fantasy premier league – “the Geek detective”- 10 things I’ll be looking out for in GW30 – THE ANSWERS

1.  The Hull defence and James Chester

With Rosenior, Bruce and Chester all under £4m surely its not unreasonable to have some gametime security over 1 of them for the DGW31 rather than having to pay £4.4m for Figueroa or £4.7m for Curtis Davies.

Hull lined up in 4-4-2 with Rosenior at RB Figueroa at LB and Davies and Chester at CB.  Alex Bruce was on the bench.  This is the first fantasy premier league game Chester has started since coming back from injury and a good sign going forward for the £3.8m cheapie DEF with a good DGW31 fixtures.  Interestingly Figueroa was subbed and Rosenior moved to LB (something he’s done in 3-5-2). If Bruce the manager reverts to 3-5-2 it won’t make any difference to the equation, its a straight choice between Bruce and Chester. Chester looks a hold to me after this for the DGW.  However is you’re starting from scratch or using your WC, yesterday strengthened Roseniors position and for the extra £0.1m he’s the less riskier choice.  He did come off in the 79th minute for Fryatt when they were chasing the game and had a YC but I’m not reading much into that.

2.  Dzeko

Does he line up against Hull and does Pellegrini play 2 strikers as he has done this season or has been put out of 2 competitions changed his formation ideas.  Jovetic and Aguero are in theory expected back soon but we’ve heard it all before and Dzeko is a cheap differential gamble for DGW31

This was interesting.  Dzeko started although not in 4-4-2 but in a 4-2-3-1 with YYT pushed up behind him.  Garcia and Ferandinho played as the 2 CDMs with Nasri and Silva flanking YYT.  This is good and bad news for Dzeko.  His selection is obviously good but the lack of 4-4-2 adds more rotation risk to him.  The fact that Pellegrini didn’t go 4-4-2 though was an indictement of Negredo although he was first choice against Barca.  

In summary.  Good that he was played and bad that Pellegrini only played 1 striker against lower table opposition.  Dzeko still comes with alot of gametime risk but he is £6.6m which is great value and when starting he gets enough shots to compensate for his lack of clinical finishing.  A gamble but at a good price

3. Chambers or Clyne at RB

Southampton may not have any DGWs but their good fixtures mean some cheap defensive cover would be useful on our bench for DGW31.  Chambers is £3.9m and Clyne £4.2m. The next cheapest defender is Shaw at £5.0m or Boruc at £4.8m if you’ve got GK space.  Chambers seemingly had the position sewn up until Clyne suddenly appeared against his old club Crystal Palace.  Either will do, its just which one has the position.  Pocettinho has done this before and reverted back to Chambers

Clyne started the 3nd consecutive game and played 90 minutes and Chambers didn’t get on.  You now really have to doubt Chambers gametime going forward.  Clyne also had an excellent game getting forward more than Shaw.  He also was equal top with Davis creating the most chances for team mates.  The 2 goals conceded were the result of sloppy midfield work and no way connected with Clyne.

In summary you have to assume that £4.2m Clyne is now the first choice RB.

4.  Barkley and Mirallas

Both have had gametime issues recently but both started in the FA Cup against Arsenal.  With Everton having 2 DGWs and good overall fixtures it would be nice to know if both are starting as good attacking options or whether Osman and Deulofeu are serious enough gametime threats to rule them out.

Barkley didn’t start.  Osman did.  Barkley came on for 8 minutes at the end replacing Osman.  I think we have to assume Barkely isn’t an option for DGW31.

Mirallas isn’t so clear cut.  He did start but so did Deulofeu.  Pienaar wasn’t fit and apparently is out until GW32 which if correct would  mean it is likely that Mirallas would start bith DGW31 games.  Ultimately though Pienaars relationship with Baines should mean he will start when fit and Mirallas will battle with Deulofeu for the other spot. Both players were excellent yesterday although only Deulofeu walked away with returns scoring a rather fortuitous goal when he best the otherwise excllent Marshall at the near post.  History this season favours Deulofeu’s selection over Mirallas.  Mirallas is also a bit of a substitution magnet and went off yesterday at 62minutes.

In summary  Barkley didn’t start and isn’t a viable option.  Mirallas due to Pienaars injury should play both DGW31 games but longer term this season has gametime risk.

5.  Sissoko

Scored 2 goals against Hull.  Is this a flash in the pan or is it a sign of returns to come for this cheap midfield differential.  Also will he play wide right or behind the striker or will De Jong continue in this position.

Sissoko again lined up in the right hand side of the attacking midfield 3 and his contribution attacking wise was fairly negligible.  Newcastle without Cabaye are one thing but without Cabaye and Remy (who is out until GW33) just aren’t an option.  Creating chances for Cisse looks a thankless task

In summary Sissoko lined up on the right and Newcastle look toothless without Remy who will be out until GW33.  There looks to be better options than Sissoko for me.

6.  Andy Carroll

How many minutes will he play, how fit does he look and does he look like a potential DGW31 differential.  Having a whole attacking side based around you is a good sign and there’s no doubt he has the ability to cause havoc.  Also will be playing out of his skin to save the hammers and be on the Brazil plane as a World Cup plan B for Roy Hodgson

Carroll started scored and played 83 minutes.  If you’re considering him for the DGW then you couldn’t have asked for more.  His goal epitomises everything that is good about him and his overall contribution was good.  As a matter of interest it was a wierd team put out by Big Sam.  With Carroll finall back you would have expected Jarvis and Downing to play to provide the crosses but although Downing did he only got 1 cross in and most of the crosses came from Diame.  Jarvis was left on the bench and didn’t start after playing 12 of the previous 14 games?

7.  Rooney

Before using up one of our precious fantasy premier league forward slots it would be nice to see again his position firmed up and how he looks in home games.  After a goal and assist in against WBA a little confirmation before DGW31 of his position and continuing form would be useful.

Moyes started the same attacking team as last week at WBA and Rooney again played behind RVP.  However its impossible to overstate what a poor disjointed performance United put in.  They seem unable to dominate games, keep the ball or break teams down at all at home.  Unfortunately, Moyes also put Rooney back into midfield when chasing the game. Despite the good fixtures he becomes a difficult asset to own with United so poor on their own ground

In summary Rooney played in the best position he can behind RVP.  However the team was very poor and Rooney was put into midfield when chasing the game.  Alot of risk there for the steep price.

8.  Sterling

If you’re going into DGW31 with Suarez and Sturridge then Sterling makes a good 3rd position without having to break the bank and overload on Liverpool coverage with Gerrard. He didn’t start for some reason against Southampton. Although I can’t believe that Allen will seriously be a  threat to Sterlings place, confirmation that he starts against United will be welcoming

Sterling started in a 4-3-3- at the expense of Coutinho and Allen started again.  He also played in an advanced role.  He didn’t affect the game as much as he has done.  However 3 goals and an assist in his last 5 games at £5.8m in a free scoring Liverpool team definitely makes him a viable acquisition.

9.  The Arsenal attacking 3

With Ozil, Ramsey Walcott and Wilshere all injured the attacking midfield 3 holds some value possibilities.  Arteta and Falmini should be the double pivot although the Ox could take that position.  The attacking 3 should be made up of Cazorla Podolski Rosicky and the Ox.  The value lies in Cazorla behind Giroud or in Rosicky or the Ox playing regularly in one of the forward positions.  Although tiredness after the Bayern game could take a role in the selection process for the Spurs game in GW30 that surely should be Wengers first choice 11 given the magnitude of the game.

Arsenal lined up in what almost looked like a 4-1-4-1 formation with Arteta sitting and The Ox notionally as the box to box player with Cazorla centrally in the attacking 3 flanked by Rosicky and Podolski.  Taking an early lead Arsenal then spent the rest of the game under the kosh and were lucky to get the result.  It remains to be seen whether Wenger will pair Arteta and Flamini in some of the bigger games for more defensive solidity.  However with Ozil, Ramsey, Wilshere and Ramsey all injured Arsenal go into the DGW with the 4 midfielders today all having an excellent chance of starting.  Rosicky is excellent value at £5.5m and has 2 goals in the last 4 consecutive games he has started.  The Ox is in the form of his life but is more expensive at £6.6m.  He started 3 games in the last 6 and in those 3 games has scored 2 goals and 2 assists.  They both are reasonable alternatives in the DGW31 coming up.  

10.  Mata and Januzaj

For different reasons thease players will be under the microscope for GW30 and the Champions League game against Olympiacos.  Mata to see if the 3 game with  no returns is a blip or whether he isn’t playing sufficently forward enough to get shots and assists.  Man Utd have a DGW31 and he also has good fixtures afterwards.

Januzaj is more about gametime.  With Young, Valencia, Nani, Kagawa, Giggs and even Welbeck as options on the flank this seems unlikely but playing the  next 2 very important games would go someway towards this.  By the way Mata is cup tied and can’t play against Olympiacos.

Both Mata and Januzaj started but neither affected the game to any great extent.  Mata’s gametime given his investment is probably secure but it’s hard to see that Januzaj has any security after such an ineffectual performance.  Januzaj will have a chance to put things right in the Olympiacos game on Wednesday although Mata is cup tied but it’s hard to see either being a popular investment given the alternatives even with the good fixtures

Hope you found that useful.

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