Not just a pretty face.
Gameweek 29 review
We doubt very much if anyone would have been able to predict even three or four of the players that were going to be on the Dream Team this week.
Why? Well, even allowing for their recent resurgence, not many would have foreseen three Aston Villa players making the cut, nor would they have thought that two Manchester United midfielders would end up in double figures after a tricky-looking tie against Spurs.
It was one of those two midfielders, Michael Carrick, who ended up as top scorer, with his first goal and only second assist of the season leading to a 14-point haul.
He was joined on that tally by Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey, who also helped himself to a goal and assist in Arsenal’s win over West Ham, with Belgian duo Marouane Fellaini and Christian Benteke not far behind on 13 points apiece.
Benteke’s strike partner, Gabby Agbonlahor, chipped in with 12 points himself, while another man wearing claret and blue, George Boyd, joined our own James McCarthy on 11 points.
There were nines all around at the back as the best-performing goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer and the three highest-scoring defenders, Martin Skrtel, Robert Huth and Irish international Ciaran Clark all posted that tally in what was a pretty strange weekend.
The J-League
No exaggerating and no offence to those involved, but the weekend just gone might have been THE WORST WEEKEND for scoring in the storied history of the J-League.
Not a single manager in the top five managed 40 points or more and one manager even held onto a place amongst the elite despite a measly 25 points. It really was that bad.
As a result, there were only a few minor positional changes at the top of the J-League table, with Sean Kelly’s The Honey Badgers holding onto top spot ahead of Garry Doran’s What’s Love Gotze Do, who were joined by Mark ‘Tinkerman’ Elliott’s Gylfi Pleasures in joint-second.
Joe O’Neill’s Dr. Neo Cortex jumped up one place to fourth ahead of the man we referenced earlier, Michael Ward, whose outfit, I Gotze no idea, unsurprisingly dropped to fifth after just 25 points.
Surely, it’ll be better this weekend lads, right?
J-League Top 5
- The Honey Badgers – Sean Kelly: 1,760
- Gylfi Pleasures – Mark ‘Tinkerman’ Elliott: 1,746 points
- What’s Love Gotze Do – Garry Doran: 1,746 points
- Neo Cortex – Joe O’Neill: 1,740 points
- I Gotze no idea – Michael Ward: 1,736 points
Giroud, Giroud, Giroud is on fire
Arsenal’s exit from the Champions League during the week was met with familiar resignation from Gunners fans sick and tired of history repeating itself.
But hey, on the bright side Arsenal fans, it probably means that your team will also finish the season in traditionally strong fashion, so as to ensure the top four place that has also become set in stone in recent years.
Arsene Wenger’s side are already in tremendous form in the league, winning eight of ten games since the turn of the year and picking up 24 points from a possible 27.
The race for the top four is as tight as it’s been for a few seasons, but Arsenal don’t look as vulnerable as those around them and their experience could well stand to them too.
Part of the reason for their winning streak of late has been the form of striker Olivier Giroud, who scored in Monaco in the week and has been bagging loads in the league lately, with four in the last four and six in the last eight.
He’s also been boosting his points tally in other ways, with three assists in his last seven games and six bonus points in his last four outings.
31 points in his last four games is not bad going at all and with Arsenal going up against a Newcastle side who appear to have clocked off for their summer holidays already, there’s every chance Giroud’s run will continue this weekend.
He’s not exactly the most consistent, but his form bodes well for Arsenal fans and for fantasy Football managers and at £8.4 million, he’s easily affordable too.
Not just an incredibly handsome face.
JOE’s Fantasy Football Picks
Top Dollar: Sergio Aguero (£13.0 million). The champions have suddenly found themselves dragged into a race for the top four and they need to get their act together sooner rather than later.
We think they will and think their star man will lead the way against West Brom on Saturday.
Mid-Range: Christian Benteke (£7.4 million). The big man is thriving with a partner in attack alongside him and he has three goals, an assist and 25 points in his last two games.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that Villa have two games in the next Gameweek.
Bargain Basement: Yannick Bolasie (£5.3 million). Palace have been playing some decent stuff of late and Bolasie, with three assists in five games, has been one of their standout performers.
Irish Pick: Ciaran Clark (£4.3 million). Has played every game under Tim Sherwood and even popped up with an assist against Sunderland. Decent price too.
Captain’s Pick: Olivier Giroud (£8.4 million). After much deliberation, we’re going to go with the man about whom we’ve waxed lyrical above.
He’s on too good a run of form to ignore at the moment.
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