Promoting Bobby Zamora as a Fantasy prospect is no easy feat. There is his injury record for a start. Then there’s a lack of confidence, which has blighted him for long stints throughout his career. He is also rumoured to have had a rocky relationship with his manager Martin Jol, who has left him out of the team for weeks at a time already this season. When he is full of confidence and injury free, has the faith of his manager and a string of beautiful fixtures, though, then the rewards can be huge.
Currently all four of those boxes are ticked. Seemingly back in favour with Jol, he looks set to add substantially to this season’s tally of 61, which includes two double-digit Gameweeks. After being left out for five weeks, apart from a six-minute cameo against Manchester United in Gameweek 17, he has played the full 90 minutes in Fulham’s last two games.
Jol is adamant Zamora is well-loved, even referring to him earlier this year as “my main striker.” This is a clear indication he is back in the fold. The Cottagers boss also insists Zamora’s prolonged absence over the festive period was purely down to an Achilles injury and refutes any suggestion of a spat.
Fixture-wise Fulham’s upcoming schedule seems hugely appealing, with the team traveling to QPR and hosting (NEW, WBA, STK) in the next five game weeks. In addition, Zamora also appears to be high on confidence right now; his last couple of gameweeks have seen him notch the winner against Arsenal and hit the woodwork.
It is also worth noting that with a points per game average of 4.4, he sits just 0.1 behind Clint Dempsey. The American is already a staple of many January wildcard teams, despite costing 8.5 compared to Zamora’s price tag of 6.6.
It may well prove to be a rocky ride for those Fantasy managers brave enough to join the 2.6% who have already selected the former Brighton, Spurs and West Ham striker. There’s little doubt his acquisition would be a definite punt, but he may well prove to be that key differential to help Fantasy managers soar up their mini-leagues like the seagull Zamora once was.
