Opinion

This Much We Know – Gameweek 4

A weekend with more rough than smooth for many FPL managers as big name bandwagons come off the road and many of us who Wildcarded are cursed by the return of the ex.

The debate between Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku rages on, while dire form sours the tasty fixtures at Goodison Park and St Mary’s.

Would the next Riyad Mahrez please stand up, please stand up

With a goal and an assist in their first two matches, Richarlison and Aaron Mooy were dubbed hot properties in the emergent FPL season, since when the pair have yet to tally a shot on target or big chance between them.

While Richarlison falling figures have not discouraged new suitors, heavy traffic is now being directed towards Pascal Groß and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, darlings of Gameweek 4 with a brace apiece after three consecutive blanks.

The likes of Matt Ritchie, Jesé and Abdoulaye Doucouré are also showing signs of life to suggest we are spoilt for potential midfield budget gems.

But perhaps we need to accept that one swallow does not a summer make and await the emergence of a consistent performer instead of leaping from bandwagon to bandwagon with reckless abandon.

Does the exception prove the rule?

On a related note, Kevin de Bruyne owners were justifiably crowing after the Prince Harry lookalike bossed the points and silenced the naysayers against Liverpool. Except, did he really do either?

No fewer than three Manchester City players exceeded the Belgian’s Gameweek 4 points tally of nine – Gabriel Jesus (12), Benjamin Mendy (ten) and even forgotten man Leroy Sané (13points from a respectable half an hour’s toil).

Nobody can question the quality of De Bruyne’s set-piece deliveries and, against ten men at the Etihad, the question was simply how many points he would garner. However, a £9.9 million price tag for a player who openly admits he is playing deep and could easily be part of the Champions League-induced rotation lottery does not convince me he can be value for money over the season.

It would be unfair to say that this dog has had his one day – because we all know more will surely follow – but I would still be tempted to take the points and run if I was on a Wildcard.

If, indeed, I still had my Wildcard…

It was a pleasure to burn

And it seems I am, if not alone, at least more friendless in burning my Wildcard early on than was the case last season.

With over a million new players signing up to FPL this season, you might expect the build-up to Gameweek 4 to resemble a scene from Farenheit 451.

Not so, it seems. Only around 5.5% of players (275,000) of players have joined Mark and me in succumbing to the temptation of an early Wildcard this season compared to 8.5% at this stage last season.

With a distinct lack of statistics, imminent fixture shifts, big players like Alexis Sánchez, Philippe Coutinho and Eden Hazard rejoining the fold (some more reluctantly than others) and, crucially, a price-change market more stagnant than that of the UK, it seems that the decision to Remain in charge of our Wildcards would perhaps have been the more prudent course.

Time for yet another Mane man pun?

Sadio Mané’s -2 points in my own post-Wildcard team seem symbolic of my hamartia: undeniably an epic fail for my increasingly ironically named Skeye’s The Limit side.

Is this, however, also the beginning of the end for a Liverpool team set to be deprived of their Senegalese talisman for two Gameweeks?

Mane’s previous season ended on April 1 after a clash with Leighton Baines, but at least Liverpool couldn’t be accused of limping over the line in his absence. For the remaining fixtures, the Reds still managed to notch an average of 1.8 goals per match, compared to 2.1 goals with Mane fit and playing.

Interestingly, though, Liverpool’s shots on target improved in the final weeks of the season from around 6 to 6.5 per match and they also created chances at a quicker rate – every 5.3 minutes as opposed to 5.8 minutes.

From an FPL perspective, perhaps Mane’s enforced absence is a blessing rather than a curse, with Jurgen Klopp’s rotational options diminished in the short term and the likes of Mohammed Salah and Roberto Firmino set to pick up the slack against Burnley and Leicester City.

Salah – whose nine shots on target is joint top for all players – is a particularly intriguing option for those backing the law of averages over clinical finishing.

Back to bed

So while Liverpool may yet pick up the odd point in September, spare a thought for those ultimate trolls, Southampton and Everton.

Many of us gorged on Saints, lured in by a glittering fixture list which masked just two minor drawbacks: they can’t score goals or (it would now seem) keep clean sheets.

I can’t complain too much after banking fortuitous defensive points from the games against Huddersfield and a Swansea City side whose cutting edge is reflected by their season-low tally of seven shots on target, but it seems Southampton’s relatively poor underlying statistics are now being justly rewarded.

I’m at least heartened by the fact Southampton travel to Crystal Palace for a guaranteed nine-goal thriller.

Everton have the excuse of having faced tougher opposition, but sharing, as they do, Swansea’s unwelcome shots on target record, we face the age old form or fixtures choice as the Toffees move into a sea of blue fixtures after visiting Old Trafford in the final-match up of Gameweek Five.

For Nathan Redmond and Manolo Gabbiadini, read Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wayne Rooney, with the latter’s cautions (three) already outnumbering his goals (two), although Bournemouth and Burnley are enticing visitors still to come to Goodison.

The last word in strikers

We can postulate, prevaricate and ponder all we want, but Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku have both arrived at the party and each is craving our undivided attention.

With captaincy in mind, it seems unthinkable that the successful FPL manager can dare to go without one of these premium models. Whether to side with the masses (57.5%) and plump for the consistency of Lukaku or to splash a little extra cash for Kane’s fixtures and potentially explosive returns seems, for now, to be a moot point.

Of more interest to those whose budget doesn’t stretch to both goal machines is finding a second striker who could conceivably keep pace with the pair.

Álvaro Morata has quietly risen to the top of the strikers’ standings, whilst Jesus’s recent brace was inevitable the moment I had pressed the button to release him.

So if you can’t choose between the sheriffs, at least give careful thought to the deputies.

3,283 Comments Post a Comment
  1. XabiAlonso
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Any chance of someone making a ht about pogba, how long he's out for and best replacement etc.

    1. Brian (Not the Messiah)
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      waiting on the scan before anyone can say anything meaningful.

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

        Cool

    2. boc610
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      A hammy is 3 weeks minimum (conservatively speaking) whether your sunday league or premier league and his looked like a bad enough one, pulled up immediately...if no city cover , Silva a good replacement

  2. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    1FT, 0.2 ITB-

    Foster, Elliot

    Jones, Cedric, Lowton, Naughton, Simpson

    Alli, Mane, Mkhi, Atsu, Carroll

    Kane, Morata, Firmino

    Mane to Salah?

    1. LC1
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah.

      Lovely team.

      1. The Mighty Whites
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers mate

    2. Blanka
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Isn't Salah flagged and has an illness?

      1. FC Lackless [BALEGIUM]
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        sore throat ... expected to play tonight

    3. Goat
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Salah has a sore throat. Be good for FPL owners (me) if he doesnt play tonight

    4. Robbie Slater
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Almost exactly the same team as mine if I do Pogba to Mkhi. Only difference would then be you have Lowton, I have Dunk.

  3. boc610
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Pogbageddon

  4. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Lowe or Cedric -> Mendy?

    1. ch
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      maybe zappacosta+0.5m

    2. Lyonnais
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Cedric's next 3 not looking too good.

  5. Lyonnais
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Foster / Elliot
    Bailly, Stephens, Dann / Mee, Long Eriksen, Salah, Mooy, Brady / Carroll
    Kane, Lukaku, Gabbiadini

    1 FT, 1.9 ITB

    What would you do? Not looking too good...

    1. Lyonnais
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Stephens --> Davies?
      Gabbiadini --> Firmino?

      Or maybe Stephens & Gabbiadini --> Trippier & Vardy 0.0 ITB

      I also don't like having Mooy and Brady.

  6. sodom85
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Is Ben Davies still nailed for 3-4 weeks?
    Cheers.

  7. Brian (Not the Messiah)
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    I'm looking at:

    Chicha-> Firmino,
    Pogba->Salah,
    Bertrand->Jones

    for a -4(using my free transfer chip)

    Does that all make sense? I'll wait on news of Pogba before committing of course.

    1. LC1
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah looks good and Pogba is definitely out against Everton at least.

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Transfer chip does not give you a free hit. Read up on it

    3. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      This chip is not free -4. Read rules

    4. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Free transfer chip?

      Free hit chip isn't an extra free transfer...

  8. Zizou
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    ok which is best

    carroll salah atsu mkhi (eriksen/alli)
    kane X X

    1) lukaku and firmino/vardy
    2) morata and jesus

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      1) Firmino

    2. Lyonnais
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      1

    3. Pirlø's Pen
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      2

    4. ch
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      2

  9. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Pogba replacement next week:

    A ) Siggy
    B) Mahrez

    1. Eton Rifles
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      If Siggy isn't involved in Europa.

      I'm getting him in

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

      Siggy after United imo

  10. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Really want a Man City mid for Pogba.. thinking of Sane or Silva.

    1. sodom85
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      silva imo.

    2. Eton Rifles
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      see tonights line-up for clues for the weekend

    3. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I'm looking at Silva simply as a coverage but is he a good option? I've never been convinced on him as an option.

      1. trinzoo
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        I'm afraid only KDB is completely free from rotation.

    4. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Hope you like benching and rotation nightmares

  11. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Rank these please
    Choupo-Moting
    Jese
    Brady
    Mooy
    Ritchie
    Richarlison
    Knockaert
    Gross

    1. GoRedz
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      you forgot Doucouré, and I have no clue how to order them, sorry. I own Mooy fwiw

    2. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Richalison
      Chopper
      Jese
      Mooy
      Ritchie
      Brady
      Knocknees
      Gross

  12. Pirlø's Pen
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Just need to tweak last few spots in my WC. Thoughts much appreciated.

    Gomes Elliot
    - Kolasinac Davies Maguire Hunemeir
    Eriksen Mkhitaryan Choupo-Moting - Carroll
    Kane - Firmino

    A. Morata, GroB, Mendy (rotating 4-3-3, 3-4-3.)

    B. Jesus, Chalobah, Alonso (fixed 4-3-3)

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

      A

    2. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      B easily for me

    3. Prøfeßör …
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      It's a tough one, B for me.

  13. GoRedz
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Is it worth investing in Ben Davies now ? Pogba injury makes me want to go 433

  14. Lukakuna
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    What's up with defenders like Suttner and Mee being about to drop in price?

    Would be a shame wasting a ft to get rid

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

      I have never had so many pirce drops in a season

      Ritchie, Daniels, Salah -- Suttner/Gabbi on the boundary

  15. HD7
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    If I have Jones and Kaku is it more sensible to get Silva in for Pogba or all red and just get Miki?

    1. Eton Rifles
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      wait for tonights game first but Silva is looking increasingly nailed

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Yes but is he the better alternative?

    2. pakornk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Tough question and one Im thinking my self. Really want City cover as they are getting into gear and fixtures look plum. On the other hand, Mhiki just looks dangerous - gets into the box and creates. The thing is as fixtures toughen up, Mou will likely rotate Mhiki.

      It's a coin toss really.

  16. TheEgyptianKing
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    In a bit of a tough situation and have come for your godly advice guys in how to get Davies in

    1) Jones --> Davies (0.6m itb, can do that exact transfer)

    2) Stephens --> Davies (*only* if Mkhi price rises one more to get 0.1 due to Pogba and mane)

    3) Swallow my pride and hope he just gets a clean sheet and no goal/assist

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

      If you can get rid of Stephens then that sounds good, I'd keep Jones tho!

  17. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Good Morning all,

    Current midfield is: Carrol KDB POGBA* JWP* Ince

    with 2 free transfers and 0.1 itb,

    Pogba + JWP >? want two midfielders for max 13.6

  18. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    For this squad, who to bring in for Pog...

    Foster (Elliott)
    Bavies Cedric Jones (Mbemba, Naughton)
    Mkhi Salah *Pogba* RLC* (TC)
    Firm Kane (c) Lacazette

    1.9itb

    Had planned to do Cedric to Kola (or Mendy) next week, hence the extra cash.
    Considering Alli, Erik for the triple up, or Silva/Antonio to continue with the Kola plan.

  19. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Will Mbemba be fit for the weekend?

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Even if he was there is no guarantee he would get his place back.

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

        Thanks

  20. Doctorasul
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Spotted another problem with heatmaps, this time regarding Fouls Conceded, shown reversed (Attack instead of Defence). Mark, please check your e-mail 🙂

    1. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Will flag it cheers

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

        Cheers, Mark. There is definitely somthing going on. Last time there was a problem with Home/Away filters in the Chances Created Conceded category. Home and Away being reversed. That was solved actually.

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

        Andy*

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

      Matt is on the case and will be looking into it today. Thanks for flagging up,

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

        I sent an e-mail to Mark with all the details regarding the issue, including print screens. Should I send the e-mail to someone else too?

  21. Goat
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Why didnt Atsu start against Swansea?

    Will he start against Stoke?

    1. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      rested following international duty.

  22. HD7
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    For the 4.5 midfielder spot:
    1) Cork
    2) Chalobah
    3) Obiang

    *Have Tom Carroll

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      2

    2. ch
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      2 or 3

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Leaning towards 2 Thanks

    3. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      3 because he is a legend

  23. james 101
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    A. Alonso and silva (or anyone to £8.1)

    B. Kola and Salah

    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      B

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah. Thinking that. Thanks.

  24. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Firmino to get a rest against Burnley at Home ?

    Have a feeling Sturridge will get a start

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

      doubt it, was taken off early against city on saturday, i would be confident he starts

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        This

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

      Could be, but with Mané banned for the league and Salah maybe sick, wouldn't make sense for him to rest Firm. 60mins at least I would've thought.

  25. Champione
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Play Carroll or replace Kompany for -4? Pep: "We will see in the next weeks but I think it will be soon when he comes back and fights to play."

    0 FT, 0.8 ITB

    Elliot
    Alonso Bertrand Davies
    Eriksen Salah Mkhitarian Ritchie Carroll
    Lukaku Firmino

    Forster Kompany Mee McBurnie

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

      Gotta take the hit, it's not as though this is Kompany's first injury is it.

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

        Cheers. Suggestions? Chelsea double up/Kolasinac/Maguire?

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

          Yeah tough isn't it. Kolasinac looks to me to be a great option (after Chelsea of course). Zappacosta has huge potential as well. Am getting Kola personally this week. GL!

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

            Thank you! Like the Kolasinac but think I'll wait till next week

  26. noquarternt
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Hope a few people did Mané -> Pogba this week.

    Or people who wildcarded last week, having no real problems, to save £0.4m in price drops and ended up with Mané, Pogba and a lot of regret this week.

    Time for another glass of quinine and lemon.

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Karma coming your way.

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

        Yeah of course, just gotta savour the current moment until then.

    2. J T
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Wow you're a nice person.

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

        Your name is J T with a Chelsea badge grav. Casting stones etc?

        You're telling me you get no schadenfreude from watching poorly thought out FPL decisions by faceless FPL accounts fail?

    3. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Don't you know their sub's will do a Capoue.

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

        Yeah true. Lost to a dead team in the FPL Cup last year or the year before that had Terry (vc) in a patch when he wasn't playing.

        Their captain didn't play, JT played the first time in ages; got a goal, clean sheet and 3 bonus to put me out.

  27. BobBradleysOpportunity
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    given the fixtures for united are turning, and for saints they stay positive cedric or jones?

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Defensively, United's fixtures are still strong for the next 3. Jones

  28. Jafalad
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Shirley all the Pogba owners are just swapping to Miki? 😕

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Not those who already have Micky. Like me.

      1. Jafalad
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        If you read my post young Padawan you will see I was referring to Pogba owners. 😕

        1. james 101
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Mate. I read it.

          I have both.

          Therefore won't be bringing in Micky for him. As I already have him.

          Personally going with Salah. But silva is interesting.

      2. GoRedz
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        what u doing then ? are you following the auto-complete and go GroB ?

  29. Michael Gary Scott
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Most nailed Watford defender? Except Britos.

    1. Michael Gary Scott
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      For the price of 4.5....

  30. Respect My Authoritah
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Really interested to see the xG stats up on here soon. The xG from this weekend on MOTD were interesting, especially for Leicester v Chelsea