Game-week 29 Reviews – FPL Fantasy Football Premier League

West Bromwich 0-3 Manchester United
Goals: Jones, Rooney, Welbeck
Assists: Van Persie, Rooney, Rafael
Bonus Points: Rooney (3), Rafael, Jones (2)

Fantasy Focus:
West Brom: What can we say about the Baggies? Not much. Despite their very welcoming fixture list over the next several game-weeks and a yet to be rescheduled game that would give them a double, they are almost unapproachable from a fantasy perspective. Victor Anichebe did however look good in his hold up play and laid off a couple of balls that his teammates should have done better with. He also had 4 shot attempts (off target) but despite his efforts it would be a very hard to transfer him in considering the options at forward we have in FPL. Zoltan Gera had an interesting game, more for his theatrics than his production. Gera had 2 shots on target from close range that he could have scored on, but it was his performance in the fine arts of diving that will be most remembered. 5 clean sheets for the season make the Albion back line not worth the investment.

Man United: The forgotten giants, who hold many of last season’s favourite fantasy assets, cruised to an easy win. We start by looking at their defenders, in particular Rafael da Silva, who was hard not to notice getting forward. He had 2 shots, 2 dribbles, 7 tackles and 1 key pass which led all defenders, on top of the assist and clean sheet. But…and there is a but, he came off injured (believed minor) with an ankle problem. With the exception of Patrice Evra, minutes seem to be a problem this season for United defenders, although Chris Smalling seems to have gained the trust of David Moyes. With Liverpool and City the highest scoring teams in EPL in their next 3, perhaps any investment in United’s defence is best left alone for now. I am aware that Jones scored, that officially is his first goal and probably last this FPL season, so ignoring him is most likely a good strategy. Another 2013 fantasy favourite Marouane Fellaini finally had a good game in the real world, even if he still remains worthless fantasy wise….so that hasn’t changed. Juan Mata played well, in particular in making sure he provided the assist to the assister. Despite Mata being allowed to roam, he only got one shot off and never looked a real threat to get his owners any points. Adnan Januzaj had a poor game and was replaced in the 76th minute and even if you think the kid is talented, 10 points in his last 7 games mean that he is hardly worthy of consideration. Robin Van Persie looked out of sorts in this game and if not for getting subbed out, a second yellow seemed more likely than a goal. RVP had zero shots on goal in 63 minutes while his replacement Danny Welbeck managed a goal in 2 shots in just 27 minutes. Unfortunately for Danny Boy, his minutes do not warrant any sort of investment. The FPL rock star in this game was Wayne Rooney with his goal, assist and 3 bonus points. Rooney in particular came to the forefront when a certain Dutchman got out of the way and not surprisingly did all his damage when said person was subbed out. Good underlying stats like Key passes, crosses and shots also say that Wayne didn’t just pass the eye test.

Cardiff 3-1 Fulham
Goals: Caulker (2), Riether (OG), Holtby
Assists: Mutch (2), Noone, Heitinga
Bonus Points: Caulker (3), Mutch (2), Holtby, Heitinga (1)

Fantasy Focus:
Cardiff: It was a good showing for the ever confused Cardiff City Bluebirds/Dragons. The win just puts them two away from owner Vincent Tan’s dream scenario of amassing 8. It is really hard seeing any Cardiff players as anything more than an emergency sub. Now that the big blank is out of the way let us dismiss their forwards for the rest of the season, Agreed?…Yes, good so let’s move onto their possible “Break Glass in case of Emergency” fantasy players. Steven Caulker had a big 17 point haul and that is only one less point than he had in his previous 13 starts. Hint: Look elsewhere. Ben Turner starts, besides that and his 4.1 price tag nothing else is worth mentioning. In their midfield we see Jordan Mutch who is fantastic value, but his minutes can be an issue sometimes. Mutch had 8 key passes and 9 crosses in a very good showing. Craig Noone likes to dribble a lot, but it usually results in nothing that produces points. Cardiff has been blanked in 7 of the last 10, so if you are considering any of them I hope you don’t actually need them to come in. Zaha was once again on the bench and for the 2nd straight game did not get on.

Fulham: Another poor showing from a side who looks to be locking up one of the 3 spots to the Championship. Defensively they are atrocious; they have conceded 65 goals so far this season and have only 3 clean sheets to their name. In the midfield they are atrocious; feels like I just said that. Steve Sidwell seems a decent fantasy player at times, but with only one goal in his last 8 it looks like he is starting to blend in better. Lewis Holtby looks the most skilled, but with virtually no weapons around him he will be hard pressed to deliver any consistent points. In their forward role they are…well you know the rest. Let me not waste your valuable time talking about Fulham any more. Bon Voyage Fulham, it was nice knowing you and good luck in the Championship.

Crystal Palace 0-1 Southampton
Goals: Rodriguez
Bonus Points: Rodriguez (3), Fonte (2), Shaw (2)

Fantasy Focus:
Crystal Palace: very solid at Selhurst Park under Tony Pulis and so this game was always going to be tight. Unfortunately for the home side one moment of lack of concentration cost them dear. Julian Speroni was good again between he sticks as he produced a couple of good saves to earn himself some points. Other than that the home side lacked much creativity to produce that needed goal. With two away games coming up against Sunderland and Newcastle, points at home are crucial. I would not be rushing to get any Palace cover into my fantasy side for now.

Southampton: It was not the prettiest of displays but Southampton came up with the goods to end a run of three consecutive defeats without barely breaking a sweat. Adam Lallana was his usual buzzing self although he has not produced anything fantasy wise for three weeks but has been very unlucky not to. Luke Shaw was once again very impressive going forward and Jose Fonte a rock at the back, the two both grabbing two bonus points. Rickie Lambert hit the post but was otherwise very quiet. The man of the match however was definitely Jay Rodriguez who worked tirelessly to produce the only goal of the game and grab three bonus points.

Norwich 1-1 Stoke
Goals: Johnson, Walters
Assists: Snodgrass, Guidetti
Bonus Points: Johnson (3), Tettey (2), Snodgrass (1), Shawcross (1), Whelan (1)

Fantasy Focus:
Norwich: Not quite the bore-fest that we thought this one would be as the game produced two goals. The Canaries could feel somewhat hard done by as they were cruising before the Stoke penalty was awarded after a soft challenge by Sebastian Bassong on substitute John Guidetti. Bradley Johnson came good to produce a goal via a header as well as three bonus points. Robert Snodgrass rewarded his owners with an assist and was denied a goal by a great save from Asmir Begovic. Very tight defence wise at home, rather light attacking wise up front. Perhaps a punt on one or two of their players could work as stocking-fillers out but again nothing too exciting.

Stoke: As we all know not very good at travelling, and this trend should have continued until they were lucky enough to be awarded a soft penalty. Begovic was solid in goal, but almost came up with a howler after a long range effort. With Charlie Adam suspended, one would be looking at Jonathan Walters for attacking points and he obliged through the penalty. But as the saying goes, from hero to zero as he was given a straight red card for a terrible studs up challenge on Alex Tettey and so he too will be suspended, the theme of the day continues, no rush to get anyone in from these sides.

Chelsea 4-0 Spurs
Goals: Eto, Hazard, Ba (2)
Assists: Oscar, Eto. (Vertonghen, Sandro???)
Bonus Points: Ba (3), Eto (2), Hazard (!), Ivanovic (1), Terry (1), Cahill (1).

Fantasy Focus:
Chelsea: I feel a tad annoyed at Demba Ba getting all three bonus points in this one as he was gifted two goals by Spurs. The again, you could argue all four goals were gifted! A late change saw Samuel Eto’o come in for the injured Fernando Torres and Jose Mourinho must have been grateful for that as he came up with both and assist and a goal and a terrible celebration! Eden Hazard once again was good in the midfield and ran the show, coming close with an early effort, which would have settled many a FPL manager’s nerves! Oscar produced an assist but only played for 45 minutes so I would not recommend him. If you do not have Chelsea coverage at the back yet then what are you doing? They look the most solid unit in the league and all received a bonus point along with their clean sheet, expect Cesar Azpilicueta, who had a bonus point denied him by a late booking.

Spurs: One of those diabolical Spurs displays at the wrong time, with Sherwood admitting afterwards that it was a dog show. Someone needs to check Jan Vertonghen and Sandro’s boots as both slipped and assisted their way to easy Chelsea goals. A very harsh penalty and red card was given to Younes Kaboul which did change the complexion of the game. FPL says that Emmanuel Adebayor played for 90 minutes but it was one of his off days today and was pretty much anonymous. For now, no real midfield cover that looks enticing, especially with their upcoming fixtures.

Thanks for reading Game-week 29 Reviews, this article was written by Migs and Mito.