We’ve only had the one game week to let the last 2 In 2 Out suggestions do their thing and make me look great (hopefully), this is due to the FA Cup which involved some of the greatest shocks in the tournament’s history, you all know who I’m talking about! So, two weeks ago I suggested you should bring in Danny Ings, who bagged himself a goal against Crystal Palace and collected 1 bonus point resulting in him scoring an impressive 7 points. I also told you to get Stevie G in your team who didn’t feature in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory at Villa Park but with West Ham at home next, I’m sure he’ll be able to produce something to make up for it. The two players I told you to get out were Falcao and Szczesny. Falcao didn’t manage to score or assist against QPR and missed some absolute sitters whilst Szczesny was dropped for Ospina who kept a clean sheet in one of Arsenal’s best performances for years in a 2-0 victory at the Etihad, so hopefully if you had these players, you took my advice and took them out. There are some good suggestions this week so let’s get on with it!
IN
Eljero Elia (Southampton, Midfield, 5.5m)
I have been very very impressed watching Elia’s first two games in the Premier League. His debut was at Old Trafford where Southampton managed to claim a 1-0 victory and although he only played 62 minutes, you could see that he had the work rate and ability to play in England. His second game in the league is when he really started to catch people’s eye when his brace at St James’ Park led Southampton to an impressive 2-1 win. Elia has pace, skill, power and it looks like he has hit the ground running in England and for 5.5m with Swansea (H), QPR (A) and West Ham (H) coming up, you would expect big things from him. He is an absolute bargain and it’s a player I have already brought into my team, so I think you should copy me and have some faith in my decision!
Dwight Gayle (Crystal Palace, Forward, 5.0m)
Alan Pardew has had a fantastic start to his new job at Crystal Palace and one of his key players on the pitch has been Dwight Gayle. Crystal Palace paid a lot of money for Gayle and have got a lot of trust in him to live up to his price tag, he has currently only scored 5 goals this season but on form he has scored 3 in his last 2 league games. One of the main reasons I feel Gayle is a worthy player to bring in is because he only costs you 5.0m which is so cheap and when you see Crystal Palace’s next three fixtures; Everton (H), Leicester (A) and Newcastle (H), it really should tempt you a lot more into bringing this man into your team. All three of the teams he will come up against are in terrible form and will come up against a flying Crystal Palace side. It’s getting to that stage of the fantasy football season when you will have to take risks if you want to keep seeing green arrows as everybody else has somewhat figured out who are the point scorers of the league. So go for it, take a chance with Gayle.
OUT
Charlie Austin (QPR, Forward, 6.5m)
Now this decision may turn a few heads and raise a few eyebrows but with Charlie Austin at 6.5m and cheaper options with nicer fixtures to be had, it seems like a simple decision. Harry Kane is one example, costing 5.9m with West Brom (A) and Arsenal (H) next and we know there are always goals up for grabs in a North London Derby. Another example of a player you could get instead of Charlie Austin is Saido Berahino, who would cost you a cheap 5.5m with Spurs (H), Burnley (A) and Swansea (H) to come. We all know how shocking QPR are away from home, not even managing a point away from home this season yet which is just embarrassing and it doesn’t look like it’s getting any easier for QPR with Stoke away next. Charlie Austin is a brilliant striker but there is a lot better out there for a better price, and fantasy football is about points and the green arrows. You must remember as well that transfer deadline day is coming up and you can’t rule ‘Arry out of signing some new players to allow some pressure to be lifted off Charlie Austin. He has already added Zarate to his list of strikers and I wouldn’t rule him out of bringing another in just because he’s Harry Redknapp and he lives for transfer deadline day.
Aaron Cresswell (West Ham, Defender, 5.6m)
This decision applies to all you managers with West Ham defenders in their team, but because Aaron Cresswell has the highest teams selected by % out of all of West Ham’s defenders, he is the man I suggest you take out. When I decide whether to bring defenders in or take defenders out I always look at their next fixtures and this is the exact reason why now is the time to take Aaron Cresswell or any West Ham defenders out of your team. West Ham’s next three fixtures are; Liverpool (A), Man Utd (H) and Southampton (A). I think that’s all the evidence you need to make sure you take out Aaron Cresswell as it will be very hard for West Ham to keep a clean sheet despite how well they are doing this season. This suggestion is a short but sweet one and straight to the point but it’s a no-brainer so get it done.
I am very confident in these suggestions and although this was a very fixture based article I’m sure it’s enough to persuade you to do what’s right and take my advice! We’re just over the halfway point of the season now and it’s time to separate the winners and losers so start taking some risks, have some confidence and get them green arrows on your screen on a weekly basis.
Good luck.
Tom.
@MellorFootball
