Opinion

This Much We Know – Gameweek 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Does the exception prove the rule?

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

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

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

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

If, indeed, I still had my Wildcard…

It was a pleasure to burn

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

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

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

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

Time for yet another Mane man pun?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Back to bed

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

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

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

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

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

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

The last word in strikers

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

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

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

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

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

3,283 Comments Post a Comment
  1. West Hammered
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone play the UCL fantasy? How many points did you get?

    1. AleksanderVN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      52. Would you swap captain from Lewandowski (8) to Ronaldo?

      1. West Hammered
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah could easily bag a hat trick against the shit they're playing tonight!

    2. Expected Toulouse
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      44, got 4 left to play.

  2. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Chances of Salah and Loftus-Cheek starting next weekend?

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Salah - very high unless he suffers an injury
      Loftus-Cheek - unknown. Palace have a lot of CMs

  3. stevenzhang
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Hi,
    Current team
    Foster
    Jones,Hegazi,Davies,Cedric,
    Mane,Mki,Eriksen,
    Kane,Lukaku,Chicha

    Bench:Ellliot,Chalobah,Caroll

    Want to get rid of Chicha,Mane and Hegazi. Views on A) or B) and best 4.5m DEF or 6m MID

    A) Firmino+D.Silva+£4.5m DEF
    B) Firmino+£6m MID+Mendy

    Ta

  4. the vanisher
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Alli, Coutinho, Jesus, Moting

    for

    Mane, Pogba, Mounie, Knockaert

    Yes or No?

    1. Costaplenty
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      deffo

    2. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Coutinho is a risk which could be well worth it. Alli and Jesus will deliver. Moting could be a big game player that doesn't deliver against weaker teams but for that price he's a good risk.

  5. james 101
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    With pogba out, will Fellaini now start?

    Great value if so, no?

    1. JariL
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Herrera might play instead.

    2. weaver93
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Herrera??

  6. built_this_city
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    On Wildcard - Pope and Elliot the best combo?

    1. built_this_city
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Ignore me - I assumed pope would be 4m >:(

    2. AleksanderVN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Pope is 4.5. I think there are better options for the price. Foster, Fabianski, Gomez?

  7. cemal
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    What should I do with my pogba? I bought him for 8.1 (he's now 8.3).
    If I keep him it will be TCarrol or Chabolah playing

    1. Costaplenty
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      SELL, you can buy him back @ 8.0 soon

  8. Mahesh_Kumar
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Who wrote this article?

    1. Wetdream
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Recommended it seems.......

  9. Dybala10
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Pogba news is not what I wanted to see coming back from John Legend last night. I only have 8.2 to replace him with. I have Duffy as first sub vs Bournemouth so I'm happy playing him.

    Should I do:

    A) Straight swap for GW5 - Pogba > Silva/Antonio
    B) Wait until Friday for GW6 - Pogba + Lukaku > Mata/Ramsey + Kane
    C) Wait until Friday for GW6 - Pogba + Lukaku > Mkhitaryan + Jesus + 1.1.

    C makes the most sense but I can't go Kane and Lukaku less?

  10. Coot
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Elliot Fab
    Monreal Alonso Valencia Bertrand Fosu Mensah
    Ritchie Eriksen Salah Carroll Ramsey
    Abraham Firminho Lukaku

    1m itb. Have 2 free transfers so shame to let one go to waste but unsure on which to do. I have a few thoughts and am waiting to see about Salah before the weekend (current yellow flag). Looking for possible transfers that I might not have considered...

    1. Costaplenty
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Valencia > Davies is screaming at me

      1. Coot
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Good shout.

  11. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    1FT, 0.2 ITB

    Foster, Elliot

    Jones, Cedric, Lowton, Naughton, Simpson

    Alli, Mane, Mkhi, Atsu, Carroll

    Kane, Morata, Firmino

    Mane to Salah?

  12. QueefParkRangers
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    On a WC, and my rank is shit!

    Forster,

    Alonso, Jones, B Davies

    Mkhi, Eriksen, Ramsey

    Firmino, Morata, Kane

    (Elliot, Schindler,TC,4.4)

  13. DAZZ
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    I've just noted down some Potential Pogba replacements and their 3 fixtures before and after the international break (IB) (Excluding 9.0+ as they are already popular picks, and most will be looking for replacements for similar prices or cheaper)

    Gylfi Sigurdsson - TSB 4.7%
    Man Utd (A) - 4
    Bournemouth (H) - 2
    Burnley (H) - 2
    ---IB---
    Brighton (A) - 2
    Arsenal (H) - 4
    Leicester (A) - 3

    Riyad Mahrez - TSB 5.2%
    Huddersfield (A) 2
    Liverpool (H) 4
    Bournemouth (A) 2
    ---IB---
    West Brom (H) 2
    Swansea (A) 2
    Everton (H) 3

    David Silva - TSB 10.3%
    Watford (A) 2
    Crystal Palace (H) 2
    Chelsea (A) 5
    ---IB---
    Stoke (H) 2
    Burnley (H) 2
    West Brom (A) 2

    Antonio TSB - 0.7%
    West Brom (A) 2
    Spurs (H) 4
    Swansea (H) 2
    ---IB---
    Burnley (A) 3
    Brighton (H) 1
    Crystal Palace (A) 1

    Henrikh Mkhitaryan - TSB 23.8
    Everton (H) 3
    Southampton (A) 3
    Crystal Palace (H) 2
    ---IB---
    Liverpool (A) 4
    Huddersfield (A) 2
    Spurs (H) 4

    Short term for the next 3, i dont think Mkhitaryan will be the best straight swap, it might be worth looking to take a punt elsewhere. Silva and Mahrez have tasty fixtures, and if Sigurdsson can find a bit of form he could be the man to replace Pogba for myself. Man Utd fixtures are beginning to turn.

    1. J T
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I've gone with Fabregas.

    2. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I think it's tempting at the moment to downgrade to someone like Groß or Choupo and bank the money for when the likes of Hazard, Mane, Sanchez etc truly return.

  14. Lukakuna
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    What do you think of this

    Willian+JWP+Kompany > Mkhi+LoftusCheek+Davies (-4)

    Will give me:
    Davies-Bertrand-Cedric-Suttner-4.0
    Mkhi-Eriksen-Ramsey-Loftus-Carroll
    Lukaku-Kane-Firmino

    1. Rajveer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Considering Southampton's current form I don't fancy double saints def...

  15. Rajveer
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Foster

    Bailly Bavies Daniels

    Eriksen Mkhi Willian Salah

    Jesus(c) Lacazette Chicharito

    Bench :-

    Elliot Carroll Mee Rosenior

    Used up 2 fts for Mane > Salah & Yoshida > Bavies..
    0.1 itb...would u change Willian for a hit?? If yes then who should be the replacement??

  16. ch
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Salah+Morata or Hazard+Firmino ?

    1. Rajveer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Salah + Morata

  17. Zizou
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    is eriksen/alli the best replacement for pogba

    i have salah and mkhi. I also have kane for spurs coverage so perhaps i should be looking at man city/chelsea or someone else

    1. Rajveer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Go for Alli...though I am an Eriksen owner...

      1. Zizou
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        yeah currently thinking eriksen

  18. Atimis
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    In perfect world I would do Mane Chica to Firmino Sane however, I imagine that in Pep's world getting Sane would be crazy?

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

      Pretty crazy yeah or, ahem, slightly insané.

      1. Atimis
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Hate Pep, Sane would be gold for this price

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

          Yup.

  19. LewanGOALski
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Which one:

    A. play Stephens (cry) and save FT
    B. play Suttner (bou) and save FT
    C. use FT for Stephens ➡ max. 5.4 DEF (who?)

    ?

    1. Slip it like Stevie
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I'm doing A

  20. Gabbiadini
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    is pogs a trade

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

      Yes mate.

  21. bigbudgie
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    And now for something a little different

    Draft game ques-tions

    Would you ditch any of these for Zappacosta:

    Bavies Bailly Stones Dawson Cedric

    Would you ditch any of

    Pedro, Antonio or Jese for

    Ritchie, Brady, Choupo-Moting or Gross

  22. southernpacific
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Pogba (8,.2) > David Silva or Antonio

    0 ITB

  23. R Whites
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    On a WC with 0.5m ITB. Not sure whether to stick with the big front 3 or downgrade to free up cash? Thoughs very welcome!

    Foster - Elliot
    Jones - Davies - Schindler - Wimmer - 4m
    Mhki - Eriksen - Ritchie - Moting - Carroll
    Lukaku - Kane - Morata

    Could do Lukaku & Ritchie >> Salah & Vardy.

  24. james 101
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Best £4.6m mid. I have:

    Forster. Elliot.
    Kola. Jones. Davies. Mbemba. Gamez.
    Eriksen. Salah. Mikhi . Carroll. £4.6.
    Kane. Morata. Firmino.

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      On a WC, so any other thoughts seriously welcome!!

    2. james 101
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Cork
      Chalobah
      Stephens
      Billing
      James
      Etc?

    3. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Chalo or Cork imo. RLC would be better after their bad fixtures (I have him and he's perma-3rd sub for the time being).

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks mate

    4. Virgil Hilts
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Obiang is top points scorer so far in that price bracket.

      Just saying ......

    5. Wetdream
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Yo James.You considered just going with two 4.0m keepers ? Would give you an extra 1m to upgrade your 4th mid.

  25. King Kohli
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    How would you improve this team?

    DDG Elliott
    Davies Yoshida* Stephens* Mee TAA*
    Eriksen Alli Pogba* Willian* Chalobah
    Lukaku Firmino Chicha*

    2 FT 0.4 ITB.
    a. Wildcard to get Kane & sort team out
    b. Pogba + Yoshida > Mahrez + Maguire and WC next week

  26. HD7
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Whats your take on Aaron Ramsey?

    IMO he is the bridge between the premium midfielders and the Atsus and Gross. He seems to be creative and with good fixtures. I tried having Morata and Atsu but Firmino and Ramsey always seems more balanced if Im playing 4-3-3...

    1. Rover
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I'm also considering Ramsey as my Pogba replacement.

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        My Pogba sub will be Mkhi. Him and Eriksen and the 3rd spot is for Ramsey I guess

    2. Flowsick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Quite liked Ramsey in the games Arsenal had, but he seemed a bit more reserved against BOU. Perhaps given an earfull after the LIV game where he was too attacking. I'm keeping him for now though.

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Im thinking of having him and Kola for their double home games

    3. J T
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Same boat as Fabregas never sure what you're going to get

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        But he looks nailed... Fabregas has much more competition?

  27. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Did Mhki play all 90 last night? Chances of rotation?

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

      Yeah played 90mins but I'm sure he'll start on weekend. He was our best player yesterday.

    2. Pino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      There is a chance of rotation for every good player that is playing in CL and has played international games.

  28. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    I have a weird dilemma. Almost all my players are playing at home this weekend and away the next. Feels a bit like... shit. Could have used my WC IF i did not use it already lol.

    However. What to do with Pogba is the question. Team is this:

    Elliot (Foster)
    Alonso Valencia Davies Bertrand (Mbemba)
    Eriksen Salah Mkhi Pogba* (Carroll)
    Morata Firmino (Quaner)

    0FT & 0.8ITB

    A) Pogba -> Silva (-4)
    B) Pogba -> Mahrez (-4)
    C) Pogba -> Siggy (-4)
    D) Pogba + Salah -> Alli + Silva/Mahrez/Siggy (-8)
    E) Pogba -> Someone else?

  29. hogree
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Hold Knockaert for another week or move on now after 4 blanks?

  30. pakornk
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    I have a feeling Bavies might get injured tonight.

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      This would make grown men cry

    2. TheEgyptianKing
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      You could literally say that about any player XD How can you feel theres gunna be an injury for a certain player