This Much We Know – Gameweek 37

With the majority of Fantasy managers licking weekend wounds, we spend Monday lunchtime looking forward to renewing an old debate, speculate on the future of Everton’s Belgians, prepare for further Michu punishment and look to the Mr Motivators ahead of Sunday’s climax…

The Sturridge vs Suarez debate will rage harder than ever…
Snuggled in the low-to-mid price bracket and with Luis Suarez banned, Daniel Sturridge always looked a tasty Fantasy proposition. Five goals in three games since the FA slapped the Uruguayan with a 10-match suspension have proven Sturridge is more than capable of leading the Liverpool attack and with Suarez sitting out the season openers next term, he will surely tempt heavy investment from the get go. Sturridge’s price point is set to be of huge interest and will undoubtedly be a deciding factor in our decision between the Liverpool pairing.

It’s ironic to think that, just a few months ago, when Suarez was firing and Sturridge was marooned on the bench and troubled with a thigh injury, there was little or no debate on the weapon of choice in Brendan Rodgers’ attack. Now the landscape has shifted dramatically: if Sturridge comes in under Suarez in price, which is a reasonable assumption, then the debate will rage once again. While the Uruguayan is undoubtedly a special talent, blighted by moments of madness, it should be noted that Sturridge has come close to outperforming him based on the statistics. Our members can have fun with the comparison tool but, having tinkered briefly, it’s notable that Sturridge has scored a league goal in Liverpool colours every 104 minutes compared to Suarez’s 134 – his shooting accuracy and conversion of shots is also stronger. Some considerable food for thought ahead of what will undoubtedly be one of the major discussion points of next season once Suarez is free of his suspension shackles.

Moyes leaves behind a gem in Mirallas…
The tearful departure of David Moyes from Goodison followed on from another efficient and slick display from his team, as they came through an emotionally charged afternoon to see their manager off in some style. Kevin Mirallas took centre stage, dazzling the Hammers back four with quick feet and movement and capping his performance with a brace to take him to six goals for the season. There is surely far more to come from the Belgian. This is a player who, during his time in Greece, notched 34 goals in 52 appearances for Olympiacos. While he’s shown flashes of this potential, a role primarily on the flank for the Toffees has perhaps tempered his ability to show his goal power. There’s every chance that this could change under a new manager: with Nikica Jelavic stuttering and Victor Anichebe more brute force that fox in the box, there’s every chance that we’ll see Mirallas become a more central figure at Goodison, in more ways than one. With a price tag of just 6.5 in the Fantasy Premier League this term, we can assume that he’ll either sit still or enjoy a modest rise and yet, if he becomes integral to the new manager’s plans, he could prove a wily Fantasy acquisition. We will be watching the pre-season with interest.

Fellaini may stay but he could still be lost to us…
As one Belgian hints at prospering next term, another has his future as a Fantasy asset in the balance. Marouane Fellaini has been superb for long spells this season but, in the past two months, his output has been hindered by a constant change in position from a defensive midfield berth to the support striker role that has proved so profitable. Moyes shifted Fellaini back to cope with the menace of Andy Carroll on Sunday and, more significantly, the player himself has recently spoken out about his best position, revealing that he sees his future back in the engine room.

“Sometimes I look at myself and ask, ‘What is my best position?’ I think it’s a defensive midfielder, that’s the best one. The manager might like it sometimes when I play up front because I can cause trouble for the defenders, but for me my best position defensive midfield – stopping the opposition and then looking to impose myself on a game. When I play up front, it’s hard. It’s not my position and I find it difficult. I’ve played in a few positions. Sometimes I’ve played well there. I understand why the manager might put me up there.”

Whilst Fellaini has stated that he’s happy to remain at Everton, despite the desire to play Champions League football, there will be mounting speculation on his future over the summer. A move to United would seem unlikely, however and, if he remains at Goodison, there will be likely be pre-season Fantasy interest given his returns this term. However, with a price hike likely and Fellaini’s recent quotes, there is surely every chance that the new manager will seek to appease the Belgian by handing him assurance of his favoured role, building the new Everton around the platform that his imposing presence would bring in midfield, whilst looking for new options further forward – again, with Mirallas perhaps a major factor.

Michu may yet sting us again…
As our earlier Scout Notes highlighted, Michael Laudrup has made a late sprint for “Villain” status after offering an early prognosis on Michu that, ultimately, proved off-beam. After inevitable huge sales throughout the week, the player added the sting in the tail by claiming a well-taken 18th goal of the season in the defeat at Old Trafford. It really could get worse. Swansea face up to Fulham on Sunday – a side who have now lost their last five league matches, conceding 12 goals in the process. With the Swans looking to overcome their own slump and sign off their season in style, the Cottagers look set to be in the firing line. Michu is the chief gunslinger and, having served us so magnificently over the campaign, has now suddenly revealed himself as an unlikely differential for those who were either forced to sit tight or mistrusted the Dane’s early injury verdict. We’ll prepare a sizeable pinch of salt to accompany Laudrup’s press conferences next term.

The Carrow Road clash highlighted the importance of motivation…
We’ve spent some weeks speculating on the impact of motivation on our close season profits and, on Sunday at Carrow Road, we saw stark evidence of how it can come into play. The Baggies turned up in East Anglia with nothing to play for, having overachieved under Steve Clarke – in many ways there were the perfect opposition for a Norwich side hungry for the victory that would cement their Premier League status. What followed was an exposure of an abject West Brom performance as Norwich, having struggled for firepower all season long, put four goals past their visitors. Clarke’s appraisal of his side was refreshing, leaving us in no doubt that his side are ready for the golf course…

“It’s been slowly fizzling out for us. If I’m being honest, we need the summer to come.”

These are not the kind of words we want to hear from Premier League managers as we look to our Fantasy squads to push to the very end. It underlines the fact that those with the motivation to score goals and earn points will surely be in line to offer the final day profits. While Sunday is a lottery and Robin Van Persie could explode against the sleepy Baggies, having witnessed United’s own slumbered state in recent matches, it may well be wiser to look to the relegation battle and the top four tussle for last ditch differentials. Norwich certainly provided a convincing case for such a strategy.