The Digest returns for the final time this season, as we assess Wigan’s wing-backs, City’s Fantasy potential for next season, and the possibility of some of our Fantasy favourites heading for pastures new come August…
The Player
As the season drew to a close, one man seemed to be flourishing more than most in Wigan’s 3-4-2-1 system: Emmerson Boyce. Classed as a defender but given the license to forage forward on the right of a midfield four, Boyce arrived at Gameweek 38 having returned a goal, an assist and a couple of bonus points over the previous three Gameweeks for the in-form Latics, with two clean sheets also accrued in wins against Newcastle and Blackburn.
A home clash with Wolves afforded Wigan the chance to see out the season in style and Boyce rose to the occasion once again, providing his 1% Fantasy owners with a 16 point return, the second highest tally of any player in the final Gameweek of the 2011/12 season. Winning seven of their last nine matches, Martinez’s side have now fully adapted to his change in tactics and will be expected to receive plenty Fantasy interest when the player prices are rolled out by Fantasy Premier League (FPL) in a couple of months’ time.
What’s intriguing is how FPL will classify Boyce – certainly, Martinez no longer utilises him as a defender, preferring a trio of centre halves in his back-three. Clearly, though, if he remains a defender in the FPL listing, plenty more than 1% will be grabbing a piece of the action, with the Wigan backline likely to be relatively cheap, having returned just eight clean sheets all season. A move to a midfield spot, though, could scupper many a Fantasy plan and significantly dent his prospects.
The case of Boyce then brings us on nicely to Jean Beausejour. The former Birmingham man has slotted in on the left of the Wigan midfield four and, since moving to the DW in January, has started every one of the subsequent 16 Gameweeks. He has flourished under Martinez’s guidance, producing 64 points this term – an average of 4 points per game, with his seven assists in those 16 appearances more than any other player for the Latics. FPL will surely, you would think, classify the duo in the same category next time round – given that Beausejour is down as a midfielder, Boyce could very well be the one to change but if it proves to be the former, he may well be Fantasy gold next term, bearing in mind his creative output.
The Team
A thrilling 3-2 win over QPR saw City take the title at their rivals’ expense after being eight points behind with just a few games to go. Post-match, Roberto Mancini declared his side deserved the title – they scored more goals than any other team and had the best defensive record, offering Fantasy managers plenty of options throughout their squad. With no cup competitions to play for, the City boss rolled out a settled team over the last few Gameweeks but, with the Champions League back on the agenda and a couple of domestic cup competitions to consider, Mancini’s dreaded rotation policy will surely bite hard once again.
The full-back areas were particularly prone to change and, despite strong finishes from Gael Clichy and Pablo Zabaleta, Aleksandar Kolarov and Micah Richards will surely see more game time. Vincent Kompany looks immovable but a price hike can be anticipated next season. The City skipper was reclassified as a defender this term, having been listed as a midfielder in 2009/10; he started at 6.0 back in August but 7.0 or, perhaps, 7.5, is surely more realistic.
While Yaya Toure’s dynamic displays look likely to see him picked whenever fit, it’s arguable that Mancini could be a little more careful with David Silva’s appearances. After a superb start to the season, the midfielder seemed to burn out and provided his Fantasy owners with just a single assist between Gameweeks 23-32. Certainly, with money to spend and Lille’s Eden Hazard on the radar, Silva could be more carefully treated next season, with City having one eye on proving themselves in Europe. Again, with more acquisitions on the way, could this be the time for the likes of Adam Johnson to try pastures new? The winger started just 10 games in 2011/12, climbing off the bench 16 times near the end of games but for how long will be content being a bit-player player at the Etihad?
Up front, there are perhaps question marks over all but Aguero going into next season. Edin Dzeko’s strong start to the campaign faded away, Carlos Tevez has again courted controversy with his antics in last night’s victory parade, while Mario Balotelli’s petulance continues to frustrate Mancini. The summer is bound to be full of twists and turns as the champions wield the chequebook once more, though it’s Tevez has proved instrumental in getting the best out of Aguero on the road. The latter’s poor away form has disappeared since his compatriot’s installation to the first XI, with the ex Atletico Madrid man producing attacking returns in all three road trips alongside Tevez.
The Talking Point
This time last year much of the talk surrounded Charlie Adam. With Ian Holloway’s tactics built to get the best out of his playmaker, the then-Blackpool midfielder had proven to be superb cut-price option, grabbing 192 points from a starting price of 5.0. While some thought a move to a more established top-flight force would elevate Adam further as a Fantasy force, a transfer to Liverpool, however, has diminished his potential considerably. Handed a starting price of 9.0, the Scot has returned just 101 points – the likes of Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson, both decent options in 2010/11 with Villa and Sunderland respectively, have also fallen flat since joining up on Merseyside.
With this in mind, Fantasy managers will perhaps be a little more confident if Clint Dempsey decides to stay with Fulham this summer. The US international has always been a solid, if somewhat unspectacular, Fantasy performer until Martin Jol’s installation to the Cottagers’ hotseat this term. Dempsey has flourished under the Dutchman, finishing 14 points clear of Gareth Bale as the top scoring FPL midfielder, with 17 goals, seven assists and 22 bonus points producing a total score of 209 points. A price hike looks certain next term – Dempsey started 2011/12 costing 8.5 but, given his exploits, a rise to 9.5 or 10.0 seems on the horizon; the security of the Cottage, though, could still make him worth the investment.
The Fulham man is rumoured to being eyed up by the likes of Arsenal and, at 29, may well feel he’s due a shot at European football if the top clubs come calling. Adam’s season may well serve a reminder that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, with a move away from the Cottage likely to see some reconsider Dempsey for the season ahead. The same can be said for Victor Moses – after a frustrating first few months, the Wigan man came good in the end and proved to be a solid cut-price midfield option but with whispers of a move to Liverpool, he could very well go the same way as Downing and Henderson.
Elsewhere, a handful of reliable loan options have come to an end, shaking up our thoughts ahead of next season. Gylfi Sigurdsson’s outstanding spell at Swansea has allegedly caught the eye of United, though Brendan Rodgers is keen to snap up the Icelandic international on a permanent basis. Initially priced at 5.0, his value was superb over 19 appearances, with an average 5.7 points per game the top for midfielders. If Sigurdsson signs on at the Liberty, even a price increase to 7.5 would still seem more than acceptable.
Steven Pienaar and Emmanuel Adebayor are also in Fantasy limbo right now. The South African dazzled upon his January return to Everton, with four goals, seven assists and 12 bonus points helping him average 5.7 points per game under David Moyes. He now returns to Tottenham, though the Toffees boss has already admitted he is keen to bring the player back to Merseyside full-time. Adebayor was hugely impressive for Spurs, ending the season just one point behind Gareth Bale and fourth top forward overall – his massive wage demands could scupper a permanent move from City to the Lane, thus placing his Fantasy fortunes in the dark once again. Both players seem to have found the ideal platforms for their games to flourish, though, like all the above, whether we’ll be in the position to consider their talents with confidence come August could well be another matter entirely.
