fantasy premier league – 10 things we learnt from DGW31 – Part 2

1.  Lukaku looks the only attacking certainty for Everton

With a DGW34 coming up for Everton, fantasy premier league managers will be busy planning their attacking assets for that juicy double encounter away to Sunderland and home to Palace.  While the defensive assets are fairly predictable gametime wise everyone except Lukaku in the forwards or attacking midfielders are looking increasingly unpredictable.  Osman and Deulofeu who played last week were benched for Barkley and McGeady. Just to illustrate the point  prior to this Barkley had only started 2 games in the last 8.  Conversley Osman had started 7 of the last 8. McGeady had only started 1 game since coming in January.  Still at least we have 3 games to see if it becomes any more predictable.

UPDATED:  The attacking midfield 3 becomes even more confused as Mirallas and McGeady who started the previous game were benched for the Newcastle game.  Deulofeu and Osman who were benchd for the Swansea game started.   Barkley started both games.  To confuse things even more everyone played well.  What does it mean for future team selection?  Who knows?  The worst outcome is that the rotation will continue for everyone.  Lukaku though was excellent in both and continues to look the DGW34 certainty

2.  Adam Johnson is becoming a worry

With a DGW34 and a DGW37 Adam Johnson has been pencilled in by many as the best Sunderland asset to take advantage of that fact.  The man who scored 51 points in 4 games has now gone 4 without returning and been subbed early in 2 of those games.  Away to Norwich he created a few chances but his shooting output and involvement in the game were minimal.  A close eye on form and gametime will be needed over the next few weeks.

UPDATED:  Came on as a sub against Liverpool.  I don’t think that in itself is a particularly big issue as Poyet obviously initially came with the intention of defending very narrow and deep to frustrate Liverpool.  However it does bring into question whether Johnson will play in the 2nd part of DGW34 which is away to City.

3.  DGW34 attacking options for Palace and Sunderland are limited

Johnson and Ince were the hope for fantasy premier league managers value coverage of these 2 for their DGW34s.  Ince was again on the bench and didn’t even get on at Newcastle while Johnson’s troubles are documented above.  Ki and Jedinak are options at £4.3m for a safe 4 points (subject to any yellow cards) but surely there’s someone who has some chance for points at a reasonable value.  With both Poyet and Pulis tinkering with their sides the options are limited.  Borini looks about as close as it gets but a Sunderland forward occupying a precious forward spot for £6.2m when he’s playing on the flank just doesn’t sound right to me.  Still 3 more games for things to change

UPDATED: Palace obviously didn’t have a 2nd game so nothing new there.  For Sunderland Borini (on loan from Liverpool) was ineligble and Ki was sacrificed for a Bridcutt and Cattermole double plus an additional CB in the rather comical Vergini.  However Ki was excellent when he came on finding pockets of space all over the place and providing neat and quick distribution.  He also scored.  Adam Johnson is the other option but as you will see from above carries more risk and cost.

4.  YYT outshines Silva

Granted 2 were penalties which will disappear when Aguero is back but Silva again disappointed when returning a single assist in a 5 goal rout of Fulham.  The bare facts are that YYT has scored 16 goals vs Silvas 3 and YYT has 7 fantasy premier league 10 point or more hauls compared to Silva’s 3.  Thats pretty compelling even before you get to YYTs 40% ownership meaning not owning him will hurt you incredibly when he scores.  Those having to choose between Silva and YYT to accomodate Aguero will be firmly lining up to keep YYT at the moment.

UPDATED:  The United game said it all about the 2 players.  Silva was excellent running the game with United struggling to get near him.  However while he could have had a hat trick if things had gone right he again turned up with nothing.  YYT was pushed forward later on and scored with his only shot.  Even with Aguero back and with pens he looks essential

5.  Coutinho taking corners not Gerrard!

I’ve only seen the highlights as I write this but Fantasy premier league owners of Gerrard would have been disturbed by seeing Coutinho taking corners rather than Gerrard.  To rub salt into the wounds 2 assists came to Coutinho as a result of these corners.  It’s easy to accept no open play returns from Gerrard as a CDM at the base of the diamond as it does tend to double his “to do” list.  Penalties are good but £9.2m demands set pieces as well.  I’ve got the game recorded and when I’ll update it if the full game looks different.

UPDATED:  I watched the Cardiff game and there were 2 or 3 corners all of which were taken by Coutinho.  Moving to the Sunderland game there were 3 corners, 2 were taken by Coutinho and 1 by Gerrard.  However indirect free kicks were still taken by Gerrard.  It certainly isn’t ideal as Gerrard at the base of the diamond really has no attacking output and set pieces are everything in terms of attacking returns.  Coutinho was also excellent against Sunderland and it’s hard to see him losing his place.  At the moment Gerrards next YC will probably make the decision for us as it triggers a 2 match ban.  

6.  Lamps not selected against Arsenal

Luiz and Matic were the double pivot and Mikel came on as sub not Lamps.  The significance is penalties fall to Hazard when Lamps is off the field which he gratefully recieved against Arsenal.  2 more games in his ban before Ramires comes back to take the role primarily and hopefully for Hazard owners he will share that role with Luiz as opposed to Lamps.

7.  Schurrle is on fire

£6.8m for someone who looks as effective (albeit in a more functional way) than Hazard is a bargain.  It’s now 36 points and 3 starts in his last 4 games.  Thats even better than Hazards impressive 29 although he costs £11.0m.  Chelsea’s fixtures are excellent to the end of the season as well.  Willian is the main competition and gives more defensive work but both are excellent on the counter and are perfect for the Mourinho style.

8.  Skrtel equals Colemans goal record

Another 2 goal haul and 17 fantasy premier league points takes his total to 6 for the season and he now looks the number 1 CB at attacking set pieces.  He’s also £5.7m.  It’s just whether the goal returns outweigh the defensive issues.  There are 2 clean sheets sandwiched between 2 lots of 3 goals conceded against Swansea and Cardiff.  9 clean sheets is a mid ranking clean sheet performance.  It just depends whether you look at that half full or half empty.

UPDATED:  Liverpool conceding against one of the less inspiring attacking teams showed the downside of owning Skrtel.  In terms of clean sheets they are a mid table ranking side with a clean sheet record that is the same as Newcastle.  Except for Newcastle you can pick up a defender for £4.3m.  While you can also get  Flanagan for £4.3m,  £5.8m for Skrtel is a big premium to pay.  There’s no doubt he’s dangerous at every set piece and it’s just whether you think that premium is worth it

9.  Mutch looks the best midfield cheapie

At £4.4m Mutch is comfortably the top point scoring midfielder under £5.0m in fantasy premier league and yesterdays 16 point haul illustrated that.  The 2nd goal when he headed in Jones’ knockdown on the 6 yard box said everything about his ability to get into the box and score.  Why he’s in and out of the team is beyond me.  The fixtures to the end of the season are good as well.

10.  Eriksen back in the frame

As the main creative player in the Spurs team it’s suprised me that he’s struggled to get into the team.  After a 2 goal and an assit haul that shouldn’t be an issue.  Spurs under Sherwood are a much more attacking side than under AVB and this should continue to be good for Eriksen.  After Liverpool next the fixtures are good and he’s only £6.5m

Thats it.  Hope you found it useful

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