Welcome to the first of this summer’s pre-season Rate My Team Surgeries.
These articles will look at initial Fantasy Premier League squads and will be published ahead of Gameweek 1. Each time one of the FFScout moderator and contributor team will put forward their selection for scrutiny in order to start the discussion.
The aim is to highlight some of the key concerns we have faced in constructing our squads, which hopefully will chime with other FPL managers’ issues.
In addition, we want the comment section to provide a useful opportunity for you to submit your own RMTs. Please also be helpful to those asking for advice. The key to successful rating of teams is to give advice as well.
I have drawn the first straw to start off this series with my balanced 3-4-3 selection.
My Team
Key Concerns
My lack of Manchester United or Chelsea defence is a concern as both sets of players are highly owned. It is the gaping Red Devils shaped hole in my back line that is my biggest issue as Chelsea’s fixtures are not great after their opener at home to Burnley, while Jose Mourinho’s troops early matches look superb. David De Gea or Eric Bailly are targets – although each will need funds to be freed up elsewhere.
De Gea could be a possibility as I’m not wholly convinced by my cheap as chips West Brom goalkeeper double up. Would I be better off going for the Spaniard, or indeed the save points that perhaps West Ham stopper Joe Hart or Watford’s Heurelho Gomes may offer early on?
The third striker spot is a tough one this season. Southampton’s Charlie Austin is there as a place holder currently and I’d be particularly keen to hear arguments for other strikers priced at 6.5 or below or even why I should invest more in this berth.
Nailed On Picks
Flexibility is driving my initial selection – and that for me is why Harry Kane is nailed on. Downgrading an injured or poorly performing Kane is easy, upgrading to the game’s most expensive striker could require surgery or an early wildcard. I’m also not convinced that Dele Alli or Christian Eriksen will match last season’s golden boot winner’s output.
Kevin De Bruyne looks the best attacking Manchester City option for me and is 0.5 cheaper than the only other one I’d consider – Gabriel Jesus. The Belgian looked particularly commanding in City’s 3-0 rout of Spurs in pre-season.
One of Nathan Ake or Charlie Daniels looks essential for me. Bournemouth defenders are among the best FPL resources due to their command of attacking points. Clean sheets are merely a nice extra for them. Both this pair appeal, but currently Ake has the edge as one of the best defenders last season for points per match. He was also 2016/17’s best player in terms of baseline bonus points.
As a Brighton fan I’ve got to have some representation and I believe defence is the main place to find it. With two assists full back Markus Suttner has impressed in pre-season and has even been fielded on the wing at times during matches. Lewis Dunk is another option here – but his ill discipline concerns me. Also talk of his bonus potential hinges on clean sheets – which I’m not convinced my team will excel at in the top flight. Suttner’s attacking potential gives him the edge for me.
Romelu Lukaku is going nowhere with United’s fixtures and his strong pre-season form. Don’t even attempt to persuade me to ditch him.
The Punt
John Stones is my main punt. I originally had United’s Victor Lindeloff in this place but I’m concerned that he may be eased into Premier League action and miss the odd game at the start. City’s Stones could also be a rotation risk, hence the punt, but with wingbacks set to be deployed I can see him earning starts at first and if pre-season is anything to go by he could also bring me attacking returns. Already he has scored twice and assisted another goal during pre-season. If he can carry on that form his lowly 3.6% ownership and 5.5 price tag could rocket.
Formation
I’ve tried to construct a team around a four at the back formation but it just doesn’t sit right with this dullard. I favour the attacking prospects of midfielders and strikers over the dull ache of disappointment when a defender loses a clean sheet.
I’m currently favouring 3-4-3 but am willing to swap to 3-5-2 should five viable midfielders emerge and the third striker well dries up completely.
