Football has taken a backseat. A sense of perspective was gained by yesterday events. Our thoughts remain with Fabrice Muamba and his family this morning.
Having postponed our coverage last night and having taken the step to close commenting for several hours, we’re now posting our Scout Notes from yesterday’s Premier League games and hope that Fabrice goes on to make a full recovery.
Gylfi Sigurdsson
Slowly but surely, the Icelandic international has been picking up in ownership since his January loan move from Hoffenheim. Yesterday’s performance will surely see the transfers-in pick up in pace, with Sigurdsson’s brace at the Cottage steering Swansea to their fourth away win in six. With nine appearances now under his belt, his Fantasy returns have been exceptional – five goals, three assists and five bonus points, with the maximum surely set to follow. An average of 6.7 points per game (ppg) is top for midfielders so far and sums up his flourishing form as the attacking central midfielder in Brendan Rodgers’ 4-3-3; it’s unlikely his current price tag of 5.1 will remain so low for much longer.
Scott Sinclair
To say his away form has been below-par is something of an understatement. Prior to yesterday’s match, Sinclair had returned a single assist on the road all season – compared to seven goals, an assist and 11 bonus points at the Liberty Stadium – but a couple of assists saw him pick up attacking returns for the first time since Gameweek 23. Pre-bonus, he sits on 122 points and is one of only two players priced under 9.0 in the top ten midfielders, along with 7.1 priced Stephane Sessegnon; a clear indication of his overall potential, despite than poor form outside of Wales.
Steven Caulker
The 4.1 priced defender continues to offer exceptional value at the back, picking up a third successive clean sheet yesterday. Swansea had kept out City and Wigan in the previous two, with Caulker returning maximum bonus in each game and, although he’s unlikely to pick up any bonus this time round, an average of 3.9 ppg sees him far and away the best value defender priced 4.3 and under, with Sunderland’s Michael Turner next best with 3.4 ppg in comparison. Caulker’s cut-price potential is sure to be snapped up in light of Swansea’s upturn in defensive performance, though he will, of course, be unavailable for the Gameweek 31 clash against Spurs, due to the conditions of his loan deal.
Victor Moses
An assist for James McArthur’s opener, following on the back of last week’s goal at Norwich, saw the Wigan winger produce back-to-back attacking returns for the first time this season. Yesterday also saw Moses provide points for the first home game this term, with all his 3 goals and 4 assists coming on the road prior to the 1-1 draw with West Brom. He’s moved up by 0.2 in the past couple of weeks, returning to his starting price of 5.0, but with Liverpool, Chelsea, United and Arsenal to come in the next five, many Fantasy managers will be giving Moses a wide berth, particularly when the likes of Sigurdsson are excelling in the same price bracket.
James McArthur
Wigan’s 4.4 priced midfielder continued his recent strong form by netting the opener in yesterday’s draw with the Baggies. Afforded a first-team opportunity due to Mohamed Diame’s African Cup of Nations absence, McArthur has proven a major goal threat for the Latics, with his 54th minute strike meaning he has now found the net three times in the last seven gameweeks. Despite Diame’s subsequent return, McArthur has maintained his starting role and is proving to be a key component of the Latics side in the final third of the season. His price presents an obvious appeal, but those above-mentioned fixtures are likely to scare the vast majority away from investing in Roberto Martinez’s side.
Chris Brunt
The Irishman returned to the starting XI last week after a long period out with an ankle injury, filling in for Jerome Thomas on the West Brom left. With Thomas fit and available this week, however, Brunt was shifted to the right – as a result of Peter Odemwingie’s absence – and picked up an assist for Paul Scharner’s equaliser. Brunt’s pace is hardly his most obvious attribute, though, and with both Thomas and Odemwingie offering a more direct approach out wide, he may find it difficult in keeping a wing role. With Paul Scharner grabbing a goal yesterday and the likes of Keith Andrews and James Morrison also impressing in the middle of late, Roy Hodgson has a selection dilemma ahead if he’s to find a regular first-team place for Brunt once Odemwingie returns to the fold.
