Star Players
Kevin Davies – Bolton – striker – 14.8m; 13 points The big Bolton frontman scored two goals and claimed an assist in his side’s 4-2 win over Tottenham. Davies, recently called up to the England national team, represents great value having posted 37 fantasy points this season.
Park Ji-sung – Manchester United – midfielder – 17.2m; 13 points The Korean has been missing for much of this campaign but his two-goal performance against Wolverhampton fired him back into the forefront of fantasy players’ minds.
Fernando Torres – Liverpool – striker – 21.8m; 11 points If you’re one of the 13% of fantasy players who’ve been hanging onto out-of-form Torres, you’ll be feeling rewarded after his double against Chelsea on Sunday. Worth noting is Torres has scored 26 of his 36 season points in the past three SPFPL matchdays.
Tim Krul – Newcastle – goalkeeper – 4m; 7 points The young Dutch shot-stopper produced an assured display against Arsenal at the Emirates including a memorable save from Samir Nasri’s corner-bound shot. Krul, deputising for the injured Steve Harper, represents great value at 4m.
Brede Hangeland – Fulham – defender – 6.1m; 7 points Fulham’s big Norwegian centre-half rescued his side with a stoppage-time equaliser on the weekend against Aston Villa. The Cottagers’ defence is rarely often breached and Hangeland’s presence has a lot to do with that. Worth a look.
Disappointments
Gareth Bale – Tottenham – defender – 7.1m; -2 points The Spurs full-back has been all the rage recently with 27% of SPFPL coaches owning him in their teams, but he failed to deliver in the weekend’s 4-2 loss at Bolton. He did hit the post from free-kick, though, and I’d recommend hanging onto him.
Nani – Manchester United – midfielder – 17.8m; DNP The Portuguese star didn’t play for the Red Devils on the weekend much to the frustration of the 11% of SPFPL coaches who enjoy his services. What a let-down from the in-form flyer.
Didier Drogba – Chelsea – striker – 21.8m; 1 point Whenever Drogba fails to deliver it’s disappointing considering his pricetag, but the big Ivorian is supposed to be the master of the big occasion. Unfortunately, for the 18% of coaches who own him, he failed to arrive against Liverpool.
Special mentions
Goalkeepers Joe Hart’ – Manchester City – 9.5m; 7 points (fine value)**Jose Reina**– Liverpool – 10.6m; 7 points (solid)**Sunderland|Simon Mignolet’’’ – Sunderland – 5.6m; 7 points (good value)DefendersGretar Steinsson’’’ – Bolton – 4.7m; 8 points (don’t jump on too soon)Birmingham City|Liam Ridgewell’’’ – Birmingham City – 6m; 6 points (serviceable and consistent)*MidfieldersJoey Barton’’’ – Newcastle – 9m; 8 points (popular with coaches)Kevin Nolan’’’ – Newcastle – 12m; 5 points (31 points in past three matchdays)StrikersAndy Carroll’’’ – Newcastle – 14.5m; 8 points (delivered again)Manchester City:Mario Balotelli’’’ – Manchester City> – 20m; 6 points (two goals! then a red card)*Coaches’’ **Sam Allardyce – Blackburn> – 8.2m; 5 points (back on track)
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