United do a job on an injury-ravaged Newcastle. Tottenham roll on at the Lane as Villa are dispatched and Liverpool are frustrated by the Potters rearguard. Here’s the Stock Check from Sunday’s events…
On The Up
Jose Fonte
With Nathaniel Clyne missing out due to a dead leg and Jos Hooiveld conspiring to notch another booking and own goal, the path was clear for Fonte to take the limelight as Southampton’s budget attraction in the back four. At 4.0 and with two goals today, we are set to see strong investment from the masses, although it will be a huge ask for Fonte to get near today’s returns again this season.
The Stoke Defence
Tony Pulis’ rearguard restricted Liverpool to just two efforts on target all match, earning a third clean sheet of the season, their second in consecutive games. They face United next and, after that, have a run of fixtures that will surely draw the investment of canny Fantasy managers. Robert Huth’s “alleged” stamp and possible suspension could shake things up a little, however.
Steven Caulker
Since coming on as a second-half sub in the Gameweek 5 win over QPR, the centre-half has provided an goal, assist and clean sheet for his Fantasy owners in just 225 minutes. Caulker’s opener in the win over Villa today highlighted his cut-price potential, should he continue to nail down a regular role. Maximum bonus beckons too.
Aaron Lennon
The winger claimed his first goal of the season and provided several opportunities for others in an encouraging display. Significantly, Lennon has started every match under Andre Villas-Boas and presents a cut-price and seemingly secure route to Tottenham’s attacking returns.
David De Gea
Preferred to Anders Lindegaard at Newcastle after impressing in the Champions League in midweek, the Spaniard is now perhaps edging ahead in the reckoning for the United number one spot. Fantasy managers will still reserve judgment, however, particularly after De Gea had to atone for an error with a desperate clearance off the line.
Tom Cleverley
Did he mean his strike for United’s third? It seems unlikely. Even so, Cleverley impressed on his return to the United lineup and he will now be eyed up as a cheap route to cover in their squad. However, his starting role is far from assured and he looks set to be little more than a short-term option for the time being. That might change.
Antonio Valencia
Valencia looks a stronger prospect. He made an unexpected return to action at Newcastle but is now hopefully lined up for series of starts, having suffered a stuttering start to his campaign. Fantasy managers need him to cement his place and start fetching points in order to offer an alternative to Robin Van Persie as cover in the United attack.
Wayne Rooney
With Rooney unquestionably adopting a deep-lying role behind Robin Van Persie, Fantasy managers will be very cautious at even contemplating investment. However, two assists demonstrated that Rooney can still be pivotal to United’s success and fetch returns. Rooney seems destined to be little more than differential right now, however.
The United Defence
Again caution is required, but a second hard-fought clean sheet of the season indicates that Sir Alex Ferguson may be finding some solidity at the back. The issue for Fantasy managers is both price and changing personnel. Rafael continues to look the best option on offer, despite goals for Jonny Evans and Patrice Evra today.
Going Down
Gaston Ramirez
The Uruguayan missed out with a dead leg having impressed in recent weeks and being tipped in our Scout Picks on Friday. His injury in training came late in the week and was kept under wraps by the club. The Uruguayan FA have today announced that Ramirez has withdrawn from their internationals and he could yet be a doubt for the Gameweek 8 visit to West Ham.
Rickie Lambert
Sacrificed on the hour-mark by Nigel Adkins, the striker carried the hopes of many Fantasy managers having attracted decent investment of late. The blank will have dented confidence somewhat, although his fixtures remain in favour and his value potential strong.
Brad Friedel
His record of 310 consecutive Premier League starts was ended as Andre Villas-Boas chose to hand Hugo Lloris his first Premier League start. Clearly the weight of the £12 million fee came to bear, as the Spurs boss finally opted to give the Frenchman the nod. Presumably, he is now number one at the Lane.
Darren Bent
Another Premier League stalwart, Darren Bent also found himself on the bench at White Hart Lane. Despite emerging to notch his second goal in consecutive games to rescue a point against the Baggies last time out, it’s clear that Paul Lambert has no regard for reputation and is willing to back Gabby Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke as his strike partnership.
Luis Suarez
Another Uruguayan to frustrate today, the Liverpool striker was labeled as an “embarrassment” for his antics in today’s Anfield stalemate. Suarez failed to springboard from last weekend’s hat-trick and reward his recent investors. He had opportunities as always but, such is the competition for spots in our forward lines, his owners will already be anxiously banking on some return against Reading next time round.
Robert Huth
The German appeared to stamp on Luis Suarez early in the game, an event that was missed by referee Lee Mason but may well get examined by the FA. Huth could well find himself facing a violent conduct charge and a potential three-match ban.
Gylfi Sigurdsson
Despite being kept in reserve for the Europa League tie in midweek with Clint Dempsey starting, it was the American who again took the role up in the support of the lone striker. Sigurdsson’s potential this season looks severely limited – a crying shame for a player who proved so consistent last term at Swansea.
Nani
The inconsistent Portuguese winger paid for his recent form by being omitted from the United squad. His days at Old Trafford could be numbered with Sir Alex Ferguson clearly preferring Antonio Valencia, Shinji Kagawa and Danny Welbeck in his tactical systems right now. Nani still has more Fantasy owners than Valencia – that will surely swing in the coming weeks.
Shinji Kagawa
Replaced again, this time before the hour-mark, Kagawa has been subbed in five of his six starts so far. That will surely frustrate his 13% FPL ownership who watched on as Kagawa returned a blank after fetching a goal and assist in his last two.
Robin Van Persie
The Dutchman managed just one effort on goal all match and, despite earning the assist for Evans’ opener, his most impatient owners may already be pondering whether Van Persie can justify his price tag and regular FPL captaincy. Today was one of his least productive showings – but his potential as the clear main attacking option in United’s lineup remains obvious.
Sir Alex Ferguson
The United boss omitted Valencia from the list of players available for today’s game, only to name him on the bench. According to the Sky commentators, Newcastle went so far to check United’s hotel booking to discover that Valencia was in contention. With Premier League bosses going to such lengths to decode Ferguson’s team news, us Fantasy managers clearly face a daunting task this season.
