An emphatic display by West Brom urges Fantasy managers re-assess the potential of a pair of their attacking assets while basking in the comfort of a belated clean sheet. Here’s the Stock Check following Gameweek 12’s concluding fixture…
Matt Phillips
Fantasy managers started the evening lamenting the absence of Nacer Chadli through injury but, on the evidence of recent performances, Phillip’s could well supersede him as the key target in the West Brom midfield.
His goal and assist returns this evening earned him back-to-back double figure returns and took him to two goals and four assists in his last seven Premier League starts.
Priced at 5.1 to Chadli’s 6.4, the former QPR winger looks to have the advantage as a fourth/fifth midfield option. Indeed, even when fit, Chadli’s starting role now looks to be a puzzle given West Brom’s current form.
Salomon Rondon
The Venezuelan has produced a string of impressive performances without returns as the Baggies’ lone striker but, tonight’s goal and assist brought his drought to an end.
Priced at 6.5, the Baggies frontman looks an option in this form, although on Chadli’s return, he will likely relinquish spot-kick duties which dents his appeal – along with the potential offered by Phillips.
Nonetheless, with Hull City, Watford and Swansea City in his next four Gameweeks, Rondon may tempt some short-term investors seeking a differential.
The West Brom Defence
With a combined ownership of 50%, many FPL managers benefited from a first Baggies clean sheet since Gameweek 3.
That’s a surprising statistic given the emphasis on defence by Tony Pulis. Sitting back and allowing Burnley to come onto them, tonight’s approach was typical of a West Brom side who prioritise defensive stability.
Gareth McAuley remains our weapon of choice – a menacing presence at set-pieces that warrants the extra outlay for the aforementioned fixtures. But Chris Brunt demands to be monitored and, once we can be sure of his prolonged starting role, he arguably presents even greater potential for attacking returns.
