FPL Hints - Gameweek 3

FPLH's GW 3 Team*

Transfers (OUT): Ramsey, Terry, Harte

Transfers (IN): Fellaini, Rafael, S Taylor

*FPLH reserves the right to change this team at any time.
  

Any changes made will be confirmed on FPLH's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Recommended Player for Gameweek 3

Carlos Tevez

 (Man City)

Why?

He has scored two goals in his last two games

Is City's de facto main striker after Sergio Aguero's injury

City's opponents (QPR) have let in 6 goals in their last 2 games

Has a proven pedigree of regularly scoring in the Premier League

Comeback King

FPLH's Hot Picks XI for GW 3

Hart (MNC)

Kompany (MNC)

Walker (TOT)

Rangel (SWA)

Bale (TOT)

Nolan (WHA)

Michu (SWA)

Kagawa (MNU)

Tevez / cpt (MNC)
Adebayor (TOT)

Van Persie / vc (MNU)

Subs:

Vorm (SWA)

Rafael (MNU)

Fellaini (EVE)

Maloney (WIG)

8/15 of the Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW 3 Team

FPL Hints - Gameweek 2

FPLH's GW 2 Team*

Transfers: None

*FPLH reserves the right to change this team at any time.
  

Any changes made will be confirmed on FPLH's Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Recommended Player for GW 2

Michu

(Swansea)

Why?

Had a decent start in his Premier League debut

Capable of fulfilling the "Gylfi Sigurðsson role"

Swansea maximise their home advantage

Scored 15 goals in La Liga last season

Michu on-song in Spain

No wonder Laudrup signed him

FPLH's Hot Picks XI for GW2

de Gea (MNU)

  Vidic (MNU)

O'Shea (SUN)

  Walker (TOT)

Hazard (CHE)

  Bale (TOT)

  Michu / vc (SWA)

 McClean (SUN)

Sessegnon (SUN)

Adebayor (TOT)

  Rooney / cpt (MNU)

Subs:

Vorm (SWA)

 Tevez (MNC)

Ivanovic (CHE)

Lowton (AST)

5/15 of the Hot Picks' feature in FPLH's GW 2 Team

5 ways to improve Fantasy Premier League (FPL)

Since being launched the official FPL has pretty much stuck to its original format.  This in part has contributed to its success.  However, I believe that there is room for improvement.  My 5 recommendations are as follows:

1.  Bonus Points - Updates Release

In previous seasons it was common for bonus points updates to be released a couple of hours or so after a match.  Some people complained that the quick release led to inaccurate bonus points allocations.  However, the new PPI-system has brought up some strange bonus points outcomes this season.  Moreover, the delayed bonus points can be frustrating, so much so that people can become disincentivised from playing FPL.  Thus, the administrators of FPL should work to speed up their release of bonus points, even if it means reverting back to the old system.

2.  Assister's Assist

Of course FPL gives attacking points in the form of goals and assists.  But I think it is missing out on a trick by not awarding any points to the players who often create the plays that sets up the goals, i.e. "assister's assist".  This means that players such as Modric, Cabaye, Ramsey, etc. who don't score or assist as much but are integral to pre-assist plays fail to receive the credit they deserve.  Consequently, it would be beneficial if FPL awarded 1 point to the player that assisted the assist so as to recognise the importance of such talent.

3.  Defensive Midfield

In relation to the assister's assist, there is also another type of player that warrants points recognition - defensive midfielders, i.e. Carrick, Tiote, Song etc.  In particular it is the tackles that they commit.  At least with defenders they are awarded with 4 points for a clean sheet.  Not so for defensive midfielders, only 1 point which is across the board for midfielders.  Perhaps FPL can come up with a system to award 4 points to midfielders for every 6 successful tackles they commit in a match?  Alternatively, increase midfielders' clean sheet point from 1 to 2.

4.  Player Prices - Valuations

For the past few seasons the "usual suspects" tend to be priced the highest, £11M+  i.e. Lampard, Gerrard, Tevez, etc.  What is all the more frustrating is that their prices remain almost static with no significant price drop when they are heavily de-selected or ignored by FPL gamers.  Of course tinkering with their prices could be problematic.  Moreover FPL operates a semi-price freeze in certain conditions so as to avoid wholesale manipulation by FPL gamers via inappropriate pricing.  My suggestion would be for them to practically base their prices solely on the previous season, rather than taking all of the past few seasons or (projected performance) into account.  If this is not possible, FPL should offer to revise player price prices of high-priced lowly selected players (i.e. £10m+ and only owned 5% or less) after 3 or 6 month intervals so as to add a level of realism to the game).

5.  Vice Captain Points v "Cameo Captains"

Unlike previous seasons where a vice-captain could only be selected upon the criteria of form or value, 2011/2012 allowed you to directly pick the vice-captain.  This was beneficial as it didn't tie you down to 1 or 2 options.  However, the vice-captains points only kick in if your captain hasn't played a single minute of the match.  This can be problematic if your vice-captain has had a fantastic Gameweek, where as your captain has only made a 1 minute cameo as you would lose out on a galactic scale.  As a result, I would suggest that vice-captains points should come into play more often, i.e. so long as the captain has played only up to 10 minutes.  This way you could be spared the unfortunate 2 points for a cameo captain.
.

One for the Future Series VI - Alex Kacaniklic (Fulham)

One For the Future: Alex Kacaniklic

Early signs of his promise, pre-Fulham

‘Mid-table mediocrity’ is a phrase that has haunted Fulham FC for the majority of their Premier League existence. However, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel for the Craven Cottage outfit. Martin Jol has continued to build upon the foundations laid by Roy Hodgson and Mark Hughes, and now the West London club are within touching distance of reaching their highest ever Premier League points total (53). They are pushing for European football again, and it seems, are moving away from the football abyss that is mid-table mediocrity.

Paramount to this revival is the introduction of many fresh, young and talented players. One of the latest introductions is the 20 year old Swede, Alex Kacaniklic. He is an exciting left sided winger who has a keen eye for a pass, as well as a deadly left foot. Making his debut in English football at the Liverpool academy, Kacaniklic helped his team to a 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the Youth Cup final. He scored a thunderbolt of a goal in the that game, and went on to show Liverpool exactly what they have been missing, as he was part of the Fulham side that secured their first ever victory at Anfield in the Premier League.

At only 20 years of age, the young Swede still has time to mature into a cultured left winger. His confident displays whilst on loan to Championship side Watford earned him a recall to the Fulham first team in March. With players such as Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele on the radar of some of the Premier League’s elite, Kacaniklic may have a big role to play at
Fulham next season.

To sustain success in the Premier League, it is essential to have flair players who aren’t afraid to shoot from distance: this is exactly what Kacaniklic brings to the team. He likes to hug the touchline and often cuts inside to fire powerful shots at goal. In addition to this, the former Liverpool man also poses a threat from set pieces. In this sense, it is difficult to ignore the glaring comparison to fellow Scandinavian, Morten Gamst Pedersen; a left sided winger
notorious for his free-kick abilities.

Overall, the future is looking bright for Fulham FC, and particularly, Alex Kacaniklic. He is the type of attacking player who can ignite a game, and may well provide the catalyst for another impressive season at Craven Cottage next season.

Written by Sam Balls

Brief Biography:

I am a final year English student at the University of Portsmouth. I am extremely passionate about sport, and my burning ambition is to write for a national newspaper. You can find my blog at: samuelballs.wordpress.com or follow me on twitter: @Sam_Balls

Recommended Player for Gameweek 38

Recommended Player for Gameweek 38 - Juan Mata (Chelsea)

I had to incur a -4 transfer hit to purchase him for the FPLH Blog Team.  But I think he could be worth it as the Premier League comes to an end for another season. My recommended player for Gameweek 38 is Chelsea's Juan Mata.

Some may say that he is a surprise endorsement considering his lack of league football of late.  Of course he didn't start in Chelsea's last league match and hasn't played a full 90 minutes in the Premier League for over a month.  But can you blame him or Chelsea for that?  The fact of the matter is that the Blues have also been busy with their FA Cup and Champions League runs that has led to Mata being subbed off early during league matches.  His lack of league play time has not been due to persistent injury or lack of form.  In fact the last time he played an hour's worth of football in the league he managed to bag four assists (v QPR). 

Some may say that he may not play a full 90 minutes v Blackburn (Chelsea's final league match of the season), due to the Champions League final the week after.  This could be true.  However he would have a week's rest for it if he plays on Sunday (also he was rested in the league match v Liverpool on 8th May).  This makes me believe that he should hopefully play an hour's worth against Rovers, with Chelsea hoping to end their league season on a high despite not playing for position.

The Spanish international is currently the Premier League's joint-top assister.   This is complimented by his 6 league goals.  All the more remarkable considering that he is playing in his inaugural Premier League season.   Such statistics highlight his attacking and creative nature.  Moreover, Chelsea on average have scored 2.17 goals per league match this season.  On the other hand Blackburn have conceded 2.39 goals per league matches this season.  In effect their match is a clash between one of the Premier League's best home attacking records against one of the worst defensive away records.  Surely he can make the most of this?

At 9.7 Mata is value for money considering his on-field output per minute.  The World Cup winner has proven pedigree that can come to the fore against the best and worst of teams.  He may have the Champions League final and Euro 2012 to look forward to, but he still has unfinished business against relegated Blackburn.  The 24 year old will hope to end the league season on a high and he should in theory do well by making a significant impact in Gameweek 38.

I will post My GW 38 Blog Team (with confirmation of my selected captain and vice-captain) at least a night before the Gameweek commences.

Gameweek 37 Summary

Gunners fail to shoot down Canaries in high scoring stalemate

Arsenal failed to win their fourth consecutive league match following a thrilling encounter against Norwich.  The Gunners led 1-0, then fell back 1-2, then came back to lead 3-2 before Morison scored a late equaliser.  The draw means that Arsenal must win their last match to definitely secure a Champions League spot for next season.

City on course to say "Yaya" to title via win at the Sports Direct Arena

Man City moved one step closer to their first top flight title in decades following a 0-2 victory against Newcastle United.  The first half was close and cagey, but it was Yaya Toure's brace that ultimately unlocked the Geordies defences and led to a famous win for City, with Newcastle's Champions League hopes now remaining slim.

Villans secure survival with draw against Spurs

They may have had a woeful season that made them shock last minute relegation candidates.  However, Aston Villa survived to live another season in the Premier League.  Clark's goal proved crucial in securing a draw, which complements a superior overall goal difference, in comparison to Bolton and QPR.  Spurs will be ruing their luck on how they failed to win the match and like Newcastle, their Champions League hopes still remain uncertain.

Bolton blow two goal lead as they succumb to late draw

So close and yet so far.  Bolton were seconds away from gaining a vital win to put them on points parity with QPR.  Yet Brunt's last minute strike took away 2 points from Bolton.  It means that Bolton must win their final match of the season (Stoke - away) and hope that QPR fail to win their match (Man City - away).

Captain America and his handy "dumbbell" save the day at Craven Cottage

It was Fulham's non-club superhero/captain that saved the day again for them.  Clint Dempsey scored the opener, which was followed by Dembele bagging the second.  The victory was Fulham's second in as many weeks, as Sunderland extended their winless run to seven.

Cisse strikes late as match ceases with much needed win for QPR

The North East's Cisse has been hitting the headlines of late.  But West London's equivalent struck late to deliver the Hoops a sensational victory at home.  QPR must now obtain a draw against City and hope that Bolton fail to win their final match of the season in order to survive.

Wolves secure rare clean sheet in goalless draw against Everton

They may be down and out, but it seems that no one told Wolves about their confirmed relegation.  A 0-0 draw against Everton was their second consecutive unbeaten match and ensures that Wolves are ending the season with some dignity.

United beat Swans as their title hopes hang on a knife edge

Goals from Scholes and Young secured a 2-0 win for United at Old Trafford.  The victory put United back on level points with City.  However, City's superior goal difference means that United will only win the title if they obtain a win against Sunderland (away) and City fail to win against QPR.

Chickens come home to roast as Blackburn lose and get relegated

Blackburn's survival hopes ended in a farce, following a 0-1 defeat to Wigan at Ewood Park.  Constant protest from fans through out the match against their manager and owners, fans on the pitch as well as a cockerel on the pitch summed up the chaos.  The ex-Premier League champions were relegated from the Premier League for a second time in their history as the Latics in turn secured survival.

Lively Liverpool thump Chelsea B team in bounce back win

The Reds may have lost to a triumphant Chelsea in the FA cup final over the weekend.  However, nothing could stop them from trouncing Chelsea in their second encounter in less than a week.  Chelsea lacked many of their first team regulars, yet that was no excuse as they lose 1-4.  The defeat ensures that Chelsea must win the Champions League final to secure entry into Europe's elite competition for next season.

---

A decent penultimate Gameweek of the season for me, which ensures that the FPLH Blog Team is now ranked in the Top 100 of FPL, as things stand. A truly remarkable achievement for a team that has consistently performed. Van Persie, my captain, did me proud with 2 goals.  Rosicky, my recommended player for GW 37 bagged an assist.  In addition, de Gea's clean sheet, Clichy's clean sheet/assist, Petrov's goal/assist, Dempsey's goal as well as assists from Rooney and Suarez ensured that the FPLH Blog team scored a decent GW total.  The -4 transfer hit paid off as my transfers scored a gross tally of 16 GW points. However, it was disappointing that van der Vaart (last week's tip) failed against a weakened Villa team.

Looking to Gameweek 38, I may take another -4 hit.  Aguero and Kompany could be potential transfer targets.  Along with Chelsea's on-form Ramires (recently scored in the league, cup final and Champions League semi-final).  I will take my time on deciding my transfers, as the FPLH Blog Team strives to secure a Top 100 FPL ranking out of 2.78M competitors.  I will upload my recommended player for GW 38 shortly. Until then, in the words that Mancini will hope to say to United's hold of the Premier League title... arrivederci!

Gameweek 36 Summary

Jela and Fella inspire Everton to four goal win

Everton continued scoring four goals in a match for a third consecutive week with a 4-0 win over Fulham.  Jelavic's brace was key in allowing Everton to extend their unbeaten run to 6 matches and add misery to Fulham's woeful away record.

Stoke suppress Gunners into stalemate

Arsenal failed to win a third consecutive match in a row, despite Van Persie's opener.  It was cancelled out by Crouch as Stoke grinded out a well deserved draw.  It means that the Gunner need to remain their last two matches if they are to secure 3rd spot in the league.

Davies' double levels honours at the Stadium of Light

Bolton extended their unbeaten run to 3 matches, courtesy of assists from Ricketts and Petrov.  The 2-2 draw ensured that Bolton remain in the relegation zone (albeit marginally), where as Sunderland have now failed to win in 6 consecutive matches.

Wolves come back to level from the brink in a 8 goal thriller

They may have already been relegated, but no one told Connor's men to stop playing football.  4-1 up, Swansea should have cruised to victory. But a pressure-free Wolves defied the odds and scored 3 deserved come back goals.  The draw can only serve to instil some pride in Wolves, but their fans must wonder where their missing passion was a few weeks ago?

Foster's heroics keeps Villa at bay in Midlands derby

West Brom continued their good run of form with a credible goalless draw.  They have now secured 10 points from their last 5 matches.  However, Villa's failure to score has ensured that they have scored only 1 goal in their last 4 matches and remain dangerously close to the relegation zone.

Lightning Latics strike out high flying Geordies in comfortable victory

As recent as a month ago, many slated Wigan for the drop.  Yet shock wins over Arsenal and United showed their battling resilience.  This sensationally continued with a 4-0 win against Newcastle.  It means that the Latics have won 5 of their last 7 matches, which in turn ended Newcastle's 6 match winning run.

Sensational Suarez scores three for Liverpool at Carrow Road

Liverpool may have played dire football this season, but their Uruguayan striker rekindled some of their former glory with a winning hat-trick against Norwich.  It was the Canaries 3rd consecutive defeat and was Liverpool's second win in three matches.

Terrific Torres rediscovers league form in rout of QPR

Suarez wasn't the only Spanish speaker that scored a hat-trick in the Premier League this week.  Torres carried his mid-week European form into the league by scoring three past Kenny.  In the end Chelsea's 6 goals helped extend their unbeaten league run to 6, with QPR still close to the relegation zone.

Wonderful Walker free kick aids Spurs to victory over Rovers

Spurs ended their 3 match winless streak with a much needed victory against Blackburn.  Their opener was scored by van der Vaart, before Walker scored a superb second via a Brazilianesque free kick.  The defeat was Rovers' 7th in 8 matches and keeps them stuck in the drop zone.

"Noisy neighbours" turn up the volume with Iron Man leading the way

In what was billed as the most important Manchester derby in history, it was the blue side that seized the moment and won.  City's captain and resident "Iron Man" Kompany scored the only goal of the match, in which United failed to register a single shot on target.  The result ensured that both teams are now level on points, with City having a higher goal difference as two matches remain to decide the title.

Cottagers humble woeful Liverpool with a shock victory at Anfield

Fulham returned back to Merseyside in the space of a few days as they played a weakend Liverpool team that was resting players for the FA Cup final.  Skrtel's own goal secured victory for Fulham who recorded a rare and famous away victory at Anfield.  It was only Fulham's 4th away league win of the season, with only their 12th goal from 18 away league matches.

Stoke Stalemate Part II at the Britannia Stadium

The Potters hosted Everton, as the match ended with another home draw.  Crouch scored for a second consecutive week (albeit an own goal this time), with Jerome leveling the match for the home team.  Stoke have now failed to win in 4 league matches as Everton extend their unbeaten run to 7.

Super Cisse seizes hearts and minds with victorious wonder goals at Stamford Bridge

Newcastle refused to worry about their shock 0-4 loss to Wigan as they were faced with the daunting task of playing Champions League spot rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.  With the Blues having an eye on the FA Cup and Champions League final, they too were under pressure to perform on the night.  However, it was that man, Newcastle's new number 9 who stole the show.  Everything he touches turns into goals! If his first goal wasn't enough to wow the crowd, his sensational injury time second stunned Chelsea fans into silence.  The defeat for Chelsea puts them 4 points a drift from 4th and means they will need to win the Champions League final to qualify for that competition next season.  As for Newcastle, they are now faced with the job of playing City at home in a match that could decide the title and fourth spot.

'Arry refuses to "Luka" away or park the "van" as  Bale & Co. "Ade" Spurs to victory

He may not have got the England job (let alone an interview for it!), but it seems that this in turn has helped Spurs go back to stringing consecutive victories.  A brace of assists from Bale, a brace of goals from Adebayor with VDV and Modric chipping in was enough for a resolute 1-4 victory against Bolton.  The result means that Spurs are level on points with Newcastle (but retain a superior goal difference), where as Bolton remain in the relegation zone based upon their goal difference respectively.

---

I dont often (if ever) say this... but I had a FANTASTIC GAMEWEEK! The double gameweek only served to multiply the number of points that my team accrued.  Firstly my recommended player and captain did good for me with two goals and an assist.  Secondly, my other transfer proved to be a master stroke with Walker scoring a goal and keeping a clean sheet.  Moreover, RVP scoring and a Suarez hat-trick, along with other points ensured that I scored over 80 GW points for the first time this season.  Not only that, but my team has surpassed all expectations and scored well over 100 points!  The significance of this points haul means that my blog team is now truly ranked among the higher echelons of FPL this season.  The remaining two Gameweeks will decide whether I can retain such an elite position.  Looking ahead I will almost certainly make a transfer, yet remain undecided as of yet on who to sell and buy.  I will upload my recommended player for GW 37 shortly.  I hope you all had a good gameweek.  Until next time, Ciao!

One for the Future Series – Part IV: Victor Moses (Wigan)

One for the Future Series – Victor Moses

Like Scott Parker last season, some people may find it strange, if somewhat undeserving, to be praising a player at the bottom end of the table. Parker, of course, was relegated with West Ham and the end of the 2010/11 season; however, he also scooped the FWA Footballer of the Year Award. He was awarded for his dedication to the cause in the face of adversity, and so, here is another award for a player who is giving everything as he stares relegation in the face.

Moses is worthy of being one to watch for the future, as at the tender age of 21, he is evidently capable of holding his own in the top division. Despite their current league position, Martinez has got Wigan playing a free-flowing, exciting, passing game. This style of play has been successful in recent weeks due to Moses providing the perfect link between defence and attack.

The young Nigerian can operate as either a left sided, right sided or lone striker. His ability to switch so effortlessly between positions ensures that he is difficult for opposition defenders to mark; freeing up space for his team mates. Following the departure of Charles N’Zogbia to Aston Villa in the summer, Moses has become the focal point for Wigan’s attacking play. He has taken up the mantel as the creative player that sparks something special. This is reflected in his four goals and six assists this season. Although this may not be a spectacular return when compared to other players of a similar ilk, it is still a fair return for a team placed 17th in the table. Had only some of his team mates chipped in with similar statistics, Wigan may have already secured Premier League status for next season.

Despite representing England at every junior age level, Moses opted to play for Nigeria on the international scene. This could prove to be a great loss to England, as he is a natural attacking wide player; a position which has yet to be secured by any of the current squad. It is clear to see from his style that Moses is very comfortable on the ball. He continually makes jinking and darting runs down the flanks, and his rapid pace is a match for any athletic full back.

The only draw-back to his current game is that Moses can be greedy in possession. Like a young Joe Cole used to, Moses sometimes shoots when he should pass, and tries the difficult pass when he should shoot. This is not such a bad weakness to have, though, as it is a sign of confidence, and in time, can be nurtured into a fine strength. Therefore, Moses is definitely one for the future, and do not be surprised of some of the big boys come knocking on Wigan’s door this summer

Written by Sam Balls

Brief Biography:

I am a final year English student at the University of Portsmouth. I am extremely passionate about sport, and my burning ambition is to write for a national newspaper. You can find my blog at: samuelballs.wordpress.com or follow me on twitter: @Sam_Balls

Recommended Player for Gameweek 36

Recommended Player for Gameweek 36 - Rafael van der Vaart (Tottenham)

Time to buck up?

Gameweek 36 is a "Double Gameweek", consisting of 14 matches. With this in mind I have decided to endorse a player whose team is involved in two matches. Not only that, but a player who is capable of making an impact. My recommended player for Gameweek 36 is Tottenham's Rafael van der Vaart. Of course Spurs' league form has been woeful of late with only 2 wins from their last 10 matches. This is quite a remarkable down turn for a team that were effectively outside title challengers as recent as mid-February.

However, I believe that Tottenham will do their best to not let things slip further in their pursuit for 4th position in the Premier League. Van der Vaart started the season in electric fashion with 6 goals to his name by Gameweek 10. Since then he has only added a paltry 3 goals to that tally.  Injuries, indifferent form, being rested and subbed off regularly hasn't helped his on-field performances. The time for excuses has to stop. I believe Tottenham can stop the rot, especially considering their GW 36 opponents:

Match 1 of DGW 36 - Blackburn (H):

Rovers have conceded 41 goals on their travels in 17 matches this season (2.4 goals per match).

Match 2 of DGW 36 - Bolton (A):

Wanderers have conceded 33 goals at home in 17 matches this season (1.94 goals per match).

(Even after DGW 36, Spurs have decent fixtures at hand, with Villa away and Fulham at home).

Indeed, it must be noted that both Bolton and Blackburn are battling against relegation. During this time of the season you would want to avoid playing such teams as they have everything to play for, when it comes to top-flight survival. But remember, Tottenham's season hasn't ended yet. Would they really want to let a Champions League spot slip away with defeats against minor opponents? Definitely not. Spurs haven't packed it all in yet and will do their utmost to win both of their DGW 36 matches.

Admittedly, it will be a semi-calculated risk in picking Van der Vaart due to Spurs' recent run and his personal form of late. But it is time for him to up his game. Aside from Tottenham he has played for the likes of Ajax and Real Madrid which highlights his world class pedigree. In addition to this, he has 93 caps to his name, along with a World Cup finalist medal. A player of his calibre can inspire Spurs' rejuvenation.  DGW 36 provides a perfect opportunity for him and his club. A good performance is overdue from Rafael van der Vaart and now is surely the time for an upturn in Spurs' fortunes.

I will post My GW 36 Blog Team (with confirmation of my selected captain and vice-captain) at least a night before the Gameweek commences. 

Gameweek 35 Summary

Cool, Calm and Collected Chelsea Cech Off Van Persie

Following their surprising triumph against Barcelona only a few days earlier, the Blues held their nerves for a credible draw against Arsenal. Cech's five saves were important in maintaining Chelsea's five match unbeaten run and means that Van Persie has only scored one goal from his last seven matches. However the draw leaves Chelsea in 6th place with the daunting realisation that they may have to go all the way and win the Champions League if they are to definitely play in the elite European competition next season.

Black Cats fail to get their claws into Villainous Lions

Coming into this match, both teams had failed to win in their last few league matches. Going out of it, the abysmal winless record continued for both as the match ended in a goalless draw. Villa's inability to win has made them shock last minute relegation candidates as Sunderland's recent poor form is sufficient for them to accept mid-table mediocrity.

Hoilett halts the rot for Rovers

Blackburn ended their five match losing streak with a much needed win at Ewood Park. Goals from Formica and Hoilett were enough to defeat Norwich. Rovers are now three points away from safety and could still be in with a shout for survival. It all now depends on how much they wish to fight until the end.

Elegant Eagles' goal not enough to down Swift Swans

Bolton were denied three points at home as they fight to avoid the drop. A draw seemed to be the inevitable outcome as Bolton's home record hasn't been that great this season, which was complemented by Swansea's poor away performances.  And so it ended in a 1-1 draw. See below for the outcome of Bolton's second GW 35 match...

Pog Riises and Sends Martinez's men back to the drawing board

Wigan came back down to reality with defeat at Craven Cottage, following back-to-back victories against Arsenal and United. Goals from Pogrebnyak and Senderos were enough to secure three points for Fulham, despite Boyce's goal for the Latics. With 3 games to go Wigan are 3 points above the relegation zone and must avoid complacency to avoid being dragged back down to the drop zone.

Geordies order Cab ride for Stoke in three goal rout

Newcastle continued to defy the odds as they recorded their sixth consecutive league victory with a comfortable win against Stoke. A brace from Cabaye and yet another goal from Cisse ensured that the Geordies remain 3 points above 5th spot and only 3 points away from 3rd. Never in their wildest dreams could the Toon Army have imagined such a tantalising scenario at the start of the season, of Champions League football within touching distance...

"Queen Kenny's" six appeal saves the day at Loftus Road

Half a dozen saves from QPR's goalkeer, along with an Adel Taarabt goal secured three unlikely points against fellow Londoners Tottenham. Taarabt may have got himself sent off later in the match but that wasn't enough for Spurs to score. The win leaves QPR 3 points safely above 18th place with 3 matches remaining.

Moyes' Boys shock Fergie's foxes in 8 Goal Thriller

He may have been at Everton for 10 years in a trophyless reign, but Moyes showed that his shoestring budget team can from time to time raise their game against the big teams. A win for United would have semi-sealed the title race. At 0-1 down they were in trouble. At 3-1 up they were cruising. Even at 4-2 up they were cruising. But perhaps United became complacement? With 7 minutes of time left, Everton blew open the title race with two late goals to finish the match 4-4. United may be regretting their poor defending and missed chances, but will have to avoid defeat in GW 36 at City to prevent losing complete momentum in the title race.

Hodgson comes back to Anfield and piles more misery on Liverpool

He may have been sacked in an unjust manner last season, but since then he has prospered and Liverpool have stagnated. This proved to be the case as West Brom defeated a wasteful Liverpool team at Anfield for the first time in 45 years. The once formidable Liverpool have unfortunately relegated themselves to the status of a cup team this season. Talking of relegation, Liverpool would be right in the mire if you look at the Premier League table from January 2012. The victory was West Brom's 3rd from their last 4 matches and puts them only 1 point away from Liverpool.

City beat and relegate Wolves (as well as reducing league lead)

Mancini's men made the most of United's lost two points at Old Trafford by picking three points of their own at the Molineux Stadium. Their 0-2 victory, courtesy of goals from Aguero and Nasri, automatically relegated a Wolves team whose fate seemed sealed weeks before. City will now hope to beat United in GW 36 and win their remaining matches to stand any chance of winning the Premier League.

and finally...

Eagles and Pets plunge Villa into relegation Dog Fight

Aston Villa may have been lacking three of their key players (Collins - injury, "Stan" Petrov - Illnes and Bent - injury), but this was no excuse to lose to a struggling Bolton team. Warnock's goal gave Villa some hope for victory. But that lasted seconds, as complacency set in and withing three minutes Villa were 1-2 down. The defeat means they have only won one match in their last ten where as Bolton now remain one point away from safety with a game in hand.

---

A mixed gameweek for me. On the one hand 8 of my starting XI scored 2 points or less. No one from my defence kept a clean sheet other than Gibbs whose points will not count as he was unfortunately my third substitute. On the other other hand, Rooney's two goals complimented nicely with my GW 35 captain/endorsement Martin Petrov's assist and goal which added respectability to my score. Looking to DGW 36, I already have made one change by replacing the injured Walcott. I am willing to take a -4 for the first time in almost three months to accomodate another DGW player. RVP could surprisingly be axed from my team. His turnover of 1 goal in 7 matches has been unimpressive when the cheaper likes of Jelavic and Cisse (who have two matches in DGW 36) have scored freely. I will provide thought to my second transfer before carrying it out. I will upload my recommened player for Gameweek 36 shortly. Until next time ciao!

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. 

Gameweek 34 Summary

Tevez hat-trick inspires Sky Blues to rain down heavily on Canaries

Man City scored their tenth goal in two matches as they smashed 6 past Norwich. 5 goals from City's Argentinian strikers showed their potent capability. It only serves to raise questions as to how well City could have done had Tevez been fully available and played through out the season.

Wolves succeed in rare goalless stalemate at the Stadium of Light

Sunderland failed to inflict defeat on a wounded Wolves team that had lost seven matches in a row. The goalless draw was Wolves' first clean sheet in 31 matches. The result will only act as a consolation prize for Wolves as they look to make the best of a dire situation in their relegation battle.

"Siggy Stardust" shines as Swansea rumble ragged Rovers

Blackburn lost their fifth match in a row courtesy of a three goal rout by Swansea. Sigurdsson once again got on the score sheet, with an impressive seventh goal from fourteen matches, as the Swans secured their first win in five matches and passed the magical 40 point mark (now on 42 points).

Baggies bag a goal to beat beleaguered Hoops

QPR's woeful away form continued as they lost at The Hawthorns. West Brom could have scored more had Kenny not made vital saves for QPR. The Hoops remain two points above the relegation zone, though 18th placed Bolton have two games in hand.

Four-goal United are triumphant and reinforce their intent for the title

Man United bounced back from their humiliating defeat to Wigan with a comfortable win against Villa at Old Trafford. They probably should have scored more than four goals had their players not missed a number of easy chances. United maintain their five point lead against City and will now be looking for victory against Everton at home.

Lethal Latics shoot down Gunners with shock victory at The Emirates

Wigan recorded their first ever away win against Arsenal, in part due to their unexpected brace of goals in the first ten minutes of the match. A lacklustre Arsenal should have hit back with more goals, yet failed to and instead raised more questions about their vulnerability. The Latics are now five points above the relegation zone (unbeaten in 8 of their last 10 matches), a remarkable achievement considering their poor form earlier in the season.

---

On paper this was a fantastic GW for me.  My Blog Team regained its placing among the Global Top 500-ish by having almost double the average GW score.  This was all the more decent as I bagged an impressive 77 points from only 9 active GW players.  26 of those points came from my GW captain, Wayne Rooney.  But I must also lament at the fact that I was within touching distancing of smashing the "80 points in a GW barrier", which has become a final frontier for me this season.  All I needed was for either Van Persie or Walcott to assist or score, yet shockingly they failed to do so against a plucky Wigan team.  Perhaps I should have taken a -4 hit and sold the injured Gibbs for another defender? 

To top things off my team sensationally crashed out of an invitational quasi-Champions League competition at the quarter-finals stage, following the completion of the second leg, despite my team being a top seeded dark horse.  C'est la vie.  Looking to GW 35, I will almost certainly buy a Bolton player for their DGW.  I was thinking of buying a Villa player in addition but will give them a miss and focus on Bolton as they also have a DGW in GW 36.  It will be a tough call on who to purchase but I have an idea as to who it may be.  I will reveal the appropriate purchase in due course, coinciding with my recommended player of the week.  Until then, aurevoir!

Have Wolves lost their bite?

Terence "Terry" Connor (born 9 November 1962) was appointed manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers on 24th February 2012 following the sacking of Mick McCarthy, after an embarrassing 5-1 home defeat by rivals West Brom. Connor, an inexperienced manager but a key member of the Wolves back room staff was appointed caretaker boss with 13 games remaining.

He was armed with the task of saving Wolves from the dreaded drop. Things started well with a decent 2-2 draw against Newcastle and the fight to stay in the Premier League was on. Seven straight defeats later and the recent display of in-fighting on the pitch leaves Wolves almost ear marked for the drop. Question marks over the team's morale are hardly needed at this key time of the season. Of note, things looks ominous with the upcoming schedule:

GW 34 - Sunderland: Away

GW 35 - Man City: Home

GW 36 - Swansea: Away

GW 37 - Everton: Home

GW 38 Wigan: Away.

Currently 9 points behind 17th place Wigan, with only 15 points left to play for, Connor will be under pressure to start taking points from the teams left in mid-table obscurity starting at Sunderland this weekend. They must improve their goals for tally currently standing at 34, only Wigan and Stoke have scored less. Steven Fletcher provides a good threat with a return of ten goals this season followed by Jarvis (5) and Doyle (4) respectively.

It is surely crunch time for Wolves to see if they are Wolves by name and Wolves by nature and time for big signings Johnson, O'Hara and the like to come to the fore. Otherwise it's life back in the Football League and that is surely where all Wolves fans don't want to be as it's a long way back which most teams do not bounce back from. It's up to Connor to save this sinking ship and in the same week that the Titanic sank, but this ship may also run aground and Connor may be the fall guy for this.

He has done his best in difficult times. The board must take some responsibility for Wolves' malaise and maybe a stronger head is needed to lead this crew? Connor has already said on record that he will be happy to take another managerial role at another club but I believe his focus should be on Wolves' fight against relegation and to not seek employment elsewhere. In my eyes his situation is another case of a fantastic back room staff member wanting to do the best for his club but ultimately falling short. Let's hope he can do his best in helping Wolves despite the obvious diagnosis.

Written by Marco Del Wattsio
(Follow him on Twitter!)

Recommended Player for Gameweek 34

Recommended Player for Gameweek 34 - James McClean (Sunderland)

James McClean, pre-Sunderland, 2011.

(Shirt Number 11 and scores the opener)

Sunderland's league form may be patchy of late, but that will not stop me endorsing a player from the Black Cats.  My recommended player for Gameweek 34 is Sunderland's James McClean.  The Irish international didn't start a single league match this season under Steve Bruce and had to wait until the start of 2012 (Gameweek 19) courtesy of Martin O'Neill's stewardship.  Since then he has started every single league match and has scored 4 and assisted 3 in 15 matches.  He has tended to do well at home as well as against weak or mediocre teams as is evident with the following:

GW 20 - Wigan (A) - scored a goal

GW 22 - Swansea (H) - assisted a goal

GW 23 - Norwich (H) - assisted a goal

GW 24 - Stoke (A) - scored a goal

GW 25 -  Arsenal (H) scored a goal

GW 30 - QPR (H) scored and assisted a goal

With the above in mind, I believe that he should do well at home versus a dire Wolves team that has been conceding approximately 3 goals a match under the interim management of Terry Connor.  In fact the next few Gameweek seem reasonable for Sunderland as follows:

GW 34 - Wolves (H)

GW 35 - Aston Villa (A)

GW 36 - Bolton (H)

At 5.0, McClean is an absolute bargain, a steal purchase.  He has the highest points per game average (4.4) for any player priced at 5.5 or less.  This makes him an automatic must have, especially to play against weaker opposition or as a first sub bench warmer at the very least.  Of course he hasn't scored or assisted regularly of late.  But against a Wolves team leaking goals at will what is to stop him getting on the score sheet again?

I will post My GW 34 Blog Team (with confirmation of my selected captain and vice-captain) a night before the Gameweek commences.

Gameweek 33 Summary

Sublime Toffees stick four past Sunderland

Moyes may have rested Baines and Jelavic (with a view to their FA Cup match over the weekend), but that didn't stop Everton winning in style. They have rarely scored more than a goal per match this season, yet victory over Sunderland ensured that they recorded their third win from their last four league matches.

Who needs Messi when you have "Bessi" bolting away!

Ben Arfa ("Bessi!") helped secure three more points for the Geordies and continued to show his class with a "Maradonnesque" wonder goal. This was complimented by Cisse scoring his eight consecutive goal from five. It means that Bolton are back in the relegation zone, where as Newcastle have now won their last five league matches and are now on equal points with Tottenham.

Bennett's bullet makes Spurs "Sick as a Parrot"

Spurs did their Champions League hopes no favours with a shock home defeat to Norwich. Redknapp may have rested players like Moyes due to the FA Cup Semi Finals but it back fired for Tottenham with a pointless loss. It's amazing to think that they were shock title challengers as recently as early March, but have only won one in their last eight.

Draw at Villa Park - Huth have thought it?

With a mid-table match up it was not surprising that this fixture would end up as a draw. Huth scored his second goal in as many games before Weimann equalised for Villa. The match had no impact on the Premier League as a whole, but Villa would hope to gain a few more points so as to avoid being last minute relegation candidates.

Dempsey equalises late against Chelsea and becomes Captain Planet!

I keep on calling him "Captain America", but how else could you describe an American player that regularly saves the day for a mediocre Premier League team? "Captain Planet" perhaps? Lampard put Chelsea in front before Dempsey scored his 16th Premier League goal of the season. Such was its significance that it has impacted on Chelsea's Champions League hopes with them now trailing Newcastle and Tottenham by two points.

Five Goal Thriller at Ewood Park goes against Rovers

Liverpool took a quick 0-2 lead in this match courtesy of Maxi Rodriguez. But that was only the start of things to come. Doni got himself sent off as Yakubu missed a penalty. Yakubu then made up for the miss by scoring two goals to level things up. With 90 minutes on the clock and the match deep into injury time it should have finished 2-2. Unfortunately Carroll didn't read the script and scored a much needed winner for Liverpool and plunged Rovers back into the relegation zone.

Tevez inspires City Slickers to victory against West Brom

With City trailing United by 8 points, this match appeared to be an exhibition match at best on paper. But it wasn't so as City hammered four past West Brom, courtesy of Tevez starting his first City match of 2012. Not only did he start, he scored, along with Aguero and Silva. The win proved to be crucial following the outcome of United's surprise result against Wigan...

Malaysian Born Scotsman's goal gives Latics famous victory over United

He may not have started for Wigan for the majority of this season and it's a surprise to think why. Shaun Maloney scored a life line of a goal that enabled Wigan to jump out of the relegation zone. The goal also reactivated the title race, by reducing United's lead to 5 points His winner came against a United team that won eight league matches in a row. But the Latics are a team on form with a credible three wins out of four, despite their league positioning.

Arsenal gun down 10-man Wolves

Van Persie scored his first goal in four matches to ensure that Arsenal further secured their hold of third spot. Walcott and Benayoun also got on the score sheet as Arsenal pummeled Wolves to their seventh consecutive league defeat and put them nine points away from safety.

Super Hoops score three for much needed win

QPR secured a crucial victory against visitors Swansea in a match they could not afford to lose. The win was their third in five matches and gives them a two point cushion from the dreaded 18th place. The defeat on the other hand was Brendan Rodgers fourth defeat in a row and is a far cry from the Swans' fantastic form from earlier in the season.

---

On two fronts I had a relatively good Gameweek, but that was about it really. My recommended player of GW 33 did well, as did my captain (Robin Van Persie). But I believe it could have been so much better had Gibbs not picked up a knock (a clean sheet lost as Arsenal didn't concede), if Suarez wasn't rested (Liverpool scored 3) and if Wigan didn't score (de Gea in goal and Evans in defence). The aforementioned hiccups led me to lose approximately 20ish points, but on the upside at least it could have been far worse as 8 of my players (after auto-subs) scored 2 points or less. 

It was a good call by me to sell Walcott for Bale, as Bale only scored 2 points and would have been a disaster for me had I kept him. Looking at the truncated GW 34 I have already made a transfer to ensure that I do not get hit by the lack of fixtures. I am even willing to take my first -4 hit since December provided I can justify a long-term transfer from GW 34 onwards. But this is not the time to panic buy or panic sell. I will post my recommended player for GW 34 shortly. Until next time, adios!

Gameweek 32 Summary

No ceasing to Cisse's goals

Newcastle United converted their outside Champions League challenge spot into a reality with an impressive win at the Liberty Stadium.  Cisse scored his sixth league goal in three matches as the Magpies humbled the Swans into submission.

Black Cats deflect blunt Spurs

Sunderland extended their unbeaten run to three matches after a goalless draw at home to Spurs.  Conversely Tottenham have now only won one in their last four and risk losing out on a Champions League spot.

Captain America saves the day (again) for Fulham!

Two goals from Dempsey was enough for the Lilywhites to secure victory against Bolton.  It was Fulham's second consecutive league win and ended Bolton's three match winning run.

Juan goal difference enough for Chelsea

A resilient Wigan felt hard done by against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.  Following Ivanovic's controversial opening goal (that appeared to be offside), Diame scored an equaliser.  But this wasn't enough as Mata's last minute strike denied Wigan a much needed point.

Liverpool "Herded" into stalemate at Anfield

Liverpool ended their three match losing streak with a damp squib draw against Aston Villa.  Herd put Villa in front before Suarez grabbed a much needed equaliser for Liverpool.  Despite the draw, Liverpool have only won one match in their last nine, where as Villa too have only won one in their last nine.

Jelavic brace secures draw for tough Toffees

Everton extended their unbeaten run to three matches, courtesy of a brace of goals from Jelavic.  Holt's thirteenth league strike of the season contributed to Norwich's tally and surely puts him in line for a shock England call up?

Fortune favours the brave at The Hawthorns

Three goals from West Brom ended their four match winless run in the Premier League.  The defeat to Blackburn was their third in a row and re-plunges them back into the relegation mire.

"Crouch"-ing Tigers defeat weak Wolves

Crouch scored his second goal in three matches as Stoke added to Wolves' misery, despite Kightly's lone strike.  They have now lost six matches in a row and face almost certain relegation.

Scholes in with the goals as United extend lead

Man United showed their true class by increasing lead at the top of the league to 8 points.  However, QPR will feel hard done by with their early red card that consigned them to 10 men and inevitable defeat.

"One-Nil to the Arsenal" enough to extinguish City's title hopes

City spectacularly failed in their quest of adding pressure to United following a late defeat to Arsenal.  To add to their woes and buffoonery, Balotelli got himself sent off at the end for reckless behaviour.  The 0-1 loss all but ends their title hopes (only one win in five) and means that United could wrap up the title well before the Manchester derby later this month.

Gameweek 31 Summary

"Four"nando Torres inspires Chelsea to win

Fernando Torres ended a six month league goal drought by scoring against Aston Villa.  He also bagged two assists, which complemented Ivanonic's brace of goals.  The defeat for Villa means that they have only won one match in their last eight.

(PS - Get Well Soon Stiliyan "Stan" Petrov)

Super Sub Anichebe makes West Brom look like Anchovies!

Everton secured their second consecutive victory in a row after defeating West Brom at Goodison Park.  It was a third defeat in four for the Baggies whose form has dipped of late.

Captain America saves the day at Craven Cottage

Clint Dempsey returned to match winning ways after scoring and assisting Fulham to victory over Norwich.  It ended Fulham's three game winless streak and has pushed their home win-rate to 50%.

Thrilling Draw at Etihad dents City's title hopes

Sunderland ended City's 100% winning home record in a match which they could have won.  After securing the lead and extending it to 1-3 (in part due to Larsson's goals and Sessegnon's assists) a famous victory seemed inevitable.  But late goals from Balotelli and Kolarov prevented that.  City's failure to win further dented their title hopes.

Arsenal become "Taraabt" and lose to QPR in London Derby

QPR ended the Gunners' 7 match winning streak with a shock result at Loftus Road.  Walcott's solitary goal for Arsenal wasn't enough as Taarabt and Diakite sensationally scored their first ever Premier League goals and secured an unlikely win for QPR.

Alcaraz gives Wigan hope to escape from the Premier League's Alcatraz!

The Latics won only their second home win out of sixteen this season with a much needed victory against Stoke.  Goals from Alcaraz and Moses ensures that Wigan still have some hope of escaping the relegation zone.

Trotters stamp all over relegation bound Wolves

Wolves lost their fifth consecutive match in a row as Bolton scored three goals at the Molineux Stadium.  Goals from Alonso, Petrov and K Davies secured the win for Bolton and has pushed Wolves six points away from safety.

Liverpool fail to "Cisse" Newcastle's sublime run of form

Newcastle added to Liverpool's recent misery courtesy of Demba Cisse's brace of goals.  He has now extended his tally to 7 goals in 7 matches as Liverpool lost their sixth league match in seven.

Plucky Swans downed by Sharp Spurs

Tottenham ended their five run winless streak with a triumphant win against Swansea.  Goals from Adebayor and Van der Vaart were sufficient, despite Sigurdsson's initial equaliser.

Dogged Rovers silenced by "A-Tonic-of-Valencia"

For 80 minutes of the Blackburn v United match you would have been witness to a somewhat lop sided see-saw match where Rovers on occasion pushed for an unthinkable win.  However, Valencia's goal and assist ended Rovers' resilience.  The result meant that Blackburn re-entered the relegation zone and allowed United to extend their lead over City to 5 points.

---

An abject Gameweek for me.  To record my joint third worst GW score (48 points) of the season and be knocked out of the FPL cup when I had form on my side leaves me with a sour feeling.  Crucially, I had one extra free transfer that I could have used which remained unused.  Would I have brought in Valencia with hindsight?  Of course.  Will I be buying him now? No.  Would I have captained Dempsey instead of Rooney? Yes.  Will I be captaining Dempsey in GW 32? Probably not.  On a brighter note I still have that extra free transfer that I will probably save for an upcoming Double Gameweek (DGW).  In terms of transfers I have already made one which I will reveal later in the week.  I still have confidence in my team and don't intend to ditch the majority of the squad any time soon.  With this in mind I will be posting my recommended player for GW 32 shortly, until then stay tuned.

One for The Future: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)

With the season coming to an end our blog will be host to a series of articles about young talented players that could become musts in future FPL teams.  The first article of the series is as follows:

One for The Future: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Few would have thought that following Wayne Rooney’s sensational arrival on the Premier League scene in 2002, a young English player would be capable of creating such a buzz. Yet, less than twelve months into his Arsenal career, parallels are already being drawn between the Manchester United ace and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The primary reason for this comparison to one of the worlds’ greatest players is that, at 18, Oxlade-Chamberlain seemingly has the full package. Unlike Arsenal teammate Theo Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain has the presence of mind in attacking situations to accompany his blistering pace and technical creativity.

In a first half performance which saw Arsenal lead AC Milan by three goals earlier this month, the former Southampton man was the focal point of every Arsenal attack; providing assists for two of the three goals. He bullied a team which boasted Champions League winners and World Cup finalists.

Having been introduced in such important games, it would be natural to assume that Oxlade-Chamberlain may become overwhelmed by the occasion sooner or later. But that simply isn’t the case. Arsenal fans booed Wenger’s decision to replace him in a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United. He was being replaced by the Russia captain, which only serves to highlight the enormous potential of this young Englishman.

Not only does Oxlade-Chamberlain whet the appetite because of his sharp build up play, he has also proven that he has a keen eye for goal. Having already notched one Premier League brace in his short career, as well as a Champions League goal, Oxlade-Chamberlain is definitely one to watch out for in the future.

His name is already circulating as a possible candidate for a place in the England squad for the European Championships this summer. Whoever the England manager shall be, he will be naive to overlook such a talented player who is well on his way to superstardom. With father-like figure Arsène Wenger nurturing his precious talent at Arsenal, it is only a matter of time before Oxlade-Chamberlain fills Wayne Rooney’s boots.

Written by Sam Balls

Brief Biography:

I am a final year English student at the University of Portsmouth. I am extremely passionate about sport, and my burning ambition is to write for a national newspaper. You can find my blog at: samuelballs.wordpress.com or follow me on twitter: @Sam_Balls

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.

Gameweek 30 Summary

Cechmate? Not so, as teams settle for Stalemate at Stamford Bridge

Saturday's match was a quasi-must win for Tottenham (looking to regain third spot) and Chelsea (looking to take fourth spot).  Unfortunately for both teams neither could deliver a knock out blow to outdo the other and in turn has allowed fourth spot to remain up for grabs.

Gunbelievable!

Arsenal's good form persisted as they recorded their seventh league win in a row.  Gibbs scored his first goal for Arsenal who opened up the floodgates for Walcott and Arteta to also get on the score sheet against Aston Villa.  All this without Van Persie scoring a goal for a second consecutive match.

Have you had your "Wheaterbix"?

Bolton did Owen Coyle and Fabrice Muamba proud as they defeated Blackburn and moved out of the relegation zone.  Both of their goals came from David Wheater.  The victory was Bolton's eighth of the league season and shows that Rovers still have plenty of work to do from now to the end of the seaon.

The Malaysian-born Scotsman silences The Kop.

Shaun Maloney's erratic Wigan career revived itself as he scored a crucial penalty that led to Wigan's shock away win at Anfield.  This was a miserable result for Liverpool who lost 2-3 to QPR in their last match and has left Kenny Dalgish with many questions to answer.

Woeful Wolves "Holted" by Canaries

Wolves slumped to their fourth consecutive league defeat in a row.  Jarvis's goal was in vain as Holt scored twice (and was later sent off) to outdo Wolves.  They remain only four points away from escape to safety, though in a nihilistic sense they have readied themselves for the inevitability of relegation.

Does it really take Taiwo to Tango?

QPR visited the Stadium of Light in the hope of replicating their sensational victory against Liverpool during the week.  However goals from Sessegnon, McClean and Bendtner saw the Black Cats home and dry instead.  QPR's only reply was a goal from defender/dead-ball specialist Taiwo as his teammates failed to find the back of the net.

Sweet Toffee at The Liberty

Everton ended a two match losing streak as they defeated on-form Swansea.  New signing Jelavic continued to flourish with his goal scoring contribution as did their defensive rock Leighton Baines.  The result leaves both teams 10+ points away from a Europa League spot and ensures that they must settle for mid-table boredom.

"Crouch"-ing Tiger Hidden Dragon!

Man City's title challenge was dealt another blow as they failed to gain victory at the Britannia Stadium.  Yaya Toure got them on the scoresheet, yet it was route-one football that prevailed.  Stoke's long ball style of play was rewarded as Begovic's long goal kick went to Crouch, then to Pennant and back to Crouch for a sensational volley (and arguably the goal of the season).

Magpies given 'Arfa chance for Champions League qualification

Newcastle continued to remain unbeaten on Sundays this season courtesy of all goals and assists from Ben Arfa and Cisse v West Brom.  The former is proving to be a fantastic impact player and the latter highlighting himself as another quality Pardew signing.  It means Newcastle amazingly remain in the hunt for fourth place after results went their way in other matches.

Plucky Fulham Roo missed chances against triumphant United

High flying Man United may have been free scoring of late, but they were restricted to only one goal by a resilient Fulham at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney scored the only goal of the game.  Had Fulham not been denied a controversial non-penalty decision that went against them they could have ended the match with even honours.  The narrow victory ensures that United extend their lead over City.

---

I have to say folks that I had a fantastic GW, though with a couple of hiccups to boot.  Let me get the drawbacks out of the way first. The GW didn't start to well for me after my subs Ekotto and Friedel kept a surprising defensive clean sheet versus Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.  This proved to be problematic for me after my first team choices of Reina and Enrique conceded two goals and only managed two points between them at home to relegation bound Wigan.  A net 10 point defensive loss.  However, all this was forgotten after my recommended player for GW 30, Kieran Gibbs, bagged a goal and a clean sheet. 

Gibbs's success was supplemented nicely by an assist and clean sheet from Jonny Evans and a goal from my GW captain Wayne Rooney.  Thus ensuring that I scored 60+ points during a GW with a low average score.  It ensures that my blog team has successfully entered into the Global 500 of FPL's overall rankings.  Looking to GW 31 I intend to maintain my run of form with a possible change or two.  Following Scholes being benched I may consider replacing him with Bolton's Miyaichi.  Moreover, with Liverpool's woes I could choose to replace Reina with De Gea.  All this requires more thought.  In the meantime, feel free to also follow FPL Hints on Twitter.  Until next time, ciao!