Sunday morning. Clean the car. Mow the lawn. Or forget both of those and consider where you fantasy fortunes soared and dipped following Saturday’s action. Here’s my early morning thoughts…
Attack is our best form of defence…
It seems we just can’t bank on the bank fours right now. Chelsea and Liverpool had their rearguards breached against Wigan and Hull respectively and, at the current rate, unless Glen Johnson and Ashley Cole continue to contribute attacking points, they’ll be question marks over their value. United have three good home games in four and warmed up for them with a cleanie at Stoke – they could be our more reliable source of clean sheets in the next few weeks then, although given the season so far, we can take nothing for granted.
The goals keep coming…
The big points continue to come from the strikers with Torres and Keane contributing massive returns from Saturday’s games. Beyond this we had another goal and FPL bonus for Van Persie and additional strikes from Agbonlahor, Drogba and Saha who have all been consistent. As the top defences continue to let us down and while Lampard and Gerrard threaten to retreat deeper into their shells, the strikers are showing the way. Expect more money to be shifted to fantasy frontlines this coming week.
Gerrard isn’t where we need him…
Mascherano was benched against Hull which meant that the Liverpool skipper and fantasy darling was shifted back alongside Lucas in a deeper role. That’s good news for Kuyt and perhaps Benayoun owners, bad news for those banking on Gerrard to bring in the returns alongside Torres at the sharp end of Liverpool’s attack. We need Mascherano back in favour and back in the side if Gerrard is going to produce the points to justify his price tag over the Kuyt/Benayoun alternatives.
But Torres is making up for it…
He made his three goals against Hull look easy. They weren’t, Torres is absolute class. He’s also a very expensive fantasy signing and one that’s likely to get that little bit more expensive in the FPL game this week. As Gerrard retreats in the Liverpool formation, it’s likely we’ll see many managers playing swapsie this week – even if it does cost points. However, despite his form, Torres does have three away games in four to come, starting with a trip to Stamford Bridge next gameweek. Going on his previous stats in the Premier League, Torres is never as effective away from home when it comes to fantasy returns. Worth a thought for those hovering over the “Get Torres at all costs” button.
Pienaar is a problem…
A popular fantasy signing in recent weeks, Pienaar went into the game at Portsmouth as an injury doubt with a foot problem and was stretchered off just before the vital hour-mark with a knock to his knee. Will he bit fit for the home game with Stoke next weekend? Perhaps the bigger question is, will he fit in the Everton side if Bilyaletdinov stakes a claim for a starting role? Presumably we’ll see Pienaar switch to the right, with Arteta taking up a central midfield role on his return from injury. There’s no guarantee’s though. That uncertainty coupled with a 1 point return this week, will likely see Pienaar sold on by a good few in the next 48 hours.
Birmingham will never be a source of goals..
Benitez was impressive for Birmingham and came away with FPL bonus from the defeat to Bolton but McLeish’s tactics are making it hard to justify his inclusion with so many good striking options available. Even at home to Bolton, McLeish adopted a 4-5-1; a strategy which may well help their survival chances but not one that will breed attacking points for us fantasy managers. Even the home fans were chanting for the formation change. The flip-side of course is that Birmingham should never get routed and should keep dripping clean sheets through. Hart and Roger Johnson will continue to offer reasonable value then.
Crouch can’t buy a Premier League start…
A hat-trick in midweek and yet Redknapp opts to start with Kranjcar in midfield rather than drop Keane back to accommodate his beanpole striker. Once we can be sure of decent run of games, Crouch will be a decent fantasy prospect. Will that time ever arrive though? With Keane hitting four against Burnley and Defoe in fine form going into that game, it looks unlikely right now. Although, at least Harry is already hinting that he’ll use Crouch’s height at Bolton next week.
Giggs is at it again…
Two more assists against Stoke and he turned the game on his arrival from the subs bench. That’s the issue though – having started the previous three Premier League games, Ferguson presumably looked to reserve him for Champions League action in midweek. That’s no good to us – although it’s becoming clear – when he plays, he produces.