City leave it late to break Reading hearts but not without some controversy. Despite the victory, Fantasy managers will still be left disappointed by feeble returns from the Etihad clash and with few goals of note elsewhere, for once we’re reliant on clean sheets to spread the cheer. Here’s the Stock Check on Saturday’s events so far…
On the Up
Steven Fletcher
An eighth goal of the season for the mighty Scot proved his worth the Black Cats once again. Brought to the fore as a result of Sunderland’s recent double Gameweek, Fletcher’s Fantasy Premier League ownership has suffered a major dip since but today’s goal keeps him bubbling under as low-to-mid price option alongside the fancied Dimitar Berbatov and Christian Benteke.
Stephane Sessegnon
Another player who has seen his ownership plummet since the Sunderland double Gameweek, Sessegnon also kept his stock on the rise with the assist for Fletcher’s goal. The Benin international have now returned in his last three matches going into a run of three home matches in the next four.
Robert Snodgrass
It was Anthony Pilkington last week and, true to form, Snodgrass stepped up this weekend as the see-saw midfield returns continued for Norwich. The former Leeds man continues to look the most likely, however, having now returned three goals and two assists in his last five.
The Stoke Defence
Despite earning eight clean sheets this term, more than any other Premier League side, few gave Tony Pulis’ unit much chance of coming away with their ninth at White Hart Lane. The Potters defied the odds, however, frustrating Jermain Defoe and Gareth Bale owners. It’s Liverpool and Luis Suarez up next as Stoke begin a run of three Britannia clashes in the next four. They go into that run having conceded just two goals in their last six matches. Incredible.
Steven Pienaar
Credited with the winning strike for Everton, the South African will come away with goal and assist returns, with bonus likely to follow. That would give Pienaar his biggest FPL haul of the season, perfectly timed to fill the considerable void left by Marouane Fellaini. Those who made the straight swap got immediate rewards, then, along with the assurance of secure starts and three home games in four from the Everton playmaker.
David Silva
The City wizard left it late to conjure something decisive but, having stood out as City’s best player on show against Reading, Silva came away with the assist for Barry’s goal – his seventh of the season. With bonus points likely to follow, Silva’s haul may yet stand up to the other heavy-hitters when the dust settles on the Gameweek.
The Spurs Defence
A third clean sheet in the last four and, while Andre Villas-Boas’ attacking players failed to deliver, Jan Vertonghen and his rearguard team-mates again provided returns. Three away games in four will test the new resolve, while Vertonghen also moved to four bookings, leaving him with two matches to navigate in order to avoid a ban.
Going Down
Sergio Aguero & Carlos Tevez
Plenty showed their faith in the City strike pairing and would have been buoyed by the fact that both started in tandem against Reading. A day of frustration followed, however, with Tevez withdrawn on 74 minutes as City huffed and puffed. With Aguero booked, the returns were scant and, with a trip to Sunderland beckoning on Boxing Day, it would seem likely that at least one of the Argentine pair will be rested – given Roberto Mancini’s words during Friday’s press conference.
Yaya Toure
Subject to over 160,000 transfers in going into the Gameweek, it’s perhaps unfair to knock Toure’s stock after two goals in two games. He had a weight of expectation on his hefty shoulders going into today’s clash but, even with greater attacking freedom with Javi Garcia and Gareth Barry playing behind him, Toure was another frustrated by Reading’s brave performance. We can now only sit back and watch how today’s blank will influence Toure’s ownership over the next couple of Gameweeks given his departure to the African Cup of Nations in January.
Nicky Shorey
After starting 14 consecutive league matches, the crafty left-peg of Nicky Shorey was dropped to the bench as Ian Harte was restored to Brian McDermott’s lineup. Harte put up a strong display and now Shorey would seem to be under threat for starts over the Christmas period and beyond. A short five-minute appearance, saw him culpable for City’s dramatic late winner.
Shane Long
“Rested” to the bench with no goals in his last four starts, Long watched on while Romelu Lukaku struck the Baggies winner. Presumably we’ll see Steve Clarke rotate his pairing over the Christmas programme but Long owners will be fidgeting at the prospect of Lukaku getting further opportunities off the back of today’s showing.
The Southampton Attack
Nigel Adkins’ side had looked so vibrant. A midfield bristling with creativity and industry, with Rickie Lambert up top to finish the chances provided by Jason Puncheon and Gaston Ramirez. Sadly, the Saints’ attacking potential has fallen away. Today’s 1-0 home defeat to Sunderland not only plunges them back into relegation trouble, it means they’ve scored just two goals in their last four – a stark contrast to the form that had seen them earn victories against QPR and Newcastle prior to that run.
