Going into gameweek 11 we had finally made our way into the top 1m and had seen green arrows in four of the previous five GW’s. We were feeling confident of continuing the run but then our front three decided to book a week off and we dropped to 1,033,110.
I’m not sure if it’s just me but the International break seemed to take forever so let’s have a quick recap on our GW11 performance.
Keeper decision was correct! Only 2pts in it but I’m never going to complain about that. Especially if you regularly read this and know my track record.
At the back we went from 29pts combined in GW10 to a paltry 7pts in GW11. The only saving grace was Harry Maguire’s assist in the 2-2 draw with Stoke.
At last, our midfield delivered. Unbelievably between GW6-GW10 our midfield registered just one goal. David Silva’s strike in the 7-2 win against Stoke. Bizarrely in those five GW’s four of them were green arrows! So two goals from Mo Salah and another from Richarlison were a huge relief yet saw us receive red arrows. Go figure.
Up top as mentioned we had three strikers decide they didn’t really fancy it! We gave Harry Kane the armband following his return from injury and of course he blanked. After watching Spurs destroy Real Madrid just a few days prior we thought Palace were there for the taking. Wrong! A slender 1-0 win was enough for them to take all three points but also enough for millions of FPL managers to tear their hair out. Kane now has six games with 2pts or less and four games with 13pts or more. There seems to be no in between at the moment. He has yet to score a single goal in any league game yet so it has been boom or bust for his owners. Jamie Vardy and Roberto Firmino joined the blank party meaning we finished the week 47pts.
Over the whole International break I have been sure that I would be saving the free transfer and going without but I just couldn’t help myself. With a a few spare quid in the bank one move seemed to stand out.
Ritchie (OUT) – Zaha (IN)
With the Crystal Palace talisman back and fit the appeal of him at a reduced price was too much. With Matt Ritchie out we had exactly the amount required so the trigger was pulled.
Part of me thinks we maybe should have made a swap at GK with Jack Butland but then I’m also quite content knowing I can’t f*ck up the GK selection! So Rob Elliot will be looking at an extended run in our line up.
Is there ever a GW where we aren’t pondering over a Phil Jones injury? For once I do actually believe he will miss out but we will leave him in the starting XI regardless, as this wouldn’t be the first time he starts against the odds. He lines up next to another player unlikely to start, Trent Alexander Arnold. Not playing a minute of Premier League football since GW5 I’m really starting to question why I even have him but I guess because we have other options it’s just not a ‘sexy’ transfer taking out your 5th choice defender! Home to Southampton makes it a worthwhile selection just in case. Last up is Kyle Naughton. My expectations here are minimal. Granted Burnley aren’t plundering goals but I cannot see Swansea keeping a clean sheet here. We have Sead Kolasinac and Harry Maguire ready to come in as and when any of our back three don’t feature.
Our midfield welcomes new boy Wilf Zaha. Two goals in his four games since returning from injury he looks an absolute steal at £6.8m. I will guarantee now that he will not be that price in a couple of GW’s. Especially given his upcoming run of games. Everton, Stoke, Brighton, WBA and Bournemouth are his next five which kind of explains my decision to make the move now. Alongside him we have Mo Salah. Probably this season’s signing of the season he finds himself 2nd in overall FPL point scoring with 72pts. Seven goals and three assists so far he will be looking to increase upon this as Southampton visit. They may have only conceded 11 goals so far but they are playing well below expectations. Liverpool will fancy the win here. With talk of ‘signing of the season’ it would be unfair not to mention our next player Richarlison. What a coup he has been for Watford. Like Salah he finds himself playing more as a front man than a midfielder he has been making a mockery of his initial £6m price tag. If he had the ability to score open goals he could have actually found himself sitting top of FPL scoring. As it is 58pts is more than expected and keeps him starting for us. West Ham next he will be looking at increasing upon his four goals so far. Last up is David Silva. Seven assists so far for the diminutive Spaniard he is thriving in Pep’s system and long may it continue. Leicester away this week may not be a procession like previous wins but the way City are playing you wouldn’t put anything past them.
On the opposite side of the field to Silva is Jamie Vardy, who gets the start here. I genuinely thought about benching him for Choupo-Moting but the thought of Vardy’s hat-trick last season against City was enough to convince me to start him. Roberto Firmino starts again and faces Southampton. Hopefully him and Salah can combine for some attacking returns. Last up is Harry Kane. Stats suggest this should be another positive Kane week. Six goals in his four away games this season he has scored 40pts in those games. Throw in the fact he looooves a goal in a London derby and has scored in all four league games against Arsenal over the last two seasons.
So there we have it. GW12 team locked in and thankfully we now don’t have another International break until March. I’m happy with our line up and we absolutely need to break back into the top 1m ASAP! As always you can help our push with the captain poll this week below. Tougher decision this week with three or four vying for the armband so feel free to get your vote in.
[polldaddy poll=9877373]
Thanks to all for reading and good luck with the green arrows this week!
Written by FPL Guru (@FPL_Guru)
