As domestic matters pause for the international break, our post-Gameweek regular takes a look at a Fantasy favourite refusing to go quietly and an injury quandary for another heavy-hitter. Elsewhere, the Cottagers find their spark at last to provide plenty mid-price potential, as Martin Jol’s strikers cut loose to destroy the hapless hoops…
The Player
Subbed at half time against Man United, benched for the following home game with Swansea, many had written off Frank Lampard’s Fantasy potential. Sunday’s game at the Reebok, though, served a timely reminder of his capabilities; a hat-trick and the three bonus points produced a twenty point haul and in just one game, Lampard more than doubled his Fantasy Premier League (FPL) total for the season.
Sitting on 42 points, he’s the fourth-top scoring midfielder, only 6 points behind David Silva and Nani, despite both starting every game so far this term. In terms of points per game, only one midfielder –Ashley Young- betters his 7.0, with 7.5 in comparison; all this without a penalty at Bolton, too.
What’s frustrating for Fantasy managers is that while Lampard proved he is still more than capable of producing the goods when given the game time, he’s no longer an automatic first-choice selection in the Chelsea first XI. Andre Villas-Boas’ need for more dynamism in the Chelsea central area will see him rest Lampard from time to time in order to maintain a freshness- regardless of the eye-catching display, it’ll take a brave Fantasy manager to run the risk of a 11.6 bench-warmer.
The Team
Winless after six league games under Martin Jol, it took a visit from their nearest rivals to wake Fulham from their top-flight slumber. While the Cottagers have prospered in Europe, they’ve been domestically woeful, with just four points to their name prior to QPR’s arrival at the Cottage on Sunday.
An incredible six-goal triumph saw four Fulham players return double figure Fantasy hauls, with 5.1 Andrew Johnson –in his first start since gameweek 2- leading the way with 20 to his name after a brilliant hat-trick. Danny Murphy and Clint Dempsey both found the net and the Fulham defence also shone, showing a certain resolve to record their second clean sheet on the spin.
Bobby Zamora, once again, demonstrated just how key a figure he is to this Fulham side. Having missed out last week through illness, Zamora returned to the starting XI and scored for the third appearance in a row. Add an assist and 2 bonus points and Zamora has averaged 8.8 FPL points per appearance- the second best tally this season. Only Wayne Rooney has returned more points per game than the 6.7 priced-forward.
The Talking Point
With so much doubt over Wayne Rooney’s availability for the Norwich game, many Fantasy managers had made their minds up early and sold on. As many as 154K shipped Rooney out, with Sergio Aguero the main target, brought in by 135K as a result of a trip to Blackburn.
Twenty-six minutes in, though, and Aguero was limping out of the Ewood Park proceedings, with a groin problem ending his Gameweek on 1 point. Samir Nasri stepped off the bench and transformed the game, grabbing a goal and two assists as City heaped further misery on Steve Kean- the Frenchman, meanwhile, bagged 17 Fantasy points for just over an hour’s work.
With Rooney now recovered, Aguero has joined up with the Argentina squad and will be monitored ahead of games against Chile and Venezuela. Once again, Fantasy managers are left in a quandary over a big-money forward, though with a fortnight before the gameweek eight clash with Aston Villa, time is on their side this time.
Should Aguero fail to make it, Roberto Mancini can at least turn to Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli- at 8.6 and 8.5 respectively, they’d be potential bargains if the prognosis proves downbeat, given City’s average of more than three goals per game and- thanks to Carlos Tevez- little other striking alternatives.
