Premier League: GW12 Retrospect
If you had asked me on Saturday how I did, I would have been very disappointed and frustrated,only 28 points, thankfully we still had Sunday and Monday. I brought Hazard in very late for GW12, after wavering through out the week on what to do with my FT. While I really didn’t want to deal Sanchez, Arsenal’s record in November is terrible and with Chelsea being on excellent form, it was a worthwhile move to bring in the Belgian. Unfortunately the move didn’t pay off, as Hazard settled for only 4 points, coming off back to back double digit performances. Thankfully I didn’t captain him, yet the would be captain only got me 4 points. Overall I finished the week with 53 points, 13 points better than the average and saw a green arrow, my second in the last 6 weeks. I am still trying to recover from weeks of 24, 33 and 26 that dropped me 720k spots in the global standing. The current team value is low at 102.0 and the transfer for GW13 has already been played.
Saturday saw a dismal performance as Lukaku and Austin returned a big, fat zero! I had captained Lukaku, so his performance was worth 4 points, but it wasn’t meant to be. Thankfully on Sunday, Costa continued his fine run bagging a goal and picking up 3 BPS versus ‘Boro, which helped salvage the weekend. Lukaku has been very inconsistent again this year. Starting the year scoreless through 3 weeks, followed by double digit returns in GW4 and GW5. Three goals in the next 4 weeks and Everton was poised to be in fine form, but zeros the past 2 weeks and some tough fixtures upcoming; Southampton, Man U, Arsenal, Liverpool, Watford and Leicester. He has been on the short list to replace since I picked him up, never have been a huge fan of his or that of Everton, but his play dictated I pick him up a second time this season.
The change for GW12 came at the expense of Sanchez. I am a huge Alexis fan, but Arsenal’s record in November has been a bit dismal, while Hazard had been in great form the past 4 weeks. This on the back of 4 terrible weeks, so he hasn’t been a model of consistency this season, but continues to show flashes of brilliance! So in comes Hazard, as I keep my fingers crossed, as I double up with Costa up front. Unfortunately in GW12 Hazard didn’t return, as ‘Boro’s defense played Chelsea tough and it doesn’t get any easier the next 2 weeks; Spurs and man City.
De Bruyne came out of the international break and spotted me 7 points, on the back of an assist, and 2 BPS. He has been one of the better midfielders all season long and without Aguero up front, I will look to keep a hand in man City with him. Upcoming fixtures are a mixed bag with Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool in the next 6 weeks. Coutinho was picked up for GW11, returning 11 points against Watford. Yet against Southampton he couldn’t find any niche during the game. I have been on the fence all season long with Livepool’s midfield. There hasn’t been much consistency all season long, but they all continue to score, it’s somewhat of a crap shoot when it comes to the question of, “Who do I pick up?” Right now, I lean Coutinho, but Firmino isn’t far behind. Allen picked up his fifth yellow card and is now suspended, but had only returned in one of the last 3 weeks. Only 1 point versus West ham and Bournemouth respectively. Not sure what direction I am going to go with Allen. I like the supporting cast around him more than those around Snodgrass of Hull City. Can’t say I am completely sold on Phillips, who’s returned 13 and 14 points the last 2 weeks for the Baggies. There is always Capoue (bench), McArthur, Fer and Matic in the same price bracket.
Up front it was Costa to the rescue, as this is the second bout with him in the starting XI. I dropped him prior to GW4 in favor of Lukaku, where he returned in all but 2 games. Lukaku isn’t bad, he has returned in the half the games this season, but it’s a consistency thing with him and Everton. There schedule is about to get tough with Southampton, man U, Arsenal, Liverpool and Leicester in the next 6 weeks. As of this writing, I have already used my FT, dropping Lukaku for Kane. I was considering Kane for the transfer last week, but honestly couldn’t pull the trigger, then he hits a brace against the Hammers. Woulda. Coulda. Shoulda. I didn’t. Austin rounds out the forwards, as my budget buy. Only 1 goal in his last 4 games, but has come close in a few of them. Their schedule is favorable through GW27, so chances are high, Charlie starts.
After GW12 I have scored 594 points, which continues to average 49.5/match, about 10 points lower than where I was hoping to be. I still point to GW7-9, which saw me score only 83 in those 3 weeks that has put me in this position. I know my team is better than a 20-30 point average/week but I have not seen the squad click for a big week to date. As for my chips, I will continue to hold them until we see the DGW appear, sometime after the new year. I am already planning my moves for the WC when January rolls around. Now sure I want to spend money to upgrade (or downgrade) my defenders at this time. Still I feel my squad is better than it’s global rank of 616k.
