Captain’s Picks Fantasy Football Gameweek 6 – Fantasy Premier League 2014/15
We’ve all been there. “If only there were two of me.” Your multiple selves could alternate going to work or if you’re workaholics get a job each and rake in twice the pay. You could step out onto the tennis court and practice both your serve and return in the same exchange. Heck, you could even become the next Proclaimers. With so many benefits, is it any wonder Narcissus fell in love with his own reflection?
Last week two FPL bosses, we’ll call them Joe and Joel to avoid confusion, were locked in a Banterbury H2H battle. Joe was riding a wave of euphoria after bagging Jamie Vardy’s 21 points. He’d surged up the global rankings and life was good. Sipping on a caramel macchiato he then smugly checked his duel with Joel and was jolted back into his chair in a fit of contorted agony, his face burning with searing hot coffee. His nemesis had Vardy too, but the news was much worse than that…
He’d captained him.
So, what’s even better than a high scoring FPL player? One that’s doubled. As Tina said. ‘It takes two baby’.
Of course, that never happened. No-one in their right mind would’ve captained Jamie Vardy, but it’s the moral that’s important. Here are my top 5 in order for GW6.
1) Diego Costa (Aston Villa, h)
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[/three_fourth]Even with Torres, Chelsea still proved to be a dangerous team but so often the Spaniard’s benignity up front shifted the onus onto those behind him to kill teams off. Whereas before the Blues were akin to a daddy long legs unable to administer its venom, with the arrival of Costa this beast now boasts huge pointy fangs, brandishing an Uzi, atop a trundling Sherman; Fabregas dutifully in tow feeding it ammunition at will. That’s not an insect I want to find in my house.
Although a starkly obvious leading contender for the armband this week, no FPL gaffer worth his salt takes even the most tempting decisions without due consideration. So here’s some further ‘persuasion’. Despite his hamstring problems, he’s started every league game this season. Mourinho interestingly revealed that the striker needs a week’s recuperation between matches. So, alarmingly, if Costa starts a midweek Champions League game it’s likely he’ll be benched for the weekend or vice versa. Thankfully thus far, he’s been prioritised for Premier League fixtures.
Villa won’t be labelled the pushovers they’d have otherwise been a month ago, but anyone going to Stamford Bridge will do well to come away with their reputation intact. If the visitors can replicate their Anfield achievements, we may have to start taking their defence a lot more seriously. If they capitulate like they did against Arsenal, however, then hold on tightly to a loved one. After a brief blip at Man City, the safe bet is for Costa’s normal service to resume.
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2) Angel Di Maria (West Ham, h)
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[/three_fourth]Like the Parthenon sculptures, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling and Stanley Kubrick’s “2001”, Di Maria has already shown everyone a timeless brand of football that is as beautiful to marvel at, as it is effective in its execution. FPL managers aren’t so interested in aesthetics, so long as their stats stack up. Well check these bad boys out. *opens coat*
He’s scored 28 FPL points in his 3 games, which despite only joining the party in GW3 puts him in the top 15 overall. In each of the last two games he’s notched up both a goal and an assist. In the game at the Leicester City he took on opponents 7 times, had 3 shots and created 3 good chances.
We all (apart from LvG) know about Man Utd’s defensive deficiencies, but West Ham have yet to keep a clean sheet this season, suggesting that these two teams should provide another Premier League goal-fest. If that proves to be the case, you just know the talented Argentinian will be at the heart of it.
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3) Graziano Pelle (QPR, h)
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[/three_fourth]Now it’s finally dawned on punters that he’s not a 73 year-old Nicky Butt loving Brazilian with erectile dysfunction, Pelle [pel?l?] is starting to win plaudits of his own. At 6″4′ he’s built like an old-fashioned centre forward and useful to have around if you need someone to swipe down the cobwebs in the corners of your room (or even for a daddy long legs that needs ushering out). He’s taken a few games to warm up, but it appears he’s well into his stride.
In Saturday’s narrow victory at the Liberty Stadium, and ably assisted by the similarly improving Tadic, he managed to pepper the goal 6 times. He received the ball 35 times during the game but only shared it with his teammates 13 times. The denouement? He’s clearly a selfish git. Perfect FPL fodder. Hosting Redknapp’s flailing QPR side, who have the worst goal difference in the top flight, one would expect the Saints to encourage Pelle to carry on firing at will.
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4) Sergio Aguero (Hull, a)
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[/three_fourth]This is the part where the reader is fobbed off with ‘there’s nothing about Aguero you don’t already know’. But rather than short-change you with such platitudes, I shall endeavour to sate you with three things you maybe didn’t know. He’s Maradona’s son-in-law; he supports Liverpool; and he relaxes at night by submerging his feet in beef drippings***.
Sergio’s still well below his best, but if he can get through the week without tripping over the cat, or pulling a hamstring doing his laces up, it’s surely just a matter of time before he gets into his groove. A surprising stat is he’s actually played in every league game so far! Pah… nothing wrong with the lad.
Steve Bruce has flipped between formations recently. Whether this is personnel driven or sheer strategic nouse is open to intepretation, but if AFC Hull City Tigers throw caution to the wind at the KC Stadium and play with a conventional back four, this could leave Aguero space to give his FPL suitors a juicy Brucie bonus.
***Nope
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5) Leonardo Ulloa (Crystal Palace, a)
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[/three_fourth]Learning how to pronounce footballers’ names is becoming an increasingly dangerous minefield. Pelle, James, Rojo and now Ujl… Ulj… Ulljo…. Oh for crying out….
[u??oa] has scored in every game this season, bar their visit to Stamford Bridge in GW2. If you like to play 3-5-2, the chances are you have either Naismith or this guy in your squad. Given the Costa-like scoring spree he’s embarked on, he may even become a first choice striker in some managers’ 3-4-3 teams. After all, he’s now the 2nd highest overall scoring FPL player. For teams who don’t have the Chelsea man (I did see some, I swear) Ulloa is a rather enticing captain alternative. This year’s Michu anyone? Behave!
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Thanks for reading Captain’s Picks Fantasy Football Gameweek 6. This article was written by Bryan Munich
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Hello…. ! Won my first Potty prize and boy do I feel happy ! I’m literally sitting by the letter box every morning, waiting for Mister Postie to arrive !
I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited…
I’m still waiting by the letter box a few months later 😉 Congrats Demsie!
haha.. So you think I should call work then Calvin and tell them i’m coming back in.. ?
On the contrary, this is a perfect excuse to take many days/weeks off
Dumsie = my partner Samantha caught the last post last night so its on its way.
Calvin Clyne = Samantha says please resend your address to prctrdvd@gmail.com
Thanks Lads
Potty
Potty, wouldn’t hear of it! I believe that for one of my wins FF247 actually outscored me anyway, and for t’other well I consider my occasional light-hearted digs prize enough
I WILL win one this season though, can’t be owing Silverback a drink 😛
I am patiently waiting for the return of Christian Benteke. As soon as he is back I will be ditching my 3rd striker.
Good luck with that, you’ll need it 😉
Alright folks, thoughts on this team? I can’t decide between Siggy or Ulloa and Forester or Foster for this week. Any suggestions? And still battling the captain decision.
Doubling up on both Saints and Baggies in defence, and a tricky bench choice each GW up front for you, can’t say I envy you there mate! You’ve probably got it spot on with that selection though – Ulloa has to start surely given his form; if anything I’d be choosing between Schneiderlin and Siggy, but the Koeman does seem to be encouraging a good system where both centre mids are encouraged to get forward so if your gut tells you play him then go for it.
And doubling up in defence is always risky, but if you’re going to then there hardly seems a better time to do it – So’ton haven’t conceded at St Mary’s this season and are up against a team that hasn’t found their stride yet, only scoring 3 in 5.
I’m echoing much of what Calv’s said. But if you’re set on deciding between those two pairs, then what on the face seems like a hard decision can be broken down into this.
Southampton look solid defensively and are playing an out of sorts QPR. West Brom, are pretty incosistent defensively and Burnley are doing well. So I’d go for Forster.
If you have Ulloa you have to play him this week, I reckon. He’s on fire and Siggy, alas, hasn’t been of late. Between those two I’d go for Ulloa.
I hate doubling up on defense as well but for now, it might just work. You do bring up a good point that I should be debating between siggy and schneiderlin and not Ulloa. Thanks for replying.
I also have a good 1.4 in the bank to make changes if needed.
blackillusion – I would play Wisdom ahead of Duff and leave the rest as is. Costa/Di Maria as (c) work. Both solid picks.
Bear with me here.. This my team.. First time typing it out this season and it almost feels old school..
Krul Mannone
Moreno Clyne Pieters Naylor Moore
Sterling Di Maria Siggy Tadic Boyd
Aguero Welbz Costa Coffee
2FT and 1.1 million.
I can see 2 scenarios here and wouldn’t mind an opinion or 2.. Please ?
1) (more likely tbh) I use my 2 FT to take out Moreno and Pieters to Baines and a 4.5m.. I’m thinking maybe Shackell… Yeah ? You feeling that ?
2) (like I said, bear with me) I take out Aguero for Ulloa (WTF????) Yes, I said it.. that gives me an an extra god damn 6 million pounds.. Then, over the next few weeks I can get in a plethora of top whack players… I can potentially end up with Baines, Ivan, di Maria, Sterling, Walcott, Fabregas, Costa and Welbz all in the same team. Would having all those players throughout the season counter not having Aguero for the season ? I just don’t know. I mean I REALLY JUST DON’T KNOW.
What do you think ?
Morning Demsie, option 1 for me. I don’t think this is the time to drop Aguero. It would take a very brave man to do so,me thinks
Nin.. have you truly given option 2 enough thought to say that for definite ? 😉
Shit man, be careful of that bear. In true Bry fashion, I’ll get me coat.
The first option is difficult to argue against. I am loving the second one though!! I do think we tend to get somewhat blinded by player prices sometimes, and think I couldn’t possibly have two weak forwards could I, even though on form and with common sense they wouldn’t be considered weak at all. Ulloa is looking the business, and you can do some serious beefing up with 6m. Aguero will be bound to get some braces and hat-trick or two this season if he stays fit, but Ulloa will continue plugging away, and I’d put money on that extra 6m making up the difference between the two strikers, and possibly ending up in your favour overall.
Calv. haha. Nice work.
haha Calv.. I like it !
That’s exactly what i’m thinking in my brainbox right now… Prices DO blind me (deffo) Aguero for 12 mil, well he’ has to explode at some stage, right ? Bry even said that in his cap article (see I DID read it Bry). But what if he doesn’t ? 3 in 5 aint to shabby I know, but when there are so many mid priced options at the min, am I paying over the odds for menial returns ? At the minute I definitely am…. And nobody likes getting ripped off do they !
I don’t know.. I don’t even know if I’d have the balls to make the move.. Maybe I’d feel better with Pelle this week then see if Ulloa continues to fire.. Then I’d have Costa and 2 mid priced FWDs and can still go about beefing up elsewhere…
As NIN said above.. It’s a brave decision and I’d be shitting myself royally, then kicking myself repeatedly in the nuts when Aguero DOES bag his first hatty… but I’d just have to remember it’s for the greater good (Hot Fuzz style).
Murder murder murder!
Of course, the flip side to that coin is that the exact same can be true in other positions. I started out with a defence of ‘Pool, Arsenal, Chelsea and United, and have been outdone at every turn by opponents who have spent less on Burnley, So’ton, Villa defenders etc.. so make sure you spend that extra 6m wisely if you do go ahead with it as there are good cheap options in all positions and not not Ulloa up front. Not sure I got my point across well there but hope you got me.
This just has reminded me of last season actually when I made a very similar move! Aguero had just been ruled out for a good few GWs and everyone was changing him for Lukaku, Rooney, Sturridge etc, but I thought I’d try and be all clever like and downgraded him to Chamakh instead, who had just bagged 3 in 3 and looked revived under new Pulis management. I had an extra 7m or something stupid, but of course bloody Chamakh went on to do bugger-all for the rest of the season :cuss: I think it was reasonably balanced out still as I went on a green arrow charge due to the extra 7m elsewhere, but just bear in mind (now he’s attacking our minds too!!) that it may not all work out swimmingly. Having said that, Ulloa looks a much stronger prospect than Chamakh ever was last season.
Yeah I understand the first point Calvin mate, no worries on that. I’m looking a\t Burnley, City (?) and everton after gw8.. but I do think Chels will tighten up abit more at some point..
Yup. It is a gamble.. and I could end up with egg on my face esp if Aguero scores 9 in the next 6 games or whatever.. but who doesn’t like a risk eh ???? a midfield of Wally, fab, sterling and di maria will make up for it, surely !
Demsie see my proposed WC team in post 13 to see how an Aguero-to-Ulloa team could look like. Very strong in mid and defence, but as NIN says it will require multiple hits if it suddenly becomes necessary to bring in another heavy hitter up front.
Demsie..
I like your old skool team, but with a couple of tweaks..
1) Get Fabrigas…no matter what.
2) forget the rotating Krul / Mannone combo….it don’t work… Get a decent goalie & a super cheapo sub (maybe from the same team incase of injury..?)
Demsie,torturing myself with the same problem mate.I have Aguero and have been dreaming about what i could do with the extra dosh if i downgraded.I’m gonna give him another 2 weeks i think and see how he looks.
oooh brooky ! that may be a good shout mate…. but do you really want to miss out on Pelle’s 4 goals and 1 assist against QPR at the weekend ? lol.
QPR have looked woeful. WOEFUL !
Mate my plan was to do ivanovic >> Cheaper defender and Naismith>>Pelle this week.But Chelsea have a decent home fixture and i would be stuck with Moreno and i havent a clue how i would then be able to afford Baines in a couple of weeks.So i think my plan is gonna be Moreno>>cheaper defender and Naismith>>Ullua (or however you spell it).Can then do Ivanovic>> Baines next week and if Aguero isnt firing maybe swap him to either Pelle or wellbeck gw8.Thats the plan anyway but got to admit Qpr at home looks really juicy.Maybe i’ll just have to hope Clyne chips in with a goal and a clean sheet
Thanks for the article Bry. Informative and entertaining as always. God job mate
Now… Costa or Aguero, Costa or Aguero… hmmmm.
NIN, it’s a battle of the glass legs! I’d feel safer with Costa in terms of form, fitness and fixture. Triple F.
Yup, Costa is the default option this week. My original plan was Costa(c) for the next two gwks, then Aguero for 3 or 4 after that but now, i’m not so sure. Hull look ripe for a pounding by the one they call Kun. Hmm. Tough call.
Both NIN my old fruit… BOTH !
Do you know something that i don’t? Eh? Reveal your secret!
I have no secret… And even if I did I couldn’t possibly share it with all these eyes about…
I just have both at the min and would feel a lot better about it if someone was to join me 😉
😉 I’m leaning towards Aguero (c), that’s all i can say for now.
Btw thanks a lot for all the comments! My agent reads me all my fan mail.
I welcome constructive critique too though. I’m a willing learner. But if you must be brutal, be graceful for f*** sake.
Haven’t read it yet mate, am saving it for a treat for later on
😉