Premier League: GW16 Retrospect
I took my own personal “international break” and did follow GW15 with a write up on my squad. Even with 53 points, 7 points better than the average, I saw a red arrow. It also saw me take my second 12 point hit of the season, introducing three new players, not including my FT of Sanchez. The tough decision was Origi or Iheanacho, I chose poorly and the Man City striker has yet to reward my decision.
For GW16 I made the decision to hang on to Iheanacho and address my defense. While I am a PvA fan, it was time to move him, introducing Jones of Man U, as their schedule looks quite favorable in the coming game weeks. Unfortunately, like many of my defensive moves this year, it didn’t pay off, as United gave up a goal to Crystal Palace. I had been hoping to hold off any defensive moves until after Christmas, but with the rest of my team looking good on paper, I felt it was time.
Defensively I feel confident with the starters after three changes in personnel that past few weeks. While Jones didn’t return, Lovren did with a Liverpool clean sheet. Holebas and McAuley combined for 3 points but both could be short on playing time due to the challenging fixtures they face. In goal, Courtois continues to shine pocketing another clean sheet for Chelsea. On the bench, I am keeping an eye on Cedric, tapped by one of the pundits, he has not played in the last 2 game weeks.
Hazard was left out of the starting XI against Sunderland, so Capoue was automatically substituted in for another 1 point performance. New kid on the block, Sigurdsson seems to have gone cold, with no return against WBA. The same held true for Allen. The bright star that is Sanchez continued to shine, returning 7 points but it was not enough.
Up front, I made the move in GW15 to pick up Iheanacho, as he appeared to be one of the “logic choices” to replace the suspended Aguero. Unfortunately, 57 minutes against Leicester wasn’t enough to convince Pep to start him in GW16 against Watford, as Nolito got the start. It was a rare game in which Costa did not return, only his fourth this season. Kane grabbed the armband, but it was another 4 point return. Too many of those this season, especially when tapping a player as captain.
I continue to tumble down the global rankings, now at 1.1m, it’s been a steady fall from grace since GW6. Hopefully this negative trend will reverse itself and I can start the slow climb back up. My squad value is 103.5m but poor decisions continue to follow me, regardless of my starting XI.
