Friday evening’s final article sees us pick our way through the weekend’s depleted schedule to highlight another trio of overlooked alternatives. Our headline act has hit the ground running since arriving from Serie A in the winter transfer window, while the remaining couple of protagonists have crucial home battles on their respective agendas tomorrow afternoon.
Philippe Coutinho
While he’s been somewhat overshadowed by the exploits of fellow Anfield new boy Daniel Sturridge, the Brazilian is starting to look a canny acquisition. Whether in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation, Coutinho is flourishing on the left for Liverpool and, having grabbed a goal in the 5-0 win over Swansea on his home debut, followed that up with a pair of impressive assists in last Saturday’s romp at Wigan.
Fantasy managers have been suitably impressed. Coutinho’s mid-price appeal has already persuaded over 38,000 to snap up his services in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game – making him the fourth most popular midfielder this week, with his price rising from 6.5 to 6.6 as a result of his recent endeavours. Brendan Rodgers has been quick to laud his displays, too. While admitting the 20-year-old is currently “up to 65 to 70 minutes” as he builds his fitness, the Reds boss enthused:
“He’s adapted and fit in very well. He’s a very talented young player who is a wonderful technician. Tactically, he participates in the game well and understands this way of working and playing.”
With Rodgers limiting Raheem Sterling’s game time due to concerns over fatigue, Coutinho certainly looks to have the platform to establish himself in the Reds’ first XI from here on in. Knocked out of the FA Cup and now devoid of European duties, Liverpool can now focus fully on the league and are set for a superb run of fixtures that could boost their chances of a strong finish in Rodgers’ first season in charge. While a home clash with Tottenham is tough to call, the following four fixtures sees them travel to three of the current bottom five (sou, avl, rea) and with a home clash against West Ham also on the agenda, Coutinho (who comes in at just 5.5 in the Sky Sports game) looks a real differential for this weekend and beyond.
Adam Le Fondre
A three-match ban for Pavel Pogrebnyak has afforded Reading’s “super sub” the chance to prove himself in the first-team. Having notched each of his last six goals after climbing off the bench, the diminutive forward was handed his first start since Gameweek 16 last weekend as Brian McDermott shifted to 4-4-2 as a result of the Russian’s absence.
With Pogrebnyak still sidelined for two more fixtures, Le Fondre’s starting berth looks secure in the short-term – while a trip to Old Trafford next weekend is hardly enticing, a home clash with fellow strugglers Villa could appeal to Fantasy managers looking for a one week punt for Gameweek 29. A win for the Royals at the Madejski would take them above their midlands rivals and could, potentially, see them scramble out the bottom three before they pay visit to United and Arsenal in back-to-back Gameweeks – all the more incentive for McDermott’s side to produce, then, before the schedule turns nasty.
Priced at just 5.0 in FPL and 6.5 in the Sky Sports game, the stage seems set in this proverbial six-pointer for Le Fondre to stake his claim for a regular starting berth and help fire the Royals to safety.
Junior Hoilett
It’s not been the best of seasons for the former Blackburn man so far. Having opted for QPR over Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach last summer, Hoilett has cut a peripheral figure for the Loftus Road outfit, with hamstring injuries scuppering much of his campaign. Finally recovered from the problems, the Canadian was handed his first start under Harry Redknapp last weekend, taking up a spot on the left flank as Adel Taarabt unexpectedly dropped out.
The decision proved decisive, though. Hoilett played a pivotal part as the R’s won for the first time in seven – providing an assist for Loic Remy’s opener, he also picked up a single FPL bonus point for a display that bristled with both industry and creative endeavour. Compared to the Moroccan’s somewhat lacklustre approach, Hoilett’s work-rate may well have helped cement a starting berth for tomorrow’s crucial home clash with Sunderland as Redknapp looks to engineer back-to-back victories for the first time this term.
Coming in at 5.6 in FPL and 7.1 in the Sky Sports game, Hoilett also has games against Villa, Fulham and Wigan in the following three and could well be primed to produce if Redknapp keeps faith in his abilities.
