So I decided to put the entire Scout Picks squad up for sale. I was going to tell Gianfranco Zola but couldn’t be asked. He’ll understand I’m sure.
Alright then. Following on from Wednesday’s Scout Squad article (blink and you missed it in this busy week), here is the final Scout Picks eleven for the coming gameweek with some blurb on how they come to claim their starting roles..
The Defence
Mark Schwarzer
Fulham’s most secure option amongst their back four, Schwarzer looks odds on to play both their fixtures in the gameweek and with Fulham’s decent home defensive record, has every chance of returning at least one clean sheet. Schwarzer is also good for save points of course and has even thrown in the odd handy spot-kick save from time to time.
Liam Ridgewell
Birmingham’s form maybe dismal but a home fixture with a struggling and relegated Burnley looks difficult to ignore. Despite a bad run of results, Alex McLeish’s side have conceded just four goals in their last five St Andrews matches and Burnley arrive with low confidence and stats that show four defeats in their last five away. Ridgewell may be shackled somewhat at centre-back with injuries and suspensions in the Brum backline, but he’s still a threat from set-plays and remains a cheap option.
Gareth Bale
Arguably Tottenham’s form player in 2010, Bale has played himself into many Fantasy lineups of late. While Spurs have conceded in their last three matches, Bale has covered for this by notching two goals and an assist. Smart Fantasy Managers will tell you that he could well end the season at left-back with Palacios’ return to midfield, but even so, Bale’s raiding runs and set-piece delivery offer decent attacking returns. A home fixture with Bolton this weekend also promises a clean sheet of course.
Titus Bramble
Yes you read it right. Much as it pains me to turn to this man to fill a gap in my defence, with Paul Scharner and his attacking instincts likely to be warming the bench, the much-maligned Bramble offers the best option from Wigan’s rearguard. Realistically though, Bramble offers decent clean sheet potential with Wigan having conceded just four goals in their last five DW Stadium encounters and up against opposition in Hull who arrive relegated and with a record that shows three goals in their last five trips. Bramble could even throw in bonus points if N’Zogbia has an off day.
Leighton Baines
While an Everton clean sheet looks to be on shaky ground at Stoke, it must be said that Tony Pulis’ side continue to struggle for attacking threats. Five goals in the last five home games isn’t electric. Much will depend on Everton’s ability to repel the Rory Delap throws but even if they do concede, I see Baines causing plenty of issues for Robert Huth at right-back. The supply from Baines is often a major factor in Everton’s play and the full-back has upped his return of assists as Everton have kicked-on this season.
The Midfield
Charles N’Zogbia
Wigan’s most consistent performer and without doubt their key attacking threat to opposition. N’Zogbia is often lavished with Fantasy Premier League bonus points and with a home fixture with Hull this weekend, looks likely to come out of it with more bonus, plus their promise of further attacking returns.
Clint Dempsey
Bobby Zamora’s Achilles injury handed us Fantasy Managers a decent amount of assurance that Dempsey won’t just feature against West Ham this weekend, he should start up front as a lone striker. Should Murphy be rested, Dempsey could also find himself the protagonist from set-pieces – including spot-kicks. Whilst Zoltan Gera is another option, Dempsey looks likely to emerge from Fulham’s double gameweek with more pitch time.
Adam Johnson
Mancini’s signing from Boro has established himself on the right-wing for City and appears to have seen off the challenge from Shaun Wright-Phillips. Two starts in the gameweek are a strong possibility then and Johnson’s ability from a deadball may well be a key factor in two tight encounters. A cheap route into City’s double gameweek.
Mikel Arteta
While Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard face off at Anfield, I’ve opted instead for Everton’s inform playmaker. Yes he faces a tough trip to the Britannia, but Stoke aren’t the force they were on home turf and have conceded seven goals in their last five matches in front of their own fans. Everton meanwhile turn up with the incentive to get a result and off the back of an unbeaten nine match run. I see that continuing this weekend and Arteta is almost certain to at the centre of it for the visitors.
The Forwards
Carlos Tevez
The obvious choice from City’s attacking riches and for FPL captain this week. Tevez has enjoyed an extraordinary season for goals and although he has dried up of late, he has faced Arsenal and United over the last two. Before that he was scoring for fun and his involvement in every element of City’s attacking play and spot-kick duties makes him a key selection. More to the point, two starts look assured in two vital games for City.
Jermain Defoe
A risk given the recent pitch time handed to him by Harry Redknapp, but the Spurs boss has only today spoke out today, challenging Defoe to get back to his best. He’s a natural goalscorer and should be handed two starts in two must-win games for Tottenham. It’s hard to believe that he won’t emerge from the gameweek without at least one goal to his name, making him the other obvious selection up front.