Randall bullets into fourth position after producing an incredible 87 points – a tally that was inside the top 2,000 for Gameweek 7. He had one of those weeks where almost everyone chipped produced the goods – only Marouane Fellaini returned less than four points for Damon. A backline of Branislav Ivanovic, Rafael and Baines, with Begovic in goal, combined for 33 points, while the decision to captain Fernando Torres brought in 24 points alone. Damon has climbed on to 57th overall, sitting on 494 points so far.
Bob Booker completes the top five. James Morrison and Steve Pienaar were his differentials over the other featured managers – the midfield duo picked up 20 points between them, while Ivanovic and Baines were the standouts at the back.
For the contributors, Facer leads the way after returning 66 points in Gameweek 7. Baines and Begovic were joined by William Gallas at the back, while Cazorla, Michu, Hazard and Jelavic were all amongst the goals. The Fantasy Football Scout league remains at number one but our lead has been cut down to just 1.8 points over Last Word Listeners.
Market Trends
Wayne Routledge is the most popular asset since the weekend’s games. The Swansea winger has already attracted almost 26,000 new owners after a 13 point haul against Reading on Saturday, with his 5.1 price clearly appealing. Although there remains concerns over a regular role, as Michael Laudrup rotates him with Nathan Dyer and Pablo Hernandez, Routledge has made a strong case for a starting berth at home to Wigan next time out – he has averaged 7.5 points per game at the Liberty Stadium so far.
Santi Cazorla is next in line – no surprise, really, given his masterclass at West Ham on Saturday evening. The Arsenal midfielder has been snapped up by over 23,000 Fantasy managers and now has a trip to Norwich on his agenda – bearing in mind the Canaries have shipped nine goals in their last two, Cazorla can expect significant investment before the fortnight’s break is over.
Investment at the back is looking like a tactic for many. Aleksandar Kolarov, Rafael and Branislav Ivanovic have all been transferred into more than 21,000 teams as defences are reshaped. While the latter two look relatively safe for starts, the Kolarov bandwagon looks far from stable – Saturday was his first appearance since Gameweek 3.
Demba Ba and Leighton Baines continue to pick up investment, with 17,000 and 15,000 drafting in the duo. Chelsea pair Juan Mata and Fernando Torres make their way into a combined 25,000 new teams, while Jussi Jaaskelainen, Asmir Begovic, Carl Jenkinson, James Morrison, Gervinho and Luis Suarez have all persuaded 10,000+ Fantasy managers to throw investment their way.
In terms of transfers out, faith in Swansea’s backline is starting to diminish. Michel Vorm, Angel Rangel and Ashley Williams have been shipped out by a combined 24,000 teams after the Welsh club’s 2-2 home draw with Reading. Michael Laudrup’s side has now conceded two or more goals in each of the last five Gameweeks. In midfield, over 24,000 have bid their farewells to Nathan Dyer and Michu, with a likely move to Wayne Routledge freeing up some budget.
Intriguingly, Manchester City’s assets are also being sold off ahead of a strong run of fixtures. Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez lead the way in their respective classifications – while Tevez’s 19,000 transfers out can be understood after he failed to score for the fourth Gameweek in a row, the former duo (with a combined 31,000 sales) are pretty much nailed-on when fit and offer a consistency of starts that is rare amongst Roberto Mancini’s side. Granted, Kompany missed out against Sunderland with a calf problem but if he is available for the trip to West Brom, there seems no doubt he will slot straight back into the first XI.
Marouane Fellaini is also accumulating plenty of trades out. With no attacking returns in his last two, the Everton man has been offloaded by 15,000+ Fantasy managers, despite a strong run of fixtures to follow for David Moyes’ outfit.
The return of Wayne Rooney seems to be having an effect on Robin Van Persie owners. The Dutchman was outscored by Rooney in their first league start together and with the former currently 1.8 cheaper, more than 9,000 have shipped out Van Persie since last Saturday’s deadline. Shinji Kagawa has also proved unpopular – in excess of 13,000 have parted company with the former Dortmund man after he was subbed off early once again at the weekend.
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October 8 at 9:14 pm
Timmy Cahill Rules says:
which 2 would you pick for GW9 onwards
A. Hazard and Lambert
B. Mata and Berbatov
C. Kun and Maloney
D. Suarez and Piennar
cheers lads
October 8 at 9:14 pm
GlasgowFF says:
B
October 8 at 9:26 pm
Screeny says:
Im planning on doing A to B this week, so must say B
October 8 at 9:27 pm
Twisted Saltergater says:
So, so tough! Probably B – mainly because of Berbatov’s value for money.
October 8 at 9:16 pm
Timmy Cahill Rules says:
One other thing any value in adam with stokes fixtures improving after GW8
October 8 at 9:18 pm
Kostja says:
Walters still the only option there IMO
October 8 at 9:19 pm
Timmy Cahill Rules says:
is he still on pens ?
October 8 at 9:25 pm
Kostja says:
Has taken 1 this season so should be.
October 8 at 9:20 pm
Malcolm Tucker for England Manager says:
I am going Crouch after next week.
October 8 at 9:24 pm
Kostja says:
Not saying you shouldnt, but just take a look be fore making that call.
Peter Crouch- I looked at the entire PL career for Crouch to get a better idea of his normal conversion rate, mostly because last seasons was offensively very poor for Stoke, so his stats were probably worse than normal for last year.
GW1-6: Shots taken:13(2.2SPG) Goals scored:4(3.25 Sper goal)
Normal rate of shot conversion: 2.08 shots per game, 8.9 shots per goal
His normal conversion rate includes seasons for Tottenham and a way better Liverpool side. So I personally think he is one of the most over-performed strikers so far.
October 8 at 9:17 pm
Evstastic says:
People with RVP must realise that he is as likely to be rotated as much as Aguero.
October 8 at 9:20 pm
bal4tom; Schalke FC Gaffer, Bundesliga Heavyweight. says:
Not really, in my opinion.
City have Aguero, Tevez, Dzeko and Balotelli; all world class strikers.
Utd have RVP, Rooney (both world class), and then Hernandez and Welbeck. Hernandez and Welbeck can’t touch RVP and Rooney in terms of quality and will be used much more sparingly than City’s strikeforce.
October 8 at 9:21 pm
Malcolm Tucker for England Manager says:
I did not realise that
October 8 at 9:24 pm
Yome says:
I agree RVP and aguero are easily to be rotated. If they do not perform well, they can be replaced by all the players mentionned.
For attacking returns, Silva is the best for City cover and Tony V for United
October 8 at 9:25 pm
Malcolm Tucker for England Manager says:
Silva i agree with
October 8 at 9:24 pm
Malcolm Tucker for England Manager says:
Because it’s wrong
October 8 at 9:24 pm
The Shadow says:
It is a different situation. RVP will be rotated to avoid what Arsenal had to live through last year, the fear of over using him and risking an injury given his history. I’m not sure what City’s rotation policy is.
October 8 at 9:27 pm
Screeny says:
trouble is that means he is likely to be rotated against weaker opposition and therefore reduces his ability to get points, however I am still keeping him.
October 8 at 9:17 pm
bal4tom; Schalke FC Gaffer, Bundesliga Heavyweight. says:
Loving these RVP debates which are going on. Sometimes an international break actually does these boards a world of good as the pages slow down and people can get involved in discussions.
For me, RVP IS perhaps too expensive at 13.5, however, a key FPL strategy of mine is to have 2 sold Captain choices each week, and at the moment, Aguero and RVP fit that bill.
I’d never really consider Captaining a player who doesn’t play for Utd, City, Chelsea or Spurs. I think we can all say that whenever Torres or Bale are handed the armband, we’re all already nervous as hell!
For me, RVP just offers that bit of Captaincy security.
October 8 at 9:20 pm
Herr Vets - Die Rothosen says:
I agree but am trying to find ways of getting rid, but then think I must be mad to do so. A lot of water will flow under the bridge in the next 1 1/2 weeks…
October 8 at 9:21 pm
Kings of Lyon says:
I agree with this
October 8 at 9:22 pm
bal4tom; Schalke FC Gaffer, Bundesliga Heavyweight. says:
*solid Captain choices
October 8 at 9:26 pm
Giggs Boson says:
I agree. I know there is much better value out there, but the bottom line is that he has returned attacking points in every start for United, and this was during a time United were struggling for form. He can only improve.
October 8 at 9:27 pm
BoomBoomShacktheroom says:
I am trying to work both Aguero and RVP into my team but it’s pretty much destroying everything
October 8 at 9:27 pm
Yome says:
Relying on one player like RVP for captaincy is ridiculous. There are so many other players out there who can outscore him in one gameweek. Look at Torres, Ba, Bale.. who are on fire these days.
And what a waste of money when you captain him and he returns a blank.
October 8 at 9:30 pm
Giggs Boson says:
Blank? He’s returned attacking points in every start, including an explosive hattrick.
October 8 at 9:32 pm
Twisted Saltergater says:
You’re interpreting the post too tightly. By all means you can captain another player but in weeks where you’re not sure, you can rely on RVP bringing homemore than 2 points 80% of the time.
October 8 at 9:33 pm
vilmorez says:
I used to agree with the captain thing. But I’ve been beaten recently by people captaining Demba/Torres and so on while I’ve been getting 8-12 points from RVP (c). Currently have put it on Nolan for next week.
October 8 at 9:36 pm
Ibracadabra says:
Agree to a point.
Would you captain him at Chelsea in GW 9 or against Arsenal in GW 10 though?
That leaves you with RVP as a captain just once [gw8 at home to Stoke] in the next 3 weeks.
Here’s a thought on GW 8 and RVP:
First, let’s assume he makes it through both Holland matches unscathed.
Next, let’s assume he’s not rested [as he was against Wigan] because the Champions League game against Braga is just 3 days later. If Manchester United beat Braga, they will be on 9 points. That’s on Tuesday.
Last, if he does make it through both Holland games, and SAF doesn’t rest him to keep him fresh for the Braga match, then he’s up against a Stoke defense that has kept clean sheets against both Liverpool and Arsenal, and conceded just 1 goal each to Manchester City and Chelsea.
It’s really not about this short term 3 week stretch, it’s really about the season in its entirety, but what would swing it for me was if Rooney was injured and/or if Rooney wasn’t on penalties. That’s why I bought RVP originally – Rooney got an ugly gash in his leg which I thought would keep him out 4+ weeks. He missed 3 gameweeks and in those 3 gameweeks RVP scored 4 goals [22 fantasy points].
He’s playing furthest forward in a title contending side and at 11m or 12m is a no brainer, but at 13.5M [or worth 13.2M to me] it just seems so damn expensive.
October 8 at 9:37 pm
Limpar says:
Twisted Saltergater makes some pretty compelling pro-RVP arguments on the previous page.
October 8 at 9:42 pm
Twisted Saltergater says:
I’ll pay you that fiver later
October 8 at 9:18 pm
Reed_Rothchild says:
Berbatov -best value on the game
Lambert-Fool’s gold. Stay away.
Ba-get him GW9 when the Toon’s fixtures are good.
Fletcher-can he maintain his 100% shot conversion rate with a midfield that isn’t creating many chances for him? He needs service to score, and is not a creator like Thierry Henry.
Jela-he would be proper Everton coverage to go with Baines since Fellaini is like a box of chocolate and you don’t know what you’re going to get.
October 8 at 9:20 pm
Adriano says:
Caz worth a 4 point hit? Would be getting rid of Cashley in the process.
October 8 at 9:21 pm
Conrad. - Michu @ Santi's Sleigh! says:
if ur gonna get Caz at all this season, it needs to be for the next 2 games. ripe for goals!
October 8 at 9:34 pm
Adriano says:
That’s exactly what I was thinking!
October 8 at 9:21 pm
Conrad. - Michu @ Santi's Sleigh! says:
For the next 4-6 GWs:
A) Mertesacker
B) Micah
C) Gallas
D) Huth
E) Santon
October 8 at 9:21 pm
Malcolm Tucker for England Manager says:
Huth after next week
October 8 at 9:21 pm
Timmy Cahill Rules says:
tempetd to go back to my start of the seaosn route
tevez and kun
great fictures
risky but if city explode soon could be lethal
October 8 at 9:25 pm
Kostja says:
I think 1 of them+ Silva is a way better option.
October 8 at 9:21 pm
MartinUnreal says:
Assuming you want one big hitting Striker there is obviously some anxiety over owning someone so expensive as RVP right now if he’s not scoring goals every game. Aguero is the obvious alternative as at 11m you are getting a player who will almost certainly score lots of goals this season too.
The key problem with RVP is the ‘rested for easier games’ thing. The key problem with Aguero is ‘easily rotated/rested with 3 other world class strikers’. IMO RVP is less likely to be rotated because he is the main man up front…compounded by Rooney’s new midfield-ish role.
Another problem with Aguero though is…will he be given the freedom to slaughter defences for 90 minutes most matches? We saw with Tevez while he was out that one striker playing in a team as good as Man City has the potential for big scores and would be captain material…but when all 4 are available for selection…is Aguero captain material? Is he likely to stay on the pitch 90 mins and get that all important goal?
There are a few scenarios where I can see Aguero playing 60/70 minute games or benched and coming on at 60/70 mins…will he be given the freedom to score 50+% of his team’s goals like RVP will? I don’t know…Another factor is they NEED to win games in the champions league…in contrast to Man Utd who are probably going to stroll their group.
October 8 at 9:24 pm
Malcolm Tucker for England Manager says:
Personally i am sticking with RVP. Easy armband choice, gets some points when doing seemingly nothing.
October 8 at 9:25 pm
bal4tom; Schalke FC Gaffer, Bundesliga Heavyweight. says:
All good points.
We all seem to be talking ourselves out of getting ANY striker at the moment!
I think the bottom line is that some sort of Utd and City coverage is essential, and RVP and Aguero are the most nailed on for their respectives teams (but at that expensive cost). It’s just a question of whether you want to shell out for the expensive coverage, or spread the wealth around more punts, such as Torres, Suarez, Ba, Jelavic etc.
October 8 at 9:25 pm
Malcolm Tucker for England Manager says:
I have RVP, jelly and fletcher at present. Swapping fletcher for Crouch after next week
October 8 at 9:30 pm
Brian says:
Devils advocate hat on.
Is the bottom line that United and City attacking coverage is essential? One could argue, for the 1st seven it has not being and that as a bottom line carried over from last season.
Not saying they won’t become essential btw, just stirring the pot. So far, no attacking United player or city, bar maybe Tevez has delivered good value to owners.
October 8 at 9:27 pm
Manani says:
I am owning neither, until one of them become nailed on and focal point for the team’s goal.
why own a 11+ rotation risk striker when you can own someone who is 8m nailed on and score just as much goals? (for now)
October 8 at 9:31 pm
MartinUnreal says:
RVP is certainly nailed on…you cannot get more nailed on…just because he was rested for Wigan doesn’t mean he isn’t nailed on.
October 8 at 9:24 pm
Timmy Cahill Rules says:
tevez kun and fletcher
a viable front 3 or not
mid would be
Bale Caz Michu Nolan Maloney
October 8 at 9:29 pm
Bemba Da says:
I have come to the conclusion rvp is too highly rated on here
To alot of people on here it seems like it’s a crime to take out rvp. Yet the figures show he is producing similar points totals to those players 3 or even 4m less in value.
That money saved on RVP can be saved beefing up the rest of the squad. People on here claim if you lose RVP you lose the instant captain choice every week. Nonsence because if you spend the money wiseley which you saved from RVP you could get 3/4 big hitters in which are all captain material and RVP isn’t exactly scoring like crazy to be captain material anyway.
Another argument I hear is if you sell RVP now you won’t be able to get him back. Nonsence again, sell him, get an in form player in, see his price rocket and then if RVP starts to fire then sell the player back for a profit and get RVP in.
I say to those considering take out RVP, do what your gut tells you and make the move. You obviously don’t think he is a wise investment and the risk of rotation is enough of a reason. 13 odd million for a player who is potentially rested for stoke at home (with 2 int games and cl in mid-week after) then tough fixtures v chelsea and arsenal.
October 8 at 9:33 pm
Malcolm Tucker for England Manager says:
I see the argument Bemba, just haven’t got the balls to take him out! Basically i am working on a 14 man squad and leaving him there.
BTW my apologies for my out of order comment last week. Sorry fella
October 8 at 9:35 pm
Bemba Da says:
For the past 4 gw’s I have been the same but sitting down, analysing the stats and performances makes me think I actually don’t need rvp.
No problem with the comment, we all make rash remarks
October 8 at 9:38 pm
Malcolm Tucker for England Manager says:
Cheers mate. Felt really bad. Have had a crappy time and took it out on you. Was not fair to you.
This gameweek was karma biting me in the arse!
October 8 at 9:35 pm
Yome says:
I pulled the trigger yesterday and feel a big relief now. I have a much stronger midfield without RVP.
I plan to bring in Tony V for United cover after the Stoke game.
October 8 at 9:36 pm
Bemba Da says:
my point exactly. It’s how you see it I guess. Alot of people who have rvp just sitting in their team class it as excellent but for me he isn’t justifying his price
October 8 at 9:36 pm
MartinUnreal says:
A) He is highly rated for a reason
B) He will produce similar points to players cheaper than him most weeks (as long as other strikers score a goal/a brace) Just because other strikers are scoring doesn’t mean he’s not worth it.
C) RVP is a far safer bet for captaincy than the likes of Bale/Hazard or any midfielder imo, they are not expected to score game-winning goals most weeks…and so wont.
D) your spelling is atrocious.
October 8 at 9:38 pm
Bemba Da says:
is he worth 5m odd more than jelavic for instance?
October 8 at 9:41 pm
SuperDunny says:
For sure
October 8 at 9:45 pm
Yome says:
A) He was highly rated at Arsenal but too early to say if he will be at United
B) So if he produces similar points to cheaper players, why stick with him? Free some cash!
C) You are comparing apples and pears, strikers and midfielders. People who captained Torres last weekend got easily 60+ points
October 8 at 9:48 pm
SuperDunny says:
Ok, this is just gibberish
October 8 at 9:51 pm
AC a little silhouette of Milan says:
69 with RVP captain….there will always be players who outscore hom some weeks but he and Kun are the most likely scorers when they play. No RVP No Hope..
October 8 at 9:46 pm
The Shadow says:
Obviously he has not been so far. The hope is he could be going forward.
October 8 at 9:41 pm
Mull says:
Look at the fixtures after the Arsenal game then tell me you don’t want a United player. United are very capable of putting 4/5 past each of those teams and he’ll be the guy getting most of the goals. Another thing about RVP is that when he scores big it is very likely you’ll have the captain’s armband on him which is imo the best thing about having him. If he scores a brace or a hat-trick, RVP owners will gain 26/34 points on your score each time.
October 8 at 9:29 pm
Goatboy says:
Thinking swapping Kagawa & Tevez for Carzola & Ba. Seem a good idea?
October 8 at 9:30 pm
Timmy Cahill Rules says:
caz yes ba not sure him and cisse go through too many droughts imo
October 8 at 9:32 pm
Kostja says:
Ba has never had a drought in a central striking position- at least not in england. So if Pardew does not mess with that he should be fine. And in my personal opinion the best striker awailable.
October 8 at 9:31 pm
BoomBoomShacktheroom says:
Is Tevez really worth it as a City player, is he gonna be getting the time? Really hard to tell, plus he really isn’t bringing much in terms of attacking points at the moment, was he dangerous at the weekend?
October 8 at 9:32 pm
Kostja says:
The most nailed on City player for the next game.
October 8 at 9:32 pm
Kostja says:
after Hart ofcourse
October 8 at 9:37 pm
SuperDunny says:
huh?
October 8 at 9:33 pm
Timmy Cahill Rules says:
im getting kun to join him post WBA game
October 8 at 9:35 pm
Team Hayemaker says:
Long term it’s a no for me but he isn’t in the Argentina squad so looks good for starting v west brom
October 8 at 9:31 pm
Corrigan says:
Does Darron Gibson hold the key to unlocking Fellaini’s potential?
It’s very awkward right now deciding what to do with him…
October 8 at 9:32 pm
transferaddict says:
NEW POST – THE DIGEST
October 8 at 9:34 pm
Cosgri says:
What is it with programmes about travellers? There’s a new show on nearly every week about them. Who is watching this shit?
October 8 at 9:36 pm
Dale Cooper says:
Difficult to adjust to this new reality after I have broken the 1k mark last year.
October 8 at 9:36 pm
SuperDunny says:
Back into the wilderness
October 8 at 9:39 pm
Dale Cooper says:
Last year RVP and VDV kick-started the season for me. This time it just doesn’t want to click.
October 8 at 10:18 pm
colonel shoe says:
long way to go dude
October 8 at 9:54 pm
jaybommber says:
right guys need help
graham to berba or haz to santi 4 pt hit,
hazz bafa nolan pieener bale
torres tevez graham is what i have
October 8 at 10:16 pm
Zizou says:
jussi begovic
ivanovic baines demel davies nelson
hazard mata fellani michu bale
tevez ba fletcher
1FT
hazard > cazorla/silva
yes????
October 9 at 5:37 am
stupendous says:
Should probably post this tomorrow since it’s 12.35am here and 5.35am back home, but, RIP to Mike Jones, the 25year old man from Liverpool/Lancs. Stabbed to death in New York last night. Moved to the states on a footy scholarship……..or SOCCER…….and has been a youth coach with the New York Red Bulls for five years.
very sad.
October 9 at 5:51 am
Mr.Chivo112590 says:
Need some help, I’m considering selling Kagawa, and Cech, and N.Clyne
and getting A.Karolov, N.Sahin, S.Minoglet.. any other suggestions? cheers!
Cech
Rafael Ivanovic Baines
Kagawa Hazard Cazorla Bale
Berbatov RVP Lambert
Sub: N.Clyne, Fillaini
October 10 at 1:52 pm
He who dares wins says:
Testing new account…