Up next, we make our regular post-Gameweek assessment of the Opta data for our members.
The improved performances of Alvaro Morata, Jamie Vardy and Raheem Sterling come under close scrutiny, along with Man City’s relentless attack.
We also check out the impact of want-away midfield big-hitters Alexis Sanchez and Philippe Coutinho, before casting an eye over Marcos Alonso’s downturn in output as the Fantasy exodus on him picks up pace.
Just get in a defender you want to keep
Azpi is gonna assist Morata against City too
Eriksen will be fine. Just go Alonso > Azpi unless you are wildcarding next week. A transfer is basically worth 4 pts and I can't think of a defender who I think is likely to outscore Azpi by 4 pts this week.
You will lose value on Alonso as he is 7.1? Or did he drop?
A lot of talk - including on the scoutcast - about what constitutes a successful use of the free hit chip, with people saying that if it gains you 15-20 points it's good. It's not quite as simple as that.
Experienced managers will use their free hit chip over a blank GW. Last year there was a monster blank with only 6 teams playing (or something), and most fantasy sides taking -8 and -12 hits just to field 8-9 players. On top of that, you had to prepare for weeks in advance, getting random players from random teams just because they don't have a blank, and getting stuck with them for weeks after.
There will be none of that with the free hit chip - not only do you get to pick the best possible 11 players for the blank (even if it's, say, a Southampton striker, it will still be 2 more points than someone who doesn't play at all!), you also don't have to sacrifice any of your better players for the other weeks.
So the points gained will be
A) points over the average score during the blank GW
B) points not sacrificed by planning for the GW with hits
C) points gained by not being stuck with random players for weeks afterwards
D) points gained by not having to use your wildcard because you're frustrated with said random players
Random guess here, but I think it'll add up to more than 20.
tl:dr
A) It's more complicated than gaining 20 points over your regular team
B) Use it on a big blank GW
For me the free hit chip disregards having to plan ahead for a blank gameweek like previous years so no stupid transfers and hits on players you don't really want.
Exactly
Yeh I agree
Agreed + your upvote for the effort
Yep, but something most of us are aware of.
There is of course the scenario that there isn't a big blank week
There was a big debate on it a few pages back with people saying it's a good use if you gain 20 points now. I just wanted to illustrate how it's more about the big picture than one single GW.
And yes, if there isn't a big blank week and I can comfortably field 11 players that I want long term, then I'd just use it as a free wildcard in GW38.
Ah ok.
I mean, there will be a week with blanks. Just gotta hope it's one like last year. I do fancy giving it a shot in gw10, but will probably hold off
Yeah with the free hit chip I would love a huge blank GW like last year, but if not I'll just make a custom team for GW38.
Alternatively, I'd use it in a small DGW when I don't want to triple captain or bench boost. E.g. GW34 last year had DGWs for United, Palace, Middlesbrough - not exactly ideal for TC or BB.
yep
So as a random guess. How many points would you take, using it now?
If I used it this coming GW?
Anytime. There must be a number in your head you think the chip is worth. 20pts isn't enough. What is?
Honestly there isn't - given all the factors that have to be considered, it would be very hard to work out. Assuming there is a big blank GW like last year:
-4 to -12 to prepare
- Having 2-3 extra players if you have a full 11 is 4-6 points even if they blank
The other factors, like being stuck with players you don't want and - especially - having to use an unplanned wildcard to get them out are too hard to work out how many points they will cost.
methinks a hulking is in your future.
The main reason I played it was because I am in a money league that only last half of season. There was an oppurtunity to gain some points back in. I was 60 points behind as I haven't played fantasy for 2 years so I am a bit rusty. I am trying to win some money and don't care about overall score for the season. Since I will have a completely new team for second half of season.
There are also a lot of experienced managers wallowing around with pitiful ranks, that would of course want to leave the chips but see an opportunity to get back on the boat. As we move on teams are going to get a bit some template and people will be doing the same things with their chips. Earlier maverick use might pay off - a gamble but for some a forced one.
Good points, but I think a template among FFS managers would still be a minority among managers overall - just look at the amount of people that use their BB or TC outside DGWs for instance.
Still, if you score 100+ points with a custom-made team for this GW, fair play to you.
I got 86 with it last week, which was good but could have been better if some of the premium strikers had blanked. Went form 2.4 to 1.3 million.
I totally agree with your reasoning though - no doubt very valuable chip around the blanks. I'll need a few hits and a captain to pay off to ensure I've made a profit.
What, no hulking? 🙁
🙂
It depends on the quality of the blank week. If the big teams are in it you won't need to use the free hit as you'll already have good players. If it's rubbish teams then the returns are likely to be low anyway. Either way I think the FH chip can be used more creatively.
Another way of preparing for a blank week is just to ignore it. Get in a decent captain perhaps but apart from that it probably isn't worth the hits and disruption to your team to prepare for it anyway. I did meticulous planning last season but would have been over 20 pts better off if I just hadn't bothered.
Yes, as I said above I'm hoping there will be a big blank this year too. If not, the free hit can still be very effectively used in a small DGW (like GW34 last year), or as a free wildcard for GW38.
If there is a big blank week and you ignore it, and end up with 6, 7 or 8 players, a full 11 will almost certainly outscore you. (provided it's the big teams with the blanks)
Best defender under 4.7 to replace Manquilo?
have Bertrand, Mee, Daniels and a 4m fodder
Fernandez SWA
Forgot to mention. Have Fabianski and Foster.
Worth doubling up?
eventually downgrade foster to elliot , after this week and you can get maguire in for manquillo
This looks good!
Don't think so... maybe a newcastle?
Lascelles looks like a good option.
Really torn on Firmino:
1) Vardy switch - keep structure
2) Downgrade to a 5.x and beef up to 3 premium mids
3) Upgrade to Morata
Will have to see how he gets on in his gunfight in the Last Chance Saloon...
if you can wait a week option 3 . if you want to now option 1
3 for me
3
3
Thanks all - lets see how he goes at the weekend...
3
Bit easy saying 3) without seeing the impact it'll have on the rest of your team.
I'd personally say 1>3>2 (cheap strikers are pointless, and may as well be 4.5m fodder)
I've Kane-Morata-Laca frontline and capped Laca this week so it worked wonders. Haven't had Lukaku all season and don't plan to, Kane and Morata season keepers imo but might look to get in Jesus for Laca soon
Heavy 3-4-3 ftw
3-4-3 is the best
I'm torn over Kane - Vardy - Morata and Kane-Kaku-Morata
My forward line in now Kane Vardy Laca , but I will be getting Morata for Laca soon.
Agree on Kane, Morata but as a Jesus owner I'll be getting rid even with those fixtures. Pep loves to rotate him
That's a valid option. Think 3 big hitters is doable but Kane, Kaku, Kun is too much. How is your midfield looking?
I'm going 4-3-3 / 3-4-3 on WC with Kane Morata Vardy. And Alonso. So basically I look it as fielding 3-4-3 or 2-5-3.
3rd and 4th mid? And link your team mate.
Foster (gomes)
Alonso jones schindler (mbemba naughton)
Eriksen miki sterling mooy
Lukaku aguero chicharito
What to do with this. One FT 0 in bank
GroS, Krul, Ward and Dunk OR
Carroll, Foster/Ryan, Cedric and Ward
First option
Why tho?
Gro potentially leathal or second team with gomes
2nd with Foster
With Mendy injured, I was hoping that Danilo would be an absolute bargain.
But it seems there is a Delph-shaped spanner in the works.
"Another positive was the performance of Fabian Delph, playing at left-back in place of the injured Benjamin Mendy. The Englishman did not look out of position from his usual central midfield spot, winning the ball back 13 times.
Guardiola said: "For me, Fabian was man of the match. The guy is so kind and helps the team, he is intelligent, is physical and never loses the ball. He controlled Marlos and did it very well."
Thought so too. I'm avoiding. Want nailed players on WC
Maybe Danilo will play more often than not if factoring in Walker's rests?
I was hoping it might secure Sane a spot somewhere down that left, but maybe the reverse is true...
Or last week, for Morata.
What would you do with this team? 2FTs, 0.0m. Would like Kane but how?
Foster Elliot
Alonso Jones Cedric Naughton Rosenior
Alli Salah Mkhitaryan RLC Carroll
Lukaku Morata Firmino
I'd suggest firmino to kane, so you need 3 million - downgrade alli to someone mid range.
wait it's 4 mil isn't it...a hit may be needed in the shape of alonso out as well
Firm to Kane and Mkhi to Choupo/GroS OR Alonso to Monreal
Save FT?
Foster
Monreal Davies Daniels
Salah Alli Miki Mooy
(K)ane Chicha Jesus
Elliot Dunk Carroll Rangel .4ITB
GTG so save to have 2 FTs on international break.
I'd look to get rid of Mooy, maybe Jesus as well. Mkhi to Silva also option.
Cheers. Hoping to save, but Mooy > Ritchie is very tempting at the moment.
I've read post here that Ritchie might lose some of the set pieces now that Shelvye is back. I have Atsu but don't think I want any Newcastle tbh. Looking to get Shaqiri or C-M intead of Ritchie. Great fixtures after City.
Thanks for the info
A: foster->de Gea
B: Davies/Cedric/Maguire->kola
C: Chalobah->choupo moting
D: none
Need to see rest of your team
GK: foster, [elliot]
DEF: Cedric, Maguire, jones, Davies, [mbemba]
MID: Eriksen, silva, Carroll, [chalobah], [lee Chung yong]
FOR: morata, Kane, lukaku
A) Silva + Vardy
B) Ritchie + Morata
A
B
A
B
Tough one but Id go A
Who stands to benefit most from Mendys long term absence? Danilo?
Most likely yeah
Yep. Better options around though
Are there, though?
In the man city defence?? Who, seems a lottery who will play.
Yes
Do I chance playing TAA against Newcastle? If he doesn't play Carroll will come on for him.
Ive 2 FTs but nothing standing out as a good 4.4 replacement with the fixtures this week.
Away to Newcastle isn't that bad a fixture. Just means I'm wasting away a FT by doing nothing?
I have him too - he won't play having come back from Russia I doubt. Personally going to upgrade him and at a more convenient point find room for Mbemba or another 4.0 to get the cash back.
Already have Mbemba and have been toying with TAA to Mariappa at 4.0
Personally I'd worry about 2 x 4.0. Wimmer might be worth the swap for longer term...
Yeah I'm waiting on his injury update
Might do Firmino to Vardy as you have Salah as well.
Foster - Elliot
Davies - Mbemba - Cedric - Ward/Simpson - Monreal (A)
Silva - King - Alli - Hogg - Salah/Cout
Morata - Kane - Vardy
Foster - Elliot
Davies - Mbemba - Monreal - Simpson - Ward (B)
Silva - King - Alli - Groß - Atsu
Morata - Kane - Kaku
Which one is better? Also, what do you think on Krul-Elliot partnership?
Which one?
A) Keep Firmino (get Morata week after)
B) Firmino --> Vardy (no Morata week after)
I'm giving firmino a bit more time
Just a follow on from Pierce34's free hit chip discussion; surely some of the advantage of not being a casual is that you could plan ahead for blank weeks and make up decent ground on the casuals. Now they can easily dodge that potential banana skin.
Yep - another part of the skill element eaten away...
So, I rarely post up my squad, asking for advice, but I'm all over the place and fearful I might do something rash. Just looking for some advice on what I should - or, perhaps, shouldn't - do (Apologies for the length of options).
0.2 ITB / 2 FTs
Foster
Jones Cedric Kolasinac Naughton
Salah KDB Eriksen Atsu
Jesus Kane
(Elliot/RLC/Mbemba/Mounie)
A) KDB & Jesus >>> Silva & Lukaku (with a view to switch Lukaku to Morata after the International Break)
B) Jesus & Kolasinac & Foster >>> Lukaku & Monreal & Krul (-4)
C) Jesus & Mounie & KDB >>> Morata & Vardy & Silva
D) Mounie & KDB >>> Vardy & Ramsey
E) Save
Or, despite my best judgement (knowing full well it would be best saved for a blank GW), use my 'Free Hit' chip to get this:
Elliot
Jones Cedric Monreal Mbemba
Mkhitaryan Silva Sanchez
Kane Lukaku Chicharito
A
c would be a good move imo
Keep it simple, a
Can you consider this line up as 0-8-2? lol
Foster
Kola Bavies Alonso
Richarlison Alli Salah Mkhi Silva
Morata Firmino
No
hi lads
alonso, brady, firmino > monreal , mikhi, chicharito worth a 8 pts hit?
team would be
monreal dawson mee
choupo silva alli miki (ritchie)
luka (c) jesus chicha
So Lukaku must be miles down the penalty pecking order now.
Pick 3 (and if you have time say why):
Kake, Lukaku, Aguero, Morata, Vardy
DON'T MIND ABOUT THE MONEY i can pick any 3 with my current setup (and i'm happy with that)
Clearly Kane and Kun. With Morata Kaku for which ever has easiest fixtures
6 years, 7 months agoTo be honest I'm not sure if this is madness and plain stupid. Have two free transfers only Eriksen could be a pontential issue but he should be okay therefore how does this sound...
I have Alonso but don't want him so transfer him out for a defender as a FT for one week so then I can change to Azpilicueta the week after?