A TIP of the hat to Martyn Frankson, Game Week 19’s top Dream Team gaffer.
The Everton fan amassed 162 points this past week thanks to a healthy allotment of big names and a couple savvy bargains.
Let’s take a closer look at how he topped the pile…
A brilliant blenddream team
By now, Dream Team gaffers know that Newcastle’s defensive assets are ultra reliable and two more clean sheets meant Nick Pope (£5.3m), Fabian Schar (£5m) and Kieran Trippier (£6.6m) combined for 50 points.
The latter is now 21 points shy of bringing up his double century having earned a whopping SEVEN Star Man awards – the most of any player so far this season.
Martyn’s stroke of genius was not going all in on Eddie Howe’s defence; instead of backing Sven Botman (£4.7m) or Dan Burn (£4.9m) he opted for Lisandro Martinez (£4.4m).
The Argentine centre-back scored against Arsenal and earned a 7+ rating to counteract the minus points he endured because Man United conceded three to the Gunners.
Martinez then scooped a Star Man award after ensuring his side kept a clean sheet against Nottingham Forest in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg in midweek.
The Red Devils’ No6 banked 19 points in total to finish level with Trippier as Game Week 19’s best defender.
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Both Kevin De Bruyne (£7.2m) and Riyad Mahrez (£6.1m) are among the top three midfielders overall and the Man City pair combined for a steady ten points this past week.
Bukayo Saka (£4.3m) scored a wonderful long-distance goal on Sunday to pouch eight points at the expense of Erik ten Hag’s side.
Martyn brilliantly complemented these three popular superstars with Kaoru Mitoma (£2.6m).
The Japan international scored a pleasing curled effort from the edge of the box against Leicester, his fifth goal in his last nine games at club level.
The 25-year-old features in just 0.5% of teams which meant Martyn was among a tiny minority of managers who benefited from the winger’s 13-point haul.
One of many Brighton assets punching above their weight
In contrast, Erling Haaland (£9.1m) is by far the most-popular asset in the game with a massive ownership of 74.2%.
Man City’s prolific No9 scored his fourth Premier League hat-trick of the campaign to take Wolves for 28 points – his total now stands at a ginormous 256.
Elsewhere, Marcus Rashford (£5.7m) continued his scoring flurry with goals against Arsenal and Forest, he’s scored ten goals since returning from the World Cup.
Man United’s boy wonder added 16 points to his total this past week and his ownership is up to 31.7%.
Last but by no means least it’s Eddie Nketiah (£3.5m), another of Martyn’s savvy bargains.
Arsenal’s junior poacher bagged a brace in the entertaining 3-2 win over Man United and scooped the Star Man award in the process to claim 18 points.
Impressive work from a Dream Team boss who clearly has his finger on the pulse.
Good luck to all gaffers for Game Week 20!