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
Merry Christmas all! First time posting today so I would just like to say a massive thank you to the site as a whole, both those who run it and the friendly community on the site, and long may it continue!
If Christmas wasn’t fun enough already I have £4.0m in the bank to play around with..
WIth Hazard looking doubtful may thoughts are to upgrade Boyd to Silva and replace Sakho with Kane (Kane’s fixtures are more favourable and he is on form so looks a good move) for a 4 point hit.
This would leave me with the following:
Pantilimon
Baines Clyne Taylor
Hazard Siggy Sanchez (c) Yaya Silva
Kane Bony
Bench: Heaton, Chambers, Austin, Moore
Dare I bench Austin?
Also, I could keep the transfer and play:
Pantilimon
Baines Chambers Clyne Taylor
Hazard Siggy Sanchez Yaya
Austin Bony
but I feel that a bench of Boyd, Moore and Sakho may not quite cover the rotation coming up.
Thoughts both greatly appreciated and desperately needed!
Once again, Merry Christmas and thank you to the FF247 Community.
I like the idea of bringing in Kane and Silva to be honest, but with Austin first on bench, not Chambers. Just a personal preference.
Good luck
Merry Christmas B! Hope it has been a good day so far.
Really not sure about benching the pair of them to be honest haha. Benching someone off a hat-trick just doesn’t feel right but QPR away makes Chambers appealing too!
Cookie! Any update on Mirallas? PLEASE! Been holding whole week and tired now.
Tempted to take a punt on Hendo/Coutinho/AJ in desperation.
1FT
Martinez has said that Mirallas has a real chance of playing both of the remaining Christmas games.
Not sure if that means substitute appearances though..How much have you got in the bank to play around with?
7.7M only. Would you recommend any midfielder?
I like Coutinho with this budget mainly because he looks like in form, has good fixtures and should play upcoming games as well, hopefully. 5 straight good fixtures.
No other options screaming out at me..had Coutinho at the start of the season and I came to the conclusion that he has the skills but they don’t necessarilt bring goals. However, he is starting to show a more direct approach in his build up play and, with the kind fixtures, it may be worth just be worth the risk.
Thanks!
Happy Xmas to all. I’m somewhat at a crossroads this week, any suggestions would be as always much appreciated!
1. Keep Oscar as I know he’ll be used as cover for Hazard if he doesn’t play.
2. Take a -4 hit, bring in Silva for Oscar .and Terry or Azpilicueta for Baines.
3. Keep the FT for this week and see where we are after GW18.
Happy Christmas folks, hope its a good one!!
This is the team I have went for this GW.
Any thoughts?
Team looks great man. A bit confused between benching one of Downing and Ald.
Cheers, brought in rooney last week and silva this week, hope rooney pays off long termish.
Silva was just in for Hazard. I can’t cant see west ham doing much damage to chelsea, think its more likely Ald will hold a clean sheet. Never know tho, just an prediction really.
Seems :
According to Nieuwsblad journalists,
Hazard told Belgian journalists “I’ll be able to play on Boxing Day.”
Hazard reportedly also winked at the Belgian journalists and said “I’ll be okay.”
“I’ll be able to play on Boxing Day.”
However – according to Physio (whom I trust more) :
“News on hazard
PhysioRoom.com ?@50/50 late test”…
Think this will be a late/deadline call :noshake: (again)…
He winked?
GODAMNIT!
As I said earlier there is nothing new nor concrete on Hazard. After the match Hazard said he would be ok. That is the last official comment on the matter.
Itchy fingers & beer in my hand… :bouncy-balls:
Hazard, mate – you served me well, but suspense is killing me…
I’ve made my decision…
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, he’s out !!
I sold him this morning HL
Hello everyone, I need a little advice on my team here. Thinking of Haz>Fab and Clichy>Zab
I not sure but i think Clichy is fit to start tomorrow. If that happens, that would be a waste of transfer and a sideways move.
Hazard > Fab is also unnecessary if Haz is in fact fit, like he told the reporters.
How many FTs do you have? If 1, save cause you have a healthy bench.
Alright B. I will save my FT.
I will be relax and watch the match on the boxing day with my popcorn :popcorn:
Chelsea star Eden Hazard declares himself FIT for Boxing Day clash with West Ham
CHELSEA have been handed a Christmas boost after playmaker Eden Hazard declared himself fit for the Boxing Day clash with West Ham.
Check it here guys: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/548700/Chelsea-Eden-Hazard-Injury-Fitness-Boxing-Day-West-Ham-Boost-Stars-Update-Latest
He is saying he is and no one is saying he isn’t. My only concern is the fact that no official statement has come out. I hardly think winking at a report and declaring himself injury free will make Mourinho ignore his medical staff!