Opinion
19 August 2017 4746 comments
Mark Mark
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So far, it all seems pretty simple.

Manchester United are walking through teams and all we have to do as Fantasy managers is back them and count the points.

Romelu Lukaku – while wholly unconvincing throughout against Swansea City – again managed to earn his 53.5% of FPL managers points, with 67% of those owners backing him with the captaincy.

For all the naysaying that took place during today’s display, the fact remains that the Belgian is now three goals ahead of both Harry Kane and Gabriel Jesus – perhaps his most likely rivals for a spot in our forward lines.

Should they dare to blank in Sunday and Monday’s matches then further sales of both will follow, with Lukaku hoovering up yet more owners.

But the day truly belonged to Paul Pogba.

A 15-point haul in South Wales saw him reach new heights to follow his eight points gained in the opening weekend victory over West Ham.

A lot has been said and written on the presence of Nemanja Matic and how this has unleashed Pogba’s attacking talents. However, when we look closer, there is perhaps another individual key to Pogba’s recent boom.

In truth, Jose Mourinho’s side seemed to huff and puff through most of today’s victory, and Pogba cut a frustrated figure at times – indeed, he walked a disciplinary tightrope in the first half.

But late on, the introduction of both Marouane Fellaini and Anthony Martial seemed to galvanise matters. On their arrival, United simply eased through the gears and tore the Swans asunder, with Pogba the main benefactor.

United have now scored eight goals over two matches, with six of those strikes arriving after the 75-minute mark with Fellaini on the pitch.

When he arrives, Pogba appears unshackled to run at tired legs and spread devastation. Notably, his only points earned without Fellaini on the pitch so far has been his assist for Bailly’s opener today.

So while it’s difficult to question the thousands of FPL managers that are now flocking to Pogba, we still need to consider that, to this point, the influence of Matic has perhaps not been as significant as billed.

It’s only when Mourinho reinforces his midfield further that Pogba has proved unstoppable.

Meanwhile, Mkhitaryan quietly gained another two assists without taking control of the game or matching Pogba’s impact.

He is undoubtedly the creator to Pogba’s destroyer. The question is, are we forced to choose between them and if so, is it as straightforward as opting for the Frenchman?

Having just taken a points hit to acquire Mkhitaryan, he’s going nowhere. And with Phil Jones available for just 5.0 in a defence that’s already kept two shut-outs, this Fantasy manager can’t currently find a place for Pogba.

That’s a worry. Potentially, Pogba is transformed and, match after match, he could prove untameable for opposing defences.

But the Fellaini factor is interesting and we perhaps still need to show some caution. Leicester City in Gameweek 3 will likely provide a sterner test which may yet slow the United and Pogba juggernaut.

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

4,746 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    A Chicharito or
    B Firmino

  2. F4L
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Pogba seems a confidence player. High on confidence, he'll get points. Remember, Leicester are poor at set pieces, and he scored from a set piece against them last season.

    1. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Never mind just Pogba. Football is a confidence game and right now United will fancy they can thump anybody.

  3. Tactical Nuke
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Are we convinced tripper will be back GW3?

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Almost

  4. purple.emu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Got the exact money to Daniels/DeBruyne to Eriksen/Davies now

    There going both up 0.1 in a few hours. Do it yes or no?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Getting rid of 1 person who hasn't played yet for 2 more who haven't played yet.

      Why?

      1. purple.emu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Because I won't be able to get them in my side in 2 hours time

        1. how now brown cow
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          KDb could get a hattrick. Eriksen/Davies could get injured.

          There's a lot to go wrong.

          You'll be able to afford Eriksen/Trippier instead?

          1. purple.emu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Yes that's plan b

            1. how now brown cow
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              I really think that's a better option. KDB has played one game and everyone is selling.

              I know he looks overpriced compared to Mane / Eriksen, but like me you chose him for a reason and it seems wrong to sell before he's even played 2 games. Trippier should be a better option than Davies long term anyway.

        2. GreennRed
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          They could all be injured in 22 hours time.

  5. Firminooooo
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    OR 3 391 147. Kill me now.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Means little.

      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Aw behave TM. Let him have his moment in the sun.

    2. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      The only way is up

    3. We Will Klopp you
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Relax mate, if you're there at the halfway point in the season then panic but now is not the time to be panicking over a lowly rank. Think about how many people have already used their TC's, wildcards and BB's as well.

    4. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Still half your team to play.

    5. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      It is a Marathon not a sprint

    6. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Very nice.

  6. Meme2011
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    get rid of Kola or Bertrand?? need to find £1m

  7. Zeeco
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Jess looks like a good player.

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      He kind of played for Real and PSG.

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      you watching Woman's football?

    3. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      He's a big Jessie 😉

  8. GreennRed
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Is Dawson gonna be dropped when McAuley is fit?

    1. In FPHell
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Hegazi was the people thought would be dropped

      1. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I know. Will wait and see how it looks before shipping Ake.

    2. bojack
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Dawson can move to right full back. Saying that Nyom is playing well.

      1. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Nyom is a tidy fullback. Be hard for Dawson to displace him.

  9. SheBangsTheDrums
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    How do these look?

    Daniels & Firmino to Trippier & Chicarito

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I would

    2. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I am keeping Firmino

    3. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'd want to keep firm.

  10. Fiona B
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    KDB and Josh King -----> to ------> Pogba and Little Pea for a free. Almost hitting that button!

    Will free up serious cash to upgrade JWP

  11. bojack
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Great to see Berahino playing well.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Got rid in draft this week.

  12. Lord of Ings
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    G2G?
    DDG
    Bertrand Dawson trippier
    Eriksen willian salah KDB
    Lukaku Gabba Mounie
    *Benching bailly*
    How is it looking?

    1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Gtg for now

  13. DaveZubie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Twitchy knee:

    JPW + WIllian -> Pogba + Loftus-Cheek (-4)

    1. Atimis
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      About doing this now

  14. Sif
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Need 0.5 from Daniels. Got WBA cover in Foster and Mee.
    4.5m
    Britos or Fernández?

    1. AYLD28
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yuk

    2. Lord of Ings
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Mee is WBA cover? :p

      1. Sif
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        As Burnley cover :p
        4.5s people? Simpson?

        1. Lord of Ings
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Simpson looks appealing.

  15. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Best 5.5 midfielder?

    1. the vanisher
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Mooy

    2. Lord of Ings
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Mooy

    3. Rainer
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Its bleak down there.

    4. CelticBhoy1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Thoughts on Brunt?

    5. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      That new guy at Stoke, Choupo-Moting (or something like that) caught the eye

  16. Rainer
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Alexis close to a drop 😎

    1. In FPHell
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Can't believe enough people owned him in the first place for him to drop

  17. AYLD28
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Bottomed

    What would you guys do with this team:

    Begovic, Elliot
    Ake, Lowe, Stephens, Suttner, Long
    KDB, Willian, Miki, Redmond, Carroll
    Lukaku, Kane, Firm

    1FT 0ITB

    My defence needs help!!

    Considering for the exit door: Ake, KDB, Willian, Suttner and Firmino

  18. Viper
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Price rises/falls are so important right now with the budget being so ridget.

    Missing one rise can screw up plans for a few weeks. It's frustrating really

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Even a 0.1 is not worth doing a transfer early. In most cases its best to be patient

      1. Viper
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        What about 0.3m

        Does that change anything? 🙂

        Was really hoping I wouldn't feel the need to rip my team up after 2 weeks 🙂

    2. Morgs
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Patience is right but if a players going to rise two-three times in a week (Pogba this week) its worth the early transfer imo, esp if you can also trade out a player whos dropping

  19. Pierce34
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Does the free hit work like the wildcard in terms of when it's played? i.e. can you make free transfers for lots of hits, and then hit the free hit button at the end, or do you have to play it when you make the first transfers?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Anytime before deadline like WC.

      1. Pierce34
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks.

  20. Tmel
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Have 2FT and need to sacrifice one of the following to afford Pogba. Who to downgrade? 

    a) KDB 
    b) Salah
    c) Kane
    d) Jesus
    e) Hold fire until Monday's games but miss out on price rise

    1. Roys Peak
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I went for kdb but riskky business

    2. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      KDB... good player but overpriced

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      E

  21. Legomane
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Wijnaldum > Pogba +

    A. Kompany > Jones
    B. Kompany > Yoshida (have Berty)
    C. Firmino > Chicarito

    Cheers 🙂

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      C

  22. Ëð
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    KDB & Rodriguez -> Pogba + Hernandez?

    1. Blanka
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Looking at same.

      1. Ëð
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Just feeling like ditching KDB could be a massive mistake.

        1. Blanka
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Same, but I've got Jesus and will prob WC after next week. International week. Can always get back, not rising.

  23. fitzy
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I need to transfer out one of Carroll and RLC tonight to fund pogba. Question is who?

    RLC playing in the front 3 or Carroll on set pieces?

    1. Morgs
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      what set pieces is carroll on? hes my fifth mid

      1. Business Cat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Corners and FKs...probably not pens (not clear who takes those now Siggy's gone)

    2. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Keep Loftus Cheek. Playing well.

    3. FlockofSeagulls
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      For what it's worth Carroll's set piece deliveries were outstanding against united. A bit light weight from open play but he'll score plenty points from his set pieces.

  24. Morgs
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    2FT, Willian and Alonso to Pogba and Bailly?

  25. FF Dirtbag
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on KDB and Fraser - > Eriksen and Jese for free?

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Wait until the GW is over.

  26. Jimjam
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Willian & Firmino --> Pogba & Chicharito?

    (2FTs so no hit required)

  27. Salahbrate
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    how did arsenal play today? who did best

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Ramsey had some chances.

      1. Salahbrate
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        great! what about bellerin.. should i keep him aswell??

        1. GinjaWhinja
          • 17 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          He was playing on the wrong wing and had a mare. With Kosc back next week Kola will move up and so it'll be Bellerin and the Ox battling for minutes.

          1. Salahbrate
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Maybe go with Phil Jones then as a replacement??

  28. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Reckon I should bring in Pogba/Mkhitaryan tonight for the price rises for Willian or wait?

    Got 2.0m in bank so I guess isn't an issue money wise.

    1. Werkself
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      do it.

  29. johnnybeefcake
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Blind or Jones?

  30. Lord of Ings
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Guys help... getting to me now...
    1)zaha + Alonso ---->Alli/eriksen + trippier
    2)zaha --->Richarlison
    3) zaha + bailly -----> pogba/mkhi + tripper
    Help please.