A goal in each of the last couple of Gameweeks has brought Andros Townsend onto Fantasy radars over the international break. Since arriving on loan at Loftus Road, the winger seems to have firmly established himself as a key member of Harry Redknapp’s first-team – starting five of the last six matches, he has also chipped in with a pair of assists and received six bonus points in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, averaging 6.6 points per game. In this latest article for members, we take a look at the underlying Opta statistics to see how he’s been performing and examine whether he really is a viable target for the fifth midfield slot in our squads.
worldcup week special
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18L_ja526TE
messi epic miss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OK3Z5o6D_AU
suarez punch, can't stay out of headlines at the moment.Open Controlslooks like he was trying to feel Suarez 's nuts, he was looking for it if you ask me. And i am not a Suarez or Liverpool fan.
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Just wanted to clarify a point Tarrou made above that because Rooney rarely plays in the central striker role that it'll be likely that RVP will play one game and Hernandes the other.
Of the four games where Hernandes has played 90 minutes he has played the entire game up front with RVP. So it is perfectly concievable that SAF can play Hernandes and RVP against Chelsea or Sunderland.
Also Man Utd's attack is more fluid, there's a lot of swapping roles mid game. Overall RVP will play further forward, but sometimes he'll appear on the left and Rooney will be in the central striker role.
SAF has Welbeck, Hernandez, Rooney, RVP and Kagawa to play in a variety of attacking roles. They can interchange.Open Controlscorrection...point that Tarrou made on the last page.
Open ControlsStinkfly's comment that Hernandes has further to travel and plays later is far more compelling argument for Hernandes to be saved for Chelsea. http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2013/03/26/monitor-andros-townsend/comment-page-13/#comment-5459162
Open ControlsI'm afraid you lost all credibility when you referred to the wrong page 😉
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Good point Jonty.
To clarify, I don't think they can't play together. On the contrary, I think they work great together and would like to see it more.
It's just that now we have two games in 3 days, I can see Fergie rotating them (as we have 4 strikers who are fit) because they both operate best as the man up top.Open Controls
Yep....It's quite wrong for us to think of any forward player as an out and out striker at United. Rooney has made himself the most interchangable player in the prem, playing anywhere from in front of the back four, both wings and up front, often. as you rightly say, within the same game.Gonna be inriguing to see who plays at the weekend.
Open ControlsHernandez only plays as the out and out striker. Rooney and Welbeck are versatile, but Welbeck isn't that great as the lone frontman. Hence my 'guess' that we will see Hernandez starting one with RVP the other (and Rooney Welbeck rotating accordingly)
Open ControlsYou're going to hate me but I'm going to correct you again. 😉
Hernandes is more versatile than you think. If you look at this heat map for Man Utd's crushing of West Ham in which Hernandes and RVP played the full 90 it was RVP who was furthest forward and Hernandes and Welbeck playing slightly further back in that number 10 style role.
http://members.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/matches/442033/Open ControlsSorry, that was for the Wigan match...principle is the same though.
Open ControlsHere is the heat map for the West Ham game when both Hernandes and RVP played....yet again RVP furthest forward Hernandez in the number 10 role.
http://members.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/matches/442130/Open ControlsHernande(z!) doesn't play in the number 10 role, never has, and never will. Just because his average position is there doesn't mean he played it. He doesn't have the skill-set required.
He's an amazing goalscorer though, don't get me wrong.Open ControlsOh and I don't hate you for it! Enjoy a bit of united discussion, and it's always interesting to get another viewpoint 🙂
Open ControlsThe point is that he is not only an out and out striker...he dips back when required and links play as well....often he just causes a nuisance with short runs allowing RVP or others to slip into the box unnoticed. The point is that any combination can be picked depending on the opposition. If SAF says to Hernandez play a bit deeper he will. That is not an out and out striker...although he is very good as an out and out striker.
Open Controlsyeah I agree with that. Finally, huh 🙂 He has improved a lot at that side of his game. I'd still prefer any of the other 3 strikers in that position over him though.
Put yourself in Fergie's shoes for a second. You have two games and 4 strikers to pick from.
Game 1. Number 10: ? Number 9: ?
Game 2. Number 10: ? Number 9: ?
Why would you pick Hernandez in the number 10 when the other 3 can play there? He's absolutely deadly in the number 9 role.
Yes I know they interchange a bit and this helps the fluidity of the team, but at the end of the day the number 9 role is what Chicharito was born to do!Open Controls
maybe this discussion is part of why United are the best team in the prem...because no player get's a luxury ride under SAF.
Open ControlsYep, for me it also highlights what puts Ferguson a level above everyone else. He gets the players, yr in yr out, to accept and thrive under that ideology. You do it for the those around you. Rooney struggles with it and gets the hump now 'n again.
Open Controlsamazing how he manages to keep everyone (relatively) happy, with such a big squad. Hernandez has only started a handful of games in the prem but seems really happy. I think this says a lot about the type of player Fergie likes to bring in, and the scouting that goes into a signing to ensure the player has the right mentality.
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Have there been any further walking wounded announced after last nights internationals? or did we have a quiet night on the injury front ?
Open ControlsNothing of which I'm aware. National pride took it's usual demoralising slaps about the face tho.
Open ControlsI was pleased we got a draw with that team.
Open ControlsDraw with Austria for my mob. & for my sins. Or for my sins. So close. To be fair to England, as I doubt most English will be, Montenegro have an insane record for a country with a miniscule population. Ridiculous. Many fall off the black mountain & shall continue to do so.
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http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php
They update injury news with probable recovery times here.Open Controls
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Bit stuck as to what to do with my 3rd/best team, I've got 2 frees any suggestions?
Begovic (Bunn)
Martin R, Rafael, Davies (Harte) (Clyne)
Michu, Fellaini, Sissoko, Bale (Cabaye)
RVP, Benteke, Suarez
Was thinking: Fellaini (out) – Cazorla (in)
But not sure what to do with the second?Open Controlsyeah...wasn't meant as a criticism....I have two...one a regular team which is much the same as everybody else's on here and then this themed team of Belgians...You should give it a go with a couple of your teams. South Americans/British/under 9.0 mill/stripey jumpers/only London clubs/Every team apart from London clubs...whatever you fancy...Just pick a theme and go with it...
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Terry (not fit according to Rafa)
Ivanovic (2 x Serbia games)
Luiz (2x Brazil games)
Cahill (injured)
ManU two days later.......
Lambert (c)?!!!Open ControlsIvan and Luiz will play. Azp and Cashley. Great defense. Sorry but Cahill injureD?
Open Controlswhatever back 4 they pick will be good. Tuesday > Saturday is decent rest too. Saying that I hope Rickie runs riot!
Open ControlsSo do I, though im playing Azpilli too 😉
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Wenger does his press on Thursday no?
Open ControlsMorning all. Are the internationals over? Is it safe to go back in the water yet?
Open ControlsThank god nothing till September
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Utd to play without a recognized forward vs Sunderland? Giggs up front sort of thing, maybe with Welbeck? With two or three of the strikers on the bench?
They'd probably take a draw from this one......am I talking toilet water?Open ControlsBego (bunn)
Baines davies azp (harte, mariappa)
Bale mata maloney sissoko (walcott)
Lambert rvp suarez
I have 0 in the bank and 1 Ft, therefore I can only downgrade or take a hit somewhere.
Not sure what to do maybe just save for next week?
A save
B mata to cazorla (although fancy mata to play after bench role for SP)Open Controls@Pompeyfan
Simply keep betting on the Don't Pass Line. Best house edge. I wouldn't do it in a real casino though. Paddy Power has it - you can make keep making quick money.Open ControlsRight, who would you say has gotta go first?
A) Mignolet (other keeper is Fed so doesn't play)
B) Michu
C) Sissoko
D) WalcottOpen Controlsbut Arsehole Wenger hasn't said if he's deffo missing the game or not yet? If he plays I reckon he'll do well. Just if..
Open ControlsNot sure about that, he'd want him for the doubles and there is a chance he'd play. I'd hold your decision until the Arsenal presser, if Walcott is out then you can consider it.
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Cisse ➡ Giroud
or
Michu ➡ Cazorla
i am keeping WalcottOpen Controlshe will be out anyways
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If Harry had got the England job, 80% of the England team would be not English by now, with all his wheeling & dealing.
Therefore, England would be a better team now.
Players such as Arteta etc would be playing for England.Open ControlsYou should be captain of Troll FC (South Africa) 🙂
Open ControlsHe's not a fu%&ng wheeler dealer 😉
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My predicted United starting XI.
I'd expect something like this:
________DDG_______
Rafael Evans Vidic Evra
___Carrick Scholes___
Nani___Rooney___Kagawa
________RVP_______
Something like this with Rooney/RVP/Kagawa all swapping around throughout.Open ControlsNah
DDG
Rafael Evans Rio Buttner
Nani Anderson Scholes Giggs
Rooney
RVPOpen Controlsvs Sunderland....
DDG
Rafael, Evans, Rio, Evra.
Carrick/Scholes, Anderson.
Nani, Rooney, Giggs.
Van Persie/Hernandez
vs Chelsea
DDG.
Rafael, Evans, Vidic, Evra.
Carrick, Cleverley.
Valencia, Rooney, Kagawa.
Van PersieOpen ControlsIf there's one player we fear in the United line-up, it's Hernandez. It would be absolutely surprising to see him not start on Monday.
But then again, I was surprised to see Giggs start vs Madrid. Who knows.Open Controls
We have no chance of predicting it with any kind of confidence. This is a gameweek we are all just going to have to ride out, there are so many uncertainties.
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All those saying that its ok, "we only need to beat Montenegro at home"
England v Moldova, Friday 6 September 2013. (Easy win)
Ukraine v England, Tuesday 10 September 2013. (Very hard away)
England v Montenegro, Friday 11 October 2013. (tough home)
England v Poland, Tuesday 15 October 2013. (banana skin)
Im not so sureOpen ControlsWith all due respect, England not qualifying for the World Cup would be a good thing.
If they did qualify, they would struggle to get past the first round, most likely knocked out in the second round, QF at the very best.
Then, if they didn't qualify, their players would be better rested for the next season & the English teams may get past the second round of the Champions League then.Open ControlsThat is rubbish, missing out on the Euros was bad enough, missing out on a World cup makes me miserable just thinking about it. It's like all you mates have been invited to a party and they're calling you and telling you it's amazing and they're hooking up with hot chicks whilst you're at home watching teletext.......
I don't care how we get there, we just have to get there.Open Controls
It's a tough group but if we don't qualify then next time around we'll be in with the likes of Germany and Spain and we'll never qualify again...
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Do we reckon Fabianski is nailed on for the rest of the season now?
Open ControlsNope.
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Seeing as there's no drama or debate in who will win the league, who's going down this year?
Looking at form, current points and the run ins I'm going:
QPR
Sunderland
ReadingOpen ControlsQPR and Reading are gone imo. The last spot is tough, a lot depends on the H2Hs between the teams at the bottom.
Open ControlsQPR and Reading almost certainly and then either Sunderland or Southampton I would say. Sunderland have horrible fixtures and aren't scoring goals. With Fletcher out now they're looking in massive trouble....
Open ControlsYou maybe shipping goals but you're scoring them too, that's always a good sign. Reckon with another Pre season you'll actually go ok next season, good young squad.
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Villa
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Team for the GW, 1FT & 3.2 banked
DDG
Azp Johnson Davies
Walcott Townsend Mata Bale
RVP Suarez Lambert
(Bunn Sissoko Pearce Clyne)
Had lined up to do Sissoko>Cazorla
Still a good plan? Any better options?Open Controls1FT, what to do? Please help 🙂
Migs
Azpil | Zab | Wilson
Mata | Gerrard | Sissoko | Bale
RVP | Sturridge | Remy
Bunn, Michu, Davies, Clyne
0.6 ITBOpen ControlsNice to see that Luis Suárez is continuing to make friends while on international duty:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17YHKsfoi2IOpen ControlsAnd while we're at it, here's the result of James McCarthy's tackle on Zlatko Junuzović last night:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BGWxePvCEAArsBs.jpg:largeOpen ControlsHe really is a c0ck..... I wish he wasn't such a quality footballer, I actually hate having him in my team.
Open ControlsSaw this earlier this morning, any chance of a retrospective ban for life?
Open ControlsKama can't exist otherwise he'd get struck by lightening most weeks.....
Open ControlsDon't want to be the guy that defends him particularly but a life ban is a bit much. That sort of thing goes on all the time. Wasn't like he laid him out cold...
Open ControlsJust because you're 35th in the world doesn't mean you have to get all high and mighty about defending a racist rat.
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That's barely 'handbags' by South American standards. You see plenty of England players doing similar stuff and they don't get half the vitriol sent Suarez's way
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Would really appreciate some advice here: I’m losing momentum after getting bringing down the gap from my leader to 40 from over 100;
Bego / fed
Shaw / Baines / Harte / Rafael / Turner
Gerrard / Bale / Michu / Walcott / Noble
Suarez / Lambert / Sturridge
2.6 mil in bank. Thinking of doing Harte and Noble to Mertersacker and Sidwell for -4? This sound good? Unfortunately it still leaves me with 3 Pool players, Walcott and Michu.Open ControlsIs anybody else persisting with RVP.... Or is it just me that can't let go? In my mini league I've got an RVP differential.....
Open ControlsThoughts on Harte to Jenkinson as my Ft? Dont have any money in bank for Mert
Open ControlsIf you can bench Walcott, consider an alternative way of bringing in Carzorla.
Unless Walcott is in danger of missing one or both of DGW 33 it is unwise to get rid of him.
Waiting on Wenger press conference before pressing any buttons is much recommended.Open ControlsI'm in a similar situation, but I see Santi is most likely rising tonight so can't afford it after the presser 🙁
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So there's 8 or 9 games left, who IYO will score the most points for the remainder of The season......
Open ControlsLots of big teams playing each other so you'd expect a big game player to amass the most points.
I'd expect it to be Mata.Open ControlsYep that would be right I dropped him a week back.....
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Cazorla will be in with a shout has the extra game and only one bad fixture and is in a team that should be really motivated to get results.
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I need poll: who will start for MUN against SUN this weekend?
A) RVP
B) Rooney
I'm sitting with the ROonster in my team atm and I am thinking maybe a hit may be worth it for the Purse (if he is more likely to start)...Open Controls^ This. I think you figure out what Fergie thinks is his best IX for the Chelsea fixture and work backwards.
Sunderland is effectively a meaningless run-out for the reserves.
Rooney was dropped against Real madrid because he is too thick to do the simple things such as stop players from delivering crosses, so he is more likely to feature along with Kagawa who is next season's man.Open Controls
This is a joke world cup qualifying group.
Group E
Switzerland
Iceland
Albania
Norway
Cyprus
Slovenia
How are all these easy teams in one group? who are the top seeds? and second seeds? Switzerland? I can't see how this group was put together. Looks like another Sepp Blatter/FIFA Fix to me. In comparison to other groups toughness this is pathetic.Open Controls
