Recommended Player for Gameweek 35

Recommended Player for Gameweek 35 - Martin Petrov (Bolton)

Will he entertain us with goals?

After my 2 point fail from a player battling against relegation a few weeks back, I have decided to take a calculated risk and endorse another player in a similar situation.  My recommended player for Gameweek 35 is Bolton's Martin Petrov.  He may not have been a prolific goalscorer this season, but he is arguably Bolton's most important midfielder.  He has only scored 2 goals this season with 6 assists.  Petrov probably should have done a lot better, but what else can you do in a struggling team that has lacked creativity and a natural goal poacher upfront?

Admittedly his last two matches were 2 pointers against a dogged Fulham (H) and high flying Newcastle (A) respectively.  Though prior to that he managed a goal and an assist in the last two matches of March.  To give you some peace of mind he has started Bolton's last five matches, which is a rarity for a midfield that has been squad rotated and ravaged by injury.  Crucially, Bolton's next 4 fixtures are played over the next 2 Gameweeks.  This means that they have two consecutive Double Gameweeks (DGWs) that should act as an incentive for you to purchase him as follows:

DGW 1 - GW 35:

Swansea (H) - They have conceded 1.76 goals on average away. 

High potential for Bolton to score 1-2 goals.

Aston Villa (A) - They have conceded 1.38 goals on average at home. 

High potential for Bolton to score at least 1 goal.

DGW 2 - GW 36:

Blackburn (H) - They have conceded 2.41 goals on average away.  

High potential for Bolton to score at least 2 goals.

Tottenham (A) - They have conceded 1.00 goal on average at home.  

Some potential for Bolton to score at least 1 goal.

Bolton's average home scoring record for this season: 1.19 goals per match
Bolton's average away scoring record for this season: 1.06 goals per match

With the above in mind it's possible for Bolton to score approximately 4-6 goals over the next four matches/two gameweeks.  If that is the case, I believe that Petrov may at the very least be involved in some of those goals as an assister or scorer.  The 33 year old Bulgarian international is no stranger to scoring goals (see video).  He has scored a respectable 19 goals in 89 matches for Bulgaria (21.3% strike rate) and has had similar success earlier in his club career with 31 league goals in 126 matches for Vfl Wolfsburg (24.6% strike rate).

Of course, it will be hard for Petrov to replicate his former high strike rates at his age.  But sometimes when a team is under pressure and is battling against relegation their decent players' true class emerges, regardless of age.  I believe Petrov will play a pivotal role in Bolton's next few matches.  At 5.1 he is a steal and won't harm your funds too much.  Sometimes it takes a small investment to provide a big return.  This could be your final chance to do so for this FPL season...

I will post My GW 35 Blog Team (with confirmation of my selected captain and vice-captain) at least a night before the Gameweek commences. 

Recommended Player for Gameweek 31

Recommended Player for Gameweek 31 - Ryo Miyaichi (Bolton / on-loan from Arsenal)

All Eyes on Him - The Start of a Sun Rise?

With Gameweek 31 upon us I didn't think that I would be endorsing a player from a team battling against relegation.  However with some valid reasons at hand I have decided to endorse Bolton's Ryo Miyaich (on loan from Arsenal).  He follows in the footsteps of Daniel Sturridge who was the on-loan sensation for Bolton last season and Jack Wilshere from the year before.

The Japanese international has played an integral part in reviving the fortunes of Bolton.  In fact two back-to-back victories from the last couple of Gameweeks has ensured that Bolton are out of the relegation zone for the time being.  This was in large part due to him assisting a goal in each of those matches.  Looking ahead, Bolton have a good run of upcoming fixtures as follows:

GW 31 - Wolves (A)
GW 32 - Fulham (H)
GW 33 - Newcastle (A)
GW 34 - No Bolton fixture
GW 35 - Swansea (H) / Aston Villa (A) - Double Gameweek for Bolton
GW 36 - Sunderland (A) / Tottenham (H) - Double Gameweek for Bolton
GW 37 - West Bron (H)
GW 38 - Stoke (A)

Most significantly, it must be noted that Bolton have two double gameweeks coming up which bodes well for transferring him in.  He is only selected by 0.7% of FPL managers which naturally makes him a differential.  Against a Wolves team in free fall decline (5 defeats in their last 6) what is to stop him from scoring a goal?  After all Miyaichi has already shown his capability of scoring in a Bolton shirt during the FA cup.

At 4.9 he is definitely a steal purchase.  He may not have had first team opportunities at Arsenal, but during his last loan spell (at Feyenoord) he scored 3 goals in 12 matches.  Aged 19 he is showing promise of developing into a very decent footballer.  In the words of a top football journalist that I liaised with recently "he certainly has the talent". The opportunity to save Bolton (and make a name for himself in doing so) could help Miyaichi prosper into a world class player.  So what are you waiting for?  Buy him!

I will post My GW 31 Blog Team (with confirmation of my selected captain and vice-captain for GW 31) a night before the Gameweek commences.