Here’s our fantasy premier league DGW36 article where we look back at the gameweek to date and look at possible plans for the next one. We also chat about some of the issues surrounding the gameweek gone and coming up
fantasy premier league DGW36 – the FFGeek team looking back and forward
Another gameweek starting on Friday. Great for a relaxing Saturday morning but not so good for squeezing all the regular articles in. So with a Wednesday fantasy premier league DGW36 game it’s another short gap between the end of the games for the gameweek and the start of games for the next. That’s why I’m doing this article midway through the gameweek.
Looking back
The FFGeek score to date
Here’s how the team is going so far. 51 points against an average of 35 an overall rank of 65k and a green arrow of 13k
The FFGeek team comments
Firstly, hopefully Gabriel doesn’t play in the Wednesday game and that will give me Stephens bench points. Apparently Koscielny is a doubt which would probably see him play unless Mustafi comes in.
The gameweek for me has been totally saved by Alonso. Luckily there doesn’t seem to be any drive to turn the goal into an assist by saying it was off target and therefore an assist rather than a goal.
It was a disappointing week for the attack of the FFGeek team with 2 assists so far from 7 players and no goals. This is despite the teams they belong to scoring 12 goals. Spurs were just plain disappointing against West Ham and that ended up with me getting 4 points for 2 players costing £20m in total. Southampton were poor in attack and Gabbiadini was subbed fairly early just scraping in 2 points. Sanchez was also poor in the game against Man United. Hazard blanked in a 3 goal procession. Jesus managed just an assist in a 5 goal drubbing. 10 goals for Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City and 1 assist between the 3 players doesn’t leave a warm feeling.
Success for the FFGeek has been limited to defence only. A clean sheet from Caballero. 14 points from Alonso and a clean sheet from Yoshida. Only Gabriel was a negative. Arsenal started a back 3 but he didn’t start. However as I said above if he doesn’t play against Southampton on Wednesday I’ll get Stephens clean sheet points. As seems to be the case this season you ignore defence at your peril.
Plenty of quality means the spreading of points
The gameweek epitomised the difficulty in picking the right player with so many options in the premier league now and sharing of goals and assists in any given team.
The quality of the players in the premier league now inevitably leads to a spreading of points. None was more apparent than Man City scoring 5 goals and Jesus and Sane getting a mere assist between them. In the Chelsea game despite a 3 goal score line Hazard and Pedro blanked. Costa got his customary 6 points. Arsenal saw no returns from their 2 certain starting attacking players in Ozil and Sanchez.
However there’s no point in complaining it’s only going to get worse. You can never guarantee returns. Just do your research with the aim of maximising the probability of points. Over and above that you just need a little bit of luck to go your way and hopefully get at least your share of those 50/50 decisions we make every week right.
The competitiveness of the premier league
The premier league is the most competitive league in the world but that too makes it more unpredictable. Before the gameweek you wouldn’t have seen title chasing Spurs losing and blanking against West Ham and Southampton drawing at UCL chasing Liverpool.
Add to that relegation threatened Swansea beating European chasing Everton. Those with 2 Spurs players like me were left frustrated. Those holding Lukaku for 2 apparent good fixtures were in the same boat.
Rolling of the double gameweek dice
So far for those who rolled the Arsenal and Southampton double gameweek dice only defence has been a success with clean sheets to Arsenal and Southampton. However there is 1 game to go on Wednesday which will define the success on the gamble and whether out of form attacking players can actually step up and produce points.
Looking forward
The title race and it’s affect on DGW37
Firstly I think it’s worth putting up the premier league table for this discussion as what teams are fighting for could affect rotation and our decision making
Here’s also the DGW37 fixtures:
Spurs losing to West Ham has made DGW37 the land of the unknown
That turned what was hopefully going to be a DGW37 with everything at stake to a title race which Chelsea could win on Friday at WBA. If they don’t win that will mean they will have to play a full team for both games in the DGW which would be a relief. If they do win we could have a 2nd string team against Watford who have nothing at stake. Costa could easily give way to Batshuyai and Hazard, who was the first to be subbed last night, for Willian. Alonso for Ake etc. Chelsea also have the FA Cup final so a reason to rest is tangible.
If they do win Spurs will play their first game of the DGW with only 2nd to play for. A point would do that. That should mean whatever we should get a full Spurs team for the first game. After that players like Dele Alli who are getting close to 60 games could easily be rested.
Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal could fight out the 3rd and 4th places to the end potentially although Man City still have selection issues.
So how to approach DGW37?
With a wildcard
Of the DGW37 teams, if you still have a wildcard then picking Spurs and Chelsea players will come with the risk above. Man City still comes with selection risk if Aguero becomes fit. Man Utd have openly shown they want to win the Europa League. Arsenal have some form issues.
Of the other teams. Watford have impossible fixtures. Sunderland are relegated, although that had a positive effect on the weekend. WBA have difficult fixtures. Leicester have nothing to play for although Shakeseare will pick a full team I think for his job prospects.
Lastly Southampton have nothing to play for, a pretty rotation minded manager and a stuttering attack.
It all makes a wildcard selection difficult. I think there are probably 2 options if you want to choose primarily from DGW teams. Spread the risk and select from a range of teams and hope for the best. Or gamble that certain teams will play a full strength side and stock up on them.
Whatever it has great lottery potential.
Thats even before we pick a potential captain for the gameweek.
without a wildcard
If you’re like me and planning on using your bench boost then every player must play to maximise it. My main risk seems to be Gabriel subject to what happens on Wednesday. He will be the obvious transfer. Nice and easy.
Other parts of the team are difficult to predict in terms of gametime.
In theory with a bench boost then it’s worth a -4 point deduction as you will get it back through selection alone. It’s just unless you have a player injured or not selected on form then it’s uncertain whether it’s the right think to do.
Take Dele Alli for example. Chelsea win the league on Friday and after a near 60 game season surely he would be rested after Spurs secure 2nd place, especially as Son hasn’t played that much. Same for Kane to give Janssen some pitch time. So is it worth a -4 for say Ozil or Mahrez? I’m not sure I’ll be doing that.
So a lot of cogitating and procrastinating will be going on I’m sure. I’d welcome anyone’s thoughts below.
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