A tough week for many FPL players and not the best for our differential XI but nevertheless green arrows were still present as we continue to move up the overall standings. Here’s how things went…
Once again it was a select few players who (in this case) got us out of a sticky situation. Ospina and Lescott’s clean sheets were a huge boost to the side as they brought home 6 points each, while van Aanholt and Yoshida returned only 2 between them (0 and 2, respectively).
In midfield only Coutinho seemed to show up, scoring once and bringing home 10 points. Our replacement for Ozil, Theo Walcott, failed to play and his counterparts Gouffran and Nasri only picked up 1 point each.
In attack it was the first captain fail since my ‘management’ of the side, Diafra Sakho failed to contribute in a very poor 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace; while Jelavic missed out through injury. However, Papiss Cisse was there to save the day and bag 8 points.
So with a double gameweek up next it is crucial to have a couple of players who’ll be playing twice to ensure maximum points, even if it does cost us 4 points. Here are the transfers:
IN: Matthew Phillips / OUT: Phillipe Coutinho: With the Brazillian midfielder’s ownership rising above 5% we regrettably have no choice but to remove him, his replacement QPR winger Matt Phillips whose side hosts both Arsenal and Tottenham in gameweek 28.
IN: Jan Vertonghen / OUT: Patrick van Aanholt: Doubling up on the Sunderland defence proved a bad decision and with Spurs facing Swansea at home and QPR away a double clean sheet is definitely on the cards.
Here is how we line up for gameweek 28:
Starting XI: Pantillimon (4.4%), Vertonghen (2.2%), Yoshida (2.8%), Lescott (2.7%), Sakho (1.2%), Cuadrado (0.2%), Nasri (2.4%), Phillips (0.2%), Walcott (0.8%), Jelavic (1.2%), Cisse (1.5%).
Bench: Ospina (1.9%), Zouma (1.2%), Sakho (3.3%), Gouffran (0.5%).
A 4 back formation this week as our defence seems to be very promising going into gameweek 28. Despite owning Jelavic, Pantillimon starts in goal as Sunderland head to the KC Stadium, while Vertonghen who plays twice, Sakho, Yoshida and Lescott all have very promising fixtures of their own.
In midfield new man Phillips starts, alongside this week’s captain Nasri (who faces Leicester City at the Etihad), Cuadrado of Chelsea and Walcott – both of whom will be likely to feature after having limited game time at the weekend.
Only two up front this week as Sakho drops to the bench as West Ham host Chelsea. Meanwhile Jelavic looks to return for Hull as they host Sunderland and Cisse keeps his spot after continuing a good run of form.
So that’s all for this week, enjoy the midweek fixtures and good luck for gameweek 28. Thanks as always!
Dan Rahilly
