Gameweek 19 is now complete, all the matches are finished and we are now at the halfway stage of the season. During the week many of the popular players in the top 10,000 ranked teams did well, with Ross Barkley and Petr Cech among their poster boys for the week. Mesut Ozil, who many of this elite group captained, also delivered. So how did my selection of 34 Fantasy veterans perform, in a week where the overall average was 57 and the top 10,000 notched up an average of 69?
TRANSFERS
A busy schedule and fear of rotation were the main reasons for transfers made in Gameweek 19 by our veterans. They made an average of one transfer this week but played no chips.
Transfers by positions (% of all transfers in bracket)
– Goalkeepers: (8.82%)
– Defenders: (38.24%)
– Midfielders: (29.41%)
– Forwards: (23.53%)
Transfers In:
– Aaron Ramsey (ARS): 14.71%
– Joel Ward (CPL): 14.71%
– Sergio Aguero (MCI): 11.76%
– Theo Walcott (ARS): 8.82%
– Harry Kane (TOT): 8.82%
Transfers Out:
– Jamie Vardy (LEI): 20.59%
– Aleksandar Kolarov (MCI): 20.59%
– Ross Barkley (EVE): 8.82%
– Andre Ayew (SWA): 8.82%
Gameweek 19 and 20’s kind home fixtures (BOU, NEW) for Arsenal meant that Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott were high on veterans’ christmas lists. So far it has backfired, with Ramsey scoring just two points, while Walcott mustered just three. Sergio Aguero was another to let down for the veterans. In contrast Joel Ward justified their trust in him with another clean sheet for Crystal Palace.
A minor injury and one goal in the four previous Gameweeks were the main reasons why veterans decided to go without Jamie Vardy. They were spot on as he once again blanked. Transferring out Aleksandar Kolarov, however, was less successful, as he was part of a Manchester City defence that kept a rare clean sheet without Vincent Kompany. Those 20.59% of veteran managers who shipped him out may regret that now, especially as Gael Clichy remains a doubt.
CAPTAINS
– Mesut Ozil (ARS): 32.35%
– Aaron Ramsey (ARS) 17.65%
– Theo Walcott (ARS) 11.76%
– Romelu Lukaku (EVE) 11.76%
– Sergio Aguero (MCI) 11.76%
Arsenal players in all the first three places is notable but only one delivered. Mesut Ozil was among the high scoring players for the week and was also the most popular captain overall (15.2%) and top choice among the top 10,000 (37%). In the next round, Arsenal also have a very keen fixture at home (NEW). When we look at the last four Gameweeks, Newcastle conceded 22 shots from set pieces (third worst in a league in last four Gameweeks), so, Mesut Ozil may once again be the most obvious captain choice. We should expect the veterans to have noticed this and back him once again with the armband.
MOST POPULAR PLAYERS
Top Starting Goalkeepers
– Jack Butland (44.12%)
– Wayne Hennessey (20.59%)
– Boaz Myhill (8.82%)
Top Starting Defenders
– Alberto Moreno (70.59%)
– Hector Bellerin (55.88%)
– Craig Dawson (29.41%)
– Toby Alderweireld (17.65%)
– Jonny Evans (11.76%)
Top Starting Midfielders
– Kevin de Bruyne (94.12%)
– Riyad Mahrez (94.12%)
– Mesut Ozil (85.29%)
– Aaron Ramsey (44.12%)
– Ross Barkley (23-53%)
– Delle Alli (20.59%)
Top Starting Forwards
– Romelu Lukaku (97.06%)
– Harry Kane (94.18%)
– Jamie Vardy (44.18%)
– Sergio Aguero (29.41%)
– Odion Ighalo (5.88%)
OVERALL RANKINGS
Again, we have a progress for the veterans, with 52.94% of them getting a green arrow, while, 47.06% saw red. After Gameweek 18, the average overall position of all 34 veteran teams was 160,164 and now, their overall position is 153,918 – 6,246 places better than last week. In addition, the veterans average Gameweek 19 score was an impressive 70 points, just above the top 10,000’s average.
At the end, I would like to wish a Happy New Year to all Fantasy Football scouts all over the world.
