Last Gameweek’s performance was a little disappointing, with only one of my choices bringing home the bacon. Abel Hernandez had enough shots to warrant a goal but failed to net and Will Buckley was substituted early, despite creating a brilliant goalscoring chance from a cross. James Tomkins, however, saved the day, bringing in an assist and a clean sheet.  My punt on the West Ham defender’s his aerial potential paid off, especially for the Scouts, who put him in their Scout Picks. Here are Gameweek 8’s punts, with ownership figures correct as of October 15th.

Luke Shaw

Position: Defender

Team: Manchester United

Price: 5.8

Ownership: 3.4%

Luke Shaw is back on the scene after an injury lay-off. Luckily for Manchester United fans, his international performances for the Under-21s were low key and, more importantly, injury free. The youngster wasn’t bombing up and down the wing this week. Being one of the most experienced in the side, his performances were mature, as he showcased his defensive capabilities, which are often overlooked as he is seen as a more attacking full-back. Now back at his club, he will be determined to play the fast, attacking football that resulted in his inclusion in England’s World Cup squad.

Manchester United have only kept two clean sheets in the opening seven games this season. However, with new signings settling in and big names reaching match fitness this should soon change, starting with a Monday evening’s fixture against West Brom. It won’t be easy for Van Gaal’s men to shut out the Baggies who have an in form striker in Saido Berahino. The three centre-backs that Van Gaal likes to play will help in doing that. West Brom are a team who like to attack down the middle through their star man. With an extra centre-back there will be less space for Berahino, and at only 21, he may struggle with the added pressure.

Van Gaal’s system benefits Luke Shaw greatly. Shaw was already an attacking threat when playing in the back four at Southampton and for the senior England team. Therefore when moved to the wing-back position that Van Gaal adores he will be further up the pitch, almost acting as a winger. Manchester United’s width comes from their full-backs and Shaw will be pivotal to the Red Devils’ creative output against West Brom. Falcao is a superb header of the ball and Robin van Persie isn’t a bad target man either! The end product is there if Shaw can find it, and I believe he can. He is good at beating his man, completing two out of three attempted dribbles since his return and has also hit five crosses, creating three goalscoring chances in the process. We all know that Luke Shaw is a class player for his age and an advanced position against one of the league’s weaker teams gives him the perfect chance to prove that he is good enough to play for United.

Adam Lallana

Position: Midfield

Team: Liverpool

Price: 8.4

Ownership: 0.8%

After a lengthy period on the sidelines, Adam Lallana is back and ready to kick-start Liverpool’s season. The Reds have been incredibly average so far this term. They have missed the directness of Luis Suarez and are not the ultra-attacking unit they were last campaign. However, Adam Lallana may just be the answer to their problems. Last season it would take a matter of seconds for Liverpool to change defence into attack, resulting in so many goal-fests. They have been lacking that ability in the opening Gameweeks but that should change with Lallana’s introduction. The ex-Southampton wide man doesn’t look back when he receives the ball – the only thing on his mind is to move forward.

Lallana has been eased back into first-team football by Brendan Rodgers, only managing 90 minutes in the last couple of Gameweeks, though injury fears seem in the distant past. He has managed 18 touches in the penalty box this season, twice more than Jack Wilshere, who was my other option for this week’s midfield punt, as well as completing over 66% of his attempted dribbles. Liverpool’s new signing has been involved in a third of Liverpool’s goals when playing. I fancy them putting more than three past QPR so it is highly likely that Lallana will be involved in one way or another. Some may be put off at the lack of through balls Lallana plays as these passes are the most common type of assist for midfielders. However, it just serves to emphasize that Lallana always looks to get behind his man which increases the likelihood that he will score.

QPR’s full-backs have really struggled against top-flight wingers this season. Liverpool’s attack is incredibly focused on the wings. Raheem Sterling and Lallana are pacey and ambitious, which makes them a nightmare for even the best wing-backs, let alone QPR’s inexperienced backline. Harry Redknapp tinkered with his full-backs before the West Ham game, bringing in Nedum Onuoha but it didn’t pay off. Harry will have to do a lot more tinkering to prevent Lallana getting the better of his defence!

Romelu Lukaku

Postion: Forward

Club: Everton

Price: 9.0

Ownership: 9.7%

I picked him a couple of Gameweeks ago but I have gone with him again. Romelu Lukaku has been struggling of late but I believe that this is the week he will explode. You may think that I am a deluded Everton fan, but I beg to differ. Lukaku’s performances have been lazy and lacklustre, not deserving of his huge price tag. However, those of you who follow Lukaku on social media will know that he is a sincere guy. He knows more than anyone what is expected of him, and after a couple weeks off, he will be raring to go. I was struggling to choose between Lukaku, Connor Wickham and Saido Berahino. However, Wickham plays a little wider and faces a sturdy Southampton side, and despite Berahino’s incredible form, I think an ever-improving Manchester United side will be too much. Everton host Aston Villa this weekend which gives them the perfect opportunity to turn their season around. Goodison Park has been a fortress these past few seasons and the Toffees will want to get back to winning ways at home.

Despite Aston Villa’s early defensive solidity, they have conceded eight in their last three games, albeit against three of last year’s top five. The potential return of Steven Pienaar would mean more creativity from midfield and make Lukaku’s job a lot easier. If Pienaar and Baines can resume their great understanding on the left, the service in will be top notch this weekend. Villa may be pulled wide and have their backline opened, with Everton’s attacking full-backs pushing on past the wingers. This means more space and time in the middle for Lukaku. This extra freedom to take a touch may allow the big Belgian to steady his nerves and finish with the aplomb he did last season.

The stats are in Lukaku’s favour. He has managed 21 attempts this season, one of the top totals in the league. He also has the potential for assists when he comes out wide to hunt the ball and also when bringing it down from the air to tee up other players. He is a threat from set plays and also has a say over free-kicks. Lukaku will be hungry for goals and determined to improve, so a home fixture against Villa is a perfect opportunity for him to get back on the scoresheet.