Arsenal’s firework flyer impresses again. The Baggies boing to “shoo” the Black Cats and Fantasy managers begin to stare into the abyss of Gameweek 29…
The Player
Theo Walcott’s quick-fire brace was timely, not least for Arsenal as they powered their way past bitter rivals Spurs. We’d highlighted his explosive qualities in Chris Glover’s recent Risk v Reward article, and Walcott offered an immediate reminder of his ability to produce a sudden flurry of goals and assists to make a mockery of the frustrated cries of inconsistency that emanate from the pundits, press and Emirates enclosures.
Arsene Wenger was quick to remark post-match that he had it in his mind to withdraw the under-fire Walcott. Barracked by a section of the Gunners faithful following an indifferent first half display, the fleet-heeled winger made another convincing application for a central attacking role with two icy finishes that left Brad Friedel flapping forlornly, as Arsenal put themselves out of sight in a game which was, at one point, firmly in Tottenham’s grasp.
Walcott remains a flighty Fantasy proposition – his five goals and nine assists now represent a strong haul of points but, with two goals and three assists in the last three Gameweeks, it’s clear that the former Southampton youngster remains a streaky talent, capable of bursting returns scattered amongst bouts of frustrating blanks.
The argument will be that Robin Van Persie – cementing his essential status with a goal and assist on Sunday – offers enough coverage of the Arsenal attack. Our midfields are awash with mid-price talent that demand their place – the likes of Clint Dempsey and Stephane Sessegnon, in particular, have attracted heavy investment of late. While they have faltered in recent weeks, with a price tag of 8.8 in the Fantasy Premier League game and, with Juan Mata, Nani and the returning Antonio Valencia making claim for selection for the run-in, a sudden surge of support for Walcott seems unlikely, despite Sunday’s showing.
Wenger certainly seems convinced, however. After a brief dalliance with the burgeoning talents of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, it appears that Walcott will be given a permanent platform to blossom in time for England’s Euro 2012 tilt. For Fantasy managers, it’s about taking the rough with the smooth. Either that, or attempt to anticipate the next ascent in Walcott’s rollercoaster season.
The Team
Nine goals in two games, the mantle for team of the week goes to Roy Hodgson’s Baggies, who tore up a Martin O’Neill masterplan which had, until Saturday, helped Sunderland establish themselves as a fearless foe. The twinkling skills and pace of Peter Odemwingie and James Morrison simply danced around O’Neill’s back four – a defence which until the weekend, had kept three clean sheets in four.
As an attacking force, the Baggies are irresistible right now. Commanding some impressive statistics in our Members area, the likes of United and Spurs are unable to match the numbers currently being produced by Hodgson’s attacking options. This comes without the playmaking prompting of Chris Brunt who, having returned from injury, must be wondering where he can find a place in an outfit brimming with confidence and playing with such impressive fluidity.
While Odemwingie has found goals from his new brief cutting in from the right-flank, it’s Morrison’s role that has been central to the recent surge in form and goal output. A player of great poise and technique, Morrison has begun to deliver an end product, having been given the freedom of the support role behind Marc Antoine-Fortune. A 5.3 FPL option in midfield, Morrison’s form shows little sign of abating, having notched two goals and four assists in his last five league outings.
While Chelsea and United come next, prompting caution from would-be investors, such in the confidence in Hodgson’s camp, the Baggies will provide stern tests for two defences who have, in the past this season, displayed a degree of vulnerability.
Having struggled for goals for so long this term, suddenly the flow seems unstoppable – it might make more sense to back the likes of Morrison and Odemwingie in the next two Gameweeks, rather than Chelsea and United defensive assets. Meanwhile, with a Gameweek 29 fixture assured, the Baggies look ripe for investment once those two tests have passed by.
The Talking Point
Gameweek 29 is stalking us. Bothering our thoughts, disrupting our plans. Up until last night we had just five fixtures to consider – potentially stripping our squads of players right down to the proverbial bare bones. Once Chelsea take on Birmingham in their replay, we could have been down to four fixtures – a pool of eight teams.
Last night’s confirmation that Villa had arranged their clash with Bolton to be rescheduled for Tuesday March 20, surely increases the likelihood that the rest of the fixtures, rudely evicted by the FA Cup Fifth Round, will nestle into a midweek spot safely in the bosom of Gameweek 29. Even so, the wait and uncertainty is uncomfortable.
Luckily the path to capture United’s assets, treated to such an obliging run-in, looks uninterrupted. While we’re likely to see a gradual shift towards the likes of Wayne Rooney, Nani and the returning Antonio Valencia, elsewhere our shopping habits are restricted until we know the fate of the remaining fixtures. We find ourselves holding to our Fulham, Newcastle and Swansea mid-price assets, while contemplating the wares on offer at an in-form West Brom.
There’s a small minority hoping for the worst-case scenario. Those still holding wildcards will be praying that the Premier League struggle to shift the rest of the fixtures to the midweek slot – that they get switched to a later date, forming a delicious slab of double Gameweek profit. Should that occur, suddenly the wildcard would soar in value, providing an end of season twist that could suddenly transform mini-league margins.
There’s a suit at the Premier League right now, toying with policing, travel issues and locked in conversations with secretaries and officials. The Fantasy season could well turn on the proficiency of his organisational powers.
