The fixtures have had a good frisking and, ahead of Gameweek 23, our Watchlist rankings have been updated accordingly alongside this new data. Our mid-term choices over the next run of games can be found on your right hand toolbar – follow through for a quick round-up of the notable movers and shakers…
Goalkeepers
Baby steps are taken by the men between the sticks. Strong forthcoming fixtures promoted Joe Hart (money to spare) and Paddy Kenny (on a budget) to second and third place behind Tim Krul – we’re putting that five goal concession down as an aberration.
Following five starts in Manchester United’s last six Premier League fixtures, it’s hard to look beyond Anders Lindegaard given his tantalisingly low price. While the rotation fears ease in the United goal, they’ve escalated down at the Britannia. Thomas Sorensen drops in our rankings, below his Old Trafford compatriot, with a return for Asmir Begovic in the Stoke goal looking a very real possibility following Saturday’s events against West Brom.
Defenders
Following the completion of his four-match suspension, Vincent Kompany will return to the Man City fold next gameweek and finds himself back on top of the rankings without a moment’s hesitation. His upcoming schedule, coupled with greater starting role security, has him usurp the incumbent Micah Richards from our chart.
Goal threat from the back pushes Phil Bardsley up the rankings, as Sunderland’s rejuvenated defence becomes an investment prospect. The triumvirate of Jonny Evans, Ciaran Clark and Anton Ferdinand also make measured gains to offer a variety of choice at the cheaper end of the scale.
The tried and tested -and heavily owned- group of Ryan Taylor, Jose Enrique and Kyle Walker make the most noticeable of drops with rotation, form and fixtures conspiring to trigger a decline in their ranking.
Midfielders
Our first choice midfielders look hard to dislodge with each of Gareth Bale, Clint Dempsey, David Silva and Stephane Sessegnon battling and shuffling for positon in the top four right now. Antonio Valencia has returned to form to overshadow Nani – if any player will threaten that upper bracket monopoly any time soon then it’s likely to be the Ecuadorian.
James McClean continues to rise with form that belies his price tag, with Hatem Ben Arfa going a few steps better after his splash in an otherwise unsuccessful weekend for Newcastle.
Previous stalwarts, Rafael Van Der Vaart and Scott Sinclair, continue to slip down the rankings, with a heavy reliance on penalties, coupled with under performance from open play. The fixture list isn’t kind to either player over the coming weeks, while team-mates offer alternatives with Bale irresistible and Joe Allen and Gylfi Siggurdsson continuing to impresss.
Fordwards
Robin Van Persie and Sergio Aguero remain understandably firm at the top of the charts. Nipping at their heels, however, is Bobby Zamora, fresh from last week’s Watchlist Article and a barnstorming performance against the Magpies. Fixtures remain in his favour over the month ahead – although Dempsey’s popularity will surely dent his chances of investment.
Daniel Sturridge and Danny Graham take slight dips due to stuttering form and testing fixtures respectively, while Danny Welbeck’s consistent returns for just 6.6, has him jump into the middle of the pack as rotatation fears ease a little. Aston Villa strikers Darren Bent and Robbie Keane also rise due to their impressive form, while Hugo Rodallega sneaks in as a consideration.
Our subscribing members will soon be treated to a “Versus” article from Sir Paulos, which goes some way to explain Edin Dzeko’s return to favour – one Premier League goal since October really doesn’t tell the full story.
