Anyone know the all-time lowest points holder for a goalkeeper in Fantasy League history?
You have to go back to 1994/95 and poor old Craig Forrest, who is better known for being the unfortunate man between the sticks for Ipswich Town during that season’s 9-1 reverse against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
In an interview with The Times last week, Forrest said that “even as you get older, it’s a defining moment”.
Ben Foster has a way to go before he ‘beats’ Forrest’s points tally of -41, but at -13 after seven games, and with Watford showing no sign of emerging from their leaky doldrums (they’ve now conceded 20 goals so far), his total certainly isn’t going the other way.
Their meeting last Saturday with fellow strugglers Wolves presented them with their best chance of three points yet this campaign, but whilst Wolves’ ultimately convincing win propelled them up to 13th, the Hornets remain rooted to the foot of the table. Bleak times for Quique Sanches Flores.
Another clean sheet for Crystal Palace, and a win that involved a successful spot-kick from Luka Milivojevic. Becoming a bit of a pattern isn’t it?
Neither of them won the penalty on this occasion, but with players like Wilf Zaha and Andros Townsend – who look to provoke fouls as a matter of course – in their ranks, Milivojevic and his flawless record will surely be called upon again during the remainder of the season. He scored 10 times from the spot last year and it would be remiss not to claim him for your squad – if you can.
Could Leicester…do a Leicester…again?
The Foxes have sizzled their way up the league so far this season – Saturday’s 5-0 drubbing of Newcastle was virtuouso stuff – but perhaps unusually for those seeing things through a Brendan Rodgers Liverpool-era prism, it’s the defence that’s been outstanding.
Ricardo Pereira and Ben Chilwell, with 22 Fantasy League points between them already this season, are fully justifying their claim to be the top flight’s best full-back pairing.
And the previously unheralded Caglar Soyuncu is forming an excellent central defensive partnership with (stifle those sniggers) Jonny Evans. Harry who?
What will concern Rodgers most is Jamie Vardy’s health. The frontman has been more clinical than ever so far this term – he is largely responsible for Leicester exceeding their expected goals tally – but if he were to get injured for any length of time, it would fundamentally alter what his side can do.
Perhaps Rodgers has more faith in Ayoze Perez than others.
It’s perhaps fitting that we come to Manchester United vs Arsenal last. If their drab 1-1 draw had been on a Saturday, it would’ve surely been last in the Match of the Day running order.
United will get their fair share of criticism – but the root cause of their dismal fare is at board level.
Arsenal have no such excuses, and whilst they may be fourth, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goals have won them nine points this season. So without them, the Gunners would be in the relegation zone with three points…
If you thought Leicester were reliant on Vardy…
