Three home games and not a single goal conceded- Swansea once again returned a clean sheet this afternoon as Brendan Rodgers’ side finally picked up their first three points of the season.
While the swashbuckling performances of both Manchester clubs provide Fantasy managers plenty options going forward, the Swans continue to offer plenty cut-price options at the back and, in this thoroughly unpredictable Fantasy campaign, are showing a defensive consistency that seems to be lacking the length and breadth of the Premier League.
Michel Vorm defied West Brom at the Liberty Stadium with a string of saves and jumped to second in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) goalkeeper rankings- at 4.1 he’s cementing his position as one of the bargains of the season. Ahead of the Dutchman, the likes of Angel Rangel, Ashley Williams and Neil Taylor –the left-back was stretchered off after a clumsy challenge from Peter Odemwingie, however- are all racking up the points right now.
Shipping four goals in their first fixture, it seemed impossible that Swansea would then go on to concede just one in the following four but, exposed to the harsh realities of Premier League life in the Etihad Stadium opener, Rodgers’ side have learned fast. While the likes of Arsenal are hit for four by a side managed by Steve Kean, the Welsh club are defying all expectation with a series of resolute displays.
In a sense, it merely adds to the frustration of many Fantasy managers this season. There have no doubt been a proportion of casual players who initially added Swansea defensive options to their ranks simply due to the low price, allowing their budgets to be allocated to big-money buys such as Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero. Hand one of them the captain’s armband week after week and bang- there’s your big points haul right there. No need for tactics.
As the big names bang in the goals, the dirt-cheap options chalk up the clean sheets- this Fantasy lark is supposed to favour the more dedicated player; study the form and the fixtures, rotate as and when accordingly. At present, though, it seems far from it.
