Opinion
3 December 2016 4777 comments
Mark Mark
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And so the power shifts once again.

I can barely remember witnessing such upheaval: where we’ve had to re-consider where our big-money is spent and switch our sights, not only due to form, but simply availability.

We started the season coveting Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Then Diego Costa emerged, followed swiftly by Eden Hazard as Chelsea blossomed. Now Harry Kane, with seven goals in five, becomes a priority.

While these players battle for recognition in our squads, Sergio Aguero was considered by most as a mainstay: a factor that required little consideration.

That theory wavered back in Gameweek 3 but today’s events may have changed it for good.

Aguero had not served a suspension until this season. Now he is set to miss at least seven weeks of this campaign before the turn of the year. Few, if any, could have anticipated that.

Hours after the bombshell at the Etihad, Alexis Sanchez then provided his own explosion.

We always knew the dangers: deployed up front by Arsene Wenger, he has always been part of the heavy-hitter debate.

But, with heads turned by Chelsea’s faultless form and the promise from Eden Hazard, some, including this Fantasy manager, chose to lose Sanchez’ special talent, keeping Aguero locked into our attacks.

Now, with the City striker being ejected from squads throughout the land, the sacrifices required to gain the likes of Hazard, Costa and Marcos Alonso – all so alluring with Chelsea’s form and fixtures – no longer apply.

When I showed Sanchez the exit ahead of Gameweek 12, opting to sell Aguero was something I pondered, but quickly dismissed.

Today’s events punished that particular decision. They also force us re-examine the established thinking.

We are so set on Aguero. His place is so cemented in Fantasy Football folkore, the prospect of progressing through a season, or even a period of Gameweeks without him almost seems unthinkable.

But while a saintly Costa is scoring goals and avoiding the booking that will see him serve a one-match ban, we’ve seen Aguero inexplicably become an unreliable hothead.

We can’t begin to fathom how those roles have been reversed. We can only react to what we’ve now been dealt.

While those without Sanchez are denied the convenience of carrying out a like-for-like swap for Aguero, even with the cost of an additional transfer, it will likely prove a popular route.

Acquiring Sanchez no longer comes packaged with such sacrifice now that Aguero is out of the equation, his millions available to us.

In Gameweek 4 we formed plans to sell a suspended Aguero and bring him back two weeks later. This time around the landscape may have changed.

As of today, it seems likely that few will be forgoing Sanchez for Aguero should that decision ever arise again.

Although it’s almost folly to make such predictions in a season that refuses to allow us to settle in our thinking.

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

  1. Venom Snake
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    So do people still think that Walcott can cover Sanchez?

    1. IWR
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      No way

      1. Lone Wolf FPL
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        I think it was ironic 😉

    2. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I think that question answers itself. Sanchez is a different class

    3. the axolotl
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      how many clean sheet points did sanchez get today?

      none! how'd you like them apples?

    4. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Not only does he cover Sanchez, but you get extra funds elsewhere to spend on covering Kane, Costa and Hazard too.

  2. GreenArrows
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Nice green arrow, up to 258K OR

  3. IWR
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Haz, Mane, Firmino, Siggy.

    Do I make one of Mane/Firm Sanchez for a -4?

    1. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I have the same midfield. Cannot justify selling either before they play arguably the worst side in the league.

      1. Camp No No
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Liverpool? Already played Hull.

        1. Jazz!
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Hull would have a pretty tight game with West Ham tbh.

          1. Camp No No
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 3 months ago

            Nah. Hull and Burnley are the worst sides in PL (relative to the league's present level) for 6 seasons. They're really in their own level in the league, and that level way below where the others are..

      2. Hy liverpool
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Won't get alexis?

      3. IWR
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Gonna be tough sitting through a double/triple rise from Sanchez though. Hold fire tonight and reassess tomorrow might be wise?

    2. n-doggg
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Mane

  4. GHB
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Kun > Costa for free

    Or

    Kun > kechi
    Chadli > Sanchez -4

    1. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Kun to Costa. Do you know if he is fit though?

      1. GHB
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        I don't think it's anything serious, seemed to join in the ruck ok

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      A as I'm not sure about iheanacho

  5. Hurricane Gilbert
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Early transfers: Is Diego Costa fit for now?

    Allen and Lukaku to De Roon and Costa for a -4?

    1. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      after Kun foul I saw Costa running so he's ok

  6. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Simple question, Amat or Taylor? who is more nailed on?

    1. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Amat

    2. ROSSI_7
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I would bring in nyom that is nailed at 4.3

    3. the axolotl
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      didn't i answer this already? which nostril provides your favourite snots? best to avoid in polite company

    4. UnitednationsXI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      only way i can do walcott >> sanchez is to get a 4.2m def.

      alternatively i can do firmino >> sanchez which leaves me with 4.9m to get cedric. but firmino is a lot more involved then walcott to their respective teams

  7. Hy liverpool
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    My front 7
    Hazard KDB Wally Siggy Bobby
    Kane Tekkers
    0.7itb 1ft

    A.KDB to Sanchez (exact cash)
    Or
    B.Save (kdb might be gold without kun)

    1. Delhidynamo
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      b

    2. Champione
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I'm in the same situation. Have to take a hit to remove KDB though. Really want KDB as a diff, so I'm actually considering trying to go without Alexis for now. I know it sounds crazy.. KDB could easily get a couple of 10 points+ in the next few weeks

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Having wally to cover sanchez pts .. gone wrong
        Really hope to keep kdb , i have to make the decision before price rises

    3. IWR
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Super tough spot. I'm kinda in the same spot with Mane to your KDB. I don't think I'll sell

  8. Delhidynamo
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Aguero to

    A) Costa

    B) Kane

    Have Haz and Eriksen

    1. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Costa more pivotal

  9. Kalou
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Aguero+Redmond = Sanchez+ Benteke

    A.yes
    B.no

  10. Epic Fail
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Today would have been a good day for the MOTD challenge.

    1. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Great GW for you Epic. Mine would've been perfecto if Alexis didn't turn up 😀

      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        lol at your terrible score. a whole 1 point less than me 😀

        1. Jazz!
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          😆 🙂

  11. Efan Ekoku Pops
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    A) Costa + Eriksen
    B) Defoe + Sanchez

    Any advice much appreciated

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      B
      No kane ?

      1. Efan Ekoku Pops
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Already own Kane and Hazard. A would be doubling up, but they both have some great fixtures coming up...

        1. Hy liverpool
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Sanchez is going to hurt us (non owners) more and more I'm afraid ..... B
          Want to keep kdb myself but sanchez looks on f.fire

  12. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Early consensus on next weeks captain?

    Sanchez (STK)
    Hazard (WBA)

    Hmmmm...

    1. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Sanchez by a country mile

      1. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Leaning that way

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Bobby

    3. BrockLanders
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Guaranteed we all lump on Sanchez and Haz explodes

      1. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        My only concern

    4. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Sánchez easy.

    5. GHB
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Haz for me.

      Sanchez won't do it every week

      1. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Could be right

    6. BrockLanders
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      What sort of price rise will I miss on Kane if I wait till next week..

    7. MTPockets
        9 years, 3 months ago

        firmino

    8. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Folk who thought Walcott would cover Sánchez' points when the 3rd goal went in: https://media.giphy.com/media/3o6UBpHgaXFDNAuttm/giphy.gif

    9. BrockLanders
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      My worst captain change at the last minute of season:

      Sanchez to Negredo (c) 11:29

      1. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Thats grim

      2. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Negredo to score 4

        1. BrockLanders
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          That would be something

    10. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Can't decide:

      a) morgan -> alonso for -4
      b) wally -> hazard for -4
      c) siggy -> hazard for -4
      d) stick

      1. IWR
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        A

      2. Fluctus de Mutilatio
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        keep siggy

    11. Pauntley
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Hi

      Need some urgent advice please! Need to save a bit of money in midfield - who would you buy - Phillips or Zaha? Phillips has good form but Zaha has good fixtures.

      Also does anyone know if Costa is injured or not? It looked quite serious when he went off but I really want to bring him in before price rises.

      Thanks

      1. Fluctus de Mutilatio
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        haha for me

        1. Fluctus de Mutilatio
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          *z

    12. weaver93
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Kun -Kane

      Morgan - Alonso

      for -4....

      yay or nay?????????????

      1. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Yes

        1. weaver93
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          thanks mate

      2. FULLSERVICECOVER
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        100% yes

        1. weaver93
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          thanks mate

      3. IWR
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Y

    13. Moose™
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Allen Firmino Kun OUT

      De Roon Sanchez Costa IN

      -8 only. Do it?

      1. Hurricane Gilbert
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Yes awesome moves

        1. Moose™
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          No Liverpool mids for 1 week does not hurt me right?

      2. IWR
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        You realize Pool have Ham at home? Worth seeing how they look without Cout first IMO.

        1. Moose™
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          Yup. But, instead of Firmino, I still have Walcott. Should be enough. Walcott performs well at home tho.

    14. mr messi
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Best mid up to 7.4m? Siggy?

      1. Lone Wolf FPL
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        yup

      2. Hurricane Gilbert
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Ye

    15. Fergietime
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      The season of the hit? -12 here and still got a rise of 320k places

      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Hits can work every season.

        1. Fergietime
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          True but it seems to be more successful this year

      2. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Hits don't lie

      3. Rains of Castamere
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Get your hits out for the lads

    16. jmcclory123
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Should I hold off doing Aguero/Walcott --> Hazard/Kane or do it and beat the price hikes?

      1. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Do it

      2. Hurricane Gilbert
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Yes

      3. mr messi
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Just do it!

    17. Champione
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Firmino + Mata (doubts over game time) > Sanchez + De Roon -4 (play Gundogan) ?

    18. Scotty B
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Anyone done Aguero > Costa tonight?
      They both falling/rising in price tonight?
      Costa being flagged is annoying

      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Loads have.
        http://www.fplstatistics.co.uk/

      2. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Yes
        Yes
        He will start

    19. Boholad
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      What shall I do?
      A). Aguero + Redmond => Defoe + Sanchez (-4)
      B). Aguero + Lukaku => Costa + Ibrahimovich (-4)

    20. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Crikey...98(-4) so far....crikey again.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Smashing it lately.

      2. Camp No No
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Damn you! 😀 You really made the good pics the couple of GW's ago when you talked that crazy Zaha-Bolasie plan of yours. Bolasie hasn't worked out so far though, has he.

        1. Dr Dream
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          No he hasn't...not yet anyway. Sadly they'll both have to go this month sometime.

    21. Scotty B
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Is Lukaku still a good option?

      1. Doar1986
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Have a loo tomorrow
        I gave up on him last week

      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        When you compare the other forwards, no.

    22. Doar1986
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      So what about Iheanacho?

      1. Hurricane Gilbert
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Just no. Go with the proven options

        1. Doar1986
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 3 months ago

          I'm sure every time he has played he has scored
          I already have Kane and Costa?

      2. Iceball
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Probably good value but rotation risk and now Aguero gone we can just load up on the very best players so no need to get Nacho.

    23. Kibas
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      A or B
      A) Defoe + Alonso + 4.4 Mid
      B) Eriksen + Cedric + Anichebe

    24. ROSSI_7
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      4.4 defender and nailed

    25. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Allen and Lukaku > De Roon and Diego Costa (-4)
      Yes or no?