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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Any thoughts on my team? especially on my defence
boruc, kelvin davis
coleman, dawson, clyne, gabbidon, chester
nasri, ozil, morrison, oscar, brady
lukaku, aguero, suarez
i have 1 FT and 2.1M in the bank.
1. who should i replace coleman with?
2. nasri to gerrard. YES or NO
cheers guys
i’m not selling Coleman, infact might double up on Everton from GW16 onwards. If you do want to sell him, Aston Villa (Vlaar (4.5), Baker (3.9 but rotation risk once Luna comes back) and West Brom (McCauley (5.4) and Ridgewell (5.1)) are good options.
Norwich, Palace you can consider (but you have Gabbidon already). But cannot really depend on. West Ham have many defenders out, so I’d wait to see if they can maintain their fine record.
So look at the four mentioned or keep Coleman. If looking to sell, Dawson’s immediate fixtures are actually worse. Nasri to Gerrard’s a sideways move. Would be a waste of a free transfer. Keep it and you can have two next time.
Hi Sharmaisms. thanks for the advice. i think i might bring in vlaar for gabbidon and looking to swap coleman/dawson to glen johnson next GW.
i thought gerrard would gain more points than nasri for the upcoming fixtures since nasri is a bit inconsistent. but then if i bought johnson, i would have 3 liverpool covers (gerrard included) which is a bit risky
Yes. And until Silva’s back, Nasri is more or less assured a place in the starting XI and City score the most in the league. Could be useful holding on to him.
Glen Johnson is a good option as Pool have really good fixtures in the short run and he is the best value for money. Villa have also started keeping clean sheets suddenly and thus present good value for money. I’d retain Coleman over Dawson due to attacking potential and a better run of fixtures in the longer run (GW16-22).
Both have bad fixtures in the short run.
Actually spurs have better fixtures than everton from gw14 to 22 and are better at the back. Everton have easy fixtures of 1 in 2 games from gw16.,i would rotate btw johnson and coleman if i were you as the same also applies for lfc. Lfc and everton rotate well.
I’m conflicted. Have both the batsmen batting right now: Haddin & Johnson As well as the bowlers bowling.
Game week 12
What will be the average score. 50-60 PTS
Average 50.
Average on here 60.
Target 70-80.
Defensive scoring could be lower. I see a lot of attacking points this round.
How’s everyone’s first day of Ashes fantasy cricket gone?
Hoping for some big KP runs tomorrow!
Not bad shadow – got Broad, Anderson (c), Haddin, Warner & Johnson…so ok…just a shame I didn’t captain Broad !!
How’d you get on mate ?
Not too bad, got Broad, Anderson and Haddin myself. Rogers and Bailey let me down though,
I’ve captained KP so hopefully he marks his 100th test with a ton at least!
I’ve taken a captain punt.
553 points and captain hasn’t batted yet. Hopefully he doesn’t get a duck.
So. England’s day, I guess
All out for 325?
nah, under 300 Jimbo – then we bat, bat, bat
Agree, on that wicket we should be looking at 450 plus but our batting bar Bell in the last Ashes is reminding me not to get carried away!
Thye’ll bat better on the quicker pitches than our dull slow ones….Trott, Cookie, KP, Prior will much prefer it
Who’s going to top score from our batsmen this series?
Did KP grow up enough to own the series?
A little harsh. But you know what I mean.
Discipline…
judging on Broad’s performance today, Jimbo i’d have to agree re KP
Prediction on KPs total for this test?
I guess 135
Hoping at least 200, probably between 100-110 though.
I could see a hundred at least once.
100th match for England.
Morning guys,
so i’m thinking to change my defense around, i have 1ft and 0.5
currently have:
boruc (given)
clyde chico coleman (ward brayford)
looking at a few options
boruc > krul
play given if guzman doesn’t recover (doesn’t look likely tho)
baker > brayford and (rest clyde or coleman)
rosenoir + baker > ward + brayford (rest clyde + coleman)
what do you think?