This Much We Know – Gameweek 23
Filed under: Scout Notes - Posted by: Mark
One from the archive. An old article revived and remodelled for 2013 – “This much we know” will combine fact and speculation gathered from the weekend’s action, blended with our dubious opinions, to hand you an extra morsels to chew over when Monday’s lunch bell rings. Today we’re pondering rotation hangovers, old King Cole and the contrasting fortunes in the North-East…
Rafa remains defiant…
Let’s no kid ourselves – we’re in for a rough ride. We can only thank our lucky stars that Rafa Benitez was unable to revive Chelsea’s Champions League fortunes – had he kept them in that particular hat, our situation would have been worse. As it is, following Sunday’s decision to start with Fernando Torres and Rafa’s defiant response to critics post-match (see our Scout Notes ), it’s clear that those who invest in Stamford Bridge pack are buying into agony and frustration further down the road. While Juan Mata looks worthy of all the heartache, it’s questionable whether there’s merit in holding Demba Ba given that, on every third match, the doubts will rear their head.
Joe Cole looks an option…
The spell in France looks to have revived Joe Cole’s appetite, while his talent is clearly still burning bright. Our members can dive into his performance statistics in detail but, suffice to say, Cole’s contribution to the cause against QPR amounted to much more than just a tap-in for the equaliser. At 5.6 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, Cole is far kinder on the budget than Kevin Nolan and, on the evidence of Saturday and based on Nolan’s lengthy goal drought, he’s already looking an interesting option. Three away trips in the next four dampen the enthusiasm somewhat but at least give us time to assess whether Cole can maintain his promising start.
Andy Carroll won’t starve once he’s fit….
The number of balls delivered into the QPR box was quite simply ridiculous. Ryan Nelsen and Clint Hill stood firm with air raid sirens ringing, only to be caught late on. If the Hammers can maintain such relentless delivery from both Matt Jarvis and Cole once Andy Carroll is back fit then surely West Ham are lined up to profit. Sam Allardyce is already purring at the thought of Carroll’s ponytailed bonce getting on the end of such service in an article published this morning. Interestingly, even the much-maligned Marouane Chamkh looked dangerous as a result of the Hammers assault and if Big Sam can make that happen…
Reading are up for the fight…
A late turnaround against the Baggies in Gameweek 22 was bettered by Adam Le Fondre’s salvo on Tyneside on Saturday. From nowhere, the Royals’ chances of clinging to top flight status are revived and suddenly the likes of Newcastle and Villa are left gazing at a trapdoor. With three home games in the next four, Brian McDermott’s side even have a platform to kick-on from their back-to-back wins. Can Fantasy managers get in on the act? Ian Harte looks to have the left-back role nailed on if you fancy defensive investment with a touch of set-piece promise, while Jimmy Kebe and Pavel Pogrebnyak look likely routes for those scratching around for the cheapest cuts in midfield and attack.
Newcastle remain in freefall…
We might be biased, with the Senegal striker in the Picks this week, but Papiss Cisse really could have bagged a hat-trick. Adam Federici did his job, however, defying the odds with one flying save from Cisse’s snatched header particularly impressing. Opportunities weren’t taken, then, and despite Yohan Cabaye’s return helping to get creative juices flowing, Newcastle remain in trouble and scratching for points and inspiration. Alan Pardew is fighting to maintain morale, both on the pitch and in the stands and Gameweek 24’s trip to Aston Villa suddenly looks to be a match that could shape the remainder of the season for both teams. Lose that, and Newcastle go into fixtures with Chelsea and Spurs, with Fantasy managers surely circling the likes of Mata and Gareth Bale with confidence that they’ll be the latest to profit from Newcastle’s alarming decline.
The Black Cats have their claws out…
Just to compound the misery at St James’ Park, Martin O’Neill seems to have turned Sunderland’s form on its head. Six goals in two games with Adam Johnson full of trickery and Steven Fletcher looking as deadly as ever. Having looked woefully impotent for goal threat back in October, the Black Cats have started 2013 creating chances, firing goals and climbing the table. With Swansea and Reading up next, suddenly we don’t need a double Gameweek to start taking notice of O’Neill’s attacking assets.
Mata’s fireworks are drowning Bales’s bombs
With Juan Mata and Steven Gerrard seemingly delivering points every Gameweek, Gareth Bale’s failure to profit from Sunday’s clash with United hit harder than ever. Let’s keep a perspective – it was United, hardly a gimme – but the Welshman is displaying a propensity to explode with points rather than keep pace with the more muted, reliable feed supplied by the likes of Gerrard, Mata and perhaps David Silva. Those fielding a five man midfield may well be able to keep patience but, in a 3-4-3 scenario, Bale’s place will start to look a luxury if he comes up short at Norwich and Mata and company maintain their consistency.
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Recent Comments
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Hey gents, I may be a slowpoke but have the goals and saves of the season been released? » -
again? » -
christ, what are you guys smoking? »
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Can the points been deducted when a team make a foul? » -
como? »
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Andersen 8O »
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Close NBA game so far. » -
Basically our WB's are a little inadequate in some ways but good in others. Thats what you get with a social team. » -
Yep that would be ideal. We certainly have a tough player at RWB who's reasonably quick but is a little too defensive… »
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I'm not sure if Wing backs count as a mid or a defender so equally it could be seen as a 3311 much like what Wigan use. »
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January 21 at 4:26 pm
Hutton dressed as Lahm says:
@BENNYDEBULL
Dont buy Fellaini then, leave him for us.
January 21 at 4:27 pm
Lrf says:
A or B?
A. Aguero + Bale
B Suarez + Silva
January 21 at 4:28 pm
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
B
January 21 at 4:29 pm
Intricacy says:
I’m leaning towards Suarez and Silva.
January 21 at 4:29 pm
Jude Rooney says:
Both fantastic combo’s down to personal choice…
January 21 at 4:30 pm
Lrf says:
Cheers guys. A would be the biggest differential in my ML, but guess B is safer.
January 21 at 4:28 pm
Crouch Potato says:
What Derry deserves, remarkable professional, http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/fo.....65314.html
January 21 at 4:30 pm
heartsattack says:
Sending out the right message. If all the scavenging mercenaries put in the same effort QPR wouldn’t be in the relegation zone.
January 21 at 4:32 pm
Crouch Potato says:
I agree.
January 21 at 4:32 pm
Scroobius Mac says:
And if all the scavenging mercenaries had the same ability as Shaun Derry they’d be back there.
January 21 at 4:33 pm
Intricacy says:
Lmao
January 21 at 4:34 pm
heartsattack says:
Very true but I’m sure you get my drift.
January 21 at 4:33 pm
Archie says:
He gives his all whenever he plays, which is more than can be said for some of your players.
What do you think of QPR’s chances of staying up? Some of my mates reckon its a sure thing with ‘Arry, but I’m not sure, I guess it depends on any more signings this window, looks like M’Vila is going elsewhere at least.
QPR 5 points from safety, Liverpool 7 points off 4th, and I’d rate their chances of making up that gap as similar. Even as an optimistic Liverpool fan, that’s pretty slim.
January 21 at 4:41 pm
Crouch Potato says:
A mile away from certain, however I firmly believe if they at any stage get level on points with the team above the bottom 3, then they will stay up, maybe even quite easily. Lots of twists I think, certin factors give more hope, Newcastle and others being drawn in, Saints may not, but have the potential to fall apart with recent events, the betting is extremely tight.
January 21 at 4:28 pm
CABAYE4 says:
@BENNYDEBULL
In games where both have played 60+ mins, Fellaini has 31 in 5 games.
PPG when both play 60 = 6.2
Overall PPG = 6.2
No impact whatsoever
January 21 at 4:32 pm
bennydebull says:
Gw 4 – 10 when they started togethher – 1,12,2,1,0, and 15 (goals scored late with mirallas off the pitch…
Anyway – he did play deeper.
January 21 at 4:35 pm
CABAYE4 says:
You can’t count the game Fellaini didn’t play.
And both goals in the 15 pointer were scored with Mirallas on the pitch…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20107627
January 21 at 4:36 pm
bennydebull says:
Ok – had recollection they were a bit later than that.
January 21 at 4:31 pm
masyuris says:
Do you still have a faith on Stoke, Norwich and West Ham defense like they show previously?
January 21 at 4:32 pm
Andrew says:
Stoke less so at the moment with their injuries.
January 21 at 4:33 pm
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
I think they could all turn it around especially stoke.
January 21 at 4:32 pm
AliQew says:
people taking out sterling?
ideal replacement?
January 21 at 4:35 pm
roscola says:
Yes, quite overpriced now and also a rotation risk
January 21 at 4:36 pm
AliQew says:
bringing in who?
January 21 at 4:32 pm
Trini Red Devil says:
Fellini and Baines
Or
Silva and Zabaleta
Plating wildcard and no other Everton or Citeh coverage. Trying to close a 100-pt gap.
January 21 at 4:34 pm
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
How about zab and felli? If you closing that gap go for whatever your rival hasn’t got.
January 21 at 7:53 pm
Trini Red Devil says:
Good advice… thx,
January 21 at 4:32 pm
pgr says:
REPOST:
I doubled up on the Arsenal defence on my WC (Chesny and Sagna) with the DGW in mind.
Time to drop Sagna or keep for now?
Rest of defence is Ashley Cole, Davies, Shaw and Demel
January 21 at 4:35 pm
Ini: The Pale-Faced Assassin says:
I’d drop one of them. You could free up some funds that way as well.
January 21 at 4:33 pm
Nick says:
New post, chaps: http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....meweek-24/
January 21 at 4:33 pm
AliQew says:
bego
nasty zab o brein bench:demel,davies
walcott michu mata fellaini bench:sterling
rvp,suarez,fletcher
WC is active,what would you change?
thanks!
January 21 at 4:37 pm
AliQew says:
anyone?
January 21 at 10:10 pm
Managing Director of the Universe says:
suarez -> sturridge
January 21 at 4:35 pm
kimoo says:
Repost Guys need more help and wt about Aguero should have in my WC
WHOHOOOOOOOOOOOO Pick The best WC from :
A- http://i.imgur.com/xpFdia7.png >> nice defence 0.1
B- http://i.imgur.com/QA3qUXM.png >>Power 5 0.0
C- http://i.imgur.com/MHFkDlU.png >> Crazy strikers 0.0
January 21 at 7:32 pm
john woods says:
B looks good aguero up front is promising
January 21 at 4:36 pm
Thesteady-Michu = "Siggy 2.0 " says:
Just thought about CL coming up. And a guy named Arjen Robben.
I can’t believe how easy it is to get him off his game, but not many of the left-backs do it.
IT’S JUST TO SHOW HIM ONTO THE RIGHT AND THE GOALLINE!
January 21 at 4:38 pm
Anonymous says:
Hi can anyone help me, what is the name of the website (other than here) that provides really in depth fantasy football analysis?
January 21 at 4:48 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
Manners, Timothy!
January 21 at 5:35 pm
C'MON YOU FOXES says:
January 21 at 4:53 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
Hmmm. Fletcher is rising faster than Sturridge …
January 21 at 6:21 pm
Kaizer Soze says:
who’s this demi chap?
January 21 at 7:36 pm
john woods says:
Here’s my WC front 3 any thoughts guys?
RVP Fletcher Sturridge
I can rotate 2 strikers with a 5 man midfield.
January 22 at 3:13 am
threesticks says:
You could rotate 3 if you counted Dzeko
January 22 at 12:14 pm
Stevie-G is a Legend says:
is De Gea a good move now or is he really on his way out or to the bench ??
manutd has the best upcoming fixtures so iam thinking about degea instead of cech
January 22 at 12:18 pm
Stevie-G is a Legend says:
cmon some help here
January 22 at 9:43 pm
The Stig says:
Test