The Scout Mission – Gameweek 7

Much of our attention is focused up front ahead of the upcoming Gameweek. Diego Costa’s minutes, Sergio Aguero’s showing at Villa and United’s display without their suspended skipper are amongst our lunchtime topics, whilst we also have an eye on Sam Allardyce’s attacking approach and Gylfi Sigurdsson’s display against the Magpies.

The Cost of Costa’s Midweek Minutes…
A week on from Jose Mourinho insisting that his star asset was unable to test his hamstring with midweek starts, he hands Diego Costa 90 minutes against Sporting. While “the special one” has Loic Remy at his disposal, it’s almost unthinkable that Costa will not take to the pitch against Arsenal on Sunday – somewhat casting doubt over the validity of Mourinho’s claims.

We can only imagine that Jose has been hoping that Costa will be handed a much-needed rest by his national side over the break, though given that the striker has since confirmed he intends to play for his country, that now seems highly unlikely. Costa’s Fantasy owners will be confused and concerned then – either Mourinho is using kidology in an attempt to throw a smokescreen over his post-Champions League line-ups, or Costa genuinely will struggle to start or at least complete Sunday’s clash. The striker’s midweek comments lend weight to the former, though, boosting our hopes of another goal haul in spite of his manager’s mind games.

United without Rooney…
Louis van Gaal’s line-up won’t be the same without Wayne Rooney, particularly with Everton in town – it’s always spicier with the added ingredient of the former Toffee. However, there’s a swell of opinion that feels that United may well benefit from Rooney’s absence – that Juan Mata may just earn a recall and thrive back in the number 10 role and hand Van Gaal a headache. The United boss will hope that his side can adapt but, equally, you have to wonder if he’s slightly concerned about the prospect of United adapting rather too well and Mata returning with a trio of performances that make him almost indispensable on Rooney’s return. I just wonder if he’ll avoid that scenario by handing Adnan Junazaj minutes, or even use this opportunity to shift to 3-5-2 and throw Angel Di Maria into a central attacking role.

Sigurdsson in slumber…
Swansea’s Icelandic playmaker became essential over the opening Gameweeks and yet he’s now gone three outings without returns as Garry Monk’s side struggle for a cutting edge. It’s fair to say that the statistics are concerning – Sigurdsson has had just two shots in his last three Gameweeks, both from outside the box, with just three touches in the opponents’ box. During that spell, only Burnley have been more impotent as an attacking force in terms of goal attempts. We’re going to need to see a vast improvement from Garry Monk’s side when troubled Newcastle pay visit. If they toil for goals and Sigurdsson returns a fourth consecutive blank, then the fidgeting on the 41%-owned midfielder will surely increase.

Just how many Saints?
With Graziano Pelle’s bandwagon picking up pace, both full-backs contributing goals and attacking verve and Dusan Tadic and Sadio Mane offering potential from midfield, it’s fair to say that the Southampton ranks offer a rich array of Fantasy talent. Many Fantasy managers will go into their weekend trip to White Hart Lane possessing two of Ronald Koeman’s squad. Should they pass the Tottenham test, however, there’s every reason to increase that allocation ahead of a quartet of fixtures that screams further returns. We’ll be monitoring Mane’s performance, in particular.

The Aguero option…
Rooney’s suspension, Daniel Sturridge’s continuous injury problems and the lack of goals for Radamel Falcao to this point has brought the lure of Sergio Aguero into focus. His manager openly admits that the Argentine is still short of full fitness – withdrawn in the win at Hull and Tuesday’s Champions League stalemate with Roma, Manuel Pellegrini is being watchful of Aguero’s pitch time. Fantasy managers who take the plunge with the 12.1-priced asset will also be wary of delicate hamstrings that threaten to de-rail the striker at every turn. Even so, Aguero is undoubtedly a rarity – a striker who can potentially deliver a goal per appearance and with the record to prove it. He’s also the spearhead in a City side seemingly hell-bent on attacking football with the fixtures to prise open the floodgates. With just over 10% ownership in the Fantasy Premier League, Aguero is your explosive differential. Show some sparks at Villa and our interest will pique.

Will Allardyce rein it in?
So far Teddy Sheringham’s influence has been apparent – the Hammers have transformed themselves from a team who set out to stifle opponents to one that bristles with creativity and threat. Even Stewart Downing has emerged as a true Fantasy asset again; a measure of just how far they’ve come.

Sam Allardyce isn’t comfortable, however. He’s stated this week that his side must look to start shutting up shop and making clean sheets a priority, and with QPR the visitors to the Boleyn Ground, I just wonder if we’ll immediately see West Ham take a step back towards the dull but largely robust unit we saw last season. I really hope not.

Not only is Downing a prospect, but in Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia, Allardyce has two strikers who offer goal threat, pace and direct running that can excite a crowd. They’re good to watch and producing Fantasy points – Saturday will tell us if the West Ham boss is willing to keep it that way.