Marouane Chamakh grabs the only goal of Palace’s win over West Ham as Tony Pulis picks up all three points in his first home match in charge. The Eagles’ defensive resilience continues to impress as Sam Allardyce’s side draw yet another blank on their travels:
Eagles Budget Backline in the Points Again
After leaking 21 goals in the first 10 Gameweeks, with not a single clean sheet to their name, the Palace defence were virtual write-offs to Fantasy managers over the first few months of the season. The Eagles seemed incapable of keeping out opponents but, thanks to caretaker manager Keith Millen and Pulis’ subsequent arrival, we suddenly have a potential source of budget value at our disposal. Last night’s win means Palace have now registered three clean sheets in four and conceded just a single goal over those fixtures – the likes of Danny Gabbidon, Joel Ward and Dean Moxey still sit at 4.0 in FPL, whilst Julian Speroni (4.5) offers a potential replacement for Artur Boruc owners. With an outstanding run of home opponents on the menu (CAR, NEW, NOR, STO, HUL, WBA) Pulis’ backline regulars could well be worth considering.
Chamakh Heads onto Fantasy Radars
With his only goal of the season arriving back in Gameweek 2, it’s fair to say the Moroccan has had an underwhelming start to life at Selhurst Park prior to last night. The Moroccan’s winner against the Hammers served a reminder of the aerial ability that forged his reputation at Bordeaux and suggested that, whilst his time at Arsenal may have been ultimately unsuccessful, he may just have found an ally in Tony Pulis. Chamakh’s prowess in the air makes him the perfect target man for his new manager’s tactics, with set-pieces and delivery from the flanks looking essential to Palace’s survival bid. Coming in at a mere 4.7 in FPL, he’s the cheapest guaranteed starter up front around and, with the likes of Barry Bannan supplying quality balls from out wide, Chamakh may just appeal to those Fantasy managers willing to punt on a budget forward. We gave Bannan, at 4.4, a shout in yesterday’s Spot the Differential article and he backed up our hunch – the Scot has now started each of the last six and has scored or assisted both his side’s last two goals.
Another Stuttering Away Day for the Hammers
Sam Allardyce’s side rolled up to Selhurst Park off the back of a convincing weekend triumph over Fulham, but once again their failures on the road arose. Take away their 3-0 win at Spurs in Gameweek 7 and the Hammers have scored a single goal in six away games – clearly, the lack of cutting edge that saw them score just 11 times on their travels in 2012/13 has been far from remedied. The London outfit’s next two road trips are at Liverpool and United and, with a home clash against Arsenal also amongst their next four fixtures, Allardyce’s side look set for a testing time.
Morrison Falls off the Suspension Tightrope
The budget Fantasy favourite found himself back in the starting XI after being rested to the bench last weekend but Morrison is set for an enforced absence as the Hammers travel to Anfield this Saturday. Somewhat fortunate to only receive a yellow card for pushing Palace right-back Joel Ward in the face, the former United youngster has now accrued five cautions for the season and will serve a one-match ban for Gameweek 15. Morrison will, however, be available for the following week’s home game against Sunderland – the above-mentioned schedule may have many thinking twice, though. His owners will be hoping Morrison doesn’t fall foul to the new FA ruling which allows retrospective action – a law that came into place after a similar incident took place between Fernando Torres and Jan Vertonghen earlier in the season.
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