Those who think Fantrax Leagues are won and lost at the draft are wrong. Very wrong.
In fact this is where the winners will be winners because of their sharp eye for a bargain and the losers will be losers because…well, they ignore the Waiver Wire.
Each week, we will analyse those low ownership players that could win you your match up or even become a mainstay in your roster for weeks and months. Here is what the second Waiver Wire of 2021/22 has to offer…
Tino Livramento – Southampton – Defender
As well as having the best name of any player on that Southampton team, Tino Livramento’s early performances have also caught the eye. After two unexpected starts, the young full back is a footballer playing without any fear, characterised by his daring, powerful forward runs.
Few will have rostered Livramento so far due to a difficult start fixture-wise, but a very winnable GW3 matchup against Newcastle United is the time for Fantrax managers to striker. I still don’t see a clean sheet for the Saints back line but attacking returns are surely just around the corner for their attacking full back.
Matt Ritchie – Newcastle United – Midfielder
Staying within the same GW3 fixture and with a player who has featured in a few of our articles already this season. Despite his team’s dour performances, Matt Ritchie is showing the kind of form that saw him become a fantasy darling a few years back.
Following his assist in GW1, Ritchie filled up the stat sheet with 13.5 points this week without any goalscoring contributions. This week sees pointless Newcastle face Southampton (another team without a win on the board) with both teams seeing it as an opportunity to get a positive result. The Magpies will rely on the creativity of Allan Saint-Maximin and Ritchie to supply the bullets for Callum Wilson in a game that already feels like a “must-not-lose” encounter.
Demarai Gray – Everton – Forward
Demarai Gray was my 16th round punt in one draft this season and after a disappointing outing against Southampton on the opening day he was on the chopping block if he failed to turn up against Leeds in GW2. Ninety minutes, one goal and 17 points later, Gray is suddenly in my long term plans. It’s a fickle old game…
Gray looks like a man re-born under Rafael Benitez and seems to finally be showing that potential he’s been threatening to show since he broke through at Leicester (he says after one good performance). There’s always been that feeling that the enigmatic but talented winger has just needed that arm round the shoulder in order to reach his full potential. Well worth the punt if you’ve got the roster space to spare.
Fantasy Football 92 