I never intended this to become a regular feature but my inability to pick the right fantasy premier league captain is making it in to one.  In my 2 captain articles I’ve picked 6 players as possibilities.  All have got returns except for the 2 I picked.

Is there any explanation as to why Fellaini returned only the 2 basic fantasy premier league points.  Before we delve in to the stats lets review the game.

What did our eyes see?

Ive only seen the MOTD highlights for this one which offered no explanation.  Fellaini was in the advanced midfield position we hope for and seemed involved in the game and in an advanced position regularly.  The highlights showed 3 shots, 1 header on to the bar and a shot from distance plus a shot blocked close in.  The return of Jelavic, I don’t think was a factor as he played in the away game to Villa when Fellaini scored.  The involvement of Coleman should also have helped as he got forward better and crossed more than Hibbert would normally do.  Mirralas’ involvement may have taken a little bit of his space as Mirralas was keen to get forward at every opportunity but we’ll see later that wasnt reflected in any of Fellaini’s stats.  With the Newcastle game it is the 2nd time that Fellaini has failed to return in a home game with goals but it doesn’t seem to be for a lack of trying.  The only things was it didnt seem that he created a real nailed on chance that he had to score with.  With watching the game giving no explanation lets look to the fantasy premier league stats

Game stats

In this game Fellaini had the 2nd best shooting stats behind Jelavic.  Fellaini had the most shots in the game with a good percentage in the box although his on target percentage again was quite low.  He wasn’t particularly apparent in the chances created column but then he isn’t really known for that

So lets compare his performance against others

Game stats vs all other matches this year

This offers no explanation.  He was just involved in the game as he usually would be receiving the ball a similar amount of times.  He had more attempts than his average and his accuracy was better.  His percentage of shots in the box were similar.  So no explanation here

Game stats in game week 5 away to Swansea when he returned a goal and an assist.

Again his stats in the  game against Southampton compared favourably.  In the game against Southampton he shot inside the box more and his shot accuracy ie on target % was better. He was also far more involved in the Southampton game than against Swansea and he certainly received the ball more

Summary

So what did we learn?  Should we all be dumping him?  There’s  no explanation as to why he drew a blank in this game.  Everything was there for good returns.  The poor Saints defence,  Fellaini’s high involvement in the game , his forward position and the number of shots taken with the high % in the box.  I guess this is just one of those things with someone who’s on target shooting percentage is a little lower than you’d like.  Sometimes its not going to happen.

Should we be dumping him.  No.  Everton have the 2nd best next fixtures behind Manchester City and good onward fixture trend.  Fellaini is also leader in the best midfield shooting stats..  Returns will keep coming so keep the faith.