Here’s regular site commenter and FPL pundit Rob Reid with his monthly FPL update for November. Rob has a great FPL history and finished with a rank of 4,701 last season 2015/16 and 7,810 the season before.
Reflections on EPL 2016-17 Month 3
Here’s the third in my series on monthly articles reflecting on the previous months fantasy football action. Anyone who’s read a few of my previous articles know that I’m quite into reflecting back on what’s gone to try and look at where I can improve my team going forwards and I’ve found these monthly reviews quite useful. There’s a small degree of statistical analysis in it, but it’s more a series of light-hearted observations based on watching games and looking at how players are performing that then guide my ongoing strategy. I also make some fun informal awards to the Player of the Month, One to Watch for next month and a Donkey Award! I hope you find it useful and any comments are of course greatly welcomed.
Month 3 has finished and we’re well into the grind of the FPL season now! There has been a clear breakaway at the top of the EPL by 5 of the Big 6 and we’re beginning to see how the relegation battle is going to take shape. At the top, Spurs are still unbeaten but Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City are the pacesetters with Arsenal right in the mix as well. At the bottom, the Swans are already in real trouble with Sunderland, Hull, West Ham and Palace all getting sucked into a potential relegation battle. From an FPL point of view, Chelsea and Liverpool have provided us with plenty of point in the last month with some thumping victories and a steady run of clean sheets from the former, while we’re all still a bit confused as to where the true budget options lie….
International Relations (or lack of)
Forget about Donald Trump, November was all about international window injury issues for many of us. The big hitters drummed up a few scares for both EPL and FPL manager alike – Sanchez, Hazard, Coutinho and Costa all giving us a fright over the fortnight. Then they all miraculously got better again and we wondered what the hell we were worrying about. Except for the fact that it’s the Champions League this week and this may mean rotation for some at the weekend. Such is the fickle life on an FPL manager!
3-4-3 all the way
It’s an FPL favourite but it seems to work in the real world now as well, at least for Chelsea anyway. Changing to 3-4-3 and culling some of the old guard in the process has revolutionised the Blues since the successive defeats to Liverpool and Aresenal. 6 clean sheets on the trot and the 2 highest points scorers in the game with Hazard and Costa. Speaking of which…
Costa is still the man!
He may look like an extra from Westworld, but there’s no doubting it – he has been a gunslinging model of striking consistency this season. He’s now returned in 10/12 games, making him the 42% owned striker the second highest points scorer in the game. The 10 Top FPL Managers still aren’t convinced, possibly because he’s still teetering on 4 Yellow Cards, but he seems to have given up being angry with the world and concentrated on finding the net. It’s a tough fixture at home to Spurs this weekend but you wouldn’t bet against the Hosts. Better snap him up soon or he’ll Costa a small fortune!
Liverpool midfield roulette
Which Liverpool midfielder?’ has been the question for many this month. Coutinho and Firminho lead the way with the slightly more expensive Mane behind. Lallana was the fourth cheaper option and was having a fine international window until injury struck against Spain. A disappointing 0-0 against Southampton then followed, but hopefully this is just a blip and the points will be flowing again soon. It’s Sunderland at home next so I’d be tempted to say they will.
Bottom Feeders
The bottom of the table isn’t usually a great source of returns but there are a couple of options starting to emerge in these lower clubs. FPL favourite Gylfi Sigurdsson has returned in 4 of his last 5 games at bottom of the table Swansea and Mikhail Antonio is back among the goals again at struggling West Ham. And let’s not overlook the striking options on Wearside. The evergreen Jermain Defoe is now the second highest points scoring striker and his strike partner Victor Anichebe has scored 3 with 1 assist in the last 2 games. By his own admission he’s great fantasy football value at an uber-budget friendly £4.6m. Liverpool away may not be the best buy-in point though.
The Middle Men
Finally a look at mid-table. West Brom are catching our eye at the moment and with only Chelsea out of the top teams to play in the next 4 weeks, Rondon, Phillips, Morrison and a fit Nacer Chadli could be sound investments. Watford are still doing well in 8th. Capoue was back in the goals this week and attacking defender Holebas is back from suspension this week. Southampton have suffered a bit in the last couple of weeks, but also have some nice fixtures coming up so Redmond, Austin and co. should also stay on our radars.
Player of the month
Honourable mention to the Liverpool midfield, but Chelsea have the 3 main contenders here. Costa and Alonso have been superb, but it’s Eden Hazard all the way here. 45 points in the last 4 game weeks – even when he blanked last week he still returned a midfield clean sheet and 1 bonus point! 2 tough fixtures now, but make no mistake – the little Belgian is on form at the moment.
One to watch
Strange to put an FPL favourite in here, but Harry Kane looks right back in form after his injury hiatus. 3 goals in his last 2 FPL games and another goal in the Champions League this week. Maybe not the best buying point with Chelsea away this weekend, but then there’s Swansea, Hull and Burnley at home in 3 of their next 4. We all know what he’s capable of, it’s just a case of if he’s affordable with all the other £10m+ players with higher ownership. Could be a nice differential if you get it right…
Donkey Award
Oh Raheem – what has happened? No returns since GW6 for Sterling and a shocker of a missed open goal against Scotland. The Golden Carrot therefore goes to a City player for the second month in a row. If you’ve still got him in your team, then I expect he’s high on your For Sale list.
That’s it for this month folks – best of luck for this week, whoever you have in your squad. For me? I’m on a bit of a red arrow /red flag nightmare run at the moment so will be spending this afternoon mulling over how I can replace Adam Lallana without taking yet another points hit this weekend (comments welcomed below lol!) I’ll be posting my team on Twitter @thefpl_vet later as usual. Over and out!
Here’s Rob’s team before any transfers:
Thanks for the excellent article Rob and Good luck this week!
