The Hammers strike. Spurs struggle. Michu nets again. Fletcher is top cat for Sunderland and the Baggies boing. Here’s a quick stock check from Saturday’s action with City v QPR still to come…
On the Up
Kevin Nolan
A sublime finish after a minute of today’s 3-0 win over Fulham confirmed his value in the low-to-mid price bracket. Nolan looked to thrive playing off his old housemate, Andy Carroll, and, with fixtures in his favour, he will surely attract new investors.
Andy Carroll
The big man drew a blank in the win over Fulham but he’ll clearly be a force leading the Hammers attack, just from his sheer physical presence. With strong fixtures to come, Carroll will surely attract mid-price interest, although we’ll need to check on his hamstring injury first. We can expect scans early next week.
Matt Taylor
A budget option in the Hammers midfield, the former Fantasy darling came good with a goal and assist return. While his stock will rise and investment follow, his chances of retaining his start with Matt Jarvis in the wings look minimal. Jarvis missed today’s game with a slight thigh strain.
The West Ham Defence
A second home clean sheet against Fulham will boost interest in Big Sam’s budget back four with Guy Demel perhaps the most popular route to investment given his rock bottom price, although he aggravated an injury that will need monitoring prior to Gameweek 4.
Shaun Maloney
Confirmed as Wigan’s spot-kick taker with Jordi Gomez on the bench. The tricky Scot converted a first-half penalty to delight his Fantasy owners and compound his value in the budget bracket.
Steven Fletcher
An immediate impact for the Black Cats with a cooly taken opener for Martin O’Neill’s side followed by the merest of touches for the second. Fletcher adds himself to an ever-growing list of mid-price considerations up front.
Michu
It seems he’s the real deal. Having enjoyed a staggering 0.6 price rise in the Fantasy Premier League game, the Spaniard repaid the faith with his fourth goal of the season in the 2-2 with Sunderland. He now poses a real problem for those yet to acquire his services with a further price rise looking inevitable.
Wayne Routledge & Nathan Dyer
Both are under threat from Michael Laudrup’s recent acquisitions but both delivered again – for the third Gameweek running. Routledge notched his first goal of the season, whilst Dyer chipped in with his second assist this term.
Jon Walters
The mid-price midfield option delivered on the promise he’s shown so far this season with a goal and assist return in the 2-2 at Wigan. Spot-kicks remain a key factor in Walter’s appeal and when Stoke’s fixtures improve, he’ll be worthy of attention.
West Brom
A fine 2-0 win over an in-form Everton will put Fantasy managers on alert to their mid-price assets at both ends. Shane Long is emerging as a budget option up front, while Gareth McAuley and Liam Ridgewell are offering value at the back with clean sheets and attacking returns.
Going Down
Dimitar Berbatov
Okay, so the Bulgarian hardly got a fair crack of the whip but Fulham’s lack of creativity in the defeat to Fulham will surely have dented confidence in the potential of the former United striker. Martin Jol’s side missed Moussa Dembele – badly.
Mladen Petric
Petric is perhaps more of a concern. It was the Croatian sacrificed to make way for Berbatov at half-time. We’re unsure how Martin Jol will work the partnership – the worry is that Hugo Rodallega will offer a rotation option that will hurt Petric’s pitch time.
Chico & Neil Taylor
Chico faces a three-match ban following his red for a challenge of Louis Saha, while Taylor was forced off after just 20 minutes of the 2-2 draw with Sunderland with suspected broken ankle. The Swan’s left-back could now face a long spell on the sidelines and suddenly, Michael Laudrup’s settled back four looks torn asunder. Alan Tate, Ben Davies and Garry Monk are now vying to slot in.
Tottenham
The indifferent start continues with another inept showing against Norwich at the Lane. Despite the best efforts of Dembele on debut, Andre Villas-Boas side were unconvincing and with just two goals in three games, Gareth Bale and Emmanuel Adebayor took another dent.
Gylfi Sigurdsson
Fantasy royalty last season, the Icelander is being reduced to a bit part player. Having earned his first start following Rafael Van der Vaart’s departure, he was sacrificed by Andre Villas-Boas on 56 minutes as Spurs chased the game with a shift to 4-4-2.
