Great Expectations

Great Expectations – Gaston Ramirez

Arriving at Southampton on the final day of last summer’s transfer window, Gaston Ramirez’s acquisition was regarded as a real coup for the Premier League new boys. The Uruguayan signed on for a club record fee believed to be in the region of £12m and, having been favourably priced across the Fantasy games, looked a genuine mid-price option for our five man midfields:

By the end of the season, however, Ramirez was sitting in the St Mary’s stands after being banned for the final three matches, with his debut campaign in the English top-flight turning out patchy at best. A total of five goals and four assists over 26 appearances, supplemented by eight Fantasy Premier League (FPL) bonus points saw Ramirez end the season on 88 points – given that Rickie Lambert racked up 187 points as the lone forward, it’s fair to say that the former Bologna man had plenty room for improvement next time out.

Key Factors

  • On the positive side, Ramirez’s limited returns from his role in “the hole” is likely to be good news for his price across the Fantasy games next time round. While Lambert’s exploits will ensure a hefty hike and perhaps force him out of many Fantasy plans, Ramirez should remain around the 6.0 mark in FPL – given that mid-price midfield options such as Michu, Marouane Fellaini and Kevin Nolan are all set to rise in cost, Ramirez may well step up as a strong value option.

  • Ramirez’s first season in the Premier League was also blighted by a leg problem. With his game time limited, the new boy made just 20 starts and six sub appearances for the Saints and featured for a total of 1,679 minutes compared to Lambert’s 3,126 minutes – while he delivered only 47% of Lambert’s FPL points haul, then, he only played 53% of the forward’s game time. If he remains injury-free next time round and providing Pochettino curbs his penchant for subbing Ramirez off midway through the second period of matches, the Uruguayan will be optimistic of mirroring his final season in Serie A, which harvested eight goals and four assists.

  • Although Southampton stuttered towards the end of the previous campaign, Ramirez hinted at an upturn in performance at St Mary’s. The Uruguayan notched in two of his final four home appearances before receiving his marching orders for an elbowing incident involving Shane Long in Gameweek 35 – Mauricio Pochettino has already talked up his star man’s potential for next time out, following a difficult settling-in period. Certainly, the 2013/14 fixture list affords Ramirez the perfect platform to kick on – Southampton’s first six home fixtures look particularly strong (SUN, WHM, CPL, SWA, FUL, HUL) and with trips to West Brom, Norwich and Stoke also included in the opening 11 Gameweeks, the Saints could barely have wished for a kinder opening run.

  • As Pochettino prepares for his first full season in charge, he’ll be buoyed by some of his side’s home results against the top eight last time round. Since taking the reins last January, the Argentine saw his side beat City, Chelsea and Liverpool at St Mary’s, in addition to drawing with Everton in his first match in charge. While there’s no denying Saints finished the season poorly, Pochettino’s side have already shown their capabilities and will be looking to eradicate the inconsistencies that harvested just four points from their final six games – Ramirez will undoubtedly be key to their progression.

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1,301 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    And I sold Forlan

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    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      But I kept Cesar

      YEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAA

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    2. Parm
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Oh well... 😉

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    3. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      I opted for Casillas over Cesar.

      And have Forlan.

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  2. Lawrø
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    STAKHOVSKY!

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    1. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Has just beaten Federer, what an unbelievable game!

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      1. Parm
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        DJoker vs Murray final then...

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        1. Jimmers
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 8 months ago

          mmm....but Murray will be hoping for some help on the other side of the draw now

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          1. Parm
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 8 months ago

            Only Ferrer and Berdych left that can challenge him...

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    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      We have a new leader in the WAG stakes too...

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      1. Declan-
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        She looks like Jenna Louise Coleman 🙂

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        1. Demí
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 8 months ago

          And Mila Kunis!

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        2. Lawrø
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 8 months ago

          I thought that immediately!

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          1. Declan-
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 8 months ago

            I wouldn't know who she was if not for GB 🙂

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  3. Gimli son of Gloin
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Obviously he's a top goalscorer.. his stats back him up and I've seen some quality highlights of him.. but I've seen him play at least 7 or 8 times now and he's been absolute piss each time.
    Is it just me who thinks 63 millon is a disgustingly large figure for Cavani? Like, literally at least twice as much as he should cost?

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    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      I reckon Suarez is better.

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  4. GlasgowFF
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Brazil taking this very seriously. This Confederations Cup is a friendly tournament like the Charity Shield isn't it?

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  5. Declan-
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Kubot, paire, Mannarino, Brown, Almagro, Janowicz, Melzer, Stakhovsky

    One of these guys are guaranteed to make the semi 😯

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    1. In Tommy We Trust
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Who where and what

      Murray's semi?

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  6. Parm
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    How come everytime I post or reply on FFS I seem to end up with an ellipsis....

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    1. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      I always end mine in a shocked face 😯

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  7. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Hopefully Cesar added an extra half million to his transfer value with that penalty save!!

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  8. GlasgowFF
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Hulk you are Barry White!

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  9. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Few sleepers who you think will be in the top 5 for points in their position come the end of the season.

    I reckon Kagawa has a fair chance

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    1. Gimli son of Gloin
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Hart, DDG, Cech, Mignolet, Lloris
      Baines, Kompany, Enrique, Coleman, Debuchy
      Bale, Hazard, Walcott, Mirallas, Cazorla
      RVP, Aguero, Cisse, Sturridge, Berbatov

      of those currently at EPL clubs.
      Fancy Higuain, new Spurs striker and others to do well also.

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      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        I'm not too sure about Debuchy, Mirallas, Cisse & Berba. Others should be there or there abouts.

        I was actually asking about sleepers who could be up there, players who have not had the best of seasons this past year.

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    2. In Tommy We Trust
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Aguero
      Silva
      Sturridge
      Vertonghen
      Azpil
      Rooney
      Kompany

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  10. Eboue
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Evening all! 🙂

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    1. In Tommy We Trust
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Evening. Hows tricks 😉

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      1. Eboue
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        Not too bad... yourself? I am liking your analysis posts mate, very informative!

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        1. In Tommy We Trust
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 8 months ago

          Thanks mate. The beginners' guide?

          I'm good as always

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          1. Eboue
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 8 months ago

            That and another one which I cannot remember!

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  11. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Brazil v Uruguay always a chopsy affair!!

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  12. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Fred is a real classic centre forward - goal poacher extraordinaire, always seems to be on the end of rebounds etc. Even his miskicks go in too!

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  13. New post