Crusat played well at Newcastle despite the 1-0 loss
Wigan have lost six matches in a row. They haven’t won since August. They’ve scored only 6 goals in 9 matches. Dreadful stuff. Just absolutely dreadful.
But will that stop us from selecting one of their least known players as our Funny Feeling Friday this week? Nope. Hear us out…
While past performance isn’t always a predictor of future performance, we have luck on our side as we selected Rodallega as our FFF in August for Wigan’s only win of the season – a game in which the Colombian racked up 7 fantasy points… So we have some luck on our side..
But more seriously, Albert Crusat showed his great dribbling ability, pace, and heart last week in the 1-0 loss at Newcastle, and coming in at just 4.8M as a budget priced midfielder owned by 0% of fantasy managers, he offers an interesting option in the next few weeks.
Crusat came over in the summer from Spain – where he scored 33 goals in 199 appearances in La Liga, and Roberto Martinez hailed him as a Charles N’Zogbia replacement. He’s suffered from an ankle injury the first 2-3 months of the season and has only played 102 minutes in the league – with 0 goals and 0 assists – but his price is down to 4.8M now and he looks an attractive budget option coming off a solid display at Newcastle.
Wigan’s schedule is superb over the next month – Fulham, Wolves, Blackburn and Sunderland and the club actually do have some players with Premier League quality. Hugo Rodallega at 6M won’t be owned in fantasy circles with the likes of Sturridge in a similar price range, but the Colombian is a dangerous player. Crusat could assist Rodallega in the coming weeks if they develop a good understanding. Victor Moses is another player who Wigan hope will fill the boots of the departed N’Zogbia – and his pace and power have shown flashes of brilliance but he has lacked end product. At 4.7M, like Crusat, he is a cheap option.
Lastly, Ben Watson is the best bet of the bunch. Watson is just 5.3M and hogs set pieces and runs the show in the middle of the park for Martinez’s men. A poor man’s David Silva, then. A very poor man’s David Silva – but one that will finish with 4-5 goals and 4-5 assists this year with a budget price tag.
But back to Crusat. He’s our selection this week. Though any of the four aforementioned Wigan strugglers could strike at home to Fulham, it’s Crusat who will be the most surprising scorer. One of the shortest players in the league at 5 ft 4 in, he’s interesting to watch play – and what he lacks in size he sure made up in heart against Newcastle. A really robust display. Work ethic. Stamina. Pace.
Crusat is iterally selected by 0.0% of fantasy managers. Maybe 5 Wigan fans playing fantasy football own him. Wigan are the worst attacking team in the league. They haven’t won since August. Yup, we’re crazy.
But I’ll take my chances with the 29 year old winger born in Barcelona to stay injury free over the next three fixtures (FUL – wol – BLA) and provide a goal and an assist over that timeframe – to the shock of fantasy managers, but to the delight of Wigan fans and Roberto Martinez.
Maybe the Latics aren’t going down after all?
Albert Crusat, your Funny Feeling Friday. Good luck to all fantasy managers.
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I love how you put yourself down in the beginning of each article:
“Wigan have lost six matches in a row. They haven’t won since August. They’ve scored only 6 goals in 9 matches. Dreadful stuff. Just absolutely dreadful.”
A bold choice once again and those five Wigan fans will be hoping you are right.
Who? I have literally never heard of him up to this point. I have Moses currently but not sure whether to make the switch, since Moses makes so many shots (and you’d figure one of them has to go into the net some day, right?)
@john smith if its any prize on the side i was shocked moses didnt net more in in those first three games…he had a few quality chances and will without a doubt find the net eventually. my only concern—how long are you willing to wait. wigan have fulham/wolves/blackburn/sunderland….not exactly the HARDEST schedule (in my opinion they need some points from these games to be a bottom/midtable side…) but then arsenal/westbrom/chelsea/liverpool.
food for thought?
Yeah, I’ll have to re-evaluate after this week. If Crusat scores I might just dump Moses for him.
side note. after liverpool its man u. point- ok short term NO long term
Saw Crusat on Sunday v Wolves – forget Warwick Davies, Crusat is the new leader amongst dwarfs