Each week when Shotsontarget publish their stats for MatchCenter, I'll pick the match's "best players" and highlight their most outstanding stats to decide whether they will make the Watchlist.
Two metrics are used here, the first being Key Passes (a pass that creates a shooting chance) and Shots on Target in the Box. Players that stand out on either stat will be called Creators and Shooters respectively, while players who have both are coined All-Rounders.
Watchlist Guidelines:
Players that go on the Watchlist are Tier 1 all rounders, and some of the top 3/4 Tier 2 All-Rounders. Tier 1 All-Rounders are the most important, pinpointing potential "Gems" for the coming weeks.
The Tier 1 All-Rounders are "Gems" that will be worth PICKING UP if the maintain their stats (and tactical positioning) for 2-3 weeks in a row, and will certainly be the ones that are "worth a punt".
The Tier 2 All Rounders are also potential gems, but they are more of the "shining lights" in a weak team performance and are more likely to be picked up when their team hits form.
If there is no value there then I'll look through some top Shooters and top Creators. I'll also do a quick note on how these top Shooters' and Creators' chances are created in their respective systems, and make a quick verdict on whether to include them in the Watchlist or not.
I'll probably make a "Second Tier" Watchlist as well to accommodate players that are "coming into form", perhaps due to a new system or a new-found confidence.
Finally, I'll have a "Wishlist" for personal reasons: These are Tier 1 Watchlist players that I don't have that I wish to have, which is something I'll use for my upcoming transfer-in decisions.
Here we go. Watchlist last week (GW17):
Wishlist:
Watchlist 1: Cazorla, Walker, Sessegnon, Snodgrass, Benteke
Watchlist 2: Torres, Pilkington, Tevez, Podolski, Glen Johnson, Brunt, Cisse
Player
|
Price
|
Minutes
|
Key Passes
|
Shots
|
Shots in Box
|
Shots on Target
|
Assists
|
Goals
|
Wigan 0 Arsenal 1
| ||||||||
Kone
|
6.5
|
95
|
0
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
Walcott
|
8.5
|
95
|
0
|
4
|
3
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
West Ham 1 Everton 2
| ||||||||
Cole
|
4.9
|
67
|
1
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
Pienaar
|
6.5
|
89
|
2
|
5
|
1
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
Anichebe
|
4.3
|
94
|
2
|
4
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
Jelavic
|
8.2
|
95
|
0
|
4
|
3
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
Man City 1 Reading 0
| ||||||||
Silva
|
9.4
|
96
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
Tevez
|
9.5
|
75
|
5
|
4
|
4
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
Zabaleta
|
5.8
|
96
|
3
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Aguero
|
11.0
|
96
|
1
|
4
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Liverpool 4 Fulham 0
| ||||||||
Downing
|
5.7
|
94
|
5
|
4
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
Gerrard
|
9.3
|
94
|
5
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
Suarez
|
10.2
|
94
|
5
|
6
|
4
|
4
|
0
|
1
|
Berbatov
|
7.1
|
94
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
Newcastle 1 QPR 0
| ||||||||
Player
|
Price
|
Minutes
|
K.Pass
|
Shots
|
S.i.Box
|
Target
|
Assists
|
Goals
|
Anita
|
4.6
|
97
|
6
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Ba
|
8.3
|
97
|
1
|
8
|
5
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
Ameobi
|
5.2
|
36
|
0
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
West Brom 2 Norwich 1
| ||||||||
Lukaku
|
6.4
|
85
|
0
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
Snodgrass
|
6.0
|
95
|
4
|
4
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
Brunt
|
5.5
|
95
|
3
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Pilkington
|
5.8
|
95
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Swansea 1 Man United 1
| ||||||||
De Guzman
|
5.7
|
71
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
Dyer
|
5.3
|
95
|
2
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
Michu
|
8.1
|
95
|
0
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
Routledge
|
5.4
|
95
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
Young
|
8.2
|
95
|
0
|
4
|
4
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
Rooney
|
12.0
|
78
|
3
|
8
|
2
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
RVP
|
13.8
|
95
|
5
|
3
|
3
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
Chelsea 8 Aston Villa 0
| ||||||||
Mata
|
9.6
|
74
|
4
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
Oscar
|
7.8
|
27
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
Lampard
|
8.4
|
61
|
3
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
Hazard
|
9.5
|
94
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
Moses
|
6.2
|
94
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
Southampton 0 Sunderland 1
| ||||||||
Ramirez
|
5.8
|
95
|
1
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
Sessegnon
|
7.5
|
89
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
Fletcher
|
7.0
|
95
|
0
|
3
|
3
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
Tottenham 0 Stoke 0
| ||||||||
Vertonghen
|
6.3
|
95
|
3
|
3
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
Bale
|
9.5
|
95
|
3
|
6
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
Dembele
|
5.9
|
85
|
4
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
Defoe
|
8.4
|
95
|
1
|
4
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Top Shooters:
Young, Michu, Ba
All of last week's shooters either fell off the list completely or upgraded into all-rounders. However, this week's shooters are what we expect of them week in, week out bar a certain Ashley which I will touch on later..
Top Creators:
Anita, Brunt
While everyone on this list last week had their output significantly reduced, half of the list were against defensively improved teams such as Stoke, Reading with half their team changed, and it just shows that you can't buy a player based on his assist potential only.
The elite options
A relatively predictable week for the elite players really. Arsenal not firing against Wigan and consequently Cazorla not delivering was semi-expected, but Bale, Silva and Mata all put in really, really good stats to back up their price. Eden Hazard also lasted 90 minutes, which hasn't happened since West Brom in mid-November. Steven Gerrard however, has quietly put up scores under the radar that I regret not picking up... Hopefully he maintains this, I do need a decent differential for the Jan period.
The Emerging Defenders
Sigh. Extra tough opponents combined with super-inflated scores means 1) lots of noise everywhere and 2) the lack of need for fullbacks to bomb forward. Sometimes you just would like to treat your 6.0 defender almost like a midfielder that starts every week, and yet they just don't do enough to justify their price tag. GJ, Enrique and Walker all disappointed, and while the Clean Sheets are there to back it up, I guess that's what you invest in them for. Onto the important stuff then.
Top All Rounders:
Tier 1: Suarez, Bale, Rooney, Snodgrass,
Tier 2: RVP, Gerrard, Downing, Tevez, Pienaar
To be Given Verdict:
All-Rounders: Morrison, Bale, Rooney, Snodgrass, Gerrard, Downing, Tevez, Pienaar
Shooters/Creators: Young
Morrison
1 Key Pass and 1 Attempt at goal says it all really. Can't get the heat maps up, but I would like to dismiss Morrison's no-show this gameweek due to his new position replacing Mulumbu. Not on Watchlist
Bale
Gareth Bale managed to get 6 shots, but only 1 on target at home against Stoke, who usually defend deep and tactically speaking, Gareth Bale shouldn't be able to do much. Wouldn't jump on the Bale bandwagon yet, but I'd monitor one more game to see what happens when Spurs' fixtures ease up. Watchlist 2
Rooney
Rooney and/or RVP has been a hotly debated topic for quite some time now, and while the opinion is quite split at the moment between detrimental and complementary, stats would suggest that things are looking closer to the latter. I'd recommend him as a differential to RVP, but at the moment your front 3 might be better off with Rooney/RVP, Aguero/Tevez and Suarez for good measure.
*Update* I have just pulled up Wayne Rooney's stats and AY CARAMBA they are magnificent. 8 attempts on target evenly spread throughout the match is a fantastic sign, and his 3 key passes (1 from a cross by the way) shows that Rooney is picking up his game. I wouldn't be worried about him not getting 90 minutes, and considering United's decent fixtures coming up, Rooney's a fantastic differential for me up front. Another good game like this and I'm cashing in on my RVP profit. Watchlist 1
Snodgrass
Robert Snodgrass makes history (here at least) by being the first player to make the Wishlist. Initially as part of my plans to draft in for Nolan, I decided to let fixtures get the better of me and rest Nolan for the sake of it, and Snodgrass has been outpunching him week after week, in terms of FPL points as well as underlying stats. Wishlist
Gerrard
Oh Stevie. How is it you manage to generate those stats with Jonjo Shelvey positionally more offensive than you just baffles me. Might have to rewatch this game since Squawka still refuses to give me full data on the game, so until then he's on the optmistic side of my watchlist.
*Update* After going through Gerrard's stats, I can fully verify that Steven Gerrard is becoming a force to be reckoned with. While most of his passes are from within proximity of the halfway line, when he gets forward he really, really uses it, which is an encouraging sign for him really. I'm not sure whether he's enough of a goal threat at the moment to dislodge my current luxury mids of Silva and Mata, but when these stats look consistent enough I'd consider him over Silva as a decent differential, especially when Tevez hits FPL form. Watchlist 1
Downing
Sterwart Downing is an odd case really, and being me, I shall give him the benefit of the doubt as I am sick of all the Sterling and Enrique debates going on. Liverpool's 4-2-3-1 is something new however, and I would sincerely like to see how this compares to the established 4-2-3-1s out there at the moment, but only time can tell really.
*Update* Let me first swallow my pride and admit that Stewart Downing had a really, really good game. Key passes all over the place, even share of corners with Gerrard, at his price he could potentiall be the new Sterling. POTENTIALLY. Playing as the right sided midfielder of a 4-2-3-1 has its perks, and he's certainly worth picking up for Liverpool's easy home games, but at the moment he's on the monitor list as he has earned it. Watchlist 2
Tevez
As many stats websites have stated, Tevez's stats are MONUMENTAL despite not regularly getting 90 minutes. I watched the full Man City-Reading and Tevez's goal scoring opportunities were the real clear cut ones, and it's probably a matter of time before Tevez catches fire again. It's just a case of doing everything right and not scoring really. Hope that Mancini doesn't misinterpret this and benches him or something. But he'll definitely be my recommendation of the week. Wishlist
Pienaar
Steven Pienaar has predictably become the man to step up for Everton whilst Fellaini's getting his hair done in a really, really nice salon. Without Squawka's stats, I wouldn't be able to identify where Pienaar's shots, crosses and key passes have come FROM, but if anyone can kindly comment on where I can those I'll do the digging for you :). Until then, I'm putting him on monitor as I'm still not sure why he's doing so well.
*Update* Just had a look at Pienaar's stats. For an Everton away game, the patterns are quite obvious. He's rarely involved with play inside the penalty area, which is what you'd expect given his partnership with an overlapping Leighton Baines on the flanks. His attempts at goal were all OUTSIDE THE BOX except for his goal (which I have yet to see on video by the way, so I'm guessing it's a far post header or something).
If you like a shooter from outside the box then by all means pick him up, but the best I'd give him is a short term contract in my team. Nevertheless, good stats are good stats and with Jelavic and Anichebe to aim at he hasn't got much to lose really. Watchlist 2
Young
Ashley Young had been identified as a differential by many over the last couple of weeks, mainly due to his 2 assists against Man City and some other team I think. I was unsure about his playing time initially after identifying that Young (and United's starting XI in those 2 games) would be saved for the big matches, but starting the same XI against Swansea could hint at some regularity in United's starting lineup. Young had a decent game against the Swans, and here we will identify just how effective he was.
Firstly in terms of movement and passes,Young was literally all over the place. Spreading passes from the flanks as well as the center, his attempt at being involved all over the pitch is an encouraging sigh for his owners, but sadly his 4 crosses all came to nothing. What's interesting to note, however, is that Young's significant shots on target were all in the first half, while his 4 crosses all came in the second half, which might indicate a change of strategy by Alex Ferguson. He stays in Watchlist 2 for now, perhaps we'll see some value to his new cemented position after all. Watchlist 2
Conclusion:
Wishlist: Snodgrass, Tevez
Watchlist 1: Rooney, Gerrard, Benteke
Watchlist 2: Bale, Pienaar, Downing, Glen Johnson, Walker, Young
Watchlist Changes: Everyone drops off Watchlist 2 really, bar Glen Johnson and Kyle Walker who I'm refusing to give up on 1) due to Spurs' game against Stoke being an outlier and 2) Glen Johnson's new role under Rodgers' new 4-2-3-1 needing 1 more game to be verified as a drop/keep.
The middle of the watchlist is all red, with United and Liverpool delivering good stats, and differentials Rooney and Gerrard leading the way.
Well I needed an excuse last week to pick up Tevez. The cheapo alternative is Snodgrass. For -8? No way. I will consider in 2 days time.
Young, Michu, Ba
All of last week's shooters either fell off the list completely or upgraded into all-rounders. However, this week's shooters are what we expect of them week in, week out bar a certain Ashley which I will touch on later..
Top Creators:
Anita, Brunt
While everyone on this list last week had their output significantly reduced, half of the list were against defensively improved teams such as Stoke, Reading with half their team changed, and it just shows that you can't buy a player based on his assist potential only.
The elite options
A relatively predictable week for the elite players really. Arsenal not firing against Wigan and consequently Cazorla not delivering was semi-expected, but Bale, Silva and Mata all put in really, really good stats to back up their price. Eden Hazard also lasted 90 minutes, which hasn't happened since West Brom in mid-November. Steven Gerrard however, has quietly put up scores under the radar that I regret not picking up... Hopefully he maintains this, I do need a decent differential for the Jan period.
The Emerging Defenders
Sigh. Extra tough opponents combined with super-inflated scores means 1) lots of noise everywhere and 2) the lack of need for fullbacks to bomb forward. Sometimes you just would like to treat your 6.0 defender almost like a midfielder that starts every week, and yet they just don't do enough to justify their price tag. GJ, Enrique and Walker all disappointed, and while the Clean Sheets are there to back it up, I guess that's what you invest in them for. Onto the important stuff then.
Top All Rounders:
Tier 1: Suarez, Bale, Rooney, Snodgrass,
Tier 2: RVP, Gerrard, Downing, Tevez, Pienaar
To be Given Verdict:
All-Rounders: Morrison, Bale, Rooney, Snodgrass, Gerrard, Downing, Tevez, Pienaar
Shooters/Creators: Young
Morrison
1 Key Pass and 1 Attempt at goal says it all really. Can't get the heat maps up, but I would like to dismiss Morrison's no-show this gameweek due to his new position replacing Mulumbu. Not on Watchlist
Bale
Gareth Bale managed to get 6 shots, but only 1 on target at home against Stoke, who usually defend deep and tactically speaking, Gareth Bale shouldn't be able to do much. Wouldn't jump on the Bale bandwagon yet, but I'd monitor one more game to see what happens when Spurs' fixtures ease up. Watchlist 2
Rooney
Rooney and/or RVP has been a hotly debated topic for quite some time now, and while the opinion is quite split at the moment between detrimental and complementary, stats would suggest that things are looking closer to the latter. I'd recommend him as a differential to RVP, but at the moment your front 3 might be better off with Rooney/RVP, Aguero/Tevez and Suarez for good measure.
*Update* I have just pulled up Wayne Rooney's stats and AY CARAMBA they are magnificent. 8 attempts on target evenly spread throughout the match is a fantastic sign, and his 3 key passes (1 from a cross by the way) shows that Rooney is picking up his game. I wouldn't be worried about him not getting 90 minutes, and considering United's decent fixtures coming up, Rooney's a fantastic differential for me up front. Another good game like this and I'm cashing in on my RVP profit. Watchlist 1
Snodgrass
Robert Snodgrass makes history (here at least) by being the first player to make the Wishlist. Initially as part of my plans to draft in for Nolan, I decided to let fixtures get the better of me and rest Nolan for the sake of it, and Snodgrass has been outpunching him week after week, in terms of FPL points as well as underlying stats. Wishlist
Gerrard
Oh Stevie. How is it you manage to generate those stats with Jonjo Shelvey positionally more offensive than you just baffles me. Might have to rewatch this game since Squawka still refuses to give me full data on the game, so until then he's on the optmistic side of my watchlist.
*Update* After going through Gerrard's stats, I can fully verify that Steven Gerrard is becoming a force to be reckoned with. While most of his passes are from within proximity of the halfway line, when he gets forward he really, really uses it, which is an encouraging sign for him really. I'm not sure whether he's enough of a goal threat at the moment to dislodge my current luxury mids of Silva and Mata, but when these stats look consistent enough I'd consider him over Silva as a decent differential, especially when Tevez hits FPL form. Watchlist 1
Downing
Sterwart Downing is an odd case really, and being me, I shall give him the benefit of the doubt as I am sick of all the Sterling and Enrique debates going on. Liverpool's 4-2-3-1 is something new however, and I would sincerely like to see how this compares to the established 4-2-3-1s out there at the moment, but only time can tell really.
*Update* Let me first swallow my pride and admit that Stewart Downing had a really, really good game. Key passes all over the place, even share of corners with Gerrard, at his price he could potentiall be the new Sterling. POTENTIALLY. Playing as the right sided midfielder of a 4-2-3-1 has its perks, and he's certainly worth picking up for Liverpool's easy home games, but at the moment he's on the monitor list as he has earned it. Watchlist 2
Tevez
As many stats websites have stated, Tevez's stats are MONUMENTAL despite not regularly getting 90 minutes. I watched the full Man City-Reading and Tevez's goal scoring opportunities were the real clear cut ones, and it's probably a matter of time before Tevez catches fire again. It's just a case of doing everything right and not scoring really. Hope that Mancini doesn't misinterpret this and benches him or something. But he'll definitely be my recommendation of the week. Wishlist
Pienaar
Steven Pienaar has predictably become the man to step up for Everton whilst Fellaini's getting his hair done in a really, really nice salon. Without Squawka's stats, I wouldn't be able to identify where Pienaar's shots, crosses and key passes have come FROM, but if anyone can kindly comment on where I can those I'll do the digging for you :). Until then, I'm putting him on monitor as I'm still not sure why he's doing so well.
*Update* Just had a look at Pienaar's stats. For an Everton away game, the patterns are quite obvious. He's rarely involved with play inside the penalty area, which is what you'd expect given his partnership with an overlapping Leighton Baines on the flanks. His attempts at goal were all OUTSIDE THE BOX except for his goal (which I have yet to see on video by the way, so I'm guessing it's a far post header or something).
If you like a shooter from outside the box then by all means pick him up, but the best I'd give him is a short term contract in my team. Nevertheless, good stats are good stats and with Jelavic and Anichebe to aim at he hasn't got much to lose really. Watchlist 2
Young
Ashley Young had been identified as a differential by many over the last couple of weeks, mainly due to his 2 assists against Man City and some other team I think. I was unsure about his playing time initially after identifying that Young (and United's starting XI in those 2 games) would be saved for the big matches, but starting the same XI against Swansea could hint at some regularity in United's starting lineup. Young had a decent game against the Swans, and here we will identify just how effective he was.
Firstly in terms of movement and passes,Young was literally all over the place. Spreading passes from the flanks as well as the center, his attempt at being involved all over the pitch is an encouraging sigh for his owners, but sadly his 4 crosses all came to nothing. What's interesting to note, however, is that Young's significant shots on target were all in the first half, while his 4 crosses all came in the second half, which might indicate a change of strategy by Alex Ferguson. He stays in Watchlist 2 for now, perhaps we'll see some value to his new cemented position after all. Watchlist 2
Conclusion:
Wishlist: Snodgrass, Tevez
Watchlist 1: Rooney, Gerrard, Benteke
Watchlist 2: Bale, Pienaar, Downing, Glen Johnson, Walker, Young
Watchlist Changes: Everyone drops off Watchlist 2 really, bar Glen Johnson and Kyle Walker who I'm refusing to give up on 1) due to Spurs' game against Stoke being an outlier and 2) Glen Johnson's new role under Rodgers' new 4-2-3-1 needing 1 more game to be verified as a drop/keep.
The middle of the watchlist is all red, with United and Liverpool delivering good stats, and differentials Rooney and Gerrard leading the way.
Well I needed an excuse last week to pick up Tevez. The cheapo alternative is Snodgrass. For -8? No way. I will consider in 2 days time.
Well done!
ReplyDeleteInteresting stats!
Rooney was not as bad as people say he was against SWA then. Or maybe the expectation with the standards that he's set!
Thanks