A perfect set-piece routine that had Gary Neville purring set the Potters on their way, only for West Ham to find an unlikely source for their equaliser. Here’s the Stock Check following tonight’s muscular affair at Upton Park…
On the Up
Joey O’Brien
The former Bolton man struck his first Premier League goal to bring the Hammers back on terms as Big Sam’s men rallied for the second period. O’Brien once again lined up at right-back, leaving a fit-again Guy Demel stranded on the bench. The 4.0 prospect has started the last three league outings, earned an assist in Gameweek 11 and is now ranked second amongst West Ham’s defenders in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game. With bonus to follow, O’Brien is set to earn new suitors, although West Ham’s short-term fixtures remain a concern.
Jon Walters
A superbly worked goal reminded us of the quality that Walters has in his game but this was only his second strike of the season. Even as a 6.3 midfielder in the FPL, pushed up alongside Peter Crouch in attack, he’s been overshadowed by a gang of similar mid-price talent this term, not least Kevin Nolan in opposition tonight.
Going Down
Guy Demel and James Collins
Both have returned to fitness but have been kept on the bench for two consecutive matches by the Hammers. It seems that Collins faces a fight to earn a recall alongside Winston Reid as James Tomkins stakes his claim for regular starts. As for Demel, his prospects took a bigger dent has Joey O’Brien impressed again in the right-back berth.
Mark Noble
The booking tonight took him to four for the season, lifting him onto Anorak’s “Suspension Tightrope” and leaving him just one yellow from a one-match ban. Noble is owned by over 5% of the FPL player base.
Andy Wilkinson
The make-shift left-back limped off after 32 minutes after picking up an injury and will now presumably be an early doubt for the home clash with Fulham.
