The sharpshooting Michu guns down Arsenal in their own backyard to demonstrate his fixture-proof status and burgeoning Fantasy reputation. Marouane Fellaini also gets in on the act yet again, while Gareth Bale twangs a hamstring and Luis Suarez finally topples from the tightrope. Here’s the Stock Check on Saturday’s events so far…
On the Up
Michu
The Spaniard’s incredible run continues. Four goals in four games, with ten league strikes this term, Michu has emerged as the signing of the season for Swansea and for his Fantasy managers. Essential? It’s hard to argue against it tonight.
Maraoune Fellaini
Like Michu, Fellaini is a template forming midfielder who seems relentless in his scoring. The Belgian has eight goals for the season and has now scored or assisted in his last six league starts for the Toffees. Michu and Fellaini every week, all season? The template midfield goes on getting stronger.
Leighton Baines
An injury doubt prior to kick-off, Baines not only shook off a hamstring problem to start, he also fetched his first assist since Gameweek 9 – only his third attacking returns in the last ten Gameweek.s
Jermain Defoe
Another brace for the Spurs man who goes on cementing his starting role and making a strong case for inclusion in our Fantasy squads. Having scored 12 goals for the season, including four in his last three, Defoe has attracted a legion of new owners, rising to 8.0 this week. With Gareth Bale suffering a hamstring injury, Defoe could yet emerge as the weapon of choice in Andre Villas-Boas’ side. Suarez’s suspension could also see a significant shift his way.
The Stoke Defence
A seventh clean sheet of the season, only their second on the road, earned the Potters an unlikely three points at the Hawthorns. Geoff Cameron’s owners will have been delighted by their man’s returns with the assist for Dean Whitehead’s winner, although that now looks lost to Michael Kightly.
Juan Mata
Back in the side, back on the scoresheet. The mercurial Spaniard could do little as Chelsea were overpowered by an inspired West Ham second-half showing, however. Sales could continue given Chelsea’s schedule and form.
The Liverpool Defence
A third clean sheet in four matches has to promote the Liverpool back four in our thinking. They’ve now conceded just four in their last six and with favourable fixtures to come, it’s clear that they are another rearguard coming good as we enter the buy Christmas programme.
Going Down
Gareth Bale
A leading Fantasy target going into the Gameweek, Bale’s day ended early after an hour at Craven Cottage as he limped from the field clutching his hamstring. Spurs and his Fantasy owners will be preparing for the worst. Bale also moved onto the tightrope after earning his fourth booking today.
Luis Suarez
The Uruguayan has sat on four bookings for five matches but succumbed today, drawing a blank and earning the yellow card that will see him serve a one-match ban. He will now miss the trip to West Ham next weekend.
Jose Enrique
The Spanish left-back enjoyed big investment this week, off the back of recent returns in a new left-wing role for Brendan Rodgers’ side, today, however, he was shifted to left-back. While he fetched a clean sheet, Enrique’s stock took a dent after reverting to his familiar position. Fixtures and form could be strong enough to see him held, however.
Arsenal’s Attatck Assets
We had high hopes for Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla ahead of the home clash with Swansea. Both failed to deliver as Swansea grabbed the points, while Olivier Giroud was dropped to the bench to make way for Gervinho up front. While the Gunners have an array of obliging fixtures to come, today’s result epitomises the current malaise that casts further doubt over the merits of their Fantasy assets in all areas.
Djibril Cisse
Dropped to the bench as Harry Redknapp went with Jamie Mackie as his lone striker, the Frenchman now looks likely to be frozen out having looked set to be a key figure in Redknapp’s plans with Bobby Zamora out injured.
The West Brom Defence
Steve Clarked juggled his resources following defeat at Swansea in midweek with Billy Jones and Liam Ridgewell making way. The changes had little effect, however, as the Baggies slipped to defeat – the back four have now gone five matches without a clean sheet have conceded 8 goals in that spell.
Dimitar Berbatov
The classy Bulgarian suffered significant sales going into the Gameweek and, having drawn his fourth consecutive blank, would seem set to suffer further. The injury to Bryan Ruiz has clearly disrupted Fulham’s attacking potential – Martin Jol’s side have scored just a single goal in four matches having previously been amongst the league’s most threatening sides.
Matija Nastasić
The young Serb had been part of a City defence that had kept five clean sheets in six but made way for the return of Joleon Lescott today. Nastasic was omitted from the matchday squad, presumably rested, emphasising that rotation is inevitable in the City back four, outside of Joe Hart and Vincent Kompany.
