A continuous stream of goals from the middle of the park. A Welshman who can run through walls. A change of emphasis at United and the Spaniard who, more than any other player, has shaped our Fantasy seasons. Here’s our usual blast of opinion and talking points for the Monday lunch break…
Midfielders continue to dominate the scoring…
Of the 26 goals scored over the weekend’s action, only six were supplied by strikers – with no forward notching more than once. In contrast, 17 strikes arrived from midfield with the likes of Eden Hazard, Gareth Bale and Michu amongst the protagonists on show. With players such as Shaun Maloney and Jason Puncheon notching to promote their budget potential, there is surely mounting evidence to either invest heavily in a strong five-man midfield, or play a 3-5-2 with a budget midfielder.
We have to find room for Bale…
On that note, the seemingly unstoppable form of Gareth Bale is giving his non-owners much concern. The brace against Newcastle could have been three or even four, as Bale shows pace, power and goal threat which is simply unrivaled right now. Despite concern over his consistency in the past, there’s little sign of the form wavering and perhaps little hope that opponents can contain him. Regardless of fixtures, we surely have to find a route to recruit as soon as possible?
Ferguson will grind it out if necessary…
United were far from convincing against Everton, conceding possession for large chunks of Sunday’s encounter. However, they rarely looked stretched by the visitor’s probing as Ferguson set his side up to defend deep, deploying Phil Jones to snuff out the threat of Marouane Fellaini. With a 12-point gap now in place, we could now see the tactics change. United may now look to grind out victories, resting their explosive attacking players for Champions League efforts. After failing to convince all season, perhaps it’s now time to start considering defensive investment?
And he’ll sacrifice Rooney in doing so…
Jones wasn’t the only player handed defensive duties in Sunday’s win. Wayne Rooney retreated from his support role behind Robin Van Persie to occupy the left flank after United’s opening goal. Adding a body to midfield, Rooney helped reduce the threat from Kevin Mirallas down the Everton right but, at the same time, limit his own influence further up the park. While there is still debate on the merits of Rooney vs Robin Van Persie, we surely have to consider that, if Ferguson is happy to shackle Rooney for an Old Trafford clash, the chances of the England man being dropped deep away from home surely increase.
City look a beaten side…
The failings at Southampton were clear and damming. Poor defending, a lack of conviction and creativity in midfield, little by way of threat up front. City looked anything but title contenders. Roberto Mancini has promised changes for the FA Cup tie this weekend but, in truth, Fantasy managers will surely be rapidly losing interest. We’ve stressed the necessity to consider City coverage for the title charge but that now seems a forlorn hope; with the back four looking fragile without Vincent Kompany and the spark lacking in attacking areas, investment in City’s high-priced assets looks ill-advised given the form and confidence in Mancini’s camp. We need a revival, not just to bring City assets back into the game but to keep United interested.
It’s not all about Benteke at Villa…
A sweetly struck free-kick delivered three priceless points for Paul Lambert’s side and gave centre stage to Charles N’Zogbia. While Christian Benteke’s goals are clearly vital to their survival chances, the former Wigan man has put in some inspired shifts since his return to fitness and, deployed behind the big Belgian, may yet sneak into our thinking should the title race be wrapped up and our attentions turn to the motivated sides fighting for survival.
Michu continues to shape our season…
The Spaniard announced himself on the Premier League stage with a brace at Loftus Road on the opening day and then, against the same opposition, reinstated himself as a primary midfield asset with an identical points haul from Saturday’s match. Having gone six league starts without a goal, the doubts were mounting but, with the chances still falling Michu’s way, it seemed inevitable that he would wake from his slumber. With 15 league goals for the season, he continues to justify even his inflated 8.4 FPL price tag. Installed in so many midfields, along with Everton’s Marouane Fellaini, the pair have played a big role in shaping our squads this season and with the likes of Bale, Theo Walcott and Juan Mata finding such consistency, the five man midfield template is surely hard to ignore.
