Watchlist

The Watchlist – Steven Fletcher

It took little time for Steven Fletcher to establish himself as something of a talisman for Sunderland this season. The summer signing from Wolves made an immediate impact on Wearside, with goals and maximum Fantasy Premier League (FPL) bonus points in each of his first four appearances making the £12m fee paid out to the Molineux side look a canny piece of business by Martin O’Neill.

After a barren autumn spell, the Scot has returned to form and from Gameweek 16 onwards has developed a real streak of consistency – he hasn’t gone more than a single match without producing attacking returns from that point, in a run that has harvested five wins in the last eight for the Black Cats. With 10 goals and four assists for the season, Fletcher has played a part in more than half his side’s 27 strikes and has collected 23 FPL bonus points, second only to Robin Van Persie’s 28 so far.

Up to fifth in the FPL forward rankings on 112 points, Fletcher sits at his initial FPL starting price of 7.0, having previously risen as high as 7.4. A brace away to Wigan last weekend seems to have caught the attention of Fantasy managers and as winter wildcards continue to be wielded, he is the most transferred in forward in the Gameweek, with over 21,000 snapping up his mid-price services.

Post-match, O’Neill singled out the Scotsman as the Black Cats continued their climb up the table after a 3-2 win over the Latics:

“The transfer seemed to be a bit of a saga at the time but it was well worth it. We relied on him at the beginning of the season; he was the only player scoring for us. Since then we’ve shared a few goals around but he’s a really top-class centre-forward, not just with his goals but in the way he brings others in to play. For one not so tall he’s strong: what Sir Bobby Robson called ‘a proper centre-forward.”

Fletcher’s flourishing form certainly looks to be afforded the chance to continue for the foreseeable future. Looking at the upcoming schedule, Sunderland have arguably just one tricky fixture in the next seven (SWA, rdg, ARS, wba, FUL, qpr, NOR) before matters takes a turn for the worse in Gameweek 31. While last season’s Fantasy favourite Stephane Sessegnon continues to toil, many may look to Adam Johnson as alternative Sunderland cover for their favourable run Fletcher certainly seems better value – he currently costs just 0.3 more than the former City winger and has averaged 5.3 points per game to Johnson’s 4.5.

As owners of Demba Ba begin to ponder a transfer out due to the uncertainty of game time under Rafa Benitez, and the likes of Jermain Defoe and Dimitar Berbatov struggle to produce consistent returns, Fletcher (who is priced at 7.7 in the Sky Sports game) has staked a real case for our consideration, with secure starts and run of form that’s becoming increasingly difficult to overlook.

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2,431 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    even though i have walcott(c) id be rather happy if walcott got nothing and cazorla to get a goal or 2..hes more of differential in my mls

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    1. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      moan, moan, moan, moan......

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    2. Conrad.
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      i'd like the same, but for the reason that I don't have Theo. 🙁

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    3. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Fortunately ... I am past caring ... 😉

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      1. Optimus.
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        you have your reasons 😉

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    4. thetinkerman
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      It's a hard life for some.

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  2. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Evening all. So whats the general perception on Ba playing tonight, is he likely to be dropped for the weekend PL game now?

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    1. Conrad.
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      PL is next midweek. FA is this weekend.

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    2. r0nh
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      FA Cup game.

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    3. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      D'oh - my bad! Thanks guys

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  3. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    If you're lurking MileHigh, good(ish) luck and may the best man win... 🙂

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    1. Declan
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Good Luck mate.

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    2. thetinkerman
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      +1

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      1. thetinkerman
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        (to that sort of thing)

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        1. SPorting
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          "down with this sort of thing!"

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    3. r0nh
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah, fair play WR.

      Good luck xo

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  4. Kanus hat trick
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Any news on Odemwingie to QPR? Unsure whether to ditch Lukaku

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    1. ogqozo
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Never ditch The Big L.

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  5. r0nh
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    My cup tie: me 48, him 58

    Me: Mertesacker, Obrien, Santi

    Him: Sagna

    We both have Theo (C)

    Can I get 10 points more than him tonight?

    He has made more tansfers, so if a draw, me wins 🙂

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    1. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      We don't know the answer. Ask again at 10pm.

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    2. Conrad.
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      gonna be a tough one to get 10 from OBrien and Santi. and also hope Sagna doesn't nick an assist.

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    3. heartsattack
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      If its a draw most goals scored in GW decides.

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      1. heartsattack
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Most goals scored in the Gameweek
        Fewest goals conceded in the Gameweek
        Virtual coin toss

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    4. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      you have a fair chance with santi in hole
      gud luck

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    5. Steve
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Too close to call. Mertesacker and Sagna are likely to score simlar points. Santi has to do something but one assist might not be enough. If he score the bonus points will take you through.

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  6. Dante
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Is the Ars-WHU game being shown on TV anywhere tonight?

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    1. Conrad.
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Fox Soccer in the US 🙂

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    2. Namtab Nomolos
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      No this is just a rearranged regular game.

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    3. Heytch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      SKY1 at 1030pm after the Cup match.... if you aren't desperate to know all your fantasy results live

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  7. The Wizard of Ozil
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    A) Michu & Taarabt (rotating with Fletcher)
    B) Bale & Guthrie (to warm my bench)

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    1. Declan
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      A

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  8. Sarabande
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    My last post was way too long for anyone to bother replying to...

    Is Rvp + demel > aguero + baines (I currently own Rvp since he was 13.5m)??

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    1. Home Run Baker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I think the lack of replies may have had something to do with the question.
      No. 😉

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    2. Trigg ⭐️
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      You'll regret it, I feel.

      RVP is so consistent, and has some delicious fixtures on the horizon. Baines is good, but he will frustrate you 500 times more than RVP ever will.

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    3. Federico
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I am not convinced by Aguero, he's far from RVP.

      Don't do it, imo.

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      1. Sarabande
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers guys, talking me off the ledge

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  9. Federico
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    The scouts (Paul) seems to think Evans is a safer option than Rafael for defensive United coverage.

    Any United fans (dis)agree?

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  10. Corrigan
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    So if Michu scores a hatty v full strength Prem opposition, I take people will still sell/not buy because he "isn't getting the points"...

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    1. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I won't even sell him if he does nothing. I have had him since the start of the season, my grav too. *Proud*

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  11. Sarri-ball
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Really stuck with my front 8 what is better

    A) 3-5-2 most weeks Mata,Wallcott,Bale,Fellani,Michu,Rvp,Aguero- Pogrebnyak sub

    B) Rotate depend on fixures. Mata,Wallcott,Michu,Fellani.Lennon,Sturridge,Rvp,Aguero

    Basically Bale,Pogrebnyak V Lennon,Sturridge and rotate.

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  12. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    😉 You have earned yourself the special opportunity to RMWCT!

    Mignolet-Federici

    Demel-Davies-Zaba-Evra-Harte

    Michu-Fellaini-Mata-Walcott-Puncheon

    Sturridge-RVP-Fletcher

    Team value: 103.7M
    Bank: 0.7M

    Cheers! 🙂

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    1. SkyCell
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Missing Bale, otherwise very nice

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  13. tommys
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Evra the safest .. Rafael next in line. vida and rio fit are the first choice.

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  14. thetinkerman
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Come on Cazorla, your turn now!

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  15. Demelbrush
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Shall I rid myself of ba before he drops for fletcher or sturridge?

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