Captains Picks Fantasy Football Gameweek 15 – Fantasy Premier League 2014/15
And welcome to GW15. Here are our Captains Picks…
Spoiler alert. There’s no Diego Costa* in this top 5. There’s a good reason for this. Yes, if your team doesn’t have him then you’re taking a huge risk. But his complete lack of assists this season and recent dearth of bonus points mean that his returns have become rather one dimensional. He hasn’t amassed above 7 points since GW4. Furthermore, in all 4 of his games back from his latest injury he failed to make it to the final whistle. One wonders how many extra chances the tireless Hazard, Fabregas and Oscar may have gifted him against the flagging defences of QPR, Liverpool, West Brom and Sunderland in the dying embers of a game. Sure, Chelsea have a front-man to rival Axl Rose and Freddie Mercury, but fixture-proof captain material? The jury’s out. Something worth discussing further in these hallowed forums, but enough of Mr. Costa. Let us turn instead to who IS in the top 5.
*or Joey Barton
We often find inspiration in the wise words of others. Maybe it’s been a tough slog for you in recent weeks; perhaps you’re wondering where the next great game-week is coming from. Second guessing yourself too much? Chill out man. According to those geezers at FantasyFootballFix, 37.5% of squads are inactive. So even for those teetering on the precipice of the FPL abyss, an inspired captaincy can suddenly make a team’s prospects look a whole lot brighter. Before this week’s top 5, run a bath, put on some meditative monk chants, and immerse yourself shoulder high in the following wisdom.
“Darkness may reign in a cave for thousands of years, but bring in the light, and the darkness vanishes as though it had never been.” (Paramahansa Yogananda – Yoga guru.)
“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool.” (Richard Feynmam, Nobel Laureate.)
“Sometimes you need the rub of the green.” (Sean Dyche, after Burnley’s draw with Newcastle.)
5. Christian Benteke (vs Leicester, H)
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[/three_fourth]After a long spell on the sidelines, followed by a red card on the touchline, Benteke has been discernible by his absence. To say Villa miss him is like remarking that air is necessary for breathing, or that Roy Keane has ‘a bit of a temper’. In his first game back at Palace he ticked all the important boxes for a returnee; he looked fit, he completed 90 minutes, and as a bonus he scored from Villa’s only clear chance. Now this recommendation wasn’t taken lightly, but in Leicester he faces opponents with the 2nd worst defensive record in the PL; a team with 2 points in 9 games. The Foxes are a bruised collective wallowing at the nadir of their season. Besides, the festive season is looming, so why not captain a Christian?
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4. Raheem Sterling (vs Sunderland, H)
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[/three_fourth]As the 2014/15 season unfurled, Liverpool’s starlet was the toast of FPL. By GW8 his price had surged to 9.0m. By then however, it was clear that last year’s momentum had gone and the post-Suarez toil, the inertia, was affecting all the players, including young Raheem. Even the most ardent Kopite will begrudgingly concede that despite their team’s underwhelming campaign Sterling has consistently been their main threat. Let’s not delude ourselves that we’ve seen the best of Sterling this season, but the increasing responsibilities on this 19 year-old must weigh oppressively upon him. Respite beckons though. The good ship Anfield has slowly started steering its ailing ferry to safer waters and is, whisper it, climbing the table. Unencumbered by the negativity that had recently been burdening the likes of Henderson, Gerrard and Sterling himself, the English teenager (yours now for only 8.4m) seems primed to forge his way back into the affections of FPL managers. Last nights cheeky assist helped.
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3. Charlie Austin (vs Burnley, H)
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[/three_fourth]The second QPR player to feature in Captains Tips in consecutive weeks? “Oh, behave!” Well, this fella’s gone from an Austin Allegro to Austin Powers. Visitors Burnley will fancy taking the 3 points as much as QPR will, but home advantage should be key to the striker’s output. 5 of Austin’s 7 goals have come at Loftus Road, boding well for him to near double figures for the season come Saturday. With 45 points in his last 7 games he’s got assists in his locker too (sorry, that wasn’t a dig, Diego.). He was largely anonymous at Swansea, but one only need go back to the previous week’s 10 points in the 3-2 win against Leicester to see what the Austin maestro can do at home to another struggling team.
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2. Christian Eriksen (vs Crystal Palace, H)
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[/three_fourth]The festive season is looming, so why not captain a Chr…. (Editor – “Bry, you’ve done that gag”)
Of late, Christian Eriksen has arguably found his best form since arriving at White Hart Lane. Win, lose or draw, Eriksen still finds a way to contribute; which is a good job, because Spurs’ inconsistency has been a key reason why only he and Chadli have stood out so far. Whether the continued rise in this canny midfielder’s performance levels will likewise inculcate some consistency into his teammates remains to be seen. Either way, it doesn’t seem to be affecting his productivity. The visit of Palace will prove a stern physical test, but with 1 solitary win in 8 games, and without a clean sheet since GW6, Warnock’s team aren’t the defensive unit they were under Pulis. Don’t be surprised if this Dane brings home the bacon.
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1. Sergio Aguero (vs Everton, H)
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[/three_fourth]90.8%. This bloke features in 90.8% of all teams in the global top 1000. The other 92 teams must be still holding out for that first Emmanuel Riviere goal. Get out your hot water bottles guys, it’s gonna be a long winter for you.
For those of us that do have the ubiquitous Argentinian Argentine, the dilemma often seems to be whether to captain him or Costa. But for reasons outlined at the outset, Aguero offers… more. Despite failing to get on the scoresheet at St. Mary’s last Sunday, he conjured 2 assists and was wrongly denied a spot-kick. Perhaps more ominously, Man City are finally looking capable of challenging Chelsea. The Citizens followed their defeat of the mighty Bayern Munich by sweeping aside Koeman’s in-form Saints with portentous ease. Aguero is the leading FPL points scorer and tonight’s 2 goals, assist and inevitable 3 bonus will enhance that status, and now, only now, are Man City hitting their stride. A formidable thought.
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Thanks for reading Captain’s Picks Fantasy Football Gameweek 15. This article was written by Bryan Munich
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Don’t forget to vote on our Captains Poll
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Afternoon all.
Any suggestions on what to do with this lot? Got 3.2 itb 1FT
Was going to swap siggy or downing to eriksen but not sure its much of an upgrade. What about nasri or silva/adm when he is back
Cheers
If you get rid of SIggy you’re an idiot and you’ll drop out of the top 10k, most likely. 😉
As for Downing, you still have a lot of options there. Anyway, your team looks a lot like mine. I also have Hutton, Baines, Chambers, Moore, Fabregas, Siggy, Sanchez, Costa, Austin and Kun. We’re both ranked in the top 10k, so I’m guessing those are the players to have. 😉
Loving the rate Di Maria is dropping at. Once he’s fit again he’ll be in my team again. I’ll get rid of either Oscar or Fabregas. :dance:
Hmmm, it is as I figured. Costa didn’t go down to 10.9, he almost did but after the red flag was released they put him back on 0 percent again. Now he’ll even rise tomorrow. :dance:
Ive actually only just bought siggy in when ADM got injured. Hoping ADM drops a bit more then i could bring him in for downing.
You’ve seen what Siggy can do, plus look at the great fixtures they have. Siggy is a must. I bought him at 6m and kept him all that time though. You might’ve bought him at 6.8m or smt? That’t’s a 0.8m difference.
Or should i say bought him back in after i sold him in WK11 as part of a walcott plan that went horribly wrong
What do you reckon on Downing to nasri or Silva when hes back Raz?
City’s fixtures are awesome
I’d wait Silva to get back in form first. Saw glimpses of Falcao absolutely sucking because of lack of match rhythm (he just played 90 minutes once in a year or smt). Nasri might be the better option. I have Oscar, Oscar can do so much better point wise but he’s a class act. I rate ask just as high as Hazard, Fabregas and just as important. They other 2 have more assists/goals. His passing is phenomenal though, if he just worked on his finishing a bit more. Think Mourinho sees him as a second striker even. We’ll just have to wait till he will explode one day. And yes, rate him higher than Nasri (Nasri might gather you more points though, unsure).
Aaaah, but you already have 3 Chelski. Nasri is good. Man, I wish Wally was back to match fitness and playing. He’s going to be amazing. No doubt before he reaches match fitness he’ll score a double and his price will go up like crazy. >.<
yeah tried to get prepared for wally before the international break and sold siggy in the process (which i now regret) then he got injured and screwed my plans up. When on form hes a must
Sighs, growing so tired of feeling sick these past few months. Can’t drive, can’t sport, can’t do shit. Oi, I might as well be 80. Maybe if I cut off my head the hurting stops? :p :rant:
I still get into arguments with the ladies though. Which is fun. *with words that is bitches* :big-lol:
Good day, gentlemen. My team mustered 77 points last GW -which i’m delighted with- but i have an issue this GW, and a big one at that. GW15 brings the first, and one of the only fixtures i’m not liking having Baines & Coleman. There’s arguments for benching none, one, or both of them, but i’m struggling to decide which way to go. Thoughts?
FT already made, Bony -> Costa.
Afternoon NIN.
Personally think Wisdom v hull is a better match up so i would defo bring him in for one of them – probably Coleman purely because of Baines set pieces. That City defence with Kompany could struggle to handle Evertons aerial threat.
supposed to say with Kompany missing
NIN,
I think with the value you have tied up in them you need to play them. And its difficult to tell which one might assist/score. You’d end up benching the wrong one and kicking yourself.
You look set to go for me.
Hey NiN you play Colman & Baines as MF players so I would play both Wisdom & Duff could get clean sht but both away from home fancy QPR to score not sure about Hull play them both
Can’t say the City defense is all that amazing. I would def. play Baines. Takes all set pieces, penalty’s and also has a chance running up the flanks. WHy people want to let him go is beyond me. He’s been outscoring most premium mids even: Eriksen, Sterling, Chadli. If it wasn’t for the unlucky Everton run (in the back) he’d probably have scored more points than Hazard, Fab, Siggy, leaving just Sanchez and Kun above him.
Thanks lads, much appreciated. It’s a bit of a shitty spot to be in, i must say. On the one hand, it feels like a silly move to leave either of them out, but on the other hand, i don’t like playing defenders vs my (c), let alone two premium defenders!
Right, Baines is a lock, just need to weigh up the Coleman issue. City’s lack of Kompany is actually a very good point, one i had missed. Come to think of it, Seamus has all the skills to give Clichy a torrid time (far superior player, for me).
Thanks folks, i’m not as nervous about it now as before :thumbup:
NIN – City have kept only one clean sheet at home so far. I’d def play Baines and considering your other options, I’d play Coleman too.
Cheers Albertini. I hadn’t realized their home defensive record was so weak. I generally just focus on Aguero when it comes to City players 😉
No problem mate, I’ve noticed that while I was considering if Clichy would be a good option to replace Clyne. Went to Azpi instead and so far it seems I’ve made the right decision.
Oh yes, you made the right decision there mate, 100%. A mate of mine brought him in for a hit a couple of GW’s ago and it has paid off handsomely with 19 points in 2 GW’s.
You’ve always that option if you decide to break up your double EVE defence! Coleman to Azpi or JT could be a good move for the following weeks.
Hello!
I have 2 transfers and 0,6 in bank. What should i do?
Eliot – Krul(injured)
Bains, Clayne, Chambers – Taylor(suspended), Duff(injured),
Downing, siggy, Fabregas, Sanchez(VC) – Wanyama
Auston, KUN(c), Costa
Bastian,
I would be tempted to sort out your GK and with Newcastle about to embark on some tough games, go to Foster and Guzan for Elliot and Krul.
Only saying this because the rest of your team looks fine to me.
Agreed. Sorting the GK’s is likely the most profitable move to make here.
Krul -> Fabianski
Taylor -> Wisdom?
Bastian
I’d leave Taylor in your squad and let him serve the suspension this week. Start Duff, Chambers and Baines with Clyne as your sub defender.
Oi. This is my team. Been planning ahead but those plans get altered weekly. >.< I know. Instead of Fabianski I'm looking at Guzan (later in combo with Pant), replace Dummett (terrible fixtures) or Moore with Yun and Albrighton with Boyd. That's 4 transfers and also 4 weeks, a lot can happen.
If I do get Fabianski I might put Elliot next to him. Watcha reckon I should do?
Aaaah yes, I like Guzan and Villa (they have better fixtures than Swansea) but I also already have Hutton. Doubling up is sort of dangerous. I like Hutton by the way, think he’s a keeper.
Or maybe just play Forster versus United? :dance:
Hey Raz looking good I still dont like 3 Che players up front but it seems to be working for you all good moves Guzan good shout Moore with Yun and Albrighton with Boyd good calls I would do Guzan first Wisdom might be worth a look I know WBA are crap but 6 out of 7 good fixtures
Hi Raz. Yeah, Forster -> Fabianski/Guzan is the move i would make here i think. Forster could get 3 or 4 points this week though, depending on what United turn up.
Two FT’s to use in two goalies is too much for me and you’ll have other issues to sort out almost every week. I’d probably go with Fabianski until the Jan WC and would keep Gilks. SWA will have one hard fixture coming gw19 (away at LIV) while all the others are good or average so Fab will be “playable” and with high chances of a CS.
Tnx guys, think I’ll wait another day with the FT. Sighs. Keeping Forster is even a possibility as it stands. Dude was awesome. Also sort of depends on Toby (their defender). From what I’ve seen SOton were awesome versus Arsenal, Arsenal got a lucky break with the Toby injury or they would’ve never passed Forster.
Nice one Bry, that’s a fantastic write up mate.
It’ll take a brave manager not to captain Sergio this weekend!
…or an idiot……
Austin for Cap :cuckoo: