Fantasy Premier League managers who invested in the popular Bournemouth options were left disappointed in Blank Gameweek 31
As can so often be the case in a depleted round of fixtures, the usual suspects were outshone by differential options at the Vitality Stadium.
In this article, we assess how that happened and whether or not managers need to look at making changes for the next Blank Gameweek in 33.
Meanwhile, there was some reward for those who considered attacking options at Newcastle.
Bournemouth 2-2 Newcastle United
Goals: Joshua King x2 (£6.5m) | Salomón Rondón (£5.9m), Matt Ritchie (£5.8m)
Assists: Nathan Aké (£5.1m), Dominic Solanke (£4.7m) | Miguel Almirón (£6.0m), DeAndre Yedlin (£4.5m)
Despite being the most-signed player for Blank Gameweek 31, Callum Wilson (£6.5m) scored just two points against Newcastle. However, it was not for lack of trying and the Bournemouth forward still looks worth holding for the Cherries’ involvement in the next Blank Gameweek, which takes place after the next one.
On Saturday afternoon, no player had more shots in the box at the Vitality Stadium than Wilson who came within inches of scoring for the second match in a row since returning from injury. The forward’s looping header in the second-half was cleared off the line by Paul Dummett (£4.4m), confirming just how unfortunate he was not to record any attacking returns.
Wilson’s blank was made harder to swallow by the fact that Joshua King (£6.5m) came out of Saturday’s match with a 13-point haul. It was a performance that reminded Fantasy managers of a key advantage the Norwegian international has over his English counter-part: penalties. At the start of the season, Wilson had tried to be a part of the spot-kick pecking order but missing one all the way back in Gameweek 1 saw King consolidate his grip on penalties. That meant it was him to dispatch a second-half equaliser when Nathan Aké (£5.1m) had been fouled in the box by Federico Fernandez (£4.4m).
Ryan Fraser (£6.2m) can consider himself unfortunate not to have been involved in any of goals against Newcastle. Having come through any slight fitness doubts he started and played the entire game and registered the highest number of touches inside the penalty box of any Bournemouth player at the Vitality Stadium. Furthermore, nobody created as many chances as the Scottish international, both statistics boding well for those holding him for Bournemouth’s Blank Gameweek 33 match against Burnley.
Crucially, Fraser probably should have been put through on goal in the second half and given the chance to net an easy chance. In the 80th minute, substitute Dominic Solanke (£4.7m) had the option to spread the ball out to Fraser in yards of space on the left, who would have had plenty of time to line up a shot. Taking too long to make a decision, the former Liverpool man ended up offloading to King in the end, who stabbed home a second goal of the afternoon.
For the first time since Gameweek 23, David Brooks (£5.1m) completed 90 minutes. Having played predominantly on the wing this season, he was required in a central role against Newcastle after an injury to Andrew Surman (£4.6m). He missed the game with a calf injury picked up in training, which threatens to see him ruled out for the rest of the season.
“He pulled a calf in training which was a real blow for us because it was an innocuous-looking thing that happened. He just planted his leg backwards and pulled his calf. The rest of the season could be in doubt for him.” – Eddie Howe
In light of Surman’s injury, we could see Brooks used in central midfield quite a lot between now and Gameweek 38. That may also unlock the potential of Jordon Ibe (£5.0m) who was able to start on the right wing with Junior Stanislas (£6.0m) also injured and Brooks committed elsewhere.
As expected, Nathaniel Clyne (£4.4m) came in for the injured Adam Smith (£4.3m) to play at right-back. Anyone chasing budget options in the Bournemouth defence should look to the former Southampton man as the injuries in his position, Simon Francis (£4.3m) also sidelined, have completely eliminated any competition for his place.
However, owners of Bournemouth defensive options, like cheap goalkeeper Artur Boruc (£4.1m) were left disappointed by the two goals conceded by the Cherries. Despite showing some promise at the back, most notably in their 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in Gameweek 29, Eddie Howe’s men are now without a clean sheet at home since Gameweek 24, when they secured a second on the bounce after keeping one against West Ham in Gameweek 23.
Newcastle recorded more goal attempts, more shots in the box and more efforts on target than Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. Facing his former side, Matt Ritchie (£5.8m) was the Magpies most dangerous player, shooting twice in the 18-yard-box and scoring a dramatic late equaliser.
“It’s bizarre how football can find these stories. The ball fell to him and he was probably the one player on the pitch we didn’t want the ball to fall to on his left foot because we know he can strike the ball from distance. He hit it well into the top corner and that’s what makes the game so special.” – Eddie Howe
Crucially, key Blank Gameweek 31 target Salomón Rondón (£5.9m) continued his run of form by opening the scoring in first-half stoppage time. Renowned more for his shots inside the box and chance creation in recent weeks, the Venezuelan reminded us just how much Fantasy appeal he has in his locker, which also includes direct free-kicks. After Miguel Almirón’s (£6.0m) mazy run, which saw him fouled, Rondón directed the dead-ball into Boruc’s net to score his third goal in five matches.
The West Bromwich Albion loanee’s value for the upcoming schedule was also increased by developments in the FA Cup on Saturday. Crystal Palace’s exit at the hands of Watford confirmed that their trip to St James’ Park in Blank Gameweek 33 would go ahead, and ensuring another favourable fixture for Rondón and his colleagues in a depleted round of fixtures.
Newcastle’s defence was always expected to concede against Bournemouth as they travelled there without Fabian Schär (£4.7m), who was suspended, and the injured Jamaal Lascelles (£4.7m). The Swiss international still has one more match to serve on his two-match ban, but Lascelles could be in line for a return in Gameweek 32 after the international break.
With Sean Longstaff (£4.5m) a long-term absentee, there was also a first start in midfield for Mohamed Diamé (£4.8m) since Gameweek 20. Despite returning from injuries recently, and featuring in Gameweek 30, Ki Sung-yeung (£4.7m) remained on the bench while Jonjo Shelvey (£5.3m) featured only as an 83rd-minute substitute.
Bournemouth XI (4-4-2): Boruc; Daniels, Aké, Mepham, Clyne; Fraser, Lerma, Brooks, Ibe (Solanke 75′); King, Wilson.
Newcastle United XI (5-4-1): Dúbravka; Ritchie, Dummett, Fernandez, Lejeune, Yedlin; Almirón (Muto 82′), Hayden, Diamé (Shelvey 83′), Pérez (Atsu 72′); Rondón.
