Fantasy managers are fed scraps from Saturday’s five matches so far, with Robin Van Persie drawing a second consecutive blank and unlikely sources flourishing, it was left to Sunderland’s attacking assets to deliver. It’s not often we can say that. Here’s the Stock Check from Saturday so far…
On the Up
Stephane Sessegnon
This morning’s Preamble was timely – we perhaps should have had the conviction to back our Differential headliner in the Picks. A goal and assist return following last weekend’s strike at Fulham has firmly blinked the Benin international on the radar. Four home games in three Gameweeks with a double in Gameweek 16 will doubtless find Sessegnon earning keen interest.
The Stoke Defence
A fourth consecutive clean sheet at the Britannia means that Tony Pulis’ side have conceded in three of their last eight and just two goals in their last five. While so many defences falter and let us down, Stoke are frighteningly consistent right now.
Nicky Shorey
A second consecutive assist for the Reading left-back. We’ll rarely get clean sheets from the Royals’ back four but Shorey, at just 4.1, is creating plenty of chances every game from the left flank, with dependable deadball delivery in the mix.
Jordi Gomez
The Spaniard seems to flourish every time he breaks into the Wigan lineup and today his impact was devastating for Reading. An unlikely hat-trick on only his second league start of the season will have slipped by Fantasy managers but he will surely now earn him a short-term role in the Wigan lineup.
Javier Garrido
Another Spaniard in bloom. Garrido earned his second consecutive assist in the 1-1 draw with Everton to continue to catch the eye in the Norwich back four. With Michael Turner missing out through injury and Ruddy replaced late on, Garrido is the clear standout candidate for those shopping in the improved Canaries defence.
Going Down
Robin Van Persie
Backed by thousands going into the encounter with QPR, Van Persie looked good to recover from his blank at Norwich but it wasn’t to be. United rallied in the second half but the Dutchman missed out to frustrate his Fantasy owners and delight the naysayers.
Leighton Baines
He’s been the subject of much discussion this week but, having looked nailed on for a clean sheet and probable bonus from a 1-0 win, Baines fell victim as Everton conceded again. The Toffees have now gone eight games without a shut-out.
Antonio Valencia
Omitted from the United matchday squad along with Michael Carrick, his omission came out of the blue. Valencia’s form has been poor but a chance to run at the QPR defence would have surely boosted his confidence and, having been rested in Europe, it came as a surprise to see him left out.
David De Gea
It had seemed that the Spaniard had edged ahead in the pecking order but, having missed the trip to Norwich following his wisdom teeth extraction, he sat on the bench today as Anders Lindegaard faced QPR. Continued rotation between the pair looks inevitable.
The Sunderland Defence
There will be question marks. Admittedly the Black Cats were going for goals but, having conceded four to the Baggies today, Martin O’Neill’s side have now gone four without a clean sheet. Simon Mignolet’s performance will be a particular concern having looked our best keeper option for the coming three or four Gameweeks.
Emmerson Boyce
Everyone’s favourite Wigan defender had his attacking potential curbed by Gary Caldwell’s absence. With Ronnie Stam drafted in at wing-back, Boyce was shifted to the central defence. Boyce owners need Caldwell and Alcaraz fit to ensure that this won’t crop up again.
Shaun Maloney
Subbed on 45 minutes as Roberto Martinez chased the game, Maloney also took a dent with Jordi Gomez firing a hat-trick: if Gomez earns starts, he could well take spot-kick duties from Maloney.
John Ruddy
Subbed off late on with what was presumed a recurrence of a knee problem, the Norwich stopper could now be a doubt for his side’s midweek trip to Southampton. Ruddy has attracted big investment in recent weeks, particularly going into this Gameweek off the back of a 10-point haul against United.
