Steve Morison gets amongst the points yet again for Norwich. Wayne Hennessey’s heroics restrict the Canaries to a couple of goals at Molineux, while Chris Eagles’ Fantasy owners will be getting a little nervous as the winger is benched for the second match in a row:
Steve Morison
Once again, the Welshman produced the goods for his Fantasy owners last night. Morison provided an assist for Simeon Jackson’s goal to put Norwich 2-1 ahead at Molineux and, in terms of value, is the number one outfield player in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game. Morison’s consistency is so strong he gets an almost-weekly mention in the Scout Notes- last night’s contribution means that, since becoming a permanent fixture in Paul Lambert’s starting XI back in Gameweek 5, he has either scored or assisted in all but three games. In spite of his heroics, Morison remains at 5.0, his original price, though is proving to be one of the most reliable Fantasy acquisitions around.
Andrew Surman
The midfield was a peripheral figure in the Canaries set-up over the first twelve gameweeks, making just three appearances, but now seems to have established himself in Paul Lambert’s first XI. Surman has started every match since gameweek 13, failing to finish only one of those fixtures, and vindicated his manager’s decision by firing home the opener at Wolves last night. At 4.3, he looks decent value and has crept onto the radar, though second-guessing Lambert’s team selection at times can prove a tad too tricky.
Kyle Naughton
The full-back picked up his fifth booking of the season and will serve his one-match suspension in the Canaries next game, at home to Spurs. Initially, there was some confusion over this- given that Tottenham are his parent club, he would have been ineligible to play on the 27th December anyway, but this morning we’ve had it confirmed by the FA that he will be available for selection for the New Year’s Eve fixture at home to Fulham, having served his suspension.
Kevin Doyle
His omission from last night’s Wolves lineup was something of a rarity. Doyle dropped to the bench for the first time this season, with Sylvain Ebanks-Blake fielded alongside Steven Fletcher. Given his replacement found the net, Doyle’s owners may be a little wary going forward now, with his position as an automatic first-choice forward perhaps no longer as assured.
Wayne Hennessey
The Wolves stopper may have shipped a couple of goals but performed heroics between the posts to defy Norwich time and again. Hennessey made 9 saves at Molineux last night and has now recorded 84 saves this season- given that Brad Friedel is second best with 64, the Welshman’s importance to Mick McCarthy’s outfit is obvious. You’d have to go back to gameweek 3 for the last time Hennessey recorded a clean sheet but thanks to his save points, he’s the third-top scoring keeper in FPL so far this term.
Yakubu
The Nigerian’s goal was not enough to save Blackburn from defeat but his Fantasy owners will be smiling after he grabbed his tenth goal of the campaign. Rovers fans may be calling for the head of Steve Kean but they cannot deny his purchase of Yakubu was an inspired decision- his 10 goal haul has come from just eleven starts. With away trips to Liverpool and Man United next, his owners won’t be too optimistic over the festive period.
Chris Eagles
The winger’s place in Bolton’s starting XI had seemingly looked assured over the last few months. Eagles had started every one of the Trotters’ fixtures from gameweek 8-15 but he was afforded a forty-five minute sub appearance last week away to Fulham. Last night saw this situation worsen, much to the chagrin of Eagles’ 10.8% of Fantasy owners- not only was he benched, he failed to make an appearance in what was, arguably, Bolton’s most crucial game of the season. The win at bitter rivals Blackburn lifted Bolton off the bottom of the table and given that Martin Petrov, installed in Eagles’ place on the left wing, grabbed an assist, his owners will be anxiously reviewing the situation over the next couple of gameweeks, particularly with a couple of crucial home games up next.
Kevin Davies
Similar to Eagles, his omission from the Bolton side was significant, though Davies has just 4.1% of owners in comparison. Owen Coyle went with David N’Gog alongside Ivan Klasnic, with the latter seemingly an automatic starter when available this term. With a couple of goals all season, compared to Klasnic’s 7, Davies is clearly not the steady Fantasy force he was in seasons gone by and given that he, too, sat on the bench for the entirety of the derby, his game time looked less assured than ever- Davies has completed just six full appearances this season for the Trotters.
