Fantasy Premier League 2013 Week 7: Players to Ditch This Weekend

Much like a real manager, Barclays Premier League fantasy football players need to know when their expensive stars are underperforming.

As we head into Gameweek 7, there’s a plethora of individuals who should come into your crosshairs. Perhaps the fixture list is stacking up an unfortunate run of games, the player in question isn’t cutting it on the pitch or maybe he is spending an increased amount of time on the bench.

Whatever the reason, your willingness to exchange deadwood for fresh talent can make all the difference on this season’s game. With prices fluctuating on a daily basis, let’s take a look at the players to ditch for the next round of fixtures.

Analysis

Goalkeepers

Joe Hart has won the Premier League’s Golden Gloves award consecutively for three years, but the Manchester City stopper is struggling to string a consistent run of form together. Although the England No. 1 has managed three clean sheets in six games, when things go wrong, they go very wrong.

Hart has conceded three goals in matches against Cardiff City and Aston Villa this season. Although Manchester City have let in just one goal during four Premier League home games—Wayne Rooney’s superb free kick in the Manchester derby—ditching Hart against Everton is a smart move.

With City heading away to West Ham and Chelsea after facing the Toffees, now’s the time to do it.

For Tim Krul of Newcastle United, upcoming fixtures against Liverpool, Sunderland, Chelsea and Tottenham ensures getting rid of him now is the best bet if you want to earn decent money. After the Magpies’ next game with Cardiff, his valuation will drop.

Defenders

Manchester United’s ability to concede sloppy goals is making it extremely difficult to recommend any of the Red Devils’ defence right now. Bottom of the pile is Rio Ferdinand, who continues to labour under the disadvantage of old age.

Ferdinand, 34, made vital mistakes in the losses to Manchester City and West Brom, making him a woeful pick. Similarly, Brede Hangeland’s usually respectable haul of points is suffering alongside Fulham’s inability to keep a clean sheet.

Pablo Zabaleta, similarly to teammate Hart, continues to struggle. He was responsible for at least one of Cardiff City’s goals in the 3-2 loss, and after a decent assist against Hull, he has slipped toward a disappointing lack of form. Perhaps Jesus Navas’ place in the City side, which sees Zabaleta regularly bombing down the wing, has something to do with it.

Phil Jagielka has played excellently for Everton this season, but his current price of £5.5 represents a good time to sell. Roberto Martinez’s men face Manchester City in Gameweek 7 and have tough fixtures against Spurs and Liverpool on the horizon, ensuring Jagielka's chances of a clean sheet are minimal.

For Steven Whittaker of Norwich City, a total of eight minutes playing time across the past two games renders the early season high scorer useless.

Midfielders

Hatem Ben Arfa has highlighted his explosive talents with decent contributions across previous weeks, but underlining Newcastle’s upcoming run of fixtures once more, the French international is bound to lose steam.

Fans of Andre Schurrle may also want to act with caution. Jose Mourinho’s decision to continue switching his pack is likely to see the German’s run of games come to an abrupt halt, especially if the Portuguese manager starts providing Juan Mata with time on the pitch. There is little point having a rotation player who costs £7.4, so be sure to ditch.

Martin Jol made a huge call to lug Alex Kacaniklic off the Craven Cottage pitch during Fulham’s 2-1 loss to Cardiff. The Swedish international was substituted before half-time and will find it difficult to hold down a place in the side, especially as replacement Bryan Ruiz scored on his return.

The same can be said for Scott Sinclair, who would have had many fantasy football players excited on his West Brom arrival. The English winger is yet to play a full game for Steve Clarke’s team and has never exceeded more than 75 minutes at the Hawthorns.

For Kevin Nolan, away games against Tottenham and Swansea sandwich a home tie with Manchester City. The experienced West Ham midfielder has one goal and one assist to his name this season, but his attacking productivity is struggling to match up to the high standards he set last year.

Strikers

Dimitar Berbatov is so classy on his day, but as with the rest of Fulham’s squad, he appears to have forgotten how to play football. The bumbling Bulgarian is yet to score this season and has picked up two yellow cards, as reported by WhoScored. Do yourself a favour and spend the £7.2 elsewhere.

Since netting on his Norwich debut against Everton, Ricky van Wolfswinkel’s play has lacked a certain bite. He has scored two points in each of his past five games and continues to miss decent opportunities in front of goal.

The Canaries certainly need a goalscorer, but right now, that isn’t “The Wolf,” especially as Arsenal and Chelsea loom next for Chris Hughton’s men.

Roberto Soldado’s assist in Spurs’ 1-1 draw with Chelsea hides the fact he is scoring well below his potential. Since netting two penalties in the first fortnight of the season, the former Valencia man has failed to score in the Premier League.

Now that Jermain Defoe is hitting a decent run of form from the bench, Soldado’s playing time will take a hit. You can pick up a wealth of stars at his price of £9.5 and would be wise to ditch the 28-year-old right now.

Which players are you going to drop heading into Gameweek 7? Let us know in the comments section below and be sure to discuss fantasy football with me on Twitter:

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