I often wonder if making fantasy changes does more bad than good. Sometimes I’ll make a change and the player I brought in gets the same number of points as the one I took out, or if I take a 4 point hit, I never really get the points returned.
Last week I didn’t make any changes. I wondered whether or not to find a way of getting Sanchez in for Di Maria, but luckily I decided against it, as Di Maria got 5 points and Sanchez got a miserable 2.
Krul and Dummett got me a FOURTH clean sheet in five gameweeks, and are bizarrely turning out to be absolute bargains in my defensive line. They have racked up 41 points between them in the last three gameweeks. Amazing.
Clyne, Hazard and Costa (c) got me a goal each, while Barkley and Di Maria got an assist a piece
A total of 62, when the average was 44, meant that the beautiful sight of green arrows were once again in full view. I’m now back inside the top 1000 (825th) in the country and 55,523 globally. I need to continue this form if I want a top 20 000 finish.
GAMEWEEK 12 TEAM
GAMEWEEK 13 TRANSFER
Last week I mentioned the fake injuries: when players are “injured” and can’t play for their country but, low and behold, are fit when the premier league comes back around. This international break was no different, players like Fabregas, Welbeck, Schneiderlin and Tadic were all “injured” but proceeded to play this weekend. That’s why I never take those injuries seriously.
This may sound bizarre with Southampton currently in second place on the log, but I really want to start off-loading their players (I currently own Pelle and Clyne). Their next nine fixtures include Man City, Arsenal (twice), Man Utd (twice), Everton and Chelsea. I don’t see too many clean sheets or goals for the Saints in their upcoming run, and I also see them falling down to mid-table. For more on this – read the article I wrote earlier.
I’ve owned Pelle from gameweek one, which means I bought him at 7.5 (he’s now 8.4) so I have a soft spot for him. He’s brought me plenty of points as well as increased my team’s value, but I just don’t see him scoring enough goals in the next ten fixtures to warrant my loyalty.
I also think his value may drop. He is currently owned by 30% of managers, so I’d like to get rid of him and buy elsewhere while my player of choice still has low ownership. Players I’m able to afford in his place include Berahino, Austin, Sakho, Ulloa, Bony, Welbeck or Agbonlahor. While Welbeck seems the obvious decision, the return of Giroud bothers me. Speaking of Giroud – he’s an option too.
The defensive change is slightly more difficult. Clyne is a very attacking full back as he proved by scoring this week. I’m a bit reluctant to get rid of him this week. Wilson, from Stoke, is a defender I have, but he generally just sits on my bench. Stoke have only kept two clean sheets this season and face Liverpool, Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea in their next five matches. I’d love to get rid of Wilson this week, but I only have 4.3 to spend in order to replace him.
This means there are two options: raid the bargain basement for the likes of Moore (Leicester), Wisdom (WBA) Duff (Burnley), or take a risk and find a player from a top club who has a chance of playing. I’m tempted by Tyler Blackett from United, at 4.2 he’s an obvious bargain, but will he start ahead of Smalling, Shaw, Evans (if fit) or McNair? In the bargain basement, I’m keeping a close eye on Hutton at Villa. At 4.2 and with Burnley, Palace, Leicester and West Brom in his next four fixtures, there could be points up for grabs.
TRANSFER DECISION
I have two free changes available to me, and I’ve made a final decision that it’s time to say a heartfelt goodbye to all my Southampton players. Pelle and Clyne will make way for Bony and Evans. It seems that Evans has been passed fit and I can’t see him sitting on the bench with the current state of the United bench.
GAMEWEEK 13
CAPTAIN’S ARMBAND
With my squad looking strong, there are so many captaincy options. Costa and Hazard play Sunderland, whilst Bony and Sigurdsson face Palace. But this week I think I’m going to take a chance on Di Maria. Last week he played a more central role and is pulling all the strings at Manchester United. Add to that the fact that Hull only kept three clean sheets all season, and the Argentine seems like a decent punt for the armband. Vice captain will be Bony.
THOUGHTS
What changes are you making this week? Share your thoughts in the comments below.