FPLH's GW 22 Team*
Transfers: Valencia & Riise (OUT) / Mata & Harte (IN): -4 hit
*FPLH reserves the right to change this team at any time. Any changes made will be confirmed on FPLH's Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Team Reasoning
If you don't already know, GW22 is in fact a Double Gameweek (DGW)! Chelsea's re-arranged fixture with Southampton is due to be played on 16th January at the back end of GW22. Naturally you would think that I would take a transfer hit to buy an array of DGW players? Yes and No.
I decided to take a -4 hit to only bring in Mata (9.9) from Chelsea. He has shined this season and it makes perfect sense to captain him in GW22, as he is an on form first team regular player. Of course he didn't start v QPR, but naturally he was due a rest as a result of the busy festive period. I decided to buy him as this season he has performed well against both big and small teams.
Following Chelsea's shock loss to QPR, I doubt they will be resting their big guns. I was close to signing Ba, but ultimately decided against it as I wasn't convinced he would get 160-180mins during their DGW, due to competition with Torres. I was also put off by purchasing Turnbull as he is a short-term solution, prone to conceding goals. In addition Azpilicueta may seem a bargain, but with the imminent return of John Terry their defence could be reshuffled. Luiz, who is already in my team, seems safe in his new midfield role especially with Mikel's departure to the African Cup of Nations.
My other purchase will be a surprise for some. I bought Ian Harte. At £3.8M he is ridiculously cheap and allows me to free up funds. Sure Reading concede goals, but he has the capability to score them! His career strike rate in league football is 18%, which is fantastic for a defender. He has a history of taking penalties and free kicks, and in fact hit the woodwork against Tottenham in Reading's last PL match.
Since his return to the first team, Harte has scored 21 points, which can't be ignored either. He may not have scored a goal, but I think he is certainly due one soon. I could potentially keep him till the end of the season. Call me crazy, but he might bag a few goals from now till May! The extra benefit with him is that he is a safe bench option. However, I would also play him in certain home matches, as follows:
GW 22 - West Brom (H)
GW 25 - Sunderland (H)
GW 27 - Wigan (H)
GW 29 - Aston Villa (H)
GW 32 - Southampton (H)
GW 35 - QPR (H)
I have captained Mata for this GW, which is a no brainer due to the DGW, with Luiz as the vice-captain.
Recommended Player for Gameweek 22
Juan Mata
Usually plays behind the striker in a support role.
So far scored 7 and assisted 8 goals in the PL.
Has scored in both home and away matches.
At sub £9.9M, he is value for money.
FPLH's Hot Picks XI for GW 22
Howard
Luiz-vc
Jagielka
Snodgrass
Van Persie
Subs:
Lloris
Howard
Luiz-vc
Jagielka
Harte
Hazard
Mata-c
Fellaini
Van Persie
Berbatov
Defoe
Subs:
Pilkington
Cuellar
Martin
4/15 Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW Team
4/15 Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW Team
Here we go again.
ReplyDeleteI just read about Chelsea DGW, and luckily I didn't sell Ba.
So now I was looking for another CFC player to bring in and since I'm having troubles with my defence I immediately tought about Azpilicueta (yep, again :P), but then I remembered Terry is coming back in the squad.
Do you think he (as Azpilicueta) will play 180 mins?
Should I go with a safer option as A. Cole (selling Shawcross/Gibbs)?
Unfortunately I cannot afford Mata (I should sell either Bale or Walcott to get him, but I'm not gonna do that).
Keep Bale and Walcott. Don't sell them for the sake of one DGW.
ReplyDeleteI doubt Azpi will play a full 180 mins with JT almost back in the frame.
To be honest, Chelsea's defence hasn't been all that great of late. The only reason I kept Luiz is due to him being shafted in midfield with Mikel (his rival DM) away on international duty.
What about bringing in Ramires as a cheap lucky dip midfield option?
Hi Chief,
ReplyDeleteIt's been a while since I last write anything here. I'm doing ok in the FPL in recent weeks despite naming Mata as my captain (1 pts).. Painful! I take point hits frequently especially before DGWs, However, I am not going to make any transfers this GW, let alone taking a -4 hit.
I have Ba most of the campaign and conveniently for his owners in FPL, he moved to Chelsea just before the DGW. However, I don't think I should keep him after that due to him being vulnerable to rotation. I decided to go for Defoe as a replacement when I activate my wildcard. I happen to have Mata and Luiz, too, so, I'm not needing any transfer, allowing me to save the transfer for the Arsenal's DGW. Probably will go for Podolski in place of Ba to add to my other Arsenal coverage: Gibbs and Walcott.
Yes, that was another option I was thinking about.
ReplyDeleteRamires for Taarabt, looks good to me
In fact, he's a good pick for the following GWs too considering Mikel's departure for the African Cup
Hi Min.
ReplyDeleteIndeed it has. Pleased to hear from you.
It seems that -4 hits have been paying off for those who buy players on a long term basis.
If it was me, I'd keep Ba till the DGW and even captain him if I didn't have Mata. Whilst I have Podolski for Arsenal's upcoming DGW, I intend to ditch him with my January WC.
Just to clarify, I currently have Ba. I will probably replace him after this gw, first with Podolski, for Arsenal's DGW, then ultimately Defoe will take the slot when I activate my Wc, unless of course there are new good options.
ReplyDelete