The giants are being cut down to size with alarming regularity. Bobby Zamora’s at the death volley, sweetly struck inside Wojciech Szczesny’s near post, was another blow applied to the Premier League’s big boys. This was just the latest in a line of recent upsets that have seen United, City and Chelsea lose to middle ground opponents as the New Year programme continued to provide Fantasy managers an unpredictable passage into 2012.
The Craven Cottage result also marked the end of another unremarkable day in Fantasy terms. Robin Van Persie again failed to deliver returns (it’s becoming a nasty habit now), ironically in a gameweek that will have seen thousands switch their attention, and their captain’s armbands, to double gameweek prospects in the Spurs and Everton ranks. With such slim pickings from Monday’s five games – the expectation on players form those two teams to produce is now weightier than ever.
Chelsea did at least make a recovery from the winding dished out by Villa at Stamford Bridge at the weekend. The Blues’ 2-1 win at Molineux today was a battle, a scrap that was missed by Didier Drogba and, more significantly, Daniel Sturridge.
We did at least get early warning of the striker’s potential absence and Chelsea have today confirmed that their leading scorer and Fantasy asset missed the midlands trip with a contusion to his hip – brusing in other words. His 16% ownership will be hoping that the timely break for FA Cup duty will be enough to see Sturridge make a return. Andre Villas-Boas has even indicated he could make the cup tie with Portsmouth. Regardless of his expected recovery time, with January wildcards fluttering, we’re already seeing an alarming decline in confidence.
Patience will be paper thin leading up to gameweek 21. With FPL managers handed the opportunity to refresh their squads, the dead wood will be shed. The trick of course, is to correctly identify those surplus to requirements – a Chelsea striker who has delivered well above his modest price tag and who is playing for a Euro 2012 spot, may not fall into this category. In ruthless times however, Sturridge has already become a casualty. Already he’s seen more sales in the gameweek than any other player.
Looking closer at the current FPL transfer trends – the likes of David Silva, Nani, Sergio Aguero, Ryan Taylor and even Jose Enrique are ranked at the very top of the transfers out right now. These players have been giants this season – consistent scorers who have served their Fantasy owners well. Let’s get this clear – these are transfers after the gameweek 20 deadline, they are not victims of the scramble for double gameweek assets but players cast aside, presumably as part of a wildcard shopping sprees inspired by another disappointing return.
The last few days have seen the Premier League elite humbled – clearly this has dented the confidence of some Fantasy managers. The thing about the Premier League’s best, however, is that once toppled, they do tend to get up again.
