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 28 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 28 Ghost Point Hunters
Welcome to GW28 - aka Double Gameweek Mania. While this entire season could be described as such, this GW really is a delectable medley of DGWs, with no less than 8 teams experiencing the wonders of a DGW. But here at GPH HQ, we're going to look beyond the shiny chimera of double points and find some ROS trends. Just kidding, all three have DGWs. This was all a long wind-up to introduce this week's ghosters. Here are the folks on the big board: Matt Targett; Imran Louza; & Ryan Fraser (yes, GPH played against 2017's Ryan Fraser this past GW but is putting aside the seething bitterness). Honorable Mention includes: Matt Doherty (speaking of 2017...); Marcal; Kyle Walker-Peters & Grant Hanley (feels good to promote Manly Hanley again). Meanwhile, the Dr. Peter Venkman Award goes to Fabio Silva.
Matt Targett
Position: Defender
Team: Newcastle
Rostered: 86%
Ghost Points Per Start: 8.5
Ghost Points Last GW: 17
Prospects: Nailed on at LB and could be taking some of the attacking opportunities/pts vacated by the injured Kieran Trippier.
Verdict: With Newcastle bang in form, Targett ghosting, and Newcastle with games to make up, he becomes a top trade target. Try opening with a MID3/4+DEF4 (e.g., Mac Allister + Davies).
Once a fantasy darling, Targett has had a turbulent season. Not fancied at Villa by new manager Steven Gerrard and then supplanted by Lucas Digne, he left for pastures anew in the northeast. Now he is starting to get back to his ghosting self in Newcastle. This past GW, he secured ghosties from everywhere: 4 Key Passes, 2 Shots on Target (tempted to add another t); 1 Accurate Cross Not a Corner (ACNC); 2 Interceptions; 4 Clearances; & 1 Successful Dribble. Granted, it was against a hapless Brentford who ultimately went down to 10 men.
But Targett has it in his locker to go supernatural - he has posted double digit ghosts in 3 of his last 4. And if/when the attacking returns - his tasty crosses have yet to meet the flesh forehead of Chris Wood and ricochet into the net - it will be open season. Whisper it, but Newcastle has also shored up its backline, conceding the fewest goals (3) in the top flight in 2022. Even more clean-sheets may be on the horizon. Add the litany of DGWs in Newcastle's future and one would be mad not to try and get him in. Get on it!
Imran Louza
Position: Midfielder
Team: Watford
Rostered: 1%
Ghost Points Per Start: N/A
Ghost Points This Past GW: 10.5
Prospects: Seemingly now in Roy's preferred XI (3 straight starts) but keep an eye out in case he is rotated. Watford is a fickle mistress.
Verdict: Potential streamer for DGWs.
This one is under the radar AF. But this is what you depend on GPH for - doing the dirty work to painfully scout unfancied players from unfancied teams. Imran Louza fits the mould. The Moroccan midfielder came over in the summer from Nantes in France but hadn't yet found his footing. But that appears to be changing. Three starts on the trot for Louza and 2 double digit scary scores in the past 3. New boy Kayembe has had to make way. Let's see if this continues but he is definitely worthy of a closer look.
This past GW, Louza procured 1 Key Pass, 1 Shot on Target, 6 Interceptions (his bread & butter), 2 Clearances & 1 Aerial. Fantasy-wise, consistency can be hard to come by for the CDM position but this is good to see. Watford has yet another DGW this week and he should be starting and active. If in need of midfield help, one could do worse than taking a punt on Louza this week.
Ryan Fraser
Position: Midfielder
Team: Newcastle
Rostered: 20%
Ghost Points Per Start: 4.5
Ghost Points This Past DGW: 18.5
Prospects: Looks like he has impressed his old boss Howe; Fraser has started the last several matches. This should continue.
Verdict: Great performance but don't see this continuing. Trade high candidate; this performance plus the upcoming DGWs for Newcastle make him an attractive prospect on paper.
Once a top ten fantasy player, Ryan Fraser has flattered to disappoint his erstwhile supporters. GPH has been burnt by the diminutive Scot one too many times. In a twist of irony, GPH's opponent conspired to stream him this week. Anyway, Fraser rolled back the years against Brentford this GW and delivered a miraculous 18.5 ghosties - in addition to an assist (although Joelinton would assist himself if it was physically possible), he posted 7 Key Passes (!), 1 Shot on Target, & 6 Accurate Crosses Not Corners (ACNCs). An incredible all around performance.
Has the old Fraser turned back up? Not so fast. As is noted above in reference to Targett, this came against a struggling Brentford side that played much of the match a man down. His overall numbers (& ghosts) are still disappointing. He mustered -0.5 just last GW. Although he does have some set piece involvement due to Trippier's injury, this looks like an aberration. As such, he should be a trade high candidate. Play up this point-laden outing v Brentford and the fact that Newcastle have a DGW this week. Let someone else develop unrequited love for the Scot.
Honorable Mention:
Matt Doherty (Tottenham DEF; 12.75 ghosts): Going to keep this one short and sweet: IT WAS LEEDS.
Marcal (Wolves DEF; 12 ghosts): Marcal was part of the shakeup in the Wolves starting XI this past GW, coming in for RAN. And he dropped an impressive dozen ghosts.
Kyle Walker-Peters (Southampton DEF; 17.5 ghosts): Called out KWP two weeks ago and he continues to do the business, delivering a tasty 17+ ghosts this week. With a DGW upcoming, he is a must roster.
Grant "Manly" Hanley (Norwich DEF; 14 ghosts): Despite going underground (not scoring well) for a while, Manly Hanley pops up randomly with some ghosts. Norwich have a DGW and Hanley becomes the hipster's under the radar streamer this week.
Dr. Peter Venkman Award:
Fabio Silva (Wolves FWD; 1 ghost): This section has become an outlet for GPH to vent frustration toward players from teams in which we harbor a soft spot. But not even GPH would ever punt on one Fabio Silva. He is the Fantrax equivalent of when you cross the streams - no ghosts. Given a surprise start this week vs an often leaky West Ham defense, Silva contrived to disappoint yet again, dropping 1 ghost point from a solitary successful dribble, which was dinged by a dispossession, leaving the Wolves attacker with a final tally of 0.5 points. Bravo. GPH learned a valuable lesson not too long ago: NEVER STREAM FABIO SILVA. He is as goal dependent as it gets. And Wolves barely score any goals. It's that simple; stay away.
***Click here to view the full Ghost Point Tracker table!***
For all the latest from Ryan Barnes, follow @CNFC82 on Twitter!
And for more in-depth and exclusive resources, become a member of The Inner Circle.
Comments