The mother of all bandwagons has stormed into town. Our plans have been scuppered as the template has been torn to shreds by Manchester United’s brand spanking new French teenager.
Anthony Martial’s surge in owners is truly remarkable. His price has risen three times since the last gameweek – something which I have never seen occur to any player in all my time as a fantasy stock market nerd.
Over half a million managers have been lured to his potential in the space of four days as we bear witness to the perfect marriage of form and fixture. The form is self-explanatory: Dude scores three goals in two games. The fixture is also self-explanatory: Dude is up against Sunderland this week, who enjoy committing unspeakable crimes against the art of defending. Add in the fact that the dude plays for the most-supported team in the league and you’ve got a cocktail on the bar that everybody wants a sip of.
It’s a gigantic week for Martial’s now large ownership. Sunderland provides the perfect opportunity for him to continue in this rich vein of form and should definitely be captain material for anybody who owns him. However, if we look beyond the realm of this week, United then travel to Everton and Arsenal before hosting Man City.
If we imagine the impossible might happen this weekend and Martial fails to return points against Sunderland, his new owners are suddenly in a predicament. That’s the big downside with this extraordinary bandwagon, we simply don’t know yet if he’s a flash in the pan.
His arrival on the scene contributes to the breakup of the ‘template’ front three. A misfiring Sergio Aguero and Bafetimbi Gomis have allowed Martial and one Odion Ighalo to move closer to the top of our watchlists as the attacking section of our teams now gains some individuality.
Ighalo has further personified the trends that have existed this year – that the cheap striker market is different this time. At just 5.1, he’s dirt cheap, but still lagging behind Callum Wilson in the ‘third striker’ department, you would think.
That being said, considering the failings of the cheap midfielder market, running with two cheap forwards might be a shrewd tactic.
It has become clear that money needs to be spent to make your midfield an effective one, with a host of mid-to-high priced midfielder providing best consistency.
On top of that, we may have just experienced the re-emergence of a real fantasy force, with Eden Hazard scoring last weekend. Is it now time to do U-turn and get on board Mourinho’s side? With fixtures against Newcastle, Southampton, Villa and West Ham in the next four, you’d have to imagine their defensive assets will at least garner a lot of attention. Is Hazard worth 11.3 right now? Wait another week. Don’t rush into a premium move like that until you’re sure he’s back on song.
Watford's Odion Ighalo celebrates scoring his side's first goal against Swansea earlier this month. Picture by: Adam Davy / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Gameweek 7
Anthony Martial. See above. Captain him if you’ve got him. Keep an eye, also, on the progress of Juan Mata. He may just be the solution to a misfiring Alexis Sanchez, considering the Spaniard has notched attacking returns in three consecutive games.
Let’s jump to the end of the gameweek where West Brom host Everton and, as has been said on this blog for the past fortnight, get on that Albion defence sooner rather than later. Back-to-back clean sheets and, with Palace, Sunderland, Norwich and Leicester coming up after Monday night’s game, there will be more for Tony Pulis’ men. Boaz Myhill, Jonny Evans or Craig Dawson; take your pick.
West Ham’s matchup this week also looks extremely enticing, with Norwich rolling up to Upton Park. Dimitri Payet wreaked havoc last time he played at home, while Diafra Sakho is also finding his feet up front. Some coverage here this week would be highly advisable.
Liverpool may be blunt in attack, but with Aston Villa coming to Anfield this weekend, investment in Brendan Rodgers’ defensive assets looks appropriate. Joe Gomez appears to have lost his place so shelling out the extra cash for Martin Skrtel and his added goal threat from corners might be a nice bit of business this week.
However, I do like Philippe Coutinho’s chances in this match, too. He notched ten shots against Norwich last weekend and you would think it’s high time for him to explode as a midfield bandwagon.
Finally, Odion Ighalo looks poised to continue his goalscoring form when Watford host Crystal Palace, Sergio Aguero might finally bag a goal when he takes on a Spurs side he’s joy against before and watch out for Bojan; the ex-Barca man is dangerously tempting once again and his home tie with Bournemouth this week might just make a turgid Potters outfit ripe for investment.
