This Much We Know – Gameweek 2

City’s title credentials are already in question as defensive failings are laid bare, whilst up top, a wealth of riches piles pressure on a reborn striker. A Brazilian shows intent as Spurs tweak their tactics and a host of promoted assets stake a claim to solve our search for budget options.

City are fragile without Kompany…
We were well aware that the City skipper was a key player but, in his absence, did not expect the frailties to be exposed so quickly. Particularly at Cardiff. The defending for Frazier Campbell’s two goals was nothing short of woeful and it’s perhaps significant that Pablo Zabaleta should be the player at fault. The dogged Argentine looked to be an obvious replacement for Kompany’s Fantasy owners and was a major consideration for those without existing City coverage, given the fixtures in front of them. Sunday’s events have given us cause for an immediate rethink, though; even with Hull at the Etihad next, Zabaleta’s stock and City’s resilience is now under question. City need to get Kompany in an oxygen chamber and back on the pitch.

Dzeko will have to go on scoring…
Up front, the situation is very different for Manuel Pellegrini. He has more than enough resources to juggle and undoubted quality at his disposal. Dzeko justified the faith we showed in risking him over Christian Benteke in the Scout Picks by firing a fine opener for City but then gave way to Alvaro Negredo in the second period and watched on while the £16 million striker staked his claim with a first Premier League strike. It seems that Sergio Aguero is a favourite – Pellegrini started him without a pre-season against Newcastle and gave him 90 minutes on Sunday. That leaves Dzeko seemingly competing for starts with Negredo and perhaps even Stevan Jovetic once he’s fully fit. The Bosnian needs to keep finding the net but, even then, the risk of rotation may be too much for Fantasy managers, despite his modest price tag.

When fit, Sturridge continues to be prolific…
In the absence of a certain Uruguayan, Sturridge once again proved the difference as Liverpool edged past Villa on Saturday evening. While Philipp Coutinho’s owners await their first Fantasy returns, the former Chelsea man has already delivered in each of the opening couple of Gameweeks and has now notched eight goals in his last seven league appearances for Brendan Rodgers’ side. Sturridge’s prolific form is becoming more difficult to ignore by the Gameweek, though his propensity for picking up injuries is always a concern; groin and hamstring strains curtailed his game time last term, while an ankle injury kept him sidelined for almost all of the pre-season programme. Providing he keeps clear of the treatment room, though, the upcoming schedule – particularly from Gameweek 5 onwards – may see many prefer Sturridge to the likes of Roberto Soldado, Christian Benteke and Olivier Giroud in the upper mid-price bracket, while his exploits so far may persuade many to overlook Luis Suarez when his suspension finally ends.

Fulham need Darren Bent…
Climbing off the bench to mark his Cottagers debut, Darren Bent needed just 18 minutes to open his account in the weekend home defeat by Arsenal. Ostracised by Paul Lambert at Villa, Bent is clearly a favourite of Martin Jol’s – the Fulham boss was quick to praise his instant impact post-match and looks set to restructure his frontline in order to accommodate the loan signing. Last season, only Dimitar Berbatov scored more than five league goals for Fulham – Bent’s arrival will surely address and lend the Cottagers an injection of energy that the Bulgarian – for all his considerable talents – simply fails to provide. Bent’s installation to the Fulham first XI doesn’t come without consequence, though; Berbatov’s owners will be more than a little concerned with a likely shift into a more withdrawn role, while Bryan Ruiz already looks far from a certain starter as Jol looks to strike a better balance.

The Hammers defence looks a tough nut once again…
Sam Allardyce loves a clean sheet and, when your one major goal threat is out injured, what better to tide you over than some steely resistance at the back. Winston Reid and James Collins won the plaudits at St James’ Park and look settled in the centre of a Hammers defence that, once again, looks set to deliver strong value for Fantasy managers. Two consecutive clean sheets with Stoke at home to come: Big Sam could be beaming and looking back on another shut-out come Saturday and, while the fixture list stiffens in the weeks to come, for now, the Hammers look robust.

Paulinho could thrive if Spurs shift systems…
Life without Gareth Bale looks likely to see a change at the Lane. Andre Villas-Boas opted for a 4-3-3 against Swansea, flanking Roberto Soldado with Nacer Chadli and Andros Townsend and, more significantly, giving Paulinho more freedom to bomb on from midfield. Protected by Mouse Dembele and a solid display from new signing Étienne Capoue in front of the back four, Paulinho registered more efforts on goal than any other midfielder in the Gameweek. He could and should have scored his first Premier League goal and, if the Spurs boss installs the system full-time, suddenly the Brazilian’s game will have an added dimension that could fully justify the mid-price outlay.

There’s some potential amongst the new boys…
A week ago I was berating the lack of a cutting edge on show from the promoted sides. Seven days later, I have to acknowledge the efforts of Palace, Hull and particularly Cardiff, at both ends of the pitch. Marouane Chamakh’s goal at the Britannia showed some promise – enough to provide the catalyst for a somewhat premature bandwagon, no doubt fueled by the absence of Nicolas Anelka in the same price bracket.

While Chamakh’s fitness is still a concern, Cardiff’s Frazier Campbell is another who will earn investment this week; boosted by two goals and an assist, his stock will surely soar. Long-term, the threat of rotation – should Malky MacKay keep a 4-5-1 and eventually hand a debut to new £8 million signing Andreas Cornelius – is a concern but, for now, Campbell deserves some attention. Behind Campbell, the promptings of Kim Bo-Kyung and Peter Whittingham caught the eye, while it was Aron Gunnarsson who grabbed the goal from midfield.

That trio are worth monitoring further but perhaps play second fiddle to Hull’s match winner when it comes to budget options in the engine room. Robbie Brady’s ability from set-plays looks likely to keep him in the Hull starting XI and Saturday’s points could be the first of regular returns that could see him offer a decent option as a fifth midfielder. With Allan McGregor outstanding in goal and James Chester earning a first clean sheet as a return on his meager 4.0 FPL valuation, Steve Bruce’s side are showing promise ahead of a decent run of fixtures to follow the weekend trip to City.