After Enner Valencia’s heroics in Gameweek 22 it was Massadio Hiadara’s turn to steal the show in Gameweek 23’s Best Punts selection. The Newcastle full-back helped his side to a clean sheet away at Hull City and he picked up an assist in the process. His overall impressive performance threw two extra bonus points into the mix to give him a total of 11 points. Those of you who followed my advice certainly profited in defence last week.
However, it was a different story in midfield and up front. Emanuele Giaccherini didn’t play in Sunderland’s 2-0 win over Burnley and Dwight Gayle failed to notch for the third Premier League match in a row against Everton, although he did have an attempt cleared off the line. Can one of this week’s punts reach double figures to make it three Gameweeks in a row? Here are Gameweek 24’s Best Punts with ownership figures correct as of 4th February 2015.
Matt Targett
Position: Defender
Club: Southampton
Price: 3.9
Ownership: 0.5%
Before the season kicked off there was a lot of hope from the community that Matt Targett would cement a starting role at left-back and emerge as a cut-price option into the Saints back four. However, the signing of Ryan Bertrand from Chelsea meant that Targett would have to settle for a place on the bench. Indeed the loan of Ryan Bertrand was made permanent this week but the Englishman picked up a red card in the dying minutes of the Saints’ clash with Swansea and is suspended until Gameweek 27. This affords young Matt Targett the chance to impress in the upcoming Gameweeks. The 19-year-old has made a mere four appearances in the league this season but has impressed when he has been given his chance in the top flight. In less than 130 minutes the full-back has averaged 100% passing accuracy in the opposition half, completed his one attempted dribble and had an attempt on goal. Admittedly it is not much to go on but the Saints’ full-backs play a vital part in the team’s attacking moves and I am confident that Targett will be able to spearhead moves going forward this weekend. He already has an assist in the Capital One Cup and will be looking to increase that tally in the Premier League.
On Tuesday QPR announced the resignation of Harry Redknapp. The Rs have been left in the lurch having lost all of their last three games and they are without a win since before Christmas. Earlier this season QPR had been performing well at home but poorly away. Now, they are still playing badly away from home but the performances at Loftus Road have dipped as well. Rangers haven’t scored at home in two of their last three and this will encourage a Southampton defence who have kept the most clean sheets in the league so far this season. Ronald Koeman will be expecting a shut-out from his side against a mangerless QPR. Matt Targett is a cut-price option into that defence, and with potential for attacking returns, he is a great option this week.
Victor Moses
Position: Midfielder
Club: Stoke
Price: 5.2
Ownership: 0.4%
After Wildcarding two Gameweeks ago I somehow ended up with Moses in my side and was unconvinced on the decision. However, after a sizzling performance against QPR last weekend I am now a proud owner and I am expecting a haul of points this weekend. Stoke travel to St. James’ Park to face a Newcastle side who won their first game since Alan Pardew’s departure last weekend. The Magpies have only won one of their last three home games and haven’t kept a clean sheet since at home since Gameweek 12. Until last weekend Stoke were a little short of goals and John Carver would have been expecting a clean sheet against the Potters. However, John Walters’ hat-trick last weekend suggests that he is the perfect fit up front for Stoke’s style of play and with Walters hungry for goals, I cannot see a clean sheet for Newcastle this week.
Despite not picking up an assist to any of Stoke’s three goals last weekend, Victor Moses’ performance turned many heads. He bombed up and down the wing, cutting inside to trick defenders and caused problems all day. Since his return from injury in Gameweek 22 Moses has attempted 21 dribbles, more than any other midfielder. This highlights his desire to make things happen for his side. He has also created seven goalscoring chances, only Eden Hazard and Remy Cabella have made more, and he has put in 15 crosses! Not only does he carry a threat with assists but he can stick the ball in the back of the net too. He scored once earlier on in the season and has wasted no time in getting going again, with five attempts in two appearances. Add set pieces into the equation and there doesn’t seem to be a better option than Victor Moses this Gameweek.
Bafétimbi Gomis
Position: Forward
Club: Swansea
Price: 6.5
Ownership: 0.4%
I chose Gomis as my punt three weeks ago and he delivered with an assist which was unlucky not to be a goal as Mark Noble turned the ball into his own net. With Wilfired Bony now at Manchester City, Gomis is the main man for the Swans and I think he has the potential to fill the Ivorian’s shoes, even if others don’t. The Frenchman is incredibly strong and his bulky frame makes him a handful for any defender. The Swans have been on the back foot in matches recently as Gary Monk was playing for a point against Southampton and Chelsea, but when Swansea’s midfielders start pushing forward again and creating chances, Gomis will tuck them away. Despite only scoring once in the Premier League, Gomis bagged a brace in the FA Cup last month and he has also notched in the Capital One Cup. Paying in a more offensive Swansea side should see Gomis increase his Premier League goal tally.
This weekend Gary Monk’s side face Sunderland at home. As I have already mentioned, I expect the Swans to go out all guns blazing after having to settle for minimal possession over the last couple of matches. The Black Cats may have cured their problems up front with the signing of Jermaine Defore but there are still holes at the back. The 8-0 thumping at Southampton may seem a long time ago but there are still signs of fragility in the back four. They have only kept two clean sheets against the current top 10 sides so far this season and have struggled against teams who like to keep hold of the ball, such as Southampton. Gomis is a punt. There is no doubt about it. However a favourable fixture and chances aplenty make him likely to get on the scoresheet this weekend.
Last Gameweek’s Best Punts*
DEF – Hector Bellerin, 12 pts, 4.4, 1.8%
MID – Mesut Ozil, 13 pts, 8.9, 2%
FWD – Loic Remy, 7 pts, 7.2, 2.1%
*only players with under 2.5% ownership are counted as punts
