There’s no surprise to see that Sergio Aguero’s knee injury dominated discussion this week as the community struggled to come to terms with his absence and the array of replacements on offer. Our community articles offered some cheap, differential alternatives, while our hot topics proved to be a mine of information on how best to cope with the fall out from his absence. We look back on all this and examine how our members have been beavering away and constructing statistical tables to help choose Aguero replacements plus, as ever, we catch up on the latest in our community leagues.
The Community Articles
The Puntmaster’s latest trio of differentials featured some of the game’s most injury prone players for Gameweek 16. Let’s hope they can keep off the treatment table before the weekend kick offs.
Meanwhile there was some cause for celebration this week as Gameweek 15’s Scout Picks Community champion Kurran managed to beat one out of three of the Scouts. Dusan Citizen, who won this week’s search for a Community Champion to represent you in this week’s Scout Picks, will be hoping for similar success.
Congratulations were also in order for 3rdTurd, who scooped November’s best Community Article prize and a £25 Amazon voucher for his detailed look at clean sheets over the last decade.
Don’t forget, if you’ve got some analysis, scout reports or features brewing, be sure to visit our community section to submit your article.
The Hottest Topics
There was no denying this week’s hottest topic among the community, with Sergio Aguero’s injury leaving Fantasy managers without this season’s star player and an array of options. Priced at £12.6m in the Fantasy Premier League game, his departure from our teams will also leave many with a large amount of spare change. In our discussion on what to do with the Aguero millions, Just a Hat was among those looking to beef up his defence with Leighton Baines and Joe Hart on his wishlist.
Aguero’s departure also means that the template team is well and truly ripped up, with a wide array of attacking trios set to line up for Gameweek 16 according to Heels over Head’s look at the post-Aguero forward lines.
Midfield is another area that many of the community are looking to address with their spare Aguero money. Yaya Toure is top of a number of shopping lists after scoring three double-digit FPL hauls in the last four Gameweeks. The Tinkerman believes we are returning to the golden era of 2013 when Toure ruled our midfields.
Roscola urges Toure suitors to be cautious, though. His research shows that the Ivorian’s strong form may have been due in part to David Silva’s absence. With the Spaniard returning from injury, history suggests Toure’s returns could slip.
Daifra Sakho has emerged as one of a number of key targets to replace Aguero, with Accounting on Chris putting forward a compelling argument for drafting in the West Ham striker.
Sakho also features in Rickardinho’s nuts and bolts look at the array of Aguero replacements and there was further support offered in our hot topic on Aguero exit strategies.
With Crystal Palace, Burnley and Sunderland at home in the next five Gameweeks, City coverage looks crucial – even if they are without their influential striker. To help, Punty penned this handy guide to gaining team coverage, while Innsie has some important news regarding the bonus potential of Manchester City defenders.
The Members’ Tables
Replacing Aguero also dominated our Members’ Tables this week. Vougiedipond produced this look at how the key alternatives fared over the last six Gameweeks, while Sverdet’s table on Aguero replacements looks at more immediate statistics, covering the last four Gameweeks.
The Thinktank has been looking at how Manchester City players performed last season to offer further thoughts about their prospects this season.
Elsewhere in our Members Tables, Giggs Boson drafted this look at defender goal threat. Filter by the last six Gameweeks and one or two Manchester City players emerge as good options.
I also assessed some backline options this week but instead looking for the worst defences at conceding set plays.
Predicting future returns was the aim of Jcw1989’s table this week, looking back on players’ last four matches to find those who have the potential to do better. My goals imminent table, looking at those with a high number of goal attempts but no more than one goal over the last four Gameweeks, also aims to predict future form. Its new leader will please fans of one London club in particular.
If you’re a member and are yet to get to grips with the custom statistics tables, you can view this movie for an explanation of how they work. Also, remember to tag them so that people can find the tables with ease.
The Community Leagues
Aguero’s injury should transform Zep’s Dead Team Challenge, where managers keep the same team all season. Here are the latest leaders among his competing ghost ships.
Tinkerman once again clings onto the lead in the FFScout moderators and contributors league, although second placed Athletico Timbo has narrowed the gap to just ten points.
