The Digest – Gameweek 8

We turn our backs on Gameweek 8 with the regular Digest treatment, checking in on Watford’s Greek wing-back, the blossoming cast of talent within Eddie Howe’s ranks and the mystery surrounding the big investment in a prospering Potter.

The Player

Only last week, we rolled out a Burning Question on the merits of investing in premium priced defensive options at Arsenal and Tottenham as a result of improved returns in north London.

But, seven days later, Watford’s Jose Holebas’ 15-point haul away to Middlesbrough served a timely reminder of the value still available for our five-man defences.

A switch to 5-4-1 allowed Watford to chalk up a first clean sheet of the season as the Greek international netted for the second time this term.

After eight rounds of fixtures, he leads all defenders for goal attempts and shots on target.

Moving onto 31 points – on a par with Spurs pair Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen – Holebas has earned over 44,000 new owners this week and climbed to 4.6 price point in Fantasy Premier League.

While his place on the Suspension Tightrope is frustrating, investing in the Hornets’ defender could continue to reap reward as Walter Mazzarri’s men face up to Swansea City, Hull City, Stoke and West Brom over the next six Gameweeks.

Certainly, his form, coupled with the lack of clean sheets for Arsenal and Spurs, offered food for thought for those planning on heavy defensive investment.

The Team

Bournemouth’s 6-1 home thrashing of Hull City highlighted the confidence levels currently sweeping around the Vitality Stadium.

Following back-to-back home wins over Everton and West Brom, the Cherries third straight victory in front of their own fans served up Fantasy returns right across the pitch.

There’s no doubt that Junior Stanislas was the star performer.

A 21-point haul means he’s racked up three goals and a trio of assists in three matches since being shifted onto the right flank. It’s worth noting, though, that despite converting a penalty, Stanislas remains behind Callum Wilson for spot-kick duties, according to the striker himself.

In defence, Charlie Daniels’ raids down the left brought home a goal and assist, with centre-half Steve Cook also finding the net. Factor in a couple of clean sheets in the last three home matches and that pair are now joint-fifth amongst FPL defenders.

The in-form Callum Wilson strengthened his claim as a cut-price frontman with a goal and assist – he’s now scored in three of the last five Gameweeks.

There are options aplenty on offer amongst Howe’s ever-improving unit right now and while a weekend visit from Tottenham has the potential to disrupt their momentum, the following three fixtures – against Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Stoke – could see them plunder the points again.

The Talking Point

With over 120,000 transfers in already this Gameweek, Joe Allen has become the most unexpected of sought after Fantasy assets.

A summer move to Stoke seems to have transformed the former defensive midfielder. Recently shifted into a central support berth by Mark Hughes, the impish Welshman has netted four times in the last three fixtures and is undisputedly the Potters’ in-form player ahead of a very favourable schedule.

At such a budget price point, Allen’s position in our squads is a tricky one.

As we’ve seen already this season with Etienne Capoue, there’s almost a reluctance to start our cut-priced midfielders, as if, regardless of form, they should be no more than back-up options off the bench.

Furthermore, can we really rely on a player who has never scored more than four times in a single season?

Certainly, Allen’s current conversion rate of 40% looks unsustainable and the player even acknowledges his own surprise at his tally so far.

As discussed in last night’s ScoutCast, Allen’s current role as a Fantasy asset is troubling.

Does he really have the staying power to provide a valid fourth midfielder option? Given the current landscape, with the likes of Adam Lallana and Theo Walcott offering extreme value in the sub-8.0 bracket, that seems a questionable strategy.

Equally, if a shift to 3-5-2 is behind Allen’s popularity, you have to question whether that’s a wise move given the apparent value offered by the aforementioned Callum Wilson and Southampton’s Charlie Austin as third strikers.

We’ve already seen a move to invest big funds in our defences questioned by Holebas’ returns – making it all the more puzzling as to why active FPL managers are so quick to swoop for Allen.

Perhaps the Welshman is being seen purely as a money-maker; a means of generating 0.1 or more following the stagnation of Capoue.