A Look at the Transfer Market Game-week 21
What does FF247 do when they have too many days between game-weeks? Well, they trot me out, usually it is with a Grab, Avoid or Bore off, but seeing as there was one last week, we decided to take a different road. Has Mito gone serious? Hell no! Just a one time thing, I hope. So the next time you see me, I will be back asking the uncomfortable questions of them Three Amigos. So just bare with me on this article, pretend you liked it and I will pretend I liked writing it. Well let’s get to it and give me your honest opinion, unless it is negative, in that case just lie.
Goalkeepers
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Not Buying Butland: Knowing when to sell, is just as important as knowing when to buy in. Many of us keep a player past his expiration date. Obviously I like his next fixture, after that it looks like a horror show. As they face Arsenal, Leicester, United and Everton in 4 consecutive weeks. I know that Leicester is in a bit of a funk and United has not been smashing it, but I would still not feel good about these fixtures, particularly because both are away.
Waiting/Holding on Cech: Hard to criticize buying the AFC keeper. So I would say not yet if you don’t have him and just see through the interesting next couple of fixtures if possible, if you own him. Playing Liverpool away, followed by Stoke away and Chelsea at home are not exactly ideal conditions. I know what you are thinking, why be scared of LFC and Stoke, possibly even CFC. Liverpool for all their struggles have only been blanked at home once this season, so buyer beware. Stoke are not exactly a great attacking side, but legend has it they are a mare at home. *Quickly checks schedule* To discover why not fantastic at home this season, they did manage to draw to Leicester and beat City, United and Chelsea, so buyer beware. Chelsea has been terrible 90% of the season, problem is that the other 10% has been lately. But even at their worse this season, they still managed to beat Arsenal 2-0.
Buying LLoris: I have forever critiqued Spurs for their lack of, how do I put this? Guevos! Which is just another way of saying that they lack some toughness in big moments be it an individual game against a beatable team or a game versus any top rival in general. Hard to argue that this season though. They have lost only one game after a GW1 gift to Rooney and United. They are grinding out results and even if clean sheets have not come in abundance, if they are going to come, the next stretch of games might be it. Facing a weakened Leicester side this upcoming GW, they then have the fortune of facing Sunderland, Palace, Norwich and Watford in the next four. If clean sheets are consistently possible for them, this could be it.
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Defenders
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Not Buying Sagna: Everyone is buying, what am I doing selling? Well, Zabaleta is now fit finally and with Sagna playing every game except one, I do think rotation is probably in order. Many would argue that Pablo is a better player and that it is only a matter of time before he takes the job anyway, making him more than just a rotation threat. I do love City’s upcoming fixtures; I just don’t like the idea of investing in a 5.5 defender who may lose his spot or might be likely to at the very least get rotated. Yes, I am aware that Bacary has been playing at a high level, but remember that Pellegrini is a Zaba guy, as he was a Demi guy, when many thought Demichellis should not be playing in the past. I warned that Demi had an advantage because of his past with the manager and while Zabaleta didn’t play for the Engineer in the past, he did come from the same club where the City manager had his record breaking season in Argentina. Pelligrini would have known a very young Zabaleta a year or two away from breaking into the first team. If you have Sagna, you could take the wait and see approach and see what comes about the RB spot.
Waiting/Holding on Dann: Being brought in by over 20K and sold by over 10K, he almost seems like the perfect candidate for this category. My inclination would be that if you have him, you keep him and just bench him for the tougher fixtures as the surrounding fixtures are very juicy and hopefully very forthcoming of points for Palace defenders. However, because some of the tougher ones are right after they play Villa, I would think holding off on buying him is actually a sound strategy for now, at least until he gets by City and Spurs. Another thought is, if you don’t own Dann, buying Ward or Souare down the line is a wiser investment because of the money saved. In particular if you already have plans on grabbing Sanchez, Kun, etc..
Buying Cresswell: Am I really buying him or am I saying that he could be a decent punt? Kinda saying both things, that is one of covering your arse. To be honest if he was a bit cheaper he would have attracted a lot more attention and having said that, at the time of writing he was the 2nd most transferred in. The price tag makes him a punt, his last couple of games and the upcoming fixtures make him a buy. Besides City in GW23, there is a lot of possible good outcomes for The Hammers there. Assuming that West Ham will be going forward in a lot of these games, makes me think that Aaron has good potential for more assists or perhaps even another goal. He got a set piece attempt last game and was seen getting plenty of crosses in. If Carroll can stay healthy (big if) his best buddy could become Cresswell and those crosses searching that big melon head of his.
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Midfielders
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Not buying Willian: With so many managers happy buying up Willian at the current moment, I am sure this one will not go over well. Hear me out though before you burn me at the stake. Willian has participated in 19 EPL games this season, in 10 of them he scored 2 points or less. In the rest (the other 9) he averaged less than 7 PPG. Close to seven is not bad, but it is not great when someone is ruling someone’s ten worse games. For instance, if we ruled out Payet’s six worse games and only counted his other seven of the 13 he has played, he would average 8.7 PPG. If I did it for Alli and wiped out his 10 worse games and only averaged the rest, he would stand at 8.5 PPG. We could do the same for Arnautovic, Ozil, KDB, Mahrez and on and on. In several cases like Ozil and Mahrez they would still average more even when all the low scoring games are included. So what does this prove? In my eyes, it’s that he is not explosive nor terribly consistent. Only 2 double figure games all season is further proof. I know he is in ‘form’ but check the last time he was, GW7-9. Then check what he did the next seven weeks, you guessed it, nothing. His lack of shot taking is a concern and a dependence on free kicks to get FPL points is never a good idea. Having someone take pens or set pieces should be the cream on top to how a FPL player gathers points, not the main reason.
Waiting/Holding KdB: Why are you selling?! At least wait out the home fixtures and the Sunderland game on the horizon. Our boy has started 7 games at home and just barely missed out on averaging double figures. His next two are at home and at the very least you could give him the courtesy of seeing out his stint until then. Sell if you must, but seller beware of the possible danger it poses. City are a different animal at home and KdB has had some monster games at the Etihad, even if no one was there to watch him do it. So I would at least hold onto him for now, if you don’t have him, I would consider buying him but the price tag and the need for a certain Chilean or the need of money to buy Kun could provide a reason to wait. It is your choice, but I am not going to be a victim of Chucky.
Buying Payet: Yep, it is a bit early, but if you wait to buy everyone, then you will never see the benefit. The problem with waiting too long on buying someone is that by the time you get them, just about everyone will already own him. Therefore, negating any real gain by owning him. Seeing that most of us are on a template and whoever is not, quickly adjusts to be on it, if one wants to gain any advantage of having someone they must go a bit early if possible. Could it be too early and come back to haunt you? Sure, but if you only care about staying with the crowd then just make sure you stay on the highest owned players and you will be fine. Moving a little bit up and dropping a little and repeating the cycle week after week. We all know of Payet’s prowess and also know that he will quickly be snapped up the first moment he does anything of consequence. So we got about two game-weeks after his first good performance for the bandwagon to overtake the feeling of having at least a slight differential.
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Forwards
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Not Buying Costa: Originally I thought I would place Martial here, would be easy to make an argument on that one. For some reason over 20K have bought him up. However, I decided to go with one I know will be controversial, but also one that I do feel doesn’t merit his price or possibly buying. Frankly if he was 8-9 million I probably would consider him a lot more. Part of my problem with him stems from a problem he had last season, that I think still exists, bonus points. He seems to require fantastic outings to garner any at all, and sometimes even then he is passed over or only given one. He had two games with a goal and an assist and still only received one bonus point. Only games he got the three bonus was when he was involved in all the goals be it through goals or assists and only when there was more than one. History tells us that when he scores one goal he is all but ignored. Last season he scored one goal and had no assists on eleven occasions, he got a grand total of 4 bonus points for it and he probably only got those because Chelsea conceded in said games, so their defenders were out of contention. So unless he starts coming up with more than six points consistently, I would probably ignore him for now.
Waiting/Holding Lukaku: The third most transferred out forward this week so far. What does a man have to do to earn your loyalty? What a fickle bunch you truly are. I hope you bristled when he scored again in the cup against Man City. A look at the fixtures probably leads one to think that this is the main reason, I will admit City and CFC away are not the most appealing opponents. But this is the new Lukaku, isn’t it? In his last 14 he has racked up 13 goals and 4 assists along with 19 bonus points. Besides, this Everton team can score on anyone and that is a good thing, because they can’t stop anyone from scoring on them. However, if you don’t own him, you might be able to get away with it in these two upcoming GW’s and possibly play others with better fixtures. Plainly said I wouldn’t sell if I had him, the loss of value and his consistent nature make it too hard, but if I didn’t have him, I probably risk it for the next two games and hope for the best.
Buying Aguero: Well, he is Aguero, need I say more? Kun plays his next two at home against a defensively challenged Everton and a Palace side that just allowed CFC to score 3 on them. So with City having 4 of their next 6 at home, I would be armed with the Argentinian. We all know that many are making plans to bring him in and scoring in his last game will certainly help that along. Now that he is getting 90 minutes, this bandwagon will gain major steam, as frankly we are all just a touch scared of the damage he can do when he is ticking. We all look at his season and feel disappointed to a degree, but is there a more explosive force in FPL? Many a FPL season was lost on that 5 goal game against Newcastle. If you didn’t captain him or worse didn’t have him, you felt like just deleting your team and taking up knitting. Take a chance and don’t buy him if you wish, but one good week from Kun could undo weeks of pulling back your rank to respectable and send you plummeting to where the FF247 site team lays.
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Hi guys, I’m new here, this will be my first comment but looking forward to getting involved in the discussion.
Colriles, not just because I’m a hammers fan myself mate, but Payet over Aguero at this moment in time for me! I would say he’s by far the better choice! I know he only played 27 mins against Liverpool but looked liked he hadn’t been away for those 7 games. Created 2 chances and almost assisted Carroll.
The irons have looked good without him with Antonio and Carroll hitting form.
Hammers have a better goal scoring record when he starts. In the 12 GW’s he started they scored 23 goals, he netted 5 and assisted 4 in those appearances. The stats show that with him starting the hammers scored on average 1 more goal per game. He’ll come into an already firing side and create more scoring opportunities. Plus they have very favourable fixtures for the next 7 GW’s!
City don’t look 100% convincing going forward at the moment. I’d say Aguero is too large a portion of any squads budget until he and City look more dangerous in front of goal. A less ‘costly’ option, poor pun, Payet and Diego Costa! I know Mito has questioned Costa’s price per goal/assist ratio but he’s already equaled his assists for last season so perhaps looking for enthusiastic under new management?
Cheers FFSP and welcome aboard! Thanks for your Hammers info, I would have to agree. A few days ago I was seriously considering a punt on Carroll, but was 99% talked out of it by the good folks here. What’s your take on that? Looking to jumpstart a horrific season.
You’re welcome Coriles and thanks for the welcome! Another place to satisfy my FF obsession haha
Andy Carroll, like you mate I am looking to find diffentials that will propel me up the leagues. Carroll, played 45 mins and then 90mins against the scousers, scoring on both occasions. Looks good. Could have had a second assisted by Payet against LFC. Diafra Sakho is out until March, Zarate is being sold on possibly, Valencia hasn’t hit any form. The biggest concern with Carroll, staying fit. He’s a big injury risk. But I think if he can stay free of injury with Payet, Antonio, Moses and Lanzini all providing, he could score big. I’m loving the look of the Hammers fixtures too, within their next 6 matches they play Bournemouth, Newcastle, Sunderland and Norwich!
GW20 saw Carroll hitting 5 shots in the box, on target at Mignolet, that was more than any other BPL forward/player that GW.
Another concern though, Bilic has said he’s concerned about his lifestyle, whether this will affect a move in January or a hint that he’s not favoured by Bilic?
I need a different angle mate, I’m tempted with a punt on Carroll, transferring Vardy out.
Or at least finding room for a Hammer in midfield with Payet or Antonio, another great diffential!
Too many thanks and welcomes in one post.
:ban:
Welcome and thanks Woodsy Looks like we’ll never be found wanting for West Ham info again then!
Oh and meet The B
@The B
Your usual welcome i see :]
Woodsy
Welcome along mate. Happy to have a happy hammer aboard ….. who might be able to help me.
I have Cresswell currently in my wildcard team (5.5). Is there justification in the £1.2M difference between he and Collins just now? I could spend that money elsewhere but I’d love to know if you think I’m better with Cresswell?
Thank you.
Welcome to the site Woodsy, good to have you here and already you are bringing much to the party. cheers.
Great article by the way Mito ??
Well, it probably needed Iceman as a sidekick but other than that I was happy to provide a little healthy debate.
Did want to get rid of Ramsey but due to lukaku and vardy being injured I’m thinking vardy out for ighalo and give Ramsey one more chance?
Could be worth it, Liverpool hates defending.
Weller, I’d hold fire on the Lukaku transfer, his injury is discribed as not serious. I think he’ll be rested Saturday against Dag and Red, then fit for Wednesday vs Man City!
If that were the case. Do I go 3-5-2 or replace vardy
If you have a free transfer mate, Vardy out. I could be wrong. But I can’t see him bouncing back from injury and banging in consistent goals again!
Thanks for this Mito, appreciate your time and effort.
I’m not sure which way to go myself with regards to my front 3, i have kun / luka and vardy.
I have a strong enough 5 in mid to let vardy ride on my bench but the fixtures of tott and to a lesser extent watford make kane and ighalo both appealing.
Photek. Kane mate! Leceister and then Sunderland. Home fixtures. The Ranieri philosophy of ATTACK will see Leciester exposed at the back! Goals for ‘arry!
He’s a wizard! :stupid:
Cheers Woodsy!
who am i taking out for him, Vardy or Luka?
I already have Alli aswell if it matters
I’d go with Vardy mate, the Party is over in my opinion! 2 weeks off with injury. If you have Mahrez he’ll be enough. Romelu looks very decent and his Capital One Cup injury wasn’t serious apparently so should be back for Wednesday.
yeah i’ve got Mahrez and i’m happy to have just him.
Only 0.8 in my bank so i’ll have to downgrade one of my mids, i think Barkley looks a good candidate for raising some funds as i have KDB, Ozil, Mahrez and Alli i can play.
Cheers Woodsy
You’re welcome, no worries mate. Sounds like a plan. Pop the arm band on him as well ?
Great article Mito21, I am not going for Aguero right now, I may live to regret it but he is still a few games away from form. Lukaku can score against Chelsea and Citeh