As it gets to that time of the season where safety-first tactics are likely to disappoint, we’re upped the risk factor when assessing our trio of overlooked alternatives. Injuries to others have afforded a couple of our picks the platform to impress, while our third protagonist is hoping for an upturn in performance after a change of manager:
Gervinho
With seven starts in the opening eight Gameweeks, the Ivorian had looked an integral part of Arsene Wenger’s first-team at the start of the 2012/13 season. Having found the net in just two of those fixtures, though, a lack of consistency afforded Theo Walcott the chance to replace Gervinho on the right hand side and since then, he’s been a peripheral figure for the north London outfit.
Two starts between Gameweek 9 and 30, with a mere 17 minutes between Gameweeks 17-28 highlighted just how fall he’d fallen from favour but an injury to Walcott has suddenly thrust him back into the spotlight again. Climbing off the bench with 20 minutes remaining at Swansea late last month, he grabbed the Gunners’ second and with Walcott sidelined last weekend, his first-team return resulted in a goal and pair of assists as Wenger’s side hammered Reading 4-1.
As Walcott struggles to recover for the Gunners’ double Gameweek, Gervinho could be primed to take advantage. With assistant boss Steve Bould revealing Walcott has only “an outside chance” of making next weekend’s clash against Norwich, Fantasy faith in the Ivorian is likely to flourish – with the likes of Gareth Bales out injured, many are prepared to take a risk or two and restructure their squads in an attempt to claw back mini league deficits.
There’s no doubt his acquisition carries a degree of risk, though. If Walcott recovers in time for next weekend, there’s every chance Gervinho could be back to bench-warming duties; even if the England winger misses out against the Canaries, he could still come back to threaten Gervinho’s place against Everton the following Tuesday. Right now, though, the Ivorian is in the driving seat and his flourishing form may well convince Wenger to ease Walcott back into the first-team fold – at 6.8 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and 7.6 in the Sky Sports game, he may well just be worth the gamble.
Jobi McAnuff
With eight assists to his name so far, the winger has teed up more goals than any Reading player so far this season. Indeed, McAnuff’s potent source of creativity from the flank has proven superior to the likes of Gareth Bale and Marouane Fellaini, who have seven assists apiece, while Leighton Baines’ endeavours for Everton have helped him pick up six by comparison.
After a barren spell over spring, the arrival of Nigel Adkins seems to have boosted McAnuff’s potential. A run of five Gameweeks without any returns came to an end in Adkins’ first match in charge, with McAnuff supplying the assist for Hal Robson-Kanu’s consolation in last Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at the Emirates. As Adkins attempts to arrest a run of six straight defeats, he’s set to face former club Southampton in his first home match in charge tomorrow lunchtime – it’s likely that if the home side are to get any joy from their crucial encounter with the Saints, McAnuff, at 4.7 in FPL and 5.0 in the Sky Sports game, will have a major say.
Ryan Bertrand
A hamstring injury to Ashley Cole in Chelsea’s FA Cup Sixth Round replay win over United last Monday brings the cut-price defender onto Fantasy radars. With Cole expected to be sidelined for around a fortnight, Bertrand’s stay in the first-team is likely to be no more than a temporary measure but with a home clash against Sunderland followed by a trip to Fulham, he could still appeal to those on the lookout for a budget option at the back.
This weekend, in particular, affords reason for optimism. Rafa Benitez’s side have conceded just once in their last three at the Bridge and with Sunderland still getting to grips with Paolo Di Canio’s tactics, a home clean sheet could well be on the cards. Coming in at just 3.9 in FPL and 4.8 in the Sky Sports game, Bertrand look guaranteed at least a couple of league fixtures and, depending on Cole’s rehabilitation period, may even benefit beyond his fellow full-back’s predicted time for return.
