Opinion

The Knee Jerk – Gameweek 4

Are Harry Kane and Romelu Lukau about to make this season very dull?

Many of us marvelled at the array of attacking options we faced prior to Gameweek 1 and, even today, the choices showed up; goals for Alexandre Lacazette, Gabriel Jesus and Alvaro Morata demonstrated that.

But there is already a feeling of inevitability about the fact that Lukaku and Kane have dominated as the top two captain picks for four successive Gameweeks.

The Spurs’ striker’s “mini drought” ended today at Goodison Park – perhaps the least likely venue for a haul when we studied his opening four Gameweeks. But the Toffees were poor and simply folded to an impressive Spurs display.

Now, with the next four fixtures looking so favourable Mauricio Pochettino’s side, Kane’s bandwagon will surely gather pace, stalled only by the fact that 30% of Fantasy Premier League managers may be otherwise distracted by replacing the suspended Sadio Mane in midfield.

It now seems only a matter of time before Kane’s 26% ownership rises and starts to reach levels similar to that of Lukaku.

The Manchester United striker was hardly spectacular at Stoke but, again, he found the net and could have scored more. Owned by 58%, if he remains free of injury, it’s feasible that he could even span the entire season as the go-to captain option for the majority of managers; 37% backed him today, with Kane back on 11%.

With the Wildcard active, I pondered losing one of this pair – temporarily gambling on Lacazette outscoring Kane today and paying the price.

I’m not sure I want to taste that medicine again. Fortunately, the funds have been reserved to bring in the Spurs man ahead of Gameweek five, and he’ll be locked in from now on.

Indeed, I’m now wondering if that means that the scope of my attacking changes this season will be limited to my third striker and an occasional shuffle of three big-hitters in midfield.

My faith in Kane is pretty much unshakable once the goals start rolling. Meanwhile, Lukaku looks likely to keep scoring merely by turning up to lead a United attack powered by Paul Pogba’s physicality and fed by Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s guile.

We can flirt with alternative options, even experiment with the captaincy from time to time, but giving up on the security on offer from Lukaku and Kane won’t be easy.

The aforementioned Jesus, Lacazette and Morata all have their merits. The latter is now the top scoring striker but, presumably surrendering spot-kick duties to Eden Hazard, I’m not convinced he or even Jesus can live with the “big two”.

I’m preparing to watch Kane and Lukaku dominate, push 30 goals and battle for the Golden Boot. That would tie up 24 million of my budget over the season and restrict my ability to react to the big-hitter bandwagons in midfield.

My season might be limited to switching Spurs, Liverpool and United midfielders to form, and shuffling some defenders according to fixtures.

That doesn’t sound all that appealing, but I’m not sure when I’ll next have the balls to change it.

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

4,474 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Lazarus Star
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Jones looking dodgy as a starter for Mou now? Did he have a mare against Stoke?

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      He didnt play well but jose probably isn't as fickle as FPL managers. He will be ok for now I think

    2. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      He tripped on one of the goals marking Chopu which got a free header and scored. A part from that he looked as he has done for this season, pretty good. He also wont play CL midweek because of a ban, so think he is good to start. Im planning on getting him in.

  2. Earn your Spurs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Lesson is it's a marathon not a sprint. Don't try to be too clever when you don't have enough facts. Even now WC is too early when we don't know the impact of CL on starting lineups.

    1. Earn your Spurs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      reply fail

      1. JustPark
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Still a good post. I'm saving WC for GW8 maybe.

        1. J0E
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Gwk 8 looks great for wc. Traditionally better for team value plus we have lots more information and a fixture shift.

          1. JustPark
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Cheers, Jonty

    2. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Facts are something most posters on here feel are surplus to requirements

  3. The Fed
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Sold De Bruyne, Kola, Kane and Ramsey on a wild card, absolutely gutted...and I also might have to take a hit to get Kane back this week.

    Foster (Elliot)
    Alonso, Jones, Löwe (Holgate, Long)
    Salah, Alli, Miki, Atsu (Carroll)
    Firmino, Morata, Lukaku

    Alonso, Morata > Naughton, Kane?
    or
    Miki, Morata > Brady, Kane?

    1. GE
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      That's why you shouldn't have used your WC so early

      1. The Fed
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        I knew I probably had made a mistake when I activated it, but I had Willian, Stephens, Kola possibly not playing and no playing defender on the bench.

        1. GE
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          I was almost in the same position - no fit bench and Stephens and Kompany. I used my 2FT. With only 1FT I would rather take a hit than WC so early

    2. Yellin' in my Ear
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Why morata out over kaku?

      1. The Fed
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Ownership

    3. Licky
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Why do people wildcard this early? Not enough data to make an informed decision on your whole team. This early in the season you always get strange results and weird games. Everything will settle after a while, wildcard then.

      1. Get up ya bum
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Disagree. I give myself a few weeks of actual form to gauge then press the button as soon as I feel confident in picking a good long term team. Pre gw1 is a lottery. Things are now at a stage they can be taken advantage of with the wildcard.

        1. FFSbet.com
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Agree,we can fix easy with -4 if needed.
          Late WC has less advantage I think.

      2. Freddo
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Probably because price movement is aggressive in the early part of the season so you get more for your money early than late.

        How much data do you need to know United, Spurs, Liverpool and Chelsea will be the core of a successful squad?

        The later you leave it, the less chance you have of maximising those teams and the more chance you have of having to punt on cheaper risks as you have no choice.

        1. Freddo
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Edit. It only takes a .1 rise on two or three players from the core teams to make getting the most out of your 100m quite difficult.

        2. Earn your Spurs
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          but if you'd started with 7-8 from those teams, which was the obvious pre-GW1 route, you wouldn't need to WC so early

          1. Freddo
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            The start was a lottery for most, loads went KDB and heavy on City and ignored Spurs due to the Wembley thing, Chelsea had a bad start and Arsenal were trusted when they shouldn't have.

            Not sure the GW1 template had much longevity to it.

    4. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      That is seriously unlucky

      1. Kavorka
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        I seriously doubt he had plans to get Kane next week though. How's that unlucky ?

        1. Kavorka
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Bad luck would be if he gets Kane and Morata scores a brace

    5. Earn your Spurs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      tbh your team looks good so no real need to panic unless you're too scared of Kane

  4. Kushal
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Mane replacement
    A)alli
    B)salah
    C)hazard
    D)silva
    Already got eriksen firmino

    1. The Fed
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Hazard would be sexy pick but I would choose Alli.

    2. RADOAFC
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Same boat for me. I'm thinking City midfielder

  5. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Decided to go alonso and bavies over another big hitter in midfield.

    How's this looking?

    DDG
    Alonso, bavies, naughton, Cedric, mbemba
    Mkhi, eriksen, atsu / doucoure / Carroll
    Kane, lukaku, firminho,

    Will rotate naughton, Cedric, atsu, doucoure, Carroll.

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Great team

    2. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah, could work. Still prefer cheaper defenders personally 🙂

      I'd do Pogba rather than Mkhi.

      Turning Lukaku into Morata frees up 1.5m...could use that to beef up a weak midfielder (to Ramsey), or get Kolasinac in?

  6. Yellin' in my Ear
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Gutted I sold Groß for Brady this week, consoling myself that I'd have probably benched him anyway. Wonder what other bad transfer I can do this week 🙂

  7. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    What are you guys doing with Yoshida?

    1. JustPark
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Planning to switch to one of Cedric, Bavies, Alonso(yep I have 3.0 ITB).
      How's Soton looking yesterday?

      1. TaiwanHC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        I didn't watch the game. All I know is that they conceded two goals and Yoshida was dropped to the bench.

    2. Whirl
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I've got Yoshida, Stephens and Gabbiadini that all have to go I think.

      1. JustPark
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        You knew the risk.

  8. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    assuming I use my FT to fix Willian. Wouls you do a -4 for Stepehns to Bavies?!

    team is

    Foster Elliott
    Kolasanic Stephens Suttner Naughton Long
    Eriksen Mikky Willian Atsu Carroll
    Kane Lukaku Firmino 

    1mil ITB

    1. Yellin' in my Ear
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I would, reckon it'll pay off long term just don't assume it will straight away

    2. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Sounds sensible

    3. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      wait one week if possible

    4. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      thanks all! now to decide who to being in for Willian!

  9. Cesc's old mullet
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    In the end Mane's dismissal and subsequent suspension until GW8 is perfectly timed for those of us planning on wildcarding in GW7 : a nice price fall on the horizon

    1. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      He's back GW7 b/c of the Cup

      1. Cesc's old mullet
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        My bad. Still good news though

        1. Dr Van Nostrand
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Yep hoping I can hold out till then but with so many fires to put out might not make it

  10. R Whites
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Best 5 mil midfielder? Atsu?

    1. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      yes

    2. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I believe so yes. Very attacking

  11. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    A. Chicharito, Kolasinac or
    B. Firmino, Lowe/Naughton

    Your pick of these would be...?

    Thanks.

  12. Kun Tozser
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    This article sounds a bit sour!

    Haven't had Lukaku all season personally, the wealth of choice this season makes it extremely interesting imo. Huge scores to be had from defenders, loads of cheap mids, premium mids and Sanchez, Hazard, KDB, Coutinho not even getting going yet!

    To say it's a boring season is a bit premature

    1. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Plenty doing really well without both Kane and Lukaku. Morata looking a great alternative to one of them and agree re defence - some great attacking wing back options this season.

      Spoilt for choice in all positions.

      1. Licky
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Might get Morata in for Lukaku and spread that lovely lovely money. Already have Kane and Jesus.

      2. Ambrosiana Inter
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Really u think we are.spoilt.for.choice in midfield? Who are this reliable players that u think can offer points week in week out? The likes of Brady,atsu,richarlison , gross they all seem to be one day wanderers to me

        1. Ambrosiana Inter
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          I mean players under 7 mil

        2. @persecuted_by_mods
            6 years, 8 months ago

            He never mentioned anything about reliable scorers week in week out. The world's best players don't even score week in week out why would you expect that from a gross or atsu?

      3. Business Cat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Kane is definitely the more essential out of Kane and Lukaku.

        Kane will be involved in the majority of Spurs goals.

        With United, it's as likely to be Rashford, Pogba, Mkhi, Martial getting the points as it is Lukaku.

        Going Lukaku-less is more than viable...I have Morata instead which allows me to have Firmino as 3rd.

    2. West Hammered
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Any early suggestions of what to do with this team?

      Foster Elliot
      Bertrand Jones Dann Mee Mariappa
      Eriksen Mkhi Alli Ritchie Carroll
      Lukaku Jesus Chicharito
      0.9ITB 1FT

      1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Danny to go?

        1. West Hammered
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Him to Davies is the obvious change but then it makes it difficult for me to Kane in.

    3. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Would you wildcard this team?

      Degea
      Monreal - Mee - Yoshida
      Ali - Mikky - Mane - Willian - Carroll
      Jesus - Lukaku

      Bench : Elliot, Francis, Hunemeier, Quaner

      Mane is out. Not sure about Yoshidas game time, same with Willian. Jesus might get rotated now that CL and league cup is starting. What do you guys think?

      1. grumpyman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Personally, no. But I'm not adverse to a couple of hits. I'd do a -8 and shift 3/4 out. If the thought of hits make you queasy, WC.

        1. Maddamotha
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          It does make me very queasy! Haha. Thanks for the response 😉

    4. eamonhegg
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Choupo-Moting @ 5.5m and playing as a forward?

      Surely hes on alot of peoples radar now?

      1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        On the watchlist

        1. eamonhegg
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          BIG time!

          Grob vs Chaupo?

          1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            I think Gross will consistently return because he is central to his team
            Chopo will be hit and miss. If you get him when he has a hit game you will be laughing but expect misses too

      2. SpiritRising
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        He's been on my radar for a while but with such tough fixtures for a while.i was waiting it out. Wasn't expecting these returns Vs utd.

    5. R Whites
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      On a wildcard. Thoughts?

      A - Richarlison / RLC
      B - Moting / Atsu

      Foster - Elliot
      Alonso - Jones - Wimmer - Schindler - 4m
      Mhki- Eriksen - ?? - ?? - 4.5m
      Lukaku - Kane - Morata

    6. FPL Mentor
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Foster Elliot
      Alonso Jones Hegazi Cedric Mbemba
      Eriksen Pogba Tadic Phillips Carroll
      Kane Lukaku Chicarito

      0.1m itb 2FTs

      A.Hegazi, Phillips & Tadic 》 Davies, Groß & Brady (-4) and leave 1m in the bank.

      B. Hegazi, Phillips & Tadic 》 Mendy, Groß & Brady (-4). 0itb

      C. Other suggestions.

    7. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Just woke up to 49 points with Naughton left to play and I'm hanging with a fruit bat

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Like a fruit bat lol

      2. Taking the Mkhitaryan
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        If you woke up hanging with a fruit bat it must have been a heck of a night out.

        1. THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Haha

    8. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Any advice on what to do here?...0ft and 0.4itb.

      Worried about defenders losing their places and gabbi

      Foster Elliot
      Jones Stephens Lowe suttner long
      Salah eriksen mkhi ritchie carroll
      Kane lukaku gabbi.

      Is it gabbi to chicha this week?

      Thanks

    9. shirtless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Girl in my ML did Jesus>Firmino(c) as part of a 4 point hit. Painful. Good for me though ha ha. 🙂

      1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        I bet a few did that

    10. skodaole2
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Which is better?

      A) Sanchez + Choupo
      B) Sanchez + Gross
      C) Salah + Sigurdsson
      D) Hazard + Richarlison

      My WC was based on getting Alexis for just a hit after he starts a game but cant see him not starting vs Chelsea. Any thoughts appreciated.

      1. Patty
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        What's the rush for Sanchez?

    11. Patty
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Best option here?
      A. Suttner > Bavies FT
      B. Kolasinac, Ramsey > Bavies, Eriksen -4
      C. Daniels, Ramsey > Naughton, Eriksen -4
      D. JWP > Choupo-Moting/Brady FT

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        C
        Or get all four players in B

    12. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      What's the average score on here lads? And anyone know the last man standing safety score? Cheers

      1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Average score about 40

    13. The Left Duke #3
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I have Ben Davies 14 points sitting first sub on my bench...trying to be too clever....any chance Ben Mee or Matt Ritchie don't play 🙂

    14. SpiritRising
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      On WC and thinking of Kane as a fire and forget captaincy option. To rotate cheap defenders when needed and transfer in and out the mid price midfielders dependant on form/fixtures. Will be looking to get siggy next week but not yet sure who for. I still think this team could keep up with the big strikers.

      Pickford Elliot

      Alonso B Davies P Jones Dunk Clark

      Salah MIkhi Eriksen Mahrez Richarlison

      Kane Hemed Calvert Lewin

      WIll mostly play 4-5-1 unless but it is pretty flexible especially if Calvert lewin forces his way into the team more regularly. Think there is minimum risk of rotation, Salah apart.

      1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        No. Just no. 1 striker is the road to pain

      2. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Madness that way lies

      3. Ambrosiana Inter
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Noo surely noo

    15. Ron_Swanson
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      How much longer do you think Bavies will play, before Rose comes back?

      1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Weeks. Rose isn't training yet

    16. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      right Willian owners! who yoi planning to replace him with?

      Ramsey has the fixtures, Gross looked good but knee jerky?

      any recommendations?

      1. bigwig
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        I'm keeping him for now. There's nothing to say that he isn't first choice, which if he is he will get plenty of points for great value

        1. bigwig
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          I am eyeing Ramsey though to answer your question. Gross is very kneejerky

      2. John Nerdelbaum
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        No idea - tempted to just keep and I have ramsey as well (lol)

      3. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        yeah havnt considered keeping actually. Do we think he got rested then due to travel?!

    17. Lucackadoodledoo
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Is it worth taking a hit for Mane and Chicarito to salah and morata?
      Have 3.2 in the bank

      1. bigwig
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Yes, I'd say so. I'm actually looking at Coutinho, I think he'll be excellent value at 8.8

        1. Lucackadoodledoo
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          I was thinking that too. It could give salah more opportunities if coutinho is feeding through nice through balls etc with salahs pace. Coutinho is definitely a great option. Think I'm gonna go salah with option of downgrading to coutinho.
          Cheers, think I'll take the hit but will hold fire for Monday nights game.

    18. eamonhegg
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Just choose ONE!

      A - Willian & Stephens > Choupo & Alonso (0.1ITB))

      B - Willian & Stephens > Choupo & Davies (1.6ITB)

    19. Lucackadoodledoo
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      A looks like a better option long term however B looks tempting.