A difficult Boxing Day fixture served as a stark reminder that Palace must fight until the end of the season to retain their place in the Premier League writes John Wallin.
Their first second season in the top flight since 2005 has been a difficult one, with the Eagles sitting 18th on fifteen points at the end of play on 26 December 2014. The support never waivers, the belief remains firm and supporters look to show their true colours by keeping at least one member of the Palace squad in their Fantasy Premier League XI. Despite the difficulties in the Premier League, there are a handful of quality options to select.
Reigning Player Of The Year, the ageless Julian Speroni, is a popular choice for many as a second goalkeeper is a necessity for fantasy teams. It is easy enough to stick the Argentine on your bench as a token Eagle in your side. In truth, the 35-year-old net-minder is not a poor choice and he is unlikely to hurt your fantasy side while seated firmly on the bench.
With three clean sheets (Burnley, Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane) and having conceded 27 goals, it is unlikely that his 40 saves for Speroni have returned enough value to merit a place in your first team. There are, however, three or four other Eagles who are worth a start particularly if you play Fantasy Premier League Draft at Togga. We have the statistics to back up the boast.
Defender Joel Ward and midfielder Jason Puncheon form a one-two just beneath the top-tier of Palace players for fantasy purposes.
The 25-year-old defender, Ward, plays a premium position, at least by fantasy standards, as his quality attacking play helps to off-set the woeful defensive record. The comparison is, on the surface, a bit one-sided for Puncheon who has a goal and three assists (on 23 chances created, one every 47 minutes).
Ward has recorded none of either (on 15 chances created, one every 115 minutes), but the full tale of the tape makes this an even bout. The former Pompey man has been an impressive defensive force. He is second only to captain Mile Jedinak at the club with 33 interceptions and his 40 tackles won are behind the big Aussie (49) and Martin Kelly (41).
The potent combination of ball-winning and pressing play has lead to solid, if unspectacular, returns in Togga. There are, of course, an occasional crack in the facade, as his recent display against Manchester City illustrated, but you could do worse than to take a punt on starting the Emsworth born lad in your defence.
A player born a bit farther afield, Mile Jedinak, showed his class yet again as the Eagles skipper set-up the consolation goal headed home by Scott Dann late in the game. The Australian has enjoyed a spectacular campaign and is one of the most unheralded stars in the Premier League this term.
Perhaps better known for his defensive prowess, Jedinak leads the League in interceptions with 67 and is second with 49 tackles won. He has displayed a knack for finding the right ball at the right time. With only seven chances created and 11 shots on target, his return of two assists and five goals is borderline obscene. He is certainly not the creative force that his teammate Yannick Bolasie is, but for Fantasy Premier League managers playing in the draft format he is the best option.
Which brings us to Crystal Palace’s most explosive offensive weapon. Yannick Bolasie. The 25-year-old French born, Democratic Republic of the Congo international has been a revelation at Selhurst Park this season.
He leads the club with 44 successful dribbles, boasting 20 more than the pacey Wilfried Zaha (24) and he has created 24 chances (in addition to his three assists). In a salary cap format, he has the added bonus of being an inexpensive acquisition with his price frequently among the lowest in the midfield.
In a draft format, where each player is owned in only one team in each mini league, Bolasie has increased value as a squad player where he can be used as a third or fourth midfielder against only the best match ups. With assists against Newcastle United, Liverpool and Stoke City, Bolasie remains a quality fantasy starter against the mid-table clubs, particularly those with weaker defence and a penchant for conceding the odd goal.
All statistics in this article are courtesy of the Togga website, a Fantasy Premier League Draft game where live leagues are starting all the time. Click the link and start your league today.
Please note that statistics are licensed from Opta and reproduced under agreement.
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