The Watchlist – Christian Benteke
Filed under: The Watchlist - Posted by: Big Dunc
As a result of Alex McLeish’s horrendously negative tactics last season, very few Villa players were taken seriously by Fantasy managers when crafting initial lineups this time round. Prices were subsequently downgraded and with the arrival of a more attack minded manager in Paul Lambert, plus the emergence of several young (and cheap) players, the Villains appeared to offer a rich seam of differential talent waiting to be mined. It’s taken a while for Lambert’s young lions to establish themselves this season, however, and as it stands that talent remains largely untapped; the acrobatic Brad Guzan in goal and the muscular Christian Benteke up front are the only players to accumulate more than a 3% FPL ownership to this point.
Four goals at Carrow Road in the Capital One cup and another three at Anfield has given us plenty of reason to take another look, and summer signing Benteke has been central to Villa’s resurgent run of form. In many ways, the Belgian is a symbol of the changes taking place at Villa Park – young, energetic and strong, the comparison with forlorn and fallen team-mate Darren Bent is striking. Benteke’s performance at Anfield displayed many of the qualities missing in the England international; he won aerial duels all over the pitch, scored a powerful goal from distance, set up another with a cheeky bit of skill and capped it off by barging his way into the box to execute a cool finish. If he was English, the media would have eaten it up.
We’ve already covered Benteke once this season, back in November he made significant strides: enough to promote him in our thoughts. He duly delivered three goals an assist and six bonus points since that article but, with a forthcoming schedule that screams further returns, Benteke warrants renewed attention.
Three home games in the next four against Tottenham, Wigan and Southampton should provide plenty of chances for Benteke to boost his burgeoning reputation further. While Villa’s form could now be fragile having just taken a pounding at Chelsea, Lambert is backing his side to show their spirit and bounce back in the Boxing Day meeting with Spurs. Considering that he has scored or assisted eight of Villa’s 13 league goals so far this term, Benteke will surely be the key figure on show against Andre Villas-Boas’ side and, with a price tag of 6.7 in the FPL and just 7.5 in the Sky Sports game, there are few obstacles to investment.
An ownership of just over 3%, with the ability to free up funds for heavy midfield acquisitions, promotes the appeal and could mean that Poirot isn’t the only Belgian that comforts us over Christmas; it’s not certain that Benteke will be murdering defences but he’s surely a prime suspect.
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Big Dunc @FFScout_Dunc
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Recent Comments
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Ugh, sorry, named the club instead of "stay" » -
calmer head » -
Tomorrow is what my obsessed friend told me :D. Wants me to watch them all in one sitting with him » -
true that, always held my breath when the ball was passed back to him. But id still have someone who is comfortable… »
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1) Benteke- Villa 2) Bale - Spurs 3) Fellaini - United 4) Baines - Everton 5) Higuain - Juve 6) Cavani - Man City… »
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Foster is a good shot stopper, but his decision making isn't great and he makes a fair few blunders. » -
Cool, just fill in your details by 29th if you're interested to be an owner :D » -
Seems less likely now as Barca wont want to put up the big cash »
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User: Are you concious? Cleverbot: Yeah are you? User: Not really. Cleverbot: Exactly. User: What is your IQ… »
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IMO DDG is much much better. I dont think Hart is even best in england. Foster>Hart. In my personal opinion. »
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December 25 at 8:59 pm
Killitzer says:
Evening all and merry Xmas.
With 4 players from arsenal and west ham it’s an going to be an Interesting game week especially with Gorkss likely to be on the bench
Bego (jussi)
Gorkss, cuellar, riise (mertes, o’brien)
Sterling, Michu, pienaar, sess (Carloza)
RVP, Suarez, Defoe
Have already brought in pienaar but wondering whether to:
1. Gorkss—-> Cameron
2. Defoe —–> benteke
Any thoughts would be appreciated!
December 25 at 9:01 pm
df34 says:
Would leave Defoe as good to have some Spurs coverage. Next 4 fixtures look good. Would get rid of Gorks for Cameron, sounds good
December 25 at 8:59 pm
jamessimonhudson says:
Hi guys, this is my first comment on here, just wondering how you think my team is looking for this week?
Begovic
Baines, Cole, Cameron
Michu(C), Dembele, Toure, Mata
Long, Defoe, Tevez
Subs: Davies, Sterling, Santon
Not sure whether to swap Davies in for Long or not, what do you all think? Also do you think Michu as a captain is a good choice or do you think someone else would be better? Any other advice would be great!
December 25 at 9:03 pm
df34 says:
Would not sub in for Long, as they have 3 away games out of next 4. One being away to MANU. Yep Michu is very good. Wuld not be to keen on Dembele.
December 25 at 9:06 pm
The Parmtree- A true Berbist!!! says:
Hello and welcome. Firstly i’d recommend reading the FAQ: http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....-glossary/
Secondly, getting a gravatar, it gives you some sort of personality
: http://http://en.gravatar.com/
And finally, i’d keep that team for this week, reassess next week.
Cole, Dembele, Long, Santon & Sterling should go next week, i’d bring in some United cover next week.
December 25 at 8:59 pm
DanDaManUFan says:
How do you get a grav? Do you have to be a member? I’m a newb!
December 25 at 9:00 pm
Spencer says:
gravatar.com
December 25 at 9:01 pm
David Luiz says:
http://www.gravatar.com
December 25 at 9:01 pm
seantbn says:
gravatar .com
December 25 at 9:00 pm
seantbn says:
who would prefer for the next 2 , benteke or defoe ?
December 25 at 9:01 pm
David Luiz says:
Benteke, imho
December 25 at 9:03 pm
Hopper says:
Benteke
December 25 at 9:00 pm
David Luiz says:
Gentlemen.
Transfer out Aguero OR Suarez for Berbatov this week?
or save the transfer?
December 25 at 9:02 pm
ff addict says:
Save the transfer
December 25 at 9:04 pm
seantbn says:
aguero, relieve yourself of all that rotation stress
December 25 at 9:04 pm
df34 says:
Save
December 25 at 9:10 pm
Hopper says:
Defo get Berba, no rotation and great fixtures
December 25 at 9:00 pm
The Viper says:
*Cheeky xmas repost
2 seasons ago, I was in the pub watching the 17.30 kick off, Villa vs. Spurs at Villa Park. I had VDV (c), he scored 2 goals (1 assisted by Bale)
Tomorrow I will be in the pub watching the 17.30 kick off, Villa vs. Spurs at Villa Park.
This is making me want to bring in Bale now (For Santi)
December 25 at 9:00 pm
Kostja says:
Bale is no VDV
December 25 at 9:02 pm
JKisthe1 - A Founder of Berbism says:
Indeed
I captained VdV 3 times least season, he delivered
30, 16 and 44.
December 25 at 9:03 pm
The Parmtree- A true Berbist!!! says:
Ah, was 44 the DGW?
December 25 at 9:04 pm
JKisthe1 - A Founder of Berbism says:
yup, best GW of the season, I pissed all over my rival that week
if another one comes along and I’m still sitting on the wc then
December 25 at 9:03 pm
MJ6987 (Atalanta) says:
Maybe Sneijder will be if he goes there though
December 25 at 9:05 pm
Kostja says:
Could be, but im afraid he could be a bit overpriced.
December 25 at 9:01 pm
Thesteady-Michu = "Siggy 2.0 " says:
Defoe replacing VDV, defo.
December 25 at 9:03 pm
Doosra - "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes" - A Noble Twain Quote says:
Chheky repost#2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l49tDwFSdbo
December 25 at 9:03 pm
Doosra - "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes" - A Noble Twain Quote says:
*Cheeky
Pissed.
December 25 at 9:01 pm
Waterwheel Inc. says:
Evening chaps,
Hope you’ve all had a good day. But I hope Boxing Day will be better, 10 matches plus racing at Kempton makes this one of my favourite days of the year!
Can anyone give me any reason to hope Gorkks will be back in the squad or Reading tomorrow please?
December 25 at 9:04 pm
In Like Flynn says:
Is Fontwell on?
December 25 at 9:06 pm
Waterwheel Inc. says:
Maybe, Racing Post says there’s an 8am inspection.
December 25 at 9:10 pm
In Like Flynn says:
Probably too wet for the horse I was thinking of anyway, Cheers.
December 25 at 9:04 pm
df34 says:
Sorry mate cant’t give you any good news on Gorkks. But i agree that tomorrow is a great day of sport
December 25 at 9:06 pm
Doosra - "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes" - A Noble Twain Quote says:
Nope, sorry. Seems to have offpissed the gaffer.
December 25 at 9:11 pm
In Like Flynn says:
Didn’t he make the bench last game? It’s Christmas, time to kiss and make up.
December 25 at 9:09 pm
Waterwheel Inc. says:
Cheers for info. Leaves me with just the 11 to play. Tempting to use it as an excuse to start tinkering but I don’t think it’s worth the risk.
Looks like plenty of people are taking hits this week. I’m not wild about my team but if I get 11 out without a hit I’ll feel ahead of the game to start with.
December 25 at 9:11 pm
Doosra - "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes" - A Noble Twain Quote says:
That’s my plan. I now have Pienaar.
December 25 at 9:12 pm
In Like Flynn says:
That’s my worry for tomorrow, that I bring 1 or 2 in, only for them to be rotated anyway.
December 25 at 9:02 pm
Portuguese&Proud says:
Begovic
B:Davies, Cameron, J.Enrique
Mata, Bale, Michu(c) Taarabt
Tevez, Suarez, RVP
Jaask, Snodgrass, Shorey, Sagna
1FT 0,3M
so what do you think i’m considering saving the FT for next week, do you see any reason not to??
December 25 at 9:06 pm
seantbn says:
i like that, tevez rotation your only worry really
December 25 at 9:20 pm
Portuguese&Proud says:
i know, the tought of benching him over Snoddy crossed my mind but over 9M on the bench just doesn’t seems right..
December 25 at 9:06 pm
df34 says:
Save it mate. Excellent squad. Will u keep captaincy onMichu?
December 25 at 9:07 pm
Portuguese&Proud says:
Thanks, most definately
December 25 at 9:09 pm
df34 says:
I have Van P and Michu too, don’t have the Ballls to do Michu. Fair play mate!!
December 25 at 9:04 pm
The Viper says:
@Doora
You’re against every move this week!
December 25 at 9:05 pm
JKisthe1 - A Founder of Berbism says:
He is against every move every week unless you buying someone he owns, or features in his tables
But we love him anyway
December 25 at 9:05 pm
In Like Flynn says:
He’s not. He told me to move, to another country.
December 25 at 9:08 pm
Doosra - "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes" - A Noble Twain Quote says:
How very unkind of me.
December 25 at 9:12 pm
In Like Flynn says:
December 25 at 9:08 pm
The Dago says:
Just get Bale mate, and leave Berba imo. You sound more sold on that route and it makes more sense. If Berba starts banging them in and Ruiz returns then bring him in next week, still got good fixtures.
December 25 at 9:16 pm
The Viper says:
Yeah, Bale could easily out score Cazorla before the dgwk, do the reverse swap then!
I’ll give Berba this week to hit form!
Cheers!
December 25 at 9:08 pm
Doosra - "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes" - A Noble Twain Quote says:
I am doing my best to protect you – against yourself!
Get Pienaar. Get Carter. But don’t get that shite you are doting on!!!
December 25 at 9:17 pm
The Viper says:
Ah cheers Doos, you’re very good. But I gotta spread my wings eventually
December 25 at 9:10 pm
Doosra - "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes" - A Noble Twain Quote says:
Oh! And KEEP Cazorla!!! Please.
December 25 at 9:06 pm
o connor says:
Begovic foster
Nelson clyne McCartney Enrique cuellar
Walcott sessegnon michu Stirling tarrabt
Rvp tevez Suarez
1.8 in bank
2 Ft
Take out tevez and cuellar for berba and baines???
Yes or no first
To 3 wins
December 25 at 9:07 pm
df34 says:
Yep, i would as not sure tevez will start
December 25 at 9:06 pm
Mr. Paul With the ICE-CREAM says:
so, a quick opinion
begovic.
berba
Which one to do first.
Migno
Fletcher
Or both for a hit
December 25 at 9:08 pm
Just One More Thing says:
Fletch > Berbs only.
December 25 at 9:08 pm
df34 says:
No hit needed, would do the second one if i had too. But do not see any great urgency to do either mate
December 25 at 9:14 pm
alsybach says:
Fletcher will score more goals and more points than Berba………..
December 25 at 9:14 pm
Killitzer says:
How do you make those arrows?
December 25 at 9:07 pm
alsybach says:
I have got Tevez and I think I want to get rid (I think)……….got Fed in goal alongside jussi – havent made any changes this week yet and am reasonably happy with my team..
BUT…….
always one for a bit of excitement at Christmas shall I………
a) save transfer
b) Tevez ——->Benteke (not Beba! not convinced!)
c) Fed———>Guzan
d) Tev + Sterling——->Benteke + Pienaar (for a 4 pointer)
what do you think peeps?!?
December 25 at 9:09 pm
Just One More Thing says:
D
December 25 at 9:11 pm
df34 says:
Save it mate
December 25 at 9:08 pm
The Parmtree- A true Berbist!!! says:
IF Sneijder joins Spurs, will he be a better FPL prospect that Bale? And will he have a negative effect on Bale’s returns?
Big IF mind
December 25 at 9:11 pm
Kostja says:
NO negative effect, and probably overpriced
December 25 at 9:14 pm
Waterwheel Inc. says:
Where’s this story come from and is it legit? It seems to have slipped by me, I only noticed it at all because there was money or it on oddschecker!
December 25 at 9:15 pm
Gazza2000 says:
Sneijder will get all set pieces imo, compare him with VDV but less injury prone
December 25 at 9:09 pm
Ricky smokes lets go says:
any more news on the chelsea southampton dgw. for some reason i have got it in my head as the same gw as arsenal wham dgw.
December 25 at 9:09 pm
Gazza2000 says:
Begovic
Baines – Cuellar – Nelsen
Bale – Mata – Michu (c) – Puncheon
Suarez – Tevez – Berbatov (vc)
Foster – Simpson – Gibbs – Cazorla
Good to go ? captain Michu over Berba ?
December 26 at 3:07 am
erictai98 says:
michu!
December 25 at 9:10 pm
JKisthe1 - A Founder of Berbism says:
NEW POST
http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....n-results/
December 25 at 9:14 pm
bbewekim says:
Luiz, yaya, taarabt > Gibbs, bale/sant, punch?
Do have Nolan who’s been a bit quiet of late though. Also have Holt upfront with RVP, Tevez so a bit weak?
I’m thinking Transfers in new year…
Would make, Gibbs, shawX, Enrique (clyne, McCartney)
Mata, bale/santi, Nolan, michu, (punch)
RVP, Tevez, Holt
December 25 at 9:47 pm
Superdry7 says:
Team this week, thinking of saving the transfer, any feedback welcome
Foster (Jussi)
Nasty, Vertonghen, Enrique (Gorkss, Morrison)
Bale, Michu, Puncheon, Silva (Sterling)
RVP, Torres, Berb
Captain choice not decided yet!!!!!
December 26 at 7:14 am
viditarora says:
Berba captain
December 26 at 2:22 am
gavtyle says:
Here is my team for tomorrow,
Begovic
Ridgewell Cameron Cuellar
Pienaar Michu Silva Mc Anuff
Suarez RVP Defoe
Rudd, Santi, Mc Cartney, Sagna
Any changes to be made? 0.9 million in the bank
Slightly wary that my defence is quite weak