The curtain falls on another gameweek, leaving us to consider the services of a reborn Fantasy force, the shape-shifting goal power of Roberto Mancini’s title challengers and the merits of ousting a Dutch master…
The Player
Yakubu single-handedly carried Blackburn to three precious points against Swansea. A smart side-foot finish, two close range headers and a spot-kick completed a one-man destruction of the slick-passing Welshmen. It also put Fantasy managers on full alert to the potential of the Rovers striker.
We’ve long been discussing the potential of the revitalised Nigerian. Back in early November we unveiled an impressive shot per minute ratio – bettered only by Demba Ba amongst our analysis of the sub 7.5 FPL strikers. Two weeks later, we acknowledged Yakubu’s rise in our Watchlist prior to gameweek 13 trip to Stoke. While that encounter saw him draw a blank in a disappointing Rovers showing, a week later Yakubu took his goal tally for the season to 9, putting him on a par with Wayne Rooney and Ba.
There will of course be an influx of investment following such a major points haul. Already Yakubu has seen a price rise to 5.6, as thousands look to bring the budget option into their frontline; without doubt, Yakubu’s bandwagon is on the move.
Can it keep rolling? Looking at his form and fixtures, you’d have to say the omens look good. Rovers have a trip to struggling Sunderland next, having scored in every single away game so far this season. After that, Steve Kean’s side face both West Brom and Bolton at Ewood – both beatable, both unlikely to halt a Rovers attack that has scored 11 goals in their last 5. Yakubu looks well placed for a festive feast.
The Team
While Tottenham’s usual suspects put up another vibrant display against 10-man Bolton, Man City spread five goals throughout their lineup against a Norwich side caught in the headlights of their title charge.
It’s been a while since we switched our attention to Roberto Mancini’s outfit and, though many will point to the 5-1 win over Norwich as a flattering scoreline, there’s no denying the efficiency displayed in humbling Paul Lambert’s side, who have previously shown such determination in trips to Anfield, Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford this season. Against City however, the gulf in class became glaringly obvious – Norwich could not repel the waves of attacking talent in City’s armoury.
The goals came from Sergio Aguero, Samir Nasri, Yaya Toure, Mario Balotelli and Adam Johnson. David Silva and Edin Dzeko had to be content with an assist, Micah Richards, Vincent Kompany also got in on the act. That’s nine names sharing the Fantasy spoils – emphasing not only how goals flow throughout the side, but also how difficult it’s become for Fantasy managers to isolate a secure source of points within Mancini’s shuffling lineup.
Owned by a third of FPL managers, Aguero is proving the ultimate frustration – doing just enough to warrant holding him, without delivering the kind of explosive returns we saw earlier in the season, or indeed that we’ve seen of late from Robin Van Persie.
Aguero’s goal was his third in six league matches – he’s started all six but has been subbed in each one. Dzeko has four goals over the same spell, but has started just two matches. Balotelli meanwhile, also has four goals over the last six gameweeks, again starting two.
Aguero ownership and FPL price tag has held firm but, when you consider that the Argentine has returned fewer goals than the other City strikers and is priced almost 3.0 more, there’s reason to start fidgeting and considering the options elsewhere. Aguero needs to deliver a brace or more before Christmas, otherwise his ownership and price could come down with the decorations.
The Talking Point
Tottenham have been a “Digest” regular in recent weeks, with Gareth Bale, Emmanuel Adeabyor and Rafael Van der Vaart staple ingredients in the gameweek round-up. Once again it’s Spurs, and in particular Van der Vaart, who are at the centre of the main issue troubling Fantasy managers this week.
Having made a satisfactory recovery from a hamstring injury, Van der Vaart found himself confined to bench duty for the 3-0 win over Bolton, emerging to replace the zesty Aaaron Lennon late on. While the Dutchman sat in reserve, Lennon and the frighteningly consistent Bale, tore up the Bolton defence and laid further claims for slots in our Fantasy squads. Jeramain Defoe took up Van der Vaart’s place and scored again – making Harry Redknapp’s team-sheet headache that little more intense.
Bale’s form is a force of nature with few defences able to withstand his pace and power. He has become a priority target in the Spurs lineup, a status only boosted by this recent turn in fortunes for Van der Vaart. Lennon too, for a player available for just 7.2 in the FPL, will surely attract further interest from those looking to maximise their allocation of Tottenham’s attacking players.
This all leaves Van der Vaart’s future in our Fantasy squads as far from certain. We’re seeing heavy FPL sales and, as Nani hints at emerging from a recent slump to help inspire United over a run of favourable games, there is a clearly defined exit route outside of Harry’s squad.
It’s now a question of timing. Do we hold Van der Vaart and wait to see what Harry conjurs up with his lineup at Stoke, or take him on his word and decide that Van der Vaart’s hamstring will indeed be wrapped in cotton wool over the busy Christmas period.
Tottenham’s performance against Bolton would suggest that Harry can afford to keep the Dutchman preserved, but shedding one of the Premier League’s biggest Fantasy damage dealers is never going to feel comfortable, regardless of the logic behind it.
