This Much We Know – Gameweek 22

Blossoming mid-price strikers, failing midfield royalty and free-scoring backline options appear to be directing us to another round of formation dancing. Here are the lessons learned from Gameweek 22…

Sanchez’ sulks bought him his eight points…
Hunched on a Liberty Stadium bench, head in hands and hidden under a training jacket, Alexis Sanchez made his feelings known when he was hooked in the Gameweek 21 win at Swansea City.

Eight days later, Sanchez remained on the Emirates pitch with both Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil withdrawn late on. In their absence, it was the Chilean who stepped up to cheekily chip home his “Panenka” spot-kick to send the stadium and the 18.5% of Fantasy Premier League managers who captained him, into rapture.

There was undoubtedly good fortune behind the belated Sanchez return, but you have to wonder just whether his reaction in South Wales was a factor in the decision behind keeping him on the pitch to seize his moment.

Wenger’s reluctance to deal with the South American’s scorn and the press’ line of questioning thereafter, may now be a factor in his late-match thinking.

Coutinho needs more time…
In contrast, Liverpool’s own treasured South American asset seemed all too willing to earn early respite.

Making a first Premier League since his Gameweek 13 ankle injury, Philippe Coutinho departed the Anfield pitch before the hour-mark, as Liverpool sought new impetus to see off a rejuvenated Swansea City.

The Brazilian was unmistakably muted on his return. Two dribbles, one cross, one chance created and not a single attempt on goal – even when restricted to less than an hour, these are not the kind of numbers we associate with Coutinho’s season.

Instead, it was compatriot Roberto Firmino who stepped up, abruptly reversing his own 10-Gameweek decline with a brace of goals that diverted attention his way.

Confidence in Coutinho has already suffered a blow. Having recuperated almost 200,000 lost owners over the last two Gameweek intervals, he is now about to suffer another small decline, with Saturday’s curtailed comeback casting doubt among those who leapt early hoping for an instant reward.

New blood has revived the ailing Swans…
It’s fair to say that we’d written Swansea City’s trip to Anfield off as a rout: five goals were expected, but few would have predicted that the visitors would claim three of them.

But, unlike Sam Allardyce at Selhurst Park, it appears that Paul Clement has quickly inspired a reversal of fortunes in South Wales.

Astute new signings have helped matters. Both Martin Olsson and, in particular, Tom Carroll, appear natural fits for the Swans.

Having spent a prolonged loan period with the club, Carroll, in particular, took little time to lift energy levels in midfield and, priced at just 4.2, he now appears an obvious route for those pursuing a cheap, bench-warming fifth option.

But Swansea’s assets can be far more than that.

Sigurdsson’s goal, his first since Gameweek 15, issued a reminder of his ability and importance to the cause, just as sales of the Icelander began to gather pace.

Now, with four favourable opponents scheduled to arrive at the Liberty Stadium, the complexion has changed.

Sigurdsson’s appeal has a new sheen, fuelled by fresh optimism created by the new blood, both on the pitch and in the backroom.

Llorente and Carroll are doing their bit for the 3-4-3…
Fernando Llorente is another component of a potential revival for Swansea.

Two goals at Anfield, his first strikes away from home, were unexpected. Similarly, Llorente’s record of seven goals and two assists over his last ten Gameweeks has crept up on us – he is now a very real consideration, particularly for those ignoring Sigurdsson’s midfield charms.

Andy Carroll joins Llorente in leading a revival of the mid-price striker. A brace on Teesside took him to four goals in his last four Gameweeks and dismissed the perception that West Ham would struggle to hurt opponents with Dimitri Payet off the menu.

Combined, the pair have made strides to force a re-assessment of the 3-4-3 set-up.

When Charlie Austin’s shoulder gave way, we appeared bereft of options that bridged the gap between the proven heavy-hitters and the budget enablers. Now both Carroll and Llorente have demonstrated the talent and form to fill that void and, suddenly, a three-man attack is back on the wishlist.

….as is a fading Hazard….
Eden Hazard’s form is compounding that particular shift in thinking.

A big spend on a five-man midfield relies on heavy-hitters firing and, while Sanchez has delivered a relentless tide of points, Hazard has hit the buffers and has done little to justify his price tag.

That’s bad news for 3-5-2 zealots, who now find themselves turning to cheaper replacements and wondering where the liberated funds can be spent.

With Payet out of the picture and Kevin De Bruyne and Mesut Ozil not yet trusted to punch their weight, Hazard’s malaise is a big issue that will likely drive to a big spend in defence or, more likely a regression back to 3-4-3.

Coleman’s finishing can outpace Baines as a wing-back…
Everton’s defence are at least presenting prosperous options to suggest that a four-man backline could prove profitable.

Seamus Coleman has made the biggest strides.

Locked in an ongoing head-to-head with team-mate Leighton Baines in vying for our attention, the Irishman has embraced his new wing-back role to deliver heavy returns.

Three successive clean sheets have been accompanied by a goal and an assist, as Coleman’s energy and finishing ability overshadows the craft and spot-kick potential offered by Baines.

More touches, more passes received, more crosses – Coleman has swamped Baines over the recent three-match spell and, reveling in a new freedom to join the attack, his potential contribution makes greater spend and numbers in our defence a viable approach.

A Baggies defensive double-act can’t be dismissed…
Tony Pulis’ rearguard are also adding to the allure of a four-man backline.

An erratic provider of clean sheets, the Baggies nonetheless possess two assets in Chris Brunt and Gareth McAuley that have the potential to override such shortcomings supply double-digits. A fact so beautifully illustrated by Gameweek 22’s returns.

While the Sunderland shut-out was a first since Gameweek 12, the fixture list remains a strong ally over the month ahead, suggesting that further defensive points can go hand-in-hand with Brunt and McAuley’s continued attacking promise.

One of the pair looks as essential as it gets and, as Saturday demonstrated, covering both could even prove a worthwhile strategy.

Hull are no pushovers….
While Hazard’s Gameweek 22 failings provided much frustration, it should noted that Hull City were a far more resilient opponent than billed.

It’s clear that, like Clement at Swansea, Marco Silva has been quick to make his mark with the Tigers.

There is new discipline and belief in the camp and, in Harry Maguire, they appear to possess an unlikely new backline barrier that is capable of dominating attackers and lending a considerable presence to the attack.

Abel Hernandez has shown willing and a composure in front of goal, while Lazar Markovic could be a canny acquisition.

Sadly, his arrival on loan could merely be compensation for the loss of Robert Snodgrass – easily Hull’s key Fantasy asset to this point.

Nonetheless, Silva’s intervention has seen Hull shake off whipping boy status and, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic will contest for the Gameweek 23 captaincy, a haul in a waltzing Manchester United Old Trafford victory may just be a stretch.