GW19 Player Rater Update

I've found a spare half hour so here's an update to the Player Rater model. Nothing special, but I thought I'd update the model so that those wildcarding early and wanting to use the model can do so with the latest data included. I've got a few ideas for articles to help with those tricky wildcard decisions, but I don't want to colour people's interpretations of the model too much.

As for a quick round-up of the last few games, in defence it's all been about Seamus Coleman who has scored 3 times in the last 4 games. Long term readers will know my love for Coleman and I tipped him in the very first player rater update in GW8 as he was coming off the back of 4 pts in 4 weeks! The power of models like this one is it not influenced by recent points and looks at the performance of players, not the results. Coleman is no doubt due to regress, I don't think he'll hit double figures this year, but he still possesses more goal threat than any of defender. Elsewhere and Mertesacker, Ward and Bardsley have had a good few gameweeks, all off of the back of cleansheets and bonus points, while Debuchy has converted his attacking potential into assists.

In the last update in GW16 I highlighted the much anticipated return of Theo Walcott, 2 goals and an assist since then signals his potential as one of the best midfield prospects. He may well have to wrestle that title from Eden Hazard however, he now sits a top of the midfielders in the FPL game thanks in part to Ramsey's recent injury. Two goals and 5 bonus points in the last 3 show that he shouldn't be ignored and has settled the debate over whether Hazard or Oscar is the best Chelsea midfielder to own. Yohan Cabaye has also scored twice in the last 3 GWs, and sits alongside Adam Lallana as brilliant mid-priced prospects that offer reliability of minutes and strong attacking potential. The absence of Gerrard signalled to many a dip in Liverpool's performances but quite the opposite has happened and they have been the victim of poor refereeing decisions in away losses to Man City and Chelsea. Henderson and Sterling have been the fantasy beneficiaries of this, but it remains to be seen what their prospects are when Gerrard returns as expected on New Years Day.

Finally, forwards have been a pretty sorry story. With Aguero and Rooney missing games through injury, Suarez facing tough fixtures and Lukaku not finding the net in 5 games, those that dared to be different and went with Adebayor or Dzeko have reaped the rewards. I'm still not convinced by any of these options, aside from Jay Rodriguez who earned himself 50,000 new owners off the back of a 2 goal and 1 assist display away at Cardiff. With 6 goals prior to that Rodriguez had somewhat flown under the radar, but the model did flag him as a possible Aguero replacement. He's certainly the only cheap forward I would consider for my team.

That's all for this round up, I wish you all a Happy New Year and I can't wait for transfer silly season, FA Cup 3rd Round and the FPL wildcard in January!