We ain’t afraid of no ghosts. In fact, we seek them – ghost points, that is. Ghost points are fantasy points that do not come from attacking returns or clean sheets. These can come in the form of key passes, successful dribbles, interceptions, accurate crosses, and aerials, among others. Identifying these points is essential for your Fantasy EPL prospects, and our Gameweek 9 Ghost Point Hunters article is here to help!
This Ghost Point Hunters article is based on the Fantrax Scoring System. Check out our Ghost Point Tracker page for the full list of Fantasy EPL players and their respective Ghost Point capabilities!
Gameweek 9 Ghost Point Hunters
Anybody miss the International Break? Well, you have the opportunity to steady the ship this week. And these ghosters/Nathans might help: Nathan Redmond, Nathan Collins, and Armando Broja. These chaps are likely short-term fixes, mind you, but you have to take it a week at a time. The unfortunate soul receiving this week's Dr. Peter Venkman Award is none other than Hwang Hee Chan, who went from hero to zero in an instant. We're all just one move away from humility.
Nathan Redmond
Position: Midfielder
Team: Southampton
Rostered: 45%
Ghost Points Per 90: 7.7
Prospects: Looks like a regular starter and is on set pieces while JWP is out. But his value will drop with Stuart Armstrong and Che Adams coming back, he could face some rotation, and JWP will reclaim sets after this GW.
Verdict: Pick him up now; if you already roster him, trade out on a high after Burnley.
Fantasy deity, "Saint Nate", who has helped or hindered our teams for years, regained his wings this past GW. Everyone who has played this game long enough has a Nathan Redmond story and some residual feelings about that experience that lead you to pick him up time and time again or perpetually ignore him. Regardless of those experiences, Redmond had some things going for him this past GW, which led the TDS team to hype him across the board. First, with fellow Draft FPL stalwart JWP out with a red card suspension, he took over set piece duty as expected. Second, he and the Saints had a favorable matchup against hapless Leeds United at home. Third, he has a great nickname. The result was a 26.5 point explosion, with 19.5 of it coming from scary scores, making him top ghoster this GW. To go along with his assist to his teammate referenced below, Saint Nate dropped 6 Key Passes (makes my heart melt), 1 Shot on Target, 2 Accurate Crosses Not Corners (ACNCs), and 4 Successful Dribbles. Nate Dogg rolling back the years, you gotta love it. Here comes the bad news - it will likely be very short-lived. While he may persist as a high end streamer or MID4/5, a lot of this newfound value stems from his set pieces (hence the disparity between this past GW and his ghost point avg), which will go back to JWP shortly. Enjoy it while you can and trade him out next week. Thanks for the memories, Saint Nate.
Nathan Collins
Position: Defender
Team: Burnley
Rostered: 1%
Ghost Points Per 90: 11.4
Prospects: Deputizing for Ben Mee, who contracted COVID-19, Collins may depart the starting XI soon. Unless Burnley reverts to a back 3 or Tarkowski does one in January.
Verdict: Great streaming option this week against a low-scoring Southampton side. Pick him up!
Next, we have another Nathan. This one, unlike his namesake above, is new to most of us. The Clarets picked up Collins over the summer from Stoke City - Burnley before Burnley was Burnley - to seemingly take over for talisman James Tarkowski when he inevitably leaves for pastures anew. But he has gotten a head start as Tarkowski's CB partner, Ben Mee, tested positive for COVID. And he did not disappoint, posting a tasty 11+ points against mighty Manchester City despite conceding 2 goals. That signals to me that there's gold/ghosties in them thar hills. Indeed, Collins delivered over 15 ghosties, which included 1 Key Pass (good on ya, maybe should start in midfield), 3 Tackles Won, 4 Interceptions, 5 Clearances, 1 Blocked Shot, and 4 Aerials. It is promising that he spread it around but he may have been so active and prolific due to Man City's constant attacks/possession. This matchup with the Saints will be a good indicator if Collins can keep it up. Worth a punt if you need a defensive streamer and could be a long term option if the rumors are true and Burnley has plans of switching to a back 3. God help us.
Armando Broja
Position: Forward
Team: Southampton
Rostered: 15%
Ghost Points Per 90: 12.5
Prospects: Got a goal on his debut, should keep his starting spot at least for now. Will be worth monitoring to see how Hasenhuttl sets them up long term; Broja will have constant competition from Che Adams & A Armstrong.
Verdict: Pick him up off the waiver wire!
If only he was also named Nathan. GPH scores the Nate brace but the hat trick is elusive. Armando Broja is the 923432th Chelsea loanee to discover some success away from Stamford Bridge, showing up on the south coast this summer. With Adam Armstrong struggling and Che Adams out with a knock, Broja was given the nod against Leeds this past GW and he did the business. In addition to scoring on his debut, tapping in a lovely layoff from Saint Nate, Broja crossed over into the other realm, posting over a dozen scary scores. These stemmed from the following: 1 Key Pass, 3 Shots on Target, 2 Successful Dribbles, and 6 Aerials. Not too shabby. Leeds at home is one of the most favorable matchups one can get at the moment; let's see if he can crack on from here. Broja should at least get some Aerials against Burnley this weekend. As you can see, the GPH has a lot riding on this epic top of the table clash between Southampton and Burnley on Saturday. Again, God help us.
Honorable Mention:
Jamie Shackleton (Leeds MID; 12.5 Ghosts): This is likely a flash in the pan, GPH will need to see more of this before buying into Shacks.
Malang Sarr (Chelsea DEF; 12.5 Ghosts): Given Tuchel roulette, who knows if Sarr gets another start this weekend in a great matchup v Norwich at home. It is worth holding to find out; he is an easy drop if not.
Zanka (Brentford DEF; 11.5 Ghosts): Great nickname for someone named Mathias Jorgensen and tasty ghosts this past GW. Too early to tell if it continues but he is worth considering in a good matchup.
Dr. Peter Venkman Award:
Hwang Hee-Chan (FWD, Wolves): What a difference a gameweek makes. Fresh off a brace and 28 points in GW8, Hwang delivered -1.5 in GW9, ranking dead last (253rd) in the tracker this week. It doesn't get any more boom or bust than this. Wilfried Zaha, eat your heart out. The GPH's raison d'etre is eschewing players like this and opting instead for ghosters that can still put up some points sans attacking returns. With a measly 3.3 ghost point avg, Hwang will likely continue to be hit or miss. Act accordingly.
***Click here to view the full Ghost Point Tracker table!***
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