The Bargain Hunter - Week 38
Turn the page.
That phrase seems to ring true today on so many levels. Here we are, entering the final week of the season, wrapping up another year of Bargain Hunting. Added to that is the nostalgia I feel today, having grown up watching Late Night with David Letterman, and witnessing his final broadcast just a few hours ago. Did I mention that today is my birthday, too?
Yes, plenty of reason to get contemplative with thoughts like these buzzing through one's head. But, one must turn the page!
Last week was a shining example of how this particular season has gone for me in fantasy. I did not have the score I was hoping for in the Yahoo game. I decided to go all in on Arsenal, making room for as many attacking Gunners as I could. Instead, I would have been much better off loading up on Sunderland. My decision to hold Sergio Aguero last week looks a bad one as well.
I would dwell on that more, but I am attempting to follow my own advice from three paragraphs ago. What matters is, Bargain Hunting for you appeared to be a fantastic success!
At keeper, I suggested Hugo Lloris. How does a clean sheet and twelve points sound? In defense, it was a master stroke if you took my advice on Billy Jones. His double gameweek returned a whopping 28 points for you. Midfield was more of a minefield to be fair. I was correct in assuming Rolando Aarons would play half an hour and that Juan Cuadrado would start, but they would only return 1 and 2 points, respectively. What is key there is that I suggested that either should be looked at as more of a way to free up cash elsewhere and to expect minimum returns. With each player costing around 2m, to get a point or two back means you are breaking even. Finally, at forward, I backed Danny Graham. I suggested to not expect a ton, and his nine points were pretty much the expectation.
In total, my four featured picks earned 50 points for a collective price of under 20m. Folks, that is a veritable treasure trove.
I want that production to sink in because honestly, I am frightened about the unknown landscape that is the final week of the Premier League season. It is a bit of a shame that the final round of the campaign can end one's fantasy season on a sour note because of all the inevitable changes that will be made to XI's around the league, especially for the majority of clubs who's fate has already been sealed.
I have taken this into consideration this week, attempting to find prospects that still play for clubs with something on the line, meaning less surprises in their manager's team selection. In general, this has me looking heavily then at the options among Aston Villa and Newcastle United.
So, for one last time this season, put on your mining helmet, grab a shovel and pick axe, and let's do some hunting...
Follow the RotoWorld_PL team on Twitter: Galin | Jeremy | Neal | Nik | Steve | Ben | Rob | Aaron
Goalkeeper
Wayne Hennessey (Crystal Palace) I really want to rank Krul, who is listed below, above Hennessey here, but even though Palace aren't playing for much while the Magpies will be fighting for their lives this Sunday, I still have to look at the overall story here - Newcastle have not won in a really, really long time and it has been just as long since a clean sheet. Win factor, or even more importantly, "not losing" factor weighs so heavily at this position in the Yahoo game and I just find it more plausible for the Eagles to win versus a Newcastle side that I have watched struggle week after week after week. Hennessey, who looks to have usurped the #1 shirt from Julian Speroni, came in and did pretty good as Palace grabbed a win at Anfield last week, returning home this week to face Swansea City. This should be one of the more intriguing matches with nothing on the line this weekend, as both sides have grabbed some famous wins this season and sport many exciting players. I give the edge to Palace though if the match doesn't end in a draw. Hennessey will set you back 4.21m.
Other Option for Goalkeeper
Tim Krul (2.48m, home to West Ham)
Defender
Paul Dummett (Newcastle United) While opting for Krul carries inherent risk because of the scoring system, Dummett is much more safe. One positive thing going for the Magpies is that the opponent, West Ham, have been quietly sputtering to the finish line in recent weeks. Their attack has hit a bit of a drought, scoring just twice over the span of five games. Now they take to the road and play a club who have a reason to give every ounce of effort. That spells good news for Dummett, who is assured to start and comes at an affordable 6.35m. His prolonged injury absence combined with mediocre results since his return has kept his price in bargain range. He does chip in on corner kicks and flashed fantasy relevance last season, so there is hope he can do more beyond a few points. When Newcastle have been good this season, it has come from one of two sources: Papiss Cisse up top, or production from guys like Daryl Janmaat, Jack Colback or Ryan Taylor doing it from at or near the back. Dummett is no Janmaat, but he is capable of a double digit haul on Sunday.
Other Options for Defense
Ron Vlaar (6.61m, home to West Ham) Scott Dann (6.16m, home to Swansea)
Follow the RotoWorld_PL team on Twitter: Galin | Jeremy | Neal | Nik | Steve | Ben | Rob | Aaron
Midfielder
Theo Walcott (Arsenal) I knew the fantasy gods were not considering my feelings in the Week 37 double. Plenty of other managers rolled with Theo as a way to cram as many Gunners and double gameweekers in their XIs as possible. I thought I was being more careful by avoiding the temptation. So imagine my glee when Wally's name popped up on the score ticker with an assist over the weekend! I use the word "glee" assuming everyone has the same definition I use: immediate desire to throw one's laptop out of their window. While I am attempting to advise bargain-priced options this week who are assured starts in a very unpredictable week, I am going with the opposite approach here. Walcott has been coming off of the bench for Arsene Wenger now for the past five games. At first, he was just a cameo in the final minutes. Now, most recently last evening, he played closer to half an hour. Rumor is already strong that Wenger will rest one or two of his regulars, and it would seem no one is more due a start than Walcott. Luckily, his assist did not gouge his price tag, he still comes in at a very attractive 4.77m. We are talking about a MUST-OWN midfielder in fantasy during stretches of recent seasons for under 5m. Even if I get it wrong and he doesn't start, I will bet the farm that he gets a half hour. Considering he costs about 1/3rd of what he normally does when fit and starting, it isn't a disaster if he only plays 1/3rd of the match.
Other Options for Midfield
Ross Barkley (6.20m, home to Tottenham) Juan Cuadrado (2.81m, home to Sunderland)
Forward
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) Aston Villa looked abysmal in their recent 6-1 shellacking at the hands of Southampton last weekend but they need to put it out of their minds quickly with the FA Cup final coming at the end of the month. This final league match of the season at home to Burnley gives them a chance for renewed confidence and a way to erase the result at St. Mary's. They will need a positive result one would think if they are to have any chance against Arsenal. With a visit of Burnley, it could be just the recipe. For those without deep enough pockets to invest in Christian Benteke, they may find just as much value in Agbonlahor. Gabby has been involved in recent weeks, and the stats seem to show he could be due for a big day. Only a few forwards have been more active from inside the opponents' box in recent weeks. The difference for Agbonlahor is, of the past dozen shots he has had from the box, only two have been on target. One would not only expect the involvement to keep up then, but for the accuracy to improve as well. Burnley have nothing but pride to play for and could field a defense that aren't as focused. Take a chance on Gabby for 5.45m then.
Other Option for Forward
Nikica Jelavic (4.20m, home to Manchester United)
Follow the RotoWorld_PL team on Twitter: Galin | Jeremy | Neal | Nik | Steve | Ben | Rob | Aaron
