There’s now just two gameweeks left of the 2010/11 season and the battle at the bottom is nowhere near decided, with the threat of Championship football next season still hanging over six teams. As matters further up the table afford some clubs a chance of squad rotation, there’s no such luxury for those in danger of the drop. Good news, then, for Fantasy Managers eyeing up a cut-price option for Gameweek 37.
A glance at this gameweek’s highest-scoring Fantasy Premier League (FPL) midfielders so far shows plenty of bargains to be had, with eight of the top ten scorers priced under 7.0. Gameweek 36 saw the bottom four clubs all grabbing at least a point in their fight for survival and, with that in mind, we analyse each of their star midfielders ahead of a crucial weekend, where big performances could be the difference between staying up or going down.
Charlie Adam: Price 5.8, Gameweek 36 Score=5pts
Pros
The Blackpool playmaker faces Bolton in what will, in all probability, be his final home game for the Seasiders. Bonus-magnet Adam will want to go out with a bang and the Trotters away form offers plenty hope for Ian Holloway’s side, having taken a paltry 1 point from their last 11 games on the road. With a visit to Old Trafford to follow, it’s essential Blackpool pick up the three points to have any hope of survival.
Cons
There’s no doubt Adam’s performances have tailed off lately; he has picked up just 18 FPL points in his last six gameweeks and has not been awarded any Bonus Points since gameweek 30.
Last Week’s Performance
Away to Spurs, Adam didn’t quite see the ball as much as usual, with Luka Modric stealing the show in midfield. When in possession, however, his distribution was not too impressive; 18 of his 46 passes were unsuccessful. Adam had 5 shots at goal, though, with his penalty duties accounting for 2 of these efforts.
Charles N’Zogbia: Price 5.5, Gameweek 36 Score=9pts
Pros
The Frenchman is really upping his game as Wigan push to beat the drop; 3 goals, 2 assists and 4 FPL Bonus Points in his last four league matches attests to that. The Latics face West Ham at home this weekend knowing a win would not only boost their own survival chances considerably, it would end the hopes of their relegation rivals and condemn Avram Grant’s side to the drop. Two wins, two draws and just one defeat in their last five at the DW Stadium should offer plenty hope for Roberto Martinez and co ahead of the crucial showdown, before a difficult visit to Stoke ends the season.
Cons
The only negative aspect of the last few weeks has been N’Zogbia’s game time; he’s finished the 90 minutes just once in his last nine fixtures. Having suffered a dead leg against Everton two weeks ago, there were doubts regarding his fitness ahead of last weekend‘s game at Aston Villa. In the end, Martinez gave him 70 minutes on Saturday but will continue to be careful with his main man.
Last Week’s Performance
N’Zogbia was deployed in the centre of a attacking midfield trio, as Wigan lined up 4-2-3-1 at Villa Park. With license to roam, he rarely stayed central, moving wide to link up with Victor Moses and Tom Cleverely time and again. In total, he made 37 Passes, with 10 Unsuccessful. N’Zogbia also had 2 Shots before departing the proceedings, but that was all he needed to grab a goal and 2 Bonus Points.
Thomas Hitzlsperger: Price 4.8, Gameweek 36 Score=9pts
Pros
The vital equaliser in the home draw with Blackburn was his first goal for seven gameweeks but it continues a pattern of impressive home scoring for Hitzlsperger; he has averaged 6.6ppg over his last five at Upton Park. The trip to Wigan is do-or-die time for the Hammers, with defeat sending them down a division. If Avram Grant’s side are still in with a chance of staying up, the final gameweek sees them host Sunderland at Upton Park.
Cons
West Ham have taken two points from their previous five away games, losing the last three on the trot. Hitzlsperger has played four games on the road this season, returning just 8 FPL points.
Last Weekend’s Performance
Stationed in central midfield with West Ham playing 4-3-3, Hitzlsperger was the Hammers main attacking threat; he had 5 Shots (though 3 were blocked) and made 58 Passes, with 40 Successful, as he tried desperately to inspire his side to victory in the clash with Steve Kean’s fellow-strugglers. Many of his corners were unsuccessful, but the German did play plenty of dangerous balls in and around the visitor’s final third.
Jamie O’Hara: Price 5.1, Gameweek 36 Score=3 pts
Pros
Wolves will be buoyed by the weekend win over West Brom that saw Mick McCarthy’s side jump out the bottom three. Despite their poor away form, a trip to Sunderland shouldn’t be too daunting for the Midlanders, given the Black Cats have lost five of the last six at home. A home tie with Blackburn in what could, potentially, be a winner-takes-all relegation shout-out is their final fixture of the season.
Cons
There’s no denying Wolves’ poor record on the road; they’ve managed just two wins away from Molineux all season, and have one point from their last three away games. They have scored more than one goal away from home just once since November. Since arriving in January, O’Hara has played six away games, averaging 4 ppg.
Last Weekend’s Performance
Wolves opted for a 4-4-2 against the Baggies, with O’Hara pivotal to their play in central midfield, pushing further forward than the wingers as Karl Henry stayed anchored in front of the back-four. He made 48 Passes all game, with 36 Successful, as he linked up with Stephen Hunt on the left wing to great effect. O’Hara also had 3 Shots at goal and was rewarded for his performance with 1 Bonus Point, overshadowed by the performances of goalscorers Steven Fletcher and Adlene Guedioura.
