Injuries continuing to cause headaches for FPL managers ahead of critical double gameweek

With a couple of free transfers burning a hole in our pocket, adding double gameweek players to our FPL squad should have been a straightforward task. However, in reality that was simply not the case.

Fairly satisfied with our current crop of attacking options, our initial intention was to bring in a couple of defenders, ahead of GW34, with a view of having 2 bites at those clean sheet bonus points.

However, it proved more difficult than expected due to doubts about who will line-up in Middlesbrough’s back 4, while 120 minutes of Europa League action for Manchester United is likely to see José Mourinho rotating his defensive options yet again.

On the other hand, Crystal Palace, the third side that plays twice in GW34, may struggle to record a clean sheet in either of their fixtures, based on the latest EPL goal projections as well.

Ben Gibson of Boro seemed the most ‘nailed on’ defensive option, so he comes in at Chris Brunt’s expense but in the end, we decided to use our other transfer further forward.

Robert Snodgrass has been a little disappointing since joining the Hammers and another injury set-back for Andy Carroll certainly doesn’t help his cause. Snodgrass is adept at delivering set-pieces into telling areas but with Carroll again ruled out, it certainly lessens his appeal.

We’ve decided to take a chance on a player that can be a bit hit and miss. Sam Allardyce makes a habit of bringing the best out of certain individuals and recent signs suggest that Andros Townsend could be joining that list.

The Eagles’ winger comes in, replacing Snodders, so it’s fingers crossed that he can produce the goods despite difficult fixtures against Liverpool and Spurs.

Álvaro Negredo is given the GW34 FPL armband as he gets the chance to justify his high ranking in the latest ‘Captometer’ ratings, while Oumar Niasse is somewhat reluctantly relegated to the bench.

Will our double gameweek transfers pay-off?