After a horrendous run of opening fixtures, Stoke’s prime Fantasy assets are finally being looked upon in a different light as the schedule starts to smile a little kinder. While many Fantasy managers will be somewhat reluctant to invest in an attack which has scored just eight goals in the opening eight Gameweeks (Wayne Rooney own goal inclusive), the Potters’ rearguard could be primed for transfers in after a series of resilient displays.
Prior to last Saturday’s defeat at United, Tony Pulis’ side had shipped a mere five goals in their first seven fixtures, conceding just once against City and Chelsea in addition to returning a clean sheet at home to Arsenal. We’ve sang the praises of Asmir Begovic for a number of weeks – the Bosnian holds firm at the top of our goalkeeper Watchlist rankings – while Marc Wilson was the subject of last Friday’s Moneyball piece; both look strong value at 4.7 and 4.5 respectively in Fantasy Premier League (FPL).
While Potters skipper Ryan Shawcross remains the most popular pick, with 18% FPL ownership, we’re focussing on an old Scout favourite – Robert Huth. Priced at 5.5 in both FPL and the Sky Sports game, there’s a reason why Huth is the costliest option amongst Pulis’ rearguard. The former Chelsea man’s eye for goal has seen him notch nine times in the previous couple of campaigns – the same number as Leighton Baines, for example, with his aerial ability in the opposition’s box always liable to strike terror into backlines the length and breadth of the country.
Granted, Huth has yet to justify any real investment, with no attacking returns or bonus registered thus far. As a result, he has picked up a mere 1.2% ownership, but his consistency over the last few seasons suggests he can always be relied upon; he has accrued 22 FPL bonus points over the previous two campaigns and has found the net at least three times from 2009/10 onwards.
The upcoming fixtures certainly offer plenty encouragement. Pulis’ side play at home four times (SUN, QPR, FUL, NEW) and also face trips to Norwich and West Ham, with perhaps only the Gameweek 12 trip to Upton Park a concern for those Fantasy managers eyeing up Stoke’s options. With the dead-ball delivery of Charlie Adam now added to the Potters’ ranks, it seems only a matter of time before Huth opens his account and begins to shine as a real differential.
