“The times they are a-changin’.”
Bob Dylan, October 1963
This song was written almost half a century ago but Dylan clearly had what’s to come right on the precipice of his mind. That’s right, Johan Elmander is leading the captain’s poll. If ever there was a sign that times were and are changing in this Fantasy season, this would certainly be it. We’re not in Kansas anymore…
“Come writers and critics who prophesize with your pen, and keep your eyes wide the chance won’t come again.”
It’s taken him a fair bit longer than expected to settle into life in the Premier league, but alongside Chung-Yong Lee, Elmander is somewhat perversely proving Gary Megson makes a great scout if an ill-bodied manager. This season, under the stewardship of Owen Coyle, he has begun to flourish, much to the surprise of the many who had previously written the Swede off as a Premier League flop. With 8 goals, 5 assists and 13 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Bonus Points Elmander is the current value pick for the season and your lead candidate for the armband.
Evidently, following the lack of assurances the “obvious” picks have been able to provide in recent weeks – the next step in line is to play a bit more fast and loose and bank on a form player against a defence which is known for conceding the odd goal or two.
“The line it is drawn, the curse it is cast, the slow one now, will later be fast”
It’s not like this is some kind of runaway victory for Elmander though, evidence so far points to an incredibly close race with Nani a mere handful of votes in the wake of the Bolton striker, and with good cause considering his home form and the visit of Blackburn for him and his United cohorts this week. The news of Newcastle’s second string centre-back pairing sees Didier Drogba well in the reckoning for another crack at the whip as well.
Rafael Van Der Vaart, Carlos Tevez and even Wayne Rooney following his penalty at Rangers, are also well and truly in the reckoning.
If you’ve not let us know of your decision, or you’ve not yet made one, why not stew on it briefly and then head back to the frontpage and rock the vote. Make sure it counts.
“And the first one now will later be last, for the times they are a-changin’.”
