The Watchlist – Steven Fletcher
Filed under: The Watchlist - Posted by: Paul
It took little time for Steven Fletcher to establish himself as something of a talisman for Sunderland this season. The summer signing from Wolves made an immediate impact on Wearside, with goals and maximum Fantasy Premier League (FPL) bonus points in each of his first four appearances making the £12m fee paid out to the Molineux side look a canny piece of business by Martin O’Neill.
After a barren autumn spell, the Scot has returned to form and from Gameweek 16 onwards has developed a real streak of consistency – he hasn’t gone more than a single match without producing attacking returns from that point, in a run that has harvested five wins in the last eight for the Black Cats. With 10 goals and four assists for the season, Fletcher has played a part in more than half his side’s 27 strikes and has collected 23 FPL bonus points, second only to Robin Van Persie’s 28 so far.
Up to fifth in the FPL forward rankings on 112 points, Fletcher sits at his initial FPL starting price of 7.0, having previously risen as high as 7.4. A brace away to Wigan last weekend seems to have caught the attention of Fantasy managers and as winter wildcards continue to be wielded, he is the most transferred in forward in the Gameweek, with over 21,000 snapping up his mid-price services.
Post-match, O’Neill singled out the Scotsman as the Black Cats continued their climb up the table after a 3-2 win over the Latics:
“The transfer seemed to be a bit of a saga at the time but it was well worth it. We relied on him at the beginning of the season; he was the only player scoring for us. Since then we’ve shared a few goals around but he’s a really top-class centre-forward, not just with his goals but in the way he brings others in to play. For one not so tall he’s strong: what Sir Bobby Robson called ‘a proper centre-forward.”
Fletcher’s flourishing form certainly looks to be afforded the chance to continue for the foreseeable future. Looking at the upcoming schedule, Sunderland have arguably just one tricky fixture in the next seven (SWA, rdg, ARS, wba, FUL, qpr, NOR) before matters takes a turn for the worse in Gameweek 31. While last season’s Fantasy favourite Stephane Sessegnon continues to toil, many may look to Adam Johnson as alternative Sunderland cover for their favourable run Fletcher certainly seems better value – he currently costs just 0.3 more than the former City winger and has averaged 5.3 points per game to Johnson’s 4.5.
As owners of Demba Ba begin to ponder a transfer out due to the uncertainty of game time under Rafa Benitez, and the likes of Jermain Defoe and Dimitar Berbatov struggle to produce consistent returns, Fletcher (who is priced at 7.7 in the Sky Sports game) has staked a real case for our consideration, with secure starts and run of form that’s becoming increasingly difficult to overlook.
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January 23 at 7:27 pm
Optimus says:
even though i have walcott(c) id be rather happy if walcott got nothing and cazorla to get a goal or 2..hes more of differential in my mls
January 23 at 7:27 pm
Sporting ABG says:
moan, moan, moan, moan……
January 23 at 7:28 pm
Conrad. - Michu @ Santi's Sleigh! says:
i’d like the same, but for the reason that I don’t have Theo.
January 23 at 7:28 pm
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
Fortunately … I am past caring …
January 23 at 7:28 pm
Optimus says:
you have your reasons
January 23 at 7:28 pm
thetinkerman says:
It’s a hard life for some.
January 23 at 7:27 pm
JELLYFISH says:
Evening all. So whats the general perception on Ba playing tonight, is he likely to be dropped for the weekend PL game now?
January 23 at 7:28 pm
Conrad. - Michu @ Santi's Sleigh! says:
PL is next midweek. FA is this weekend.
January 23 at 7:29 pm
ronh says:
FA Cup game.
January 23 at 7:35 pm
JELLYFISH says:
D’oh – my bad! Thanks guys
January 23 at 7:28 pm
Wild Rover says:
If you’re lurking MileHigh, good(ish) luck and may the best man win…
January 23 at 7:29 pm
Declan says:
Good Luck mate.
January 23 at 7:29 pm
thetinkerman says:
+1
January 23 at 7:30 pm
thetinkerman says:
(to that sort of thing)
January 23 at 7:33 pm
Sporting ABG says:
“down with this sort of thing!”
January 23 at 7:30 pm
ronh says:
Yeah, fair play WR.
Good luck xo
January 23 at 7:28 pm
Kanus hat trick says:
Any news on Odemwingie to QPR? Unsure whether to ditch Lukaku
January 23 at 7:34 pm
ogqozo says:
Never ditch The Big L.
January 23 at 7:28 pm
ronh says:
My cup tie: me 48, him 58
Me: Mertesacker, Obrien, Santi
Him: Sagna
We both have Theo (C)
Can I get 10 points more than him tonight?
He has made more tansfers, so if a draw, me wins
January 23 at 7:29 pm
Breadbin - Specialist RMT consultant says:
We don’t know the answer. Ask again at 10pm.
January 23 at 7:29 pm
Conrad. - Michu @ Santi's Sleigh! says:
gonna be a tough one to get 10 from OBrien and Santi. and also hope Sagna doesn’t nick an assist.
January 23 at 7:31 pm
heartsattack says:
If its a draw most goals scored in GW decides.
January 23 at 7:31 pm
heartsattack says:
Most goals scored in the Gameweek
Fewest goals conceded in the Gameweek
Virtual coin toss
January 23 at 7:31 pm
Steel Arm - Drogba "Unstoppable, Unforgettable... Irreplaceable." says:
you have a fair chance with santi in hole
gud luck
January 23 at 7:32 pm
Steve says:
Too close to call. Mertesacker and Sagna are likely to score simlar points. Santi has to do something but one assist might not be enough. If he score the bonus points will take you through.
January 23 at 7:29 pm
Dante says:
Is the Ars-WHU game being shown on TV anywhere tonight?
January 23 at 7:30 pm
Conrad. - Michu @ Santi's Sleigh! says:
Fox Soccer in the US
January 23 at 7:30 pm
Namtab Notlob says:
No this is just a rearranged regular game.
January 23 at 7:33 pm
Chelsea Harbour says:
SKY1 at 1030pm after the Cup match…. if you aren’t desperate to know all your fantasy results live
January 23 at 7:29 pm
Alright Dave... says:
A) Michu & Taarabt (rotating with Fletcher)
B) Bale & Guthrie (to warm my bench)
January 23 at 7:30 pm
Declan says:
A
January 23 at 7:29 pm
Sarabande says:
My last post was way too long for anyone to bother replying to…
Is Rvp + demel > aguero + baines (I currently own Rvp since he was 13.5m)??
January 23 at 7:30 pm
Home Run Baker says:
I think the lack of replies may have had something to do with the question.
No.
January 23 at 7:31 pm
Triggalicious says:
You’ll regret it, I feel.
RVP is so consistent, and has some delicious fixtures on the horizon. Baines is good, but he will frustrate you 500 times more than RVP ever will.
January 23 at 7:32 pm
kvtvk says:
I am not convinced by Aguero, he’s far from RVP.
Don’t do it, imo.
January 23 at 7:34 pm
Sarabande says:
Cheers guys, talking me off the ledge
January 23 at 7:29 pm
kvtvk says:
The scouts (Paul) seems to think Evans is a safer option than Rafael for defensive United coverage.
Any United fans (dis)agree?
January 23 at 7:29 pm
Marouannie! Get your guns!!! says:
NEW
http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....ussion-16/
January 23 at 7:30 pm
Corrigan - "We play Fantasy Premier League, not because it is easy, but because it is hard." says:
So if Michu scores a hatty v full strength Prem opposition, I take people will still sell/not buy because he “isn’t getting the points”…
January 23 at 7:32 pm
Thesteady-Michu = "Siggy 2.0 " says:
I won’t even sell him if he does nothing. I have had him since the start of the season, my grav too. *Proud*
January 23 at 7:31 pm
Leicester's march to the Prem says:
Really stuck with my front 8 what is better
A) 3-5-2 most weeks Mata,Wallcott,Bale,Fellani,Michu,Rvp,Aguero- Pogrebnyak sub
B) Rotate depend on fixures. Mata,Wallcott,Michu,Fellani.Lennon,Sturridge,Rvp,Aguero
Basically Bale,Pogrebnyak V Lennon,Sturridge and rotate.
January 23 at 7:31 pm
Thesteady-Michu = "Siggy 2.0 " says:
Mignolet-Federici
Demel-Davies-Zaba-Evra-Harte
Michu-Fellaini-Mata-Walcott-Puncheon
Sturridge-RVP-Fletcher
Team value: 103.7M
Bank: 0.7M
Cheers!
January 24 at 10:02 am
SkyCell says:
Missing Bale, otherwise very nice
January 23 at 7:33 pm
tommys says:
Evra the safest .. Rafael next in line. vida and rio fit are the first choice.
January 23 at 8:53 pm
thetinkerman says:
Come on Cazorla, your turn now!
January 24 at 10:04 am
think_nothing says:
Shall I rid myself of ba before he drops for fletcher or sturridge?