£1M Fanteam FPL 2021/22 - Gameweek 19 Review
We are back in the mud after a decent spell in the last few GWs. Got very unlucky with pretty much everything - at least that is how it felt like. More in a little bit.
The most preannounced issue was my blind faith in Manchester United. All I can do is continue to hold Ronaldo, even though he looked completely absent against Newcastle United - the 19th team in the league. That was my captain again, that couldn’t even get a shot on target and instead bagged himself a yellow card that arguably should have been a red. Dalot played but didn’t get the assist for Cavani’s goal because Cavani didn’t score with his first shot. It took the ball coming right back to him to score. By this point I just need to hold both Ronaldo and Dalot and hope they will play and get better. I’m especially worried for Ronaldo getting benched - I can’t have a premium player getting benched during this period.
By far the most unlucky moment of this GW was the Chelsea game as it often is in my case. Clean sheet gets wiped as usual with the most comical of ways - an own goal by none other than James who records 0.3 points once again. Alonso got 1.3 and Mendy got 2.8. A joke return from 3 premium defenders. It’s truly hilarious how bad that defence has gotten since I got all 3 of them. Worth mentioning that when Tuchel is desperate, he pulls James back into the RCB role with Pulisic or Mount occupying the right flank in possession - not ideal.
Nothing new in the Man City department either. Man City scored 6 with only Cancelo getting an assist from my 2 players. Did concede 3 which didn’t help Cancelo much. Foden sat on the bench for the most part, laughing with his mate Jack while I’m weeping to God. Surely he plays in the next GW, even Pep can’t be that fraudulent - right?
Son scored. Turned out that Lucas was the player to go for, who would have predicted that? Happy with a goal but looking at Leicester, I’m worried what Salah could do to them in GW20. Spurs looked good from what I saw but obviously the red card to Zaha hurt the game a lot even though Spurs were 2-0 up already by that point.
Again, unlucky with Martinelli really. Arsenal bag 5 against Norwich and he didn’t get a return in any of those. He got 2 pre-assists from what I recall just from his work rate ability itself. Saka, Odegaard and Lacazette were the ones to own this time around but it may be different another time. It’s probably going to be neither because Arsenal play Man City next on January 1st.
Decent stuff from West Ham. I did lose my accumulator bet because of them but Bowen and Antonio did there bit. Bowen got an assist and Antonio scrambled in a goal from a corner after coming on in the second half. I didn’t expect him to be back from his COVID absence but glad he repaid me a bit for having faith in him.
Ramsey got more points than James and Alonso combined - on the bench of course. King and Alexander-Arnold had games cancelled while Steer was doing bench duty.
GW19 Dream Team
Robert Sanchez (4.6M) - 8.8 Points - A name that I haven’t seen for quite some time. Probably one of the better options at the price point but the focus right now is on the mid-priced keepers like Lloris and Ramsdale. Decent pickup if you need cash.
6/10
Aymeric Laporte (5.7M) - 10.3 Points - Big presence in the box. Has been the favoured centre-back to Ake and Stones but is not safe from rotation by any means. Too risqué for me.
5/10
Kieran Tierney (5.3M) - 12.3 Points - I mean I always knew Tierney had this in him. I’m still worried about that rotation with Tavares but it’s hard to drop anyone from the first eleven right now given the team’s form. One of the best cheaper wing-back options in the game.
7/10
Emerson Royal (4.9M) - 9.9 Points - We still don’t know Conte’s rotation policy which is why it is dangerous to go for some of these less-obvious players. Emerson is is basically a cheaper Reguilon with less ownership. Could be a fantastic differential if he continues to play to the standard he set in the game against Palace.
6.5/10
Riyad Mahrez (8.5M) - 11.3 Points - No surprise here. If Mahrez gets to play, he is literally one of the best picks in the game - that is why I had him at the start of the year. Problem this season was that he had a lot of competition, competition which lessened now with Phil and Jack being lads, lads, lads. I’ll continue to watch Mahrez haul every week until he goes to AFCON.
5/10
Raheem Sterling (9.6M) - 13.7 Points - Sterling has been returning consistently since getting more game time in the last month or so. Problem is the same as Mahrez’s minus the AFCON. Not to mention that Sterling is rather uninspiring when you watch him play. A risk not worth me taking imo.
4.5/10
Lucas Moura (6.4M) - 15.3 Points - Wow this guy is cheap. He has definitely been one of the better Spurs players this season and it’s promising seeing him returning under Conte. He isn’t nailed yet, but this might be a Martinelli bet that you could take. Bring him in during his rise up. Wouldn’t do that immediately because he played 90 minutes last game so Alli will probably get the next one. Put him on your wish list.
7/10
Jorginho (5.7M) - 13.3 Points - I really hate this guy. Jorginho should be proof that penalties need to be given less points than normal goals. I think Jorginho got more points in the last 5 GWs than all my 3 Chelsea defenders combined. I’m definitely not mad.
4.5/10
Bukayo Saka (6.7M) - 13.3 Points - 4 returns in a row with Arsenal flying. You sort of know what you are getting with him over someone like Lucas. Problem is that Arsenal play Man City then Spurs which could be a problem. Would probably hold off until after those and evaluate then.
7.5/10
Kelechi Iheanacho (7.2M) - 13.5 Points - Crazy how overpriced he is but he was in very good form last season so I can see how it all happened. Clearly Iheanacho is behind Vardy and Daka and that probably won’t change anytime soon. Occasional starts with off the bench cameos is all I can see for him.
4/10