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.
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Yo james, are u very sure wenger would not rotate ramsey cos he now has 4 cm who can’t just sit on the bench. It can backfire if ramsey does not always play
Ramsey can’t play on the wing or advanced from the holding two, evident in the Manchester United game.
Flamini and Arteta can’t play together in the holding two, evident in the Manchester United game.
You’re left with Ramsey and Wilshere playing for one of the two holding roles (because they overlap the three in front), and Arteta and Flamini for the other (because they sit back and actually do the holding midfielder job of covering the defence).
Wilshere is in no form at all at current, Ramsey is likely to play in that position. Wilshere may even be used as cover for the wide midfield spots as he’s done “ok” on the left or center when Ozil needs a rest.
Ok thanks. I was thinking of selling him but i would keep him then. U are right bout wilshere’s form. He is also injury prone
I see him playing, yes.
I’d play him even given the other options available.
But I have 2 starters on standby if he’s occasionally rested so I’m not worried.
I guess wally is the wildcard that could shake the team up, but I don’t see Ramsey getting impacted – unless injured or loss of form.
Is it worth it to keep Lallana in the team considering his very tough fixtures ahead? Thinking of swapping him for Gerrard or Hazard. Money is not an issue as I have 6mil in the bank and 1FT.
My mids are Ramsey, Özil, Cabaye, Lallana and Januzaj.
Yes, personally I am looking to bring him in regardless of how their fixtures look. Take a look at the long post I just made for the reasons why.
Thx Flingy I just did. Very interesting read indeed! Question that asks itself: why doesn’t other teams follow that set of tactics!? But I will follow that advice and keep him in! Might instead offload Ramsey (ludacris decision maybe) or Januzaj and then have 5 potentially good scoring midfielders and have one of them on the bench.
between Ramsey & Januzaj – I think the choice is obvious, ne ?
Yeah choice seems obvious on short term but I already have Ozil and considering getting Walcott (when playing again) so Ramsey would have to make way. Januzaj is a good 5th midfielder and United coverage for now. Because even if I can afford it there would be no sense into having 3 Arsenal midfielders?
So my team for this week.
Mignolet (Boruc)
Coleman,Terry,Vidic (Dawson,Turner(Car) )
Yaya,Ozil,Brady,R.Morrison,(Barkley)
Aguero,Lukaku,Suarez.
Not sure on captain choice this week.Toss up between Suarez and Aguero.
Planning on holding my transfer this week,then next gw using my 2 transfers to swap vivic>>Baker and Barkley>>Sessegnon.Thoughts anyone ??
Gonna keep an eye on lukaku for a couple of weeks with a view to downgrading Ozil and swapping Lukaku to Rooney if he doesn’t perform. Been analysing too much now through boredom during the international break and its starting to twist my head !!!! Any input would be appreciated !! Thanks.
I would never downgrade Ozil if I had him. The man is pure class. Lukaku is a weak link, but don’t risk Ozil for him!
But is he worth 10.6m ?? Thats a hell of a lot for a midfielder when you consider Ramsey’s (who i’m considering swapping to) price tag and the points he s raking in and the money it would release to improve my team elsewhere.
Are you positive Ramsey will continue this form? If you are, make the swap. If not, Ozil will have the most minutes of any of Arsenal’s attacking midfielders by the end of the season.
I’m not positive and i may have missed the boat but we’ve been saying this all season about ramsey (his form won’t last,he’s a rotation risk etc) and i just wish i’d brought him in sooner. Its just a consideration at the moment but its either ramsey or walcott (when match fit) and maybe raise the rest of the money by downgrading Terry.Unless Lukaku scores a brace this weekend !! 😉
I dropped ozil ages ago and haven’t regretted it.
Agree he is class in real terms. But not that he’s worth his price in fantasy football.
Review mids for the season: form against cost.
Ozil isn’t even in the top 30.
Unlike Ramsey, yaya, haz, Oscar…
Just my take on it though.
I agree James.I really like him as a player but its about value for money especially if you need cash in other areas.If he was a striker for that money and returns i would probably have got rid long since.
Team is linked !
Need a RMT …the more the better…
plans :
Paulinho 4 Stevie G. +
Toure for Vlaar…for -4 hit…
Y or N ?
p.s. or to hold & have 2 free transfer next GW…
can Stevie do some damage to Everton to justify the -4 ?
Not worth the -4 in my opinion.I’d save the transfer till next week.I’d play morrison over Paulinho aswell even though west ham are playing chelsea.He’s their main goal threat.
Brookyboy- tnx, mate…
there still is a risk of Ramsey not playing, so I need another mid instead of Paulinho…
this is why I was considering someone that could make a difference in 1 game only…
the Merseyside derby is the right place for Stevie to bring home some double pts…
I may hold the transfer and go with Morrison as u suggest, but only if I see Ramsey’s yellow flag removed…
Not sure about the hit, but I’m very happy I have gerrard in my team for the weekend.
Just the type of game for him to take over, and with so many options up front to privide assist for…
James – I agree…this is exactly the reason which makes my fingers nervous & wanting to do the -4 and bring him in…
can’t do it w/out the -4 as I already have 3 Pool players…
Cantona – the reason above (already having 3 Pool players) is stopping me from going directly Wilson to Vlaar and Paulinho for Stevie G. OR Coutinho…
Ramsey being yellow-flagged makes my choice even harder..he may play for 60mins or so…
whoever I bring in (Stevie or Philippe) – the plan is to keep him long term…
?
who is a ‘keeper’ from these 2 ?
I know – tough choice, no
I’m currently happy with my choice of Stevie G.
He’s looking solid, playing, taking set pieces.
And the quality around him is improving.
He’s my choice for now.
For what that’s worth…
Oh yeah my bad didn’t count your ‘pool players ! Taking a -4 would be a little risk. Stevie would have to at least score to make it profitable. I think it will be a last minute decision depending on Ramsey? If he he still flagged he might not feature at all. As you said..tough choices! As for Coutinho or Gerrard dilemma I think atm Gerrard seems the keeper. Coutinho is involved in Liverpools goal threat but is neither scoring nor directly assisting so fantasy wise is not worth it as if yet. He was a bargain last year but now he is too expensive for his weak FPL return.
Should i get gerrard in for nasri or wait for silva to return
agro………… if you link your team its easier to give you a recommendation
yep..link ur team, mate…
Afternoon Doc, why arent you in my Ashes league yet?
Eddy
– I follow highly addictive every sport there is on this planet !
But, when it comes to Cricket – I’m clueless….
Dr L, for a medical man i expected better from you. Not to worry ill be running a 6 nations comp a mls league and a world cup one in 2014. Loads to keep you busy………
Eddy – I’d be glad to join any type of footie league ;)…
…
p.s. btw – I’m already in the MLS league…in the FFC unproductive league…
it’s just – I had very little time lately, so I missed the conference finals
next year, looking forward to a FF247 League 😉 !
I now know a lot more re : MLS…
Good stuff Doc, well i will definately set up a mls from the start of the season (april i think) and a w/c over the summer
Ramsey should be fit for the weekend mate.
Why not do Wilson for Vlaar? Wilson has poor game time at the moment. As for Toure he might go straight back in liverpool team if Rodgers goes back to his 3-5-2 formation. Don’t think Stevie G warrants a -4 hit. He might sit back more than usual allowing SAS and Coutinho to do their thing?
My Predictions for Game Week 12
Everton 1-2 Liverpool
Arsenal 3-1 Southampton
Fulham 0-0 Swansea
Hull 1-1 Crystal Palace
Newcastle 3-0 Norwich
Stoke 1-2 Sunderland
West Ham 1-3 Chelsea
Man City 3-1 Tottenham
Cardiff 0-2 Man Utd
West Brom 1-1 Aston Villa
Crystal palace could score 1
Newcastle Kept clean sheet at home to CHELSEA & Away to TOTTENHAM