Fergie’s fury sparks a response that sees Wolves tamed at Old Trafford. Michel Vorm continues to rack up the points as Swansea’s home form shows no sign of abating, while Norwich take advantage of an injury-hit Newcastle back-four in an emphatic Carrow Road triumph:
Wayne Rooney
Rooney had never gone nine league games without a goal for United and, right on cue, he delivered in the 4-1 win. A two goal salvo rewarded those who had kept faith in Rooney in the face of Robin Van Persie’s emergence as a near-essential purchase. Rooney has dropped to 11.9 in the FPL, having previously climbed to 12.5 in gameweek six. There’s little doubt that yesterday’s form and the United fixture list (more on that in a bit) will give Fantasy managers food for thought. The question is, can room be found for the United striker, given the consistency of Van Persie and the availability of effective mid-price and budget options like Demba Ba, Daniel Sturridge and Yakubu.
Nani
Like Rooney, the Portuguese winger had been without a goal for a prolonged spell. His last league goal was back in gameweek six, having gone eight league appearances without finding the net, with just two assists in that spell. Fantasy managers had begun to give up on Nani, although the recent injury to Rafael Van der Vaart and improved United fixtures, have brought the winger back into the fold. His brace and assist in the 4-1 win over Wolves provides a reminder of the damage he can cause. United have two away games next at QPR and Fulham – after that, they have three home games in four from gameweek 18 (WIG BLA new BOL). It will take brave Fantasy manager to go into that spell without either Rooney or Nani – the latter has already seen more “transfers in” than any other FPL player in the last 24-hours.
Jonny Evans
Immediately recalled to the United defence following the long-term injury to Nemanja Vidic, the Irishman partnered Ferdinand for the first time since the 6-1 drubbing to City. The inclusion of Evans meant that Phil Jones remained in a central midfield role, with Chris Smalling claiming the right-back role again. That pairing, together with Evans, present Fantasy managers with options within a United back four that had previously kept four clean sheets in five. The absence of Vidic however, will cause concern and suggest that shut-outs will be harder to come by. Jones’ midfield role gives him some freedom to contribute to attacks and that potential will keep on attracting Fantasy interest, despite the possibility that clean sheets could be scarce. At 6.4 and rising in the FPL, Jones may prove too rich for some with the less secure Evans and Smalling offering alternatives lower down the price brackets.
Antonio Valencia
His three assists in yesterday’s game offered a reminder of the winger’s potential. Restored to the right flank with Nani back on the left, Valencia tormented Wolves and, at 7.8, would be a nice little differential if he can keeps his place in the first XI over the festive period. Ashley Young’s Fantasy owners will have plenty food for thought- the former Aston Villa man has failed to score or assist since gameweek 5 as United struggled for any sort of attacking potency. With Nani also returning his best Fantasy haul on the left, Young may find it far from straightforward to return to the first XI.
Steven Fletcher
The Wolves centre-forward continued his superb run of form by heading Wolves back into contention at Old Trafford – albeit briefly. Fletcher has now scored six goals in his nine starts for Wolves this term, an impressive return given that he’s been blighted by injury. With home fixtures with Stoke and Norwich to come next, he is a clear short-term budget differential at 5.9 in the FPL game.
Grant Holt & Steve Morison
Eyebrows were raised when we predicted double figure goal returns for the Norwich skipper in our pre-season projections – having struggled to earn regular starts, we began to write that off as optimistic. Holt’s brace in the 4-2 win over Newcastle took him to six for the season however – in clear sight of that 10+ goal return. At the start of the season, at 5.5 in the FPL, Holt looked a potential bargain. Having now dropped to 4.9, Fantasy managers will be wondering if Holt can maintain starts in a Norwich 4-4-2. Paul Lambert has tinkered with his formation and Holt’s starts all season and, while the club skipper’s form has been strong, Steve Morison at 5.0, remains more secure as a Fantasy option. The former Millwall striker has now struck five goals in his last six league games. Although fixtures remain tough for the Canaries, Lambert’s side continue to provide a goal threat, regardless of opposition – Norwich have scored in their last eight league matches.
Demba Ba
The brace at Norwich took the former West Ham striker to 11 league goals for the Magpies, more than half of Newcastle’s total return for the season. Six goals in his last six league appearances tells us all we need to know about Ba’s form and, with fixtures falling nicely for him over Christmas, he will surely go on attracting Fantasy interest. We wondered if the injuries at the back would draw more goals from Alan Pardew’s side, we got our answer at Carrow Road. While the Magpies look vulnerable at the back, Ba will need to carry the threat to opponents – that should bring him further profit.
Ryan Taylor
The most selected defender in the FPL with over 35% ownership, Taylor has scored just four points in his last four gameweeks as the fixture list has stiffened. With defensive casualties, clean sheets may continue to be scarce for Newcastle and Taylor’s owners may have to hope for attacking returns to justify his inclusion. Home encounters will Swansea and West Brom will give room for optimism however.
Robin Van Persie
What’s left to be said? The Dutchman’s sumptuous volley from Alex Song’s chipped through-ball provided the winner for Arsenal. Van Persie was somewhat subdued in the 1-0 win but his goal took him to 15 for the season and, in Fantasy terms, he has now returned goals in seven of his last eight games, scoring 12 goals in that spell. While Rooney sparked back into form at Old Trafford, it still looks difficult to look beyond Van Persie as the heavyweight option in our Fantasy forward lines.
Victor Moses
A goal and an assist to follow his assist in the 2-1 win at Sunderland in gameweek 13. The Latics winger is returning profits now Wigan are at last winning matches. Who would have thought it? One look at sub 5.4 midfielders in the FPL, reveals that Moses is now just a few points behind Joe Allen, Bradley Johnson and Nathan Dyer, all players that have been lauded as strong Fantasy options in the budget bracket. Moses has consistently provided a source of creativity and goal threat for Wigan, if they can possibly muster a few more wins over the season, there’s every chance that Moses will justify his price tag – particularly now that he has fallen to just 4.6. The fixtures are against them however. The next three games against Chelsea, Liverpool and United look evil for Wigan. Indeed, it’s unfortunate that the Latics appear to have the toughest of fixture lists amongst the relegation candidates from now until the season close.
Luis Suarez
A first goal in eight league games from the Uruguayan was enough to earn Liverpool the points against QPR. The win was their first at Anfield since gameweek six but Suarez- as usual- could have had so much more than a solitary goal, as he troubled the opposition throughout. Liverpool-with Jordan Henderson in central midfield alongside Charlie Adam- were overwhelmingly dominant but clearly lack a cutting edge; Dirk Kuyt was preferred to Andy Carroll alongside Suarez, despite having failed to score this season. Kuyt again returned a blank but Carroll remained on the bench throughout; Kenny Dalglish clearly needs to find a partner for Suarez with a lethal eye for goal- the Reds have scored just 18 goals this season, the same number as Aston Villa.
Michel Vorm
The Dutchman continues to rack up the points in a sensational debut season between the sticks for Swansea. Vorm’s Fantasy owners held their breath as Clint Dempsey stepped up to take a penalty in the dying minutes of the Liberty Stadium encounter, with the possibility of a seventh clean sheet suddenly in jeopardy. Vorm’s subsequent save denied the Cottagers man a chance to net in back-to-back games and propelled Vorm’s score to 12- in terms of value, he is far and away the best Fantasy player for the season, making a mockery of his 4.0 starting price. While Vorm has risen to 4.9, Steven Caulker returned to the back-four after being sidelined with a knee injury. The on-loan centre-half is priced at a mere 3.9 and could be a cut-price option but with Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea visiting the Liberty Stadium in three of their next four home games, clean sheets may not be as easy to come by in front of their own fans.
