Fantasy Football FF247 Team Gameweek 16
[alert style=”1″]Breaking News: Due to a muscle injury to Thibaut Courtois we have transferred in the safe hands of Joe Hart for a 4 point hit on Friday after the article was announced.Further details were promised and here they are…
We were faced with the prospect of no keeper and playing with 10 men. Hardly a disaster and we could have left it be but we are nothing if not thorough so we delved into the detail and decided an extra hit was justified even if it was for minimal gain. The theory was that our keeper situation meant that we would score zero points as it was. If we took a hit we would lose 4 but also gain 2 from the replacement playing a standard 90 minute, uneventful game. The plus side was that if we picked the right one (clean sheet, saves etc) we could gain on the deal. A standard 90 minutes plus clean sheet would see us up by 2 points. Not a lot we know but as we said we are forensic about our fantasy football and hence we decided Hart was the best bet to deliver us this. Add in that we don’t really know the extent of the Courtois injury just yet and how long he will actually be out for, we are happy to have Hart for the upcoming fixtures as they are very kind to City.[/alert]
A few days ago we opened our team article with this statement. “It’s a happy and chipper FF247 camp that brings you this week’s Team review and plans for the future as we had a great GW14.” Yeah ok, that seems like a distant memory now. Like many of you, our team was struck with a litany of bad luck via injuries or dumbassedness from our now suspended players. However not all is doom and gloom, as our two newest squad members (bought in GW13) once again got us some valuable points. Downing and Sanchez have certainly been welcome additions to our team, if for no other reason than the fact that they are healthy and not suspended. The rest of our midfield was disappointing, with Siggy scoring his usual 2 pointer when he plays away from the Liberty Stadium and Cesc picking up his fifth yellow. However any strong frowns have to be reserved for our line of forwards. What a number they did on us and the FPL community in general. Charlie Austin while delivering 6 points only managed to snatch that from what seemed a certain 12. The red card he saw was only compounded by the disappointing display put in by the Brazilian-looking Spanish forward Costa. The nightmare though was not over as our triad up top wanted to close the show with an epic bang. Enter our captain and the EPL’s best player. Exit 6 minutes later our captain and the EPL’s best player. Enough said…well at least until the transfers portion of this article.
Everton, Leighton Baines…what went wrong? Yeah, we used that phrase last week, but why the heck change it when it works so well? That is 4 points from our star defender in the last 4 game-weeks. You over-cooking my grits Leighton, you over-cooking my grits. Courtois had a day off, but he can be forgiven as we are still confident that Thibaut will repay us with many a clean sheet over the coming weeks. Our Swan defender Bartley brought in one point, probably because he didn’t want to show up half our team by scoring two, what a great teammate! We saved our game-week hero for last. Usually bench fodder Alan Hutton came in and saved the day, to the point where it was his points that pushed us over that magical border into the top 1K.
We climbed 419 places and now sit in a global position of 976 – Our careful planning last week has left us in a better position than most teams with two free transfers. Hopefully we will make the correct decisions this GW and continue to see green arrows like we have 9 out of the last 11 weeks.
Transfer(s) for GW16
It is with great sadness that I present our departees this game-week. Two loyal hard working individuals will leave our squad, Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Aguero, get the tissues out boys. The case of Cesc was a difficult one because he has been with us from the start. His consistent returns led to some debate about whether benching him was the wiser move. However we felt that since we had saved a transfer last week and Chelsea was playing Hull City, that this was a chance we could not pass up. So yeah, we decided to go a bit sideways on this transfer, but we think the flashy Belgian Hazard, will prove over time and hopefully this week in particular that he is well worth it. A bit more on why Hazard was the transfer choice will be made more obvious in our captaincy section. So Chelsea mid for Chelsea mid, so what did we do with the other transfer? We continued the theme obviously, as we decided to go City forward for City forward.
Ohhh the controversy, all owners are likely to sell Aguero this week, but it is a bit of a risk to then turn around and buy Edin Dzeko. We have our reasons though so hear us out. Let’s start with the fixtures part of the argument, they play Leicester, Palace, West Brom, Burnley and Sunderland in the next five. That right there should almost be enough to end the argument really considering they are all bottom 10 teams and their goals allowed and lack of clean sheets on average is atrocious. Another part of our reasoning is that the Bosnian plays on the second most prolific team only 2 goals behind Chelsea. The fact that we have no other City cover on the team and his price tag also made him appealing. We do however know that he comes with a bit of risk and a ton of lazy. He is just returning to 100% fitness, but how fit do you really need to be to stand in front of goal and push them in? Considering the lack of forwards at City right now and that the only real competition is a guy (Jovetic) who could keep Ben Dinnery busy all day just updating his injury status alone, we feel that Dzeko’s risk vs reward is worth it.
So to confirm our transfers we have –
Sold Cesc Fabregas and bought Eden Hazard
Sold Sergio Aguero and bought Edin Dzeko
We should probably mention that Charlie Austin will retain a spot in our team during his one game suspension. Part of it is his cheap price tag, but a bigger part is his home form and the opponents in 2 of his next 3 home games. Charlie is averaging 8.2 points over his last 5 home games, managing 5 goals and 3 assists. We feel that this is enough to earn him reprieve from getting the axe for now. But after his red card trickery this past gameweek the leash is a very short one and we will be expecting immediate returns for our compassion in keeping him.
Our team in full…
We have decided to go with a 3-5-2 formation.
In goal Thibaut Courtois will start as Tim Krul is out, not that we would ever start him over the baby face shot stopper.
Leighton Baines will be expected to finally break out of the funk he has been in as the Austin-less QPR side come in for a visit. We have decided to give Hutton a start as we feel he offers a slightly better chance than any of the Swansea defenders for a clean sheet. The last spot in our back line has been reserved for Toby Alderweireld as there are reports he could make it back on time for his tasty fixture vs Burnley. Plus one of our site team board members has been swearing all season long that Toby is on the verge of scoring a goal, so with that analysis how could we not play him?
All five midfielders get an outing with Austin being suspended. To be fair, four of them would play over Charlie even if he wasn’t. Good fixtures are the theme in our midfield. The biggest stumbling block we had was deciding whether Boyd or Taylor would start. In the end we decided to go with one of our GW14 stars in Boyd. We felt that Spurs despite their general lack of “Cojones” always find a way to get a couple past Swansea. In the 4 games in the EPL they have played, shockingly enough Spurs have won all 4.
Diego Costa and Edin Dzeko will lead our line and will also cause us to refresh our twitter feed every 2 seconds when team sheets are on the verge of being out. They better start!!
Captain
Our captain this week is Eden Hazard
Fixture and home form made Hazard stand out as the best candidate in our eyes. He has scored in his last 4 at Stamford Bridge and all 5 of his goals this season have come at home. His minutes seem secure and the cream on top is that he takes the pens for Chelsea. Our Vice Captain this week is Alexis Sanchez.
The team in text format is –
Hart
Alderweireld, Hutton Baines
Boyd, Sanchez (vc), Hazard (C), Sigurdsson, Downing
Costa, Dzeko
Bench: Krul. Taylor, Bartley, Austin
Hey guys! So, not convinced by Costa last night which makes the Aguero->Costa move questionable for me. Dzeko wasn’t that great either so perhaps Aguero->Sakho is the safest move in terms of form. Rooney or RVP, don’t look that enticing either with Man U’s form in general. What would you folks do with 2 free transfers? Thinking Yaya/Silva and Sakho for Boyd and Aguero. Or some other transfers (Rooney/RVP, Dzeko/Jovetic, Di Maria, Downing, Eriksen, Zabaleta)? Team is:
Forster
Azpi / Hutton / Baines / Taylor / Dummett
Hazardous / Sanchez / Siggy / Boyd (Fab)
Bony / (Austin / Auero)
Cheers!
What is the likelihood of Silva starting tomorrow and getting amongst the points in the coming few weeks? Last season I had Yaya and Silva and they both delivered. This season Silva (when he hasn’t been injured) has been poor fantasy-wise (though love him as a player, maybe one of the best). What do you guys reckon? Yaya to keep his points up now that he’s been on the scoreboard a few weeks (remember last season?).
Sanchez, sorry I saw your Silva comment after I’d posted. Not sure he starts on Saturday mate. Out of him and Yaya, why not go with the tried and trusted for now. When Yaya goes to ACON in January, maybe look at Silva as his replacement if he’s looking good?
Sanchez, I’ve done the Kun to Sakho move this week – my plan is to keep him for 2 weeks, which allows me to play him home to Leicester next week and in the meantime monitor Dzeko or Jovetic, see who starts, which one Pellegrini prefers once they are both 100% fit and firing.
However I think you want some City in there now, so Boyd to Yaya if you can afford it would be good I think. As long as Yaya doesn’t get booked of course!!
Thanks, Cookie. Sounds like a decent plan. I might do the same. Who were your other transfers?
Oh, and what’s your take on Silva? Too much of an assist of the assist-type player?
Got it. Just saw your Silva post.
Yeah Silva can be like that. Cracking player, as you say, but doesn’t deliver the points a player of his quality should.
I took an 8pt hit by selling Fabregas, Jedinak and Aguero to buy Hazard, Alexis and Sakho.
You intend to keep Sakho? I’m planning on replacing him next week by Austin.. Probably. 😉
Cool. I’ve got Fab and Haz but reluctant to sell Fab so Boyd to Yaya for me prolly. Still can afford Agueroooo–>Sakhoooooooo (fingers crossed) but I don’t have Costa, which you do, who defo has the potential to score two or three in any given match despite his form which scares me! Although I will have a decent looking 5-man midfield, my forwards look light on paper with Bony, Sakho, Austin but they are supposedly in-form so I’m pretty comfortable with them. Maybe Dzeko or Jovetic if/when they start scoring. I could sell Baines and bring Costa in if needs be as well.
Raz, I bet you don’t sell Sakho in front of Leicester at home!
Sanchez, a strong 5 man midfield is great if you have Austin as he only ever seems to score at home.
What are people’s thoughts on Fabianski? Do I take a hit to get rid of him for the GW? My option that I’m looking at is Hart given their fixtures..
M&B – I just brought him in last week for the long run, so I’m benching him for now. I don’t think I would take a hit to get rid of him though, just play your backup. If you do get Hart, he’ll probably get you a clean sheet, but that’s a lot of money tied up in a keeper. Unless you have money to burn of course haha.
Josh – no back up!
That’s a tough one. I think Hart should be decent and could get a ton of clean sheets. It’s just a lot of money for a keeper. But if you don’t have any other issues getting expensive players, take the hit.
Hey Josh. How’s it going, mate? And how’s your team looking for this week? Any decent transfers?
Hey Sanchez, I’m doing well. How about you? I’ve been busy with school and I finally have a break to come on here and actually interact with all of you haha. I’ve been reading all the articles and stuff, just not commenting.
Team isn’t that great haha. Aguero, Fabregas, Chambers, Fabianski, and Duff are all problems right now. I think I can get away with benching Chambers, Fabregas, Fabianski, and Duff. Plan for this week is to take out Aguero except there aren’t too many great replacements. Thinking Dzeko? And what do you think of replacing Eriksen with Sanchez?
Josh — It seems everyone is in the same boat, mate! So you’re not alone BUT it really does come down to who you go with instead of Aguero (who really was the only safe fwd that you could bank on week in and week out!). I really want to get in a Citeh fwd but will prolly wait at least a week to see who Pelly chooses (between Dzeko and Jovetic). Dzeko didn’t look too sharp a few days ago although if he hits even a bit of form, he’ll defo get some goals, especially with Silva’s return imminent. I went with Sakho given West Ham’s form but am a tad bit uneasy as I do not have a ‘big-name’ forward (no Costa, no Rooney nor RvP; I’m going with Sahko, Bony, Austin with big 5 mids). I thought about getting Eriksen this week as he’s class but went with Yaya in the end. Keeping Eriksen might work as he’s got a great eye for goal and Spurs have pretty decent fixtures too, no? Burnley and Leceister in the next three I believe!! Sanchez has served me well though and there’s no denying his talent (single-handedly saving Arsenal and Arsene’s Arse!!). I’d give Eriksen a few more weeks, and instead maybe do Chambers–> Zabababa!
Sanchez, when it comes to who Pellegrini chooses between Dzeko and Jovetic, I expect them to rotate as the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation. I wouldn’t be surprised if Dzeko gets more gametime though, even though I’d play Jovetic over him every day of the week myself. Remember that fitness is also an issue for Jovetic.
Tekno — you’re prolly right, mate. Hope Dzeko does start and plays well, then transferring him in next week might get a lot easier given their fixtures, Silva’s return and potential for scoring!! What are your transfers this week?
I’ve done Fabianski -> Courtios and Aguero -> Bony for -4, but I’m intending to do one or two more as I won’t be able to field eleven players the way my team is now.
If there’s one thing you should never expect, it’s that Dzeko plays well. He can score two goals and still play like complete shit; that’s kinda his thing! :big-lol:
Haha. He does miss some easier ones for sure (unlike Kun who scores from the least likely situations!). I like the Courtois and Bony moves. Rooney, Bony, Austin up front looks good looking ahead for a bit as well. Shite, maybe I should have gotten Rooney/RvP instead of Sahko! Are you tempted by Chambers–>Zaba at all? I might get Zaba in next week.
Hasn’t he scored in both their previous two games?!
Zaba has two goals in the last three games I think. I’m avoiding him because of Sagna, reckon he’ll play once or twice over the next five GWs
I guess he’s scored two in the last three (Sunderland and Roma) and a clean sheet in between.
I’m certainly thinking of bringing in a Citeh defender or keeper next week. Last week for Baines for me. If he doesn’t deliver, Baines–> Zabababa.
Sighs, if I get Clichy I can get an almost perfect team. Courtois + Clichy if I get Pant I can just afford 1 super defender and that would probably be Zab and not Chelsea defender. Should I risk Clichy + Courtois or Pant and Zab?
My team would look like this;
Courtois – Alnwhick
Baines – Yun – Clichy – Dummett or… – Hutton
Yaya – Hazard – Sanchez – Siggy – Boyd
Costa – Bony – Sakho
Raz — I’m giving Baines one more week then if he doesn’t look decent, I’m prolly doing Baines–> Zabababa! Baines not worth it and Zaba’s got great fixtures so no brainer for me considering Baines’ fantasy form has dipped.
If you don’t mind Clichy not starting the occasional game and then coming on with 5 minutes left to get you 1 point, go for it!
Sanchez,
Canadian-style hockey has a solution-two assists. Silva would be a EPL hero-just like Luka Modric could have been-“second assist”.
KI — no way! I like that rule!
So this is my team so far but I’m looking to take out chambers. I’ve got 1.6m in the bank so wondering whether to spend everything 6.4 on zabaleta or hold a bit back and get jagielka or debuchy leaving me the cash to get aguero when he’s back. Should I go all in or just save s bit? Cheers
Don’t worry about saving money for Aguero right now. He’ll be back around January which is when we have our wildcard so you can build your team around him then.
Shit I didn’t even think about that. For 6.4 is zabaleta the best choice ?
I believe so, yeah.
Cheers josh
So this is my line up:
Fabianski, Random
Baines, Duff, Wisdom, Azpi, Yun
Yaya Toure, Cesc, Henderon, Siggy, Wanyama
Costa, Aguero, Austin
Thinking of this for a -8: Fabianski + Henderson + Aguero -> Panti + Sanchez + Sakho
Milky, forget the keeper one, play with 10 and I like the other moves.