Fantasy week three threw up a number of questions, and solutions, that should have managers on high alert.
The weekend’s marquee fixture, Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium, underlined how the competitive start to the BWSL season is making some premium assets difficult to justify spending on (unless your name is Khadija Shaw or Lauren Hemp, that is).
Is it time to select a budget striker?
The striker trio of Bunny Shaw, Alessia Russo and Aggie Beever-Jones seemed to be set-and-forget just a few weeks ago. However, neither Russo nor Beever-Jones have scored this season, with Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor confirming the latter continues to carry an ankle injury.
Thus, the opportunity to pick up a budget striker now seems like a smart idea. If that appeals to you, then look no further than the BWSL2, where a number of excellent options have unearthed themselves for £5 million or less.
Newcastle United’s forwards are standout across both divisions due to the potential for goal contributions at a relatively low cost. Martha Thomas’ two goals and assist in the 4-1 win over Sheffield United delivered a massive haul of 17 points for her one per cent ownership. The Scotland international is pivotal to Tanya Oxtoby’s side, who show no signs of slowing down on their unbeaten start.
Wolves forward Amber Hughes should also come into your thinking at the same price. She is currently zero per cent owned, despite two goals in two games for a team that is working hard to impress in their first-ever BWSL2 campaign.
Yanna Daniels, Hughes’ teammate, is even cheaper at £4.5 million and already has two goal contributions. These are legitimate differentials who free up funds to splurge elsewhere.
Considering how many inviting options there are at £5.5 million, too, this week is a great reminder not to overlook the second division, where impressive scores are common.
It might be time to scout Olivia Holdt
Tottenham’s brilliant start to the campaign continued on Saturday, with Martin Ho’s side demolishing Crystal Palace 7-0 after Fuka Tsunoda was sent off in the seventh minute.
While the circumstances may have flattered the second-place side, Olivia Holdt’s first start of the season yielded a hat-trick that will force many Fantasy managers to sit up and take notice. Holdt’s limited minutes off the bench in the prior two games has kept her ownership down to four per cent - rather low for a player who netted eight times and provided three assists last season.
Prospective managers should be excited by the positions in which Holdt picked up to impact the scoresheet so dramatically.
She burst into the box with great anticipation for Tottenham’s first goal, providing a simple finish to break Palace’s resolve. Her second was ridiculous; a brilliant left-footed touch before slamming it home with her right from the edge of the area.
That confidence then saw Holdt wrap up a 24-minute blitz by trying her luck from range and powering the ball beyond Pauline Peyraud-Maugnin (who stopped the scoreline becoming double digits).
Both Holdt and Spurs are trending upwards right now. At £7.5 million she’s not cheap, but proven quality, and form, means everything in Fantasy.
Be wary of London City Lionesses’ defence
One extra thought to finish. A number of London City Lionesses’ players are rightfully among the highest-owned players in the game. The anticipation around Eder Maestre’s side is palpable given the quality they possess, especially now those who held Alexia Putellas were rewarded with her first goal contribution this week.
However, a word of warning. The 4-1 win over Charlton once again saw the Lionesses concede from just one shot on target.
Granted, it was a banger from Jodie Hutton, but this is the second time in three matches that the clean sheet has disappeared despite total domination. Simi Awujo also netted from Manchester United’s only shot on the opening day, a pattern that should force Fantasy managers to act with a little caution. Only Jana Fernández averages over 3.5 points per match from Maestre’s defence so far, largely thanks to her goal against Charlton.
Considering how much attacking talent there is to choose from in the Bromley side, it might be a smart idea to start considering moving their defenders on, potentially swapping for Chelsea and Arsenal assets after they’ve faced each other in the next round of fixtures.
