Suspensions and late transfer window deals left many of our community’s best-laid plans in tatters.
Our hot topic posters sift through the cinders of a fiery transfer deadline day and the knock-on effect on wildcards wielded over the international break.
Meanwhile, our community articles look back at a disastrous set of predictions for the Scouts last weekend. Our Members tables focus on attacking defenders and midfield maestros and we also take a look at those best placed to cope with evolving team sheets at the top of our community competitions.
The Community Articles
Sergio Aguero and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s lack of goals last weekend meant our Scout predictions were less than successful during Gameweek 3, according to Andy85wsm’s latest look at our crystal ball gazing skills.
One of our Spot the Differentials of the near future is likely to be Stoke’s new loan signing Wilfried Bony, who has joined from Manchester City. Zlatan Time, is among our community writers who thinks Stoke boss Mark Hughes has done very well to nab the former Swansea star.
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
Transfer deadline day proved an eventful one for the community, with rotation and relegation looming large over some teams. Our hot topic the day after the deadline closed looked at the impact of the new arrivals and departures on our plans.
The search for cheap goalkeepers was among the key issues, with Hull’s successful recruitment of David Marshall seemingly sounding the death knell for Eldin Jakupovic’s time as a budget option between the sticks.
Meanwhile, as King Nidge points out, Sunderland’s failure to transfer in Boavista shot stopper Mika Domingues means that our hopes hang on Jordan Pickford in the sub-4.5 keeper bracket. It is worth noting that the Wearsiders are looking for special dispensation to sign another stopper, whilst Pickford withdrew from England Under 21 duties with a thigh problem in midweek.
Everton had mixed fortunes in the transfer window, missing out to Spurs for the signature of Moussa Sissoko, but securing West Ham forward Enner Valencia on loan. Tim Howard’s Beard was on hand to assess the Toffees’ prospects post transfer window.
He also took a look at how Chelsea may line up, following the London side’s recruitment of their former defender David Luiz from Paris Saint Germain, as well as left back Marcos Alonso from Fiorentina. Staying with Chelsea, RoysCallerAnne pondered why it is that the Fantasy Premier League bonus point system has such a dislike of their striker Diego Costa.
Another intriguing transfer this week was Manchester City’s Wilfried Bony to Stoke on loan. Andy85wsm takes a look at his chances of success in comparison with another similarly priced striker, Christian Benteke, who swapped Liverpool for Crystal Palace this summer.
Meanwhile, In Like Flynn is less than impressed with some of the high prices clubs are paying for average squad players who may struggle to even secure a regular first XI spot.
Sergio Aguero’s three-match ban, handed out this week after his altercation with Winston Reid last weekend, has also altered many best laid plans. We asked who is wildcarding this week to cope with his loss, while Triggerlips looked at the best time to bring the Argentine striker back in.
Among key targets for wildcarders are West Ham players, who are embarking on a favourable run as Jay’s analysis showed.
Arsenal players are also high on many of the community’s watchlists. But, asked S Kuqi, which of Alexis Sanchez or Mesut Ozil represents the best use of our money? For Carpe Diem, Sanchez looks a great option, particularly as the Chilean seems to be unaffected by fatigue when returning from international duty.
With considerable transfer activity anticipated as the international break marches on, Sinik sparked a discussion on the thresholds for price changes. Among those to see their price rocket is Watford midfielder Etienne Capoue. FPLVirgin popped by today to ask whether the budget pick has earned a starting XI berth after his two goals so far this term.
Finally, Diva urged community members to look beyond overall rank history when receiving advice.
The Members Tables
Manchester City’s midfield talent come under scrutiny in Ziro’s latest table. He also spent this week looking over Liverpool’s attacking options. Meanwhile attacking defenders were the subject of Andy85wsm’s most recent table, as well this statistical construction by Flashmule.
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 Tournaments
In TorresMagic‘s Last Man Standing the safety score was 34, which saw 157 managers depart and 2,900 remain.
Cak Juris is the new leader of Red Lightning’s Top 10K Any Season mini-league. This is his fifth season and he’s never finished outside the top 11,000.
The Irish Contingent competition, which is organised by HVT, is led by Godot, closely followed in second place by RoysCallerAnne.
Facer retains top spot in the FFS Moderator and Contributors league going into Gameweek 4, closely followed by Evs.
If you are running a community tournament and would like the latest scores included in future Community Round Ups please email me a brief summary of the current leaders and a link to your league, spread sheet or head to head competition, at jonty@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk.
