Cianan’s Column: GW15: Pep roulette, Penandes, and Pope

Given the weekly nature of this esteemed column, I’m writing this article focused on GW15 in the midst of the mid-week GW14, as the Wednesday night fixtures are being played. There may have been some crucial developments between now and when you read this, and though the spirit of my advice will (hopefully) hold, do bear that in mind. As always, I’d recommend that managers stay up to date with the latest squad updates before making transfers or choosing their starting 11.

Before we begin, it’s pivotal that managers remember to deploy their remaining free transfers for GW15, as all managers will receive five free transfers ahead of GW16. Thus, any transfers left in the bank following the deadline will be lost as all managers will be topped up to the maximum. In terms of transfers, it’s use them or lose them.

In keeping with the headline, first and foremost, Pep roulette. Foden is likely to be the most popular transfer in for GW15, and while it’s hard to truly discourage potential buyers from such a move, given he’s averaged 16 points a game over the past two gameweeks, a degree of caution is still recommended. Pep roulette (the tendency of Man City’s manager to seemingly rotate his squad at a dice roll) is a powerful force, and Foden is probably due a rest, given his remarkably consistent (and altogether abnormal) playing time since GW5. While we’re on the topic of Man City, Haaland is an inexplicable phenomenon. The Norwegian cursed many managers who triple-captained him in GW13 against Leeds (H), where he unexpectedly blanked, but he returned to form with a 14-pointer, scoring and assisting twice this week. It seems like captaining anyone but him at the moment is playing with fire, and if you choose to do so, you’ll very soon get burnt.

Next up, Penandes, or to use his proper name, Fernandes. Though I confess I’ve deployed his nickname for the sake of an excellent piece of triadic alliteration, his penalty-taking, creativity, and outstanding upcoming fixtures make him a key target. The United captain grabbed a brace of assists and the maximum amount of bonus points in a tough game against Palace (A), so you have to ask yourself what damage he’ll do between now and GW21. Though he hasn’t yet faced West Ham (H) at the time of writing, the subsequent games read like a happy hunting ground for hauls, including Wolves at home and away, as well as Leeds (A) and Burnley (A). Supposedly, he’ll face a late fitness test for the mid-week fixture, but so long as he’s playing or likely to be back for the weekend, he’s a key asset to consider transferring in. Also, United will lose Mbuemo to AFCON shortly, so it’s worth monitoring Cunha for a potential double-up.

Completing the headline trio, we now know Pope will be injured for several weeks, providing a cheap short-term route into the Newcastle defence through replacement keeper Ramsdale. The Magpies face Burnley (H) and Sunderland (A) next up, so assets like Woltemade (who has hauls in three of his last four), the well-rested and electric Guimarães (who grabbed a 7-pointer off the bench against Spurs (H)), and powerhouse central-defender Thiaw (who produced a whopping 16-pointer in GW13) stand as potentially fruitful uses of your transfers. The longer-term fixtures aren’t too shabby either, though owners will need to navigate Chelsea (H) and Man United (H) over the festive period.

Concluding this week’s main body of analysis, let’s talk Arsenal. Timber, who is owned by over a third of managers, was rested in their mid-week fixture, as was talisman Saka, though he still managed to grab a goal off the bench. This should mean secured minutes in GW15 and beyond for both, which is a rose among the thorns for owners who suffered from limited points against Brentford (H). Raya kept a clean sheet, earning his 8th six-point or higher haul of the season. It’s a shame he’s so expensive now, as the Spaniard is without a doubt the best goalkeeper to own, but if you have the funds to spare, you can’t really go too wrong.

Rapid recommendations

● Keep updated on Thiago’s match fitness. If he can play GW15 onwards, he’s a great forward option.
● Continuing with the Brentford discourse, given the prevalence of the AFCON transfers, it’s worth pencilling in a two-game move in midfield for either Schade or one of their defenders, Van de Berg or Collins, for Leeds (H) in GW16 and Wolves (A) in GW17. It’s probably too risky to triple up, however.
● Muñoz continues to be a revelation for Palace. Not owning him right now feels sinful.
● A lot of managers are jumping on Brighton’s Minteh, but his fixtures are hit-and-miss, and he has poor underlying data.
● Semenyo just hasn’t been the same since GW7. While his form will inevitably turn, he’s teetering on the edge of a mandatory departure, particularly since he’s still worth £7.8m.

The Boar standings*

1st: Dwight Club (842) – managed by Cianan Sheekey
2nd: parths11 (813) – managed by Parth Malik
3rd: Jimall Lascelles (795) – managed by Jamie Pakes

*As of Wednesday, 3 December at 00:11