Fantasy Football: Brightside hoping for big things in 2016

The new year has already brought us some Premier League action and following a brief hiatus for the cup it’s time to well and truly get excited about the second-half of the season.

That’s certainly the attitude being adopted by the bubbly Mr. Brightside.

He’s predicting ‘big things’ for his Fantasy Football team as the race to earn those all-important bragging rights in the Ladbrokes Life League hots up.

Generous John remains the leader amongst our famous five but how much longer will he cling on for?

Ahead of an extra-special gameweek 21, here’s how they’ve been altering their respective sides…

#MrBrightside

2016, the year of the Brightside!

A strong Christmas for the boys and they now go into the new year full of confidence. The back four all keep their places after a great first half of the season.

I’ve had to make one forced transfer this week after Coutinho picked up a hamstring injury against Stoke.

In comes the potential young player of the year, Dele Alli. He made an impact when coming on against Leicester in the FA Cup and following his lovely goal in the league last time out, I fancy him to cause the Foxes problems at The Lane.

The timing of bringing in Aguero is starting to look good. He repaid the faith after being named captain by getting the winner at Vicarage Road and appears to be bang in form.

He will head the red-hot front three, alongside Ighalo and Lukaku.

Generous John, mind the gap!

#GutTruster

I’ve been going about my business quietly this month, pulling the gap to third place back to within five points.

My transfers this week leave me having pretty much the same midfield as everyone else, so at least I shouldn’t lose any more ground there.

Up top, I couldn’t take a chance on Vardy’s fitness as Lukaku could miss out too – so in comes Arsenal “target” Troy Deeney. He scored again at the weekend, and there’s a massive opportunity for some additional points to hopefully reel in Brightside and GJ.

#GenerousJohn

It was a terrible end to the year for me and I now only hold a 16-point lead over Mr Brightside.

Drastic times call for drastic measures and with that said I’m making two changes this week. The first is in midfield.

Arnautovic has been quality for Stoke this season and already has seven league goals so he comes in for Norwich’s Redmond.

Vardy has been struggling for form and fitness recently, having failed to score in his last few appearances for the Foxes.

Therefore, I’ve had to make a tough decision and it’s Vardy out and Aguero in. City’s main man has fully recovered after his lengthy injury and I expect him to be firing on all cylinders and get back amongst the goals.

Meanwhile, Watford face Southampton on Wednesday night and the Saints’ recent form has made it an easy decision to hand Ighalo the captains armband. The Hornets striker has 14 Premier League goals this season and I can see him adding to that at St Mary’s.

#TheProfessor

Heading into the new year in third place is respectable enough although my short-term aim is to put some daylight between myself and the Gut Truster.

I’ve made only one transfer this week. Everton looked great against Manchester City in the League Cup last week so I’m expecting more of the same from Romelu Lukaku and co.

It’s a calculated gamble but I’m banking on the Belgian international being fit to cause the Etihad outfit more problems.

Elsewhere, Dele Alli has two goals and two assists in his last five games, enough for me to bring him in for the injured Yohan Cabaye.

#TheBeliever

Ever since I put Mitrovic back into the mix, Newcastle have produced the same poor form we saw at the start of the season.

And with Steve McClaren’s side going four games without scoring a goal, the Serbian has to make way.

I’ve taken a bit of a risk in his replacement.  Anthony Martial hasn’t set the Premier League on fire as we all thought he would following his initial spell but with the Toon up next, those attacking woes may be coming to an end.

At the other end of the pitch, Butland’s impressive from has given him the nod ahead of Courtois and Clyne is transferred out for Bournemouth’s Smith, but still remains on the bench.

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