The Digest – Gameweek 25

We end our coverage of the Gameweek gone by with an appreciation of Newcastle’s midfield powerhouse, Liverpool’s blossoming form under Brendan Rodgers and a discussion of the dilemma’s faced by Fantasy managers as we prepare our squads for the potential of more double Gameweek profit…

The Player

This was a Gameweek full of contenders and yet Moussa Sissoko’s impact on his arrival in the Premier League cannot be ignored in the light of a two-goal salvo which humbled the Champions League holders.

Sissoko’s presence in the centre of Newcastle’s advanced midfield three was hugely influential in Saturday’s victory – his brace capping a display of controlled power and pace, coupled with a calm assurance and accurate passing that, at times, seamlessly linked Newcastle’s midfield and attack. Alan Pardew may have unearthed a savior for the princely sum of just £1.8 million. Fantasy managers will have to shell out 6.0 to acquire the services of the muscular Frenchman – a bargain of similar proportions if Saturday’s showing is anything to go by.

There are possible caveats to the deal. While Sissoko had shown goal threat in his time at Toulouse, his goal count is that of a player deployed in a holding midfield role – one that he could yet occupy for Alan Pardew’s men. The return of Cheick Tioté and the return to fitness of Hatem Ben Arfa will change the dynamic in the Magpies midfield and Alan Pardew may yet have a selection dilemma in front of him.

That will only really be an issue if Sissoko’s influence begins to waver and the current 4-2-3-1 system shows cracks. Two league starts down, Sissoko is looking every inch a Premier League player and hinting that he could well be the key Fantasy target to emerge from the January window. With almost 60,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) transfers in so far in the Gameweek, faith in Sissoko is already matching the hype his performances have whipped up.

The Team

Liverpool’s display at the Etihad was timely given the double Gameweek scenario. Fantasy managers can surely consider the assets on offer in Brendan Rodgers’ side safe in the knowledge that form and confidence will not be an issue – although consistency may still be a concern, given they came a cropper to Aston Villa on the back of a decent run earlier in the season.

That doubt aside, there is a blossoming cast of talent on tap at Anfield for the Gameweek matches with West Brom and Swansea. As we’ve mentioned in the past 48-hours, the performance of Daniel Sturridge stole the show, although Steven Gerrard’s strike, Stewart Downing’s creativity, the forward forays of both full-backs and the return to prominence of Jamie Carragher, were all notable features of a Liverpool display that put City on the back foot for long periods.

We haven’t even mentioned Luis Suarez in that summary – a player with no less than 17 goals to his name thus far who may or may not take a backseat now that Sturridge is ensconced in the Liverpool forward line. Again, Suarez was found drifting out wide but there was fluidity to his understanding with Sturridge which suggests that his days as a major goal threat are far from over. Sturridge may well be the flavor of the month but Suarez owners won’t yet be concerned that their man is set to disappoint as a result of the new threat the former Chelsea striker offers.

The Talking Point

Liverpool’s ascendency under Brendan Rodgers leads us nicely to consider their assets for the impending double Gameweek. With both Chelsea and Arsenal providing big profits in the previous two instances, Fantasy managers are already preparing in anticipation of a big haul. There is, however, the small factor of the blank for both Swansea and Liverpool that follows immediately after their potential points bonanza – that changes the landscape quite considerably.

Most Fantasy managers will go into Gameweek 26 with two or three Liverpool and Swansea players already recruited. With a free transfer available after Gameweek 26, this allows us to recruit one more double Gameweek player and still navigate our squads through the Gamweek 27 blank with a starting XI – barring any injuries or suspensions of course.

Four double Gameweek players presents the “safe” route then – more than that, and you have to factor in the points hits required to empty your squad in time for Gameweek 27. Take three Liverpool outfielders and both Michu and Ben Davies into Gameweek 26, then, and, while profits could be significant, you need to factor in the four points it will cost to remove two of the five players for Gameweek 27.

Lets look at one typical scenario – Team A has both Ben Davies and Michu, with Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez also recruited. We could now also choose to use our free transfer prior to Gameweek 26 to sign Glen Johnson. However, in order for Johnson to return profit he would have to fetch more than a single clean sheet over his two matches: we have to remember than any returns for the fifth double Gameweek player have to consider the four points required to remove them again for the blank that follows.

If you’re considering a double Gameweek defender over an existing member of your squad who also has a strong Gameweek 26 fixture, you can see how such a move becomes far less attractive.

Of course, attacking returns could more than compensate and, if you’re considering a fifth double Gameweek player as a captain option, then there is extra incentive on offer. However, it’s imperative to consider the points hits that will follow in order to weigh up the merits of the transfer. You also have to be wary of already committing your trade for Gameweek 27 before a ball has been kicked. Get an injury elsewhere in your squad, perhaps to a key player, and your points hit could escalate.

One option, which perhaps has been neglected, is the Pepe Reina route: signing a double Gameweek keeper can offer a way around the “hit” factor. If you’ve an active Gameweek 27 keeper in reserve, you still have three outfield players on your bench to replace other double Gameweek players. This therefore allows the recruitment of five double Gameweek players, which, by using your one free transfer, can give you a full starting eleven for Gameweek 27. Again, this presumes you suffer no injuries or suspensions elsewhere and already commits your Gameweek 27 transfer – a gamble. Pepe Reina’s form, typified by the error that lead to City’s equaliser is also a concern here.

Everyone will have their own approach to this Gameweek, largely shaped by their anticipation of the expected returns on offer. The likes of Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Michu all look attractive packages that could deliver very healthy returns. The Liverpool defence, with two home fixtures, also looks a favourable path to take. However, Fantasy managers should not cast aside the rest of their squad in scrambling for double Gameweek assets – there will be nothing more painful than points on the bench and the failure of a double Gameweek signing, particularly if Gameweek 27 also harbours a points hit in order to get 11 players on the pitch.