Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Gameweek 5 – Sunday

Leicester overcome a two-goal deficit to get the better of Villa, with Riyad Mahrez the chief architect yet again. Jack Grealish and Carles Gil grab their first strikes of the season for Tim Sherwood’s side. Elsewhere, Ryan Mason’s strike earns Spurs a first win of the campaign and sends Sunderland to the bottom of the table.

Mahrez Sparks Foxes Comeback

Riyad Mahrez’s dream start to the campaign continued apace with his fourth double-figure haul in five outings. The Algerian bagged a brace of assists as Leicester recovered from 2-0 down to emerge 3-2 victors over Aston Villa – maintaining their five-match unbeaten streak. Mahrez now lays claim to four goals and two assists and has contributed to nine Foxes goals in his previous eight starts. Although Mahrez (6.2) has experienced a 0.7 price rise since Gameweek 1, non-owners will doubtless be clamouring to recruit the in-form midfielder ahead of a largely favourable run of fixtures (sto, ARS, nor, sou, CRY, wba, WAT, new) leading up to Gameweek 14.

Jamie Vardy – one of our three Differential picks this Gameweek – notched his second goal in as many starts. Priced at 6.1, the English striker ranked joint-top among forwards for attempts (five) this weekend, while none of his counterparts chalked up more shots inside the box (five). Vardy is thriving as part of an attack that’s placed joint-first – alongside Manchester City – for goals (11) this term, rendering him strong competition for Callum Wilson (5.8) in that price bracket.

Right-back Ritchie De Laet opened the scoring with his second Premier League goal and first of the campaign. His rare strike was rewarded with three bonus points, resulting in a ten-point haul – the best tally of any defender so far this Gameweek. Danny Drinkwater delivered his first attacking returns in the top flight, assisting Vardy’s equaliser.

Nathan Dyer netted an unlikely header on his debut, rounding off the scoring for the East Midlands club. The Swansea City loanee replaced Shinji Okazaki at the break, prompting a shift to a 4-2-3-1 set-up, with Dyer operating on the right and Mahrez moving into the number-ten berth. Considering how successful that change in system proved to be, Claudio Ranieri might be tempted start the next match in a similar fashion.

Villa Capitulate at the King Power

The Villains were left to lament what could have been after relinquishing a two-lead and leaving the King Power Stadium with nothing to show for their efforts. Tim Sherwood’s side are now without a win since Gameweek 1, having posted four defeats on the trot. Only Chelsea (ten) have conceded more goals than Villa (eight) since that trip to Bournemouth, underlining their troubles at the back.

Jack Grealish got Villa off to a strong start, curling in from just outside the 18-yard box after 39 minutes. The 5.4-priced midfielder certainly harbours the potential to be a top pick in the budget-midfielder bracket, having commandeered his side’s attack with authority in the first half. Carles Gil then bagged his debut goal for the club, doubling the visitors’ advantage at three minutes past the hour.

Micah Richards (4.6) and Gabriel Agbonlahor both claimed an assist, with the latter remaining the prime route into Villa’s rearguard in spite of new recruit Joleon Lescott (4.9) joining him in central defence. Richards is well backed (9.6% ownership) and could deliver precious shut-out points as the West Midlanders gear up for two promising home ties over the next three Gameweeks (WBA, liv, STO) – only Newcastle United have recorded fewer goals (three) than the Potters and Baggies (both three) so far this season.

Mason Wins it for Spurs

At the fifth time of asking, Tottenham Hotspur secured their first win of the campaign, extending their unbeaten streak to four matches. Ryan Mason scored eight minutes from time to claim just his third goal in 46 outings for the north London club, with substitute Erik Lamela delivering the decisive through ball. Mason did, however, suffer a heavy knock to the knee from the onrushing Sunderland keeper, Costel Pantillimon, and is set to be assessed early next week.

Only three sides have conceded more goals that the Lilywhites this term, following their second consecutive clean sheet. Further shut-outs in the coming Gameweeks could be hard to come by, though, with a challenging quartet of fixtures (CRY, MCI, swa, LIV) next on the agenda.

Eric Dier (5.0) is arguably the prime route into their rearguard, having turned out a man-of-the-match performance in the double pivot against the Black Cats. The former Sporting Lisbon centre-back offers out-of-position potential and has been the most prolific shooter among Spurs’ back line (five attempts) – only three defenders across the league have managed more shots.

Harry Kane failed to build upon his pair of goalscoring performances during the international break, carding his fifth successive blank. Over 400,000 Fantasy managers have sold the 9.4-priced striker in the build-up to the past three Gameweeks and – off the back of another disappointing display – his 22% ownership looks certain to diminish further.

 

Sunderland ended the week in 20th position following their 1-0 defeat to Spurs. The Wearsiders are now without a league win in eight matches, having lost four and drawn four over that stretch. That being said, Dick Advocaat’s outfit more than held their own at the Stadium of Light, notching just three fewer attempts (12 compared to 15) than the visitors and arguably boasting the better quality chances throughout the encounter.

As expected, Ola Toivonen’s impressive cameo last time out triggered a switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation for Advocaat, facilitating the Swedish midfielder’s deployment in “the hole”. Fabio Borini earned a start on the left flank, while Jeremain Lens excelled on the right – Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott (both eight) were the only midfielders to fashion more shots than Lens (four) over the weekend. Despite previously suggesting that Jermain Defoe couldn’t operate as a lone striker, Advocaat tasked the diminutive poacher with leading the line, enhancing his Fantasy prospects at the 5.6 mark ahead of clashes with Bournemouth, West Ham, West Brom and Newcastle in the next five.

1,193 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Is Gut Instinct All We Have Left?
    J0E
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Fantasy Football Scout daily hot topic

    Is Gut Instinct all we are left with?

    What can we now trust in to guide us up the rankings.

    Once upon a time players who were expensive and good served up assists and goals on a plate in easy fixtures. We could trust in talent and we could trust in fixtures. We could also trust in form, with players on a roll and staying great assets for weeks at a time.

    Then came 2015/16.

    So given that fixtures are seemingly meaningless. Given that form is now based on luck. Given that price is certainly no indication of talent and given that players who are not nailed on are proving better picks than reliable starters, where do we go for help to base our decisions on.

    Underlying stats were once the key way. But with Pelle and Sanchez blanking (again) after topping the shots in the box charts is that a guide anymore?

    With Hazard riding high in the creativity charts, is chances created a credible guide?

    How do we assess whether a transfer will succeed or not? Is gut instinct all we are left with?

    For this it would be great to get views of Members and non Members alike. Members may be able to help each other out with some good tables or guide to using the underlying stats correctly. Non members should also be able to help out and explain what guides their decisions?

    1. The Gambler.
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      just captain Mahrez every week

      1. Cheeseoid
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        There will be a big jump in captains of Mahrez next week I think.

      2. GrumblyBlowfish
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Or Kolarov

      3. Billy Gilmore
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        *Kolarov

        1. Futbol Heritage
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Me basically

          1. Mahesh_Kumar
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            lol

    2. GreennRed
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Form and class laugh at fixtures.

      1. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Yet Gomis and Ayew blanked...so both form and fixtures are laughing..sadly at us.

        1. GreennRed
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          1 week. Just 1. Might do the same next GW.

          Too many coming on FFS and kneejerking based on a week or two of blanks while a random brace has them buying players they'll look to sell 3 weeks later and waste two transfers. You're right about lietening to your gut. Better than looking at bandwzgoneers on here.

          The other thing driving it is low ranks because many are boosted by playing their chips already. Thirty eight gameweeks, not five !

        2. Unliklinho
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          I always fancied Watford to keep a clean sheet this week tho. They are set up very defensively, and so far Swansea's success has come at the expense of teams who *should* have been good, but are suffering defensive fails this season.

        3. Hyperion
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          It just shows we should be taking the Watford defence seriously.

    3. Cheeseoid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Despair all ye who enter here!

    4. Kalix
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Three words:

      Small Sample Size

      1. Stoke me a Clipper
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Getting bigger by the week and still thinks are going against the norm

    5. Doolittle
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'm completely stumped at the moment. We "veterans" HAVE to believe that things will change, that the usual rules of FPL will return, because what else do we go on? If we ignore proven players, form, fixtures and stats, we may as well just have an auto-complete team. I'm going to continue using stats and knowledge and just trust that it will work. I mean, it can't go on like this all season...can it?

      1. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I'm looking forward to replies from the likes of Doosra who have a firm grip on the underlying stats. He and I are looking at the same stats, but he's seeing something I'm not as his rank is far higher, plus his decisions are working out based on stats. Its that kind of insight where I think us veterans can strike back. I think together we can beat this infernal season. 🙂

        1. GreennRed
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Stats, like saying Coutinho will score goals because he missed his three chances at Arsenal ?

          1. J0E
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Stats like saying bench Wilson in gwk 5 as he is showing a downturn and telling people not to get Pedro as he is not offering enough threat despite his points (I ignored both these nuggets of advice btw)

            1. Crystal
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Pedro 1 blank away at Everton in 3 matches is no reason for concern. Benching Wilson away to Nirwuch worked but certainly wouldn't have been a decision I would have made. Always play the 3 strikers IMO

              1. Postman Ty
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 1 month ago

                a rule like 'always play 3 strikers' is just ignorant and stubborn. unless those 3 strikers are suarez, aguero, and rooney a few seasons ago, there is no justification to play one player over another just because of their position. it's about points... you can't say that a decent striker in poor form against a good team is more likely to score than a decent mid in good form against a bad team, or a good defence getting a clean sheet against a poor attacking side.

            2. GreennRed
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              I got Pedro as soon as he signed. With two mins to go in my WC I shipped Lukaku and Payet out for him and Vardy. Happy enough with that so far. Pedro is a goalscorer in a Sanchez mode as opposed to Hazard, Ozil, mids who will score some goals. Hope him and Sanchez get on the trail soon.

              Wilson has to prove himself yet, just 5 weeks into his PL career. One hatty doesn't make a consistently good PL striker but he looks like he will be. Vardy is boring in comparison, but has a hand in most Leicester goals. Advice saying don't get Vardy AND Mahrez, two Leicester attackers is silly at this time. Both are a threat and allow balance in your team with ethe extra cash they free up.

        2. Boris Bodega
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          The stats support Sanchez so I am definitely sticking with him. How he didn't score a hat trick, let alone a single goal was incredibly unlucky.

          1. President Giggs
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Indeed, hit the woodwork on multiple occasions. Goals are coming.

        3. Doolittle
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          I'm at the 750-800k mark, which doesn't even seem bad any more! With someone like Sanchez, he can't blank forever, these shots HAVE to start going in eventually. I'm just going to ride it out and have faith that things will change.

      2. vassiriki
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        seconded. things will obviously get better but this year it's really taking it's toll. just gonna stick with my plan, of course getting rid of the likes hazard and rooney, they're incredibly ineffectual, but keeping it tight and just waiting for the explosive time!

        Btw, I'm extremely curious on how many points the regular ffs members scored over these 5 gws. myself, i have 208 with payet to play tonight. it's 41.6 on average which is incredibly low but soon it'll hopefully increase

        1. Doolittle
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          I'm going to have 215 after auto-subs, no one playing tonight. It doesn't help my cause when I have Nyom on the bench, and for Arsenal's 3 consecutive CS I've had Mertesacker...

          1. Boris Bodega
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            After 2 bench disasters, Mahrez in GW1 and Wilson in GW3, I managed to luck out with Silva on the bench and deciding to play Hoolahan.

            Currently on 249 (64 this week). 🙂

            1. QPR expects... glory!
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Wow! Good for you. Can I borrow some of your new found luck?

            2. Doolittle
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Ahhh excellent work Boris!

            3. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Wow, all those benched points and still doing well, congrats

            4. Nedvěd11
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Puh, Sterling and Silva out.
              Targett and Hoolahan from bench 😛

      3. Sharkytect
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        An auto-complete team is currently winning my money mini league. They haven't made one transfer or even adjusted their bench from day one.

    6. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I called the Samaritans last night.

    7. Cheeseoid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I think it a big advert for not taking hits. Those 4 points are taking some earning back.

      1. Doolittle
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I've taken 2 hits this season:

        GW3 - Rooney and Sterling to Aguero and Mahrez
        GW4 - Azpi and Ozil to Kolarov and Silva

        Both hits worked very well (Silva getting an injury was unfortunate but couldn't be planned for). I don't think you can say hits do/don't work generally.

        1. Cheeseoid
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Not always but the unpredictability is making hit harder to get it right.

          1. Doolittle
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Indeed, City players and Mahrez have been the only really reliable sources.

        2. I Member
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          They first one didn't. If I worked it out correctly Rooney and Sterling have 19 points combined since GW3 while Aguero and Mahrez have 17. That's not even factoring in the -4.

          1. Doolittle
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Eh? Mahrez has 22 on his own. Mahrez and Aguero have 27, Sterling and Rooney have 19.

            1. Doolittle
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              So you could say the -4 for Rooney to Aguero didn't work out, but it was a calculated move. Rooney was clearly deadwood in the team, I (and everyone) did not expect Aguero to blank twice, then go off injured after 25 minutes. It wasn't a bad move, it just didn't work out.

              1. Uppercut Panda - A legend i…
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 1 month ago

                yeah. unfortunately FPL is not good/bad moves but rather moves that work out and those that dont.

                1. Futbol Heritage
                  • 15 Years
                  9 years, 1 month ago

                  This. Its what the hot topic is about. We have all made "good moves"which didnt work out. I made the same transfers you did for free and dont regret it, but It was a good move which workout has little weight in this discussion.

    8. Geordienufc1
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Melodrama is an easy response, I think, when faced with the absurdity of the start of this season. But 5 weeks of data shouldn't overly dictate what we know, based on far lengthier observation, to be true. I think keeping the faith in the tried and tested is the most logical way to proceed.

      But hey, kudos to whoever's gut said Naismith this week! 😛

      1. Doolittle
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Naismith is a prime example of what's happening; it's not just that big hitters aren't producing, it's that, aside from Mahrez/City players, no viable options are really scoring consistently. A few defenders are doing well, but the big attacking points are coming from completely unpredictable sources.

        Take this week. I can bemoan my lack of points, but where would I really do anything differently? Naismith? Matic? Mikel? Lamela? Mason? Iheanacho? Nasri? Jarvis? Steve Cook?

        There have been a few exceptions, the likes of Ayew and Gomis, but it's not really been a case of buying the wrong player or selling someone who scores well - it's just that the points are coming from the oddest of places.

        1. Jøssy ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Agreed. I always think to myself when someone benefits from a hat trick from Naismith, or similar, "Enjoy your haul. If you intend to keep him in your team, I'll be ok"

          But it's not playing out like that at the moment. Admittedly over a small sample of data.

          Did you eventually get Coates out before the next price drop?

      2. invertebrate
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        My dad had Naismith in his UFPL team. It was the early kick off so he had time to see the team sheets before finalising his line-up. Naismith was on Everton's bench so he switched him out at the last minute. Rang me up almost in tears at full time.

    9. Stoke me a Clipper
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I have taken to guessing and hoping for the best.

      I have not achieved a single correct captaincy yet this year. My best is Sanchez for 6 points.....

      I give up......

      1. Cheeseoid
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Rooney GW 1 with an assist is the only one who has got anything for me. Terible.

      2. Boris Bodega
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Mine are -

        GW1 - Walcott 1 point
        GW2 - Ozil 7 points (he was my VC luckily Walcott didn't play)
        GW3 - Aguero 2 points
        GW4 - Sanchez 3 points
        GW5 - Sanchez 3 points

        And I will captain Sanchez next week as well.....

        1. Uppercut Panda - A legend i…
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          I am bringing sanchez in this GW just to captain him. Hopefully Kun will be fit to play against West Ham which would make the move to Alexis that much more easier.

      3. juggos
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Try:

        GW1 - Walcott 1 point
        GW2 - Pelle 1 point
        GW3 - Aguero 2 points
        GW4 - Aguero 2 points
        GW5 - Aguero 1 points

        Your best is still better than mine 🙁

    10. Heels_Over_Head
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Mean reversion is coming. Give it time.

      First 10 weeks or so, there's always some wrench in the works. The wrench is bigger this season. That's all.

      Bear in mind, the below is the highest scoring team you could own right now and how they should line up. No chance this will be the case come week 38.

      Myhill / Gomes

      Kolarov / Kompany / Sagna (Shaw, Smalling)

      Mahrez Barkley Ayew Hoolahan Redmond

      Gomis Wilson (Vardy)

      Cost: 87.6

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Ha, you would probably have like 27m ITB with that lot 😀

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Ah just seen cost at the bottom :blush:

      2. Heels_Over_Head
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        If you lined them up that way every week, you be on 388 (as opposed to the 341 the current #1 has).

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          That's nuts 😛

          How much is that team?

          1. Heels_Over_Head
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            87.6 if bought today. Cheaper if you started that way. 😀

            1. Jafooli
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              😆

              crazy times

    11. GrumblyBlowfish
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I think given the nature of this season maybe sticking with the big guns might be the best bet only because I don't see any viable alternatives.

    12. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'm sort of half way to beating this season. My squad is good I'm just benching and captaining the wrong people.

      Captaining Mahrez and not benching Hoolahan would have earned me an extra 22 pts and give me a very good weekly score of 56 with Payet to go. Sadly though I didn't.

      I think next week must be time for something bold Sako (c) for example. He has strong underlying stats...is exactly the kind of player I wouldn't normally captain, and Palace have great away form. So while he does have form and fixture on his side it is captaining his like that clearly wins through this season.

      1. mojoindojo
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        This. Playing Myhill instead of Guzan and captaining Kolarov would have given me a score of 53 against 38.

      2. Doolittle
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Yep, as I said I've had an Arsenal defender for their 3 CS - it was just Mertesacker - and I brought in Nyom this week for his CS, but made him 3rd sub.

      3. Nickofoz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Sako (C) away at Spurs is way too maverick for you Jonty...

        1. J0E
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Its seasons like this though where desperate measures are needed.

          1. Nickofoz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Was only playing 🙂

            In all seriousness though I don't think those types of measures need to be taken. Sanchez and Aguero will start firing soon if both fit. There are plenty of in form options with good fixtures, e.g. the Swansea lads and plenty of premium defences providing points. Is just about adjusting to the trends really, like it's always been.

      4. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Have you played your AoA chip?

      5. Sterling Chap
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I think I agree. I'm going to have to make some bold (C) decisions this week or perhaps just stick it on King Kola to gradually climb the rankings

      6. SneakyPete
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Similar to me. I have loads of points on bench so far, Ighalo, Targett and Richards on bench this week 🙁

    13. onionbarje
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I think the best way to choose players is to watch the teams play as sometimes stats dont shiw everything

    14. il Brutto
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Patience is the key to this game it has already rewarded me with Wilson along others.

      1. il Brutto
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        No player is going to score every week (except Mahrez) so it's best to wait for those in your team to deliver if their stats look good i.e. Sánchez.

    15. Sheeeit
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Why can't we have Ronaldo in our league. Triple captaining him this week would be 84 points!

    16. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I think one thing that is hammering people (myself included) is the notion that only expensive players are worthy captain material.

      1. Hyperion
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Definitely this. I just can't bring myself to captain Mahrez, but I should learn from last season - I captained Chaz Austin for his hat-trick against WBA.

        1. Somalion
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          As did I last season, and I am a firm believer that nearly everyone is captaincy material. Yet here I am, 3 Aguero (C) blanks on the trot!

    17. Shmadz - Le Saux Solid Crew
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Take the half a dozen or so big-hitters that have failed to perform thus far this season and I don't think we're seeing anything that bizarre in terms of player performances, across the Premier League. There have always been statistical anomalies in FPL, where players with extraordinary underlying stats, just won't deliver point returns. And vice versa. The current season is far from a perfect storm, it's just that the majority off 'big-hitters', 'nailed-ons' and 'automatics' have had their poor performances coincide with each other.
      The best bit of advice I can offer at the moment is...Don't let player 'price' guide your thinking and expectations. Go with players that are performing well, have good fixtures (whatever they are nowadays) and have proved Bap friendly in the start of the season. You should then have a good foundation for when the big-hitters start hitting big!

      1. GreennRed
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        100%

        If people are gonna transfer Aguero out you can be sure a large percentage will get Rooney or Costa simalirish price rather than consider Gomis, Wilson or Vardy. Harrods shoppers, when you can buy goods fit for purpose in Lidl.

    18. Hyperion
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      As is always the way, a combination of underlying stats and the old fashioned "eye test" is the way out of this slump. Pelle showed last season he's not clinical when he went on that long dry run. Because he doesn't have pace, most of his chances are half-chances or headers which are harder to score. It also seems that Sanchez isn't getting as many quality chances when coming in from the left and with the eye test I've thought he looks knackered every time I've seen him.

    19. Bolivian Seaman
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Teams don't capitulate like they once did. I think fixtures will be important we have to choose the games where one team plays the other team off the park. Liverpool - Norwich for example is one of those game. Norwich are possession based and will struggle at anfield. I'm expecting 3-0 or higher

    20. Joggers Nipple
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A fence siting half and half for me.

      Currently around 550K rank

      1. Happy to have played the WC early, got rid of 11 players. Team value about 102.5
      2. You can carry 2 big hitters but not 3imo. Happy to wait and see on Aguero and Sanchez. Shifted Hazard to Pedro early. Its about alternatives. Chelsea and Arsenal will score big. Aguero has no rival up top for MC so will hold. Sanchez, yes you can go Ozil or Ramsey but neither on fire. Sanchez always plays. Hazard is an easy shift, Pedro is cheaper and, currently better option.
      3. Maherz is viable 4th mid. This means you can still go big with the other 3 mids. If this is good or not is another matter!
      4. I am still sticking to 3-4-3 though teams with double MC defense are doing well.
      5. Casuals have played so many of their chips that true ranks will not be known til after Xmas.
      6. As always, team value is massively important. Rises are nice but you got to avoid those price drops early on. So many transfers in the first weeks.
      7. Dont think i have answered you question! My gut this week was (C) Sanchez, i followed my head and (C) Aguero. Is there another body part i should listen to?
      8. What guides my early decisions, getting on sustainable bandwagons, Maherz, Kolorov, Wilosn, Gomis, avoiding price drops, watching actual games and seeing that Rooney is playing bad, no need for stats, got rid. Same for Hazard. Get players who play. Having a 4.5 mid is fine.
      9. My gut is saying Gomis to Benteke this week. Be quiet gut.

      Team
      Butland/McCarthy
      Williams/Kolorov/ Targett/ Richards/ Gomez
      Pedro/Sanchez/ Westwood/ Yaya/ Maherez
      Aguero/Gomis/ Wilson

      2.9ITB

      1. Rossonero
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I agree with everything said here, i followed the same logic.

      2. Boris Bodega
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Ozil is the mid priced route into the Arsenal attacking points, with very good strikers who are rotating.

      3. Sterling Chap
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Good post!

    21. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      People just need to chill out. There are hundreds of thousands of teams that will get blown away as soon as Aguero starts producing.

      Good gameweeks are coming.

    22. *sigh*
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I just watch as much football as possible.Im looking at my weekly scores and imagining how better they will be when my "big guns" and captain choices start delivering.No need to panic I don't think I'll make a transfer this week.

    23. Crystal
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Stop looking at stats and start watching games. Sounds like you are saying throw away form and fixtures as its all luck based now. I'm sitting around 400k and happy with my picks based on form and fixture. Aguero, Sanchez and Hazard are all in the same boat and we should look to other players for points and not expect 'easy' points from the so called big hitters. Lots of players nailing their colours based on historic returns and not adapting to the game

    24. Back on the horse
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I go with my gut, which has been steadily growing over the years, so I should be at my peak powers

    25. tomandrews123
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'm just trying to watch as many matches as I can now. To try to 'see through' the stats e.g.

      - A player constantly shooting but from miles out
      - A player such as Hazard who is always creative but who at the minute doesn't look likely to get goals or even assists
      - On the other side of the coin, a player like Sanchez, who really does look like he should be in the goals, and has clearly been unlucky so far (hitting the post twice is always heartbreaking for a fantasy manager!)

      I suppose this could be classed as more of 'gut instinct', but instinct based more on assessing as much player performance on the pitch rather than on paper.

    26. Rossonero
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'm sure the wright thing to do is not panic and don't go chasing every player that scores last GW. The likes of Sanchez and Aguero will came good, and it will be pretty soon so you'll want them in your team. The likes of Haz and Rooney are different story, they and their clubs are in poor form and until that improves i'm staying away.

      Stay patient, only 5 GW is behind us.

    27. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Stats will always be a good indicator of points to come. The guys at the top of the stats tables will come good, we just have to guess when.

    28. QPR expects... glory!
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      What's really annoying is that Arsenal are creating a shed load of chances for their strikers and both are putting the ball in the net. Sadly though, we don;t seem to know which will start so we're unable to reap the benefits 🙁

    29. Baby Yoda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Oh dear GW5 and Jonty is wobbling.
      I can totally relate btw do not despair Mr Jonty- Your weekly scout cast is still excellent as are your points of view. Right now loads of us will find solace in the fact that we are not alone in studying stats, balancing the books, excitedly tuning into match day --- then boom - A big national lottery hand appears and slaps one round the face.
      On paper my team is outstanding i have tried to control myself more than ever and not take hits.
      I guess all we have is blind faith at this point. Faith in the heavy hitters and that across a season they will always prevail. In the past they always have. New players always emerge every season it just so happens that right now the new budget options are kicking ass. The order of things will mean that they will fall into line as they always have, Mahrez could be a season nugget as could Ayew and in fact the whole of the Swansea team.
      The quality of the established teams that sit mid table and up behind the top 5 has increasewd considerably and that could very well be driving this new Phenom. Swansea, Leicester, West Ham, Stoke, Everton, Palace etc Amazing perfomance in fact Palace look awesome.
      My desperation for points has started to manifest in being slightly glad that Aguero might need a couple of weeks to recover and while he recovers he remains benched in our FPL teams. Giving the chance for other players that represent points of difference might get a chance to drive me back up the leagues.
      It's a funny old game and maybe this trend will continue - I think not - In fact i have to think not because i am keeping the faith.
      Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the scout cast once the dust has settled on the GW.
      This is in fact almost a letter to self.
      Cheers

    30. Ghost Ship
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      No, this is silly. As ever, you need stats and an understanding of the actual game - its 50-50.

      There is always a limit to what stats can tell you - Sanchez has great stats but is being heavily marked for example. Pelle always has great stats but doesn't always translate that into goals - I suspect a lot of his shots are weak.

      You can still trust in form - it's just that a lot of heavy hitters don't have any.

      1. Boris Bodega
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Sanchez is heavily marked, but has hit the woodwork from close range about a dozen times! This is where stats only tell you so much, as those shots count as off-target.

        1. Ghost Ship
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Agree Sanchez is likely to come good - just not as good as last season would be my bet.

    31. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Patience Jonty. Sanchez was inches away from 16 points.

    32. Shifty
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Oddly enough, the only thing that is being translated from statistics to FPL points is defensive clean sheets - something that in past seasons are more of a lottery than anything else early in the season!

    33. Woy of the Wovers
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      There are some strange data this season. Sanchez should have scored by now and his SoT don't even include hitting the post. There will be some mean reversion though it's fair to say that many high priced players simply aren't doing enough to be a safe source of points.

    34. Whats the Huth
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'm not a member - but I watch as many games as possible, and I enjoy looking at my own Stats.
      IMO - with regards with the big hitters - you do need a couple in your team, and the ones to have in my view are; Sanchez, Kun, Silva - In that order.
      Then there's the others such as Gomis, Ayew, Pelle. I prefer Ayew over Gomis - purely becuase Ayew is classed as Midfielder and will score more points. Pelle is one I'm looking to get in ASAP, as I've worked out for myself that Pelle is high up for Shots in the Box. Stats is important in my view.

      The biggest factor though has to be the teams themselves. A certain player such as Hazzard and Kane, will not always perform well if the team itself are poor. Thats why I look only at teams such as Arsenal and Man City.

      My Gut though is screaming at me to get in Kouyate - but the only one I'm comfortable dropping to get him in, is Shaqiri. But with Stoke having a good run of games upcoming - I may need to hang fire.

      I'm captaining Kolarov (I THINK) The other option is Sanchez and Mahrez for me.

      It's only been 5 GW's. Let's ride this out - and the Stat Men will come good.

    35. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I had a go trying gut feeling and got kdb in for Silva.

      Just looks like a bad move now.

    36. Guy Demel's SH
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Well, I used the fantastic tool shared by The3rdTurd to give a better view of the stats and it convinced me to bring in Giroud and that worked out fairly well, despite him being benched to begin with.

      I think we need to trust the underlying stats. Mahrez's have been great and he is stil producing the points. Sanchez's have been great and he was incredibly close to bringing in a haul.

      I really hope those bubble charts etc are updated or even included in the members section, gives a much clearer view of the stats imo.

      1. Sterling Chap
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        What is this 'tool' you speak of?

    37. C-Dawgg
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Anyone saying this is a normal season is smoking crack, this season is mad as a box of frogs. That said I do think that if a consistent captaincy option had been found we probably all wouldn't suffering so much.

      Whilst we don't seem to be able to rely on the usual stats there do seem to be patterns emerging in the form teams.

    38. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      If at any point in the next 10 seasons, if anyone, ever, posts something like:

      "Ooh this season is so boring, all you need to do is captain Henry / Ronaldo / Bale / Saurez / whoever every week, so there's no point playing"

      ....they should be made to read this entire thread to understand what's its like when no one is scoring well!

    39. Kase II
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      It will revert to the mean soon enough. Players with great underlying stats will eventually shine through. Nothing has changed that could facilitate a cause to effect the game in such a significant way. I think the changes are magnified on this site given everyone's focus on the game - hence it seems more important. Similar to 'confirmation bias'.

    40. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      kolarov and mahrez need to be in your team, with one of them as captain

      everything else is now a lottery

      I was ready to hurl myself out of the window after the big guns let me down again, but thankfully marhez captain hauled me to 55 places and a rank rise from 1.3 to 700k.

      The top 1m is the new top 10k...

      1. The Hindu Monkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        *55 points

    41. Jøssy ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      For me, I'm seeing this like I'm betting on a roulette wheel, and I've bet on black 6 goes in a row and seen the ball land on red. There's no way I'm changing to red next go, cos I know what'll happen. black's gotta come up at some point!!!

      For all the thoughts in my mind of, "I need to ditch Aguero captaincy fixation", I have to believe at some point normal service will be resumed and I benefit from a 17 point haul. Hopefully everyone else has given up and captained Mahrez for a 1 at that stage.

      As has been said a few times, in terms of team selection and transfers I think we have to stick to our empirical evidence, which shows us that Aguero and Sanchez will start firing sooner rather than later and the top scorers list on FPL will be dominated by players that cost 8M+ (plus Mahrez, although he may cost 8M by that stage).

      I grant you, there are some old favourites that we do need to cut ties with at least for the short term, such as Hazard, Ivanovic, but this stays true to the old wisdom of the three F's; Form, Form and Form.

      You gotta know when to hold 'en, and know when to fold 'em... and I'm holding... through gritted teeth 😀

      1. Jøssy ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        *it's only 5 goes in a row, but you get my point!

    42. tm245
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Late to the conversation, as always, but maybe the information that used to be celebrated so firmly by the people on this site as "our expertise" is more widespread than in the past or maybe even not that expert.

      I posted my biggest concern about game theory and the direction of this site in the midst of a RuthNZ rant against using bookies odds, but the self-congratulations of the past few years (including using previous FPL winners as experts), the incessant use of FPL casual as a derogatory term when many of us are actually FFS casuals, the groupthink that has become how we process RMTs (many of our responses are subconsciously instructions on how to get approval by others), and the unfortunate situation with up votes where only a few Mavericks get approval and the rest of the counterintuitive contributors get defensive and deliver their fresh ideas with so much bitterness that they end up battling each other. I got hooked on this site because it seemed ahead of the curve (and the Deadzone was one of the cooler places on the web, IMO), but success might breed contentment.

      This is a humbling game for me, always has been. Right now, I am not that smart, and I know it. One would hope that humility will allow my to think very differently about how I approach the game:

      -- different formations should be encouraged; the 5-4-1 guy sounded like a madman, but I'd love it if my team had 5 really good defenders right now (thought two of his were Terry and Ivan, I think!)

      -- the rote pricing strategy of categorizing players as premium, mid, uber could need some refinement -- Kane last year and Mahrez this year are proving to us that we have price bias when it comes to captaincy

      -- instead of mocking auto-complete, maybe we look at it as a way to have a more agile squad, where our supposed knowledge of both football and FPL would combine to give us 12-13 good outfield options every week. Perhaps points on the bench is not such an awful state, since you at least possess the players before their prices rise.

      Maybe the site can start promoting a weekly check in with some alternative strategists, call it the Mavericks or something like that, but flair needs to be reintroduced into the discourse of this site in some way. They could explain their thinking, how they are playing against the grain, etc. and the rest of us could listen and ask questions, two actions that I have always found to be helpful steps to self-improvement.

      I would also love to see the site have locations where people are infrequently but still actively working on longterm questions. Call it the Perspective Project, or Essential Questions, or something like that, but if people could contribute their historical perspectives or some interesting data on some big questions over the course of several weeks (even killer articles like the one last week only get legs for a few days), there could become a nice balance between FFS visitors, casuals, and nerds. More opportunities for people to ask questions instead of deliver declarations would reward innovation -- right now, whinging and certitude are in far too much supply.

      The irony is that I am a few hours behind on this hot topic, and Aguero will invariably tweet his feelings about his afternoon snack or highlights from his new socks, and we will all focus back on the matters immediately in front of us, but those are a few suggestions I had.

      1. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Some really good points there. In particular a focus on alternative views such as a 'what the mavericks say for example. Also long term active discussions on bonus, team or player form.

        I think the community articles are a real improvement over the years, with lots of different types of manager publishing and the thread usually focusing on detailed strong comments and discussion.

        More flair is something that is hard to argue with.

        1. J0E
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          I've put up a discussion on this within the editorial contributors team as I think there could be real scope for some kind of maverick article.

      2. RedLightning
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        +42.

        A single up-vote just isn't enough for such a great post!

      3. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Hooray! + 42!!! 😀

        Top post!!!

      4. tm245
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers, all, for the replies and kind words. Up votes in return as well. I agree with Jonty that the articles are a great addition and definitely provide a space for more longterm, in depth discussion of the topics.

        Any attempt at a regular look at alternative approaches to the game would hopefully create similar space for that kind of thinking.

        1. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Great post, just read it TM.
          Interesting, in a lot of ways.
          FFS does need a collective drawing in of breath and asking a few questions, of itself and it's 'community'.

    43. Barry Woj
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      What does gut instinct actually mean?

      1. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        That nagging feeling that a player will do well or fail not based on any evidence whatsoever.

        1. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          I had a gut feeling that Mahrez would do well in GW1.

          I had him in my Aguero draft as an enabler, but not in my draft without Aguero. It wasn't Kun who swung it for me, it wa Mahrez. I had a feeling I would regret not picking him and it paid off.

          Sometimes it's good to go with your gut, but only if it seems plausible.

        2. Barry Woj
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks. To be honest it's a concept that has always jarred with me and I'm still not sure I get it totally!

          Perhaps I'm being pedantic, but surely the feeling is always based on some kind of evidence. Just knowing who the player is, their position and who they play for gives some kind of insight into their potential success as an FPL option. To me that's still a feeling based on evidence. To come to a decision without any prior thought would require you to pick players blindly from a hat or something (maybe that's what we really need for our captains!).

    44. FPL Daniel
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      It's small sample. Simple reason that stats don't work. At least for now

    45. juggos
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Great quesitons Jonty and I am definitely going to use my gut instinct a lot more from now on. I think we're all claiming that this season started off strangely but it'll turn around eventually. And that surely this is an anomaly for both the big players and the big clubs on a whole. I for one still hope that Chelsea's cleansheets are incoming or that arsenal will start putting in 3+ goals every week against easier opposition. I will probably still give Kun the armband once fit. But when do we stop and accept that this season some things have changed? Or at least start to alter our thoughts on the situation?

      From what we've seen, Lei = goals aplenty, Watford = cleanies, everton, palace and swans are forces to reckon with. But most of us wouldn't touch a watford defender or won't double up on lei attack. We still consider Kun, Haz/Pedro, Sanchez to be essential. We're still saying the sample size is too small or that the league hasn't settled yet (surely intl break and the current injuries haven't helped). We're trying to convince ourselves that strategies we've applied to seasons past will flourish soon enough. 3-4-3 is definitely the best formation to use. Stick with a 4.5m Mid as bench fodder. Pick a heavy hitter captain. Home over away. All of these are currently being disproved. So what is the reason to stick to these "rules"?

      I for one cannot remember ever starting off this badly and although I am not a prolific fantasy manager, I do pride myself in usually being amongst the top 5 in my main mini leagues. And i think as I got more seasons under my belt, I started to stick to strategies that were less risky and proven over time. Well I am finally starting to come to terms with my OR rank of 1.4M and my position in the middle of several of my leagues. I have now acecpted that while slow and steady will probably bring me back in the game, if I want to win my mini leageus I am going to have to take risks. Whether I choose to bring in martial or barkley, give the armband to a defender or start playing a 4-5-1 formation is not yet decided. But with 2 ft's and what I would say is the clearest manager mentality I've had all season, I'm actually excited for the next gameweek and the risks I'm about to take.

      Stats, player pricing, watching games and the decisions of my closest rivals will continue to dictate most of my decisions. But I'm no longer going to allow myself to be constrained by my self imposed "rules" and i'm definitely going to start taking a lot more risks/punts in hopes of gaining some ground to those topping my leagues

    46. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I think when you look at stats across the board, it gives you a clearer picture.

      With such a small sample size to go on, one statistical anomaly could influence our decisions the wrong way. Additionally, we often get too focused on individual stats, such as Sanchez' shots in the box or Hazard's creativity.

      The players who have performed consistently have had good stats across the board. In some of my recent articles, I took a look at the likes of Ayew who has impressive stats across a range of attacking situations. Mahrez too has excellent stats across the board.

      I think what we are trying to do is be too clever. We look at the stats and use it as our magical crystal ball to predict that Sanchez will score well in week X due to a good fixture and his impressive stats. I think we are using the wrong factors, or at least not enough.

      The players who are scoring well tick all the boxes. Take Mahrez for example. He had a good fixture this week, has showed great form and the stats back it up. He registered 11 points - his 4th double figure haul. In hindsight, we will probably admit that he was the one we should have captained.

      Take a look at another player in all our teams: Kolarov. City have outstanding defensive form, fixtures and stats. He would have been a good captaincy option in any given week. I was lucky enough to captain him, be it last week for 6(x2) points, but wasn't 'brave' enough to do so this week.

      We are too hung up on previous seasons. Mahrez is scoring as well as Hazard should be. If Hazard was in form, had great stats and a good fixture we would all captain him no doubt.

      This season has been kinder to us than some make out. We have been handed some great picks, but people forego them, at least in a captaincy sense.

      This week, take a look first at the in form players. If you have to question if a player is in form then they aren't.

      Then, with those players, find the ones with good fixtures. Look at the teams which they are playing, are they in good form?

      Then take a look at the stats, do they back up their performances?

      I guarantee you that you will find several players who you both own and don't own who tick all the boxes. They are the ones we should be captaining right now.

      I look forward to looking back on this in a weeks time to see if I was right, or if I end up with egg on my face.

      1. clooz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Nice, I've been thinking about going down this route.

    47. The Sun'll Come Out To…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I don't know much about math, but this feels like it should be relevant:

      Forwards so far this season:
      44 goals / 16 assists / 43 bonus points
      Midfielders so far this season:
      55 goals / 71 assists / 119 bonus points

      Obviously there are other factors involved, but that equates to forwards averaging 0.6143 points/mark. Midfielders averaging 0.9444 points per mark.

      Midfielders are scoring more goals, way more assists and get way more credit in terms of bonus.

      Defenders: 14 goals / 19 assists / 123 CS / 125 bonus points

      Again, lots of other things to take into account, but, superficially, that equates to 1.016 points/clean sheet.

      The new bonus system has, seemingly, OVERcompensated non-forwards in terms of bonus. Conclusion: 3-5-2, 4-5-1 or 5-4-1. Starting 3 forwards look like a mistake going forward.

    48. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I think too many of us are afraid of being different from the FFS Template and not following the FFS 'rules'. We forget that there are other ways of playing FPL successfully that do not strictly follow the received wisdom of our FFS 'rules'.

      Ruth_NJ pointed out that the result of so many of us copying the FFS Template is that we all finish with similar scores, but not necessarily good ones. Last season the FFS Template was very successful and propelled many of us to high rankings. This season it has been very much less so and many of us are struggling.

      The new chips have of course made a big difference, and many of the current leaders are there because they are Man City supporters who got lucky with their initial squad selections and played their chips early. They weren't afraid to spend big on defence and to pick value players rather than big-hitters. And they weren't hung up on getting Aguero, Sanchez and Walcott into their squads.

      Sometimes we need to be more flexible in our thinking and more open to different ways of playing. Times change and we must change with them!

    49. tejas150
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I have capped Kolarov every week(including everton game) and it really up me..........

  2. HVT
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Early (c) poll as scout is still on GW5.

    A - Wilson (SUN)
    B - Aguero (WHAM)
    C - Kolarov (WHAM)
    D - Bentekke (NOR)
    E - Diouf (LEIC)
    F - Gomis (EVE)
    G - Other?

    1. GreennRed
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      D

    2. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      C or A here

    3. A.T
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B

    4. Whazza
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      everyone is on gw 5, game tonight

    5. Whazza
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      E

    6. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B(c) - C(vc)

    7. Kurtinho
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Might be maverick and go Shaqiri.

    8. Business Dog
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      C

    9. The Man Pastore
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I will keep faith in Aguero if he is fit.

    10. Meinhoff
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B until he scores a hattrick, and then B after that

    11. Heels_Over_Head
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Always captain Kolarov, until he breaks... I guess.

      I'm personally on Aguero with Wilson as VC... but thinking about Lord Alex... just... captaining a defender is so... so... wrong.

      1. Limbo
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        KOLOROV OV OV OV

        (c)

    12. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A or C.

    13. Sheeeit
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A

    14. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      G) Sanchez (vs Ivanovic at Chelsea)

    15. QPR expects... glory!
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Mahrez

    16. Bangarang
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Currently on A but will probably end up with B

    17. *sigh*
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B or G (Sanchez)

    18. Jøssy ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B

    19. All Bäcks
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B

    20. Junebug
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Kolarov

  3. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Is anyone on FFS doing well? I mean top 10K well?

    They could be in with a great chance this year.

    For example I think I'm like 130pts of top spot, so no chance of that happening, but if you're say 50pts from the top and you know how the game is meant to work and it starts working like before, then many of those, less knowledgeable around you will fall off.

    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'm at 84k and still 95 points off 1st 😆

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        😯 crikey, this are worse than I though 😀

        There must be a sample at the top which has really pulled away.....

        1. Mílanista
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          And have used all their chips 🙂

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Fat b@stards...

    2. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Light Knight for #1

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        What ranks he got?

        1. Mílanista
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Something like 3k

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Wow, he's got a huge chance, cause probably has all his chips....

    3. Bobby_Baggio
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      2m worst start to FF ever!

    4. Heels_Over_Head
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      The Light Knight is way up there. Very happy for him.

    5. Wild Rover
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      You will probably catch the people at the top, it's the good players that are already above you that you will have a problem with

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah, you can make up 130pts on most but certainly not all and there in lies the issue.......someone(s) will always keep pace with our improvements

        I reckon you currently need to be within say 50pts right now to win. Unless of course you jammy every captain going and fill your boots with chips.....

      2. Mílanista
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        This. Top 500k is like top 10k at the moment.

    6. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      66k and 92 points off the number 1 guy - but I still have my chips in tact, apart from WC.

    7. Costa Nostra
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      20k currently. Plugging away and making correct captain decisions help. Aguero off my captain radar for now. Scoring MANY MORE points captaining the likes of Mahrez.

      The biggest mistake I'm seeing on here is the stubbornness to keep thinking Aguero will come good. In the meantime those of us not putting the C on him are raking in the points.

    8. leegee3
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'm 18 k about 75 off the top spot. Haven't used a chip and all but gomis against man u my captains have failed. Used my wildcard gw2. Had gomez mahrez darmien and gomis in since gw1. This is the first season I actually read up on how prices rise and how bonus points get allocated ! I fully expect to drop down as the season goes.

  4. Red Star Toro
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Ritchie, Kane -> Mahrez, Tekkers?

    Anyway I gotta wait and see how Payet plays tonight...

    1. Cheeseoid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      He is going to tear it up of course.

      1. Red Star Toro
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I know he will. But can he do it in Manchester next week?

        1. Cheeseoid
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Once we see his 17 point haul tonight we will be happy. Haven't West Ham been doing better away from home?

          1. Red Star Toro
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            true, especially with top6 teams.

            1. Cheeseoid
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Of course if you believe this and yet you trust in your reliable man city defenders you have a selection headache.

    2. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Do anything to get Mahrez

    3. I Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Ritchie has been one of my worst picks but I can't bring myself to take him out vs Sunderland.

  5. Gooner Kebab
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I'm trying to plot my way up, but few in my ML has the same set of players. I reckon the teams with high ownerships like Haz & Alexis arent that high on overall rankings.

    It's tough to find differential to climb up, not sure if anyone feels the same.

    1. Cheeseoid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      It is tough just to get a decent score. If you can get above average you will do ok. I think there are lots quite close together still.

      1. Gooner Kebab
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Yea, will just focus on my own team. Usually i'd look at my rivals team to figure out how to get more points than them.

    2. GrumblyBlowfish
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A lot of people in my ML have dropped Hazard and still don't have Aguero, Sanchez or Mahrez so atm they are my differentials.

      1. Gooner Kebab
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        My transfer last week was Silva to KDB for differential purposes. Didnt do much for me.

  6. blind faith
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Points prediction for Kouyate tonight?

    I'm going a sad 3.

  7. rnrd
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    what did you guys think about KDB against Palace? I thought he showed how good the prospects are with him..

    I think they the KDB / Aguero pair will work perfect in counter-attacking schemes for instance.

    1. Saniul
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Navas denied him an assist, what a miss it was!

  8. Alan Hansen's Emu
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    With defences packing punch, who are the top ones to own - money no object?

    1. Cheeseoid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      De Gea
      Kolarov - McAuley - Bellerin

      I think would be a very good defence. With maybe Cedric and Gomez as backup

      1. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        What makes you choose McAuley over Dawson - the latter should be more nailed on, no?

        1. Cheeseoid
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Actually yeah. You are right.

    2. davies
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Kolarov, Bellerin & Shaw, imo.

      1. Cheeseoid
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah Shaw is a great option too.

        1. Limbo
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Man U have tough fixtures tho...

  9. Saniul
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Any decent CL fantasy games out there?

    Seems like the official site has pulled one on us this year by not loading the game at all. Amazing!

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Bunch of crooks.....

    2. Jøssy ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      It is "Coming Soon" though... they said so! 😆

  10. davies
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Schmeichel > Myhill worth it?

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Certainly thinking about it, especially if Aguero is fit.

      1. davies
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I think that's the key, for me. If Aguero is fit, I'll make/waste a transfer on a keeper.

        Isn't he due to rise, though?

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          You not got plenty in the bank?

          1. davies
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            1.6 but still, would prefer the price rise.

    2. Cheeseoid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Probably. If you don't need the transfer elsewhere.

      1. davies
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Nope - I think I'll confirm it after pressers.

  11. Forza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    The top 4 point scorers last season have scored 1 goal after 25 matches between them. This season sucks!

    1. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      20 matches... Maths is hard.

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Wow, even so......still stinks......must turn around at some point?

        1. Forza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          It's only a matter of time before Aguero and Sanchez become more reliable, but Kane and Hazard aren't convincing at all.

  12. Saniul
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    '' Micah Richards (4.6) and Gabriel Agbonlahor both claimed an assist, with the latter remaining the prime route into Villa’s rearguard in spite of new recruit Joleon Lescott (4.9) joining him in central defence. ''

    I think that will be former, not latter?

    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, although they worded the assist stuff right. He certainly 'claimed' it more than he earned it.

  13. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Right, can we start talking about Payet........I need 4pts.

    1. Cheeseoid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I need 16 from him.

    2. davies
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Any returns and I'll be happy.

    3. pingreen
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Annoying thing is most people around me in my leagues also have him.

    4. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I need 6 to win my H2H and anything more is a bonus

    5. Prøphet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Im hoping for some attacking return for keeping faith. Just need to close the gap with my ML leader atm. Anything he does is a bonus

    6. Jøssy ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I need him to get sent off 😆

  14. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Butland
    Kolarov (V) Francis Gomez
    Sanchez Pedro Yaya Mahrez (C)
    Aguero Diouf Wilson
    Schmeichel Shaw Westwood Richards
    1ft, 1,2 itb.
    A) Get WBA defender or Myhill
    B) Lose Aguero
    C) Save

  15. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    It looks like 500k - 600k ranking is separated by just 2 points... Don't know where Payet will take me today. Hope to retain my green arrow

  16. The Hound
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Had enough of ruddy, he needs to go. Should I replace with
    A) begovic
    B) de gea
    C) butland

    1. johnbarnes
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      b or c

    2. Jøssy ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      D) krul

      1. Jøssy ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Actually, sorry, if you don't have Butland get him. Krul is a good option for me as Butland has decent fixtures while Krul plays Chelsea and City

  17. NorwichCityLad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Does anyone know whats up with FPL site i cant get on it.

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Just very slow to load.

    2. Jøssy ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'm finding that I can log on, I get to the home page, where I would normally click on the link that says (something to the effect of), "Manage my 15 man team...". This link is not working and is taking me to a page that fails or blanks.

      I'm getting around this by logging in, then rather than clicking the link to enter, use your broswing history to way a previous viewed page, e.g. your league standings, your game weeks points. Once you've bypassed that home page you can navigate the site without any problems.

      Hope this helps.

  18. davies
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Gomez to start vs Norwich?

    1. NorwichCityLad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Norwich will beat liverpool so no need with Gomez

      1. davies
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        They really won't.

        1. NorwichCityLad
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          trust me we will

          1. davies
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Just can't see it mate. Liverpool will perform better, especially with Coutinho back.

            1. GreennRed
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              And Henderson, who'll put Wes on his hole. Not long enough though to rule him out for Poland and Germany 🙂

          2. Jøssy ⭐
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Bet your glad Suarez isn't there!!! 😆

            We'll still get a result mate 🙂

            1. Jøssy ⭐
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              you're*

    2. Business Dog
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Not sure, but I'm starting Gomez (NOR) with Richards (WBA) first defensive sub.

      1. davies
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Darmian off the bench, for me. Should be fine.

  19. Cheeseoid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    So the Villa defence fell apart yesterday. West Brom have been relatively toothless so far. Lescott is playing against his old club and I am unlucky enough to own him still. What do you think will happen there?

    1. davies
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      0-0 or a Villa win.

    2. Ghost Ship
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      back Pulis over Sherwood.

      1. Cheeseoid
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        So do I. He wasn't supposed to be a Villa defender when I bought him!

        1. Ghost Ship
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Lescott has to go now. Never get a Sherwood defender ever.

  20. Wild Rover
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Crazy stuff.. Ranked 2.25m and falling (no players tonight or subs to come in). I have £5.8m itb but can't find anyone I want to bring in this week 😕

    1. LC1
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Smilar to me. Ranked 2.5mil, 2 FT and don't know what the hell to do with it.

      What is your team?

      1. Wild Rover
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Butland // Ruddy
        Kolarov // Azpil // Richards // Targett // Ward
        Mahrez // Sanchez // Yaya // Ayew // Sinclair
        Ageuero // Wilson // Ighalo

        Struggling with who to bench too 😐

        1. Bolivian Seaman
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          bench sinclair, you think he's going to score against west brom?

          1. Wild Rover
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Well he is at home and Ighalo away. Even considering benching Sanchez 😯

            1. Wild Rover
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              He has pens too

              1. Bolivian Seaman
                • 13 Years
                9 years, 1 month ago

                Sinclair to coutinho, 3-5-2? midfielders are doing well, bench ighalo

                1. Wild Rover
                  • 14 Years
                  9 years, 1 month ago

                  Don't fancy Liverpool at all but thanks

        2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          i'd bench ighalo but wait to see how newcastle def look tonight

          1. Wild Rover
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            I think this is the way to go. Cheers

    2. Gooner Kebab
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Has the watchlist been emptied?

    3. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Did you play the AOA chip this week?

      should have waited for a DGW?

      1. Wild Rover
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Yes and blew it but don't agree about dgw

  21. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Money no limit, which 2 players would you want to have this week?

    1. Wild Rover
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Aguero and Kolarov

      1. Simon69
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        If Kun is fit...

    2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Probably Deeney and Gestede judging how things are going

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Ha.

      2. Sjaugen
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Did you see Gestede this weekend?
        Not impressive

    3. Ohhhhh Gary Macca!
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Shaqiri and Coutinho

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Im thinking along these lines.

  22. Simon69
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Like many, I brought in Begovic this week.. Hoping Chelsea were going to get back to some form of defensive stability. After watching them play, I am regretting my decision. Kneejerk reaction to replace him straight away?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      2 keeper transfers in 2 weeks, no thanks.

    2. Pasqualinho
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      He's getting save points - so not really any different from any other 5.0 keeper. Its not worth binning him yet.

  23. Winter_is_coming
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Will Richards definetely come in for Sterling or it`s Westwood?

    http://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/1359/event-history/5/

    1. Wild Rover
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Richards 100%

  24. Simon69
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Richards.

    1. Simon69
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Reply fail.. One up.

  25. Judas
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Would you do Hazard ---> Yaya for free?

    Really dont want a chelsea player at the moment until they find form and after having to drop Silva last week and with Aguero maybe out for afew weeks I need City cover. Will Yaya be on pens? Or should I go for KDB?

    1. JonnyOnionRings
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yaya should have scored yesterday but missed an easy header from Navas. Also could of scored but passed to Kelechi, he looks great for points. Its a yes on the transfer for me

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        missed an easy header, he hit the ball at yaya at about 100mph

    2. johnbarnes
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'd certainly wait for the CL games, and for injury news on Kun.

      1. Judas
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah Im in no rush as Hazard has already dropped and Yaya wont go up for a while. Also price really isnt an issue at the moment with all these big hitters failing

    3. Valar(Keith)
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      i got 8.9 for a mid too.. definitely gonna be getting Yaya/Sterling. Wait for UCL to get over before making a decision though

  26. johnbarnes
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Is it time to sell Cedric and come back to SOT defence with a gw11-12 WC when their fixtures become appealing again. I'd rather have a WBA defender than a SOT one in the next 5 gws.

  27. Carcetti
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Mahrez did me some damage yesterday. Almost everyone in my ML has him.. About time I got him in.

  28. Hinchcliffe Thumper
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    1FT, 0,5 in the bank. Any suggestions?

    Butland, Lindegaard
    Clyne, Cedric, Bellerin, Richards, Sagna
    Pedro, KDB, Ayew, Redmond, Mahrez
    Aguero, Pelle, Wilson

  29. Valar(Keith)
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    City Press conference today right? been searching the web and cant find what time it is.. anyone know?

    1. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      1245 bst

    2. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      12:45 according to BBC

    3. Valar(Keith)
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks both 🙂

  30. ralfb
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    not sure who to bench:

    vardy wilson ayew or pedro?