Captain’s Picks Fantasy Football Gameweek 2 – Fantasy Premier League 2014/15
Kirk, Sparrow, Hook, America, Birdseye.
These are the men that can save a ship from running aground; steer its vessel towards horizons anew; inspire a motley crew to achieve the unthinkable; and in the lattermost case, serve up a mean plate of fish fingers. Yes. These are a unique and versatile breed; the most valuable member on their craft. the difference between a visit to the poop deck and a… (Editor: Look, we know where you’re going with this analogy, just cut to the punchline.) These are all, of course, inspirational captains. So who will you trust to take the helm of your team this gameweek?
Diego Costa (CHE v LEI)
The Brazilian met pre-season expectations by netting on his debut outing at Turf Moor. Chelsea welcome another newly-promoted team in Leicester City next and it’s hard to look past giving Costa the armband. With new FPL pin-up Cesc ‘that pass’ Fabregas adding Spanish savviness to Brazilian brawn, it could prove to be a mutually beneficial relationship all season. But Diego is far more than just a physical presence, he completed 15/17 passes in the attacking third on Monday, showing his willingness to get involved in build up play. During the course of the game, Costa and Fabregas exchanged 17 passes in all areas. Giving either the captaincy is a solid option, but the goal threat of Costa surely gives him the edge. As Chins and Bellies asserted in last week’s Captain Pick, the striker scored a brace on no fewer than five occasions in La Liga last season. It’s not a great leap to think he might do that again against the Foxes.
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Gylfi Sigurdsson (SWA v BUR)
Most FPL teams’ GW1 fates were decided by whether you were brave enough to have him in your starting XI (hello Kop), or whether you were daft enough to leave him on your bench (hello me). The latter crowd will protest that the fixture dissuaded them from fully committing, but as has been well advertised around these parts, Swansea have a tasty run of fixtures. Throw in the hit-taking masses that didn’t have him at all, and we could see Siggy be the first FPL player ever to surpass 100% ownership. As you can see from the graphic on the left, the Icelander (no. 23) was on average the most advanced player, making him an almost irresistible option from midfield.
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Christian Eriksen (TOT v QPR)
Eriksen didn’t have the most productive of afternoons last weekend, but still managed more shots (3) and completed more dribbles (3/5) than any other Spurs player. Facing a QPR side coming off the back of an occasionally unconvincing defensive performance, with Rio in particular looking out of sorts for the deciding goal, it could be the perfect situation for the Danish international to flourish. Only the second game into the season, his 7 goals and 9 assists from the last campaign should still carry significant leverage in trusting him with the captaincy.
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Shane Long (SOT v WBA)
Signed late last week from Hull, Shane Long had to be satisfied with a cameo at Anfield. At home to West Brom, one would fancy Ronald Koeman to opt for both Long and Pelle in a two-pronged attack. Experienced in the Premier League, Long is perhaps the less risky choice of the two. No-one yet knows how the partnership will grow, but Pelle’s strength could prove an excellent foil to the Irishman’s predatory instincts in and around the box. Throw in Nathaniel Clyne’s surging runs down the flank, and the guile of Tadic, and the supply chain promises to be rather fruitful. If Saturday’s home debut proves to be ‘Shane Long’ time, FPL managers could well soon be chorusing, “We love you ‘Long’ time’.
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The best of the rest:
Wayne Rooney (SUN v MUN)
He’s the captain. He doesn’t have European football to ‘worry’ about. He’s looking re-energised under the tutelage of Van Gaal. This all adds up to the kind of player you can put the armband on every week, and not be concerned by rotation issues. A ghost team’s dream. Oh, and he scored last week.
Cesc Fabregas (CHE v LEI)
The brains of Chelsea’s team has clearly lost none of the craft and acuity that built him such an illustrious reputation at Arsenal. He completed 78 passes at Burnley, far ahead of anyone else. He created 3 chances from which two were scored. He already looks the real deal and could well be The Special One’s….. special one.
Sergio Aguero (MCI v LIV)
He’s back, and as he showed in an injury hit 13/14 season, he can do his damage even just from the bench. Like an excited punter at the back of a strip club, he only needs a few minutes to get the job done. This won’t be the easiest fixture City will have this season, but with Liverpool’s back-line still showing an inability to keep a clean sheet, it’s a brave person that will bet on the Argentinian firing blanks.
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Bryan’s Bizarre Bonanza
Andrew Robertson (HUL v STO)
Cajun squirrel crisps, Green tea Kit-Kats…. what would life be without wacky left-field choices? Hull’s left-field (wordsmithery, ftw) choice won’t be on many radars yet, but this wing-back has all the ingredients of an FPL sleeper. Listed as a defender, but playing as a wing-back (Unlike his team-mate on the right flank, Elmohamady, who’s listed as a midfielder) his benefits are multitude. The graphic shows, by illustration of size and position, a players ‘on the ball’ influence throughout the game. This is taken from the first half, when Hull were at their most attacking and Robertson stands out above everyone. Yes, James Chester is a threat from set-pieces, but take away his goal and Robertson was right up there in terms of BPI. There are clearly safer captain choices, but anyone wanting an early gamble could reap from an appealing clean sheet, assist or bonus point combo against Stoke. Try it, you might like it.
Thanks for reading Captain’s Picks Fantasy Football Gameweek 2. This article was written by Bryan Munich
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Don’t forget to post in our Captain’s poll!
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Im not sure if its the right time to start gambling with Cap for us people who are playing catch up thoughts
I think it’s too early in the season to be gambling on captain choices. This is prime time for point building and relying on those reliable point scorers to double up for you.
Hi Lewis I like a gamble & dont like being the same but yes might just stick with obvious choice this wknd
The gamble sometimes is great and even better when I pays off. But just look at it from the other; what happens if the obvious choice bangs in 3 goals and you have gone outside the box. Could leave you far behind on the points. Do you remember Arsenal 7 Blackburn 1 2012 when rvp scored 3 and assisted 2. That week I went for a random selection choice and ultimately I think that decision lost me winning my league.
Lots of non starters especially in defence not sure where to start?
Any suggestions?
Hi Adz, Id start Krul. Do you still have your transfer? You look to be able to field 11so i’d look to get Ros out or save your transfer to next week and have a couple.
Do you think Felipe will start? What back three would you have.
Agree with stating Krul
At present you don’t have much choice if you don’t have any transfers; Ferd, Luis and Ward. I hope Luis will start for both our sakes!
Just swapped Rosenior for Robertson.. Bit impulsive!
Next headache, Fabregas or costa as captain?
Evening Bry, thanks for the article mate. Love the random Robertson, I’m all over him, well I would be if I owned him!
Hows everyones team shaping?
Ey up Alex! I’m feeling strangely relaxed about my team. In preparing my squad preseason I really tried to focus only on choosing players I felt certain would start every week (if there are such players anymore in this squad orientated era), and it’s been a far less stressful experience than I’m used to. Wish I’d had that ‘revelation’ seasons ago, haha.
Having said that, Davies didn’t start. Ahem. Minor blip an’ all that.
Rate Bry. Ah it was be the fantasy feng shui effect! Thats what you get for living in Japan 😉 You ditched Davis?
Yeah he’s gone. Though I honestly wouldn’t be that surprised if he ends up playing in the not too distant future. If he starts becoming a regular, I may bring him back.
As a replacement I brought in some Scottish wing-back that no-one’s heard of.
And captain as well I hope?! 😉
Morning all, Great article Bry, just 1 point to mention, Shane Long came on as a substitute for Soton at Anfield and not Hull at Loftus Road.
Oh bugger, thanks for that! Init’s to do list is growing. 😉
Ha, nice one, hes gonna be busy, hes got our doubles team to do aswell. :big-lol:
Elle, how are you fella?
Morning NZ, yip all tickertyboo mate, no problems at all, leaving my team this week, no transfers for me, + yourself, all fine in the antipodes ?
Evening Elle, yup the colonies are looking good, although they have a lot to be desired football wise! Good on you for holding your transfer its a great thing to have in week 2! Nah I went for a 4PH to make sure I wasn’t affected by price rises, not a brilliant start but needs must 😉
Not much of a collaborative effort if you just alternate making the transfers each GW is it 😛
We don’t do that Calv, i got the blame for a poor 1st gw, so lets see what he can do. :shake:
All sorted Bryan
Phew. Thanks Kaptain Kop!
Brilliant write up mate. I imagine you’ve been asked this already, but I suppose you’ll be captaining Robertson?!
Cheers mate! Well, I WOULD but I have Costa and Siggy, so I’m going with them (C) and (VC) respectively.
I did bring in AR as my transfer though.
Not to push my luck, but while you’ve got the hood up and tinkering with the engine, could you correct my appalling mispelling of Eriksen? Thankfully only one person’s noticed it so far. Could get away with it if we keep it to ourselves, eh?
Consider it done.
Now back to you C & VC, they’re very boring choices!! 😉
Morning Kopster, you gonna do our doubles team aswell ?
Morning elle, I don’t think I could handle that pressure mate!!
Cesc as captain, you with me???
Nah Mitro, Costa for me i think.
Plus 1 Elle.
Morning everyone,
What do you think of Hazard (not as a capitain, I mean, as a player). I read quite a lot about Mata, but Hazard was just as disappointing FPL-wise (and with Fabregas, the alternative is clear).
I understand that his game in “real life” was much more convincing than the 2 points he got suggest. I am therefore willing to leave him another couple of games to show what he is capable of this season.
Do you think that it is the good strategy? Or would you quickly substitute him for Fab? Immediately? After the next game if Fab also outperforms him?
In the meantime, I will sit on my FT!
Thanks!
He looked great on Monday!! He’s defo on my watch list!!
You need to get cesc in though! Who else you got?
Good to read that Hazard looks fine!
My team is:
Krul (Bergovic)
Cahill Debuchy Chambers (Ferdinand Baird)
Hazard Ramsey Mata Sigurdsson (Davies)
Costa Rooney Bojan
So you see, I already have 3 Chealsea players. Best I could do to get Cesc in would be to substitute Cahill and Mata… But I like Cahill, and wanted to leave Mata at least one more GW…