With double game weeks aplenty, wildcards being dealt and delusions of grandeur in the minds of Fantasy Football managers across the globe, finding a bargain is going to be high on the list of things to do during the wildcard window in order to get the combination of players desired. How, therefore, might one go about finding a deal to quench the thirst for the best possible Fantasy football team for the forthcoming weeks?
Thankfully this weekend has presented or highlighted some areas which managers can exploit. Managers (real life ones) have shuffled the pack or brought in fresh faces and, in order to keep ahead of the game, it’s up to us to hunt the bargains down and take a gamble. This is the knee jerk so forgive me if these guys don’t play next week. Thou hast been warned.
Personally the area I like to be thrifty the most is in defence where you can find a bargain or two who might just pick up the odd 6 points by doing very little. The logic being that a cheap striker or midfield generally has to be half decent to get a goal or assist whereas a cheap defender only needs to play in a team with a moderate chance of a clean sheet in order to get an additional four points. So who has come to my attention over the weekend (and before) who might fit the bill? Read on people, read on;
Name: Kyle Walker Club: Aston Villa Position: Right Back Value: 4.0m
Walker has signed for Aston Villa on loan from Spurs for the remainder of the season. Whilst he had a quiet game today it is telling that Houllier threw him straight in at the deep end in the Midlands derby. A player with attacking intent, the England Under 19 international spent the early part of the season with QPR where he caught the eye for his marauding runs forward. If he can do the same for Villa, with the (albeit slim) chance of a cleansheet, at 4.0m he could be a real steal. Villa also have a double game week this weekend as well – Back of the net!
Name: Martin Kelly Club: Liverpool Position: Right Back Value: 4.2m
Since the return of King Kenneth one noticeable change has been the introduction of Martin Kelly at right back with the usual candidate Glen Johnson shifted to left back. Whilst there is no certainty this little arrangement will continue, Kelly has impressed in his recent starts and, before this, in Europe with the Reds. With another double game next week and the much maligned Paul Konchesky seemingly out of favour, Kelly may well be worthy of our attention. He even got an assist last week – Cashback!
Name: Johan Djourou Club: Arsenal Position: Centre Back (or midfield if you’re Chris Waddle) Value: 4.2m
He’s been chatted about a lot on the boards as a potential addition to our Fantasy Football teams and it’s understandable why. In the eight games that the Swiss international has finished this season he’s kept five clean sheets. He’s also picked up 6 points of the bonus variety as well which means he’s catching the eyes of the “experts’. Squillaci and Vermaelen would be the obvious threats to his place but they are currently both injured and, with favourable fixtures and a double game in the offing, now could be the time to invest. Jurassic Park!
Name: Stephen Carr Club: Birmingham Position: Right Back Value: 4.4m
Ok, he’s been about for ages and yeah his stats aren’t exactly amazing but look at Birmingham’s fixtures and consider the fact that the former Republic of Ireland international is a consistent in the heart (well on the right) of the Blues defence. Even if the right back only plays 90 minutes in game week 27 and concedes a goal in each thats a cool six points right there. Whilst we have to bear in mind fixture reshuffling due to cup commitments it doesn’t hurt to dream. Jackanackanory!
And by popular demand
Name: David Murphy Club: Birmingham Position: Left Back Value: 3.9m
He’s bald, looks a lot like Stephen Carr, plays for Birmingham (but on the opposite side) and offers the same potential as the vehicular named Irishman. The only difference is that he has been drafted in as replacement for the crocked Scott Dann, who looks set to miss the remainder of the season, with Ridgwell moving more centrally. At .5 less than the aforementioned Carr he offers greater value, but the risk could come should Alex McLeish look to the transfer market or should Martin Jiranek be given a nod centrally and Ridgewell moved out wide. Either way its a watch this space with Murphy. Smell my cheese!
