Another week of green FPL arrows! 63 points on a 45 point fantasy premier league average is fine by us and long may it continue. With this level of consistency we are starting to feel like the Jamie Vardy of the FPL world. 318,633rd overall now and finally in the top 10% so let’s have a look at the game week 12 breakdown:
In goal. Guess who?! Going into the Chelsea game Jack Butland had 3 clean sheets in 4 but quite frankly I wasn’t expecting another. Wrong. As if I needed another reason to ‘fangirl’ over the Stoke City shot stopper. I feel like I’m one more double digit return away from turning into Butland’s equivalent of a Belieber! A Butlander if you will!
In front of him we would have had a clean sheet clean sweep if Cedric had actually taken to the field. He didn’t and we didn’t. What we did get was a handsome 10 point return from Palace man Dann, courtesy of his winner at Anfield and 7 points from Kolarov after the goalless draw at Villa.
Our midfield seriously let us down and was the main area for deliberation this week with our 2 FT’s, but we will address that in a moment. It was a sea of 2’s and 3’s, with rare blanks for De Bruyne and Mahrez. Not something I expect for game week 12. Ayew blanked for the 6th game in his last 8 and his place in the team is now hanging by a thread. That thread is very much a home game with Bournemouth. Lastly, Sanchez looked jaded and miles from his usual sharpness, so following his International excursions we have cut ties. Chances are we will come crawling back like a jealous ex when he’s looking fit again but for now it is time for a break.
Up top it was the trio of Vardy, Lukaku and Pelle scoring 18, 8 and 1 respectively. We can excuse the blank from Pelle for now, but with Aguero teasing us with his return, one of the 3 will have to go soon. You have been warned Graziano! Lukaku showed, for the second week in a row, that his questionable composure in front of goal might be a thing of the past when Adrian was cooly rounded to level the match and earn Everton a point. Oh and Vardy scored. Shock!
So following our last international break until March, let’s have a little look at how we line up for game week 13.
So, by not using a transfer in game week 12 we have ourselves 2 free. As it stands though we have used just one, but as it stands it’s:
SANCHEZ (OUT) –> OZIL (IN)
Starting In goal we have Wayne Hennessey. I can honestly say I’d feel less guilty cheating on a girlfriend than I do by benching Jack Butland but with Palace home to Sunderland and Stoke away to one of our front men, the decision has been made. Head back next week when I’m writing this article full of regret.
In front of him we have Cedric home to Stoke City. Not that I even know if Koeman will even pick him. Does anyone? Kolarov at home to Liverpool. As stated previously we are monitoring the situation with City, with Clichy now fully fit, but for now we can’t not pick him. Lastly it’s Scott Dann, who makes it a nice little Monday Night Football double up defensively for us. In the previous write up I noted Dann’s attacking prowess and his goal at Anfield did nothing but reaffirm my belief in him, especially with a porous Sunderland team up next.
In midfield it’s an Updates XI debut for the silky German Ozil. 72 points so far and an assist in 7 of his last 8 he seems the natural replacement for the jaded Sanchez. West Brom away also appeals. As mentioned we have Ayew home to Bournemouth and needing a return to stay in our good books. Another blank and he’s gone. De Bruyne starts and I’m sure that is the last thing Klopp wants to see. Klopp’s farewell game as Dortmund gaffer ended in disappointment back in May when a De Bruyne inspired Wolfsburg defeated them 3-1 in the DFB-Pokal final. Lastly it’s Mahrez. Granted he blanked last game week but we will put that down to his unselfish decision to hand Vardy the penalty. Even if he repeats that this week his set piece appeal and general form means he obviously stays in the Updates XI.
Up top it’s the same 3 again. Pelle, home to Stoke, Vardy away to Newcastle chasing the goal record and our captain for the week, Big Rom home to Villa. I can’t help but feel there’s goals in this line up. There better be with 2 free transfer’s next week and Aguero likely back.
This week seems a little more favourable on the fixture front so the expectation is definitely 55+ points and any improvement on our overall position. Good luck to all you fellow FPL gaffers. Green arrows all round hopefully!
By FPL Guru
