Digest
14 September 2016 1082 comments
Mark Mark
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It’s time we said goodnight to Gameweek 4. Tucking it up in bed with a review of born-again Belgian, a nest of buzzing Hornets and a theory that might just see the top scoring Fantasy Premier League player make it off our bench.

The Player

There really is no contest.

Romelu Lukaku’s revival as a Fantasy asset has been sudden and extreme.

It’s taken three goals and nine shots and now we’re happy to forgive him for three season’s of Fantasy frustration.

It’s all premature, of course. With Fantasy Premier League armbands in place, Lukaku could easily revert to type and draw a Gameweek 5 blank against Middlesbrough.

But let’s just indulge ourselves for a while. Let’s entertain the idea that Lukaku’s stunning performance against Sunderland will be typical of a season that finally sees the Belgian establish himself amongst the heavy-hitting elite.

We know he has the tools – the finishing ability, the pace, the power and strength in the air.

With Yannick Bolasie installed on the flank, he may also have a new supply of service and a formidable runner who can drag and stretch a defence, leaving gaps for Lukaku to expose.

Certainly we already know that there’s an improvement under Ronald Koeman and we’ve seen enough to assure us that getting the best from Lukaku will be top of the Dutchman’s list of priorities.

It all makes sense – it all points to a 20-25 goal season for the striker.

If we feel that there’s a chance of that materialising, then we have to question whether the double act of Sergio Aguero and Zlatan Ibrahimovic is really “essential”.

Avoiding Aguero will be, for many, a risk too far, but we may now look at Ibrahimovic in a new light.

Should Lukaku snatch penalty duties from Leighton Baines and go on to deliver against ‘Boro, the Fantasy Football jury will be meeting with one key point on their agenda.

The ScoutCast jury have already assembled on this very subject.

The Team

Quique Sanchez Flores appeared to do very little wrong last season.

Watford stalled badly in order to grind out safety but we saw Bournemouth do the same – it was an understandable shift of gears, designed to preserve precious top-flight status.

But now, under the stewardship of Walter Mazzarri, the Hornets warrant a re-assessment from Fantasy managers.

The spirit and attacking intent shown in their 4-2 recovery against West Ham demonstrated that they could be revived.

Etienne Capoue’s story is remarkable and gets further attention below.

Instead, let us ponder a revival in fortunes for Odion Ighalo and, in particular, Troy Deeney.

Mazzarri’s men march on Burnley, Bournemouth, Middlesbrough, Swansea and Hull City following Sunday’s meeting with Manchester United.

That tantalising run promotes investment, with Saturday’s performance and returns revealing Ighalo and Deeney as viable targets.

At 6.9 and with penalties all the rage, Deeney looks the preferred option – he’s hovering in our Watchlist and about to surge once this weekend has passed.

Then there’s wing-back Jose Holebas – not a name we’d expect to creep into consideration.

However, the 4.5 priced Greek has impressive underlying numbers and his goal at the London Stadium is an example of his potential.

Given that fixture list, the Watford defence could offer one or two shut-outs and, if that’s the case, Holebas looks set to be a factor when the bonus points are shared out.

The Talking Point

Etienne Capoue can’t do much more to play his way into our plans.

The guy is delivering the impossible – three goals from four attempts – wildly exceeding our expectations when we tentatively dipped our toe into the limited pool of 4.5 midfield talent.

For the majority of us, he’s proving a frustrating asset to own. His best efforts have been wasted because, with pricier, more illustrious options available, we’ve kept Capoue parked on the timber.

Each week we can forlornly look at his points haul and imagine our tallies had we shown faith in the Frenchman but, as discussed in last night’s ScoutCast, will a time ever arise when we’ll look to Capoue and willingly throw him a starting role?

As it happens, the stars may just be aligning to make that more likely.

Sergio Aguero’s return in Gameweek 6, coupled with the form or replacements Diego Costa and Romelu Lukaku, suddenly have us reviewing options.

Dare we cut the in-form Chelsea and Everton strikers adrift purely out of fear of the damage Aguero may inflict on Swansea?

There is another way.

We can put faith in Capoue and dip into the 4.5 midfield market again. It’s more than just a late night FPL pipe dream.

As mentioned above, Watford’s fixtures come into bloom from Gameweek 6 onwards, presenting a scenario where it would perhaps be folly to consider benching an on-fire Capoue.

Play Capoue as our fourth midfielder and suddenly the fifth slot can be tossed away in any random direction and our 3-4-3 can bristle with a forward line of Aguero, Ibrahimovic and Lukaku/Costa. Tempting.

We’d all suffer weak benches but Capoue has proved that perhaps that’s no bad thing. At least we’d no longer be left gazing wistfully at double figures amongst our subs.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

1,082 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Viper
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Best 6.0m to buy for Ramirez?

    Already have Capoue & Redmond

    1. JIM BOB
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Your midfield must be pants! Are you Jonty in disguise?

      1. Viper
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Hazard Sanchez Redmond Ramirez Capoue

        Ibra Lukaku Diomande

        Actually I think I might WC 🙂

    2. PvA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Play Capoue and Redmond

    3. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Snodgrass or Bolasie

    4. Numb
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Snodgrass?

  2. Syd.
    • 17 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Dortmund 4-0

  3. Give The Todd Some Love
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Glik yellow

    But Guerreiro goal 😎

    1. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      i wasn't expecting him to play (brought Bartra)

      1. Give The Todd Some Love
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Dortmund fans seem to think he's the answer to their no. 8 problem.

    2. Too Mane Men
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Also an owner 🙂 If they keep a clean sheet, having Schurrle as well doesn't seem so bad anymore.

  4. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Delli Alli starting to look good

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
      9 years, 10 months ago

      He's my transfer in this week, playing in the cam role makes him an excellent choice especially at his price

  5. Parm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    COYS Pen

    1. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      COYS not pen

  6. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Spurs pen

    1. Arctic monkeys
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Nope

  7. Jimbo123
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Leicester pen

  8. Parm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Brugge penalty.

    1. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      *Leicester penalty

      Mahrez to take

    2. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Penalty in Brugge to Leicester 🙂

  9. Syd.
    • 17 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    😆 @ Spurs

  10. SuperDan
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Best 4.5 mid? Thinking Marney

    1. Mr. Meeseeks
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      fletcher, rodwell - more gametime.

    2. Jersey
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      de Roon, Fletcher

  11. Total Foot 5
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    85,011 Tonight's attendance for Spurs breaks three records -

    --highest tottenham hotspur home attendance
    --highest english club home UCL attendance
    --highest english club attendance

    1. Cojiro
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Meh. Wembley

  12. Viper
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Would you WC this team next gwk? I'm thinking Diomande -> Iheanacho (c) for a 1 week punt this week if so

    Valdes Jako

    Baines Shaw McAuley Stones Kone

    Hazard Sanchez Redmond Capoue Ramirez

    Ibra Diomande Lukaku

    4.5m in the bank

    1. Mr. Meeseeks
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Why? You could have a template WC-type team in 3 weeks with -4 hit. Get Aguero in there, just sayin.

      1. Viper
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        What -4 would you take over 2 weeks?

    2. Needo22
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      It's only really your midfield that's a bit light. You could definitely avoid a WC with that

  13. Syd.
    • 17 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Lyon 3-0

  14. Arctic monkeys
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Mahrez goal
    He is on pens

  15. Syd.
    • 17 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Hazard on

  16. JIM BOB
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Riyadh on pens. Ooooooooooossshhh

  17. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Mahrez still on penalties

  18. Jimmers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    So Mahrez still on pens

  19. Chucky
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Sterling to Mahrez Done

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Really?!

  20. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Fallen star mahrez scores again

  21. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Martial > Mahrez for free?

  22. El Cube
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Should I do

    a) Lamela to Cazorla

    b) Özil to Cazorla

    Doing B meaning I will double up on Arsenal player, but I dont mind given the fixtures.

    1. El Cube
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      *Going A

    2. JIM BOB
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Sort your head out

  23. red devil 7
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    hazard brace incoming

  24. The Wise Owl
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Hazard to Mahrez for -4?

  25. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Any changes needed here? 1FT transfer and 0.7m in the bank! Not sure whether to save for Kun return or wildcard then! Any good ideas on how to use the 1FT if I do?

    Forster Jaku
    Walker Valencia Stones Friend Wilson
    Capoue Firmino Hazard Sanchez Lamela
    Ibra Benteke Gray

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Gray to Iheanacho maybe?

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      I was thinking exactly that! Wasn't sure if he would be nailed? Or if it was worth saving for Kun to reply hmmm

  26. PvA
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    To all those saying Capoue is lucky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qgs-MD1MyVg

    When he shoots he scored

    He will shoot more often now he not a defensive mid now

    1. PvA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      When he shoots he scores*

    2. The Wise Owl
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Benching Rondon this gw for Capoue.

      1. PvA
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Good choice

        But a tough fixture

        I will be playing Capoue every week after next gw. Might even use all out attack or make a transfer in order to play him this week

    3. TorresMagic™
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Captain material?

    4. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Scored zero goals in 3500 Premier League minutes prior to these 4 gameweeks

      1. Jersey
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        played all 3500 of those minutes at DM, rarely crossing into offensive territory.

        his role has changed, and he is pretty good at his new one. he's a cental mid now,
        and spends lots of time in and around the opponent's box.

        1. PvA
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          Thanks, couldn't be asked explaining when it's blatantly obvious where he played

          1. Bubz
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 10 months ago

            Well hes not exactly being played as a striker now is he. Hes had 4 shots

  27. Syd.
    • 17 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Bendtner's big moment...

    Rotherham 1-0 Nottm Forest

    Nicklas Bendtner's last competitive appearance, in February, was at Schalke for Wolfsburg in the German top flight. Tonight, New York is his stage. Well, sort of. The New York Stadium in Rotherham, we're talking about.

    The 28-year-old former Arsenal forward is on for his Nottingham Forest debut with an hour on the clock.

    1. Leaf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Lumps mortgage on Forest

  28. the axolotl
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    bendybus on for forest

  29. Make United Great Again
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Bet Mahrez hits form and makes selecting a midfield even harder

  30. Leaf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Armband remains on Mahrez 🙂