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.

  1. Lord of Ings
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Would you play bailly and DDG vs Leicester? i reckon they look a good bet to score.

    1. Jairzinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I’d play them, yeah.

    2. Morgs
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Too expensive to be benching plus they do look solid atm

    3. In FPHell
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Definitely would, can't get a more guaranteed CS than a Utd defender at the moment

  2. buttigieg93
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Any thoughts on improving my squad? Was thinking Daniels>Jones.
    Only have 1 FT. Cheers!

    Foster,Elliot
    Bertrand,Stones,Daniels,Suttner,Long
    KDB,Mkhitaryan,Willian,Carroll,RLC
    Lukaku,Kane,Firmino

  3. johnnybeefcake
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Just quickly guys... I'm currently on my wildcard. Free up funds should I go Bertrand to Cedric?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Rather Yoshida over Cedric.

    2. Morgs
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Stephens/Yosh for me

    3. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I'd take a fullback -even if VVD stays there's a likelihood Saints are bringing in another centre back.

  4. StalkingDwarf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Note to self: Try not to get two bench fodders from the same team next time. It will limit your options in the future.

  5. the vanisher
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Jese or Richarlison?

    1. Budweiser
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Lol great minds

    2. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Jese certainly worth a closer look. Looked lively.

    3. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Is Jese a mid?

      1. the vanisher
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Mids both priced at 6.0

    4. Morgs
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Gonna keep an eye on Jese, midfielder at 6m could be a steal

    5. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Rich

    6. Rasialdo10
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Richarlison

    7. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Major knee jerk... having said that... didn't see either today.... but Stoke and Watford are not offensive power houses

  6. johnnybeefcake
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Cedric with 0.5 in the bank
    OR
    Bertrand

    1. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Bertrand worth the extra imho

  7. Budweiser
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Richarlison or Jese?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Rich

  8. F4L
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    No Kane for me next week. Go gentle Harry

  9. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Any ideas on this lot?

    Foster Elliot
    Bertrand Cedric Daniel Suttner Long
    KDB Salah Mkhi Ritchie Carroll
    Kane Lukaku Mounie

    1 FT, 0 in bank

    Cheers

    1. StalkingDwarf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I think save and assess next week.

      or

      Deal with Daniels.

    2. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Cedric or Daniels to Jones

      1. Legomane
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        This perhaps

    3. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I like.

    4. The Tinkerman
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I'd do something with Daniels, BOU look poor. That or hold.

    5. Jairzinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Looks good. No immediate changes.

    6. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers both.

    7. F4L
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      WC TM, you know you want to 😉

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        but truly, Daniels to Jones for me

    8. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Save. All the main protagonists in there. Salahs game time a worry but I doubt he'll be dropped again after how they played without him in the first half.

      What's ya thoughts on jese? Potential bargain at 6 mil.

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        No interest atm.

    9. ChelseaKTBFF
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Exact frontline as mine. Nothing really wrong with that team.

    10. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers all.

  10. Squires FC
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Ake & fraser -> ? & jese

    1. cult
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      jones

  11. RTroop
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Has anyone used the free hit chip?
    I logged on after using chip, didn't realise how it worked.. I have my old squad back.... Dangerous chip 🙁

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Didn't read up on it first?

    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Nice deletion TM 😉

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Just imagine if you had the option 😉

  12. SC not pearls before swine
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Some Pogba/Mkhitaryan stats through the first two games:
    Pogba: 5 chances created, 6 shots, 4 in the box.
    Mkhitaryan: 10 chances created, 5 shots, 1 in the box.

    Sample sizes are too small to make any definitive conclusions but Mkhitaryan's been more creative, and Pogba's had slightly more goal threat. Not really surprising I guess.

  13. johnnybeefcake
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    A) Cedric, Bailly and 5.0
    B)Bertrand, Jones and Davies

    1. Jimjam
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      B

  14. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    How many times do we think POGBA will rise this week?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      2 or 3.

      1. Tommyg
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        You getting him in TM?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 7 months ago

          Tonight or won't bother.

    2. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      3 unless someone smashes it tomorrow.

    3. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Xhaka rose 0.2...Pogba will do the same

    4. Yozzer
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Just once. There will be different players doing well tomorrow and they will become everyone's target

    5. Ibracadabra
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Once.

    6. ChelseaKTBFF
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      made my peace of having Mkhi over him.

      Will get him at 8.5 I suppose

  15. Gabbiadini
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    What to do with Daniels?

    1. StalkingDwarf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Currently I'm thinking of transferring him out for Mawson. Would do Jones but already have 3 United players.

      1. Lord of Ings
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Who are your 3 united players atm?

        1. StalkingDwarf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 7 months ago

          Bailly
          Pobga
          Lukaku

          1. Gabbiadini
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 7 months ago

            Not sure whether grabbing Jones is the right thing... Could Lindelof be back, also is Daniels close to dropping 0.1?

          2. Viper
            • 16 Years
            8 years, 7 months ago

            Wow you had a field day!!

  16. Jimjam
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Willian & Firmino ---> Pogba & Chicharito?

    (2FTs so no hit required)

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I'm considering this for -4, yeah I'd do it for free.

  17. Dušan Citizen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    I hate those stupid international breaks.

    Not only there is no PL for 2 weeks, but imporant players, especially from South America, are tired to play in incoming GW.

    1. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Yip. That's why professional footballers who represent their countries have international breaks. To annoy FPL players.

    2. Voyeur
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I'm off to Malta for a few days. International breaks get a big thumbs up from me!

  18. ste_the_legend
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Pogba for salah?

    Seems like a no brainer if klopp is going to rotate salah for Europe?

  19. bojack
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Terrific away following from Albion today 😆

    I could've gone but the missus wasn't having any of it 🙂

    1. ste_the_legend
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I'm glad I took a chance with foster & Dawson away and got a second double clean sheet from them.

      What's the feeling re: pullis in those parts? As a neutral he seems to be doing a decent job results wise even if the style of play maybe isn't the most attractive

      1. bojack
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Early last season there was plenty of dissent in home games but that's changed now, last week was pretty positive.

  20. Why Always Me
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Kola to trip?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      If he doesn't tie his laces.

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Hope not, if he falls we may feel a few tremors

  21. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Game week attacking stats so far arranged by ICT threat. Hit the ICT creativity for the Assisters...

    fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/my-stats-tables/view/4671/

    Second place for threat has great numbers...

      1. bojack
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Hmm. Shame he's not .5 cheaper.

  22. Lord of Ings
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Would you start both DDG and bailly vs Leicester?

    1. We Will Klopp you
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      yes

    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Every game.

    3. StalkingDwarf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I would. I usually never bench defence from United.

  23. We Will Klopp you
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    What were people's thoughts on the Jese in the Arsenal match? Was he very good or were Arsenal just very bad and hence made him look good?

    1. bojack
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Some very assured touches.

  24. Viper
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Which looks the better transfer this week?

    A. Daniels - > Jones

    B. KDB - > Pogba

    1. StalkingDwarf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      A

    2. Sotamendi84
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I wanna know thoughts about this too

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      A

  25. Sotamendi84
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    A) salah > pogba
    B) KDB > pogba
    C) tadic+ritchie > pogba+atsu (-4)

    Thanks

  26. Salahbrate
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    best 5.0 defender? no southampton or west b..

    1. dhamphiir
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Jones

  27. Gorbitz
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Would you WC this bunch?

    Forster
    Danilo Valencia Hegazi
    KDB Salah Mooy Fraser Iwobi
    Kane Lukaku
    (Elliot / Mitrovic / Moreno / Mbemba)

    At least 3 non-starters, 2 more soon questionable (Danilo/Hegazi?)

    Advise much appreciated!

    1. Ibracadabra
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      50-50. If Kane and KDB explode you will have a good looking team.

  28. popcoin
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Price rise websites....
    Fplstatistics says different things to Fantasyfootballfix. The latter puts down many more players as rising tonight.

    Which do we trust more?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Stats

      1. popcoin
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Does Stats take into account the current growth in transfers and the time left before the update?

    2. Viper
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Fpl stats but they're all still finding their feet early in the season

  29. FPL Mentor
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    What to do with this lot? 1FT

    De Gea Elliot
    Alonso Danilo Stephens TAA Mariappa
    KdB Salah Ramsey JWP Carroll
    Kane Lukaku Quaner

    0m itb

    Salah & JWP 》 Pogba & Phillips?

    1. Jairzinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I’d fix up the defence.

  30. Lord of Ings
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Bench one of:-
    Alonso
    Bertrand
    Dawson
    Or start all 3?

    1. More Tragic
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      it's Saturday ffs and I bet you'll be asking all week too.