A single goal and three clean sheets ensured that we were dealt a low-key Sunday, with Jan Vertonghen’s cultured finish the only breakthrough on show. Here’s the Stock Check on Sunday’s events…
On the Up
Jan Vertonghen
The Belgian arrived in the Premier League with the reputation for scoring goals from the back, although today’s smart finish was only his second in the league, his first since Gameweek 6. Singled out in this week’s Differentials, the classy defender didn’t disappoint, shifting to centre-back to return a second clean sheet in three matches. Vertonghen’s price tag, a steep 6.3 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, remains an obstacle which is likely to ensure that he’ll remain a luxury item unless Tottenham’s defence continues to show resilience.
William Gallas
While his selection over Steven Caulker is mystifying Spurs fans, that’s not an immediate concern for Fantasy managers. At just 5.0 in the FPL, Gallas is a more accessible option than Vertonghen and has now started the last four league games despite mounting competition in central defence. Rotation could remain a threat but Gallas looks secure enough, having missed just a single league game all season. He is the cheapest route to the Spurs back four by some margin.
The West Ham Defence
Having gone five without a clean sheet, the Hammers rearguard were in determined mood at the Hawthorns, straining every sinew to keep the Baggies at bay to earn their sixth shut-out. While Sam Allardyce’s side have Arsenal and Everton to come next, following that, the West Ham schedule lightens considerably and further defensive returns would seem likely, with the likes of Joey O’Brien and Guy Demel available on a budget price tag.
Going Down
Emmanuel Adebayor
The Togo international was again up front with Jermain Defoe, with Clint Dempsey lining up on the left-flank. However, the striker sustained a combination of ankle and hamstring injuries according to Andre Villas-Boas and will be assessed in the next 24-hours. Bale’s return to fitness could shift Adebayor back down the pecking order, with Dempsey perhaps lining up with Defoe when Stoke pay visit next weekend.
Jermain Defoe
Tottenham’s other striker also suffered a blow – his fourth yellow card of the season means that he is now teetering on the suspension tightrope. Defoe has to navigate three matches without a fifth booking in order to avoid a one-match ban.
Steven Caulker
Dropped to the bench to allow for Kyle Naughton to come in at left-back, it’s becoming clear that Vertonghen and Gallas are the first choice pairing at the back, although Michael Dawson is another option available: Caulker’s security of starts looks fragile.
Shane Long
Steve Clarke stopped the rot with the point against the Hammers but he’ll be concerned that his side have now failed to score in their last three Premier League outings. That means three blanks for Shane Long and, with options up top, we‘re likely to see Romelu Lukaku and Markus Rosenberg given further opportunities over the three Christmas fixtures.
Kevin Nolan
It’s six league starts without returns for West Ham’s gutsy skipper – a far cry from the form that looked to have him established alongside both Michu and Marouane Fellaini as a template forming midfield option. Today’s yellow card also means that Nolan is now just a single Christmas yellow card from a ban; like Defoe, he has three matches left to navigate in order to scramble to safety.
