Captain’s Picks Fantasy Football Gameweek 2

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

Follow @bry_cooper

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