Premier League: GW7 Retrospect

Could it get any worse after GW7, as the EPL heads into the international break? I knew my squad and score were headed in the wrong direction after Saturday’s fixtures, Everton giving up 1 goal to Palace, while the Baggies conceded one to Sunderland, too bad it wasn’t Defoe bagging the goal. Just when you think everything is going your way after GW6 and you have the game figured out, you get socked in the jaw and wake up, dazed and confused. That’s where I am right about now, too bad a cold pint didn’t help the realization that I really only score 24 points this week. The average of the week was 42, as I was well off the pace to maintain my position in the global league, falling 142k places! Thankfully I can take solace in knowing that I am still better off this year, at this point than I was last year and there is still much football to be played.

I am done! Done chasing the clean sheet with respect to my defenders. If I would have played defenders based on their offensive abilities I probably would have been in a better position than I am currently in. That could be the pint (or two talking). Still through out the first 7 weeks I have only changed 2 starting defenders (McAuley and Williams) and neither move has paid off. With Valencia still my premier defender at 5.5m and yet to return, a Spurs defender could be in my near future. Van Aanholt picked up a goal in GW7, but was on the bench, while Williams and McAuley returned just 2 points a piece. Foster continues to mind the net, but another 2 point showing just deepens the frustration.

The midfield was happening, until GW7. Sterling picked up a knock in the 86th minute and was replaced. He didn’t score anyway. Antonio has now blanked 2 weeks in a row and the Hammers are looking dreadful offensively. Chances are high I will give Antonio a few more weeks with matches against Palace (A) and Sunderland (H) to get things turned around. Capoue…probably the fantasy law of averages catching up with him, after being the top scorer in fantasy. He too had a second week of no returns. This was a run for Watford that was supposed to be positive, yet a draw with the Cherries and concern has started to creep in.

My big move of the week after the KDB injury was a -4 hit for Sanchez. You would think would be a great match up against Burley especially how well the Gunners had been playing. Yet Burley at home played tough and conceded just 1 goal. Sanchez was also captained, yielding just 6 points. Talk about dismal! Aguero would have done no better IF he were given the armband last weekend. Snodgrass was on the bench, but I might consider a 3-5-2 depending on what I do with my forwards, who didn’t perform at all this weekend.

Good match up for Sunderland, Man U and Man City, yet just 2 goals from those 3 games and none for Defoe, Aguero or Rashford, who was my FT after GW6. So much for playing the price increase in hopes he would return vs Stoke. Of all teams, Stoke and Man U can only get one by that defense. I will give Grant credit, as he was outstanding in goal for the Potters in a game that could have been 3 or 4 goals for United. What to do out of the international break with my forwards? The obvious, Aguero will remain as my top player and most likely my favorite to captain. Defoe seems to score in spurts, much like Lukaku, he’s the point of attack for the Black Cats, so he could potentially get another 2 weeks with Stoke and West Ham. Rashford, he’s young, talented, seems to be having fun but also a rotation risk. He really wasn’t a factor vs Stoke. With Liverpool and Chelsea out of the break, his time might be up after just 1 week. I feel there are better match ups to chance.

Two players that come to mind up front are Deeney (30) of Watford and Austin (23) of Southampton, both have been playing week recently and appear to have favorable fixtures coming up. I am not completely done with Rashford, as I did pick him up for Man U coverage upon selling Ibra, something I thought I wouldn’t do but 11.0m+ not returning wasn’t happening and I needed budget space to cover the KDB injury. At this point I don’t even know how I am going to get him back when he is fit and ready to play. Can’t play for future fixtures, must play for the now.

Overall 24 points was my lowest score in 3 years of playing fantasy football. Needless to say I took a huge hit and drop nearly 140k spots to rest at 168k in the global league. My squad sits at 376 points, 44 points short of my 60 point/week goal with a value of 102.1m. I was within 6 points after GW6, but that mountain has just got a bit steeper to climb after this pathetic performance. Hopefully it can be put behind as we look forward to the EPL after the international break.