After kicking off our series of Big Numbers articles with a look at the best performing Defenders over the first three Gameweeks, we now move further up the pitch. This time round we focus on midfielders, with a trio of summer signings all showing plenty of promise in their new surroundings.
It can also mean a front line of Kun Welbeck Dzeko at no extra cost (for now)
Not really ... but talk us through your current forward line and what it would look like with Dzeko?
Rooney Costa Dzeko
Costa = Keep. end of discussion.
Dzeko = You want to keep. end of discussion
Welbeck/Rooney = Welbeck. Spend the extra money on mid/defence.
Dzeko is suddenly gold, and Welbeck is a luxury, better off with Rooney
Jones (Doubtful)
Jovetic (Doubtful)
Diego Costa (Doubtful)
🙁I'm beginning not to like Costa because of his knocks. Feel tempted to ditch him to avoid the headache. Plus I doubt he will play me than 70 mins of Chelsea are winning
Planning to use WC?
No way.. 1 hit max..
yeah! that's the best way to go..wait for the pressers anyway
Jones = Doubtful
Jovetic = Out for certain
Costa = 90% will play
Hey guys,
Team is currently:
De Gea, Elliot
Chester, Van Aanholt, N Davies, Moore, Hutton
Marney, Hazard, Sterling, Ramsey, Siggy
Rooney, Costa, Jovetic
Got 1FT and 1.7m ITB.
Hazard, Costa and Jovetic injury concerns. Think Hazard will be right.
Thinking to go Jovetic and one of the 4.5 defenders to Duff and Balotelli?
Otherwise just Jovetic to Naismith, but I think I would upgrade Naismith in a week or two so not really worth transferring in and out.
Could just leave, it, but slightly concerned about the three injuries and tough fixtures for my benched defenders.Jovetic > Welbeck
Hutton > Moreno
Wish I didn't do Dzeko -> Costa last weekend now.. 😐
Joevtic for wellbeck 4pt hit, worth it? Arsenal have tricky fixtures....
Who's your bench player coming in, if you don't?
Shelvey although I also have Costa in the team who is also doubtful
take the hit
Please rearrange my bench......
wisdom king duff
duff wisdom king 😉
1. Duff [probably won't play]
2. Wisdom
3. Kingduff isn't nailed??
I think he is, they got keane in the transfer window but he won't be as good.
awesome! duff (c)
MAN UTD NEWS
Ander Herrera will be available for Manchester United game against QPR
--
Phil Jones suffers suspected hamstring injury on international duty with England
There is no confirmation on the extent of Jones’ injury and the 22-year-old will undergo a scan today to check the severity of his injury.
Jones has suffered a long list of injuries in his short time as a United player which has stopped him from really fulfilling his potential, so hopefully his withdrawal against Switzerland was nothing more than a precaution.
--
Luke Shaw in contention for Manchester United’s game against QPRWould love to see Shaw start instead of Young..
De Gea
Valencia Jones (?) Evans Rojo Shaw
Herrera Blind
Di Maria Mata Rooney
RVP
*Falcao to replace RVPA team can't have 12 players
It's the only way United stand a chance.
Following results are Arsenal at home to City for the last six seasons. Cant go too much by statistics, but you wouldnt be confident of Arsenal scoring many
1-1
0-2
1-0
0-0
0-02-0 2009 before city were good
You appear to have missed a 1-0.
Nice research. Fully expect something similar at the weekend. Early in the season, no reason to gamble. We'll see another tight 1-1 for me.
We suck against them, and chelsea too. We get pulverized by the top teams tbh because we don't have much defensive shape.
Are you keeping Ramsey or maybe take a punt on Tadic?
havent decided yet. may go 352 and Have Tadic as 5th mid and keep Naismith
With those fixtures I wouldnt bench Tadic for Naismith in any of those.
did i say i was benching one?
It's a hard decision. But Tadic is on penalties, which makes it easier.
We don't know that yet might also be Pelle.
This. I'm sick of people thinking they know a team's penalty taker when they have yet to take a penalty this season.
Sorry get well soon
Well I hope you pick Tadic, Southampton win a penalty next match and he doesn't take it then.
🙂
Next game can easily end up 4-4 aswell as 0-0
Their record against big sides all together has been terrible in the last 2-3 years too. Hammerings by Chelsea and Liverpool (both away) last year, plus more that I can't think of. I know they're crap against good teams though.
is -8 worth it or stick ?
defense is jones (probably wont play), hutton, naylor (horrible fixtures) bruce (doesnt play)
shall i get bertrand + pieters in for bruce + jones or play hutton naylor and hope.... ?
thankswildcard
That's a mess. Hutton won't get a cleansheet in a million years, he will probably end with 1. So yeah a 4 point hit in that situation is ok if it's for the long term
Naylor's fixtures are fine, imo.
Do you have any money?Wait for the presser on Jones news..
I normally go 2x4.5m Gks. This is the first year I won't, there aren't any good rotations anyway.
So Krul/Eliot is ok?im on the same but not happy about it. Newcastle defence rubbish, but like you say adding a second rotator dosent improve it much
The only one I can see is Green, and that's only for 2 fixtures till next year.
Burnley have good fixtures. But it's burnleyWhat's wrong with Burnley?
37 goals conceded in 46 matches last year.
1 clean sheet this year already vs Man Utd, only conceded 1 vs Swansea, conceded 3 vs Chelsea, but it's Chelsea..I do agree I think they'll be ok defensively, but it's burnley.. it's a puddle in lancashire
I am about to enjoy Begovic and Green.
That looks quite good
weeks 11 and 14 the only problem.
I have Krul/Foster but would prefer Krul/Elliott.. Can see myself playing Krul most weeks.
Yes. It's what the majority have. Your GK isn't going to surge you up the rankings. The extra 0.5 to spend on a mid/striker however, might.
Dont get this love for Krul/Eliot - what exactly suggests the newcastle defence is better than any other burnley/qpr/sunderland/leicester/etc ?
I have no idea.
Sunderland dont have a reserve keeper for 4.m
I'm happy with Mignolet -- 4m keeper
I dont understand that choice. Especially when Liverpool have good defensive options at the same price.
Compare with the Chelsea keeper who is at least the cheapest nailed on member of the defence
I have Manone and Krul. Decent Rotation for 9m.
A, welbeck and Fab
B, balo and Tadicits unanswerable, but others will think they know 😀
B and get Fab in
Can't decide. Sorry.
If you were given a Chance to create a Hot Topic what would it be?
Ps: can this question count as a Hot Topic? 😆lol Post fail
actually, thinking about it Tadic and Bal should do better this week, anymore than that is guesswork
A
If Sturridge was out for longer, I'd say 'B'. He's only expected to miss this weekend though, so will share more points with Balotelli.Yes but with Sturridge playing they would likely create more points
Which is the better pairing going into the next 5 Gameweeks??
A) Naylor\PVA
B) Alderweild\MooreA
A
SWA: che -481 SOT -21 sun 35 NEW 89 sto -173
SUN : TOT -174 bur -90 SWA -35 STO -14 sot -261
SOT NEW 182 swa 21 QPR 314 tot -102 SUN 261
LEI sto -163 MUN -188 cpl -15 BUR 82 new -35
B), according to my ticker. 🙂However, I would have Clyne.
Sunderland -90 against burnley I think that's a bit unfair 🙂
Nevertheless. I don't make up the numbers. Their league position/goal difference/etc. does.
I have wilson\moreno so intention is to rotate A or stick wit alderweild mostly with B
Quite so. I really think the latter is better.
Can't afford Clyne is bertrand a better option or alderweild?
Alderweild, I suspect.
PS Saints' fixtures dovetail quite nicely with Stoke's ...
If you were given a Chance to create a Hot Topic what would it be?
Ps: can this question count as a Hot Topic? 😆Should there be more analysis for big top 7 games?
I always get stumped on them. When the top 7 play each other I haven't got a clue if it's going to be 3-6, 0-4 or 1-1
Unless it's Arsenal, in which case you can say with some certainty that they'll concede four.
We're gonna get hammered by Man City, their midfield is too physical for us.
I think that you are being exceptionally defeatist.
It's like watching england. Hoping that some magical change has happened, but it's the same struggle every time
Diaby to the rescue?????
://////
true! but it depends on the form of the teams as well...becuase if it would've been Chelsea Vs United in lets say the second GW...United could have lost 5-0
With far fewer price changes are you considering fewer hits this season
I think this has been done..something similar..
If the Fantasy Gods are looking over this post..
Please please.. PJones, Jovetic & Costa should be in their teams starting XI this GW!!
Morning guys. FT used. Time to hit wildcard?
Jones (Doubtful)
Hazard (Doubtful)
Diego Costa (Doubtful)
Foster (Doubtful)
Bojan
Rooney
Wait for Friday. I reckon Hazard and Costa will play (not basing that on much). Bojan needs to go. Jones shouldn't be too serious. If you have a bench, use it. Rooney out isn't necessary. Do you have just the 1 playing keeper?
Have Krul so playing him
After ditching Costa for a hit last week i can just see me keeping this lot and hoping they play and they dont!
And Mata
Wait for confirmation on the injuries. If the injury list is really that long, go ahead
Hazard, Jones (Wait for Presser), Costa, Rooney...all will start..so your concern becomes Bojan and Foster...don't know much about Foster...Bojan might start as well
costa will be fine
How about a daily article showing price risers/fallers?
How can you have an article when only 2 players change in price
Not sure 2 names a day warrant an article haha
We should have someone read it out like in the dambusters.
2 players have dropped in price!!!! That is all
Sanches stats we can just ignore, because he played as striker last match, and sucked:)
Welbeck bandwagons inc, Sturridge reborn!Sanogo played up front vs Leicester.
this
Who to bench - Nasri or Ulloa?
Nasri
Nasri
Nasri
Conclusive - thanks!
Full moon.
Nasri
Would you do ...
Adebayor & Rooney ->
A) Aguero & Welbeck
B) Falcao & Welbeck (1.1m saved)
C) Stick
D) wait on news on CostaB..but not for a hit
D
Why wait for the Costa news? Do you not have him or is he the 3rd striker?
Could I get some advices. Here is my latest wc draft. Not too sure about Kaboul and Falcao.
Krulliot
Lovren-Clyne-Kaboul (Wilson,Duff)
Tadic-Siggy-Fabregas-Sterling (King)
Falcao-Costa-BalotelliFCB front-line is nice! although if you have Sterling..I would recommend go with Welbeck...and ugrade Kaboul and some of your bench...rest is nice
Thanks Moin. Welbeck is wait and see for me.
dont get both falcao and balo its too risky as they both need time to gel in
Anyone else care to share their opinion?
No Ramsey?
Fecking terrified to go without him but I think Tadic+ Falcao/Balotelli will do better than Ramsey+ mid priced forward.
Personally I would not risk balotelli. U have Sterling for Liv cover. Downgrade to Welbeck, and get Ramsey in for Tadic. But hey who knows Tadic and Balo could perform. Just a little risky
I'm on the wait and see side for Falcao. Atleast for 1 gw. Would much rather have Rooney this week with cash and make the move next week if he's confirmed to start. Don't think the investment is worth the risk of a 30min appearance. Is Fazio expected to replace Kaboul? I don't know, but I'd keep an eye out for that, think you can drop down to a 4.5 there - Lovren, Clyne and Wilson have pretty easy fixtures for a while and so wouldn't hurt to save on the 4th def.
Can't afford Clyne so which is better Soton cover starting next GW??
A) Bertrand
B) AlderweildA for security
A. Stats are good.
B
Great Article Paul.
I love the Numbers Game 🙂Same! but ask Paul to sometimes comment as well...
He's a busy, busy man doing all the research fella for the articles.
He takes it all in though 😉
Any chance Chambers or Bruce might start this weekend?!
Slim and Little, and I have both 🙁
I think that Chambers might.
Hmmn think I would rather play Chambers over NTaylor if he starts!
Swansea defence worth any investment? Anyone got any Swansea def'?
Taylor to rotate with Wilson
Saints and Sunderland rotation with Swans is OK as well, so lots of choices should already be covered.
Naylor at 4.5 looks to be worth having.
Naylor has done OK for me.
Morning Doosra.
I'm on WC and can't decide between: (All assuming Costa is fit, which I'm sure he will be)
1) Costa Balo Welbeck
2) Costa Aguero Naismith
Balo has the fixtures and the prime position with sturr likely out.
Aguero has the talent to score whenever he wants.
Welbeck is a potential exploder too.
What would you choose?Could you get Costa,Aguero,Welbeck? If not then 1
I could, but would really ruin the balance of the rest of my team... I was leaning that way as well, but keep changing my mind. Ty
Defo 2 Aguero and costa will be top goalscorers this season and Naismith is bang in form looked good midweek v Germany also
Do you rate Balo as a WC pick?
It could go either way with Balo, if your a risk taker go for it. Aguero is almost guaranteed goals so I've gone for him
Who are your front three?
Aguero Rooney Naismith if Rooney dosen't produce next gw (I think he will) I will look to bring in Balo/falcao. We will know a lot more after the next gw
As i recall liverpool have a terrible record against villa at home, so why is everyone dwelling on liverpools backline
great fixture's'
not really, they will definitely concede at upton and the next game against everton.
Any good hotel tips in London? Decent priced and bars/restaurants in walking distance is big plus.
Lamela, Cabella, Tadic or Eriksen - if I had to pick one?
Tadic
Why Tad?
1FT.
A) Jovetic to Naismith
B) Jovetic to Welbeck
C) Jovetic and Chester to Balotelli and Duff for -4
Thanks!A
A
Doos,
Would you get Costa or Balotelli as Sturridge replacement?
Assuming Costa is fit
I still have Rooney who I might transfer out next week to the other if he still plays shite.Costa
9 years, 8 months agoIf Jovetic is injured for a while then I want to keep Dzeko as well as buying Welbeck. That will mean getting rid of either Costa or Rooney. Bit then I feel that my strikers should be more expensive. Do you get me?