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
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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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As i’ve said before, don’t normally have much time to be on here, but cheers to all the folk behind it and the regulars for always being able to help! Great site, really is. Here’s to a grand 2015! Now let’s all get completely rat-arsed…
Hello everyone.
A bit late to the party here but Bravo Bryan. Top article.
You’ll be hearing from my solicitor in the new year. He would like to begin to represent you to.
#backlashahead
Evening GP, how are you pal? All set?
Alex
Howdy pal. I’m fine thank you. Settling down to welcome in the new year mate.
How are you?
I’m on Silva as captain and planning an early WC after tomorrow’s games. Last few weeks have gone a bit wonky for me. Still delighted overall though.
Hello mate, exactly the same GP. Settling in for a quiet one at home with the family. Im on Silva and feeling the same about the WC. Can you have a look above and give me your thoughts and make me feel that I am correct to WC early!? Ive got Jenkinson in for Chambers this week and yup Silva capo for me.
NYE and I’m tucked up on the settee with the missus and baby watching telly. The joys of fatherhood I suppose
Anyway I still can’t decide on my cappo choice!!
This is currently my team;
Mitro,
Hello mate. Yeah changed days – I’ve got my two off to bed now and just sitting with the wife having no more than two drinks probably. Early start tomorrow – family visiting and then a party tomorrow night.
I’m on Silva. Just can’t see past him right now.
Evening GP!
I hope you are well? Two!!! My missus is already talking about having another one… Gulp!!
I did have it on silva but as its YYT last game before he heads off for the ACON I’m thinking he will go out with a bang or it could be a whimper, I Was also looking at Austin, could Swansea concede another 4? Even hazard is good choice!! Really need my cappo to perform tomorrow!! Been wrestling for top spot in my main mini league for about 4 weeks now! The two ahead of me are now 14 & 15 points!!
When you activating your WC? Mine will come in too play as soon as FPL has updated
Mitro
Mine too. I’m going WC tomorrow night.
I’m on the form guy and that’s Silva. That is the only reason – I see no logical reason for changing him (done him the past two).
14 and 15 points ahead? That’s nothing in fantasy terms.
They were 45 3 weeks ago but austinho as cappo sorted that out for me. That being said feels like I’m not doing well at the moment!!
Silva is in form hopefully it will carry on until kun’s return!! I think a few more beers may decide my cappo!!
Have a look at my WC team below mate
I wonder what the demographic of users on here are men with young kids, pretty much everyone here is!
Burnsey, plus 1 here lol
@Burnsey I am just a single bloke with F-all to do on New Years. lol.
P.s agree with The Gallant Pioneer Silva for (C)
Same here Burns, but I’ve got 4
But not even dinner time here in South Dakota, USA.
Mitro, happy NY mate! Looks like all the new dads are all doing the same thing tonight ay GP!? Im on exactly the same as you Silva and then Austin. Shame to bench Downing but who would you drop for him!?
Yep really want to play Downing but the only person I could think of was Costa!! Last time I did that it hurt me big time!! I do have a gut feeling that silva or haz may be rested!!!
Have you started planning your WC yet?
Think I have come up with a decent team, what do you think?
P.S Happy NY hope you and the family have a great one.
Mitro, I like it mate. Very different to mine but some great options. I like the Wally/Sanchez combo. Lack go Man U attackers maybe? And also a very ‘cheap’ forward line. Not sure if thats a problem or not but I always prefer 4-3-3 and when some biggies are back your going to have to do some major surgery to get the likes of Augero/Sturridge in.
Alex – I can get Kun in with two transfers
if ADM was fit I would be putting him in instead of wally, may go with sterling for the next few weeks.
Mitro
Think Walcott is a risk to put in right away. I’d wait until he looks like he is nailed back in the team and is producing it. I’d upgrade Duff to Cameron of Stoke. Not sure Duff will get back in to the team now.
What about Sterling for Walcott?
One of my other options does has sterling!! Is Cameron nailed on to start?
Mitro – Walcott in a WC team? Nah mate, he’s not fit so that’s a no-no, in my opinion. A United attacker looks pretty essential for this run as our fixtures are delightful.
Would like ADM in their but he’s not fit!! Might go with sterling for now and see what happens over the coming weeks
Mitro – Di Maria should be okay come GW 21. We’ll know more after tomorrows game i suppose.
Banterbury Leagues in Association FF247 : Game-week 19/20 Results/Tables/Fixtures including H4H Cup 5th Round http://t.co/aIkQvZMVUJ
Howdy folks. I hope you’s are all having a good night. As usual, i’m doing nothing for new years, except tinkering with my fantasy team of course 😉 Thoughts on this WC draft? I think it’s pretty close to the end product but thought i would ask around before settling on it. Activation day is tomorrow. Funds in the kitty are for Falcao -> Aguero, whenever he returns. Ta.
Wouldn’t go this early on Pelle. 2-3 weeks maybe for him. What are your thoughts on Liverpool and also thoughts on Walcott?
Cheers Quall. I would likely bench Pelle and Alderweireld for the United game and play 4-4-2. Then in GW 22 Southampton’s fixtures pick up and i wont have to make a transfer to get them in. Re Liverpool, i haven’t seen enough to suggest that any of their players should have a spot in a WC squad. Walcott isn’t fit. Not even close, so i wouldn’t go there.
Cool, all makes sense. What about City coverage until Aguero returns. How big a period are you targeting, Debuchy for instance has Stoke, City, Villa, Spurs in the next four which isn’t great. Also in GWK 23 City play Chelsea but then they both have great fixtures for ages. Saying that I would imagine the rotation is good, I am just to drunk to look at that.
Asides from Azpilicueta, the defenders slot together pretty well most weeks. Alderweireld and Azpilicueta would play the majority of GW’s, Debuchy is easily benched i think, especially against City and maybe Spurs (a) too. He would play both home games. City have some hard games after Sunderland so i’m happy enough to roll without any of them until Sergio comes back. I haven’t really targeted a specific period. Just need a shake up really as my squad has many issues that need sorting.
Evening NIN, watching Queen live myself trying to get a baby to sleep (success at last!) Not sure on the front three. With Tiote you are clearly going 3-4-3 but for me they are pretty weak and it will be pretty hard to upgrade to a big hitter if you need! Just my thoughts mate and I like the def and mid.
Nice one Alex. I love Queen! I was listening to them earlier myself
Yeah 3-4-3 is my preferred formation so Tiote will be last sub every GW (also the cheapest mid who gets game time). You don’t fancy Southampton to do well mate? I haven’t second guessed the inclusion of their players once. Interesting. Ings is a bit of a differential for a few GW’s, will eventually go back to Kane or maybe Austin if he still looks sharp and QPR are playing okay.
NIN, Queen are live on BBC 1 now! All good points pal, I do fancy Southampton def (see my team for proof!) but not forwards at present except maybe Mane who goes soon!!!
Feeling like my team is set for tomorrow with Lloris/Eriksen/Dummer/Yun on the bench. I do have a FT though. Any thoughts on where to use it? I’m leaning toward save.
Yep, Save FT is fine here i think.
Also, thoughts on whether or not I need to WC soon or if I should be fine waiting to use it late?