The Knee Jerk

The Knee Jerk – Gameweek 17

As the ink dries on his Anfield contract, Luis Suarez hogs the headlines again with yet another salvo to see off a gutsy Cardiff display. Elsewhere, those hunting differentials will have been warmed by another twin-assist contribution from City’s playmaker, while, at the same time, showing caution ahead of the rotation minefield laid out in front of us.

The Game Changer

Quite frankly, it’s getting tedious. Luis Suarez is taking up too many digital inches on these pages and giving us little option each week but to highlight yet another brilliant performance and devastating haul.

Another 16 points today gives the Uruguayan four consecutive double-figure scores with an astonishing 9 goals accrued over that run. Quite simply, Fantasy managers have not witnessed such consistent, explosive performances since Ronaldo was twisting the blood of full-backs for Man United.

You have to have some sympathy for the Premier League’s other performers, particularly Yaya Toure, a player who is surpassing expectations and redefining his Fantasy status.

Today’s expertly taken free-kick in City’s 4-2 win at Fulham was his fourth deadball strike of the season and his ninth of the campaign. In Fantasy terms, Toure continues to defy our preconceptions – the Ivorian was never really placed in the heavy-hitter bracket but, with his consistent goalscoring from set-plays, with two spot-kicks thrown in, he’s put himself amongst the very top midfield performers.

In any other season, we’d be talking about Toure as a player of the year contender. Right now, however, that particular title appears done and dusted.

The Underused

While Toure’s scoring shows little sign of abating, his team-mate David Silva again underlined his value as an alternative for those seeking a differential. Two more assists in the win at Fulham took him to five for the season. More significantly, it meant that, of nine league starts this season, the Spaniard has returned either a goal or an assist in seven of them.

That level of consistency surely warrants further interest from Fantasy managers who will note that, currently, only just over 5% of the Fantasy Premier League player base own the playmaker. While Silva remains a single booking from a ban, with back-to-back home matches to come, it seems unlikely that many will allow that to influence their decision to swoop.

With Theo Walcott also looking to underline his credentials against Chelsea on Monday night, suddenly there are clear options for those looking to either break up or oppose the established midfield template.

The Selection Poser

With Wayne Rooney present and correct for United today, Sam Allardyce’s decision to bench Jussi Jaaskelainen and Joe Hart’s recall for City were the only real issues facing Fantasy managers. It’s the calm before the storm, however, with rotation clearly looming over the next seven days as the fixture list gets punishing.

Already there are folk questioning how Manuel Pellegrini will rotate for the Etihad clash with Palace that follows the epic Boxing Day meeting with Liverpool. Gameweek 19 is not upon us just yet but is undoubtedly a major rotation concern for all, particularly those considering City assets.

Alvaro Negredo’s owners will at least be somewhat relieved to have seen Edin Dzeko start alongside the Spaniard at the Cottage today, in the hope that both strikers will be allowed to boost their goal tallies against Liverpool and Tony Pulis’s side. The midfield is far less certain, whilst, at the back, Fantasy managers will surely have noted that Aleks Kolarov was handed a starting role at left-back as Gael Clichy switched flanks to solve Pellegrini’s injury concerns. Kolarov, with three starts in the last four, looks a daring differential for the next two City home matches.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

3,112 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Mr Smith
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on Henderson? I know he gets a fair amount of stick but no denying he's been awesome the last couple of GW's.

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Prefer Sterling from an FPL perspective at a mil less.

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    2. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Decent pick but now is not the time. I also prefer Sterling who has the greater goal threat.

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  2. cornish1
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    http://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/345986/event-history/17/

    Casual, I know ..... but into the top 1k... until the rest of the GW results are in anyway ....)

    Thinking:

    Migs > Guzan, Gabbi > Distin (for free)

    Then

    Figueroa > ? (after 28th)

    And Remy's on his last chance too .... 🙂

    Yay or Nay ?

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    1. NED KELLY
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      That's a great place to be top 1k.. Don't ask me for any advice 🙂

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  3. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Harper. So close. -19 today and red arrow. 🙁

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  4. Harry (C)ane
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    I'm thinking of a straight Mignolet --> Hart (6.0m)

    Hart is the cheapest of (hopefully) nailed on defender/gk for City..

    Thoughts?

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    1. QPR expects... glory!
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Have you not seen the Citeh defence lately?

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  5. boredjames
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Nasri and Glen Johnson to Walcott and Kolorov. -4
    Worth it?

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  6. FPLBRAH
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Just done Ozil + Ramsey > Walcott + Silva

    Good move?

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    1. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      No!

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      1. FPLBRAH
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Haha 🙁 I was hoping for positive feedback to reinforce the move. I had exact money for it aswell. I'm still drunk this morning from last night so that always hinders your decision making

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    2. GlasgowFF
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      I would have kept Ramsey, but Walcott and Silva are good picks.

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      1. FPLBRAH
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers!

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    3. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Ouch!!

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      1. FPLBRAH
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Is it that bad? Haha

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  7. GlasgowFF
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Can someone tell me who to get in for Zabaleta?

    Defence is

    Chesney

    Coleman
    Zab
    Dawson
    Clyne
    Brayford

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  8. Will - Fantasy Football Hub
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Cout & Migs > Silva & Marshal (-4)?

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    1. QPR expects... glory!
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Can't be any worse than Cout & Migs 🙂

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    2. GlasgowFF
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Could you do Cout to Silva only?

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      1. Will - Fantasy Football Hub
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Nope not quite

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  9. Bad Pen
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25480774 Assume people have seen this? Time to get rid of Pantilimon.

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    1. Najoman86
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      It was only a matter of time, really. Actually, a little surprised that it's taken this long

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  10. Geriatric Unathletic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Is this a mad idea??

    Looking at wild card possible defender lineups and rotations.
    Everytime I keep comming back to having 2 x Cardiff and 2 x palace defs and 1 premium def. And g.k. pairing of cardiff and palace as well.

    Gives spare cash to upgrade elsewhere and good fixtures as far as the eye can see.

    Only trouble is how many clean sheets could I expect? Though clean sheets seem hard to find anyway this season.

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  11. Woeisme
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Is " casual " the new most annoying fpl buzz word? Or is there another that I'm overlooking ?

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    1. A.T
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      No right first time

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    2. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Yes. "Casuals" is a word used this season by unsuccessful players who cannot believe that many of the players above them are playing the game better than they are. A more correct and less insulting term would be "dullards". Let's hear it for the dullards!

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  12. New Article Posted
  13. Laserface
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Suggestions please .. what transfers do u propose ?

    Mcgregor
    coleman chester evra terry chambers
    ozil hazard ramsey ravel jwp
    lukaku suarez rooney

    1 FT , 1.6 M itb

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    1. speshul one
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Jwp is the obvious upgrade

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    2. Coaly
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Either JWP/rav to cabaye, or terry > 4.0 rav > silva

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  14. GlasgowFF
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone looking at a Sunderland defender, maybe Bardsley?

    A lot of good fixtures coming up.

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  15. Wavey Wambz
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Looking to get rid of Leroy Fer for Silva as my FT as I have 4.3m in the bank. Only worry is that Silva might be rested vs Crystal Palace and is one yellow card away from suspension. This dilemma is giving me problems. Thoughts?

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    1. Coaly
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Do it

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  16. NED KELLY
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    I'm leaving the armband on Suarez against City madness or what?

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  17. speshul one
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Morning guys,

    I am 62 points behind my ML leader...now determined to claw this back but all the teams are becoming templates. Radical decisions I think, differentials talk to me.

    Howard Daniels

    Zabaleta Olsson Coleman Chester BTurner

    Bannan Hazard Yaya Touré Özil Morrison

    Negredo Suárez Rooney

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    1. Coaly
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Hooper, silva, Walcott, Sunderland defence

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  18. Iwantmorepointsthanks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Morning all, what to do with 4.1 ITB? only 1FT.
    Was thinking about

    A) Lukaku --> Rooney
    B) Negredo --> Rooney
    C) get Walcott in (who shall I transfer?)
    D) fix defense
    E) do nothing
    F) any other suggestions?

    Current team:

    Mignolet Mc Gregor
    Coleman Ridgewell Fonte Ward Chester
    Hazard Silva Ramsey Cabaye Oviedo
    Suarez Negredo Lukaku

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    1. Coaly
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      C with cabaye, or ridgewell to evra/jagz

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      1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        cheers, good suggestions!

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