Opinion

The Knee Jerk – Gameweek 25

A day notable, in the main, for fortuitous goals and returns.

It began with Alexis Sanchez breaking the hearts of the 75,000 who had jettisoned him early ahead of the Gameweek 26 blank. Notching his first via a gloved hand, the next arrived in stoppage time – his second at the death penalty in the space of four Gameweeks.

With referee Mark Clattenburg reportedly admitting, on review at half-time, that the opening goal was handled, the Sanchez returns will be a particularly bitter pill to swallow for his non-owners.

But arguably Sanchez makes his own luck. Once again he was Arsenal’s bright spark in a performance that was otherwise laboured and lacklustre.

The Chilean could and should have scored earlier and, over his 90 minutes, recorded six efforts on goal.

In his last four Emirates matches, he’s provided a total of 31 efforts – in each of those Gameweeks he’s registered more attempts than any other player. Quite simply, he is untouchable as a source of pure goal threat.

If you don’t own Sanchez, he rarely makes for pleasant viewing.

Similarly, at least among defenders, West Brom’s Gareth McAuley is arguably peerless as a threat to opponents.

Going into the trip to the London Stadium, the centre-back had converted four of his five headers on target into goals – all had direct arrived from corners.

Today he made it five, although it could hardly have been a more fortuitous effort.

Taking up his customary position inside the box for a late Chris Brunt corner, it was adjudged that McAuley got the last touch on Jonny Evans header.

In fairness, the goal was immediately chalked up as his when it arrived via Opta. In real-time his touch seemed indiscernible and yet it was a decision later reviewed and upheld by the Premier League Match Centre.

McAuley had wheeled away to celebrate and, as the last West Brom player to get a touch, the goal was credited as his fifth of the season – again from a corner.

Like Sanchez, McAuley is an asset that, perhaps through endeavour, fortune has favoured this season.

Coming alive at set-pieces, he has delivered reliably when the Baggies defence gives way.

Just as Sanchez’ energy and raw goal threat almost inevitably brings reward by the whistle, so McAuley’s mere presence in the box on the end of deliveries from Matt Phillips or Brunt, has delivered unexpected points; no more unexpected than today’s.

Some Fantasy managers will have benefited from both these lucky charms but, given the statistics in their name to this point, clearly both Sanchez and McAuley have been buying lottery tickets all season. Today their numbers came up.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

2,303 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Karan14
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Who wins?

    A) Hazard + 1pt
    B) Siggy + Heaton

    1. Dacra
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      B i think

    3. Lucky_Z
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      B should win

    4. McEwan
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I'm rooting for A to win big time! But B has the edge at the start!

  2. Dacra
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    I've somehow Got Coutinho and Mane in my team. Likes its about GW 15.

  3. Lucky_Z
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Thinking on Alexis/Ibra sell or not to sell dilemma.

    Having both Lukaku and Siggy.

    They are only viable options that will have GW28 fixtures.

    Mane, Hazard, Costa, Kane and others (who else?) all have question marks.

    So any transfer now can be just for one GW26 game.

    Then, you will want Ibra for BOU.

    Possible 11 for me without hits, doing Cedric => Coleman with FT:

    Jakupovic
    Baines Coleman McAuley Holebas Alonso
    Phillips Alli Siggy Coutinho
    Lukaku (c)

    Your thoughts.

  4. Indio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Looking at team below, do I have any better moves than Sanchez and Defoe to Hazard and Lukaku? (This also leave me some coin to upgrade Phillips/Amat following GW)

    Heaton/Robinson
    Baines, Alonso, Pieters, Chambers, Amat
    Sanchez, Alli, Siggy, Phillips, Fletch
    Ibra, Kane, Defoe
    (2FTs, £1.6M ITB)

    (Bottomed on last page)

    1. McEwan
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      How hard would It be to get Sanchez back? If your losing a lot, I would try keep him. I tried to be clever last gw and got rid and I have a problem bringing him back. Ibra to Lukaku and roll over the transfer again

    2. Lucky_Z
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Ibra => Costa
      Defoe => Lukaku?

      1. Indio
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks fellas, good points. Got Alexis for 10.4, selling for 10.6, so price hit isn't too bad.

  5. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Morning guys. What would you do with this lot after FA cup:

    Foster
    Brunt, Baines, Alonso
    Phillips, Antonio, Sigurdsson, Sanchez*
    Lukaku, Ibrahimovic*, Kane

    subs: Heaton --- Jones*, Holgate*, Clayton --- 1 FT, 1.7 ITB

    A) Jones & Holgate -> Maguire & Coleman (bench Sanchez & Ibra)
    B) Jones & Sanchez -> Maguire & Hazard
    C) Holgate & Sanchez -> Coleman & Hazard
    D) Jones, Holgate & Coleman -> Maguire, Coleman & Hazard (-4)

    1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      It depends on the FA Cup results - likely more teams will be playing GW28

      1. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Hmm.I don't think that its too likely. Nevertheless can see at least one prem team slipping up. You could comment those moves based on all prem teams going through

        1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          It is more than a 50% chance according to the odds - plus it is the FA Cup and very rare the favourites all win that many games

  6. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Time to ship Amat to make sure I can field 11. Who's my best cheap option? Preferably less than 4.5M

    1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Swansea/Hull defender, but wait until FA Cup

    2. Sz21
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Looking at Hull myself..

    3. Lucky_Z
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Maguire

    4. McEwan
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Robertson/Muguire short term cheapies

    5. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers

  7. Sz21
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Who would u choose between Maguire or Robertson.. ?
    (Replacement for Amat)

  8. Humlesnurr
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Hi all! How are people doing this GW? Is 51 point OK with alonso, costa, heaton and siggy to go?

    GTG GW 26? 0 FT, 1,1 ITB.

    Heaton - jaku
    Alonso - baines - coleman - mcauley - love
    Sanchez - alli - siggy - phillips - carroll
    Costa - lukaku - kane

    1. lespaul
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      No terrible

  9. Donhush
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Hazard Vs Mané?

    I'd rather have Costa over Hazard and although Mané has tough fixtures, Liverpool tends to step it up against top sides. Besides I expect goals against Arsenal and City.

    Thanks for your inputs...

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I really wanna take Mane punt. Hazard has frustrated me all season and I've not owned Mane. The Leicester game looks so tasty for goals.

      1. Donhush
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Yea I agree. Besides Id rather have Costa over Hazard

    2. Toure The Route
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Same here. Would rather have Costa over Hazard.
      Also Mane is the main runner in behind the opponents defence , in a way their main goalscoring threat . Plus has equal home threat as Anfield as hazard does at Stamford .

  10. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Sanchez, Defoe and Friend to.....

    A) Mane, Lukaku and Brunt -4
    B) Hazard, Lukaku and keep Friend

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Wouldn't get rid of Defoe.

    2. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Defoe is season keeper.
      Don't remove him
      Sanchez to hazard and keep.friend

  11. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Replacement for ibra for next 3 weeks?
    Already have costa and defoe

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Deeney

    2. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Lukaku or bench Ibra.

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Already have sanchez on bench

        1. Karan14
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          Lukaku then.

    3. CloudSky
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Easy Lukaku.

    4. Donhush
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Unfortunately nobody else worth getting. United would have had over 30 days of rest before the Bournemouth game. Bench Ibra and maybe get a hull defender

      1. Donhush
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Forgot about Lukaku sorry. That's an option.

  12. Blanka
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Is Niasse for Hull pretty much nailed up front?

    Looks a decent option with Hull playing decent, kind fixtures and no blanks.

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I'm thinking the same. He looked good against Arsenal too. They have no other strikers available so yes.

  13. CloudSky
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Think Im going back to cheeky Super Sadio instead of Haz in place of Alexis. Love to watch him play.

    When are the fa cup matches played? On the weekend? Could see some major price swings till that time. Are you people waiting on the results?

    1. HammersFan
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Yea will wait. Knowing if any more teams don't blank 28 will help decide who I get in now

    2. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      100% waiting - transfers now are pretty crazy

  14. Karan14
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Sanchez & Ibra to Hazard & Costa (-4)?

    Will give me this for GW26:

    Jaku (BUR)
    Luiz (SWA) Coleman (SUN) Brunt (BOU)
    Hazard (SWA) Alli - Erik (STK) Phillips (BOU)
    Lukaku (SUN) Costa (SWA) Defoe (eve)

    Foster Mee Chambers Clayton

    Appreciate your thoughts!

  15. Sillet Bang
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Squad should just about cope with the blanks?

    Heaton Jak
    Coleman Baines Brunt Maculey Reid
    Hazard Sanchez Siggy Phillips Snodgrass
    Kane Jesus Lukaku

    1. Sillet Bang
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Oh I see

  16. davies
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Ibra > Lukaku for free

    No brainer?

    1. davies
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Or do Amat > Maguire and bench Ibra..l

  17. Ballistics
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    A) Eriksen to Mane
    B) Kane to Costa
    C) Both

    2FT and plenty GW28 cover

  18. johnnymorrocco
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    How much do you all think Sanchez's price will drop between now and start of next GW?

  19. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    2 FT, 0.5 ITB

    Valdes Hennessey
    Cahill Baines McAuley Gibson Mawson
    Mane Eriksen Snodgrass Philips Stanislas
    Lukaku Kane Zlatan

    Zlatan to Costa is pretty much a definite. I want to strengthen that midfield but don't want to lose GW 28 assets. Shall I hold until next week or?

    Cheers

  20. ol
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Do all the members of the dubious goal panel have Macauley in their fantasy teams? I still cant see his touch!

  21. John t penguin
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

  22. John t penguin
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    @@

  23. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    I honestly still cannot see the McAuley touch on Evans' goal. Can someone provide a link to a good view? Every replay I've seen is crap quality so it's tough to tell.

  24. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Seeing as this is the Knew Jerk column, is it too early to make my 2FTs (with 0.4ITB)?

    Foster / Grant
    Alonso / Baines / Brunt / Ake / Amat
    Alli / Phillips / Eriksen / Stanislas / Sanchez
    Crouch / Lukaku / Ibra

    Obviously, Ibra and Sanchez are out for GW26, so I'm leaning toward:
    Amat > Funes Mori
    Stanislas > N'Diaye

    Not great, but allows me to better cover for Sanchez and Ibra.