Robin Van Persie delivers once again, Marouane Fellaini crashes back on the scene but Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale fall flat in a Saturday that brought contrasting fortunes for the Fantasy talent on show. Here’s the Stock Check on today’s action so far…
On the Up
Robin Van Persie
He should have scored more but the consistency being shown is frightening. Van Persie has now notched in three consecutive games and has returned either a goal or an assist in every single League start in a United shirt – his only two blanks have come in appearances from the bench against Everton in Gameweek 1 and Wigan in Gameweek 4. It seems we can depend on him, home and away and that provides an instant solution to the captain conundrum and maintains him as a prize asset – even at 13.4
Rafael
His partnership with Antonio Valencia stretched Arsenal and the Brazilian duly earned his second assist of the season, to accompany two goals thus far. While he was denied a clean sheet by Arsenal’s late strike, Rafael’s attacking intent looks strong enough to ensure he’ll offer a consistent stream of returns. The rerun to fitness of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling could be a threat but Rafael looks to have his starting role nailed-on having made progress again this season.
Santi Cazorla
With fixtures in his favour, we restored to the top of the Watchlist rankings for midfielders following news of Mata’s hamstring injury and, at the death at Old Trafford, he demonstrated just why we kept the faith. Arsenal were toothless and are struggling badly for a cutting edge but Cazorla’s class is still glaring and, having missed a sitter against QPR last week, he made no mistake with his one sight of goal today. If Arsenal can possibly find some form, Cazorla could edge towards heavy-hitter status.
Marouane Fellaini
Back from his injury, the Belgian fired a brace as Everton came from behind at the Cottage to earn a draw – they should have got more. Fellaini went into today’s game just one yellow card from a one-match ban but, given his clear, rampant goal threat, there is surely merit in taking the risk with a player who is offering great value with strong fixtures to come.
Pablo Hernandez
The Spaniard appears to have arrived in the Premier League, impressing against Chelsea and notching his second strike of the season today. Hernandez has started the last three league matches and seems to have cemented a starting role, with Nathan Dyer the man most likely to drop to the bench. Michu and Wayne Routledge still, arguably, offer better options in the Swans’ midfield.
Going Down
Wayne Rooney
This is tough on Rooney because the assist for Evra’s goal kept his total ticking over but the first half penalty miss ensured that he fell short of Van Persie’s haul for a second consecutive Gameweek. It’s unknown whether he will retain responsibility for penalties following his miss but, aside from that, there was again more evidence of Rooney dropping deep. He saw more of the ball than Van Persie, but the Dutchman again appeared to pose more threat.
Steven Pienaar
Another player who hardly deserves to take a dip but with Fellaini’s looking formidable again and so little between them in terms of FPL price after the Belgian’s recent drop, it’s hard to justify opting for the South African. Piennar is a superb playmaker who will deliver value but Fellaini’s lure, due to superior goal threat, looks too strong to resist.
James McClean
McClean went into the season with so much optimism and with expectation on his young shoulders but he, along with the majority of Sunderland’s attacking assets, have done little to tempt investment. McClean was dropped to the bench today as Stephane Sessegnon was restored to the side. It didn’t work – the Black Cats drew another blank and they have now scored just four goals in their last seven league matches. Dismal.
Gareth Bale
The Spurs man offered a comforting armband alternative for those without Robin Van Persie but the Welshman fell short, along with his team-mates, as Wigan earned an unlikely three points. Bale has notched just a single assist in five league games at White Hart Lane this season – hardly reassuring for those banking on him to provide Captain cover on a semi-regular basis.
Eden Hazard
The Belgian failed to take advantage of Juan Mata’s absence and come to the fore as Chelsea struggled to wrestle the game from their Welsh hosts. Hazard owners would have been buoyed by Mata’s absence today but were left disappointed: the Belgian has drawn blanks in three of his last four away games.
