Digest

The Digest – Gameweek 4

It’s time we said goodnight to Gameweek 4. Tucking it up in bed with a review of born-again Belgian, a nest of buzzing Hornets and a theory that might just see the top scoring Fantasy Premier League player make it off our bench.

The Player

There really is no contest.

Romelu Lukaku’s revival as a Fantasy asset has been sudden and extreme.

It’s taken three goals and nine shots and now we’re happy to forgive him for three season’s of Fantasy frustration.

It’s all premature, of course. With Fantasy Premier League armbands in place, Lukaku could easily revert to type and draw a Gameweek 5 blank against Middlesbrough.

But let’s just indulge ourselves for a while. Let’s entertain the idea that Lukaku’s stunning performance against Sunderland will be typical of a season that finally sees the Belgian establish himself amongst the heavy-hitting elite.

We know he has the tools – the finishing ability, the pace, the power and strength in the air.

With Yannick Bolasie installed on the flank, he may also have a new supply of service and a formidable runner who can drag and stretch a defence, leaving gaps for Lukaku to expose.

Certainly we already know that there’s an improvement under Ronald Koeman and we’ve seen enough to assure us that getting the best from Lukaku will be top of the Dutchman’s list of priorities.

It all makes sense – it all points to a 20-25 goal season for the striker.

If we feel that there’s a chance of that materialising, then we have to question whether the double act of Sergio Aguero and Zlatan Ibrahimovic is really “essential”.

Avoiding Aguero will be, for many, a risk too far, but we may now look at Ibrahimovic in a new light.

Should Lukaku snatch penalty duties from Leighton Baines and go on to deliver against ‘Boro, the Fantasy Football jury will be meeting with one key point on their agenda.

The ScoutCast jury have already assembled on this very subject.

The Team

Quique Sanchez Flores appeared to do very little wrong last season.

Watford stalled badly in order to grind out safety but we saw Bournemouth do the same – it was an understandable shift of gears, designed to preserve precious top-flight status.

But now, under the stewardship of Walter Mazzarri, the Hornets warrant a re-assessment from Fantasy managers.

The spirit and attacking intent shown in their 4-2 recovery against West Ham demonstrated that they could be revived.

Etienne Capoue’s story is remarkable and gets further attention below.

Instead, let us ponder a revival in fortunes for Odion Ighalo and, in particular, Troy Deeney.

Mazzarri’s men march on Burnley, Bournemouth, Middlesbrough, Swansea and Hull City following Sunday’s meeting with Manchester United.

That tantalising run promotes investment, with Saturday’s performance and returns revealing Ighalo and Deeney as viable targets.

At 6.9 and with penalties all the rage, Deeney looks the preferred option – he’s hovering in our Watchlist and about to surge once this weekend has passed.

Then there’s wing-back Jose Holebas – not a name we’d expect to creep into consideration.

However, the 4.5 priced Greek has impressive underlying numbers and his goal at the London Stadium is an example of his potential.

Given that fixture list, the Watford defence could offer one or two shut-outs and, if that’s the case, Holebas looks set to be a factor when the bonus points are shared out.

The Talking Point

Etienne Capoue can’t do much more to play his way into our plans.

The guy is delivering the impossible – three goals from four attempts – wildly exceeding our expectations when we tentatively dipped our toe into the limited pool of 4.5 midfield talent.

For the majority of us, he’s proving a frustrating asset to own. His best efforts have been wasted because, with pricier, more illustrious options available, we’ve kept Capoue parked on the timber.

Each week we can forlornly look at his points haul and imagine our tallies had we shown faith in the Frenchman but, as discussed in last night’s ScoutCast, will a time ever arise when we’ll look to Capoue and willingly throw him a starting role?

As it happens, the stars may just be aligning to make that more likely.

Sergio Aguero’s return in Gameweek 6, coupled with the form or replacements Diego Costa and Romelu Lukaku, suddenly have us reviewing options.

Dare we cut the in-form Chelsea and Everton strikers adrift purely out of fear of the damage Aguero may inflict on Swansea?

There is another way.

We can put faith in Capoue and dip into the 4.5 midfield market again. It’s more than just a late night FPL pipe dream.

As mentioned above, Watford’s fixtures come into bloom from Gameweek 6 onwards, presenting a scenario where it would perhaps be folly to consider benching an on-fire Capoue.

Play Capoue as our fourth midfielder and suddenly the fifth slot can be tossed away in any random direction and our 3-4-3 can bristle with a forward line of Aguero, Ibrahimovic and Lukaku/Costa. Tempting.

We’d all suffer weak benches but Capoue has proved that perhaps that’s no bad thing. At least we’d no longer be left gazing wistfully at double figures amongst our subs.

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

1,082 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Make United Great Again
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Why was my comment deleted?

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

      You used all caps .

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Caps lock.

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Oh right. Sorry lads

    3. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Loud noises.

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        I got carried away

    4. PvA
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Caps only allowed during an FPL gamweek when a player scores I think

    5. Wolverine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      The moderators do not want everyone to know that kun is essential 😉

    6. the axolotl
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      solicitation

    7. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      CAPS POLICE

  2. Bubz
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Kane swinging his leg at things still. Doesnt have the composure of last season

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

      Looks bad huh? Better to play costa this week instead?

      1. JIM BOB
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Don't bench Kane, Christ. It's still Sunderland

      2. Bubz
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        What do you mean play? Obviously you play both

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

          Sorry if to choose between for the week. Im on WC

  3. red devil 7
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    mahrez off

    1. JIM BOB
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Rested for BUR.... Mmmmmmmm

  4. Emiliano Sala
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    that's too bad
    there was a little chance that aguero drops to 12.9 but now ...
    the worst thing ever
    anybody doubted in aguero will come back and get him
    ah 🙁

  5. Syd.
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Forrest winning 2-1

    1. Bellerinmondo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Bendtner scored yet ?

      1. Syd.
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        2-2 now

  6. stachman
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    "Maybe I'll just go without Kun and spread funds around the team"... Yeah... Go for it...

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      😆

  7. HellasLEAF
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Starting to think just benching Kun was best option..

    1. PvA
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Why

      1. ktk_interista
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Costa's brace and Lukaku's hattrick says you are wrong. And there is one more GW to go. I expect both to score again.

        1. ktk_interista
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Reply to Hellasleaf

    2. Ziegler1988
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Kun to Lukaku was the best option so far

    3. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Getting Ibra making money buying Aguero back for 12.9 🙂

    4. Bellerinmondo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Would have had capoue points. But hey hindsight

    5. Bubz
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Im pretty glad I did him to Lukaku tbh

      1. ktk_interista
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Same. Hattrick in the bag after just 1 game and 0.2 profit a certainty to say the least.

    6. Kante Be Bothered
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Why? Waste of 13 mil on bench = lost points

  8. Studgie G
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Real still losing

    1. itwaswritten
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Rea L

  9. El Magico5
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    What we doing woth Lamela? Sticking or twisting?

    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Already twisted to Antonio

      1. El Magico5
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Wish i twisted last week but sunderland fixture is tempting me

  10. Karmanya
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Ibra to Kun anyone?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      this week?

      1. Karmanya
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Next week

    2. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      o/

    3. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Ibra + Kun is the way to go.

      1. Kante Be Bothered
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        But then you cant get a midfield of Hazard Antonio Firmino Ozil

        1. Sandy Ravage
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          you don't need both Firmino & Ozil.

    4. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Kun is banned.

      1. Jimmers
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Only guy who can score a hat-trick when banned

  11. PvA
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Etienne Capoueee you are the love of my life

    1. JIM BOB
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I'm sorry about that.

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Stop

        1. PvA
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          You can't stop love

      • PvA
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Mystery upvoter who is also in love with Capoue

        Respect

    3. TSILIKAFENEIAKOS
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Lamela to Bollasie? Have Lukaku already.

      I know they play Sunderland but Spurs don't seem convincing and he is not even a guaranteed starter.

    4. FPL Maldini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Best one week punt?

      A) Nolito

      B) Iheanacho

      1. stachman
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        B imo

      2. Sandy Ravage
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        B

    5. Bullet Eder
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling getting 78 minutes. 18 minutes more than I would have liked. Pep kissed him when he came off though, will he start against Bournemouth?

      1. Kante Be Bothered
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        No. Pep only kissed players he benches

        1. PvA
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          This

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

          It's not the Godfather 🙂

          1. devils advocate
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            OMG!

            Please tell me Pep didn't kiss his ring?!

            Disgusting!

      2. red devil 7
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        sane

      3. Karmanya
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Should do. Was saved for this game!

    6. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Ronaldo goal

      1. Konig Luther
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        :/

    7. goriuanx
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Spurs fans heading for the exits when the Jubilee line runs till midnight, ok

      1. JIM BOB
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Pathetic

    8. VS10_
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Ronaldo!

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

      CR7 goal,Aboumeyang goal

    10. rohan
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Would be brilliant if Kelechi and Rashford broke into the starting XI (owing to injuries or otherwise) for a good 4-5 week period.

      Kane/Lukaku/ Costa-Kelechi- Rashford would allow an amazing midfield

    11. El Magico5
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Aguero has a ice pack on his leg, said on SSN

    12. red devil 7
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      ronaldooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

    13. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Dortmund 6-0

      1. Konig Luther
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        finally Auba.

    14. stachman
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Sad day after 21 years of waiting for a polish club to rejoin CL... But then again nothing else was really expected...

    15. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Since when does Rolando score free kicks?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        About the same time as Villa won a game.

      2. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Rolando is a Marseille centre-back.

    16. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Sane to Nacho

      4-0

      1. goriuanx
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Iheanacho (c) 😎

    17. Karmanya
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I think I am going to go for Ibra to Kun next week. I can still have a decent midfield and attack line (Costa/Lukaku). My midfield will become extremely weak with both Ibra and Kun. What say?

      1. PvA
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        I say go for it, make sure you pick good players with the money you'd save mateyyyy

      2. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        haha! agreed, below.

    18. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Seriously now, i may as well ask. What sort of amazing midfield can you possibly have, and defence, with Ibra AND Aguero in your team?
      A the season progresses, mids are gonna be out of reach and impossible to ignore if you have both. it makes logical sense to have one, in my case Aguero, and have a great midfield, surely that will outscore at the expense of 1 player, ibra.

      Am i missing something here or does everyone just disagree?
      If i choose to have both, then back i go to the atrocious midfield i had in GW 1, it's just not for me, ibra > Aguero for me indefinitely.

      1. PvA
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Go for no Ibra and Aguero

        Honestly can't see how it will end up wrong

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          how about noooooooooo. Aguero only for moi.

      2. Maarrrr17
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Thats a good point to keep in mind. However Ibra wont drop in price if he keeps scoring, so you can always drop him later to strengthen your mid.

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          i don't understand, i'm saying i WILL be dropping ibra to get aguero and KEEP my strong midfield.

          1. Maarrrr17
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah, I got that, I just mean that if people wanted to stick with both now, there is still the option to drop Ibra down the line in order to strengthen your mid.

            1. Salah’s Sonnet
              • 13 Years
              8 years, 1 month ago

              Ahhh gotcha, yes that's an option, but in the meantime then that player misses out on points from mids that easily outscore ibra's when a gread midfeild combined with aguero obviously scores more. it's just the only way i can look at it, having both simply decimates the rest of the team all the way back to defence.

              1. Maarrrr17
                • 9 Years
                8 years, 1 month ago

                Yeah, my team looks so much batter with only one big foward.
                Ive managed to get hazard, sanchez, ibra and aguero all in my team but it has costed me in defence with only 3 players im confident in.

                1. Salah’s Sonnet
                  • 13 Years
                  8 years, 1 month ago

                  yeah see tats what i mean. Obviously its great having all those 4, but certainly not at the expense of overall balance. 1 out of aguero and ibra, and you can effectively do anything else you wish in the higher brackets. Will be my route for sure.

      3. Kante Be Bothered
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        I agree 100%

      4. Ibracadabra
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        If you play Capoue as a 4th, it's pretty easy.

        I had both Ibra and Aguero in GW1 with the likes of Hazard, Tadic and Firmino all in my team but my 4th mid was Iwobi (6.0m) and 5th Capoue. I think it's still VERY doable if a 5.5m-6m mid emerges. Redmond would have been amazing playing as a striker occupying that slot but he has not impressed... Still time for someone to impress, maybe Bolasie, or others, who can be counted on to chip in with 6-7 goals and 6-7 assists from that 4th mid slot which is serviceable.

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          To an extent i do agree, really i do, but how long could we be waiting for a decent 6.0m and under player who is going to come up with the goods week in week out? No way Capoue will keep this luck going at all. We can't reply on redmond or bolasie to keep playing well, it 's just common knowledge in my eyes to only have one, 'can't have them all' as they say, and it applies here above all other examples.

          1. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            rely*

          2. Ibracadabra
            • 15 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            If you think Aguero and Ibra will finish 1-2 in goalscoring charts (by a distance over Lukaku or Costa or Vardy or Kane), and that the Manchester teams will score the most goals (still think Chelsea or Liverpool may also score quite a bit) then why not own both? That was my logic in pre-season and my GW1 team included both.

            Of course, Iwobi didn't work out as my 4th mid 6M (did start GW1 and earned an assist, but of course subbed off due to injury) but there will likely be a 6M mid that works out. Imagine if Walcott gets injured and Iwobi claims the starting role on the attacking right for Arsenal, or Bolasie does work out, he has some level of experience in working out, as does a Puncheon, Snodgrass, Redmond and others to varying degrees of success they are very experienced players and can score. It can work if you choose the one that has the slightly higher than normal return (i.e. Redmond finishes with 8 goals rather than 4-5, etc.)

            1. Salah’s Sonnet
              • 13 Years
              8 years, 1 month ago

              All true, i can't disagree with what you say man, i can't. i would just much rather make it easier for myself instead of having to play catch up and always trying to pick the right budget mids, which will more than likely turn out wrong in my opinion. Saves me a lot of hassle to just leave Ibra so i can easily manouvre within a higher and more reliable price bracket, it's just a preference at the end of the day, and i do beleive owning only one will outscore having both and a cheap midfield by quite a considerable amount.

              1. Ibracadabra
                • 15 Years
                8 years, 1 month ago

                Fair enough, will certainly be interesting. At starting prices they were 24.5. Both on penalties, both reliable captain options, both in form. Sanchez not on penalties and pretty streaky, with the likes of Ozil, Cazorla, etc. others vying for points, I do own him now but am happy to go without him long term in favor of the Ibra and Aguero combo. It basically comes down to - will Ibra outscore Sanchez? That's pretty much the dilemma. I think there are plenty of other great mid options (Hazard, Mane, Firmino, etc.) that are "premium" that can fit in with Aguero/Ibra/Benteke or Aguero/Ibra/Cheap or Mid Priced Forward and still have nice balance in the side... I am already playing catch up as have gotten the (C) wrong 2-out-of-4 weeks and have left Capoue on my bench all 4 gameweeks in my league, and will likely WC next week to bring back Kun to get a jolt back up the standings...

            2. ***00tennis***
              • 8 Years
              8 years, 1 month ago

              MUN won't score that many goals compared to citeh(will score millions & Kun well injury free can get 40+ goals in this Pep team-can see 8+ hatties alone) LIV/CHE

              Especially when Jose plays for 1-0 wins later in the season

          3. Ibracadabra
            • 15 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Snodgrass for example got 6 goals and 9 assists only four seasons ago, and 6 goals again three seasons ago. He's in his prime, on penalties, on form, and has returned more points than Alexis Sanchez, Coutinho or Mane and he plays for Hull. He costs 5.7m and from GW8 his fixtures are tremendous.

            1. Salah’s Sonnet
              • 13 Years
              8 years, 1 month ago

              Snodgrass is certainly an option for sure! i'm all over him for when hull's fixtures ease up, and would still rather have teh money left over to switch between higher bracket mids and even use it in defence over ibra. i'm a united fan saying all this as well haha! I believe there will be stretches where Ibra goes 3-4 games without scoring.

              1. Ibracadabra
                • 15 Years
                8 years, 1 month ago

                There haven't been many of those stretches in his career, and especially not in the last 5 years (PSG/AC Milan) but time will tell...

                1. Salah’s Sonnet
                  • 13 Years
                  8 years, 1 month ago

                  even that be the case, and he does score like 1 or 2 a game, i beleive a better midfield and aguero will outscore it most times. To me there's two options, have both and play 'get lucky' in midfield, or have one and stand a much better chance with heavy hitting mids and miles better overall balance. Whoever wins FPL this season, i can almost guarentee they will of only gone with one of ibra or aguero.

            2. devils advocate
              • 10 Years
              8 years, 1 month ago

              Snodgrass is a great player, but keep in mind Hernandez is on pens.

              Common misconception on this site that Snodgrass is on pens. He isn't.

              Snodgrass is on pens for his national team and second in line at Hull.

    19. Bubz
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      City are terrifying

    20. Maarrrr17
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Tuchel's signings have been absolutely brilliant, each one has hit the ground running.
      It feels like they're appreciative to be at the club as well which is great for fans. Future looks bright.

      1. goriuanx
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Zorc is amazing. Klopp laid the foundations for the club too. Tuchel tinkered it and has continued. It shows the strength of having long term managers with a good structure. They could lose Tuchel tomorrow, or Aubameyang in the next window for example, but will continue to be very very good.

        1. Maarrrr17
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Absolutely. As much as I love Reus and Auba, especially their chemistry on pitch, we have shown that neither are propping the team up. Today was a prime example of the football that BVB can play with the squad depth they have. The test will come against Madrid, but the way and speed that Dembele and Mor can move and draw fouls I think will frustrate Real alot.

    21. John t penguin
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Can see Celtic losing record number of goals in champ league