Sergio Aguero’s return from injury has lead to a flurry of transfer and Fantasy Premier League winter wildcard activity over the past few days. Our hot topics discuss the merits and potential pitfalls of drafting in the striker so soon after his comeback and also assess other key targets for wildcarders. Meanwhile, our hot topics consider some of the best budget options available and, as ever, we catch up on the latest statistics provided in our Members tables and standings in our community leagues.
The Community Articles
This week saw the third part of our regular winter wildcard community articles. Next up was D1sable to show how Newcastle’s cheap assets can help create a dream midfield.
The Cisco Kid was on hand with more budget friendly tips. With Hull now devoid of their two main strikers, Nikica Jelavic and Abel Hernandez, due to injury, he has uncovered a wealth of budget out of position prospects among the Tigers’ ranks. There were further differential ideas put forward by The Puntmaster in his Gameweek 22 Best Punts article.
Elsewhere, Innsie has updated his analysis of baseline bonus points system (BPS) scores for defenders, which strip out those awarded for goals, assists and clean sheets. This is essential reading for those looking to assemble the perfect wildcard back line.
Proving that even the newest of our community members are in with a shot of winning the Scout Picks Community Champion vote was Booksyp. His first ever post, which offered up his Scout Picks selection, won the poll by a considerable margin. Not bad for a first attempt.
The Hottest Topics
Gameweek 22 could be defined by our decisions on Sergio Aguero’s acquisition. His incredible tally of 14 goals and 17 bonus points so far looks too good to turn down, according to some of those responding to our hot topic on the Manchester City forward. But among those unsure of his immediate potential was RuthNZ, who believes those drafting him in are succumbing to “bandwagon hysteria”.
The power of a herd mentality was also under analysis in Baines on Toast’s discussion initiated after Alexis Sanchez’s brace against Stoke in Gameweek 21. He wondered how many of the community would have captained the Arsenal midfielder if the majority had not voted for Eden Hazard in our captain poll? Hindsight though is a wonderful thing.
Aguero was the main attraction again in our discussion on the emerging template as wildcards begin to be triggered this month. IBaldwin1993 was among those to decree the Argentine as essential.
In contrast, the community appears to be cooling on drafting in Angel Di Maria. Ryan was among those who have gone off Aguero’s compatriot after witnessing Manchester United’s limp Gameweek 21 defeat at home to Southampton.
Diego Costa is among the potential candidates to make way for Aguero. Valargentina put forward a powerful argument that the Chelsea man has little hope of bonus points this season, given the array of talent in the London side. But in O’Shaughnessy’s comparison with Charlie Austin he argues that Costa’s goalscoring consistency still makes him a potent force, especially in the final game of the season where he is at home to Sunderland. Ludo also joined the discussion with this excellent comparison of the Chelsea striker with his midfield team-mate Cesc Fabregas.
The search for differentials is getting tougher with each week of the January wildcard, as previously overlooked players such as Harry Kane become increasingly popular. In our discussion on where to find the best differentials Riyomorii chipped in with an excellent argument in favour of the template busting skills of Jason Puncheon. The Crystal Palace midfielder was also among the names mentioned in Woy’s follow up discussion on wildcard differentials. Meanwhile, The Casual believes that you do not even need differentials to be different. Don’t worry, it’ll make sense once you read his hot topic here.
Kings of Lyon delivered a word of warning to wildcarders though related to the Capital One Cup. He has highlighted six teams that could risk being absent during Gameweek 27, when the competition’s final takes place.
With the season now past its half way mark, Oz Lotto was in nostalgic mood and asked for the community to recall their biggest triumphs and disasters so far. Drafting John Terry in before his sensational Christmas goal scoring spree was Crazyasianac’s greatest delight. Patty’s delay in signing Aguero earlier this season was among the failures catalogued. How many will once again regret delaying drafting in the City striker following his latest injury comeback? On a similar theme Ratthekid asked the community to recall their worst buy so far this season.
AA7 has been looking beyond this season at Liverpool’s emerging younger generation of players. RonMadPirlo was among those unimpressed with their potential to follow in the footsteps of Steven Gerrard’s generation.
Finally Pepin took a closer look at form, including whether an upturn in a player’s performance is down to luck or external factors. Ruth_NZ joined the discussion to ponder how much psychological wellbeing effects a player’s mojo.
The Members Tables
Dr Agubuse has been looking at assist potential to see which midfielders in particular are set for an upturn in fortunes when setting up shooting opportunities.
Those eyeing up Crystal Palace assets are advised to bookmark this table I’ve constructed looking at their most potent attacking assets. This is sorted by shots in the box and has a global filter to get the most up to date statistics.
Patrick Bateman’s latest table, entitled We Worked On It In Training, looks at the success rate of direct set pieces. He recommends using this in conjunction with his Big Man At The Back table, which looks at defenders with the greatest aerial threat.
Meanwhile, Ginkapo has been looking at the victims of such set pieces in his round up of the types of goals teams are conceding.
The Community Leagues
There was no change at the top of the FFScout Moderators and Contributors league with Green Windmill still with a commanding 23-point lead over The Tinkerman. The Official Deadzone League also continues to see O’Shaughnessy at the summit.
Elsewhere, it was all change at the top of the Top 1,000 Any Season league, where Luke Mitchell has taken the lead.
In TorresMagic‘s Last Man Standing competition, Rabmac hit the top score in Gameweek 21 with 94. Late entries are currently being accepted for those who haven’t joined so far. The qualifying scores for entry can be found here and the code to enter is 52587-7172. The league will be closed for new entries at the Gameweek 22 deadline.
Dr Bader Al Sagri’s Alexis Sanchez captaincy proved crucial to scooping an early lead in RedLightning’s FFS January Wildcard League (352700-723212). The league is still open to new entries.
