We assess some of the weekend lessons learned this Monday lunchtime ahead of Gameweek 11’s final fixture at White Hart Lane later today. Riyad Mahrez highlights just why it’s a bad move to bench him, the Jurgen Klopp effect is in evidence at Liverpool, Jack Butland’s heroics continue to bring in the points, whilst Odion Ighalo shows he’s far more than just a budget enabler up top.
You don’t bench Mahrez….
A trip to the Hawthorns was one of Leicester’s biggest tests of the season and yet again they didn’t disappoint. Whilst Jamie Vardy netted for the eighth straight outing, it was Riyad Mahrez who hogged the headlines with a 15-point return, courtesy of two goals and maximum bonus. Those who opted to bench the 55%-owned Algerian were punished severely as he showed just why he’s so essential to the Foxes first XI and Fantasy teams alike.
The Baggies can’t plug the Hawthorns’ gaps….
Incredibly, for all their steel and resilience, Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Leicester was the fourth time in six home matches that Tony Pulis’ side have conceded on three occasions. With the onus on them to attack more in front of their own fans, the Baggies are struggling to deliver defensive returns when it comes to clashes at the Hawthorns. Tony Pulis’ side may have served up six clean sheets in the opening 11 but it’s becoming apparent that their style of play is perhaps best-suited to road trips, where they can dig in and grind out the results rather than try to play expansively.
Chelsea are forcing us to abandon them….
The fixtures may be in their favour but Chelsea’s woeful showings are doing little to suggest they are worth considering. After 11 rounds of fixtures, Willian is the Blues’ top scoring FPL player on a mere 37 points – that’s less than half Mahrez’ 85 points at the summit. The Blues have now conceded at least twice in nine of the first 11 league outings and with Eden Hazard and Diego Costa looking shorn of confidence, the current malaise is ensuring their chief protagonists remain no-go areas.
We need to start considering Klopp’s charges….
Saturday’s win at the Bridge hinted that the Merseysiders are starting to build momentum as the Jurgen Klopp effect takes hold. Philippe Coutinho’s double and Christian Benteke’s goal and assist off the bench in just 27 minutes certainly alerts us to their prospects, bearing in mind that the Reds had scored just eight times in as many matches under Brendan Rodgers. The full-back raids of Alberto Moreno and Nathaniel Clyne are looking equally enticing and with the fixtures falling in their favour, now could be the time to invest.
It’s now about results for Norwich….
Perhaps the 6-2 mauling at Newcastle in their previous away match was the catalyst. Certainly, Alex Neil’s decision to move to 5-4-1 for the Canaries’ visit to City stifled the hosts’ attack and restricted them to just two goals – no easy feat given that the league leaders had netted 16 times in their previous three domestic matches at the Etihad. Although Norwich have yet to earn a single clean sheet, Neil’s attacking approach had, up until Saturday, suggested they were always good for a goal or two – with his side slipping ominously towards the drop zone, though, the Scot’s weekend change of tactics is perhaps an indication that he’s looking to tighten up.
We’re running out of patience on Martial….
It’s five matches without a goal now for the youngster after United toiled yet again away to Palace. Worryingly for the Red Devils, they have bettered only Villa (who have played one match less) over the last three Gameweeks for attempts on goal – this coincides with Louis van Gaal’s decision to move Martial from a central role onto the left flank. The Red Devils’ fixtures may be taking a turn for the better but with our options up top increasing, it’s little wonder that Martial is the most transferred out player this Gameweek.
Butland might well be fixture proof….
After a slow start to life as Stoke’s new number one, the youngster has risen dramatically over the last few matches and now sits in fourth spot amongst keepers. Butland leads the way for saves (46) amongst stoppers and has now earned 11 save points in as many league matches, whilst an improvement in resilience has seen Mark Hughes’ men rack up three clean sheets in the last four. With Ryan Shawcross now back in the first-team mix, Butland is starting to look a viable “plug in and play” option regardless of fixture.
Giroud is doing more than enough…
With Theo Walcott sidelined until after the next international break, the Frenchman strengthened his claim for regular minutes by grabbing his sixth of the season in Arsenal’s win at Swansea. Impressively, Giroud has now netted in five of the last seven Gameweeks, despite starting just two of those outings. Yes, Walcott’s pace offers Arsene Wenger another weapon up top against stubborn defences but for now, Giroud’s displays surely make him undroppable and the England star may well have to accept bench-warming duties when he regains fitness.
Ighalo is beginning to look irresistible….
Whilst Leicester’s Vardy is looking a shoo-in as this season’s Harry Kane, the Watford forward seems equally up to the task as a reliable cheap option. Ighalo’s 5.4 price tag maybe makes it easier for some owners to bench him, but, as evidenced by Saturday’s double against West Ham, he’s clearly worthy of a starting berth up top. Now up to second in the FPL forward standings with 67 points, the Nigerian – who has played a part in 100% of his side’s goals when on the pitch – looks far more than just a budget enabler for our 15-man squads.
….and Kone could yet be another option….
Whilst Romelu Lukaku’s owners will be more than happy with a 14-point return against Sunderland, the Belgian’s exploits were overshadowed by Arouna Kone’s Goodison hat-trick. Although he’s played 398 minutes less than Lukaku this season, Kone is almost on a par for goals (five to six) and assists (three to four), despite being fielded on the flank by Roberto Martinez. Sunday’s showing has surely cemented a starting berth for the time being and, at 4.8, the Toffees upcoming fixtures make Kone one to keep an eye on.
…….although Lukaku looks the safe bet…
In saying that, Lukaku is starting to step up his form for the Toffees – a goal and two assists in the 6-2 mauling of Big Sam’s side means he’s played a part in over 52% of his side’s strikes when on the pitch. After an average season for Everton last term, the Belgian is finally looking like the player who wreaked havoc on opposition backlines and served up 32 goal and 16 assists over 2012/13 and 2013/14. With the fixtures looking favourable for the foreseeable future, he’s going to be difficult to ignore.
