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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votes please
1.debuchy and hazard
OR
2.sterling and terry
Sterling and Terry currently!
even after considering sterling’s next 2 fixs?
Terry swung it for me over Debuchy mate!
fair enough.sterling or mata considering form and fixs?still gotta be sterling right?
I’m keeping faith with Mata currently due to his fixtures and capability and surely United will improve at the weekend! If not then Raheem does seem the excellent replacement!
B-Bash-cheers.im going with sterling with 0.4m in the bank to upgrade to mata or any other good 9m midfielders if needed
CFC – Option 2, for me.
cheers guys.option 2 it is.
Afternoon Guys!
Thanks for a great article Bryan!
Wondering if I could have a quick RMT please?
Still got ft which I’m tempted to keep, but any thoughts would be welcome.
Cappo not decided on yet to be honest, especially after the above evidence!
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Nah.. it’s that B-Bash chap! Long time no see buddy, hope you’re well.
Right, enough of the howdy-do’s and silly Superman quotes. Your team is shite 😉
I joke of course, looks beast Basher. I ditched Lovren for Fonte this week so that, or a similar move is the only one i could suggest. Marney ahead of both sub defenders too as CS’s are highly unlikely from either so a 2pt week from Marney is likely to be the best score from those three.
Hello Nin! Nice to speak again! You have echoed my thought process this week, as I nearly did Lovren to Clyne. Held off though because 2 free transfers next week could be a blessing! Lovren is one that i would probably want back after pools next 2 fixtures. Chambers may be losing out at weekend so I’ll monitor that!
Fair point about Marney! Cheers matey!
Basher – Indeed. My plan was to keep Lovren too but gwk1 had to go well (which it didn’t, just 54 here) for me to run the gauntlet with him for gwk2&3 so i decided Fonte was worth a punt for a coupe of weeks, at least.
I forgot to mention the captaincy. Gotta be Costa, for me.
Hey B-Bash!
I think holding your FT for this week is a smart play. I’m keeping mine although I’ve been tempted all week to use it! I’m glad to hear you’re considering Clyne, as he’s in my thoughts for next week too.
Captain-wise I think I’d probably go with Costa over Hazard, and maybe even Siggy if you’re feeling like a gamble. It’s between those too for me, but I’ll probably stick with Costa as it’s early doors yet and I don’t want miss out if Costa has a huge week and many have captained him.
Great to see you on the boards, hope you have another excellent season!
Cheers Red! Good to have the season back and be on again! Costa is a little too tempting for Captain me thinks!
Good luck to you too mate!
except terry that defence looks like it will have to rely on any attacking points.rest looks good
Cheers CFC. Fingers are crossed for at least 1 cleanie after drawing a blank last week!
is chambers>robertson worth it or keep the transfer ? more chance of a clean sheet and more attacking threat ?
sid – I’d probably keep Chambers to be honest, see what happens.
If thats your ft this week Sid I’d keep it. Chambers may well start this weekend, if not you can tinker with 2ft’s!
ok guys . I’m itching for a good tinkering haha
Hey gang, how’s everyone looking for the weekend? I think I’m looking OK, but I have a question about my defense. I’ve got Terry, Debuchy, Hutton, Pieters, and N. Taylor. Which 3 would you start?
Right now I’ve got Terry, Debuchy, and Taylor in since Pieters is away to Hull. But he did get 2 BPs last week even though Stoke lost 1-0, so I’m wondering if he’s a better bet than Taylor. And what about Hutton at home to Newcastle? Would he be in your back 3 this weekend? And lastly, Is starting Debuchy away to Everton wise? Thanks for any advice and good luck to you this weekend!
Howdy Red. The three you have in now are the three i would start too, with Pieters ahead of Hutton on the bench.
Hello Red!
I think you’ve picked the best 3 to start. Taylor is a slight concern after getting taken off last week, but I would start him due to his fixture
Thank you NIN and B-Bash! I appreciate the advice, best of luck this weekend fellas.
Same to you Red. Cheers.
hey Red, personally, i’d be tempted to start Pieters over Debuchy, Arsenal generally struggle to keep a CS at Everton.
Hazard and S Fletcher out and JWP and Bony in?
Bony has two easy home games but Hazard could score heavily against Leicester………I’m worried about Fabregas taking points away from Hazard………
richakn – I’m not seeing any big potential in those moves so it’s a no from me. Hold.
Richakn, I’m with NIN mate. Hold