Here’s my take on the fantasy premier league bandwagons and sinking ships ie the 3 most transferred in and out players so far in the gameweek

The Bandwagons

Ross Barkley

Up to £4.8m from £4.5m and with 32K transfers in the gameweek so far the bandwagon rumbles on.

Didn’t replicate the returns of the Norwich game but all the underlying stats looked reasonably promising from the WBA match.   He had an excellent average forward central position and had good shooting and creating chances stats.  A little free on the shooting from distance was the only criticism.  Also heavy game involvement and careful in possession.  Did holding his place chances good.  When Gibson is fit the crunch will come.  Will he hold his place over either Gibson or Osman?  I personally think that Gibson will come back into the side.  Fellaini continually drifted forward in  the WBA game and Martinez will want someone to sit along side Fellaini.  Martinez showed with players like McArthur at Wigan that he values the CDM role.  Gibson will play that role.  That leaves a straight shootout between Osman and Barkley for the remaining place.  On current form that means I think Barkley will hold his place.

Another point to consider though is that at £4.8m have you missed the boat?  Would another option at £5.0m be more attractive.  the main ones being Brady and Koren at Hull, Whittingham and Kim at Cardiff, Redmond and Norwich and Dorrans at WBA.  there’s also new bot £4.5m JWP at Saints.  Personally I think Barkley if he holds his place on Gibsons return has the potential to outscore all of these.  But there is selection and long term game time risk which on the whole is probably a little less than te others.  To me though he’s worth that risk and still a BUY

Seamus Coleman

Up to £5.2m from £5.0m and with 26K transfers in the gameweek so far the other Everton bandwagon from last week rumbles on.

I’ve been a big fan of Colemans from last season and my reluctance to put him in my side was to do with worries over the amount of clean sheets that Martinez’s Everton side would generate.  Well,  the opposition so far of Norwich and WBA hasn’t been the best attacking quality.  Only Stoke and QPR scored less goals than Norwich last year and WBA look toothless without Lukaku from last year plus Anelka.  Nonetheless,  the defensive stats have been excellent.  1 clean sheet and great underlying stats.  The next fixtures are  Cardiff A,  Chelsea H,  West Ham A,  Newcastle H,  M City A and Hull H.  A bit mixed from the defensive side but a couple of clean sheets at home definitely.

On the attacking side this year Coleman’s been excellent.  Apart from the goal and assist he’s had more pen box touches than anyone except Ivanovich and only Baines has created more chances for team mates.  Both players are far more expensive.

Overall, I think he’s a BUY but you need to move before he goes up in price.  At around  £5.5m you’re in to the Arsenal and Nastasic type price for defenders.  Although both have had their recent troubles, City had 18 clean sheets last year and Arsenal 14.  Everton had 11 with a much more defensively careful manager and with defenders having a, seemingly, 50% chance  of getting bonus points everytime they get a clean sheet I would question whether Coleman is worth the  same price as Sagna/Mertesacker and Nastasic in the long term

 David Silva

Up to £9.1m from £9.0m and with 24K transfers in the gameweek so far.

The City attacking player who will be the most reliable from a gametime perspective.  After the fiasco at Cardiff,  he was the only City starter to emerge with any credit in my mind.     He had the near best shooting and the best creating chances stats.   Also had the biggest game involvement as well as the highest average midfield position.  Looks to be nailed on for future contribution.  Furthermore the striker gametime  conundrum still needs some working through to judge who will be in the team.  The next fixtures are a little mixed being Hull H, Stoke A,  Man Utd H, Villa A,  Everton H and W Ham A buy I still think with their attacking potential and an attacking manager that City coverage is essential.   Silva remains the best buy until there is clarity over the striker positions.  A definite BUY.

The Sinking Ships

Anelka

Down £5.5 to £5.4m.  32k transfers out

Anonymous in GW1 and given compassionate leave likely to lead to retirement now he is a nailed on SELL.  This ship will sink fast!

Straight swaps are difficult.  Before I would have said Cornelius but its questionable he will even get into the team after Campbells performance.  If you have the cash Campbell actually looks the best bet at that price range.  If you only have the £5.4m then its really slim pickings at £5.0m and I would probably go for Chamakh which says it all.  I’m in the same conundrum and at the moment I’m going to leave it and restructure my team as I want a contributing striker rather than a filler

Hazard

Stable at £9.5m. 24k out

Only 1 assist in his first 2 games despite reasonably weak opposition (on paper at least) plus a blank in GW3 it seems the ideal opportunity to sell.  After all isn’t  Hazard a  player who produced amazing returns as the one of the big flat track bullies at home?  However, lets look behind the scenes and see what his underlying stats were in the context of all the other midfielders in fantasy premier league.   They’re very good, 4th best shooting stats to date and only Fellaini had more pen box touches.  Created the most chances for team mates  and was 4th in final 3rd involvement  Although Hull and Villa at home weren’t the 2 most difficult opponents this isn’t the stats of someone you immediately should look to sell.

All Chelsea midfielders look to have gametime issues but in this time where defences will sit back, players who can go past people and open teams up with a bit of magic are vital and Hazard fits that bill.  Obviously Willian coming further complicates things but I’m still positive about Hazards gametime prospects.

Lets look at his upcoming fixtures:  GW3 Blank,  Everton A,  Fulham H,  Spurs A,  Norwich A,  Cardiff H.

Mixed at best.  I think whether to sell depends on what else you’ve got.  Would I sell if I didn’t have Walcott or Silva.  Yes.  Would I sell him or Coutinho though?  Now that’s more difficult.  Even with Coutinho’s fixture advantage he’s been a little disappointing, especially against Villa.

Although difficult to answer for all fantasy premier league managers, it’s a HOLD for me.  I would be selling Chelsea defensive or forward assets first for the GW3 blank.

Lukaku

down £8.0m to £7.7m.  19k transfer out

Interesting one this.  As you may know I’m Lukaku’s biggest fan.  However, talent isn’t the issue here.  It’s all about game time and he has shocked people into selling due to not starting in either game in the double gameweek.  Personally I thought the poor performances of Torres and Ba actually helped his gametime prospects.  I can’t believe he wont start against United tonight where he will get a chance to stake his claim.  His price wont go down again today so I would see what tonight brings.  If he doesn’t start again then I would dump him post haste. If he performs well then he maybe worth a hold if you have the stomach to ride out further price falls.

The other risk is of someone else joining Chelsea as a striker.  There are reports that Chelsea have agreed a deal with Eto’o to join.  That would certainly push Lukaku in to sell territory.  The Rooney saga looks over for the moment but that again would be the end of Lukaku if it dramatically U turns.

In summary unless something remarkable happens to Lukaku tonight he’s a SELL for me.  Lambert  is a good straight swap although he has tough fixtures.  Dzeko is another option if you’re willing to take alot of gametime risk.

That’s it hope it helped guide your thinking

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