Captain Picks Fantasy Football Gameweek 20

Captains Picks Fantasy Football Gameweek 20 – Fantasy Premier League 2014/15

In Times Square, New York, millions gather to witness the ‘Ball Drop’. Londoners stand agape at Big Ben. Italians traditionally wear red underwear. Wherever it’s celebrated, and whatever the custom, the New Year gives everyone a cause to reflect upon a year of joy, hardships, triumph and despair. For those that aren’t into watching balls drop; staring at large erect clocks or adorning scarlet panties, lets allow ourselves to be whipped up into a nostalgic fervour of our own. So, before the final Captain Picks of 2014, here’s a quick nod of acknowledgement to the expertise of those that write upon this hallowed digital papyrus, as FF247 merrily tiptoes through the writers’ ‘Captain Picks of 2014’.

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Chins

GW13 – Joey Barton (LEI, h) 2 points

Chins is much-loved for his waffling intros and respect for opinionated footballers. But when asked what the f*** he was thinking with his GW13 selection of Joey Barton, he protested, “Joey was robbed! He assisted the assister on two of the goals that week.” Chins then started waffling a bit more and asserted that a change in the BPS would’ve favoured Barton’s “…honest hard graft, good old English banter and primary school level philosophy.”

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Gallant Pioneer

GW16 – Papiss Cisse (ARS, a) 1 point

Everyone’s favourite Scot says it as he sees it. Clearly he didn’t see the fixture list in GW16 as he tipped an erratic thug away at The Emirates. During a rare day-release from the ensuing FF247-funded asylum program, GP argued his choice was ‘reasoned and logical’ and laid the blame squarely at Alan Pardew’s doorstep for “…not getting the best out of his striker; not for the first time. I would do the same thing again.” Surely GP is taking the Papiss?

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Calvin Clyne

GW18 – Oliver Giroud (QPR, h) -2 points

Jingle bells ringing in one ear, wedding bells ringing in the other. FanFeud Podcast’s hearthrob Calvin Clyne has had a 2014 to remember. He took time out of his busy schedule to warm us with some Christmas wisdom in GW18. But it wasn’t just the winter temperatures that went below zero, as Giroud’s red card saw the Frenchman’s score plummet through the ice. Commenting via email from a remote hideout in Plymouth, Calvin has since had to take refuge from an avalanche of hate mail, as well as the snow. “Bryan. I told you to leave me alone. For the last time, SOD OFF.”

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Anyway, it’s time to take off the sepia filter and squint into the bright lights of….. (Editor: “Errrr. Forgetting something?”)

Oh yeah, apparently I chose full-back Andrew ‘1 point’ Robertson in GW2. So what? If Chester hadn’t got sent off in the 13th minute, it would’ve been a different story! All right? Good. This writer shall never make another outlandish tip again.

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Now to GW20’s top 5…

5. Ayoze Perez (BUR, h)
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An outlandish tip. Yes. But in light of Cisse’s violent impression of a schizophrenic one-armed chicken, Ayoze is left as the Magpies’ main focal point against a leaky Burnley outfit who have the 2nd worst away record in the Premier League. He registered his 5th goal in 11 games. With Cisse serving his ban into the AFCON and a new manager in the stands to impress, it’s a ratio which is likely to improve throughout January, starting now.

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4. Alexis Sanchez (SOU, a)
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A rather more regular visitor to these pages, Sanchez is a rare breed who’s almost as lethal on his travels, as at home. The Chilean has chalked up 4 goals and an assist touring the grounds so far. The reverse fixture saw him steal the only goal in a 1-0 win at St. Mary’s earlier this month. The Saints are proven against most teams, but the widely predicted struggles against the biggest teams have come to fruition, culminating in last week’s fortunate draw at home to Chelsea. Sure to be a tight game, but only on 4 occasions has Sanchez registered less than 5 points in the last 12 games. In fact, he’s so good he can miss a penalty and still scoop 10 points.

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3. Raheem Sterling (LEI, h)
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Slap-happy Sterling has shown unexpected steel in his new role up top for Brendan Rodgers. Whilst not producing the numbers yet to get FPL managers frothing with excitement, he nevertheless remains an extremely promising OOP prospect. The Reds stepped on the gas against Swansea and Lallana rightly took the plaudits (and the goals) but Raheem’s 2015 will surely get out of the blocks at home to bottom club Leicester. With Rodgers showing little appetite to bring Balotelli back into the starting fray yet, and a run of tasty fixtures ahead, those still bloated by festive dinners may want to find space for one more feast.

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2. Charlie Austin (SWA, h)
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December 29th, 2012. Arsenal have just trounced Newcastle 7-3, and Theo Walcott has walked off with 26 FPL points. A day that is recounted with zest by all who captained him. Fast forward to December 20th, 2014 and QPR’s hitman Charlie Austin’s timely Christmas gift sees 17 points unwrapped gleefully by the gambling few. Think then, of those that didn’t benefit from their captaincies… that may have not even owned them. The agony. It’s easy to think that Austin’s Sunday blank at Loftus Road will consign his West Brom hat-trick to FPL history forever as a ‘Walcott moment’. A missed opportunity frozen in regret. Maybe. Maybe not. The likelihood is that this was merely a blip against a Palace side galvanized by Warnock’s departure and normal service will be resumed at home to an indifferent Swansea. If you can call a bewildering 8 goals in the last 6 home games ‘normal’, that is.

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1. David Silva (SUN, h)
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David Silva isn’t a tall bloke. That’s not a revelation. However, one thing that has become de rigueur in recent journalism is to remark upon his lack of height. The Daily Mail call him ‘The little Spaniard’; The Mirror use ‘the diminuitive playmaker’; heck, even 5’8″ giant Michael Owen repeatedly sinned during his recent BT Sport commentary. Well, don’t let the media’s condescending coverage of this footballing artist distract you from his true destiny; to be your go-to Man City captain. In the absence of fit strikers, and with a limping Yaya Toure on his way to the ACON soon, Silva’s stock value is as high as it’s ever been. 36 points in 3 games is Aguero-esque scoring and his performance against Burnley showed he had end product even in a game where City struggled. Move over Yaya and Sergio, there’s a new sheriff in town. A really short one.

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Thanks for reading Captain’s Picks Fantasy Football Gameweek 20. This article was written by Bryan Munich

Follow @bry_cooper

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WooFBet
Over on the WooFBet website the exclusive FF247 league is back for GW19 and as usual is FREE TO ENTER and has a prize pool of €150 so get yourselves over there sharpish as loads of your friends on here are taking home some handy bonus money each week.

To enter, visit woofbet.com and sign up (no card details required). Navigate to the Tournament section and click participate on the ‘FF247 – €150 FREEROLL’ tab.

Isn’t it time your fantasy manager job finally paid off!

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Don’t forget to vote on our Captain Poll

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