Opinion

The Digest – Gameweek 25

An emerging defensive candidate, a possible array of attacking gems from an unexpected source and a new perspective on the McAuley “conspiracy”. This was Gameweek 25.

The Player

Although Alfie Mawson found selection in our Scout Picks XI, even we were not anticipating a third goal in six wrapped up in a 15-point haul.

We certainly had confidence in a Swansea City clean sheet – Sunday’s opponents Leicester City had failed to score in 520 minutes of Premier League football prior to their Liberty Stadium visit. True to form, Claudio Ranieri’s ailing attack were to play their part in Mawson’s success.

But his continued promise in the opponents box is a surprise.

Clearly, Mawson benefits from the most assured dead-ball delivery from Gylfi Sigurdsson but, even with that at his disposal, the centre-back is not quite showing numbers to rival the likes of Scott Dann, Marcos Alonso or even Harry Maguire for pure goal threat.

He’s scored three times from five attempts over the last six Gameweeks, with each of his on-target efforts finding the net. Quite simply, Mawson is taking the opportunities that come his way.

Those moving now to secure the former Barnsley man should expect a degree of regression, then. Even with Sigurdsson’s supply, Mawson will surely struggle to maintain his recent 60% conversion rate.

And yet the fixtures remain in Swansea’s favour, promoting the young central defender’s stock once the trip to Stamford Bridge has passed.

Like Hull City’s Maguire, Mawson looks to be a gift – an emerging defender that offers the prospect of clean sheet returns in an improving side, while backing that up with the potential for goals should the shutout be spoiled.

The Team

It’s not often we focus on a team that suffered defeat but, in Hull City’s case, they are a worthy exception.

A 2-0 reverse at the Emirates fails to tell the full story of the Tigers’ performance against Arsenal.

We watched expecting a rearguard effort from Marco Silva’s more disciplined unit but, instead, we saw his side challenge for possession and cut through the Arsenal defence on several occasions.

The confidence to retain the ball and piece together moves was somewhat unexpected, while the pace and menace of Lazar Markovic and Kamil Grosicki clearly shows promise.

Both mid-price options at 5.4 and 5.5 respectively, a further convincing performance against Burnley would surely see them promoted in our thinking ahead of an assured Gameweek 28 fixture with Swansea.

Oumar Niasse encouraging display also piqued interest.

Promoted to the starting XI with Abel Hernandez sidelined due to a hamstring injury, it remains to be seen if the Uruguayan will remain stricken for Gameweek 28 and if Niasse can hold off the challenge of Dieumerci Mbokani.

Andrew Robertson’s display at left-back was also eye-catching. His forays forward were a feature of Hull’s brave approach, and he must now rank alongside Harry Maguire and Eldin Jakupovic as potential cover of the Tigers’ backline.

The Talking Point

Gameweek 25 will likely be remembered for the controversy surrounding several key goals.

The Alexis Sanchez handball has now been largely forgotten, though remains a sour note for those who risked omitting the Chilean early before his Gameweek 26 blank.

Meanwhile, the Tyrone Mings own goal on Monday night seemed barely contentious. Originally added to the game as a Sergio Aguero effort via a Raheem Sterling assist, it was rightly corrected on review – the Argentine’s effort did not appear to be on target from the angles available.

And then there was that Gareth McAuley “goal”.

Sadly, that one remains somewhat contentious. From the broadcast angles originally shown, West Brom’s late equaliser seemed cut and dry – Jonny Evans headed back across goal into the West Ham net.

But, within minutes it had been awarded to McAuley by Opta, with their access to additional angles allowing them to decipher a touch off Evans’ centre-back partner.

That decision was then upheld by the goal accreditation panel as part of the Premier League Match Centre – the new group that replaces the previous dubious goals panel, judging goals in minutes, rather than days later.

They also had access to angles we are yet to see broadcast – a view that shows Evans and McAuley side on, a yard apart.

At least today West Brom’s own tweet offers a more favourable perspective, that appears to show that the ball is headed into McAuley before arriving in the Hammers net.

It’s debatable whether the touch is meaningful, but as we saw earlier in the season with Romelu Lukaku’s effort off his laces from Yannick Bolasie’s cross, a touch is all that is required to re-allocate the goalscorer.

McAuley’s owners remain fortunate. Evans and Brunt owners aggrieved, but the decision appears correct, with further footage soon to be revealed that hopefully leaves no doubt on the diversion from the original header.

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

433 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Melvin Udall
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    If you had two of Diomande, Holgate, and Kone in your starting 11 in week 26 with 0.7 ITB what would you do?

    At the moment I'm playing Kone and Holgate. Should I -4 for a better option or stick?

    1. AndyCook
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Stick, unlikely you could get anyone who will score much better to justify a -4

      • John t penguin
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        I would get rid I think

        1. Melvin Udall
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Who would be your choice?

          1. John t penguin
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Not sure diom is a likely starter and that position in your team could be important over next few weeks
            I am guessing it's Sunderland kone so keep him just for starts

        2. Melvin Udall
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Holgate to Pieters maybe. But unlikely to get more than 2 points out of that.

          1. Dazzler365
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Holgate to Maguire, Robertson or Mawson. If you need to do it for gw26, a hull defender. If not then mawson

        3. Melvin Udall
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Diomande to crouch maybe the best punt?

          1. John t penguin
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Maybe wonder if crouch will be dropped soon for bera

    2. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Electric chair for Donald stumps for fingers, I'd watch that.

    3. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Are we expecting city to put a weaker FA Cup team out with their champions league match next week

      1. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Huddersfield will play a weaker team so irrelevant

      2. Speédy
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        nolito,fernando,navas may be given a chance

    4. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Spurs have forgot to Score 🙁

    5. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Hazard, Sanchez, Alli, Siggy, Mane - anyone got this in a 3-5-2 with Ibra-Lukaku up front?

      Think i would like this team 🙂

      1. Phil Dagger ⭐
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Kane hits post

        1. Phil Dagger ⭐
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          😮

          On your question that looks a very good 3-5-2 for sure.. Playing 3-4-3 though

          1. Phil Dagger ⭐
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            very good 😆
            That front 8 is ****** Brilliant

      2. Toure The Route
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Team value is too high
        Would have required too many hits to get that plus Alonso , Brunt, Coleman.

    6. mr messi
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Should I do Stanislas to Antonio and play Chambers or keep a transfer?

      1. mr messi
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        * or play Chambers

      2. UnitedFan
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Play Chambers imo

    7. F4L
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Spurs put out a strong lineup tonight. We're gonna clean the floor with them on Sunday 😎

      1. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Not when you rest players !

      2. Paul
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        plz do

    8. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Kane post

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        What did he say?

        1. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          I think it was "evening Berbs". I have been released from solitary

          1. goriuanx
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Welcome back 😉

            1. George Sillett
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Thank you.

        2. Phil Dagger ⭐
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          😆
          He said He will score next time and will not Post next time

    9. andymck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Sanchez - Eriksen - Alli - Snodgrass - Phillips
      Ibra - Lukaku - Crouch

      Only got 1 FT so should I take Ibra or Sanchez out? I feel like my front 3 could benefit more from the strengthening but I bought Sanchez late so will be able to buy him back for less than initially paid for him when he comes back.

      1. Phil Dagger ⭐
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Sanchez to Hazard/Mane

        1. Dirty Harry
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          I had a dream lastnight that Mane scored four goals against Everton

          1. George Sillett
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Oh dear. Those kind of dreams are rather disturbing

      2. WVA
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Ibra > Costa

    10. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Spurs looking Good Now
      Much better start in the second half

      1. Paul
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        loving ur grav 😉

        1. Phil Dagger ⭐
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          So am I
          Thanks Paul 🙂

    11. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Out of curiosity, how many players can you field in GW28 without taking any hits? Personally, it's 9.

      (let's assume there are no upsets in the cup)

      1. UnitedFan
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Have 6 non-blnakers now, so with 3 FTs, 9. Though I won't do that. I might get one more mac, or even keep it at 6

        1. Pierce34
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah I have 7 at the moment, if there are no upsets I think I'll have 8 max, I won't rip up my team.

        2. I Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Also have 6 right now. Will probably end up with 8.

      2. Lawrø
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        11

        1. Lawrø
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          *10 😆

      3. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        11.

        Just need to press WC.

    12. mr messi
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Can someone post a link to the teams likely to have a blank in gw28?

    13. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A) Alli ➡ Mane FT
      B) Phillips ➡ Mane (-4)
      C) Don't get Mane 😳

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        C

      2. Zlat-man
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Mane 'might' miss gw26. Apart frm tht, why not get Mane?

      3. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Wait a while.

      4. Phil Dagger ⭐
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        cheers all

    14. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Spurs concede

    15. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      LOL

    16. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Double Spurs CS gone 😛

    17. mr messi
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Ok, can someone please tell me which teams are likely to have a blank in gw28?

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Broadband?

      1. Zlat-man
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Bou WBU WHU Eve Swa Hul

        This six are surely playing. Other 14 are in doubt

        1. mr messi
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks

      2. mr messi
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

    18. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      In this Form Spurs will lose vs Fulham Giving me 3 Extra Players 😛

      1. Paul
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        In this form those 3 extra might be useless for us 😉

        1. Phil Dagger ⭐
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Hahha Correct
          Although 6 points are better than 0 anyway 😛

    19. New Post
    20. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      with Spurs currently unable to hit a barn door, is it worth doing Alli > Mane for -4? (have Kane)

    21. Legomane
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Heaton
      Alonso Coleman Holgate Smith
      Eriksen Alli Phillips de Roon
      Costa Lukaku

      [Pickford Pieters Sanchez* Ibrahimovic*]

      Both options involve one hit over the next two weeks - which do you prefer? Cheers.

      A. Alli Eriksen Pedro Sigurdsson + 0.3 ITB

      B. Hazard, Alli or Eriksen, Sigurdsson, de Roon + 1.2 ITB

    22. quayle99
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Defence Midfield Options for wildcard

      A: Robertson (Hull) Mane (Liv)
      B: Coleman (Eve) Sigurdson (Swn)
      C: Pieters (Sto) Alli (Tot)
      D: Sterling (Mct) Valencia (Mnu)

      I'm currently going with option A but input would be appreciated.