Disclaimer: *FPLH reserves the right to change this team at any time. Any changes made will most likely be confirmed on FPLH's Twitter account.
Transfers (-4 Hit):
Whittaker & Nolan (OUT) / Vidic & Barkley (IN)
Folks, I'm back with a bang! The Ozil captaincy was an inspired choice that helped me rise up the rankings once again. Ironically, my defenders and forwards only scored a paltry 7 points between them. This got me thinking about my GW6 selections.
For this GW, I was tempted by the following players due to their capabilities and upcoming fixtures:
Vidic (MNU)
Rooney (MNU)
Sidwell (FUL)
Bent (FUL)
Barkley (EVE)
Lukaku (EVE)
Moses (LIV)
Suarez (LIV)
I opted against Rooney as I didn't want to double up with 2 United players up front. I'm sure Roo will do well for the next few GWs. But I think RVP will return in GW6 too and will also benefit from their decent fixtures. I think Bent is a steal purchase at £6.5M and is due an abundance of goals. His next 3 games tempted me to purchase him. But there was always the concern of him lacking form and Berba potentially cancelling him out. Suarez was another striker I was looking at. But his price put me off and he will need some time to re-adapt back in to PL life. His teammate Moses was another tantalising prospect (especially with Coutinho out), but I felt that he needs to be consistent first. Sidwell was another midfielder that I considered but he isn't attacking enough for me. I am keen on purchasing Lukaku who could start on Monday, but I would want him to hit some form first. In the end I decided that a solid defender and a value for money midfielder was what I needed.
I decided to buy Vidic in spite of United's drubbing in GW5. They will be determined to bounce back with a clean sheet and a win against West Brom at home. In fact a good run of October PL fixtures swayed me to buy him. On top of that he has a decent goal scoring pedigree for United and is due a goal. By purchasing him, I had to sell a non-cheap midfielder in place for an even cheaper midfielder! This was no easy task. But Nolan got the axe as I feel that he isn't making the most of filling the vacant faux-striker role at his club. Fortunately, I had enough funds to buy Barkley. I have monitored his progress in the PL and have been impressed. His stats portray him as one of Everton's best midfielders so far this season. With a World Cup spot in the horizon, I would expect him to further improve.
I have decided to captain Barkley for this GW. Some of you may say that this is a ballsy pick. But from my point of view, I wanted to be bold. Also I would hope that he can assist or score against a team (NUFC) that conceded 3 goals at home to a newly promoted team. Not that it makes a huge difference, but my vice-captain is Van Persie, who I believe will feature in some shape or form against WBA.
GW Reject:
WHITTAKER (NOR)
GW Punt:
BENT (FUL)
GW Hot Pick:
BARKLEY (EVE)
Why?
Has good form on his side.
He is value for money at sub-£6.0M
Already has 1 goal & 2 assists in 5 PL games.
FPLH's GW Star Picks:
de Gea
Vidic
Enrique
Baines
Barkley (c)
Y. Toure
Moses
Ozil
Giroud
Rooney
Bent
Subs:
Hart
Hangeland
Fonte
Lallana
FPLH's Projected GW Results: