While Defoe owners spend the day doing their best to fight back the smug grins, the rest of us can only try to sound convincing when we claim that we almost transferred him in. I suggest you take a break from kicking yourself and scan these thoughts on another gameweek instead…

It’s all about Defoe…
The Spurs striker dominated the headlines and returned one of the biggest weekly fantasy point totals in memory. Now established as the league’s top scorer, Defoe will be at the top of many a fantasy manager’s shopping list. Already over 37,000 Fantasy Premier League managers have shipped him in. Defoe had his place in our Watchlist going into the weekend and will clearly remain there for weeks to come. However, he faces tricky trips to Villa and Everton next, suggesting that his returns may stall before picking up speed again in gameweek 16 when Spurs face Wolves at White Hart Lane.

Essien has his own bandwagon…
Two goals for the all-action Chelsea midfielder have clearly alerted many fantasy managers to his potential. Over 18,000 have transferred him in off the back of his performance against Wolves. Caution is required though; Essien’s likely returns in the coming weeks will be hugely influenced by his role in the Chelsea eleven. With Mikel fit and Lampard sidelined, he should continue in a more advanced midfield role on the right of Ancelotti’s diamond. However, there’s no guarantee that Essien will hold this role on Lampard’s return. Frank could even make a return for the trip to Emirates next gameweek. We’ve also seen Ancelotti rest Essien on occasions this season. He is reasonably priced in the Fantasy Premier League game but for me, Lennon looks a better, more consistent option in the same price bracket.

Carlo is determind to explore his options…
Ancelotti had plenty of injuries to contend with for their home game with Wolves but even so, his team selection was somewhat surprising. It was almost as if the Chelsea boss was looking show off his options by choosing to start with Belletti and Alex at the back – omitting both Ivanovic and Carvalho, presumably with the midweek trip to Porto and the clash with Arsenal in mind. This rotation is worrying for at a time when investment in Ivanovic looked a good option. With Chelsea moving on to 8 clean sheets with the 4-0 win over Wolves, it’s clear that we should be prioritising a member of their defence. One look at Chelsea’s fixtures in December and January reinforces this theory. However, right now it appears that we can only rely on Cech, Cole and Terry as regular starters back there. Everyone else remains shadowed by some degree of rest and rotation.

Jimmy offers another reminder…
Jimmy Bullard stole the show in the 3-3 tussle with West Ham, confirming himself as Hull’s set-piece hogger with a spot-kick and an assist from a direct free-kick. Massively influential throughout, Bullard rewarded his investors with a big points haul to announce himself as a factor in our fantasy season. Those who missed out on his double gameweek haul may be hesitant to take the plunge, but Bullard is sure to be a key factor in Hull’s survival plans from now until the end of the season. Having said that, Hull have a missing fixture to come in gameweek 17 and, around that, their fixtures stiffen considerably. Bullard will have to do it the hard way if he is to maintain the kind of returns we saw this gameweek.

The Dunn deal still looks good…
Bullard may have just arrived as Hull City’s catalyst but David Dunn has long been the key creator within the Blackburn lineup. Again at the Reebok, it was Dunn who caught the eye, chipping delightfully for the opener in the 2-0 win. Dunn has been playing “in the hole” as support to Roberts as the lone striker but assistant boss Neil McDonald started him out left, with Di Santo partnering Roberts in a 4-4-2. This change in role is a mild concern, although Dunn looks likely to continue to offer outstanding mid-price midfield value if Rovers can maintain some form. He has now contributed 4 goals in his last six starts and is set to remain within my Watchlist for a good while yet. There are plenty of fantasy managers who yet to get on board but it’s surely getting harder and harder to overlook Dunn as the weeks and points roll by. Unlike Bullard, the fixture list is on his side. Blackburn have a kind run of games throughout December and January.

O’Neill’s Downing option spells trouble…
Stewart Downing’s long awaited debut for Villa in the 1-1 draw at Burnley hands Martin O’Neill a timely option in midfield for the Christmas period. What’s not clear is just how the Villa boss will build Downing into his eleven. Up until now, Ashley Young has been occupying the left flank, with Milner on the right. With Carew playing himself back into the side in recent weeks, O’Neill looks set to stick with 4-4-2. With Downing, Young and Milner all vying for inclusion in England’s World Cup squad – O’Neill has a nasty dilemma with these three. Those still clinging to Milner and Young need to be mindful.

The Gunners lacked firepower…
We knew that Arsenal would likely be hit hard by Van Persie’s absence but the failure of their attack in the 1-0 defeat to Sunderland will be a concern for Wenger. Arsenal haven’t failed to score in league game up until this gameweek but couldn’t find a way through the Sunderland defence and dogged midfield tackling of Cana. Wenger did his best to blame a defensive lapse for the defeat but, having drawn a blank for the first time, questions have to be asked about Arsenal’s resources without Van Persie and Bendtner. Given the situation, the decision to rest Arshavin to the bench after his exploits with Russia was perhaps surprising; that’s the second time this season that Wenger has opted to bench Arshavin following an international. Arsenal come up against Chelsea and Stoke next. Both are home games but both have the potential to frustrate and repel the depleted Arsenal attack.

Rooney continues to frustrate…
The United striker was subject to big investment as a result of injuries to Van Persie and Drogba but returned a blank despite United’s 3-0 win over Everton. Patience with Rooney is wearing thin having returned just a single goal in his last six league starts. Defoe’s explosive returns will have gameweek 13 investors in Rooney kicking themselves but he does has the fixtures to flourish in the weeks to come as United, like Chelsea, embark on an incredibly favourable run of games throughout December.

Fletch lives…
Darren Fletcher has it seems, established himself as the first name on Ferguson’s team sheet. Throw in his third goal of the season against Everton and a rather measly price tag and suddenly the unfashionable Scot is firmly on our radars. Is he really worthy of consideration? I’ve still got doubts over his attacking instincts, plus he is still carrying a nagging ankle injury may take its toll when the fixtures start flooding. United’s fixtures do pick up considerably over the Christmas period though, giving Fletcher every opportunity to add to his fantasy tally. Sunderland’s Reid and Blackburn’s Dunn look decent options in the same price bracket, but if you want to get on board United for their favourable fixture run – Fletcher looks a decent differential.