As Gameweek nine of the 2011/2012 Premier League season comes to an end, it's time to look at the stand-out performers based on their 'Fantasy Football' value.
Whether you compete against your friends on the official Premier League game or have a work league on The Sun's website, the majority of football fans across the country will raise a cheeky smile when their 'Fantasy Captain' bags a hat-trick or when their best mate's goalkeeper lets in a 95th minute howler...
Whether you compete against your friends on the official Premier League game or have a work league on The Sun's website, the majority of football fans across the country will raise a cheeky smile when their 'Fantasy Captain' bags a hat-trick or when their best mate's goalkeeper lets in a 95th minute howler...
And with that, here is a guide to the outstanding players, so far, who will guarantee you those vital points come match day.
MICHEL VORM
Team: Swansea City
Position: Goalkeeper
Minutes Played: 810
Goals Conceded: 14
Clean Sheets: 4
FF Points: 42
FF Value: £4.3m
Vorm has been one of Swansea's outstanding players in his maiden Premier League season so far. Along with Scott Sinclair and Danny Graham, the Dutch 'keeper has impressed, managing four clean sheets in nine games for the Welsh side who were tipped for relegation pre-season.
In terms of 'Fantasy Value', Vorm would be an ideal reserve goalkeeper with his small price-tag, given that Swansea are susceptible to conceding away from home quite regularly. He hasn't yet conceded at the Liberty Stadium though and there is no reason that he can't maintain his recent good form against a struggling Bolton side this weekend.
Next Game: Bolton Wanderers (H)
STEVEN TAYLOR
Team: Newcastle United
Position: Defender
Minutes Played: 810
Clean Sheets: 4
Assists: 1
FF Points: 43
FF Value: £5.1m
Newcastle remain unbeaten nine games into the new Premier League season and the 'Magpies' are sitting pretty in fourth place.
Steven Taylor has been outstanding at the heart of the Newcastle defence and his performances so far this season have seen his 'Fantasy Value' already increase by £0.6m.
If Newcastle can maintain this current vein of form and continue to compete with the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and the two Manchester sides, there is no reason why you shouldn't start Taylor in your side week in, week out.
Next Game: Stoke City (A)
RYAN TAYLOR
Team: Newcastle United
Position: Defender
Minutes Played: 810
Clean Sheets: 4
Goals Scored: 1
FF Points: 45
FF Value: £4.8m
Ryan Taylor has been as impressive, if not more, than his namesake, Steven Taylor in the Newcastle United defence.
With four clean sheets to his name and a solitary goal, Taylor has rocketed up in value since the start of the season where he began at a bargain price of £4m.
With a tough trip to Stoke coming up for Newcastle, it will be interesting to see how Taylor deals with the likes of Jermaine Pennant, Matthew Etherington and Peter Crouch. If the Magpies manage to come away from the Britannia Stadium with a clean sheet, or even a victory, I think the rest of the Premier League would stand up and finally take notice of the Alan Pardew's rejuvenated side.
Next Game: Stoke City (A)
VINCENT KOMPANY
Team: Manchester City
Position: Defender
Minutes Played: 810
Clean Sheets: 4
Goals Scored: 1
FF Points: 41
FF Value: £6.2m
There is no doubt that Vincent Kompany is a huge talent and he has improved steadily since his £6m move from Hamburg to the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City remain unbeaten so far this season and, after their 6-1 demolition job of arch-rivals United this weekend, confidence will no doubt be high in the City camp.
With the likes of Joe Hart, Gael Clichy, Micah Richards and Joleon Lescott playing alongside Kompany, the defender from Belgium has a key part to play in anyone's fantasy side.
Next Game: Wolverhampton Wanderers (H)
RAFAEL VAN DER VAART
Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Position: Midfielder
Minutes Played: 513
Goals Scored: 5
Assists: 2
FF Points: 53
FF Value: £9.9m
Rafael Van der Vaart is an extremely valuable fantasy player in that he is classed as a midfielder on most websites, but his position for Tottenham encourages the Dutchman to attack at every opportunity, resulting in a large number of goals from midfield.
Combine Van der Vaart with Jermaine Defoe, Gareth Bale and Emmanuel Adebayor and suddenly you have a dangerous attack that is capable our ripping most Premier League defences to shreds.
As Tottenham continue to improve and Van der Vaart fully recovers from his recent injury problem, most fantasy team owners will be reluctant to leave the Dutch international out of their side.
Next Game: QPR (H)
FRANK LAMPARD
Team: Chelsea
Position: Midfielder
Minutes Played: 675
Goals Scored: 4
Assists: 3
FF Points: 49
FF Value: £11.7m
Frank Lampard performs exceptionally well every season and in previous years the English midfielder has been essential to any Fantasy football side.
This year, however, has been slightly different with Lampard's performances being questioned by the media and a small pocket of Chelsea fans. This then prompted Andre Villas-Boas to drop Lampard from his Chelsea starting eleven against Swansea in September.
Lampard responded to this, however, with a hat-trick in the next game against Bolton and succeeded in quieting his critics for the time being.
Chelsea face Arsenal next at Stamford Bridge before travelling away to Blackburn the following week and Lampard will be hoping to add to his four goals and three assists that ensure fantasy owners an abundance of valuable points.
Next Game: Arsenal (H)
DAVID SILVA
Team: Manchester City
Position: Midfielder
Minutes Played: 711
Goals Scored: 3
Assists: 6
FF Points: 61
FF Value: £10.2m
David Silva has lit up the Premier League since his £24m move from Valencia to Manchester City. The Spanish international is a mesmerising player to watch and presumably a joy to play alongside for the likes of James Milner and Gareth Barry.
Every season there is usually one player who should feature in every fantasy team, and this year it's Silva...
His vision, passing accuracy and immense skill are just a few reasons why Premier League defenders have failed to stop Silva this season and defensive coaches will be manically producing a plan to prevent the Spanish 'magician' from waltzing through their team's back line.
At the low price of £10.2m for such a hugely influential and consistent player there is only one piece of advice that I can give you.
Buy him and make him your team captain now...
Next Game: Wolverhampton Wanderers (H)
NANI
Team: Manchester United
Position: Midfielder
Minutes Played: 666
Goals Scored: 3
Assists: 3
FF Points: 51
FF Value: £10.2m
Nani is one of the most frustrating but valuable fantasy midfielders that you will come across.
His inconsistent tendencies can result in weeks of average performances with the likes of Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young taking centre stage but, on occasion, Nani can be outstanding.
The Portuguese midfielder is quick, agile and can strike a ball. On a good day he can be difficult to stop and, in the past, he has wreaked havoc on numerous Premier League defences, but sign Nani with caution.
His good performances come in little spurts but, if you can correctly predict these, you'll be well ahead of the competition.
Next Game: Everton (A)
WAYNE ROONEY
Team: Manchester United
Position: Forward
Minutes Played: 652
Goals Scored: 9
Assists: 3
FF Points: 67
FF Value: £12.4m
Wayne Rooney. You either love or hate him...
But, whatever you think of the Manchester United striker, you can't deny his ability. Rooney leads the fantasy points table heading into Gameweek ten with nine goals and three assists.
Rooney's energetic performances often result in bonus points being thrown his way and his penalty and free-kick taking attributes help to pile on points when chances in open play are few and far between.
The 6-1 hammering by Manchester City on the weekend will no doubt be playing on Rooney's mind when he takes to the field against his former club, Everton, on Saturday and you can count on United's talisman to be hitting the back of the net on a regular basis for the rest of the season.
Next Game: Everton (A)
EDIN DZEKO
Team: Manchester City
Position: Forward
Minutes Played: 432
Goals Scored: 8
Assists: 2
FF Points: 55
FF Value: £8.4m
Edin Dzeko started life at City fairly slowly. There were big question marks over his ability and his £27m price-tag looked ever so slightly out of proportion.
Fast forward a few months and now Dzeko is scoring goals for fun. Admittedly, four of his eight Premier League goals came in one game against Tottenham but you can't disagree with his statistics.
His fantasy value remains low, however, with Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli often preferred by Roberto Mancini but if the Bosnian continues to impress when being brought on as sub for City, it will only be a matter of time before he secures a spot in the starting XI.
Next Game: Wolverhampton Wanderers (H)
SERGIO AGUERO
Team: Manchester City
Position: Forward
Minutes Played: 501
Goals Scored: 9
Assists: 2
FF Points: 66
FF Value: £11.2m
Sergio Aguero has made the transition from La Liga football to the Premier League look extremely easy.
Aguero has scored or created a goal in six of Man City's nine Premier League games so far this season, bearing in my that he missed the 4-1 home win against Aston Villa last weekend.
On current form, it's difficult to leave Aguero out of your side but with the squad that Mancini has at his disposal it wouldn't be surprising if he rested the Argentinean striker this weekend against Wolves.
Next Game: Wolverhampton Wanderers (H)
Selected Others...
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City) - £5.2m
Ali Al-Habsi (Wigan Athletic) - £4.5m
Micah Richards (Manchester City) - £6.0m
Anton Ferdinand (QPR) - £4.6m
Ashley Young (Manchester United) - £10.2m
Seb Larsson (Sunderland) - £6.6m
Robin Van Persie (Arsenal) - £12.1m
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) - £7.3m
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City) - £5.2m
Ali Al-Habsi (Wigan Athletic) - £4.5m
Micah Richards (Manchester City) - £6.0m
Anton Ferdinand (QPR) - £4.6m
Ashley Young (Manchester United) - £10.2m
Seb Larsson (Sunderland) - £6.6m
Robin Van Persie (Arsenal) - £12.1m
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa) - £7.3m
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