Gameweek 25 was full of surprises, with the Sterling injury going unnoticed until it was too late, many managers started to worry about the midweek games. Some managers got lucky, while others scraped points in a effort to revitalise their seasons at the final hurdle.
Let’s review this week by looking at the dream team, a controversial team with a lot of surprises:
Goalkeeper
With only 5 teams managing to keep clean sheets this game week (Chelsea, Southampton, West Ham, Hull City and West Brom) it was always likely to be an underdog taking this week’s spot. This week we have McGregor from Hull City, as his side faced off against Aston Villa. Surely it was no surprise to see Villa firing blanks again, but with Hull City only managing 4 clean sheets this season, this player wasn’t a popular choice with only 2.4% of managers opting for him. Many were left frustrated after the squad rotational substitute appeared on their bench.
Defenders
Super sub Chris Smalling captains the dream team with a whopping 17 points after 2 headers secured Manchester United’s push to 3rd place. The hero of Old Trafford advanced his record to 3 goals this season and with his Villainous reputation, I’m sure he was glad to see himself on the score sheet. With just one clean sheet in the last 30 away games it was likely to be a high scoring game, finishing 3-1.
Next up we have Laurent Koscielny who managed to get the opening goal against Leicester City and the popular defender found himself in the team of the week. With Leicester City trailing at the bottom of the League it was likely to be a comfortable win for Arsenal and with Koscielny netting his third of the season it earned him a spot in the dream team.
Perhaps the most surprising of all, we have Florin Gardos who is now getting a chance in the Southampton team and he managed to achieve a place in the team of the week through a clean sheet, 3 bonus points and a full games work. With the player only racking up 34 points this season, I’m sure the 0.3% of managers were glad to see him making a name for himself in the goalless draw.
Midfielders
First up in midfield we have another Frenchmen in the form of Samir Nasri, with the player accumulating 13 points through a goal and an assist. With the player often coming on as a substitute, this week he recorded his highest score, securing 1.8% of managers 13 points. In the 4-1 annihilation he played a big role helping secure the first win at the Brittania in the clubs history.
With the shock of the week being QPR winning away, many others were surprised as Leroy Fer found himself in the team of the week after a convincing 2-0 win. His 4th goal of the season helped secure the points for QPR as the relegation struggle continues. Sit down, managerless QPR also managed to keep a clean sheet which contributes to a successful week for all Leroy Fer fans.
Everton fans, I apologise but next up we have Willian, whose last minute volley helped send Chelsea 7 points clear at the top of the table. With Willian becoming a frequent starter in the Chelsea ranks, it is not surprising to see him getting a mention. However the player doesn’t get on the score sheet often and generally scores low points, making this week extra special for him.
The final midfielder is the much loved Mesut Ozil, as the German makes a rare appearance in the dream team. With a man of the match performance and 2 assists, not many will argue that he doesn’t deserve the spot. The controversial playmaker proved critics wrong, as the £9.0m valued man earned a solid 11 points this week.
Strikers
Perhaps the most surprising player to be featured this week is Dame N’Doye as the goal scorer helped secure some much needed points for Hull City. The new transfer has already made his mark by securing 13 points in the 2 games he has played. With an assist also to his name it is no surprise he is the highest scoring striker this week.
With West Brom securing a 2-0 win against Swansea, Ideye finds himself as a starting forward in this week’s dream team. With only his 4th full game of the season and only 3 goals, I’m sure many were surprised as the player scored 11 points. By contributing to both goals I can solemnly say he deserves it.
Not much more can be said about Harry Kane, the Englishman is in sublime form and shows no signs of stopping. The player is in remarkable form and honestly nothing he does surprises me anymore. With a goal and an assist he finds himself in the similar spot of the Dream team as the English wizard has scored 5 in his last 3.
So whether the week was a success or failure, managers have a long time to evaluate their performance with the FA Cup scheduling a break many managers hate.
Till next time
Morgan Kidson
