Week 20 Player Picks Part 2: The Alternative

For those of you suffering in the chasing pack at the halfway point, you are at the stage you need to try and find a few players the league leaders do not have.   What you need are a few alternative picks to sprinkle into your side to make up the ground.  Lets take a look at some who springs to my mind in part 2 of the week 20 player picks.

Joel Robles - 1m

• This would have been young Jak Alnwick but with news that Alan Pardew has been given permission to talk to Palace I'm avoiding and moving to Mr Robles.  1st choice keeper Tim Howard has been ruled out for 6 weeks making Robles a tip for the trip to a poor Hull side.  Evertons defence has gone missing in action in the last few games but this is the perfect game to tighten up.  News that Phil Jagielka is back would tempt this gamblers pick even more.

Leighton Baines - 14.44m

• As with Robles you would prefer to hear that Jagielka is back for the improved clean sheet chance.  Baines strikes me a player perhaps slowing a little but is overdue that twice a season goal and clean 20-30 pt game. Roberto Martinez has talked about a formation change which may mean Baines starting in a wing back/midfield role.

Rafael - 6.32m

• The young right back got 45 minutes at Spurs on Sunday and given the moaning from LVG that his side are tired has a great chance of starting this one.  I'm a Utd fan that sees potential in the young brazilian and assuming he can stay injury free think he can become a very good full back within 2 to 3 seasons.  In the current Utd formation he will start further forward with a little more cover behind, all which would seem to suit him.  Stoke are likely to be without Bojan and lack pace in forward positions.  They are full of confidence and never to be underrated.  But I think minus Bojan and Moses they can be pushed back up the pitch, allowing Rafael to bomb down the wings.  He is not a cert to start but value if he does.

Robbie Brady - 7.04m

• Brady has been back in favour for the last two games.  With doubts over Robertson he may get 3 in a row here.  In his two games he has returned 8 and 10pts and may be playing as if he is in the shop window.  Should Evertons defending continue as recent games OB maybe in line to return you some big fantasy points.

Frank Lampard - 7.40m

• Frankie is in as I assume Yaya Toure will play no part in week 20.  With the international duties coming I don't think he will take any chances with injury.  Lampard would seem a good FA cup fit but I think he has a great chance of starting this one as well.  Opponents Sunderland will make it tough and without Yaya City will be lacking a little proven goal threat.  We have already seen that at 34 Lampard still has goals in him.  He may even take a penalty?

Jesus Navas - 9.81m

• Navas never seems to get a recommendation with a midfield containing Silva, Nasri and Yaya.  He is however Citys only winger and getting wide in behind the Sunderland attack will be a requirement.

Willian - 8.79m

• This guy is due.  He has been very consistent week in week out in the real world but not found the goal to turn him into the fantasy gem he could be.  Benched against the Saints he scored 6pts in one half when coming on.  If you want Chelsea coverage but lack the funds for the main pair have a stab on the brazilian.

Jason Puncheon 7.92m

• Puncheon is one of those who players that often performs when I pick him. He also often does it in away games.  Last season he rewarded me with a number of 20pt games and there were signs of the old Puncheon against QPR.  His goals kept Palace up last season and I'm very tempted to give him a go this week.

Saido Mane - 10.40m

• 2 goals in 2 games including a goal against the awesome Chelsea defence.  He played very far forward at times and seems likely to get the start before heading off for international duties.  If Koeman can work systems of play that sees him playing against Mertesacker, he can cause big problems to an always nervous gunners back line.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain  - 7.26m

• The Ox is developing just right at Arsenal and with injury to Danny Welbeck may have the wide right role at his old club Southampton.  It always amazes me how often players score against their prior employers and the Ox's pace and power will be an interesting test for Ryan Bertrand.  The Saints LB may have a little more defending to do in this one.

Steven Gerrard - 13.20m

• Rested on Monday night he will start against Leicester.  On penalties and with the combo of tricky front players/slow footed defenders in the matchup he may just get one.  Also on direct free kicks and a share of corners I can see a traditional Gerrard double digit reward coming.

Radamel Falcao - 8.78m

• He has let me down when I have picked him but there are signs of upward improvement in his performances prior to the game at Spurs.  Indeed he looked very sharp against Newcastle.  Stoke will concede in this one and with Rooney playing so deep its a choice between two forwards not quite what they were but still dangerous.  My gut says Falcao's breakthrough game is coming and maybe the brace/hattrick will come here.

Romelu Lukaku - 11.12m

• You cannot get more alternative that the King Troll can you.  He faces a poor Hull defence after getting a rest on Sunday.  The rule is that He always does his thing went we don't have him so why not be one of the few with him when he does!

Graziano Pelle - 6.69m

• Pelle scores his goals at home and Arsenal always look like conceding.  The Saints are back in form and you have to think they will create more chances for the big fella than they could against Chelsea.  Stoke showed us how Arsenal still are troubled with a physical battle meaning Pelle could do well here.  With Tadic missing his last pen maybe Pelle even takes over those duties?

Are there any other alternative picks you like?

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