Opinion

The Digest – Gameweek 9

We finally draw a line under Gameweek 9 with our usual look at the player, the team and the main point of note over the previous round of fixtures.

Harry Kane’s ascent to top scoring player in Fantasy Premier League and Arsenal’s form with their big-hitters on board merit our attention.

We also check in on the situation for our three-man forward lines as Pep Guardiola’s rotation continues to blight our best-laid plans.

The Player

It may have taken him until Gameweek 9, but Harry Kane finally delivered on the underlying home numbers to break his Wembley league duck.

Two goals and an assist against Liverpool – his fourth brace in the last six Gameweeks – elevated the Spurs striker to the top of the FPL standings for the first time this term.

And going on current form, he’s going to take some shifting.

At the start of the season, it seemed as if there were too many options to juggle for our three-man frontlines. But as the campaign unfolds, it’s more than apparent that Kane remains a peerless selection.

Over the last four Gameweeks alone, he has fired more than double the number of attempts on goal than any FPL forward.

Compared to last season, where he won the Golden Boot on the back of 29 goals, all his underlying stats have taken a turn for the better.

His numbers are almost off the scale – Kane is firing an effort every 13.9 minutes this time around, significantly better than his 23 minutes per attempt in 2016/17.

That equates to a total of 57 shots on goal – after just nine rounds of fixtures, that’s already 23 more than his nearest challenger, Romelu Lukaku.

The pair now go head-to-head at Old Trafford and United’s home record – they’re the only side yet to concede in front of their own fans – may well derail Kane’s momentum temporarily.

But with home clashes against Palace and West Brom sandwiching a trip to the Emirates in the three Gameweeks to follow, those explosive captaincy credentials suggest it may not be long before the 41%-owned Kane emerges as the most popular player in the FPL game.

The Team

After witnessing Arsenal’s 5-2 demolition of Everton at Goodison Park, many are scratching their heads as to why it took Arsene Wenger so long to unleash his three big-hitters in the same first XI.

Granted, the mooted moves away for Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil have hardly helped in terms of stability.

But the Gunners’ manager finally bit the bullet – perhaps on the back of the 2-1 capitulation at Watford – and unleashed both alongside Alexandre Lacazette on Merseyside.

What we then witnessed was Arsenal’s most impressive display of the season.

Sanchez delivered a first double-figure haul of 2017/18 to serve a reminder of the potential that helped him top the FPL standings last season. Meanwhile, Ozil – back in the line-up for the first time since Gameweek 4 – mirrored the Chilean’s goal and assist to deliver his maiden returns of the campaign.

And Lacazette, who had netted all four of his league goals at home prior to Sunday, immediately broke his scoring duck on the road.

Throw in Aaron Ramsey’s goal and assist, and the turnaround in performance indicates that Arsenal’s attack could be worth a reassessment.

Four clean sheets in six also serves notice of their defensive potential, although Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac have flattered to deceive as wing-backs and only Nacho Monreal continues to defy expectations.

Having scored once in five seasons at the Emirates, his effort on Merseyside was a second goal of the current campaign and took him to third in the defender standings.

Given that Wenger has been playing his second-string in Europa League matches, we’re hoping that the Gunners can now offer us viable options at a time when rotation is becoming more pertinent elsewhere.

It all looks promising ahead of a home clash with Swansea City, but back-to-back encounters with Man City and Spurs directly afterwards should give us a better indication of their ability to maintain that momentum.

The Talking Point

We could arguably spend this section of the article every week discussing how to deal with Pep Guardiola’s rotation policy.

But as we alluded to last week and prior to his benching of Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus, the only thing guaranteed with the Man City manager is that his teamsheets will frustrate us from time to time, particularly in attack.

Both Jesus and Sergio Aguero were among the top six most transferred-in players ahead of Gameweek 9, earning 283,000+ and 156,000 new owners respectively.

A role on the bench at home to Burnley means that Jesus (163,000) is now the most sold player in the Gameweek.

Meanwhile, Aguero (229,000+) is the most popular target since last weekend after starting and scoring against the Clarets.

It seems to be getting to the point where some Fantasy managers are trying to chase starts, as well as points, when assessing Guardiola’s intentions.

Intriguingly, both Aguero and Jesus start in tandem once again tonight in the EFL Cup against Wolves, with Sterling recalled. Leroy Sane, David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne are among those handed rests.

What does that tell us about the Gameweek 10 likely line-up at West Brom? Those rested would seem assured of starts, but our theories on Aguero and Jesus surely remain speculative.

And that heightened frustration may ultimately strengthen the Fantasy appeal of Romelu Lukaku on the other side of Manchester.

One of only two forwards to play every minute of the season, he’s still delivered a respectable seven sets of attacking returns in nine for United.

That’s perhaps all the more reassuring at a time when the rest of the big-hitters up front have struggled to keep pace.

Alvaro Morata was hauled off on the hour-mark with a single point to his name in Chelsea’s 4-2 win over Watford. He’s now scored in only one of his last four league outings.

As mentioned above, Arsenal’s Lacazette has one away goal to his name, and his allure is lessened by Sanchez’s return to form.

Jamie Vardy has blanked in three successive Gameweeks at a time when many felt he’d profit from a favourable schedule, while Roberto Firmino has scored just once since Gameweek 2.

And Guardiola’s tinkering continues to chip away at the appeal of both Aguero and Jesus.

Maybe it’s unfair to compare Lukaku with Kane, who is arguably on a different level to any other frontman.

But the Belgian can lay claim to being the best of the rest – his underlying numbers are second only to Kane, after all.

While back-to-back clashes against Spurs and Chelsea remain somewhat problematic, United’s subsequent three (NEW BRI wat) mean that for many of his 54% ownership, retaining Lukaku may be the most valid option. At least while we attempt to decode Guardiola’s intentions.

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4,770 Comments Post a Comment
  1. drughi
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    bad miss from aguero

    1. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      As a Utd fan and Jesus owner if he was to pick up a niggle I’d be happy

  2. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    #MagicBeans

  3. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Aguero donkey. What a bad miss

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Richarlison would have b..never mind.

  4. ooooo
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Is Jesus to Morata worth doing?

    1. Dr. DOOM
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      If u have a playing bench. No

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      I'm considering it.

  5. Pieterke30
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 5 months ago

    Sané will start at west brom with 2 out of Jesus Sterling and Aguero

    Minutes tonight might be an indication but not sure

    Thats all there is to it

    1. Dr. DOOM
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      The only thing one should do is just stick with whoever they own

      1. Gazpilicueta
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        and he who is on wildcard?

        1. Dr. DOOM
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Well thats a different story.

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Possibly! But who knows at all! Sane is poor away from home! Could be this again! Really who knows! At all??

    3. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Pure speculation.

    4. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Like we thought last week? Sterling played 60-70 mins and was rested. Pep doesn't do logic he's a bald melt who hates fpl

      1. DJDave1979
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        He's just really managing minutes of a sensational forward line. We hate it but he's getting the results. I think it's clear that we either need to take the assists from Silva and De Bruyne or accept that the goal options mean you have to have a playing bench. I always try to have a playing bench but I must admit both Jesus and Sterling being rested stung. I'm less worried about them playing midweek as it IS a Tuesday and they could come off if Pep needs to but I admit I'd rather they were not playing.

        Having said that, Sterling in particular has been a sensation this season so he will play far more than he will miss.

    5. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      IDK. Last week, Sterling came off early in Champs League, yet did not play at all in EPL. Seems pretty hard to predict based on recent appearances. Raffa has a good point. I think Pep also plays it more like a basketball coach, relying on mismatches against his opponents.

    6. HALFSPACE
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Disagree.

  6. @persecuted_by_mods
      6 years, 5 months ago

      Anyone a fan of the Portuguese league? Lindelof looking terrible again, pretty much every match I've seen him in it's the same

      1. kidzac
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Good. Give me hope that my 3.9 tuanzebe starts a game soon.

      2. @fpl_phenom
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 5 months ago

        Worryingly poor

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Getting the basics wrong consistently and not doing much right, doesn't seem to be another De Gea Vidic Evra type situation

            1. Fred54
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Oh no. Do Man City have buy back clause on Iheancho?

              1. Fred54
                • 9 Years
                6 years, 5 months ago

                One day I will learn how to post things in the right place.

        2. Nascimento
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Someone on here the other night (a Man Utd fan) was saying their mate (a Benfica fan) thought it was hilarious they'd got 35m for him and said 'no refunds' as soon as the deal was announced.

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Wow doesn't sound good. Time for Mourinho to start coaching then

        3. n-doggg
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 5 months ago

          Just seen Aguero playing in the cup tonight. LOVE this news! Jesus(c)

          1. goriuanx
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            Someone tell him.

          2. @persecuted_by_mods
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Did you happen to ignore the other 10 players playing with him

            • We Will Klopp you
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              So who's gonna tell him...?

              1. Ógie
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                6 years, 5 months ago

                Lets just leave him live the moment a little longer.

            • Fred54
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Away with you dirty fisherman.

            • STEP rOVERS
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

            • Yozzer
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Hehe just ignore the rest of the team

          3. Team Cruel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            McBurnie stay under the radar you donkey.

          4. sminkypinky
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 5 months ago

            RLC starting tonight, so benched on the weeekend?

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                6 years, 5 months ago

                Just needs minutes after injury

                1. sminkypinky
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  6 years, 5 months ago

                  Might be right

            2. Rainer
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 5 months ago

              Jesus invisible on the left wing

              1. Pierce34
                • 8 Years
                6 years, 5 months ago

                Aguero is a far better pick if they're both playing.

                If it's just one of them they're both great of course.

                1. @persecuted_by_mods
                    6 years, 5 months ago

                    This for sure, Aguero is always central

                2. Rik Waller
                  • 6 Years
                  6 years, 5 months ago

                  18 mins

              2. J T
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 5 months ago

                Ah no Rashford stay quiet less of this :/

                1. Nascimento
                  • 8 Years
                  6 years, 5 months ago

                  You can have him tbh.

              3. Turns
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 5 months ago

                Anything worth a hit here? Already made my FT. 0.5itb

                Elliot
                Cedric - Maguire - Naughton
                Carroll - Salah - Sterling - Richarlison
                Kane - Lukaku - Aguero

                Subs: Fab - Jones - Chalobah - Mbemba

              4. Over Midwicket
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                6 years, 5 months ago

                Wolves manager looks like he just finished his shift at the local chippie

                1. walkman666
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 9 Years
                  6 years, 5 months ago

                  What's a chippie? I am American and and dying to incorporate more terms like this into my everyday language.

                  1. Fred54
                    • 9 Years
                    6 years, 5 months ago

                    Fish and chip shop.

                    1. walkman666
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 9 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Thanks, Fred. Yeah, that terms won't quite work here...Oh well.

                  2. Over Midwicket
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 12 Years
                    6 years, 5 months ago

                    I'm Swedish but stick around here long enough and you pick up some things haha

                  3. Team Cruel
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 8 Years
                    6 years, 5 months ago

                    You're a jammy spoon-fed filthy casual.

                    1. walkman666
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 9 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Totally.

                  4. Alan The Llama
                    • 14 Years
                    6 years, 5 months ago

                    Lol, I look forward to you crowbarring "chippie" into a conversation.

                    1. walkman666
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 9 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      I know, and yet, I can't. Maybe the next time I go down to my local English pub on 76th street (sir Keith has visited), I can ask if their fish & chips is like what I'd see at a chippie in England. Yeah, that'll do. The non-English server will be like: "what"

              5. HALFSPACE
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 5 months ago

                Sterling v Bernardo for right wing
                Jesus v Sane for left wing

                IF Aguero plays

                Sterling was rested v burnley so Bernardo played, both playing tonight so obviously Sterling on the right v wba

                Jesus v Sane is hard on the left wing. Can't see Jesus benched 2 PL games running
                alternative is Sane-Jesus-Sterling

                1. HALFSPACE
                  • 6 Years
                  6 years, 5 months ago

                  If I was a betting man, Jesus-Aguero-Sterling

                  1. Pieterke30
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 7 Years
                    6 years, 5 months ago

                    No way

                    Sané starts

                2. We Will Klopp you
                  • 7 Years
                  6 years, 5 months ago

                  Sterling Aguero Jesus I hope

                3. MTPockets
                    6 years, 5 months ago

                    Sterling has played on the left. Sane & Jesus have played on the right.

                    1. HALFSPACE
                      • 6 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Sterling half a game v Bournemouth. Jesus has not played on the right and nor has Sane

                      1. MTPockets
                          6 years, 5 months ago

                          Sterling - yes Bournemouth
                          Sane - Crystal Palace
                          Jesus - Shaktar

                    2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 8 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Please Pep take Aguero off. You need him for the next two games. Leave Jesus on he will help win a meaningless game.

                  • The Red Devil
                    • 9 Years
                    6 years, 5 months ago

                    damn, my maguire CS gone 😀

                    1. sminkypinky
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 12 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Tbh do they ever keep a CS? I'm starting to think Maguire was a miss.

                  • Pierce34
                    • 8 Years
                    6 years, 5 months ago

                    I think I've cracked it. Jesus and Aguero both playing today can only mean they're both benched at WBA, KDB as false 9 😛

                  • Rainer
                    • 7 Years
                    6 years, 5 months ago

                    Iheancho G

                    Slimani A

                  • tambourineman
                    • 9 Years
                    6 years, 5 months ago

                    Arsenal 0-1 Norwich

                    1. Pierce34
                      • 8 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Ffs Arsenal

                    2. @persecuted_by_mods
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        Fam blud fam

                        1. Over Midwicket
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 12 Years
                          6 years, 5 months ago

                          Loool

                    3. QPRUTD
                      • 7 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Couldn't decide who to get in between jesus and Aguero.
                      Did Lukaku to Morarta.
                      Have a wildcard if things go bad

                    4. DAZZ
                      • 9 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Any NBA 2k18 players in here, one of the worst for a while unfortunately

                    5. Wild Rover
                      • 13 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Wenger in!

                    6. banskt
                      • 10 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Iheanacho announce his arrival.

                    7. Paul
                      • 13 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Wow 😮

                      We are gonna make a game out of this!!!

                    8. We Will Klopp you
                      • 7 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Anyone buy into the theory that Pep is trying to give the front 3 he plans to play vs Albion mins together?

                      1. Pierce34
                        • 8 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        Who knows. My theory is above 😛

                    9. Cok3y5murf
                      • 7 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Yaya nutmegged

                    10. JariL
                      • 9 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      I think I'll just keep Jesus for the next two and then switch to Kaku after international break for NEW, BHA, wat.

                      Anyone else doing the same?

                      1. banskt
                        • 10 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        I am keeping Jesus for the season.

                      2. Jam0sh
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 11 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        That's what I'm planning to do

                    11. Karan14
                      • 7 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      So Kdb, Sane & Silva rested means probaly they are sure starters on the weekend.

                      B.Silva started on the weekend and today also so he probaly gets benched.

                      That leaves 2 spots for Aguero, Jesus or Sterling.

                      Make of that what you want but I think this is pretty close to what his attacking 5 will be on the weekend bar injuries.

                      1. Pierce34
                        • 8 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        If Jesus and Aguero both play a lot of minutes tonight then Jesus has a much better chance of starting on his own on the weekend than vice-versa.

                      2. HALFSPACE
                        • 6 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        If that is the case, Sterling or Bernardo would play right wing, Sterling 1st choice so by your logic Sane-Aguero/Jesus-Sterling hmm

                      3. banskt
                        • 10 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        If Aguero scores tonight, it is Jesus and Sterling.

                      4. Arctic_Orangutans
                        • 8 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        If he had to pick his best attackers it would be Kun Jesus Sane so for that reason I think these will get more game time

                      5. Sánchez
                        • 11 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        Probably correct. Kun to be benched I'd say. They will need him vs Napoli. He won't play 4 in 11 days

                      6. Mark
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • Has Moderation Rights
                        • 17 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        Aguero benched I feel - Sterling has had his rest. Jesus has had his. Napoli and Arsenal to come.

                        1. foley200
                          • 6 Years
                          6 years, 5 months ago

                          How do you reverse a kaku to kun transfer? 🙁

                          1. CRO KLOPP
                            • 6 Years
                            6 years, 5 months ago

                            Only with free hit

                        2. Freddo
                          • 6 Years
                          6 years, 5 months ago

                          Didn't he say after the weekend that Aguero needed minutes though, not sure he's going to get them on the bench plus he's had three weeks with his feet up.

                          Easiest thing to do is don't guess, you can't second guess him, we've tried.

                          1. Mark
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • Has Moderation Rights
                            • 17 Years
                            6 years, 5 months ago

                            Like I say, it's purely speculative. Sterling and Jesus fresher though, clearly.

                            Let's see who goes off first tonight.

                            1. foley200
                              • 6 Years
                              6 years, 5 months ago

                              Sterling off in cl on 60 mins, then didn’t get a run at the weekend.

                    12. Mark
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • Has Moderation Rights
                      • 17 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Looks like I'm red flagged for the ScoutCast.

                      Pip - who is a vet - is stuck in A&E after being clamped on the arm by a cat bite. She's been two and half hours already.

                      Here's the rub. It's her birthday.

                      So even when home, I've got a cake and presents to sort. Can't see me being able to slope off to wind up Jonty.

                      I know this sounds like the dog ate my homework, but it's the cat ate my girlfriend.

                      100% this is not Granville-itus.

                      1. Legomané
                        • Has Moderation Rights
                        • 6 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        😯 nasty

                        1. Legomané
                          • Has Moderation Rights
                          • 6 Years
                          6 years, 5 months ago

                          Chance for Virg to stand in?

                          1. John t penguin
                            • 9 Years
                            6 years, 5 months ago

                            With mark not being there , there will be nothing standing for virg

                      2. Mark
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • Has Moderation Rights
                        • 17 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        Of course, the show must go on. Andy and Jonty will be hosting.

                      3. Alan The Llama
                        • 14 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        That's a bad deal. Would rather be attacked by a massive dog than an evil cat. Vicious little bastards.

                      4. Fred54
                        • 9 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        Hope she's okay.

                        And wish her a Happy Birthday!

                      5. Wild Rover
                        • 13 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        Ouch, never work with kids or animals. Hope she is fine 🙂

                      6. Sánchez
                        • 11 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        Needs posted again. Bottomed.

                      7. Wild Rover
                        • 13 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        Maybe the cat thought it was Pep rather than Pip?

                        1. Mark
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • Has Moderation Rights
                          • 17 Years
                          6 years, 5 months ago

                          Heh. Nice.

                          BTW - The boys will be promoting my absence with a Mrs Slocombe meme.

                      8. Monkey Hanger
                        • 10 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        Tut tut. Absent from the FPL Show, and now the Scoutcast.

                        1. Mark
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • Has Moderation Rights
                          • 17 Years
                          6 years, 5 months ago

                          I know, I wanted to post to kill any rumours of me avoiding public appearances.

                          1. Monkey Hanger
                            • 10 Years
                            6 years, 5 months ago

                            Do you have a note from a parent?

                      9. John t penguin
                        • 9 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        Wow she was in Nam?

                      10. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 14 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        My thoughts go out to Pip. Hope that she has had her tetanus ...

                    13. Alan The Llama
                      • 14 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Rashford holding his hip. Not in a I'm a little teapot way.

                    14. Team Cruel
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 8 Years
                      6 years, 5 months ago

                      Olsson dead and subbed

                      1. Fred54
                        • 9 Years
                        6 years, 5 months ago

                        'Olsson is dead Sir.'