Recommended Player for Gameweek 17

Recommended Player for Gameweek 17 - Demba Ba (Newcastle United)

Newcastle United Manager (Alan Pardew) on Demba Ba:
"He's been brilliant for us"
(Source: ESPN Soccernet)

After endorsing a risky pick in gameweek 16, I am going for a tried and tested option for this gameweek.  Thus my recommended player for gameweek 17 is a player that I already have in my team, it's Newcastle United's Demba Ba.  Ok, so he didn't score last week - but he was very unlucky against a dogged Swansea team after hitting the post and having other good chances denied by their surprisingly strong defence.  Demba Ba has been the source of many important United goals during this season.  He had a slow start (in part due to religious obligations) by not scoring in the first five gameweeks.  But he has proved his worth in a shoe-string budget Newcastle United team with 11 league goals in his last 11 league games, as well as contributing three assists.  At 7.3 he is a steal - his price increased by a rapid 0.3 in the last gameweek after being signed up by a remarkable 100,000+ FPL gamers in the space of 7 days.  His price is bound to increase even more especially with West Brom at (home) and Bolton (away) - he is Newcastle United's sole goal threat.  But be warned.  He will be absent from the Premier League for over a month as he is due to participate in the African Cup of Nations, after playing Manchester United on 4th January - so make sure you sell him after that match.

I have decided to make no transfers for this gameweek.  This is due to my strong bench and intention to obtain an extra free transfer.  My captain will be Demba Ba and my vice captain will be Robin Van Persie.

My gameweek team will be updated here in the next 24-48 hours.

Comments most welcome as always.

Recommended Player for Gameweek 16

Recommended Player for Gameweek 16 - Hatem Ben Arfa (Newcastle United)

"was one of the best-rated talents in France"
Source: ESPN

I wanted to make a bold statement with my recommended player for Gameweek 16. The pick is in part influened by Aaron's quasi-reasoning (of FPL Dug Out fame), as well as my self concocted FPLH formula of:

Calculated Probability + Hunch + Player/Managerial Skill + Luck = Potential Success!

So here we go...

I would advise that you buy Newcastle United's Hatem Ben Arfa for Gameweek 16. Granted he has just recovered from a major injury that kept him out for the most of last season and is not currently a first teamer. At the tender age of 24 he has attained an amazing five French top-flight league titles and he has two international goals to his name (from eight appearances).  His French contemporaries include Samir Nasri and Karim Benzema.  The video above compliments his proven prowess and shows why is so highly rated. However, I believe that calculated probability dictates he will get a good run of games due to Newcastle's recent slump in form and due to their favourable upcoming fixtures:

GW 16 - Swansea (H)
GW 17 - West Brom (H)
GW 18 - Bolton (A)

It should be noted that Swansea haven't won a single away game in the league this season. Where as 15th  place West Brom have been generally inconsistent and have conceded more than a goal per game whilst playing away. As for Bolton, they have only won 1 home league game out of 7 thus far and conceded goals at an abysmal rate of 2.6 at the Reebok Stadium. These figures alone are a no-brainer and indicate that you should have attack-orientated Newcastle United players in your team (for the time being).

My hunch is that Pardew will try and reiniviograte his attack, to compensate for losing his first choice defensive core (of S Taylor and Coloccini) to injury. Pardew will be fully aware of the fixtures ahead. Don't be surprised if he will ditch the conservative attack mindset of having the Ba/Best combo or having Ba as a loneish striker up front. I accept that Ben Arfa didn't play a single minute of the last league match - but it really is his time to shine. He has spent the past few gameweeks attaining crucial match fitness and his attacking abilities are such that he can play on the wing or in an attacking midfield position. Even if you are not keen in having him in your first team, he is a talented player and a cheaply priced bench warmer (5.4) - especially with the busy end-of-december fixtures appearing on the horizon. His player skill is too good to ignore. I wouldn't be surprised if he starts in all of the next three GW matches, or if he makes credible super sub appearances in at least 2 of the next 3 matches. My "manager skill" dictates that now is a good time to buy him due to the aforementioned. If he flops after the three upcoming GW fixtures it's no big deal as probability has made him a short-term favourable first team pick (or bench warmer) and you can always replace him.

Of course, having said all of the above, you will need to hope for a bit of luck if you do end up picking him in your team.

Here's to hoping for some potential success with Hatem Ben Arfa!

GW 16's Transfers: Aaron Ramsey (OUT) / Hatem Ben Arfa (IN)

Captain: Demba Ba

Vice Captain: Luis Nani

My gameweek 16 team can be found here shortly*

*I reserve the right to change my team prior to the start of the GW and will denote any team changes on the Blog's FB page.

Newcastle United's French Revolution

Newcastle United's French Revolution

Many factors can be credited to Newcastle United's renaissance start to the 2011/2012 Premier League.  But one element stands out the most - the influx of French speaking players over the past two seasons that has transformed the type of football played at the club.  The footballers in question are:

Demba Ba - Hot shot striker that has made the Toon forget about Andy Carroll.

Yohan Cabaye - Classy central midfielder. Won the league with Lille and could fit in any top team.

Cheik Tiote - Has been a defensive midfield rock in the team since last year.

Sylvain Marveaux - Winging sensation that is trying to become a regular first team player.

Gabriel Obertan - ex-Manchester United misfit/winger that has provided class on the flanks.

Hatem Ben Arfa - recovering from a long-term injury lay-off and will prove key in the future.

Mehdi Abeid - Rising youngster that is currently playing a starring role in the reserves.

Even Match of the Day highlighted the visible French impact with the following graphic:

Admittedly not all of the French speaking players have made a huge impact thus far this season.  But the fact that a strong Francophone contingent prevails in the North East, complimented by the early season success of the Geordies is no coincidence.  Without a doubt, Ba, Cabaye and Titote have been very influential.  Ben Arfa has the potential to supplement the successes of the team along with Abeid and the two wingers.  Ultimately it is the change in mindset and football culture that has instantaneously transformed the club from the loutish/undisciplined days of Nolan, Carroll & Barton, as is evident with Yohan Cabaye's views.  The question is can the French Revolution continue?  Will it inspire the non-French speakers in the team?  But most importantly, will it just be a one-off for this season or provide a lasting legacy that can land Newcastle United major silverware in the not-to-distant future?