Chief's FPL Team - Gameweek 36

Disclaimer: *FPLH reserves the right to change this team at any time. Any changes will most likely be confirmed on FPLH's Twitter account.

1 FREE TRANSFER WAS AVAILABLE FOR GW36.

TRANSFERS (WITH A -4 HIT):

SILVA & LUKAKU OUT

RAMSEY & ROONEY IN

Switched my captain from Aguero to Suarez but still scored 76 in GW35...

... 4 points lost (like taking a hit!). This is how I feel.

The GW 36 Temptations:

LUKAS PODOLSKI

4 goals in his last 2 PL games and a sub £8.0M price tag speaks volumes.  Despite being listed as a striker he doesn't strictly play as one.  Could now be undermined by Rambo & Ozil.

WILFRIED BONY

Despite Swansea's somewhat rocky and indifferent season, he has been a star for them. Good home fixture v Villa.  Another sub £8.0M forward, but has nothing more to play for this season.

CONNOR WICKHAM

Sub £5.0M and has 3 goals in his last 2 games.  Only 0.3% own him.  He has a good game v Cardiff.  I will probably be tempted to buy him during DGW37 as a shock buy... or maybe not.

The GW 36 Transfers:

Silva's shock start on Monday night was a nice surprise.  But a 2 point return and serious injury proved to be a blow as I also lost out on a DGW37 player.  I decided to buy "Rambo" Ramsey after his sensational points haul v Hull.  Whilst he won't do that every GW, Arsenal will be looking to seal 4th spot.  What better way to get close to that than to thrash an abysmal Newcastle side that has lost 12 of their last 17 matches.  My other transfer incurred a -4 hit and forced me to consider DGW37.  I know Rooney didn't do well last week, but he has some cracking upcoming home fixtures.  In addition, I am hoping the "Giggs factor" may give him a bit of a boost, especially with the World Cup around the corner.  I had to get my transfers in early due to the rapid price rises.  I announced them on Twitter.  Sorry if you got short changed!

The Captain:

Rooney seems an obvious pick against a dire Canaries team.  But I am worried about his form to the extent that I won't give him the armband.  Aguero may find it tough v Palace, whereas Suarez could be hot or cold at Anfield depending on what team Mourinho fields.  This situation left me to opt for a more pluckier captaincy pick.  I haven't had much luck with #MNF captains since Barkley v Newcastle earlier this season but I have chosen Ramsey for GW36.  Here's to hoping that Rambo maintains his stellar form and gives Arsenal fans something to cheer about in their pursuit for 4th spot!

The Personal Competitive Context:

With the season almost over, I still have reason to keep focused in FPL.  As thing stand, I'm on course for a third consecutive top 1% finish #FPL finish, I took a lead in leg 1 of my Champions League semi final match and progressed through to round 2 of the inaugural  FPLH Royal Rumble!  In fairness, I was lucky to do well in both competitions as I faced stiff competition.  Nonetheless, there's all to play for.  Teams are becoming more homogenised and buying successful differentials now will be the difference between moving 1k in a GW to moving 10k.

Perch of the Pundits*:

*Bigger than usual to fit Walt in! 

PS - We are still selling FPLH Shirts (designed by @Matejp23/@CalleditFPL - The shirts are reasonably priced, come in different sizes and can be worn all throughout the year.

Click HERE to view/buy.

Bantasy Football: All about Arsenal

The Gunners haven't featured in my team of the week bantasy posts yet - and with good reason. Despite a solid season (well - remaining consistent with the same old mathematical disappointment they have become used to at this time of year), they don't have a single player in the Dreamteam, near the top of the form table or on the lips of any fantasy football manager.

Walcott's horror injury and Ozil's 'meh'ness (new word) are partly to blame but Wenger's style has always meant a spreading of the love between multiple playmakers - meaning whoever you choose has a decent chance of bringing you home precisely zero bacon.

Arsenal usually finish the season strong, though, and have Newcastle (H) West Brom (H) and Norwich (A). You couldn't hope for three easier fixtures assuming Norwich are relegated by then (they will be - because maths).


Aaron Ramsey (7.4)

He's back with a bang (16 pts against Hull), although admittedly his initial return was more of a whimper (1pt against Everton, 4 against West Ham). But 90 minutes last week surely means he'll be raring to go against the Toon and some are even saying he's the best player at the Emirates now. He's certainly got the most fantasy points. Sold.


Santiago Cazorla (9.3)

Flying under the radar this season is Santi Cazorla - Saint Charlie to you and me. He's created a whopping 60 chances - practically doubling Ramsey's 31 - and has a pass accuracy of 87%. Tasty. The price is wrong but if you've already got Ramsey, you're a man for a differential (3% ownership) or, like one of those wives I've heard so much about, you enjoy spending copious amounts of money on frivolous purchases for no good reason, he's your guy*.

People who edit videos like this on Youtube neg my vibe. Cut to 0:40 for the money shot

*Sexism is for comic purposes only and does not reflect the very liberal views of this blogger, who thinks women are excellent - just excellent. Although I don't see many husbands buying £250 shoes - just sayin'. 


Olivier Giroud (8.5)

I nearly wrote a letter to FPL this year asking for a mandatory pop-up warning to be installed so that anyone attempting to transfer in Giroud would see a window that reads: "Are you sure you want to do this? The player you have selected is below average in every conceivable way."

Well I've changed my mind after that absurd chip shot he tried against West Ham - he's not below average; he's actively rubbish. That said, I've also decided he is not the worst fantasy prospect out there - as long as he has good fixtures. He hasn't scored against any of the top four but against weaker sides, someone has to score for Arsenal and it might as well be him, I suppose. He is playing as a 'striker' after all.


Per Mertesacker (6.1)

Likes: Aerial challenges, cars with extra leg room, Roald Dahl

Dislikes: Scoring goals, having to play with Monreal, the phrase "It's all gone pear shaped"

Seriously - he fucking loves Roald Dahl

He's high end at 6.1 smackeroons but you get what you pay for. Koscielny (5.4) is arguably a better shout now that he's back in the side there are only three games left so chances of him getting injured again are minimal but there aren't any photos of him doing something funny. Whadda ya want from me?

For more Bantasy Football, visit www.bantasyfootball.blogspot.co.uk or follow @BantasyFootball. 

Fantasy Football Hints - Gameweek 36

#REJECT (R):

R. v. Wolfswinkel (NOR)

Hasn't scored a PL goal since 17th August 2013.

The Canaries are in further disarray since sacking Houghton.

Norwich have only been scoring 0.65 PL goals per game on average away this season.

#PUNT (P):

W. Bony (SWA)

Bony scored 2 goals in his last PL outing.

Villa have conceded 1.31 PL goals per game on average away this season.

Swansea have been scoring 1.71 PL goals per game on average at home this season.

#HOTPICK (H):

A. Ramsey (ARS)

Back with a bang - scored 1 & assisted 3 in his last 2 PL games.

Arsenal have been scoring 1.88 goals on average at home this season.

Newcastle have been conceding 1.53 goals on average away this season.

FPLH's GW Star Picks:

de Gea

B. Davies

Koscielny

Zabaleta

Ramsey

Mata

Cazorla

Eriksen

Suarez

Aguero

Rooney

Subs:

Vorm

Arnautovic

Stones

Shaw

FANTASY FORECAST*:

SOUTHAMPTON & EVERTON TO DRAW 0-0.

FULHAM TO BEAT HULL 2-1.

TOTTENHAM TO BEAT STOKE 2-1.

SWANSEA TO BEAT VILLA 2-0.

WBA & WEST HAM TO DRAW 1-1.

MAN UTD TO BEAT NORWICH 2-0.

SUNDERLAND TO BEAT CARDIFF 1-0.

LIVERPOOL TO BEAT CHELSEA 3-0.

MAN CITY TO BEAT PALACE 1-0.

ARSENAL TO BEAT NEWCASTLE 3-0.

*NOT TO BE USED FOR BETTING PURPOSES