The Bargain Hunter - Week 5
Pelle!!!!!!!
Oh, boy did Southampton do the business like I had promised in last week's column. Fraser Forster had a monster game, Dusan Tadic provided an assist and value for his price, and of course Graziano Pelle, costing under 5m in the Yahoo game, and probably a budget option in most fantasy leagues, bagged a brace and chipped in an assist to make your humble writer's day a magical one.
But wait, what's this? He wasn't in my XI? How can this be? Well, as he is often prone to do, Mario Balotelli finds a way to get under my skin, even if indirectly. I had drafted a team with Pelle joining Costa and Rooney on my forward line heading into last Friday. Then, after so many sources and colleagues gushing over the potential for Balotelli, as Daniel Sturridge's absence gave the enigmatic Italian a chance to be the focal point at the top of Liverpool's attack. So, I decided to tinker. I made one downgrade (Ivanovic to Pieters) to generate the funds to "upgrade" Pelle to Balotelli. I would say that dropping Ivanovic didn't hurt me as he would do very little in a game where Chelsea conceded twice, But "little" is better than "less than nothing", as Pieters burned me with a -1 showing. That, coupled with the difference between Balotelli's day and Pelle's...well, let's just say that I feel somewhat cursed and I put all the blame on Super Mario.
Why always me? Anyway, it's week 5 and time to look at the best options to free up some cash...
Follow the RotoWorld_PL team on Twitter: Galin | Jeremy | Neal | Nik | Steve | Ben | Rob | Aaron
Goalkeeper
Lukas Fabianski (Swansea City) Swansea's fantastic start to the season had taken a cold smack to the face like an ice bucket challenge last week, when they let Diego Costa carve them up. Put more emphasis on Costa's red hot form than the Swans inability to defend. The tough week still leaves Fabianski as the second highest scoring keeper in the Yahoo game to date and last week's tough showing dropped his price down to 5.24m. Understand that the Swans host the Saints this time around, and Southie are coming off a four goal effort themselves, but much of that has to be credited to lousy Newcastle defending. In a nutshell, I am not salivating over any of the budget keepers this week and I think it is best to fork up a few extra million for the likes of a Tim Howard or Hugo Lloris. But if you are like me, sometimes when you need to find that extra cash, you usually make a sacrifice at the keeper position. A potential added bonus: Jordi Amat is looking at a long stretch on the sidelines meaning we should see Frederico Fernandez make his first start.
Other Option for Goalkeeper -
Robert Green (QPR) On paper, Green looks the better option over Fabianski. Rangers host a Stoke side who are coming off a goalless outing at home to Leicester while Southampton's attack looks much more dangerous. Simple truth is, I cannot trust QPR to win in any given week. There will be times like in Week 3 where Green will prove to be a good option and Rangers can show they are competent at the back, but when they burn you, they burn you bad. At 3.92m, there isn't another viable option you will find cheaper, but beware that this could be a "get what you pay for" situation.
Defender
Eric Dier (Tottenham) The budget darling of the first two weeks has gone significantly quiet on the fantasy score sheet in Spurs' last two matches. Luckily for us managers, it keeps him just inside in the budget range of 7.33m. Spurs are home to West Brom and while they have historically been a frustrating side to invest in defensively, the poor display by the Baggies so far this season makes any opponent who are at home an attractive matchup. You have to think in some way, be it a clean sheet, attacking returns, or filling up those possession starts, Dier will come good this week. Those finding themselves a million or so short to squeeze him in can still find a path to the defense by way of Younes Kaboul. The veteran was recently named club captain, a gesture that means you can count on his for starts. But Dier looks to be well worth the extra million and if things go according to this writer's vision, this may be your last chance to get him on the cheap.
Other Options for Defense -
Patrick van Aanholt (Sunderland) Even though they are on the road and have yet to keep a clean sheet, I am picking on Burnley until further notice. With van Aanholt's added attacking abilities and costing only 6.58m in the Yahoo game, the potential is worth the price.
Neil Taylor (Swansea City) An alternative to Fabianski as a path to the Swans defense. Safer than the keeper should Swansea go on to lose the game, but little upside beyond the clean sheet chance. A higher floor, lower ceiling scenario that would only set you back 4.77m.
Follow the RotoWorld_PL team on Twitter: Galin | Jeremy | Neal | Nik | Steve | Ben | Rob | Aaron
Midfielder
Aiden McGeady (Everton) My other options at midfield below may be a bit more preferred, but since both are so well known as bargain commodities at this stage, I want to focus on one who has garnered less attention. With Kevin Mirallas out of the Week 1 XI due to World Cup fatigue and Steven Pienaar having been injured since, McGeady has started every game for Everton thus far and has been extremely valuable in fantasy in relation to his price tag, which is under 5m in the Yahoo game. After a strong preseason, McGeady scored in the Toffee's opening league game, and he bagged a brace for his country during the international break. He is by no means an explosive midfielder, but the consistency which he has displayed over the past couple of months makes him a solid 5th midfield option in your fantasy squad as Everton get set to host a Crystal Palace side who are leaking goals this season, especially on the road.
Other Options for Midfield -
Eric Lamela (Tottenham) It's a week for Spurs named Eric, I suppose. There is nothing recently to gush over regarding Lamela's production but the threat is perpetually there and home to West Brom is about as tasty a matchup as you can get in the Premier League right now. For under 5m, the chance for a points explosion here is too good to pass up
Jack Rodwell (Sunderland) One day, Rodwell will have proven with his consistent returns to be too expensive to be mentioned in the bargain column. But when your introductory price is a flat 1m, it may take some time to get there. Another way to get points against a weak Burnley side, there is a safe path to returns with a guy like Rodwell, who is averaging 8 points per week in Yahoo and is coming off a match where he won 8 tackles.
Forward
Enner Valencia (West Ham United) Did you see the goal from Monday night? Did you see it? If my eyes were any wider, I would have looked like Arnold Schwarzenegger at the end of Total Recall when he is shot out onto the Mars landscape struggling to breathe air. Okay, that reference is bordering on 25 years old, but the comparison is still a fair one. From watching Valencia in the World Cup and Monday night here is what I know: Valencia is a pure goal scorer, one of a handful that can score anywhere at any given time. With budget options drying up at the forward position, Valencia is one of the few options I like that is still priced well below his real value, currently a touch over 7m in the Yahoo game. So what if Liverpool are the opponent? The Hammers are at home and Liverpool haven't kept a clean sheet against an opponent NOT named Tottenham Hotspur in a long, long time.
Other Option for Forward -
Nikica Jelavic (Hull City) For under 8m, you can acquire the services of Jelavic as you third forward option this week. Hull travel to face Newcastle United, who are currently drowning at the bottom of the table and are in complete disarray. Abel Hernandez made the big splash in his debut on Monday night, but Jelavic is still a major factor in the Tigers ability to score goals. This matchup has the makings of a potential brace for a striker that has bagged multiple goals before in this league.
Follow the RotoWorld_PL team on Twitter: Galin | Jeremy | Neal | Nik | Steve | Ben | Rob | Aaron
