Truncated GW and Double GWs Alert (Gameweeks 34-36)

Truncated and Double Gameweeks Alert (GWs 34-36)

As you may know, the next three Gameweeks will be slightly different than usual due to the FA Cup and re-scheduled fixtures. With this in mind it is best you plan ahead with transfers, alongside your captain and vice-captain picks.

The changes are as follows:

Gameweek 34 - Truncated/Shortened

Not Playing:
Liverpool, Everton, Newcastle, Bolton, Chelsea, Stoke, Tottenham and Fulham

Gameweek 35 - Double Gameweek

Aston Villa and Bolton are due to be involved in three fixtures (two matches each) as follows:

Aston Villa v Sunderland
Bolton v Swansea
Aston Villa v Bolton

Gameweek 36 - Double Gameweek

Liverpool, Everton, Newcastle, Chelsea, Stoke, Tottenham and Fulham are due to be involved in ten fixtures (two matches each) as follows:

Everton v Fulham
Stoke v Arsenal
Wigan v Newcastle
Norwich v Liverpool
Chelsea v QPR
Tottenham v Blackburn
Liverpool v Fulham
Stoke v Everton
Chelsea v Newcastle
Bolton v Tottenham

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.