We cast any eye back over the weekend’s fixtures now, assessing the lessons learned in Gameweek 11. The relentless consistency of Man City and Chelsea’s star strikers, man United’s out-of-form midfielder and Everton’s left-back are amongst this afternoon’s topics.
You get what you pay for up front…
In a Gameweek where a number of mid-price frontline assets stumbled, the consistency of Sergio Aguero and Diego Costa came to the fore yet again. The City striker’s brace against QPR took his tally to 12 for the season and means he has scored in eight of his 11 appearances, whilst Costa’s winner at Anfield was the seventh time in nine league outings that he’s found the net. In terms of reliability, the premium-priced pair stand head and shoulders above any other forward option, and as the fixtures fall kindly for both, finding a way to accommodate the duo up front has become paramount to many Fantasy plans.
United’s lone striker system is hurting Di Maria…
The Argentine served up the Fantasy returns in his first five matches for United thanks to Louis van Gaal’s midfield diamond but a change in tactics has had a significant impact on his recent displays. Di Maria grabbed three goals and a trio of assists over that period as United went on the offensive, but with the Red Devils boss keen to find a better balance to his team, the summer signing has managed just two assists in the subsequent four as Van Gaal opts for a 4-1-4-1 set-up – at a time when Alexis Sanchez thrives up front for Arsenal, the Di Maria bandwagon is in danger of being de-railed.
Big Sam now has a Plan B…
With his side being held at home by Villa, the West Ham manager rang the changes towards the end of the match, with Kevin Nolan, Carlton Cole and Andy Carroll all sent on in an attempt to breach the visitors’ backline. Allardyce’s throw of the dice failed to deliver a goal but it was noticeable that his tinkering forced Stewart Downing into a wide role as he chased the winner, with the midfielder tasked with supplying crosses aplenty for the substitutes. Downing has thrived in a central berth for the Hammers this term but it may well be that his versatility could see him moved onto the flank late on in matches when his manager is looking for the points, with the aerial prowess of Carroll and co. providing a handy back-up option.
Hull need Jelavic back quickly…
A blank against Burnley continued the form that has seen Steve Bruce’s side score in just one of the four matches since their Croatian striker was sidelined through injury. The Tigers boss has trialled a 3-5-1-1 in Jelavic’s absence, with Hatem Ben Arfa tucked in behind Abel Hernandez, but dropped the Frenchman to the bench at Turf Moor and reverted to a 3-5-2, with Sone Aluko partnering the Uruguayan up front. Hull had previously scored twice in Jelavic’s last four appearances but now sit just two points clear of the drop zone – with the upcoming fixtures looking tough, they need Jelavic fit and firing to keep them clear of the bottom three.
Bojan is finally up and running…
Tipped by many for Fantasy success after a superb pre-season for Stoke, the Spaniard was taken out of the firing line after a sluggish start to life in the top flight at the Britannia. Afforded back-to-back starts by Mark Hughes in the last two, Bojan is starting to suggest he may yet prove pivotal to the Potters’ prospects for the season – handed the role in “the hole” away to Spurs, he fired the opener in a 2-1 win, and with some testing encounters just around the corner – Liverpool, United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton in the next seven – his talents will be needed if Hughes’ side are to prevail.
Martinez is still uncertain over central berths…
The Everton boss remains unsure on how to accommodate Ross Barkley, Samuel Eto’o and Romelu Lukaku in the same starting XI right now. Over the last few matches, Martinez has trialled a combination of two from three, though yesterday’s trip to Sunderland was the first time the trio have all started together this season. Barkley was shuffled out to the left to allow Eto’o to tuck in behind Lukaku and yesterday’s line-up suggests the youngster could well be utilised on the flank from time to time as Martinez attempts to find a balance in the final third.
Baines always finds a way…
A converted spot-kick at Sunderland took the Toffees left-back onto 69 points for the season; a tally bettered only by Sergio Aguero and Alexis Sanchez to date. Baines’ incredible run of form shows no sign of letting up – he’s grabbed a goal or assist in seven of his last nine appearances and has already racked up 15 bonus points in 11 Gameweeks, joint top with Arsenal’s Sanchez. Given that Everton have only managed three clean sheets this season, his ascent to the top of the defender standings is all the more impressive – at 7.3, the only real surprise is why his ownership only sits at 25% so far.
Montero is a Jack in the box..
An assist against Arsenal was the Swansea wide man’s second in three starts since cementing a place in Garry Monk’s first-team plans. Montero’s pace and trickery out wide is clearly causing opponents plenty of problems – his 16 touches in the box over the last three is eighth amongst midfielders and more than double Gylfi Sigurdsson’s seven. With Wayne Routledge and Nathan Dyer both sidelined with groin problems, Montero looks poised to retain his starting role, and at a price of 5.7, could be worth considering in Gameweek 13 when the Swans prepare for three home encounters (CPL, QPR, TOT) in the following four.
Sigurdsson’s class can win through…
Swansea may be stuttering in the final third but their playmaker once again demonstrated we should never overlook his Fantasy potential. Garry Monk’s side sit second bottom for shots (104 is only better than Villa’s 101) and are bottom of the pile for efforts inside the box (52) but Sigurdsson’s endeavours have guided them to fifth spot in the top flight. Two goals and seven assists means he’s played a part in nine of the Swans’ 15 goals, and if the Welsh side are to benefit from those aforementioned fixtures, Sigurdsson looks more than likely to have a say in matters.
Dummett’s becoming increasingly key for Pardew…
The Magpies passed their latest test with flying colours after emerging from the Hawthorns with a clean sheet and all three points. It’s now four straight wins for Alan Pardew’s side despite a reshuffle that saw Paul Dummett moved to centre-half to cover for the injured Steven Taylor, with the fit-again Mike Williamson remaining on the bench. Pardew clearly rates the versatile young Welshman and, at a price of 4.1, Dummett is amongst the best value backline options around ahead of showdowns with QPR and Burnley in the next three.
Trippier will have his moments…
The Burnley defender finally opened his account for the season with an assist for Ashley Barnes’ winner in a vital 1-0 win over Hull. Having served up 12 assists in the Championship last term, Trippier arrived with a reputation as an attack-minded full-back but, until Saturday, his forays had failed to come to fruition – nonetheless, he sits fourth amongst defenders for key passes this term (his total of 11 mirrors the likes of Branislav Ivanovic), and if Sean Dyche’s team are to climb out the drop zone, their raiding right-back may yet have a part to play in our Fantasy campaigns.
We can’t consider Mane just yet…
Having scored in two of his previous three appearances, the Saints midfielder had started to look like a valid alternative to team-mate Dusan Tadic. Mane was handed a role in the front three for the home clash with Leicester but his withdrawal midway through the second period afforded replacement Shane Long the chance to fire both his side’s goals in a 2-0 triumph. The Senegal international has now managed just two lots of 90 minutes in six league appearances for Ronald Koeman’s side, whilst Tadic has played from start to finish in all but one of those matches – although he offers a greater goal threat than the Serbian, Mane’s minutes and increased competition from Long suggest his acquisition may be a little hasty right now.
