Captain Picks Fantasy Football Gameweek 3
GW2 was a great reminder how important your Captain selection is. Those who went with Costa, Hazard or Ramsey were well rewarded, whilst those who went with Rooney or the returning RvP were let down by a lacklustre performance and their gameweek suffered as a result. This week presents us with some tough decisions – with Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and United all playing away and with Everton and Spurs hosting two of the aforementioned, we are left with Manchester City who appear to have the standout fixture as they host Stoke at The Etihad. The problem lies with the fact that many teams do not own any City players, at the time of writing, due to their opening tough looking fixtures. So will you be bringing in a City player for this week? Maybe it’s not the worst decision. Let’s have a look at who the best choices for the armband are this weekend.
Captain Choices
Sergio Aguero (home vs Stoke)
“But he may not start”, I hear some say. “They’re easing him back into the season”, I hear the nervous suggest. “His legs are made of glass”, I hear the desperate claim. Well, I wouldn’t necessarily disagree with any of the above statements, but c’mon, we all know how clinical Aguero can be. Pellegrini brought him on at Newcastle in the 83rd minute and it took him just seven minutes to score. Against Liverpool, it took him just 23 seconds to find the net!! The manager clearly is easing him back, he got 23 minutes on Monday night, so one can only assume that he will play more minutes vs Stoke. Whether he starts or not doesn’t really matter does it? He will feature, he will get chances, not many of us are that impressed by Stoke on their travels and City are kicking into gear. What more do you want? Well, maybe a small loan from your FPL bank manager as he ain’t cheap at 12mln – but come May we may well be reminded that you get what you pay for in FPL.
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Stevan Jovetic (home vs Stoke)
For those that cannot afford Aguero, Jovetic is hardly the worst alternative this week. Full of confidence after his brace against Liverpool, finally injury free and continually talked up by his manager, the Montenegrin will be hopeful of carrying on his good form at home to the Potters at the weekend. With Nasri, Navas, Silva and Yaya pulling the strings behind him, he is almost assured of goalscoring chances and his two finishes on Monday showed he can be as clinical as Aguero given the opportunities. Described by some as the poor man’s Aguero, sometimes a decision dictated by budget and an unwillingness to take a hit proves to be the smart and shrewd move and the striker is almost certain of a starting the game due to the injury to Dzeko and the building up of fitness of Aguero.
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Diego Costa (away vs Everton)
Two goals in his first two Premier League games prove Jose’s assertion that Chelsea have finally got their replacement for Didier Drogba, which is a tad bizarre seeing as that they have recently re-acquired the original. Anyhow, with their new Beast onboard and with the supply line of Hazard, Fabregas, Oscar and Schurrle creating chances aplenty, it’s a brave man who would bet against Costa adding to his tally. Everton, of course, are traditionally pretty tight at home, but consecutive 2-2 draws including letting slip a two goal lead vs Arsenal last week suggests it is a defence which can be breached. While many feared (incorrectly) that Drogba may have started vs Leicester, there can be no doubt that Costa will start at Goodison as Jose attempts to preserve Chelsea’s 100% record and win one of their tougher matches on the road.
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Aaron Ramsey (away vs Leicester)
Two goals in the opening two matches this season has seen the Welshman become the most popular midfielder and as last season proved, he loves to get on a run of scoring. Woe betide those who have the view of “surely he can’t score again”! Away to a Leicester side which has conceded two goals in both matches so far, Ramsey will be raring to go, having missed the Champions League 2nd leg match vs Besiktas. With Sanchez taking his time to settle, Ozil still building up fitness and form and Giroud injured, the one constant is Ramsey and while he continues to enjoy this rich vein of scoring, he is hard to ignore. Another plus point for the midfielder is that with Wilshire and Arteta sidelined, Ramsey is likely to retain his midfield place and not be played too far up the park, which as most Gooners will tell you, sees Ramsey in his best and most effective position.
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Best of the Rest
Eden Hazard / Cesc Fabregas (away vs Everton)
While everyone was raving about Cesc’s debut masterclass, Hazard owners were looking at themselves wondering why they went for Hazard instead. The Belgian repaid the faith by notching his first of the season in the home win over Leicester, although you can’t keep Fabregas down, as he got credit with the assist! So whichever one you have, don’t bet against them putting on another show.
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Wayne Rooney (away to Burnley)
In years gone by, you would have given the United striker the armband with a fixture such as this without a moment’s thought. However, United and Rooney have started the LVG era slowly, as the manager himself predicted they would. Surely it is only a matter of time before they give their new manager something to cheer and it may well be this weekend in this derby fixture. The arrival of Angel di Maria should lift the Reds and if the Argentian makes his debut vs Burnley expect an increased attacking threat from United and Rooney. His Premier League record speaks for itself and he is never far away from the action – it may well be this weekend that United turn the corner and as we are all aware, once they get on a roll, they can be pretty tough to stop.
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Daniel Sturridge (away to Spurs)
The England striker suffered a disappointing night at the Etihad but will be keen to bounce back vs Spurs on Sunday. He did show glimpses of his skill though and was always looking to take on the defenders and shoot on sight and did, of course, provide the cross for Liverpool’s consolation. Despite two clean sheets, the likes of Eric Dier and Danny Rose will learn at the weekend that Premier League football is more than playing QPR and West Ham every week. Liverpool will be looking for an immediate response and with the possibility of Mad Mario up alongside him, those with Sturridge may well be well rewarded this week.
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Gylfi Sigurdsson (home to West Brom)
Siggy has certainly hit the ground running since his return to the Swans and a home fixture vs West Brom should present a great opportunity to continue to please his happy owners. One goal, two assists and three bonus points have seen managers desperately buy him, showing him to be exceptional value even at these levels. Those who have him will be tempted to skipper him, those who don’t will face a nervous 90mins on Saturday afternoon.
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Punt of the Week
Daryl Janmaat (home to Crystal Palace)
While captaining a defender is a risk, a gamble, maybe even a crazy decision, what else do you expect from a “punt”? Janmaat was Newcastle’s most effective attacker in their goal-less draw at Villa last week and facing a Palace side who were humbled at home by West Ham, suggests confidence is low and the inner troubles within the club are starting to affect the players. Given licence to roam down the right flank and not afraid shoot, there is every chance Janmaat can repay a gambler’s faith.
Thanks for reading Captain Picks Fantasy Football Gameweek 3. This article was written by Cookie
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Great article cookie..
But I’m still unsure who to captain
You made a good argument for all my potential captains.
I’ve narrowed it down to
Jov
Costa
Rooney
Cesc
Cheers Big,
It’s a very tricky one eh? I would never advise anyone who to capo as it has to be a personal decision, but I have Rooney and he’s not in my thoughts as a capo this week. Saw enough last week to put him off – some serious work is needed at Utd.
*PUT ME OFF
thanks for the write up cookie, good stuff!
do you guys think now is the time to get ramsey for sanchez, bearing in mind that giroud may have broken his ankle, surely sanchez will be there main striker now, with pod wanting a move away?
Morning Photek,
I would want to see some evidence that Sanchez is finding his feet in the league before considering him. I still think Wenger may buy Bony or Remy, but an Arsenal fan will be able to give you a better answer.
Thanks mate, i know he hasn’t done much yet and if giroud was fully fit he would’ve already been gone but that injury has thrown up some doubt now. I’ll see if i can grab Flingy later on here for his thoughts (not sure who else is a gunner on here)
Great article! Still not sure who to give the armband to……thinking of taking a punt on Rooney?! AND it is a PUNT!
Also stuck with Ashley Young- is it worth taking a 4 pt hit for ward prowse??
Nath, I’d dump Young mate.
Cheers Cookie, think I’ll take the hit this week……and hope Young is on the bench!
good morning folks, thanks for this cookie, I am definitely going with Rooney, he does not go many games without scoring so with a blank last week he is certain to score! (he is hey?) with the addition of Di Maria will only be a lift. your lot still needs a defender thou goodness me just saw the highlights from last night, what is Johnny Evans doing there?!?
should all be kicked out the club mate. They should be ashamed and embarrassed.
Tough times mate, I know how you feel tho. I reckon things will turn but these last few days of the transfer market can make or break things
Migs, we desperately need a strong presence in the middle and at the back. Failure to secure those could mean another painful season.
Cookie, the rumours are -still- Vidal, but surely he isn’t coming?
Migs, the rumours have been there all sumer….bored of it, to be honest. Media wriote what they want – one day he is coming, next day he isn’t according to them. They know f all….
what will be, will be.
I have confidence in LVG, but as he himself said, it is not an overnight fix. Shows how good Fergie was eh?
Sorry, Milky, not Migs. Easily mixed up!
Yeah understood it was for me Cookie. Fergie was/is a footballing legend.
Mate, I understand why non-Utd fans don’t like him, but to get the best out of those players and winning the league by 11pts with Anderson, Nani, Cleverley, Young, Evans etc etc tells you everything.
I’m a non-United fan and I appreciate the genius!
Please RMT.
The players I’m looking to draft in within the next 3-4 GWs:
a) Hazard, for Eriksen/Mata and;
b) Aguero, for Costa/Rooney
As Hazard and Aguero are more expensive replacements I need to start freeing up cash by downgrading on other players in the team.
Any suggestions?
Also, for GW3 my bench is Elliot – Hendo – RVA – Moore.
Ramsey captain.
Am I good to go?
Kopite,
It will be very difficult to get those two in unless you downgrade Cahill and Debuchy and reduce one of your mids
Thanks Cookies, and yes I think you’re right. It’s looking increasingly hard to get both, might have to just settle on one.
Might start off the downgrades with DDG –> Krul. Good move?
Kopite,
sure it would be a start and would get you 1mln straight away.
Tekno’s post below is also worth considering as both moves would raise more cash.
Is it really necessary to have one of Jelavic/Henderson on the bench each week? If you downgraded one of them to a 4.5 you could do Rooney -> Aguero.
Thanks Tekno and Cookies
Krul
Terry, Debuchy, Pieters*, (Bruce^, Bartley^)
Ramsey, Sterling, Siggy, Eriksen* (Young^)
Jovetic, Costa, Rooney
2 FTs
I had a whole game plan on getting in a Chelsea midfielder for Eriksen with Jovetic being removed too. But after his 2 goals, and Dzeko’s injury, I don’t see him losing his place at all.
Honestly, I’m kinda lost with what to do now.. Thoughts..?
Milky, starting team is fine. I would sell Bruce (Dawson just signed, rumours he may leave) and Young (obviously)
Cookie:
Yeah have to offload Young fast! Pieters against Man City could be a problem, even though Stoke have been decent against them.. I was thinking of looking at a Swansea/Sunderland 4.5 defender.. Young to a 4.5m midfielder too.. but can I go another GW without a Chelsea midfielder is my conundrum =/
Yeah Milky but you need starters and Bruce, Bartley are not starting and Young is, well, Young.
How about Bruce to Dummett, double up on Toon this week and lose Young? Deal with Bartley next week.
Hmmm, I like the double Toon move.. Might be a risk but Crystal Palace are.. Crystal Palace lately.. Dummett.. then Young to 4.5 to free up funds maybe..
Agree with Cookie that Young and Bruce should be sold first. I have Jones of Burnley, but Cattermole is 4.5 and should rise this week. Dummett seems the best replacement for Bruce. While Jovetic probably will start next match he’ll probably need replacing sooner or later, so keep that plan of yours in the back of your mind.