With the Premier League taking a break (already?) for internationals, it’s time to take stock and see how things are shaping up in the J-League after three weeks.
Gameweek 3 review
They might cost a pretty penny, but it’s the big guns that bring home the bacon on a consistent basis in Fantasy Football and they delivered in spades this weekend.
Robin van Persie’s uncharacteristically weak penalty might have cost managers three points, but Man United fans weren’t the only ones happy that he knocked in an equaliser and winner shortly after, earning him 15 points in total in what was a very busy day’s work.
That total was matched by our captain’s recommendation for this week, Carlos Tevez, who is enjoying a new lease of life at Eastlands, and the unlikely figure of West Ham’s Winston Reid, who got on the scoresheet for West Ham against Fulham in the early-kick off on Saturday.
In fact, claret and blue jerseys dominate the Dream Team this week, with Reid’s teammates Jussi Jaaskelainen (8 points), James Collins (10) and Matty Taylor (13) all getting a look-in, as does Ciaran Clark (11) who might be a Premier League regular for Aston Villa but still can’t get a look in for Ireland. Maybe if Toronto FC come a callin’ Clark might figure more prominently on Trap’s radar.
Speaking of Irish internationals, Jonathan Walters’ goal against Wigan was enough to earn him 12 points, while honourable mention goes to new Sunderland signing Steven Fletcher (13) and what appears to have been an inspired Arsenal signing, Santi Cazorla, who also registered a lucky 13 points.
J-League
It was always going to be hard for Richard Snowden’s Release the Krakens to maintain the form that had catapulted them to fifth in the world last week, but a solid 61 points was enough to hold onto the top spot in the J-League.
Snowden’s charges hold a relatively comfortable lead from Godfrey McDermott’s Hanngover 96 – two brilliant names – who had RVP, Tevez and Cazorla to thank for an 89-point haul.
That was enough to put him one point ahead of Derek Dickinson’s Haven’t Got a Kalou in third place, who in turn are a point ahead of Gavin Gingles’ Meath Lovers Pizza in fourth.
Paul Burke’s Copperwood and Jack O’Keefe’s Jackerbombers prop up the top five with nary a member of the JOE team within sight nor light of the leaders.
We’re all going to reassess and drastically change our transfer policies during the international break, even if it probably won’t make a blind bit of difference.
J-League Top 5:
- Release the Krakens – Richard Snowden: 282 points
- Hanngover 96 – Godfrey McDermott: 267 points
- Haven’t Got a Kalou – Derek Dickenson: 266 points
- Meath Lovers Pizza – Gavin Gingles: 265 points
- Copperwood – Paul Burke, Jackerbombers – Jack O’Keefe: 258 points
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
