fantasy premier league – 10 things we learnt from GW32

fantasy premier league – 10 things we learnt from GW32  

1.  Rooney and Mata shine

It was hardly a vintage United performance despite the score.  The tempo was pedestrian at best and they had quite disturbing spells out of possession and the counter attack was pretty slow paced.  However, the benefit of RVP being injured for Rooney couldn’t have been illustrated any better than in this game.  A goal from open play and the other from taking RVPs penalty duties was the reward.  Add on 3 bonus points giving him a total of 13 points.  He also had excellent shooting stats which has been unusual this season.  Next week they’re away to the hapless Newcastle side so look forward to more.  Mata was only a point behind with 12 points with a goal and an assist.  Although his stats were pretty ordinary (he scored from his only shot) he looked far more comfortable and potentially productive.  The central advanced position is always going to give him more chance for quality opportunities to return

2.  Evra missing?

If you own Evra at the moment you’re accepting that you’re paying  a premium for attacking potential and secure gametime in a back line where it doesn’t really exist at the moment.  Also a chance to take advantage of Uniteds good fixtures and planning ahead for DGW37.  With him suspended for the Champions league tie midweek he was a certainty to start especially with Buttner who just isn’t up to it at the moment.  Inexplicably he was left out.  I’m not aware of any injury related reason and would be happy to be corrected.  I can understand to some extent Vidic being phased out to give Smalling and Jones gametime for next year but surely this can’t be relevant for Buttner.  If Evras going Buttner can’t be the replacement so what would be the point of that.  It will be interesting to see if any explanation is given

3.  A Hazard blank isn’t the end of the world

For the second away game Chelsea failed against opposition that decided to defend deep and narrow away from home.  Hazard though was one of the few players to come away with any credit and was unlucky not to score with 2 good chances.  He’s still returned in 3 of his last 5 games, has good fixtures and next week is home to Stoke.  Personally I put the blame on Torres who was at his wasteful and indifferent worst.

4.  Those who didn’t buy back Lallana after DGW31 will be gutted.

A 12 point haul against the hapless Newcastle side who had 2 first choice defenders missing and a LB playing at RB.  However in mitigation for the Newcastle defence the midfield was ridiculous.  The amount of space Lallana had in midfield was extraordinary and for all the hype about Tiote he was woeful and only made 1 successful tackle yesterday.  Anyway back to Lallana, thats 2 returns in the last 2 after 4 blanks.  Maybe this week isn’t the best to buy him though as they’re away to City.

5.  Mutch keeps on going

If you’re playing 2 rotating cheap midfielders then hopefully you’re playing Jordan Mutch.  His 10 point haul against WBA makes it 37 points in his last 4 games.  It wasn’t his normal game or goal for that matter as he didn’t rellay get into the box or have as many chances as usual but when you’re on a roll you’re on a roll.  Home to Palace next week is a big 6 pointer.

6.  Can the uncertainty get any worse in the Everton attacking midfield?

With DGW34 coming up for Everton then fantasy premier league managers would be looking for any sign of certainty in the midfield.  The team sheet comes out and it’s certainly interesting as its the same as the Newcastle game.  The omens therefore look good for Duelofeu, Barkley and Osman.  Then Barkley goes off injured and Naismith plays behind the striker and scores plus gives a man of the match midfield.  Mirallas also comes on and scores.  So where does this leave us for DGW34?  With Coleman and Lukaku and swerving the midfield is the likely answer.

7.  Crystal Palace show their defensive mettle.

With DGW34 for Palace the question over whether to acquire a defender is an interesting one.  Certainly home to Villa looks a good clean sheet prospect but the away game to Everton calls this into question.  They’ve only conceded 2 goals in their last 3 away games and their last test against a top 4 challenging team was Arsenal where they defended well even though they lost 2-0.  An 8 point haul for a Palace defender isn’t out of the question

8.  Silva 2 goals in 3 games.

I thought his luck had to change.  A player who consistently follows up shots finally got a lucky richochet for a goal.  Those who were thinking he would be sacrificed in their fantasy premier league team for Aguero for DGW34 after DGW31 may have to think about sacrificing a Man City defender instead as it’s now 32 points in his last 4 games.

9.  Norwich continue to be hopeless away from home.

If you didn’t see the game it’s impossible to say how bad they were.  No one would believe this is the side that has 8 clean sheets at home and have conceded less goals at home than Everton.  Another reason to own Rooney for their fixture at United in GW36. The week before Uniteds DGW37

10.  Rosenior returns and Chester plays

For those thinking of Hulls DGW37 (the fixtures are away to Villa and United so not Hulls strength)  Rosenior was only out at West Ham due to a thigh injury and returned against Stoke.  Chester also started.  Its now 4 consecutive starts for the £3.8m cheapie so he looks a solid bet

And a couple of other quickies…

Sterling started against Spurs in a 4-3-3 instead of the diamond with Allen on the bench and was excellent.  Interesting to see what next week against West Ham brings.  For all their clean sheets West Ham have struggled against the top 4 challenging sides at home

Kolarov has been on the bench for 2 consecutive games.  If he doesn’t play against Saints at home in GW33 then thats  seems like a strong message.

2 goals for De Guzman despite playing further back with Michu back.  Could he be anotther box to box scorer?  Fixtures could be better to experiment with him.

Thats it just the Sunderland v West Ham game to go.

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