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 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.

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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 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.