Captain’s Picks
Welcome to our weekly Captain’s Picks article. Every week we will look to elucidate potential captains for the forthcoming game-week and give you our opinions on the merits of each, but then also delve a little deeper by analysing their recent stats to help make that crucial decision a little easier for you. Our Captain’s Picks for this week are as follows:
Luis Suarez is in fine form since returning from his 10 match ban; he has scored 5 goals and assisted his teammates for 3 in the last 4 game-weeks. He faces a tough challenge away to an Everton side that have conceded just 1 goal in their last 4 games, but will they be able to keep the in-form Uruguayan quiet?
Although there was no contribution by Sergio Aguero in GW11, he has still managed to net a respectable 4 times and assist 3 these past 4 game-weeks. Tottenham Hotspur travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City and Aguero will be looking to follow up his form with another impressive display. Tottenham have one of the best defensive records in the Barclays Premier League this term, second only to Southampton, conceding just 6 and 5 respectively.
Loic Remy has impressed of late, although scoring just 2 goals in the past 4 game-weeks, he scored 5 more in the previous 3 so he’s certainly comfortable scoring this term. In GW12 he faces Norwich City at home, a team that has the second worst defensive record in the league with 21 goals against, joint with Crystal Palace and second only to Sunderland who have conceded 22.
Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie have been the main men for Manchester United this season and arguably the only reason that United have managed to climb the table after a bleak start under the new management of David Moyes. Rooney has 2 goals and 4 assists in the last 4, alongside van Persie who has managed a goal in each of the last 4 and 2 assists. With a victory over league leaders Arsenal fresh under their belts Manchester United will be looking to kick on, and with a favourable fixture against Cardiff City, the aforementioned are both potential captain material for GW12.
Goals and assists
We will now analyse the statistics behind the recent performances of our 5 picks from the previous 4 matches in the Barclays Premier League, looking at the key attacking potential they hold, the threat they pose in front of goal, and finally their involvement and creativity for each of their respective teams. Statistics from the past 4 game-weeks will be used to keep player form and statistical data current.
Key attacking statistics
- Suarez is presented with a chance every 14 minutes, under half the time of Rooney yet only slightly better than Aguero.
- 27 – the most attempts at goal of our 5 picks come from Suarez, double that of Rooney but closely followed again by Aguero on 25.
- 90% of Aguero’s attempts have come from within the box.
- Both Suarez and Aguero have had 11 shots on target, more than the other 3.
Goal threat
- Suarez and Aguero see a lot more of the ball around goal, with roughly double the touches in the penalty area than our other picks.
- Rooney leads the group with a shot accuracy of 47%.
- van Persie finishes 37% of his attempts at goal, just under double that of second best Suarez with 18%.
Involvement and creativity
- Suarez has created 33% more chances for his teammates than Aguero, and roughly 66% more than the remaining 3 picks.
- Creating a chance every 25 minutes is the best from the 5 by Suarez.
- Suarez has also received the most passes in the final third of the pitch, whilst distributing the most successful passes in the same area.
- Of the 5 Remy sees least of the ball in the final third of the pitch.
- van Persie is involved in 75% of Manchester United’s goals, although creating joint fewest chances alongside Remy (5).
Summary
Luis Suarez is the stand out performer of the 5, with a chance every 14 minutes and creating a chance every 25 he’s performing at the top of his game.
Although fewer chances come the way of van Persie, he is far more clinical than the Uruguayan with a 36% conversion rate.
Sergio Aguero cannot be overlooked; with 90% of his attempts on goal coming from within the area he can easily net a number of goals in any game.
Even with a good goal scoring record Loic Remy seems the weakest choice of the 5, but with a better conversion rate (18%) to Aguero and Rooney (15%) it proves that no matter how many chances you have, you need to take them for it to count in terms of fantasy football.
Wayne Rooney has the best accuracy with his attempts (46%) but with a conversion rate of just 15% and minimal touches in the penalty area, it seems he is taking his attempts from distance.
Worthy mentions that should be considered although not being included in this article include: Rickie Lambert, Eden Hazard, Aaron Ramsey, Steven Gerrard and Adam Lallana.
Following our analysis of our 5 Captain’s Picks for GW12 we would love to hear your views below on which you are going for and why. Will it be any of our 5 or someone different? Don’t forget to cast your vote on our Captain’s Poll below.
This article was written by Flingy.
[polldaddy poll=7555802]
Wanting to hear from who voted Lukaku as captain choice for the derby this weekend! He scored in both of his premier league appearances for WBA against Liverpool last season.
Suarez scored twice on Everton last season also. I voted Ben- Techie, because I am hard headed like that. Just saw a post on Twitter which referenced the fact that the most owned players will appear in only two fixtures. The derby and Ars/Soton could be a very low scoring week.
I voted Suarez, cos, well, he likely score at any given time. That’s a good fact Mito. Thinking about it 7 of my squad and 5 of my first 11 are in those 2 fixtures, and that’s if I choose to bench Lallana.
Was thinking of downgrading Ozil to Gerrard but would still be from those 2 fixtures.
Great article Flingy…
Want Suarez as my captain this week with all the stats pointing towards him…makes sense right..
Well…
The only naggin doubt is all that travelling..
Will it have much of an effect..?
I voted lukaku for a deferential and home advantage and the fact that Liverpool aren’t best at keeping a clean sheet.
I have Rooney penciled in at this stage but you make very valid claims for Suarez. My other options would be Benteke or ozil.
Decisions….decisions.
p.s. Nice site. I imagine there will be tumble weeds galore over at FFC once word gets out.
It’s happening already
will go for rooney based on the fixtures.
other options in my team were suarez and aguero… but
suarez is going against everton who have conceded just 1 in 4 games
and aguero against a formidable spurs defence which will be even stronger with lloris back in the team.
You make valid points, Roon does seem the safest option of the 3. But he is also the least explosive. Suarez and Kun are tied with 4 games in double figure points, which is great for captaincy. More incredible in the case of Suarez as he has done it in only 6 games. But Kun and Suarez travel a long way back from their International fixtures and Suarez in particular gets back to England late Thursday at best, possibly Friday. Kun remains in great form as he scored a brace against Bosnia a couple of hours ago. Maybe the deciding point is the fact that Roon has the best fixture and will be the least tired. Thanks for sharing your view.
And welcome to the site!
thanks mito21.
planning to be a regular.
site looks brilliant.
Wow Mito. that’s detailed, sounds like you should of been a travel agent 😛 Awesome work with the info,
Cheers. :thumbup:
Nice post.
I am also going with rooney based on those reasons but this might be the last time i would captain him. My captain choice would be between aguero and suarez mostly except on weeks like this
To think that Iactually believed Mito was 15…
hmmm..Aguero just smashed 2 goals against Bosnia couple of hours ago..Suarez still not netting yet, same goes with Rooney as well..and I’ve all of them..hmmm..
Argghhh! gonna stick with fixtures favorable so I’ll stick my captain with Rooney for GW12 and I hope it pays.. :shiftyeyes:
I’d captain Rooney if I had him. He’ll defo get some points against Cardiff, mate. I gotta choose between Aguero, Suarez (and Lukaku). Prolly go Suarez.
yup..Mr Sanchez sir..thank you for making my choice much more clearer now.. :megaman:
for Suarez to be captain which I already did last GW, surely I gonna put him the armband for GW13 & GW14..fuuuuuh! that surely will pay off! hohoho! :borg:
Rooney is a good shout this week.
I’m likely to pick him up too.
I’ll choose between Suarez and Aguero. But, I always get the wrong selection. Last gameweek was a prime example. I went Aguero and Suarez scored a hat full of points. This one, seemingly simple decision causes me so much grief. I read articles, listen to opinions and still bugger it up.
Albert, rest easy, you are not the only one
Captaining is never an easy click of the mouse.Haha