fantasy premier league GW36 and DGW37 – some thoughts on the Moyes sacking and it’s implications

Here’s a few thoughts on the implications for fantasy  premier league managers for Moyes sacking.  It comes at a time when Man Untd have 3 excellent games in fantasy premier league GW36 and DGW37.  I’ll be looking especially at  the  implications for FPL managers for Man Utd and their assets.

Overall

There’s obviously no certainty as to who Giggs will pick and in what positions for his first team at home to Norwich in GW36.  Watching GW36 at home to Norwich and waiting for DGW37 would see Giggs’ first team which will provide far more clarity for  DGW37 decisions.  However it seems a waste of a potentially good fixture to not have your United assets in for GW36.  This article is to try and help those decisions.

Firstly, there’s normally a short term boost when a new manager comes in and FPL managers will be hoping that this is the case for Man Utd before a home game to Norwich and a DGW37.  The fact that Moyes has played 51 different teams in 51 games can’t have done much for morale.  The players will be acutuely aware that they will be under the microscope of the various manager prospects of taking over at United at the end of the season and that surely will lift the motivation of the players.  I also read one or two things about the training being less enjoyable than under the previous manager.  Its also hard to believe that with 4 games to go and little prospect of the permanent job that he wont play a more attacking brand of football that fits with his own playing style.

It seems hard to believe that Giggs can suddenly cure Uniteds home form.  In points per game they rank 10th in the league at home.  They’ve also blanked at home 5 times and scored 22 goals in 16 games.  They’ve blanked at home  more than Stoke and scored less goals at home than Stoke.  However hopefully a more attacking strategy and a happier more motivated squad will produce better attacking results

The remaining fixtures for clarity are:

Norwich (H)
Sunderland (H)  DGW37
Hull City (H)  DGW37
Southampton (A)

The defence

The next 3 games are in theory good fixtures.  In terms of goals per game away, Norwich are the worst team in the premier league, Hull the 15th and Sunderland 11th.  Norwich have only scored 3 goals in their last 5 games.   Hull have scored 7 away in their last 5 games although 4 were at Cardiff.  Sunderland have scored 6 in their last 5 but were impressive against City and Chelsea in drawing and winning respectively.

The problem with the defence is selection.  On physioroom.com both Evra and Rafael have no return dates.  Confusingly both have  good prospects of starting according to the FPL site.  I can see De Gea being the most certain.  I would be surprised if Giggs gives gives Lindegaard a run just because there’s nothing to play for.  The problem for this is I imagine alot of managers will have Mannone in goal and it seems a waste of a transfer to replace him with De Gea.  So what of the others.  If Evra was fit again you would gamble that he would play 2 games with Giggs in charge.  Buttner has been awful and can’t be a long term replacement so there’s no reason to play him.  So with doubts over Evra there are 3 potential cheapies in Buttner (£4.5m), Evans (£4.7m) and Smalling (£4.6m).  Even if you assume Vidic and Ferdinand don’t play as Vidic is on the way out and Ferdinand likely to be, there’s still 3 CBs into 2 places with Jones being able to play there.  Smalling could play RB but with Rafael potentially back that clouds that.  Whatever you do is a huge gamble.  Even paying more for Jones gives no guarantee.   I have to say I don’t know who I would play.  If Rafael and Evra are definitely out then I may gamble on Buttner or Smalling but it would be a huge gamble.  Sorry for the lack of clarity but it just doesn’t exist.

The midfield

The injury to RVP has given Mata the chance to move into his favoured number 10 position.  31 points in the position for GW32 and GW33 put him back on the radar and with Rooney was probably the only 2 attacking options being considered.

The issue now with Mata is that there are 3 players who could be a number 10 in Kagawa, Mata and Rooney if Giggs were to choose an alternate striker.  While RVP is injured (and again he has no return date) then you have to rely on Mata holding that position he has had.  He hasn’t been anywhere near as effective coming in from the flank.

The rest of the midfield is a total gamble.  Januzaj is the value at £4.5m and if you own him he looks a hold given that a new manager gives the opportunity for him to get back into the side after some good performances.  Much as I like Kagawa he is still an unknown gamble until after GW36 when we see Giggs team

The strikers

The lack of pace has been pointed out regularly in the United side allowing the opposition to squeeze up denying them space.  Welbeck is seen as the answer to this although his minutes this year and last year are no different. So he wasn’t needed to solve any issue last year.   Personally I don’t think he’s a gamble worth taking.

Assuming RVP doesn’t make a miraculous recovery then there’s no reason to think that Rooney won’t hold his position as the centrally most advanced forward.  He should also keep penalties.  A more positive atmosphere and the additional motivation of a new manager should improve his scoring prospects.  For me he’s still a must have for GW36 and  DGW37.  Certainly if you don’t own him then you are taking a massive risk with your ranking.

Could Giggs play 2 strikers opening the way for Hernandez or Welbeck?  I personally can’t see it given the 2 number 10s in Kagawa or Mata.

That’s it.  I hope you found it useful.  I’ll do a follow up article after GW36 and will tweet or post any new clues.

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