IT’S a strong start for Dream Team gaffer Toby Hemming in his quest to win a PlayStation 5 via January’s Monthly competition.
His XI ‘Last Minute’ racked up 122 points in Game Week 17, more than any other active team.
There’s still a way to go before the PS5 is claimed but let’s take a closer look at Toby put himself in pole position in the last week.
As you can see, Toby thought outside the box and that all started with Fulham’s second-choice goalkeeper Marek Rodak (£1.4m), who returned eight points from a rare run out against Hull in the FA Cup.
Tailoring your XI to a specific Game Week in hope of earning mega gains is a perfectly viable tactic and Toby has pulled it off superbly here.
Although there’s nothing funky about an all-Newcastle defence given the Magpies boast the best defensive record in the Premier League this season.
Saying that, Eddie Howe’s men suffered a shock defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in the cup but normal service was resumed when the first-choice XI was reunited for the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Leicester in midweek.
Toby actually missed out on Dan Burn’s (£4.3m) goal against the Foxes but his other Toon defenders combined for 18 points in Game Week 17.
Bruno Guimaraes (£3.6m) enjoyed his third-best Game Week of the campaign, registering 11 points.
The Brazilian midfielder scored Newcastle’s consolation goal against the Owls and made it back-to-back 7+ ratings with an assured display against the Foxes.
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Backing the right Man City midfielders is no simple task due to Pep Guardiola’s rotation policy but Toby got it spot on this past week as Riyad Mahrez (£5.5m) and Phil Foden (£5m) combined for 28 points.
The Algerian winger scored a brace in his side’s 4-0 win over Chelsea, an effort that earned him the Star Man award, while the England youngster scored one of his own and was credited with an assist for winning one of the converted penalties.
Toby would have expected further returns from the Citizens but they were upset by Southampton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
It has to be said that Antony’s (£3.8m) inclusion proved to be a masterstroke.
The Brazilian has blown hot and cold in Man United colours since his big-money move from Ajax but he scored the opening goal in both the Red Devils’s cup games (Everton, Charlton) in Game Week 17 for a 16-point return.
Up top, it was a rare fallow week for Erling Haaland (£8.8m) but his ownership is so high (74.1%) that it almost doesn’t matter how many points he gets as pretty much every gaffer chasing glory has him in their team.
In contrast, Marcus Rashford (£5.4m) filled his boots with three goals and an assist across his two fixtures for a 28-point haul.
Old Trafford’s No10 has banked a whopping 61 points since returning from the World Cup – he’s Dream Team’s most in-form asset!
Last but not least, Mohamed Salah (£8.8m) scored his 16th goal of the season in Liverpool’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Wolves for a eight-point return.
There have been fewer headlines written about the Egyptian this term but he’s amassed 149 points to date – a legendary Dream Team asset.
Excellent work, Toby, good luck to you and all gaffers ahead of Game Week 18.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
