Bournemouth’s attackers are starting to settle. West Ham’s dodgy defence goes from bad to worse, Unitedโs toils up top continue, Palaceโs dead-ball duties are paying off, whilst Cityโs left-back maintains a strong case for our consideration. Hereโs some of the lessons learned from the Gameweekโs nine fixtures so farโฆ
Bournemouth have a top flight goalscorerโฆ
Despite netting 98 times in the Championship last year, there was a growing concern that the step up to the top-flight could trouble Eddie Howeโs side after they failed to score in the first two Gameweeks. Saturdayโs 4-3 win at West Ham silenced the doubters emphatically, with Callum Wilsonโs hat-trick firing the Cherries to their first ever Premier League win. With his confidence on the up, Wilson has the form and fixtures to strengthen his case as this yearโs Charlie Austin โ at a price of 5.5, he now has home clashes against Leicester, Sunderland and Watford in the next five to get amongst the points.
It just might be Gradel over Ritchie in midfieldโฆ
Having played a part in 32 (15 goals, 17 assists) of his sideโs 98 strikes in 2014/15, Matt Ritchie looked the likeliest source of points from the Bournemouth midfield. The Scot has been quickly usurped by new boy Max Gradel, though, and after failing to contribute to any of the weekend strikes, many will be having second thoughts. Gradel, on the other hand, provided a pair of assists and looks bang in form ahead of those above-mentioned fixtures.
The Hammers are in a stateโฆ
Itโs all gone rapidly downhill since that Gameweek 1 win at Arsenal. West Ham seem incapable of keeping their discipline, with Carl Jenkinsonโs sending off their fifth red card in nine competitive matches under Slaven Bilic. With the new system putting pressure on the full-backs to supply width from deep and new boy Angelo Ogbonna hauled off midway through the first-half, the Hammers look a shadow of the side that exited the Emirates with a 2-0 victory earlier this month. Jenkinson now joins Adrian on the sidelines through suspension and with Bilicโs men now rolling up to Anfield this weekend, those holding Liverpoolโs main men will be licking their lips in anticipation.
Van Gaal may need to call for โLittle Peaโโฆ
As Unitedโs skipper, Wayne Rooney looks assured of a starting berth under Louis van Gaal but the Dutchman will be reassessing his options up front after Saturdayโs ineffectual showing against Newcastle. Rooney has now gone ten matches without finding the net for the Red Devils and, having introduced Javier Hernandez off the bench against the Magpies, the United boss may well be considering shifting his captain into the central support role as he continues to look for an effective combination up front.
โฆand will certainly welcome Fellaini returnโฆ
Van Gaal also has a โPlan Bโ option in the form of the giant Belgian, though. Having sat out the first three Gameweeks due to suspension, Fellaini is back in the mix ahead of this weekendโs trip to in-form Swansea and his return may well see Adnan Januzajโs brief first-team spell come to an end. Granted, Fellaini is hardly on a par with Juan Mata and Memphis Depay when it comes to silky skills and deft touches in and around the box but his aerial ability and physical presence in the final third may well be called upon in light of Unitedโs two goals in the first three matches.
Palace keep producing at set-piecesโฆ
From the point of Alan Pardewโs arrival in Gameweek 21 last year, Palace registered more attempts (89) and were joint-top with West Brom for goals scored (12) from set-piece situations. As we saw on Saturday, with Scott Dannโs opener from a Jason Puncheon corner, the Eagles continue to prove reliable from dead-ball situations and the delivery of Puncheon and Yohan Cabaye look key weapons for the Selhurst Park side this term.
Mahrez is a no-brainerโฆ
Still owned by only 27% of FPL managers, the Leicester wide man is the gift that keeps on giving after netting for the fourth time in three appearances. With the bandwagon picking up speed, acquiring Mahrez now looks a priority transfer for many โ still only 5.9 and with spot-kick duties, there may not be a better value enabler on offer this season.
Shaqiri and Pedro are ready-made optionsโฆ.
There looks to be no settling-in period required after both produced the goods on their Premier League debuts to instantly stake a claim for consideration. Pedro offers a cheaper alternative to those Eden Hazard owners looking to free up cash to strengthen elsewhere, whilst Shaqiriโs schedule could barely be more enticing as he looks to rival the likes of Andre Ayew and Dimitri Payet as a viable mid-price contender.
Pulis is looking for answers at the backโฆ
Having shipped six goals in their first two home fixtures, the Baggies look a pale imitation of the side that served up the defensive returns under Tony Pulis last season. The Welshman may be having second thoughts over keeping new boy James Chester and Joleon Lescott on the bench and, having opened talks with Tottenhamโs Federico Fazio last week, itโs clear the West Brom defence is very much a work in progress for the time being.
Kolarov is becoming keyโฆ
Could this finally be his season? Cityโs focus on attack has seen Kolarov thrive down the left hand side in tandem with Raheem Sterling, with the latterโs pace allowing the Serbian plenty of room to bomb forward and contribute in the final third. Arguably, he looks more important than ever to the Etihad side and Fantasy managers alike right now – having netted the opener against Everton yesterday, heโll surely be unleashed at home to Watford again as Maneul Pellegrini attempts to maintain his sideโs early momentum.
Koeman is seeking clean sheets as a priorityโฆ
Yesterdayโs shift to 3-5-2 helped steady the ship after the Saints conceded five times in the first two fixtures. With the likes of Ryan Bertrand and Jordy Clasie still injured, Ronald Koeman is clearly determined to look for alternative solutions in an attempt to keep opponents at bay. Itโs uncertain how long the Dutchman will continue with his new set-up but the clean sheet perhaps suggests the likes of Maya Yoshida shouldnโt be written off just yet.
