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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Haven’t seen any mention of Herrera.. thinking we may finally have a solid mid-priced mid? No great options in the cheap as chips category, a some good shouts in the cheapish range – Siggy, Dyer, Schneiderlin, Chadli, Downing etc, but after that there’s no-one I would consider until the premiums, apart from maybe Eriksen/Lamela, but they blow hot and cold and the 8.0 mark is bordering premium anyway. I know Mirallas is mid-priced too but I won’t be going near him.
Morning Calvin. Di Maria aside, i think Herrera has been our best player this season by a good distance. Looks a solid pick just now and as you say, could well the mid priced gem that many are looking for.
Cheers NIN, my thoughts exactly :thumbup: You’re safe this GW haha, will look at him for my impending WC, though at Fab’s, ADM’s or Ramsey’s/Sterling’s/Wally’s expense I’m not sure yet :-/
😉
Yeah, tough to lose any of those really. Well, apart from Wally of course. He brings a whole new meaning to the term ‘made of glass’. FPL god when fit, all the same.
Ah but what about at Siggy’s expense.. what do you reckon of this WC team?
Hmm, fairly reliant on three teams, Chelsea, Arsenal and United (7/11) to do the business weekly. Might be asking a bit much, especially when the time comes that City and Liverpool are in full flow. I also like to have two heavy hitters up top, makes it easier to switch between them based on form and fixtures etc. I’d be worried about the likes of Aguero, Sturridge and one of the United forwards hitting red hot form (worst case scenario, simultaneously), meaning anywhere from 2-4 transfers to get them in. Definitely a strong, above average squad but those would be my concerns
CC
I thought the same on Sunday mate. I think with Blind in there now – you’ll see a lot more of Herrera assisting the attack.
Wouldn’t rush a move for him but I’d consider it.
Hi guys.
Saw last week that I was against someone in a game (there was a draw and everything… looked veeeery professional).
Where can I see the results and next fixtures?
http://thebanterburyfootballleagues.wordpress.com/2014/09/22/banterbury-leagues-in-association-with-ff247-game-week-5-resultstables-plus-cup-results/
Cheers Nin
Great article Bry,
Informative & very funny too.
Need some help defensively ..**
DDG, Myhill
Duff, *Pieters, *Moreno, Clyne, Moore.
I know it’s frowned upon to take hits especially for defenders, but I’m thinking of doing..
Moreno & Pieters (both been disappointing resently)
To
Baines & 4.6m option (chambers, Taylor etc)
I know Everton have a couple of tricky fixtures, but I can’t ignore Baines & his impressive stats.
If he where a 6.9m midfielder everybody would have him…..am I right.!
The only thing stopping me taking that -4pt hit is that I’m up against The Banterbury Q, league leader this week & can’t afford to lose any ground in this league…… Eeeekkk.!!
BigP
I’d bring Baines in but not for a hit. I’m thinking the same so in two weeks time maybe.
Yo Big Poppa. I’d be looking at losing De Gea as a priority. We cant defend for diamonds and have now lost another two defenders. Cant see us conceding less than 2 this week, Stoke play Newcastle. Can you get Baines in and drop De Gea instead? If that works, i personally would rather do that
Morning lads.
I’ve got 1FT left (brought in Ulloa for Naismith yesterday) and 0 in the bank.
Lloris – Krul
Moreno – Clyne – Taylor – Pieters – Moore
Di Maria – Fabregas – Sterling – Sigurdsson – Jones
Costa – Aguero – Ulloa
Sit tight.
Calvin – Save the FT? I was considering Krul to Heaton?
Krul to Heaton certainly isn’t a bad move given the way both teams have been playing. If Burnley had a good home fixture then I’d say definitely go for it, but as it is there is really no right answer. I’d still be inclined to hang onto the second FT as having two gives so much more scope for changes next GW if you’ll need to as per GP below, and if you don’t then you can make the transfer then.
Whites
+1
That’s a sound transfer in my view mate.
Whites,
I mean the Naisy – Ulloa move. I’d save the FT for next week and you could be more flexible with your next move for a GK.
Full house. Hold FT
Good afternoon lads!
Great article and what makes it even better is that I’ve 4/5 mentioned and Tadic. Will take a brave man to not captain Costa!
Hi All,
So how am I looking for next GW?
Heaton (Mannone)
Wilson N.Taylor Janmaat (Wisdom, Moore)
Di Maria (VC), Ramsey Siggy Henderson (King)
Falcao Aguero Costa (C)
0.1m itb 2FT
I am happy… but….
Could do Falaco, Ramsey and Henderson out for Welbeck, Fab, Sterling and have like 0.7m itb… but will be a 4 point hit AND will be similar to A LOT of peoples teams.
PeterPan – Fabregas in for Henderson is the move i would make. Tough to choose a forward to downgrade for that though. Currently, i would choose Falcao for the chop but he could explode at any time. Bit like United’s defence 😉
Yeah Nin,
Made this team with my WC expecting Falcao to kick on… only fair if I give him another GW or 2.
PeterPan, I am of the opinion that with a fair few cheaper options doing well up front then the sacrifice to the quality of the rest of the team is not worth it for having three ultra-premium forwards. I think the second optino there is significantly better, especially as Welbeck offers great value until Giroud gets back. I get that you don’t want an identical team to the masses, but there is a reason “A LOT” of people have those players, and tbh this early on in the season is no time to be worried about differentials; just get as many points in the bank as possible early on and worry about branching out later on.
You could just do Falcao and Henderson to Welbeck and Fab/Sterling so you don’t incur a hit and also keep your team a little different if that is important to you though. Also for me Janmaat is too expensive for a defence that is rather leaky to say the least, but I imagine you are after some added goal threat there so hold on if you anticipate so good returns I suppose.
CC,
I am favourable to that move, but also feel I need to give Falcao another GW or 2 to settle then decide.
If you had to choose between Sterling and Fab who would it be and why? Long and short term?
Still trying to decide that myself ahead of a likely GW8 WC, but if pressed then currently it would have to be Fab as I think Chelsea are just that bit more clinical in attack, and he also has much more set piece involvement.