Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Pre Season

Romelu Lukaku makes his Man United debut, but Marcus Rashford scores the goals, while Olivier Giroud reminds all and sundry of his own striking prowess as Arsenal win again in Australia.

Elsewhere, Saido Berahino finally opens his Stoke City account and a Swansea City budget option is handed a new string to his bow in Gylfi Sigurdsson’s absence.

Here’s the notes from a busy pre-season Saturday.

LA Galaxy 2 Man United 5

The man in many a Fantasy team – Romelu Lukaku – made his Man United debut and was promptly upstaged by a rival for the central striker role.

The Belgian currently sits in just under half of all Fantasy Premier League squads, but it was team-mate Marcus Rashford, owned by a mere 2.9%, who did the damage in the first match of United’s American tour.

Jose Mourinho opted to field a three-man defence for the encounter against the Galaxy, deploying Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Daley Blind, with Antonio Valencia and Jesse Lingard as the wing-backs.

United kept that shape for the second period, with Victor Lindelof, joining Lukaku in a completely new line-up.

By then, Rashford had scored twice, courtesy of assists from Lingard and Juan Mata, before Marouane Fellaini rounded off the first-half goals, with Lingard again the provider.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Anthony Martial made it 5-0, with assists from Martial and Timothy Fosu-Mensah, before two late strikes for the hosts took a touch of the gloss off the victory.

Not that Mourinho was downcast, preferring to dwell on the flexibility that playing with three at the back can bring to his side.

“We have trained for five days and in these five days we trained for two days in the relation to this system. The improvements are in relation to four hours of work, so I couldn’t expect much better, it’s something we have to keep working on in case during the season we decide to play three at the back. We did it twice against Rostov and maybe we want to do it more times.”

That statement would suggest that Mourinho has far from settled on the system, although Fantasy managers should certainly monitor the situation. Valencia’s stock, as a wing-back, would clearly be lifted by such a role.

Equally, Mourinho was buoyant on Rashford’s performance, indicating that he will look to pair the starlet with Lukaku over the pre-season.

“He [Rashford] has a great attitude and last season he maybe was not scoring a lot of goals and missing some chances but it was not a drama because that’s part of the evolution. We know he is going to score more goals than last season. Today he was in a different team to Lukaku [first half and second half]. We will also try both in the same team which I think can also work.”

Man United XI First half: De Gea; Jones, Smalling, Blind; Valencia, Carrick, Herrera, Fellaini, Lingard; Mata; Rashford.

United XI Second half: Pereira; Tuanzebe, Lindelof, Bailly; Fosu-Mensah (Mitchell 85), Pogba, A. Pereira, Mkhitaryan, Darmian; Martial; Lukaku.

Subs not used: Romero, McTominay.

Western Sydney Wanderers 1 Arsenal 3

There might be a strong sense that Olivier Giroud will not be an Arsenal player much longer, but he took his chance to remind everyone of his worth during a routine win in Australia.

The French target man opened the scoring in Sydney, one of two assists for Nacho Monreal as he made his case to start ahead of new man Sead Kolasinac either as the left-sided centre-half or at wing-back.

Mohamed Elneny hit the third, from an Alex Iwobi assist, despite being asked to operate at centre-back in Arsene Wenger’s now seemingly go-to system of a three-man defence.

But it was the second goalscorer – Aaron Ramsey – who could well be one of the more relevant Fantasy issues this season.

The Welsh midfielder is priced at just 7.0 after enduring a lacklustre 2016/17 campaign in which he produced just 56 points. Used in both pre-season matches to date, Ramsey’s goal reminded us of what an attacking threat he can be from midfield.

New signing Alexandre Lacazette started the match on the left in a role made particularly potent by Alexis Sanchez last season, as Giroud was handed the central striking role.

The Chilean’s future is still to be decided, although his latest comments suggest it may not be as an Arsenal player.

“It depends on them (Arsenal). I have to wait to know what they want. My idea is to play and win the Champions League. It’s a dream I have had since I was little.”

Wenger again rang the changes later than most managers, swapping goalkeepers at half-time and then the entire outfield contingent after 66 minutes.

Arsenal XI First 66 minutes: Ospina (Martinez 46); Monreal, Koscielny, Elneny; Maitland-Niles, Ramsey, Xhaka, Oxalde-Chamberlain; Lacazette, Iwobi; Giroud.

Arsenal XI 67 minutes onwards: Martinez; Bramall, Mertesacker, Kolasinac; Bielik, Coquelin, Ozil, Willock, Nelson; Welbeck, Walcott, Nketiah.

Monaco 4 Stoke City 2

Saido Berahnio scored his first Stoke City goal before a classy Monaco side proved rather too much for Mark Hughes’ men.

The striker turned home a Giannelli Imbula rebound as Stoke’s strong starting XI made a good fist of the first-half but still trailed by the interval.

Mame Diouf levelled things after the break before the French side pulled away once and for all.

Hughes gave four players their first starts of pre-season. Ramadan Sobhi and Xherdan Shaqiri played on the left and right wings respectively, Geoff Cameron moved in at centre-back next to Ryan Shawcross, and Joe Allen filled the number 10 role just ahead of Imbula and Darren Fletcher in midfield.

Allen’s role and Cameron’s pre-season are of particular interest. The USA international is available as a 4.5 defender in FPL and, if he can cement regular starts, could open up some profitable rotation pairing options.

Stoke City XI: Butland (Krkic 45); Allen (Grant 45), Robhi, Shawcross (Muniesa 42), Johnson (Tymon 64); Imbula (Edwards 64), Cameron (Adam 64), Pieters (Wollscheid 64), Fletcher (Diouf, 45); Shaqiri (Verlinden 45), Berahino (Crouch 62).

Philadelphia Union 2 Swansea City 2

Kyle Bartley and Jordan Ayew were on the scoresheet for Swansea City, but it was a cut-price midfielder who caught the Fantasy eye.

Tom Carroll (4.5) was handed set-piece duties for the Swans, potentially offering us a lot of bang for minimal bucks should he continue in that role once the season begins. And with Gylfi Sigurdsson almost certain not to be in a Swansea shirt, come August 12, Carroll’s elevation looks likely.

Leroy Fer and Bartley provided the assists for Paul Clement’s men, while defender Alfie Mawson was handed his first run-out of pre-season.

Bartley, a defender, is currently missing from the FPL player list, but would be expected to be priced at 4.0.

Swansea City XI First half: Nordfeldt; Mawson, Olsson, Naughton, Bartley; Fer, Narsingh, Routledge, Carroll, Mesa, Ayew.

Swansea City XI Second half: Nordfeldt; van der Hoom, Rangel, Fernandez, Kingsley; Britton, Montero, Grimes, Fulton, Barrow; McBurnie.

AFC Wimbledon 3 Watford 2

New head coach Marco Silva oversaw a defeat in his first match in charge of Watford, although goals from Ben Watson and Steven Berghuis brought the Hornets to parity before they succumbed to a last-minute winner for the hosts.

Silva employed a 4-2-3-1 system with Etienne Capoue – one of 2016/17’s early bargains – used as part of the attacking midfield three rather than in the double pivot.

Priced at 5.5 on the back of a 131-point campaign last time around, Capoue could at least be given the opportunity to have a tilt at matching that decent total.

Assists at Wimbledon came from Jose Holebas and Brice Dja Djedje.

Watford XI: Gomes (Bachmann 61); Janmaat (Dja Djédjé, 46), Prödl, Britos (Kabasele 46), Holebas; Watson, Doucouré; Berghuis (Gordon 90), Capoue (Folivi 85), Success (Amrabat 46); Okaka.
Sub not used: Rowan.

Estoril Praia 1 Bournemouth 2

Jordan Ibe and Max Gradel hit the goals as Bournemouth started their pre-season with a win.

Sam Surridge and Gradel provided the assists for Eddie Howe’s side, but the manager had to do without new signing Jermain Defoe, who had recently attended the funeral of Bradley Lowery.

Howe handed new boys Nathan Ake and Connor Mahoney first-half starts, while Ryan Fraser filled in at right-back.

Josh King, now reclassified as a striker in FPL played in exactly that role as part of a 4-4-2 system employed by Howe in both halves.

Bournemouth XI First half: Boruc; Fraser, Cook, Ake, Daniels; Mahoney, Cook, Surman, Pugh; Mousset, Afobe.

Bournemouth XI Second half: Federici; Worthington, Francis, Cargill, Mings; Ibe, Gosling, Arter, Taylor; Gradel, King (Surridge 65).

St Gallen 0 Southampton 0

New Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino chopped and changed his squad players in the Swiss stalemate.

Established stars and youthful up and comers – six of whom had never played a first-team match for the club – were mixed and matched in two different sides put out in the first and second halves, but Pellegrino used his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, with Dusan Tadic operating as a No 10 behind Charlie Austin up front.

But there was no place for Virgil Van Dijk, who is being eased back into contact training following his January injury, and Ryan Bertrand, who had a slight hamstring issue and was kept out as a precaution.

Only four La Liga teams conceded fewer goals than Pellegrino’s Alaves last season, and although this was only the first match of the Saints’ pre-season, it could well be the sign of things to come.

Southampton XI First half: Forster, Flannigan, O’Driscoll, Yoshida, McQueen, Romeu, Clasie, Tella (Johnson, 40), Boufal, Tadic, Austin.

Southampton XI Second half: McCarthy, Pied, Jones, Gardos, Little, Hojbjerg, Johnson, Davis, Long, Gallagher, Gabbiadini.

Maidstone United 1 Crystal Palace 3

Jordon Mutch scored twice for Palace as new boss Frank De Boer fielded a side made up almost exclusively of youth teamers.

Rather more telling indications as to how he views his new, and more senior, charges will be available when the club travels to the far east for two matches later this week.

Chelsea 8 Fulham 2

Antonio Conte’s side romped to victory in a behind-closed-doors friendly against their London neighbours.

In a match that took place in Chelsea’s training ground, Cobham, the 7.0-priced Willian (three goals and one assist) showed just why he could offer value for our midfields in the opening few Gameweeks, with Eden Hazard sidelined for the start of the season.

Meanwhile, Michy Batshuayi bagged two goals and a pair of assists as the Blues’ lone striker before his manager made 10 alterations at the break.

Chelsea first-half: Caballero; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill; Moses, Fabregas, Kante, Alonso; Willian, Batshuayi, Pedro.

Chelsea second-half: Eduardo; Kalas, David Luiz, Clarke-Salter; Tomori, Scott, Pasalic, Kenedy; Baker, Remy, Boga.

A reminder that all the friendly results and key Scout Notes are being captured here, in our Pre-Season Guide.

4,479 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Care to RMT for a special team?

    Here's one with ZERO big hitters in midfield:

    Foster, myhill
    Trippier, lindelof, Bertrand, PVA, Daniels
    Fabregas, Ramsey, Zaha, tadic, Carroll
    Kane, lukaku, firmino

    Can this work? Thoughts?

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Will play some weeks 4-3-3 and some 3-4-3

    2. In FPHell
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah why not give it a go... More interesting than picking the team most people think is "correct" and includes every "essential" player that's "nailed"

      1. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        I did try to pick nailed players also 🙂

        1. In FPHell
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Haha yeah I know, I just hate the term being used at this point in the season... No one knows what signings are gonna be made which means anyone can be usurped and go from being nailed to flaky

          1. Lord Flashheart
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            True

    3. Ramboros
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      I'd like it more if you had some spread in the price range of that midfield.

    4. Forever mirin
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Decent team.

      You could consider:

      Bertrand - Cedric (funds)
      PVA - Kolasniac (playing as a mid in 3-4-3)
      Fab - Willian (more assured of starts util Haz is back)

      1. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Interesting
        Kolasniac even assured starts at this point? If so, you might have a good point

        1. Forever mirin
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Yea, if you google "will Kolasniac play CB OR WB" you find a quote from wenger stating Kola will play LWB because of his attacking talent (Monreal will play CB)

          1. Chardee McDennis
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            Interesting. Hes been LCB in both friendlies so far though.

            1. Forever mirin
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 11 months ago

              Wenger on June 7th:
              "What he will give us is the fact that he’s a player who can give assists, who can go forward, who can contribute good crosses.

              It’s very important that we have that as well, because we have Kieran Gibbs, we have Nacho Monreal and we have him. But Nacho plays a lot now in central defence and in a three-man system I see him in there.

              So overall, I think [Kolasinac] can contribute a lot to help us to be more dangerous going forward.”

  2. PvA
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Want to fill the 3rd defender spot with 2 rotating 4.5m defender

    Stuck on this... anyone got a good one?

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah, but you don't read you just ask and ask and ask...

      1. PvA
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Nice advice

        Worth the listen 10/10

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      I'm currently on Simpson and Naughton, I don't trust the promoted teams and their fixtures are decent despite on rotating home and away basis.

      1. PvA
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Interesting one... I'll have a look at that

        I really wanted a Newcastle defender which is kind of restricting me

    3. OShaughnessy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Bit of advice for us here from Chris Rock that'll help in FPL Forums far & wide.

      “I’d always end up broken down on the highway. When I stood there trying to flag someone down, nobody stopped.
      But, when I pushed my own car, other drivers would get out and push with me. If you want help, help yourself – people like to see that.” — Chris Rock

      So, my suggestion would be to: Google - FPL Rotation Pairs 2017/18
      Spend 10/15mins & find some you like.
      Then come back here & present them to us.
      When you do, let us know a little bit behind your thinking.

      In the end, you'll learn something & more, we as a group will get a decent discussion out to it.
      Hey, who knows you may even end up w/ a Hot Topic?!

      1. PvA
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        That's great advice lol

        1. OShaughnessy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          NP & GL against Mayweather!

  3. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    This is the best I can come up with using 3-4-3 no doubt someone will tell me it's rubbish

    Foster
    Lindelof Cedric Francis
    Coutinho Willian Sane Ramsey
    Defoe Kane Lukaku

    Elliot Mee RLC Mason

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Rubbish!

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Lol cheers mate

      2. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        No, it's good. Some decisions I wouldn't have made, but I guess you chose them for a reason!

        E.g. I've gone off Defoe a bit because I can see myself being annoyed with myself come GW 3 and 4, wondering why I didn't balance my team to have more good fixtures.

        I'm also unsure about Sane. He could be nailed, but right now, I wouldn't be sure.

        Lindelof isn't my cup of team either, with the likes of Trippier and Bertrand around.

    2. In FPHell
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Well it looks like everyone else's team so probably fine

    3. H-SF
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      pretty solid

    4. Garlana
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Nice team

  4. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Which scores more over the first 10 weeks-ish?

    A) Kane Eriksen
    B) Lukaku KDB

    1. StalkingDwarf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Tough but A

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Lukaku could be Kun of course. Eriksen could be Alli.

    3. Forever mirin
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Close, but A (would prefer alli over erik ;))

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers. I really want KDB, but I may have to take another tiny step towards the template!

        1. Forever mirin
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Love KDB myself. Even tho he played a little deeper at times than usual last year, he still managed 6/21 (G/A) along with with 9 crossbar/post hits. Such a beast.

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            You've convince me to find another way if I'm to upgrade to Kane at all

    4. OShaughnessy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      B) You've given us 2x potential Captain's choices vs. just 1x.

  5. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Kun vs Jesus?

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Fight!

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Jesus more nailed. But plenty of sacreligious people here feel it's the other way around.

        1. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Kun at 11.5m is a steal, most of us would have bitten their arm off to get him at that price in recent season's.

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            Yep. Not sure how that makes him a steal now though.

    2. EA7
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Always kun .. moreover he's in charge for penalties

      1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Kun is going to be getting like a Hattie a game this season. If Jesus is Jesus then Kun is god. Those who go Jesus are brave but ultimately foolish it's like going ozil instead of Sanchez and pretending it's ok

  6. JayJay96
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Team done for tonight. Thoughts?

    Forster
    Monreal - Lindelof - Dawson - Ake - Yedlin
    KDB - Ozil - JWP - Phillips - Carroll
    Lukaku - Lacazette - Benteke

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      No Spurs?

    2. EDEN THE MAN
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Benteke to Defoe

      1. Garlana
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Or he could keep benteke, good fixtures.

    3. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Not sure why people choose Lindelof over Trippier (or even Bertrand for that matter). And Monreal over those two is very strange to me. Mustafi is better than Monreal, no? And all the others better than Mustafi. Maybe you're reasoning that Trippier will be replaced, and preempting that scenario?

      1. Klip Klopp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Explain why monreal over mustafi is weird. Makes perfect sense to me

        1. JayJay96
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Yes benteke good fixtures and Monreal more consistent. Don't want mustafi.

          Not got trippier due to a right back coming in that I've heard about. Not keen on him anyway. May change.

          Worried about no spurs but may consider Kane instead of lukaku but not sure yet

  7. Hurricane Gilbert
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Bottomed. Your 6,5M (max) midfielder of choice?

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Tadic? Slim pickings

    2. H-SF
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Ritchie

    3. Forever mirin
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Tadic.
      But would probably go RLC/Carrol and spend it on a WB playing in a 3-4-3 (ars & cfc) instead.

      1. Forever mirin
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Philips should be a decent option as well.

    4. Black Panther
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Tadic and Phillips.

    5. penman26
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      townsend- unless palace buy another winger

  8. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Any idea who is the set piece taker for Soton? JWP perhaps?

    1. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      JWP and Tadic.

  9. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Best midfield pick @6/6.5?

    1. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Stanislas probably. Redmond/Tadic should produce with those opening fixtures.

    2. EDEN THE MAN
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Redmond

    3. Ramboros
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Phillips

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Phillips

    4. H-SF
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Ritchie and Stanislas

    5. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Monitor Redmond. If he looks nailed, he's well worth the price I think

    6. bojack
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Tadic probably worth a punt given Southampton's early run.

      That said, it would not shock me at all to see Swansea win at St Marys on the opening day and this place be filled with people moaning that Cedric, Bertrand, Tadic or Redmond only got 2 pts!

  10. EDEN THE MAN
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Trio 1 or 2

    1)Kane,Willian(Or other 7.0m),Trippier
    2)Lacazette,Alli,Ake

    Cheers

    1. EDEN THE MAN
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Any1?

    2. Mo Mané No Problems
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      1

  11. bojack
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    One of my first ever football matches as a kid was a 1-0 defeat for Carlisle at home to Bournemouth.

    Depresses me to think about the different trajectories of the two clubs since then.

  12. penguinsofdeath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Which one of Liverpool's attackers is worth getting?

    1. EDEN THE MAN
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Coutinho

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Bit of a lottery but my preferred option is Coutinho.

    2. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Wait until Mané is fit.

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        When did Mané get injured?

        1. Hurricane Gilbert
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Still nursing the injury that he sustained during the Merseyside derby.

          1. Fantasy Gold
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            Oh yeah. Thanks.

    3. bojack
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Ideally Mané but money is tight.

    4. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Mane/Salah/firmino/coutinho

    5. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Different price points, so depends what you do with the margin.

    6. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Coutinho is the best , simple as. But week to week they will share points , need to go with one and hope fir the best, and I think you need one!

  13. Big at the Back
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Here's my team

    Foster,
    Trippier, Alonso, Bertrand, Dawson*
    Salah, Alli, Eriksen,
    King, Lukaku, Defoe

    Bench: Myhill, Mee, Carroll, RLC.

    *As WBA and Burnley have great alternating home fixtures, I'm intending to rotate them in the short term.
    Thoughts?

    1. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Problem with WBA is that they tend to play more defensively away from home, which means good CS chances away from home.

    2. EDEN THE MAN
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      King's goals will be partly taken by Defoe
      Nice punt with Salah-personally staying safe with Coutinho or Mane

    3. bojack
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      WBA have good opening games generally and if I was getting Dawson it'd be more for goal threat at corners.

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        McAuley a bigger attacking threat no?

        1. bojack
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          I believe Dawson had more attempts last year. He's also not 41 like.McAuley 🙂

  14. SEXY SOLO SAUCE FOR THE LAS…
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Here's a toughie:

    Ramsey & Lukaku
    Or
    Pogba & Lacazette

    1. EDEN THE MAN
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Willian + Lacazette

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE FOR THE LAS…
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Ramsey more nailed once Hazard is back I imagine?

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      A

  15. Budweiser
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    PVA nailed?

    1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE FOR THE LAS…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      No. Schlupp factor

      1. bojack
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        The Schlupp Factor. Friday at 10 on BBC Two.

        1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE FOR THE LAS…
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE FOR THE LAS…
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 11 months ago

            *Laughing face* that was meant to be

            1. bojack
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 11 months ago

              I can't master the emojis here either. I only know 🙂 , 😀 and 😉

              1. Now I'm Panicking
                • 9 Years
                6 years, 11 months ago

                😆 ➡ 💡 and I'm out

  16. H-SF
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Best 3rd striker 8.5m or under?

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Firmino/Defoe/Benteke

    2. Bambi
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Vardy

    3. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      No such thing.

      Benteke, Gayle, Defoe and co will take it in shifts to be the right pick. You don't need to name one.

      1. H-SF
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Who would you start with though?

        1. Dr Dream
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Ha...see below...

    4. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      ...but starting with Benteke against Huddersfield might be a good idea...

  17. Bambi
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    442

    Foster - Myhill
    Milner - Bailly- Trippier- Cedric - 4.0
    Alli -Coutinho- Ramsey- Stanislas- RLC
    Kane - Aguero -4.5

    Thoughts?

    1. JAC THE CAT
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Very nice

    2. Super Silva Haze
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      I actually quite like this team and I am not a fan of 442 at all.

      1. Bambi
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        I think their is a lot of value in attacking fullbacks this year. Particularly walker, tripper and milner

    3. Dokdok666
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      I like it, am going in the same direction. Stanislas is possibly not nailed though.
      Only one out of the three big captains, worries me.

    4. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Take Stan to a 5.5 and use the non-Trip cash to buy more wing-backs.

      1. Bambi
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        The only 5.5 mod I like is walters, anyone else to keep an eye out for?

        1. Dokdok666
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          JWP if he is nailed

        2. Jersey
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Stoke bought Darren Fletcher to play defensive midfield.

          That's free's up Joe Allen to play the 10. I might try him.

  18. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    This week I shall mainly be looking forward to watching the new "Dunkirk" film....

    1. H-SF
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Yes me too looks really good

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        It'll be my birthday treat off my lads to go and watch it with them...NO WOMEN ALLOWED,,,(I know that's sexist but I'm old and I am)

    2. Fantasy Gold
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Hey Wakey.

      How's the team coming along?

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Very good. Just reading all the good comments and picks...and there's plenty to go at.

        So far I/we have about forty good picks at least that we just need to have in the right order....that's the tricky part.

        1. Fantasy Gold
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Good stuff 🙂

  19. Heskey Time
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    How's this for a go?

    Foster, myhill
    Trippier, Cedric, 4.5,4.5,4
    Cout, sane, willian, Ramsey, RLC
    Kane, lukaku, Defoe

    Undecided on the remaining defenders and really would like de bruyne over sane but you can't have them all

    1. Super Silva Haze
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Really depends on the other 3 defenders dude.

      1. Heskey Time
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Well I was planning on deciding that once we get a better idea closer to the season. Thinking dunk, Francis, or thompkins for the 4.5s and whatever 4.0 looks to have the best chance of playing

        1. Super Silva Haze
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 11 months ago

          Yeah I would say that's a 8/10 team man. Looks good and nice balance.

  20. EDEN THE MAN
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Trio 1 or 2

    1)Kane,Willian(Or other 7.0m),Trippier
    2)Lacazette,Alli,Ake

    Cheers

    Any response would be greatly appreciated

    1. Super Silva Haze
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      1. No brainer imo

      1. EDEN THE MAN
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers

  21. Super Silva Haze
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Only concern here for me is Pogba and Jrod. Who would you guys change them too or should I keep it the way it is ?

    Foster
    Lindelof Trippier Cedric
    Willian Coutinho Eriksen Pogba
    Lukaku Aguero Jrod

    Myhill Rlc Yedlin Rangel

    Cheers.

    1. EDEN THE MAN
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Don't like Pogba

      Pogba to Ramsey and JRod upgrade

      1. Super Silva Haze
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks eden

  22. Jimmy Boy
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Is Bailly worth the extra 0.5m over Lindelof. I feel like he's more assured of starts whereas there is some doubt with Lindelof

    1. Dokdok666
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      If you think nailedness is worth 0.5, go for him

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Lack of goal/assist threat for 6, better value elsewhere.

  23. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Is Willian nailed whilst Hazard is out?

    1. H-SF
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Yes

    2. The Legend Squad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Hopefully

    3. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      I guess Cesc could play in a more advanced position but evidence for that is thin.

    4. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Yes, but Haz could be back as early as GW4.

  24. The Legend Squad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    This is a bit different...

    Elliot Foster
    Cedric Lindelof Trippier Francis Rangel
    Sanchez Alli Willian Redmond
    Aguero Rashford Firmino

    RMT

    1. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      WOW that looks great! Well done!

    2. unlethal
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      This is the kind of team I see doing really well, while the template team does not.

    3. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      5th mid?

    4. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Amazed this is affordable!

  25. @fpl_phenom
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    This is the only draft I'm happy with,I know terrible bench but probly WC after gw 6.

    Foster
    Lindelof Trippier Francis
    Sane Willian Coutinho RLC
    Kane Lacazette Lukaku

    Myhill Carroll Hunemei Hudson

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      I'm tempted to take a similar route, if RLC is nailed your looking good.

      1. @fpl_phenom
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Hope so

    2. H-SF
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Really really solid

      1. @fpl_phenom
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers mate

  26. foley200
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    New to this site. Anyone give me some feedback, much appreciated.

    DeGea (Foster)
    Cedric Luiz Trippier Daniels (Dunk)
    RLC Couthino Sane Ramsey (Carrol)
    Kane Lukaku (Gayle)

    Will change Sane if it looks like he won't start.

    1. The Legend Squad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Like it! Monitor RLC and Sane to make sure they're getting the minutes

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      10 in goal is too much. Luiz & Cedric are 11, not great value. RLC is wait and see, spend 5.5.

    3. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      De Gea and a 4.0M
      Or Foster and a 4.0M

      Not both, it's a waste

  27. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    I'm looking forward to the opening of the FPL draft game (hopefully tomorrow). Is anybody thinking of registering a public team immediately, just to test out the draft system ? I know it's could be considered disrespectful to the others in that league, but it could be also a major advantage to know the in's and out's of the draft system for the league's you are going to take seriously.

    1. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      GREAt idea!

    2. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Should we start a few on here for practice?

  28. H-SF
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Feeling punty, sticking Rooney in. He has a lot to prove and if he starts he might just prove people wrong. There are no other standout options at that price after all. Anyone else with me?

    1. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Can't help but think that PL debut match could be set up as a "headline"...he really is quite good at that.

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      He's easy to sell for a 6.5 that starts well.

      1. H-SF
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        yes exactly

    3. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Nope, He was dreadful for Utd last year and now plays in a worse team with terrible opening fixtures.
      Good luck though

  29. We Will Klopp you
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts please chaps?

    Foster
    Trippier Cedric Daniels
    Zaha Salah Alli Ramsey
    Gayle Kane Lukaku

    Subs: Myhill Yedlin Loftus-Cheek Long(BUR)

    1. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      Very nice! Gayle might not do it gw1 but great fixtures after that!

      1. Captain Goodwin
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        In a strange way, Newcastle are Spurs bogey team.... we always unexpectedly have done well against them recently. So he could well do it in GW1 😉

  30. Mo Mané No Problems
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 11 months ago

    Foster, Elliot
    Valencia, Trippier, Cedric, (Mee/Tomkins)
    Mane, Alli, Willian, Redmond, (RLC)
    Kane, Aguero, (Fletcher)

    Mee and Tomkins rotate very well the first 6 gameweeks.
    Is Tomkins nailed on?

    1. Budweiser
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 11 months ago

      342 with 2 goalies nice! What chip is that?

      1. Mo Mané No Problems
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 11 months ago

        It's 442 with Mee/Tomkins rotation. Messed up the formatting I guess.