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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Please Vote – Fantasy Football Blog Awards
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Don’t forget to vote on our Captains Poll
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Mannone (krul)
Wisdom Clyne Baines (pieters) (trippier)
Fabregas Sterling Siggy Di Maria (king)
Pelle Welbeck Costa
Already played one FT to bring in Baines I have one more should I use it or save it?
Also who should I captain this weekend?
Probably hang onto the FT, then if nothing more pressing comes up next GW then have a look at your GKs.
Okay cheers mate any ideas on who to captain??
Oh yeah. I’d be looking at Welbeck if Costa isn’t passed fit.
Okay cheers mate
Fabregas if you fancy a punt and Costa is out
PRMT-
fabianski (mannone)
wilson-clyne-dummett (rafael-wisdom)
sig-fab-maria-chadli (boyd)
costa-kun*-pelle
1 FT and 1 mil remaining. which transfer is suggested and any change in line-up? Help Please!!
Sorry, only 0.4 mil are remaining.
lampard9211 – I would bin Raphael quicker than you can say ‘D’oh’ 😉 Jagielka is an option.
Ah reply fail, see no. 39.
Lampard United have 3 great fixtures in the next 5 so I’d hang onto Rafael. Chadli to Mane is a good move I think, though bear in mind Mane’s fixtures take a turn for the worse soon. Your defence is quite weak, but that’s to be expected if you have Kun and Costa
Hey guys, what are your thoughts on trying to go it without Costa? I can bring him in for this week for a -4 hit to replace Sakho, but I’ve held enough back to do a straight transfer with no hit and get Hazard in for Eriksen, thus playing a 3-5-2 with Sakho as first sub. When Sakho’s back (next week according to reports), I’ll have the option of playing him over Siggy (or whomever) when necessary. This will cover me going forward if any of my heavy hitters gets injured or rested and I’ll not need to put a crap first sub on the field.
Foster (Myhill)
Baines Alderweireld Hutton Dummett Wisdom
Fabregas Tadic Siggy Eriksen DiMaria
Pelle Aguero Sakho
It almost feels like Costa up top with Aguero and Pelle is overkill, and with his possible operation and general uncertainty, is Hazard for Eriksen a good idea this week?
Howdy Red. Either way, you’ve got it covered. I would rather have Costa than Hazard for sure, however, if Costa is ruled out then you would imagine that Hazard will become the main focal point of the attack, making him a great pick. On a long term basis i think it would take serious bravery to go without Costa though. Cant argue with consistent goals.
Hey NIN, thanks for the reply. Yeah, it’s a scary thought to go it without Costa, but it’s not like I’m really lightweight up top and I’d have Fabregas and Hazard instead. His crazy high ownership make it a double edged sword too- if he has an off game or doesn’t play you can move up the rankings if you have other high scoring players, but if he’s not in your squad and he goes bonkers it can really hurt you!
What are you thinking about this week for possible moves (if you’re able to share them)?
Indeed. Not having him will either make or break our ranking i think. I’m happy to take the £ loss on him this week in the hope to get a big haul from him. Here’s hoping
I’ve made my transfer already. Mangala -> Coleman. I’m leaving it at that unless Josie says that Costa is out for the QPR game.
Red I agree that Kun and Costa is overkill given the other good forwards options there are. However I’m not a fan of leaving a good player on the bench as it will often come back to bite you. I had bloody Jedinak outscore my whole front seven this GW and it was annoying, but that will happen more often with someone like Siggy or Sakho I think..
As a totally isolated point, Haz for Eriksen is definitely good business I think.
Hey Calvin, thanks man. I’m a little uncertain about the rotation idea as well, but I have a decent TV and I think I can afford to have a first sub that’s basically 1 million more than a crap one (I got Sakho at 5.6). My thinking is that as the season goes on there’s bound to be more niggling injuries and rotation and having a stronger bench might be a good move. Sure, I’ll leave some points on the bench from time to time, but I know that going in. Really tough decision though, I feel like this is major turning point for my season and how I’ll set up for the next 5+ gameweeks.
What are your plans this week with transfers?
Yeah that’s great man if you’re happy with the rest of your squad and accept the possibility of points on the bench. As we approach Christmas the bench will come more and more into play, but so far it’s not really been needed much. I still have Bartley haha, and only recently got in Jedinak for Isgrove, and I still haven’t played him.. but having a strong bench will be handy as the fixtures start to come thick and fast.
As for myself I still have no idea what to do! I have 2 FTs, and will most likely either bring in Costa or Berahino for Ulloa this GW. Feel free to click on my link and offer any advice though!
Hi Calvin yes I would say Ulloas time is up both Costa & Berahino good moves I wasnt happy with Welbeck so I dumped him this wk but I do have Ars cover
Hey Calvin, I checked out your team. Monster defense but Ulloa definitely needs to go! I had him for a couple weeks but of course as soon as I got him his goals dried up. I guess you’re in the same boat as everyone regarding Costa. Nice that you have 2 FT though and can bring him back without a hit. Who would be your other switch to afford Costa?
It would be a straight switch
Ohhh, Mr. Moneybags!!
I saw that you had like 5.4 ITB, but I didn’t think you could do a straight switch Calvin. In that case since you’re looking pretty solid elsewhere, maybe hang onto 1 FT for next week, or tell DeGea to pack his bags! I guess his next fixtures aren’t TOO terrible if you can overlook Arsenal and City in the next 3 weeks, but United’s defense is always sketchy. And they’ve got Southampton and Liverpool on the horizon as well.
Hi Red my thoughts would be wait & see about Costa a must have player if fit I also wouldnt swap Eric for Haz only because you already have Che cover in Mid its a tough one not having Costa but cant be worse than me not having Kun
Thanks Silver, much appreciated! TBH I’m kind of sick of the whole Costa thing and having him dictate my whole transfer strategy and thoughts all week every week. If I wash my hands of him and plan around him, not only will I have some differential players by design, my weeks might less stressful, ha! Now that Aguero is back at 100%, I don’t think playing without Costa is quite as unthinkable as it was before. There are plenty of other players that score points, and a front line of Pelle, Aguero, and Sakho with 5 premium mids behind them is not too shabby.
Lots to think about though!! So what are you thinking about for this week’s moves?
Hi Red I made my moves earley got feb up waiting for Welbeck to do something so swapped him for Berahino @ least for two game it will probably come back to haunt me but covered it by swapping Sterling to Sanchez.
hi guys can you rate my team for the upcoming game week please
de gea ( myhill )
baines Bertrand wisdom (moore) (dummett)
hazard sterling siggy chadli (wanyama)
aguero falcao pelle
1 ft 0.3 in the bank
This is a good team Drogba I dont thk you need to do anything here keep an eye on Falcao game time & MU have that many fwds Im staying clear of them good to go
alright, thanks for the advice
In light of their upcoming fixtures, I’m looking to get my Swansea defender out with no money itb.
Taylor out for Chambers or Alcarez?
Any good?
or another option of similar price?
Hey Photek Taylor to Chambers not a bad short for a short time AV not a bad run of six games possible a couple of clear shts I know there form isnt to good but your looking at rotation
Photek those are both good options – cheap as you like and good fixtures. Obviously it’s risky with both as to their game-time when other defenders return, but in the short-term at least it could pay dividends.
Thanks guys, they’re both a bit of a punt but for the short term its a punt worth taking over Taylor and their fixtures