As the game-week kicked off there was an air of nervousness about it. For weeks our captain choices whether they performed or not had always seemed very straightforward. Don’t get me wrong, this was an easy choice for us this week, but nevertheless it did feel weird to feel so sure about captaining a QPR player. So the GW gets going and right out of the gate Yaya and Silva owners are rewarded plus any managers with City defensive cover. Not owning any City cover in the attacking positions could prove to be a major problem that might have to be addressed sooner rather than later, but our fears of a terrible week where quickly extinguished when Mr. Home form himself Charlie Austin delivered better than the milkman at a lonely housewife’s home.
Joe Hart started off the week with a handy clean sheet for us and he has proved to be a solid pick up as he has accrued 11 points in the two weeks we owned him. That also makes 4 clean sheets in 5 for City and with their run of fixtures coming up, we certainly hope he is in line for some more nice returns. Alderweireld finally picked up a clean sheet as the Saints finally were able to come through for those that held onto a Saints defender with their first since week 11. Taylor (Swansea) added to the clean sheet party and will also enjoy a good run of fixtures where he might be able to continue earning his keep on our squad. *Long Pause*….. *Clears throat*….. And this is where we get to our least favourite part of the team review on a weekly basis. BAINES you are killing us! Don’t know what is more shocking, his returns over the last 6 weeks or the fact that he is still on our team.
As we proceed to our midfield we see former Liverpool great Stewart Downing once again returning the goods. He has been as spectacular for us, as Baines has been absolute crap. Averaging 8 points a game for us since he joined the FF247 outfit. He certainly has been one of the signings of the season so far for us, specially when you consider the cheap price he was bought at. The Dirty one, Sanchez wasn’t his usual kinky self. In one of his flattest games of the season he only returned 2 points and for the first time since joining us, failed to register a goal or an assist. Our inspired signing of Eriksen brought in 2 points or -2 points for those of you that realize that we brought him in for a hit. Hey, but who is counting right? Eden Hazard managed to grab an assist and when coupled with a bonus point and a clean sheet point he delivered a smooth seven points, but also manage to walk off limping at the end of the game…wonderful!
Bony also starts with a B. For those of you keeping up, who also starts with a B? Baines! Talk about having trouble replacing Aguero, we went from our star Argie to Dzeko who managed to get injured in that fiasco from last game-week. We thought we had the perfect solution though with the ever consistent Bony and he does not even start. What can we say? I guess this is part of the roller coaster ride that is FPL. Hopefully though, Wilfried can pay back his misstep over the coming weeks and repay our fickle trust in him. Austin you beauty! If Austin scored 3 goals over 5 games we probably find that very acceptable, but to score a hat trick when he was our captain, well that is legendary stuff. If we ever open that Hall of Fame for the top FF247 managers that we have been inexplicably putting off, we might just name it Charlie’s room. With 69 points at home he is tied with Eden Hazard for tops in FPL and he certainly has earned a few beers on us. Diego Costa once again disappointed and will be sharing the dog house with Baines. One goal total in the 4 games vs Sunderland, Newcastle, Hull and Stoke speaks to the kind of form he is in and to the stubbornness of the FF247 site team management.
We scored 76 (-4) points for the week. We moved up 336 places and now sit in a global position of 998. So once again we have climbed back into the top 1K and hopefully this time we can establish a permanent place inside this hallowed FPL ground.
Transfer(s) for GW18
So to confirm our transfers we have –
Sold Eden Hazard for David Silva
With the doubts surrounding his fitness and our lack of Man City coverage we have decided to bring in Silva given both last weeks form and the three fixtures ahead for him.
Our team in full…
Captain
Our captain this week is Alexis Sanchez
Assuming he’s not rested then QPR at home is too good to ignore for the leading fantasy points scorer.
Our Vice Captain this week is Diego Costa.
The team in text format is –
Hart
Alderweireld Taylor Baines
Sanchez(c) Silva Eriksen Downing
Austin Costa(v) Bony
Bench: Krul. Boyd, Bartley, Hutton
Happy belated Xmas everyone!
Just seen this on Hazard
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/548700/Chelsea-Eden-Hazard-Injury-Fitness-Boxing-Day-West-Ham-Boost-Stars-Update-Latest
thats good news because i have him as captain
This is my current team. Not sure what to do with this weeks transfer, my main issue at the moment is no United or city coverage. I was thinking silva in for hazard, but hazard is at home and has scored in his last six at home? (I think) any thoughts appreciated
duthers, no real way to get any in without losing Hazard. Personally would leave him in and maybe downgrade Baines and upgrade Chadli to one (not worth a hit in my opinion though).
At
I was thinking I Baines doesn’t perform this week then I would take in Zabeleta for him? Looking again taking in silva for hazard would mean I could afford Rooney for Bony. Mhhh
Rooney is taking up midfield duties so wouldn’t worry about replacing Bony with him!
Duthers Agree with At Baines out but again not worth the hit & if it’s ADM you want I thk he needs a few games first
Okay, I think I’m going to play the pair of them (Chambers and Taylor) and bench Clyne (cry). Is that stupid given his attacking threat?
News on hazard
i dont know why but i have a funn feeling this GW that m gonna pissed
Morning lads. Any news on Sanchez anywhere?
I have a horrible feeling he’ll come off the bench for 20 minutes and that Hazard will start, which would kill me, along with everyone else who has Sanchez (c) today.
even in 20 mins hes gonna score two figure points
Morning mate, only news on Sanchez is that he played the piano at the Christmas do! Literally nothing to report on him.
Can see it too but at least we all go down together haha. Hazard captain feels too risky in my opinion wihout any medical report leaving the club. I hardly think Hazard saying he is fine is enough to make him play.
Arsenal have so many injuries not sure how they will rotate him
Referring to Ramsey, Ozil and Wilshere?
With Walcott back that would leave a fair few rotation options in the attacking third.
They can definitely rotate him, but probably not rest him for the whole match, so if he doesn’t start we’re probably all buggered.
But, as AT says, the key word here is “all” haha!
Morning James I hope your wrong I have Sanchez Ars need to win this game & Sanchez doesn’t like being rested fingers crossed
Let’s hope Silverback!
I have that feeling aswell mate – got it down to YYT or Giroud!!
Im going to hold on till the last minute. We may find out that hazard is in the team!!
Morning Mitro, what I really don’t want is Sanchez *and* Hazard both missing out today, that’d be chaos for all of us!
Think in your position I’d cap Giroud. Man in form and Yaya’s playing away.
It’s going to be a hard one today!! So many players could be rested!! Also Got a feeling that walcott will start today!!
Yep… good luck! Walcott could through a spanner in the works! I probably couldn’t fit in both so it’d be a tough choice to decide which!