Gameweek 7 – Best Punts

Before I begin this week’s choice of punts, I’d like to thank you all for your support. The comments on the articles and on the site in general are great to see and I am glad that I am helping the community with their teams. Let’s hope I can keep the success rate up!

Last week was a surprising success. West Brom’s Craig Dawson did keep a clean sheet and added a goal and bonus point, bringing a haul of 13 points. Also, Victor Moses assisted in Stoke’s Monday night clash with Newcastle, although Everton’s Romelu Lukaku failed to find the net in the Merseyside derby, which wasn’t the goal-fest I was expecting. Here are Gameweek 7’s punts, let’s hope for another two out of three or better! Ownership figures are correct as of 01/10/14.

James Tomkins

Position: Defender

Club: West Ham

Price: 5.0

Ownership: 0.2%

I don’t fancy there being many clean sheets this Gameweek as teams all over the division have been scoring. However, the promoted clubs, with the exception of Leicester, have had serious goal problems. I think Burnley will break their duck as Sean Dyche heaps pressure on their forwards so I’m backing for QPR’s opposition to keep them out. The Rs have found some form up front recently, with three goals in their last two games, but the Hammers have a strong enough defence to keep them at bay this week. Sam Allardyce’s sides have always boasted a defensive consistency but they have failed to do that this so far this season. Just as Dyche will be pressing his Burnley forwards, the West Ham boss will be at his leaky defence and I think an angry Allardyce, coupled with a visit from QPR, is the perfect remedy for the situation.

I was tempted by Aaron Cresswell, but as he is struggling to find form at the top level, I plumped for James Tomkins, who has been impressive so far this year, winning 16 aerial duels and making nearly 50 clearances. His height and physical prowess is a major advantage for the 25-year-old, and he puts it to good use. Tomkins is arguably the biggest threat in the league from set pieces, connecting with six this season – only Steven Caulker has managed more. Tomkins is yet to score from a set piece but nodded down for Winston Reid to notch against Liverpool. The Hammers centre-back has had 18 touches in the penalty box, third best for defenders in the league. There are some big boys in the Liverpool defence but Tomkins had no problem beating them and I reckon Steven Caulker and Rio Ferdinand will struggle with Tomkins’ presence, despite the former’s aerial ability. As West Ham improve at the back they will be after a clean sheet and Tomkins’ strength in the air will help both at the back and up top.

Will Buckley

Team: Sunderland

Position: Midfield

Price: 5.4

Ownership: 0.0%

Okay, I’ve been hurt by him before, but I am convinced that Buckley is the way forward this Gameweek. I chose Buckley as my midfield punt in Gameweek 3, after a fantastic showing against Manchester United. Last week he was handed his second start and was undoubtedly Sunderland’s best player in the 0-0 draw with Swansea. Buckley’s midfield counterparts were lackluster and lazy whilst the new signing was electric and influential. He is undoubtedly a punt, with his ownership too low to even register 0.1%. Sunderland face Stoke at the Stadium of Light this weekend. The Black Cats have become “draw specialists” in the words of Mark Lawrenson and, to many, a game against Stoke will look like a bore draw. I agree with these people – this fixture doesn’t excite me, but if Buckley plays, which he deserves to (why drop your best player?), I am confident that he can make the difference.

Will Buckley is the king of the dribble. Despite only starting two games he has attempted 23 dribbles this season. Buckley is a very direct winger – instead of crossing he prefers to carry the ball into the box and hope for the best. It may be looked upon as wasteful by many managers but it is such a quick and effective way of heaping pressure on the defence and drawing fouls.

Abel Hernandez

Position: Forward

Team: Hull City

Price: 6.9

Ownership: 0.3%

I thought about going for Nikica Jelavic again this Gameweek, however I decided to spice it up a bit and went for Steve Bruce’s new signing, Abel Hernandez. The Uruguayan signed for Hull on what was a busy deadline day at the KC. Hull welcome Crystal Palace this Gameweek, whose decline was halted with the arrival of Neil Warnock – though their defence is not quite the same as it was under Tony Pulis, only managing shut-outs against Leicester and Burnley. Hull have put a lot more emphasis on attack this season, to the dismay of many who own their defenders, including me. However it does, of course, benefit their forwards. They have scored eight in their last four games, which included a fixture against Manchester City, where they netted twice. Palace have a far weaker defence than the champions so there is no reason why Hull won’t notch again this weekend.

Steve Bruce has quite the eye for bargain buys, with Nikica Jelavi and Shane Long two of his more notable value purchases. Hernandez has been involved in 40% of Hull’s goals since his arrival, with two in his last three games. He is a man in form and has managed an average of over 80% shot accuracy. He is also aided by his striking partner, Jelavic, who is brilliant at bringing the ball down and laying it off. Furthermore, Hernandez seems to have taken charge of penalties and has a say over set pieces, making the new boy an enticing option this week.