Fantasy Football

Oh yeah, oh yeah. Nailed it. If you could see me now you’d notice I am doing a dance of semi-victory.

Out went the rubbish and in came the big hitters, even if it did cost me my free hit. But what the heck, I’ve moved up half a league table this week. Is it a coincidence this is the weekend after I wrote the tips? I think not.

Out went Tom Heaton, Joel Matip, James Ward-Prowse, Steve Mounié and Javier Hernandez. Only Chicharito being binned would prove to be a minor blip.

Who came in? You shall see my friends, you shall see.

Rob Elliot, 2 points

Naturally, I cursed Newcastle by bringing in their goalkeeper and two-goal centre back. But, they will lose games Newcastle, especially after they’ve won a few on the spin. However, they won’t get battered too often and should continue to keep a few clean sheets. With Heaton injured and Ben Foster away to Arsenal tonight I think I’ve made a good choice here.

Ben Davies, 1 point

This could have been so much better if Tottenham hadn’t switched off, assuming like the rest of the world that West Ham were done and dusted.

Phil Jones, 9 points

This is why Jonesy is in the team. A trip to St Mary’s, 1-0 win and a clean sheet thank you very much. He is clearly a Mourinho favorite now.

Cesar Azpilicueta, 14 points

He and Alvaro Morata have a good thing going on I can tell you. Two assists and a clean sheet from Azpi this weekend, plus two bonus points. Thank you very much.

Jamal Lascelles, 1 point

I might have followed my own advice a bit too closely with this signing, but he can’t be worse than Matip so I am standing by him.

David Silva, 11 points

Two assists, a clean sheet (against Palace this was a given) and two bonus points means Silva is lining my palms once more.

Richarlison, 7 points

I was very, very close to not picking him this weekend but I am so glad I did. The Brazilian got the winner against Swansea City but annoyingly lost his bonus point for getting the yellow card for tearing his shirt off in celebration.

Dele Alli, 8 points

Two assists, laying a couple of goals on for Harry Kane in the win over West Ham United. If the rest of them had defended he would have got me a clean sheet as well.

N’Golo Kante, 2 points

A slightly left-field signing, but I reckon he will tot up clean sheets and some bonus points once Chelsea get into the really big games. Aaron Mooy was on the bench and got 3 points, but hey.

Sergio Aguero, 11 points

I am very late to the party but the penny dropped that I need at least two heavy hitting goal scorers in the team so money had to be spent. A goal, an assist, and two bonus points was a fine debut in my side.

Harry Kane, 26 points

Captain Kane played in a London derby meaning it was guaranteed points for me. Two goals, three bonus points and it all gets doubled thanks to that armband.

In theory, I would have been two points better off picking Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Leighton Baines and playing a 343 formation this weekend, but that was too risky. 92 points see me fly up to 15th spot in our league, though I have a sneaky suspicion I might drop again following Arsenal and West Brom tonight. But hey, we are the form team right now. Watch out top 12, I am coming to, er, get you.