Arguably the most impressive team of the season so far, Everton’s players have also been catching the eye as far as Fantasy Football is concerned.
Gameweek 15 review
Captaining Luis Suarez is something of a no-lose strategy at the moment and the Uruguayan delivered in spades yet again with a 15-point haul at the weekend, despite not being rewarded for a goal against West Ham which has since been credited to him by the dubious goals panel.
Suarez shared top scorer status with Andre (don’t call me) Schurrle after the Chelsea midfielder’s brace against Stoke, with horse enthusiast Leroy Fer galloping slightly behind on 14 points thanks to a goal, an assist and a maximum bonus point haul against West Brom.
Newcastle’s match-winner at Old Trafford Yohan Cabaye was one of a quartet of players on 10 points alongside Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakho, Norwich ‘keeper John Ruddy and Spurs midfielder Paulinho, with Fulham’s Steve Sidwell going one better on 11 points.
Chico Flores earned nine points for a blatant handball that ended up in the Hull City net, while the Dream Team is completed by Fulham’s Sascha Riether and the return of Chamakh after a second goal in two games against Cardiff.
J-League
Only six points separated every team in the top five of the J-League this week, meaning that there was absolutely no change at the top. Stuart McGoldrick’s Champions 2013/14 did extend their lead to a healthy 20 points over Barry Curran’s gambitbeer, with Brian Ruane’s Dukes of Hazard a further ten points back in third place.
Sean O’Donoghue’s Celtic D’s are pressing hard in fourth place, with Paul McInaw’s Poppycock Wednesday bringing up the rear of an elite group that will no doubt find it tough to maintain their positions over a busy Christmas period.
J-League Top 5:
- Champions 2013/14 – Stuart McGoldrick: 1,063 points
- Gambitbeer – Barry Curran: 1,043 points
- Dukes of Hazard – Brian Ruane: 1,033 points
- Celtic D’s – Sean O’Donoghue: 1,031 points
- Poppycock Wednesday – Paul McInaw: 1,022 points
Martinez magic rubbing off on the Blues
Everton fans knew they were getting a promising manager in Roberto Martinez but few will have predicted the brilliant start to the season the Blues have made under the former Wigan boss.
Granted it’s early days but it’s hard to argue with the assertion that Everton have progressed (and Manchester United have regressed) as a result of the managerial merry-go-round in the summer and while the Toffees were a very good team under David Moyes, they proved against Manchester United and Arsenal in the last ten days that they have gone up a notch and that a top four finish is not at all beyond the realms of possibility.
It’s not surprising then, that the Everton squad have been providing plenty of value for money as far as Fantasy Football is concerned so far. Although Everton’s style is more expansive and less conservative than under Moyes, it is in defence where Everton players have been mopping up most points, with Tim Howard (£5.8 million) currently the highest-scoring goalkeeper in the league and four defenders amongst the ten leading defenders so far.
The Everton back five’s high ranking has a lot to do with the eight clean sheets they have kept in 15 league games so far, but the license their full-backs are given to attack hasn’t done any harm either.
That’s why our own Seamus Coleman (£6.0 million) is the highest scoring defender having claimed two goals and an assist so far, while despite having missed the last three and a half games, Leighton Baines (£7.4 million) isn’t far behind having maintained his usual excellence so far this season and chipped in with two goals already.
Phil Jagielka (£5.9 million) and Sylvain Distin have no goals and only one assist between them so far, but Jagielka is only two points behind Coleman as the second highest-scoring defender in the league and Distin too is very good value for just over five million quid.
Everton’s midfield haven’t been as free-scoring as the lads at the back but Kevin Mirallas (£7.2 million) has two goals and four assists so far, while Ross Barkley is a bit of a steal at £5.1 million considering how well he’s played this season.
Up front, it’s all about Romelu Lukaku (£8.5 million), who has been one of the players of the season so far and has notched eight goals and three assists to date, although there could be a lot of interest in Gerard Deulofeu, particularly at only £5.4 million, after his wonder goal against Arsenal, which was his second in three games.
JOE’s Fantasy Football Picks:
Top Dollar: Wayne Rooney (£11.1 million). It’s hard to justify a Man United player in the form they’re in, but they have a good record at Villa Park and Rooney has appeared immune to the mediocrity affecting the rest of the squad so far.
Mid-Range: Romelu Lukaku (£8.5 million). The aforementioned Lukaku hasn’t scored in his last two games but you get the feeling that Fulham won’t be so lucky this weekend.
Bargain Basement: Leroy Fer (£5.9 million). Norwich have claimed three wins in their last five games and they have another winnable one this weekend at home to a Swansea side who were on their travels in midweek. With three goals and 34 points in his last five games, Leroy has been easily the Canaries’ best performer so Fer.
Irish Pick: Seamus Coleman (£6.0 million). We’re going back to the reliable Seamus this week ahead of an in-form Everton’s home clash with a Fulham side who have never looked comfortable on the road.
Captain’s Pick: Eden Hazard (£9.9 million). Jose Mourinho will be demanding a reaction from his players after the shock defeat to Stoke last weekend and with the form he’s in, Crystal Palace might suffer at the hands of the Belgian at Stamford Bridge.
