The armband was always going to be crucial. For once perhaps, Fantasy managers couldn’t’ snuggle to the Robin Van Persie comfort blanket. A trip to the Etihad presented the most significant obstacle to the Dutchman’s relentless rise – enough for us to ponder other options.
Demba Ba for example. Newcastle’s powerful mid-price striker who had already notched 11 goals in the campaign, three in his last three. Ba and Newcastle were at home to a Swansea side who had conceded 18 goals on their travels; the logic was sound. The scene was set for Ba to boost his reputation further, for the swelling numbers of his Fantasy owners to capitilise on their investment further.
Ba duly climbed to the top of this week’s Captain Poll, offering clear indication that the wisdom of the crowd was there. The Senegal forward suffered a frustrating afternoon however – becoming the latest player to be denied by the reflexes of Michel Vorm, who, with the aid of the woodwork, kept the Magpies out to earn the Swans an eighth clean sheet of the campaign.
A Ba blank drawn, we’re likely to see thousands of Fantasy managers sitting on four points for their skipper – frustration boiling. It’s a sickening blow, particularly if you’ve suffered modest returns elsewhere. Now these unfortunates must look to paltry profits form the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Tottenham trio, not to mention Van Persie, who surely would have held some captaincies – even with the intimidating trip to City in front of him.
It would be cruelly ironic if the Dutchman produced another Stamford Bridge performance; if he could put City to the sword with a goal or two. That would surely seal it – the armband would be soldered to his shirt, an immovable object that would remain in place until fragile hamstrings or ankles kept Van Persie in the stands.
For now we can just sit and wait and assess the damage when the dust settles. Those smarting from Ba’s day of frustration will now be watching the remaining matches, hoping and praying for the dullest set of 90 minutes in living memory. Eyes wide shut when Van Persie pulls the trigger.
