Opinion

The Knee Jerk – Gameweek 2 – Saturday

So far, it all seems pretty simple.

Manchester United are walking through teams and all we have to do as Fantasy managers is back them and count the points.

Romelu Lukaku – while wholly unconvincing throughout against Swansea City – again managed to earn his 53.5% of FPL managers points, with 67% of those owners backing him with the captaincy.

For all the naysaying that took place during today’s display, the fact remains that the Belgian is now three goals ahead of both Harry Kane and Gabriel Jesus – perhaps his most likely rivals for a spot in our forward lines.

Should they dare to blank in Sunday and Monday’s matches then further sales of both will follow, with Lukaku hoovering up yet more owners.

But the day truly belonged to Paul Pogba.

A 15-point haul in South Wales saw him reach new heights to follow his eight points gained in the opening weekend victory over West Ham.

A lot has been said and written on the presence of Nemanja Matic and how this has unleashed Pogba’s attacking talents. However, when we look closer, there is perhaps another individual key to Pogba’s recent boom.

In truth, Jose Mourinho’s side seemed to huff and puff through most of today’s victory, and Pogba cut a frustrated figure at times – indeed, he walked a disciplinary tightrope in the first half.

But late on, the introduction of both Marouane Fellaini and Anthony Martial seemed to galvanise matters. On their arrival, United simply eased through the gears and tore the Swans asunder, with Pogba the main benefactor.

United have now scored eight goals over two matches, with six of those strikes arriving after the 75-minute mark with Fellaini on the pitch.

When he arrives, Pogba appears unshackled to run at tired legs and spread devastation. Notably, his only points earned without Fellaini on the pitch so far has been his assist for Bailly’s opener today.

So while it’s difficult to question the thousands of FPL managers that are now flocking to Pogba, we still need to consider that, to this point, the influence of Matic has perhaps not been as significant as billed.

It’s only when Mourinho reinforces his midfield further that Pogba has proved unstoppable.

Meanwhile, Mkhitaryan quietly gained another two assists without taking control of the game or matching Pogba’s impact.

He is undoubtedly the creator to Pogba’s destroyer. The question is, are we forced to choose between them and if so, is it as straightforward as opting for the Frenchman?

Having just taken a points hit to acquire Mkhitaryan, he’s going nowhere. And with Phil Jones available for just 5.0 in a defence that’s already kept two shut-outs, this Fantasy manager can’t currently find a place for Pogba.

That’s a worry. Potentially, Pogba is transformed and, match after match, he could prove untameable for opposing defences.

But the Fellaini factor is interesting and we perhaps still need to show some caution. Leicester City in Gameweek 3 will likely provide a sterner test which may yet slow the United and Pogba juggernaut.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

4,746 Comments Post a Comment
  1. pedro1979
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Morning all,

    Debating whether to hold FT, or maybe Daniels-Jones to dodge possible price drop?

    Foster Elliott
    Mee Daniels Stephens Davies Rangel
    Pog KDB Salah Mooy Carroll
    Luk Gabi Jesus
    £1.5 ITB

    Any thoughts appreciated...

  2. shaunyjames
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Need to shift TAA, narrowed it down to:

    A.Fernandez (SWA)
    B.Kiko (WAT)
    C.Fosu Mensah (CRY)
    D.Lascalles (NEW)

    Or am I missing a glaringly good alternative

    1. Sedemuda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Naughton playing as a wing back yesterday with 3 at the back.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Who is Kiko? 😮

  3. UpAndAway
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    What's the consensus on Kolasinac?

    1. Dokdok666
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Tactical substitution

    2. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Very threatening looking

  4. Delhidynamo
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Buying Son feels like a mistake before he has even been announced on the subs bench

    might be really good value for 8.0 but not good value for Spurs spot

    I have Eriksen already and planned to get Trippier to Francis tonight but have now realized that would mean no Kane.

    ugh

    1. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      You need Kane mate

  5. Keith Kiely
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Foster (Gomes)
    Daniels, Cedric, Cook (Cahill, Rangel)
    De Bruyne, Alli, Eriksen, Allen (Kante)
    Rooney Lukaku Chicarito

    This was my team for both gameweeks. Pretty average start but I had Cahill start GW1 which messed me up with -3. I do feel he will come good when he comes back but it depends on how chelsea do in the games hes out that will convince me. Defensively poor in GW1 so we shall see.

    I would eventually like to replace either Alli or Eriksen. Depending who does better in the first three or four games. Altough if they both yield good points I will keep them.

    I do want to get rid of one Bourmouth player in the defense. Not sure who I want to replace or who I want in just yet. any suggestions?

  6. BrockLanders
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Morning chaps.

    Stinking 21 points so far. Would you WC this lot??

    Foster, Fab
    TAA, Dawson, Yoshida, Danilo, Ake
    Willian, Eriksen, JWP, Carroll, Zaha
    Firmino, Kane (c) Lukaku.

    1. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Nope. TAA & Danilo you knew were short term. Both may still play more games. If you carried over a transfer you can take a small hit and lose Zaha and one of them if needed.

    2. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      See how Danillo looks today ... probly he's your priority along with Zaha.... TAA can be sorted later down the line. Rest is fine, save WC.

  7. Superflymonk
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Mbemba to keep a clean sheet would make my day even if I lose my h2h. Even before it started I always knew GW2 was going to be low scoring for me. I also hope for an azpilicueta assist. It's good to dream like that sometimes.

  8. Permian23
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    No one seems to have mentioned Robertson, for Liverpool. Fantastic attacking. He's 4.9m now. I'm tempted to get both Robertson and Moreno, bench one of them and watch either one impersonate Alonso down the left.

  9. @fpl_phenom
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Salah still of value or is it time to get Mane / Alli / Eriksen instead?

    1. Chivers7
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Agonising over Salah too. Considering using wild card to go

      Foster (Elliot)
      Trippier Danilo Davies Jones (Stephens)
      Salah Tadic Pogba (Romeu, Carroll)
      Kane Lukaku Chicarito

      1.6m in the bank, considering mane instead of Salah.

    2. wolvesmad
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Would wait and see what happens today with Spurs and Chelsea..

  10. fpltactician
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Should I sell Kola or Daniels to get Jones.

    If I sell Kola, I will probably use funds to do Daniels to Trippier next week.

    1. wolvesmad
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Sounds good..

  11. kUwe Inc.
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    The best 3 players of MU we should consider?
    I would say
    1. Lukaku
    2. Mkhy
    3. Pogba (or Jones)
    How about you guys?

  12. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Trippier IN.

  13. pranavs9
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Mkhi or pogba? Who is the better long run pick.TIA

    1. MadBadz
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Pogba more games and since United got Matic he will be more upfront for the season plus his on his way to justify that 120m price with more goals this season. Also play more minutes than Mikhy and more injury prone.

  14. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Xhaka ---> Mikhy

    Firmino--->????

    Have 5.9 in the bank after doing to Xhaka to Mikhy move.

  15. MadBadz
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    what's the better option?
    Vardy out, Chicharito in
    or
    Monreal out, Hegazy in

    really stuck and I got to make only 1 free transfer

  16. Ruth_NZ
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    General comment...

    GW1 is the week of the season when we have less information than at any other time. We also have less budget than at any other time. This stresses squad selection.

    As a result, it takes some good fortune to get off to a fast start. Hegazi was a decent pick but no-one would have predicted his GW1 goal; his previous record was 2 goals in 120 professional games. WBA kept 6 CSs all last season and now have 2 in 2 this season. So Hegazi's points, whilst welcome for owners, are a fair bit beyond reasonable expectations.

    All that's fine, it's part of the game. But it seems bizarre to me that those that have started very well want to boast about it. They have been a bit lucky and if they don't know that they are misleading themselves. The OR means very little until GW6 or GW8, the gaps are small right now and one fortunate decision (Hegazi rather than Dawson, Bailly rather than Valencia, Eriksen rather than Alli) can make a big difference.

    Similarly, those that have started poorly can easily get into knots, take multiple hits, drop the wildcard and remove players that have essentially done nothing wrong other than not score many FPL points in 2 weeks. That's equally an over-reaction.

    Stay calm and play for the long term is the best advice, isn't it?