Opinion

The Knee Jerk – Gameweek 5

This Sergio Aguero chap looks a good option.

Twenty goals in 25 starts last season; he’s scored 24 and 26 goals in his two previous campaigns.

Priced at 11.4, cheaper than he’s ever been – he looks useful.

Of course, we all know this, it’s just that today’s devastating hat-trick at Watford has provided us with an almighty jolt and left us questioning our logic.

Seven days ago I wondered whether we will ever need look beyond the Harry Kane/Romelu Lukaku combination up front.

In true “knee-jerk” fashion, a week later, I’m now left asking if we can afford to overlook Aguero.

We can’t beat ourselves up; our reservations to this point were understandable.

Pep Guardiola’s plans with the Argentine, working in tandem with his apparent darling Gabriel Jesus, were shrouded in uncertainty.

Aguero has started up with Jesus in four of five Premier League matches. However, he was dropped to the bench at Bournemouth – a decision that appeared to confirm our fears that we could not rely on Aguero and Pep.

But today’s treble took Aguero to four goals since the south coast “rest” and the impact has been instant.

Over 74,000 have already moved to acquire Aguero, with Lukaku the major fall guy. The Manchester United striker has lost over 16,000 owners to his City rival before he’s even kicked a ball in Gameweek 5.

Some are clearly convinced, and the rest of us are left wondering if we should follow suit. City’s fixtures are more than enticing, and the prospect of watching Aguero run riot clutching FPL armbands is a petrifying thought.

Indeed, the only consolation today was that Aguero’s ownership remains relatively modest. He was part of just 502,000 squads ahead of Gameweek 5, and captained by 39% of those managers.

His 20-points will still make waves across mini-leagues and ranks, but it’s surely the least impactful hat-trick of Aguero’s illustrious FPL career.

But the haul hit even harder as a result of Kane’s bitterly disappointing blank.

Almost a million (20.1%) of FPL managers trusted Kane with the armband and were left frustrated by Spurs’ inability to breakdown a stubborn Swansea at Wembley.

Everything – the form, fixture and the statistics – all pointed to Kane being the Gameweek’s must-own, high-scoring option.

But there’s that logic again.

The same thought patterns that can perhaps persuade us that David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne or Gabriel Silva can cover Aguero’s future tallies.

Maybe, like a good few struggling Premier League managers, we just need to go back to basics.

Selecting Aguero in your Fantasy Football team used to be our rule number one. It was our basic instinct.

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

4,217 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 7 months ago

    Is anyone else looking at lukaku to kun (c) this week for city v palace?

    And then kun to lukaku thevweek after for United v palace (when city have chelsea)

    With the rest of my team looking reasonable they may be my best bet..

    Thanks

    1. MTPockets
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Many are. Seems a waste of a transfer to me.

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

        I like it.

      • Limbo
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        I don't think targeting weak sides is a bad plan at all, but this one seems too shortsighted. You can't have it all.

        1. Dave Bauer
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          This is it. There are probably 20 top players we'd all like in our squads, realistically you can only have 5-6 of them.

      • Dave Bauer
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        I don't like planning individual transfers into the future. Something will always change. The gameweek isn't even finished yet, what if Hazard/Sanchez goes nuts this afternoon? Everything changes again.

        1. Flynny
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          I'm just worried that I'm sticking with Kane and lukaku while city attackers are scoring decent points and have easier fixtures coming so likely to flourish more...

          1. Dave Bauer
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            I don't disagree with that, I'm in the same boat. But if I do Lukaku or Kane to Aguero, I'll just do it, rather than plan to switch back and forth.

            Just how I see it 🙂

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

          Don't think you need Hazard or Sanchez 4th is year when you can pick up Alonso and Kolasinac who are both OOP.

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

            *for not 4th.

      • Freddo
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        It's a good idea if your defence and midfield are locked in and you're happy with them.

        Transfers are there to maximise points.

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

        I like it. If you sell Lukaku and get Kun then this season's seemingly slow price rises/falls could help. If Kun keeps scoring though you might need a few quid in the bank or it may get complicated.

      • EL_FENOMENO
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        No

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Who to get rid off?

      1.1 ITB 1 FT

      Elliot
      Dawson Davies Yoshida
      Groß Ritchie Eriksen Alli
      Firmino Jesus Lukaku

      Forster T.Carroll Mee Hunemeier

      1. Homer21
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Is Davies nailed on, why did he not play yesterday?

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

      Id be crazy to get in sterling right? Three goals in 3 games. And on pens lol

      1. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        'On pens'

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

          Sarcasm.

          1. Limbo
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Whoosh. Hungover. 🙂

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

              Me too buddy. Any cures?

              1. Limbo
                • 13 Years
                6 years, 7 months ago

                Dog walk. Fried eggs & bacon and Everton winning would do it.

      2. Knowledgeable meerkat
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        He's not on pens

        1. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Lighten up?

      3. Netley Lucas
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        More importantly, he played well

    4. unlethal
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Any urgent changes needed here?

      Foster / Myhill
      Davies / Jones / Hegazi / Lowe / Mbemba
      Eriksen / Alli / Mkhitaryan / Richarlison / Carroll
      Lukaku / Morata / Firmino

      1 FT, 0.4 ITB

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

        *Elliot, not Myhill

      2. Trevez
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        I am in the same boat

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

        No, save

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

          Cheers 🙂

      4. Dave Bauer
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Nothing urgent, try and hold if you can.

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

          Thank you 🙂

      5. Concrete
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        No
        Although no City v Palace may be costly

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

          Small part of me hoping for a Lukaku injury or something so I can go Lukaku > Aguero

      6. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        I'd be tempted to ship Alli. Although spurs away to hammers has goal fest written all over it.

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

          Yeah, I'm not too keen on getting rid of him, he's due a haul tbh and we know what he can do on his day

    5. Trevez
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      What's should I do with these studs?
      Foster Elliot
      Davies Stephens Dunk Mee Jones
      Mkh Alli Atsu Willian Tc
      Kane Lukaku Firmino
      W/C 1Ft £0.2 ITB
      Is it W/C time ?

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

        No wc

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

        No

        Take a hit, there's only two players, maybe, three, I'd get rid of at this point

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

      Would you do Firmino/Alli to Kun/Gross for -4 with the team below?

      Foster, Elliot
      Jones, Cedric, Mee, Naughton, Mbemba
      Alli, Salah, Silva, Atsu, RLC
      Kane, Lukaku, Firmino

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

        No
        Next week it could be Jesus who hauls

    7. Jet5605
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Hey guys, some help would be great. Which is my best move(s) here or should I WC soon? 0.2ITB and 1 FT

      A - Gabbi > Wood
      B - Lukaku > Kun (if Kaku blanks)
      C - DDG > Foster
      D - Other?

      DDG - Elliott
      Bavies - Mee - TAA - Mbemba - Hegazi
      Salah - Alli - Ritchie - Ramsey - Carroll
      Kane - Lukaku - Gabbi

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

        A

      2. balint84
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        A

      3. Concrete
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        A

      4. Dave Bauer
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        I would save and then downgrade Gabbi to some dirtbag like Quaner, upgrade somewhere else using your 2 transfers. But as with everyone, all I'm really advising is for your team to be more like mine!

    8. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Anyone else use this website? https://understat.com/league/EPL/2017

      Fantastic in my eyes. Brings things into focus.

    9. Dele
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Woken up in absolute disarray this morning.

      Spurs 0-0 Swansea
      29pts with Mhki & Morata to go.

      Awful, awful, awful.

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

        Many in the same boat. Hope for a Lukaku blank

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

      Foster, Elliot
      Kolasinac, Bavies, Bertrand, Dawson (Rangel)
      Alli, Salah, Mhki, Gross, (Carroll)
      Kun, Kane (Quaner)

      Should I change anyone? or WC?

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

        Save, good team

        1. Dave Bauer
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          This.

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

        Why would you WC?

    11. Sims
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 7 months ago

      Lukaku owners but non captainers, what are we hoping for?

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Blank

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

        2 goals

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

        Blank as a haul may end up hurting the rank, loads captained him.

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

        A blank, have 54 with Kaku and Jones to go. So ok week if Kaku blanks, not if he scores.

      5. MTPockets
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Hattrick just out of principle.

        • Tcheco
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          As many goals as possible, obviously

        • Cok3y5murf
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Not sure lol

        • DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          likely another 6 which is bearable

        • Iceball
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          What is Lukaku effective ownership, surely less than 100% so OR wise you hope for some good things. My H2H opponent has captained him so Im not hoping for too much of him.

        • Fred54
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Always find this premise ludicrous. Points is points, stop being so controlling of the situation just because you didn't captain him.

          And I'm a non owner.

        • G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Any more than 1 goal and I'm in trouble...

      6. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Which players do you think are under valued in price terms in FPL?

        I would say:

        - Fabianski (save machine)
        - Elliot (cheap playing GK)
        - Ritchie (set pieces and pens)
        - Carroll (nailed on mid with some set pieces)
        - Morata (compared to Kane, Lukaku)

        1. Cok3y5murf
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Agree with Fabianski, Elliot and Carroll.

          I would also say Jones. Should be 5.5.

          1. diesel001
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Jones is a good shout.

        2. MTPockets
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Maybe Salah, Jesus, Davies.

          • Mark
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 17 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Agree with those - although I think Morata's value could still be about right relative to other strikers if he doesn't get pens.

            Hate to say it - but RLC 😉

            Number 10, even in that Palace team, he has to deliver value on 4.5.

            1. Patty
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Morata should definitely be priced higher than Lacazette

        3. Jordan.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          tremendously difficult to be a FF manager atm ,but what an absolute intrigue,been playing for many years and cannot remember having so many riches to choose from,great stuff.

          DEF bailly jones valencia alonso azpi cahill mendy walker otamendi davies trippier berty kolisinac koscielny

          MIDS silva kdb sane mane coutinho salah mikhi pogba hazard sanchez siggy eriksen dele

          FOR aguero jesus lacazette kane firmino lukaku morata vardy

          so many realistic choices meaning especially in h2h your not playing 4 a side cos everyones got the same 6 or 7 must have players ,all it needs today are hauls from alexis ,hazard and lacazette and that really throws a grenade into the fire

          1. Mark
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 17 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            It's both the toughest season but, perhaps, the most enjoyable in terms of a test of our ability to adapt.

            Last season we were driven to be fickle at times, this season it almost might just be even more important to have the convicition to move from each heavy-hitter with form and fixtures.

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

              Yes Mark, can't have them all so have to trust your judgement on them to play the fixture runs.

              Don't think this is the season to be handcuffed by ownership fear.

          2. G-Whizz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Anyone remember this article from last season?
            http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2016/12/19/the-premium-striker-conundrum/

            It's got me thinking...

        4. Heavy Data
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          ok so just woke up. Whatsapp going nuts. friend of mine asking me why ive made 4 changes. log in to fpl site to find yes, four transfers. Minus 8. Urgh. Check the team and it doesn't actually look too bad, if i had picked it for this week. But no Lukaku or Eriksen. Lets see what happens. Dam hapsburg.

          Forster
          Alonso#Cedric#Jones#Bavies
          Salah#Groß#Mkhi#D.Silva
          Aguero#Kane

          Elliot#Naughton#Chalobah#Ladapo

          1. Fred54
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            So were you hacked by your cat?

            1. Heavy Data
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              no i must have made them last night after a bit to many drinks

        5. Sims
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Looking at Alonso and Lukaku > Aguero and Kolasniac if the former two fail today

        6. Hairy Potter
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          Given how Man City have lined up this season, are we overplaying how much rotation Pep is actually doing with his squad? Is the way he's managing players' minutes even an issue if they maintain this purple patch of scoring for fun? Is 60 minutes of Jesus better than 90 minutes for similarly priced players?

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

            Massively, last year he was finding his best team, feels like he knows what it is and what system works for them best now.

            Two strikers will be back in fashion soon as a result just like how Conte made wingbacks all the rage.

        7. There Can Be Only One
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          On w/c 0.5m short of being able to get Kane, need some suggestions on both the team and the wc, I'm having a mare of a season

          Fabianski - Elliot
          Bavies - Kola - Naughton - Wimmer - Mbemba
          Alli - Salah - D Silva - Atsu - RLC
          Aguero - Jesus - Vardy

          0.5m itb

        8. diesel001
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 7 months ago

          My TFF team. Quite happy with it, but need to change Daniels and Yoshida now:

          De Gea
          Bailly - Daniels - Yoshida - Kolasinac
          KDB - Salah - Ritchie - Eriksen
          Lukaku - Morata

        9. AndyCook
            6 years, 7 months ago

            The problem with Aguero is that we are nervous to captain him in case he gets benched in a way that we are not with Kane as we know he will play. There is a solution to this though, we know Aguero will do well across the season, therefore you can be brave and put the armband on him all season and ride out the highs and lows. He seems to be likely to play more than he is not after all.

          • Harmonica1967
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Suggestions for this lot? Gameweek's been a disaster thus far.

            Forster (Elliot)
            Mee-Jones-Davies (Dunk, TAA)
            Eriksen-Fab-Ramsey-Ritchie (Carroll)
            Lukaku-Kane-Firmino

          • Totti
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            0FT 1.1 itb

            foster elliot
            kolasinac danilo daniels mee lowe
            eriksen willian richarlison phillips atsu
            aguero lukaku firmino

            need to get rid of danilo daniels mee phillips willian

            do i need a wildcard?

          • Hy liverpool
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Is it too risky to punt on Sanchez over kane for next 2/3 weeks (WBA BRI ) kane has (whu hudd)

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

              yes for sure

            2. Homer21
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 7 months ago

              Absolutely

          • beetlejuice
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            How serious PL teams take this Carabao crap? Do they go only bench players or top players taking minutes too?

          • @ocprodigy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            I'm enjoying this season so far. Such variety in options and its making it challenging for once.

            Guess the question now is - what is the best front line to have? People dropping Lukaku for Aguero seems strange to me. Lukaku is firing 4 in 4 (and only blanked once, in a game which he should have buried a penalty) whilst Harry Kane has gone 1 in 4, and costs 12.5m.

            Looks like the cheap 3rd striker bandwagon is slowly derailing. Firmino seemed a great option for a starting Liverpool striker but he's slowed down and it looks like Liverpool midfield is the place to go for the points. Hernandez ... plays for West Ham. Mounie has failed to build on his GW1 brace.

            I'm all about big hitting front lines, and I also believe there is value in the strikers this season due to rotation fears. Currently thinking Lukaku - Aguero - Morata is the best front line at the moment, and its not the most outrageously priced front line either.

            Thoughts people?

          • G-Whizz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Fat Lady hasn't sung yet...

          • Rinseboy
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            thoughts on Wildcarding from this:

            Foster Elliott
            Kolasanic Bavies Suttner Naughton Long
            Eriksen Mikky Gros Atsu Carroll
            Lukaku Kane Firmino

            to this:

            KRUL Elliott
            Kolasanic Bavies WARD Naughton MBEMBA
            Eriksen SALAH RITCHIE RLC Carroll
            MORATTA Kane AGUERO?

            Really want Aguero and Salah been monitoring them for a few weeks

          • Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Y'all focused on Kane/Kaku > Kun whilst I'm over here pondering Abraham > Joselu :'D

          • Gudjohnsen
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            Aguero looks like Igor on that picture.

          • Sol
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 7 months ago

            I sold Willian last week he's going to score or assist to punish me.