David Silva provides the cutting edge for City as Steven Fletcher keeps the Black Cats purring and Liverpool blitz the Canaries with goals and assists shared out. With West Brom’s derby clash with Villa underway, here’s the Stock Check on Saturday’s action so far…
On the Up
David Silva
With just a single league goal to his name this season, it seemed unlikely that the Spanish playmaker would explode with his first ever brace for City. Today’s returns boosts his stock considerably, however, reinstating his heavy-hitter status after tepid returns to this point. With uncertainty still surrounding Roberto Mancini’s strikers, Silva could well start forcing his way into many squads in the coming weeks.
Steven Fletcher
The Scot had gone quiet on us, with no goal in his last five starts, but Fletcher showed his class with two strikes at Wigan to promote himself in our thinking once again. With strong fixtures to come and Martin O’Neill’s side flourishing, the Black Cats’ hitman will surely fetch keen interest for those shopping in the mid-price bracket up front.
Daniel Sturridge
Liverpool’s new signing will be another name to consider, however. A goal on his debut at Old Trafford was followed by a tap-in as Brendan Rodgers’ side demolished Norwich once again. The short-term fixture list isn’t friendly but the potential for value, playing up with Luis Suarez, looks strong.
Luis Suarez
Another goal of the Uruguayan who continues to haunt Norwich. Strange as it seems, Suarez’s stock also takes a hit with Sturridge converting in consecutive matches – while there’s no doubting the continued potential of the league’s second top scorer, Sturridge’s value will have many Suarez owners on alert.
Steven Gerrard
The Liverpool skipper justified his inclusion in the Scout Picks as he continued his extraordinary run of form with a sixth goal of the season, ensuring that he has now returned in eight consecutive Gameweeks. With Silva adding his name to our midfield wishlist and Sturridge offering apparent value up front, Gerrard still faces a battle to earn suitors: he’s still owned by only 6% of FPL managers.
The Liverpool Defence
A fourth clean sheet in six league outings boosts the stock of Brendan Rodgers’ defence once again. With Martin Skrtel benched today, Glen Johnson continues to emerge as the luxury item in this improving rearguard. Andre Wisdom, back in the side with Jose Enrique sidelined, has proved a profitable short-term investment once more. It remains to be seen if he can retain his start.
Loic Remy
A single goal in 14 appearances for Marseille this term and yet the Frenchman hit the ground running for Harry Redknapp’s side. Available in the budget bracket at just 6.0, Fantasy managers will be monitoring his progress with interest. City at home next may temper the short-term investment prospects.
Joe Cole
A first league goal for Cole saw him emerge from the pack of Hammers midfield prospects in the first fixture of their double Gameweek. With assists in the recent Cup tie with United, Cole has wasted no time ingratiating himself to the Upton Park faithful again: he may yet earn interest before the season runs out.
Adam Federici
An outstanding performance by Reading’s stopper saw him register nine saves in the win at Newcastle – his highest total for the season. The Australian’s performance provided the platform for a dramatic Reading comeback to sting Alan Pardew’s side.
Adam Le Fondre
A brace off the bench turned the game around at St James’ Park, consigning the Magpies to consecutive home defeats. Le Fondre’s security of start remains shaky and, while he is unlikely to draw investment, eight league goals for a 4.7 price tag is worthy of acknowledgement.
Yohan Cabaye
A superb dead-ball effort underlined why we picked him out as the headline act in this weeks’ Differentials. While he didn’t let us down, his strike was not enough for Pardew’s side who slipped to defeat and remain floundering for form. Cabaye was later withdrawn with a groin problem according to Alan Pardew’s post-match comments.
Ben Davies
Featured in our Watchlist article earlier in the week and on the Scout Picks bench, the young left-back arrived with his first goal of the season to alert the masses to his 4.2 price tag. A decent level of acquisitions with an FPL price rise will surely follow.
Going Down
Raheem Sterling
Consigned to the bench with the Daniel Sturridge’s introduction to the starting lineup, Sterling has now played less than an hour in four of the last five Gameweeks. Despite being introduced to earn an assist, his value as a fifth midfield option is dwindling and those who earned profit from a price rise may now be considering cashing in.
The Stoke Defence
The Potters continue to struggle to stem the tide and have now leaked 13 goals in the last four outings. With just one clean sheet in seven for Tony Pulis’ side, they have been unable to fight off the fixture list and earn returns against the odds. Their schedule now improves, however, with Fantasy managers banking on a change in fortunes for the acclaimed rearguard.
Nathan Dyer
As Michael Laudrup boosted his attacking resources with the acquisition of Roland Lamah, so the battle for starts on the Swansea flank intensified. The decision to drop Dyer to the bench for today’s clash with Stoke may indicate that the one-time budget option is gradually slipping down the pecking order. Dyer is still owned by over 12% of FPL managers.
Anthony Pilkington
Having started every league outing since Gameweek 7, the former Huddersfield winger had looked assured in Chris Hughton’s lineup. Dropped to the bench today with Elliot Bennett drafted in, suddenly his security of starts may be called into question. Today’s result will have helped his cause, however.
Kenwyne Jones
Courted by today’s opponents, Jones found himself relegated to the bench with Peter Crouch earning the start at Swansea. Jones’ may well depart in the transfer window and, having recently emerged as a budget prospect, there is now uncertainty surrounding his potential.
James McClean
Another player who found himself dropped to the bench today, McClean made way as Alfred N’Diaye was drafted in for his first Sunderland start. With the Black Cats’ earning their fourth win in six at the DW, McClean faces a fight to regain a starting role.
Kevin Nolan
Today’s clash with QPR presented the best opportunity for Nolan to break his dry spell and reward those who invested for the double Gameweek. Once again, however, the Hammers midfielder failed to register and has now gone without a goal in ten league starts.
The West Ham Defence
It’s no clean sheet in five for Sam Allardyce’s rearguard and the Hammers boss will not be happy having put much stock in clean sheets guiding his side to safety. While the fixture list remains encouraging, it must be noted that they have conceded to Reading, Norwich, Sunderland and QPR in the last four – all opponents that, on paper, promised defensive returns for the Hammers.
