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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Morning guys…
Finding tough holding onto my FT this week…
Only got two guaranteed starters in defence (Debuchy & O’Shea )
Fillipe Luis … May get 10 mins = 1pt
Baird…. 0 mins = 0pts
Bartley 0 mins = 0pts
Keep your trigger finger off the buttons Biggy, i’d take a chance on Luis.
Elle.
Really..?
Can’t see him starting this Gwk..?
If so who’ll be dropped …Azpil or Ivan..?
I’m only interested in keeping Luis…if he starts….no 60mins no cleanie Bonus..!
How’s this sound..
Luis to Clyne / Pieters
1m ITB to do Begovic to Courtois…to keep that Chelsea defence cover..?
Popz, dont rush on Courtois, im not sure he won’t rotate. It may be ‘Jose mind games’ but its a big chunk of cash if he does 😉
NZ..
Ta
Rotating premiership Goalies…..really..?
I think not mate….I mean they’ll probly rotate but only for cup games etc..
Mourinhos chose Courtois, unless he has a couple of nightmare games (joe Hart @city)
I think he’s nailed..
Cech’s time to move on..
Popz. I agree with you but stranger things have happened in the premier league so I’d be holding fire for a few weeks. But best of luck if you go with it, it’s a good couple of moves if it works out!
I’d wait until Cech leaves before picking up Courtois, Mourinho’s comments about the GK situation leaves it open to the possibility of rotation.
Bigpopz – Luis > Terry, for me, unless Jose gives anything away about the Luis situation.
Hey guys, Would appreciate any feedback on my team for this week. Don’t know whether to put Krul vs Aston Villa away or Mannone vs Man U home.
Krul/Mannone
Pieters, Caulker, Chambers (Hutton Duff)
Silva, Hazard, Ramsey, Sterling, Sigurdsson
Rooney, Costa (Naismith)
I’m going with Krul away as i expect a reaction from ManU after the opening day loss to swansea
Okay that’s what i was edging towards. I still feel my defence is very weak though compared to midfeld
Elchico90 – I’d go with Krul mate. The rest looks fine.
Thanks NIN
Anyone RMT !
If Mourinho gives no hints on whether or not Luis will play or not today I’d probably use my FT on shifting him out ahead of GW 2 as 6m on a non playing defender is too much.
I’d leave Mata in but this GW would be his last chance saloon for me, if he doesn’t deliver again I’d be looking to move him out for either Man City or Liverpool coverage.
Hi Jeet you could be struggling @ the back Luis will only get pt game Taylor wont start , Dunne @ Duff should start Wood not Jones should get clean sht & New Gold MF not sure on Giroud Cap good choice
Silver why do you think Taylor won’t start?
He was taken off last game because he was on a yellow and Januzaj was terrorising him i know but i still seeing starting this week.
Yes you could be right photek but he didnt look fully fit & was getting the run around he might start
Jeet – Looks good to go to me mate.
Hi there, please help out a first timer. Had a really crap GW1. So I’m using my wildcard, hows this team:
Krul (Myhill)
Lovren Dier Clyne Debuchy (Vlaar)
Siggy Sterling Henderson Fabregas Ramsey
Costa (Rooney Weimann)
Thanks
Hi mziainy this is a good solid team you shouldnt go far wrong with it lot of money in Def but you wouldnt gain much by dropping 1 go with it
Thanks dude, appreciate it
Hi mzlainy, all looks good but if maybe switch out Henderson. Double Liverpool in midfield is overkill in my opinion. Are you benching Rooney this week? I wouldn’t do that.
I wouldn’t bench Rooney for 4 at the back or Henderson in mid, imo
MZ, i wouldn’t go with only 1 playing keeper either, said this the other day to someone, only Krul as a playing keeper, ouch, really think Newcastle will leak goals, if only 1 keeper make him a better 1.
Yes missed that one Elle very risky 1 GK MZ drop Hen for 5m or 5,.5 mid get another GK
mzlainy – Bit hasty with the wildcard mate but hey, it’s done now. Triple Liverpool for the City/Spurs games is serious overkill, for me, so i’d ditch Henderson and maybe Lovren too. Also, i’m not sure that Krul is a strong enough pick to be your only GK so i’d look to get Mannone in for Myhill or just go with one of the premium GK’s. Benching Rooney? Surely not……
Okay settled with this, call me a dof chik but just couldn’t swap out Hendo lol
West Brom have completed the signing of former Celtic striker Georgios Samaras.
So they’re really planning to go down I guess? 😛
Hows my team looking for GW2 guys?
Krul
Terry – Pieters – Taylor
Siggy – Sanchez – Fabs – Mata – Young
Costa – Rooney
Bench: Mannone – Bojan – Chambers – Hooiveld
Not sure about starting Young tbh
photek – Looks good to me mate. I’d probably field Bojan instead of Young though.
thanks NiN thats the current decision i’m thinking about to give Bojan another run out in place on Young