It’s something we never thought possible, but JOE is actually recommending the selection of the in-form Maxi Rodriguez this weekend.
Fantasy Football (in association with Champion Sports)
Gameweek 36 review
“Who the hell are you and what have you done with Maxi Rodriguez?”, has been the general reaction to the Argentine’s recent surge in form, which continued apace with his second hat-trick in three games on Monday night.
We were sure he must have been playing for a new contract at the end of the season, but it turns out he has two years left, so the reason why a player so very, very average can turn on the style at the drop of the hat remains a mystery.
In any case, three goals and three bonus points helped Maxi to a massive 20 points in this gameweek, easily the highest scoring individual in the league.
The policy of picking Manchester City and Spurs players didn’t exactly pay dividends, with the two Champions League contenders only scoring a measly three goals between them over a combined 270 minutes of football.
Despite a woeful blunder against Blackpool, Heurelho Gomes made the dream team this week
As a result, only one player from each side made the dream team this week – City’s Yaya Toure (11 points) and Spurs’ Heurelho Gomes (8), although the Brazilian should really have been docked points for the rush of blood to the head which led to Blackpool’s second penalty at White Hart Lane on Saturday.
Alongside Maxi, Toure and Gomes were the likes of Wolves duo Steven Fletcher (16) and Adlene Guedioura (11), Stoke pair Jermaine Pennant (13) and Kenwyne Jones (8) and Sunderland midfielder Boudewijn Zenden, continuing a trend which has seen a series of outcasts make up the best of the bunch in recent weeks.
Champion J-League
Like a drunken nightclub patron making a strategically early exit to get to the front of the chipper queue, Stephen Fox has timed his title charge to perfection and finally overtaken long-time leader Shane Halligan at the top of the Champion J-League with only two weeks left.
Not only have his charges, Makin Up D Numbers*, assumed the lead, but they have done it in style, whupping Hal’s Allstars by 23 points this week and opening up a sizeable gap at the head of the table. It’s all gone horribly Pete Tong for the Allstars, who were ranked a lowly 49th for the month of April and now need a miracle if they are going to resume their lead at the top.
The potential is still there for the league to go down to the wire, however, and if Shane can pull himself together this week, the stage will be set for a fitting finale to the inaugural J-League.
Champion J-League Top 5:
1. Makin Up D Numbers* – Stephen Fox: 2077 points
2. Hal’s Allstars – Shane Halligan: 2053 points
3. Team of Gary Breens – John Murphy: 2020 points
4. UpDown FC – Keith Donnelly: 2013 points
5. Newton Heath – Tom Dowling: 2000 points
What to look out for this week
As mentioned previously, we are still trying to figure out just what has happened to Maxi Rodriguez, a man who until recently looked devoid of both ability and confidence and on his way out the exit door at Anfield. Thriving under the reign of Kenny Dalglish, however, Maxi has scored an amazing 50 points in the last three games, nearly half of his total for the entire season.
Whether it is a temporary revival or a more permanent return to the form that saw him score goals like this back in the day we’re not sure, but chances are his form will remain in place for the final two games of the season. At £6.9 million, he’s definitely worth a punt.
Rodriguez’s team mates Luis Suarez (£9.4 million) and Dirk Kuyt (£9.5 million) are also on something of a hot streak, while with Champions League places in the bag and the pressure off, players from Arsenal and Chelsea might just let loose in home games against Aston Villa and Newcastle respectively.
Managers may also want to start phasing out some of their Manchester United contingent as the Champions League final begins to take precedence over what should be a stroll to the Premier League title. United need only a point to make sure of their 19th league success and if they get it against Blackburn at the weekend, expect a shadow XI to take the field against Blackpool on the final day.
JOE’s Fantasy Football Picks
Top Dollar: Wayne Rooney (£12.0 million). After the year he’s had, we have an inkling he could be the man to seal the Premier League title with a goal or two this weekend.
Mid Range: Maxi Rodriguez (£6.9 million). 50 points in his last three games says it all.
Bargain Basement: Charles N’Zogbia (£5.5 million). The talented but temperamental midfielder has netted three goals in his last four games as Wigan cling to the prospect of Premier League survival.
Irish Pick: Jonathan Walters (£5.4 million). Classed as a midfielder but often deployed up front, Walters is the only Irishman doing the business at the tail end of the season. Three goals in his last seven league games make it a real possibility that Walters will be involved against Macedonia next month.
Captain’s Pick: Wayne Rooney (£12.0 million). There’s nobody really standing out as the obvious choice as skipper this week, so we’ll back Rooney to make up for his profligacy in front of goal against Chelsea on Sunday.
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