Captains Picks Fantasy Football Gameweek 10 – Fantasy Premier League 2014/15
Hallowe’en is a time when ostensibly sane people wear a Scream mask and carve a stupid face into a large orange cucurbita fruit. The really dedicated step beyond the fantasy and embrace paranormal phenomena, perhaps by ghost hunting or gathering the family around a Ouija board. That being said, I don’t think anyone expected Liverpool to get a clean sheet on Saturday.
Keeping in spirit (gone early there, sorry) with things, this week’s Captain Picks celebrates the spooky season through the medium of word alchemy. Have fun trying to spot all the gory puns, but don’t try it at home. It’s addictive and can be hard to Hallo-ween yourself off.
Speaking of scary looking individuals – a quick word on Diego Costa – clearly if he is fit and plays vs QPR he will be a very popular Captain’s choice this week, maybe even the main one, however, after his recent spell on the sidelines this article looks at the next best options in case Costa is not about this weekend.
Starting (with the commendable intention of building tension) at number 5, let’s crack on and see ‘witch’ 5 captains you should be casting an eye of newt over this week.
5. Sadio Mane (Hull, A)
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[/three_fourth]After only 4 appearances, one of the Premier League’s brightest new stars already has a bewitched St. Mary’s under his spell. With a highly potent midfield partnership brewing with Tadic, and both feeding the ever-improving Pelle to their reciprocal benefit, life is looking good for the South Coast team right now. Recently it’s been looking especially good for Sadio Mane. It’s hard to know what to take from anyone’s role in Saints’ supernatural humiliation of Sunderland but against Stoke he complimented his 2nd goal on the bounce with a 95% pass completion ratio, 14 of which were in the attacking third. 273 minutes of game time is an inadequate sample size, but if the initial steep curve of his improving BPL stock is any evidence that this boy could be the Mane man then he’s very likely tomb make an impact at the KC Stadium this weekend.
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4. Alexis Sanchez (Burnley, H)
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[/three_fourth]Along with Mane and Tadic, Arsenal have arguably the most in-form midfielder right now. The Chilean World Cup star has been haunting defences of late with a series of scintillating performances, most notably against Man City, Spurs, Hull and Sunderland. He hasn’t just been good to watch, he’s racked up the fantasy points too. Saturday’s brace at the Stadium of Light saw the Gunner claim his 5th goal in 7 games. On Saturday alone he had 5 shots and 3 on target. This notoriously hard worker ranked in the top 5 for passes, chances created, take-ons, ball recoveries and even tackles! Wenger brought in Welbeck to add firepower to the team, which he has inadvertently done so, though perhaps by bringing Sanchez to life.
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3. Romelu Lukaku (Swansea, H)
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[/three_fourth]Ask anyone who’s ever captained Lukaku and they’ll likely bemoan, “He scored me 4 points”. The frustrating thing about the Belgian isn’t any lack of talent, but that he shows it when no-one’s looking. The most famous example being on the last day of the 2012/13 season when even those chasing the FPL crown left him racking up a Hawthorns hat-trick on their bench. This season Lukaku’s lived up to his old Trick or Treat routine, but of late has shown signs of consistency with 2 goals in 2 appearances. One would envisage him ghosting into the box and goblin up a few chances against an underwhelming Swansea at Goodison Park this weekend.
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2. Sergio Aguero (Man Utd, H)
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[/three_fourth]Last week he scuppered all but the bravest of us by failing to bury any chances against the Hammers, but to Count on him replicating such a failure too often in the future could be a grave mistake. Much is made of Sergio’s injuries, but he’s completed the full 90 minutes in his last 3 league games. Whether from the bench or from the start, this fella’s ghoul per minute ratio is frightening. Even at home to a defence as generous as Man Utd’s it’s always a slight concern backing a striker in huge games like this. Nevertheless, Sergio has proved in the past to be fixture-proof and with both teams boasting ridiculous attacking riches, in the cauldron of a Manchester derby, it could well be a high-scoring Thriller.
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1. Eden Hazard (QPR, H)
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The finest things in life are often the most easily spoiled. A corked vintage; a scratched Ferrari; a hamstring-prone £32mln Spanish striker. Though Costa may well make the QPR game, captaining him right now is sure to test the nerve of FPL managers. A safer bet therefore may lay with Chelsea’s ever-present midfield wizard. Cesc Fabregas has rightly shared Costa’s headlines so far, with more collaborations than Jay-Z and Busta Rhymes combined. However, those bearing witness to Hazard’s recent performances will pay testimony to his resurgence in form. Despite coming away empty-handed against the Red Devils he was unlucky not to score and was at the core of almost every Chelsea attack. Cesc may still be Fab, but it may soon be time to get ready for some monster point hauls from an enchanted Eden.
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Thanks for reading Captain’s Picks Fantasy Football Gameweek 10. This article was written by Bryan Munich
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Don’t forget to vote on our Captains Poll
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0.3 in bank. 1FT.
Lloris – Heaton
Azpilecueta – Clyne – Taylor – Moore – Wisdom
Fabregas – Di Maria – Sterling – Siggy – Jones
Costa – Aguero – Berahino.
Thinking of doing Taylor to Chambers? Any ideas welcome
I’m thinking of doing the samw move Mighty, swanseas next few fixtures don’t look appealing so getting Taylor out is the right move i think.
As i just asked below, Sterling to Rambo could be a move too but i’m not happy with Rambo’s minutes
Photek – I’d monitor Ramsey, don’t think we should put him in just jet as he’s getting eased back in.
Anyone think Sterling to Rambo is worth?
Rambo has played 27 & 3 mins in the last 2
I would let Sterling play against Newcastle (rested for the first time in ages last night so should look fresh) then bring Ramsey in once his game time has stabilised.
Not just now Photek, especially with Wally in the wings.
Nah, bit too risky for my liking.
Cheers guys, good advice, i think i’ll give Sterling another crack and see how Rambo/ Wally go in the next week or 2.
So if Costa is fit and doubts remain over Falcao, is it worth a 4pt hit to bring Costa in?
No I don’t think so because a lot of people are saying that Costa will be going for surgery over the international break that could leave him out for 6 weeks so not worth the hit mate if you had him already I’d say keep him but don’t bother taking a hit to get him imo.
Not touching that with a 10 foot pole :big-lol:
If passed fit, it’s probably worth it. Double points vs QPR and then onto a dodgy Liverpool team could reap huge returns. Could easily get a 20+ point profit for your -4, which is grand.
Yeh pretty much what I’m thinking, IF fit for QPR then I think he’s a must have.
Was it worth the 4-point hit you took in GW5 to bring him in, would you say? 😉
Ha! I’ve took a few more hits this year than wanted but been holding off playing my WC
Coleman or Baines?? Cant decide which is the better buy.
Baines every day of the week!
Cheers mate was just trying to see if it was worth saving a bit of money
Baines.
+1
Baines for me too Matt. I had Coleman all last year when he started out super cheap and he had an amazing season, but for just about the same money Baines for sure!
Baines for me too.
Had Coleman not risen 2m and say, started the season at 6m then i’d say him but at 6.9 only 0.3 behind Baines it has to be Baines.
1FT. 0.7 itb. What to do?
I’d say keep the FT, nice team.
I agree don’t think you need to touch that team
+1. Once you’ve got 2 FTs, upgrade a goalkeeper (Mannone, if he’s lost his place) if you have no injuries to deal with
abhirup780 – How about a brand new shiny GK? Adrian or Forster maybe?
I can’t see much wrong with that team, i’d keep the FT this week.
Thanks, Bry. Inspired by that, would anyone care to Rate My Tomb?
GK: Hamer (house of horror)
DF: Kompany (of wolves), Shackell (‘d and living a nightmare), Vergini (bride of Dracula), Rose (exorcism of Emily), Henry (portrait of a serial killer)
MF: Silva (bullet), Song (of the Damned), Blind (Alley)
FW: Ulloa (een), Dzeko (lantern)
13m in the bank and 1 Free Transylvanian
Haha nice effort indeed
Alright NIN? You’ve disappeared from the Banterbury league?
Howdy CC. I’m still there, just under a different name. Mugabe Haifa 😉
Ah smart. I should change mine too to avoid the shame haha. You’ve had a lovely move up the rankings since last we spoke :thumpup:
Haha, we’re both in trouble in that league. Probably out of it already!
Yeah i’ve hit a bit of a purple patch thanks to Aguero and Baines. You’re on a solid march recently too! Nice 😉
Calvin, just let Bench know if you change your team name or e-mail.