Stick or twist? The dilemma of whether to hold key players dominated much of the discussion within the Fantasy Football Scout community this week, as stubborn and risk-taking Fantasy mangers prepared to do battle in Gameweek 10.
Whether you’re looking to ditch or keep your main assets, there was a feast of information to gorge on throughout the week, with our hot topics, articles and members tables helping to finalise those last-minute transfer plans. We look back on all that activity and, as ever, find time to catch up on the latest ups and downs in our community competitions.
The Community Articles
The Puntmaster has been assessing potential replacements for Gylfi Sigurdsson after taking a look at the Swansea manβs declining attacking threat and poor upcoming fixtures. Our regular scribe was back later in the week with his regular trio of punts, including another potential midfield replacement for the Icelandic international, for those who fancy taking a chance on a differential.
The Sarjeant also turned up with his popular regular, offering up further analysis of current form throughout the Premier League. Meanwhile, Sticky Mockwell provided his report on the effectiveness of goalkeeper rotation over the opening nine Gameweeks. It provided a timely reminder on the merits of a pair of active, alternating stoppers.
Donβt forget, if youβve got some analysis, scout reports or features brewing, be sure to visit our community section to submit your article.
The Hottest Topics
There are a multitude of factors to ponder ahead of Gameweek 10: the choice of options in midfield being a major consideration. Right now, there are a handful of premium midfielders vying for our attention, whilst a slump in output amongst some popular Fantasy picks, allied with the ongoing uncertainty over Diego Costa’s minutes, suggests that the forthcoming set of fixtures could shake-up mini leagues.
On one side of the battle lines there are the βTwistersβ who are ditching the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Costa and Raheem Sterling without a second thought. In the other corner there are the βStickersβ, resolutely clinging on to their fading stars in hope that class is permanent and a revival is on the way. In our discussion on which camp will prevail this weekend, Jafalad was among those who believe Costa ditchers will be left disappointed.
Later in the week we pondered whether we should welcome this apparent break up of the template team . Baines on Toast was among those who joined the discussion, stating that, with so many good expensive midfield options and just five slots, itβs impossible to βcatch βem allβ.
Such is the tension surrounding this weekβs transfer decisions, there was even talk that Sergio Aguero may falter due to Manchester Cityβs poor form and midweek injury concerns around David Silva and Yaya Toure. Demi sparked this discussion to gather the communityβs derby day predictions. Meanwhile, Beavis proclaimed that, even without Silva, Aguero has the form to shine. His excellent number crunching certainly puts forward a compelling case for captaining the Argentine hit man, with or without Silvaβs craft providing the ammunition.
Chelsea have arguably one of the best fixtures of the week as they entertain QPR at Stamford Bridge. However, with Jose Mourinho continuing to be vague over Costaβs minutes earlier in the week, Rickardinho was eyeing up other Chelsea options and urged the community to consider Oscarβs excellent recent form and his high points tallies against “lesser” sides.
Over on the other side of London, Agbonlahorse has been looking into Arsenal striker Danny Welbeckβs potential. Heβs far from impressed and wonders whether cheap strikers at big clubs, such as Welbeck and Evertonβs Steven Naismith, are duping us into thinking they will perform beyond their price tag.
In contrast, Evertonβs defence may be expensive but is worth every penny, according to MOTR in his run down of the pros and cons of doubling up on the Toffees backline.
Wakeyβs Falling Stars team regularly reveals others that are making a mockery of their price tag. Each week he builds an XI comprised of those that have suffered price falls below their initial valuation. Gameweek 9 was another success story for Wakeyβs ensemble, with the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Swanseaβs Wilfried Bony performing well. Valuation was also being discussed by Milanista, who issued another call to FPL to disclose the secret calculations behind their price changes.
Price is something the communityβs weekly Scout Pick champions need to keep a close eye on as they take on the Scouts with just a 83.5m budget. Saniul brought some much needed credibility back to the title of Scout Pick Community Champion last week by beating Paulβs total. This weekβs champion, Magerost, will be hoping to do even better with his election winning set of picks. Just a reminder that our search for a community champion now takes place in its own community article, published the Monday before each Gameweek at 10am.
Finally, Nighthiker took a look back at some of the pre-season bandwagon flops the community optimistically drafted in for Gameweek 1. Meanwhile, Evs embarked on a more jolly stroll down memory lane in his discussion about the seasonβs best players and moments so far.
The Members Tables
Liverpoolβs poor form in front of goal was a key issue covered in this weekβs members tables. In my assist imminent table Liverpool midfielders dominate, showing just how badly they need Daniel Sturridge back to convert the many chances they are still creating.
The Fantasy Freak specifically took a look at Raheem Sterling to see just how he compares to one of this weekβs most popular transfers Alexis Sanchez. Liverpoolβs Mario Balotelli rides high in Erlandoβs table looking at trigger happy players who are notching up a prolific number of goal attempts. His poor goal scoring form is clearly not for the want of trying.
The Community Tournaments
The Tinkerman increased his lead in the Fantasy Football Scout moderators and contributors league over second placed Mark.
Rasping Drive continues to top The Puffinboy Memorial Cup, for our veteran posters as well as the FFS Old Farts Club and the FFS Deadzone leagues.
In TorresMagicβs Last Man Standing competition, Mr Rabbit hit the top score in Gameweek 9 with 74. There are now 997 teams left after 57 were eliminated after the safety score was set at 30.
The FFS UEFA Hockey World Cup reaches the semi-final stage in Gameweek 10. Here’s the latest from ENR looking back at the group stages and ahead to the weekend’s fixtures.
