While Luis Suarez attempted to digest a section of Branislav Ivanovic’s arm, we’re left to chew on the ramifications of his actions, whilst considering the latest lessons learned from a weekend cast in the shadow of “Suarez Sunday”.
Suarez stretches the concept of a “loose cannon”…
Luis Suarez will likely dominate our week and beyond – his latest extraordinary episode is set to run and run as we await an FA verdict and perhaps further reaction from Liverpool; already this morning, the PFA have stepped in to offer anger management classes, while Liverpool have been quick to hammer Suarez with a fine, as confirmed by the player himself via twitter. As expected, many rounded on Suarez overnight and the player himself has now issued an “unreserved” apology to Ivanovic and the club. Nonetheless, it’s expected that the FA, who begin their enquiry today, will show little mercy to a player who is, of course, all too familiar with disciplinary action. Suarez received a seven-match ban whilst playing for Ajax for a similar biting incident and such a suspension could be in the offing again.
From a Fantasy perspective, it’s ironic that these events follow on after Suarez successfully navigated his way past the 10-booking amnesty to avoid a two-match ban. His content owners would have been sitting back and looking forward to strong returns over the remaining encounters but now, like Liverpool, they must surely make preparation for life without Suarez. At a time when transfers need to focus on double Gameweek assets, the need to sell on the Reds’ striker is an unwanted distraction and one that seems likely to draw further points hits going into Gameweek 36.
In the long-term, we must now consider our own policy when it comes to Suarez. This season has seen the Uruguayan emerge as a true Fantasy force but, at the same time, it’s again underlined that he’s an asset that cannot be trusted. Suarez has earned his last four yellow cards in matches that Liverpool have lost and, yesterday, with defeat looking likely, Suarez sunk his molars into the arm of Ivanovic. Perhaps feeling the frustration of conceding the penalty that had put his side behind, Suarez was clearly boiling over. Can he possibly beat these demons and will Liverpool and Fantasy managers stand by him? Thanks to FA intervention, it seems likely that we can postpone our decision until well into next season’s campaign.
Bale remains an unstoppable force…
Despite the recent showings of Jan Vertonghen and the impact made by Jermain Defoe in yesterday’s dramatic 3-1 win, there can be no doubt that Gareth Bale is the “essential” purchase in the Spurs squad ahead of their double Gameweek. Bale’s performance in the White Hart Lane turnaround emphasised again that his is a talent that cannot be easily shackled, even by one of the top defences in the country. There can also be little doubt that Bale’s powers of recovery from injury and his natural stamina and fitness are amongst the strongest on show in the Premier League. Here we have a player in form who has returned points in eight of his last nine matches. Someone who can seemingly produce against all opposition and recover from injury quickly to give his all right until till the final whistle. It’s hard to find a more perfect Fantasy asset than Bale right now.
QPR are out of ideas…
While just over a month ago the escape route looked open, the defeat to Stoke appears to have slammed that door shut. Harry Redknapp’s spell has been lost on a group of players that he has openly maligned at times but it was perhaps the inexplicable Bobby Zamora red card and the last gasp equaliser from Wigan that really shattered any hope of a turnaround rather than Saturday’s setback. Injuries to both Adel Taarabt and Andros Townsend robbed the R’s of two players who could have combined to pick the lock of a stubborn Stoke showing but, in truth, this was too little, too late. Fantasy managers have briefly flirted with the appeal of Townsend and the undoubted goalscoring talents of Loic Remy but will now consider that the fight has drained from them and switch focus elsewhere, particularly with the double Gameweek screaming for our attention.
Martinez will stick to his guns…
The Latics perhaps provide the perfect solution – in contrast to QPR, their weekend defeat may have little bearing on what is to come. This weekend, they became the latest to be skittled over by Andy Carroll’s form and the uncompromising tactics of a West Ham side on their way to a fine first season back in the top flight. However, even in defeat, it was notable that Wigan maintained a brand of football that truly deserves its place in the Premier League. Dominating possession, weaving countless opportunities through the enterprise of Shaun Maloney and Arouna Kone, it’s clear that Roberto Martinez will not abandon his principles of playing attractive, incisive football in order to scramble to safety. Wigan were only really guilty of not taking their chances at Upton Park and Fantasy managers should not be quick to write off the Latics in the same breath as Reading and QPR: there is still fight left in them and they have the flair and ability to deliver returns.
Motivation has become a factor…
Just as we should go on considering a Wigan side driven by a desire to save their status, so we perhaps need to accept that some teams are in danger of coasting their way through the final four matches, limiting the Fantasy output of their players and perhaps leading to increased rotation. The stalemates at Swansea and West Brom brought just two goals and matched four sides with little to play for. Swansea have secured a mid-table finish and have their European place, while both Southampton and West Brom can take comfort from having achieved safety, the latter with some ease. As for Newcastle, they are surely feeling the effects of a testing Europa League campaign without any real incentive to find themselves in the tournament next term. The Baggies are the biggest concern – we’re looking to them to provide some returns from Gameweek 36 but, given that their second fixture takes them to the Etihad and that Steve Clarke’s side appear to be limping over the line, it appears that caution should be our watchword.
