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. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Is Pogba going to rise tonight?

    1. Man Chest Hair United
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Yep

    2. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Yes. Well over 100 already

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        think i will pull trigger on KDB > Pogba. Worst case if KDB goes large against Everton i'll take the points, safe in knowledge Pogba should probably match him for the season for 2.0 less. Sound good, or the ramblings of a madman?

    3. Pompel
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Not chasing that rise - need to see how KDB does on Monday first. But starting to think those £1.9 saved should be well worth

  2. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Wow, 18 red arrows. New record for me that.

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

    4 of my players got 1 point each....

  4. DoobNoob
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Want Mkhi over Pogba, but don't want to miss out on a big Pogba price rise

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Mkhi will usually get less minutes than Pogba though?

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

      Seriously?

      Go for Mikhi later if you want Mikhi.

      Forget Pogba.

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

      Pick the player you think will get the most points... price rises only useful if you then actually sell that player on which I doubt you're planning on doing any time soon

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

      This^^... makes it tough

  5. DoobNoob
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Ive got Jones, Mkhi and Lukaku... but I want Pogba.
    What do I do?
    A) Jones out, Pogba in
    B) Mkhi out, Pogba in
    C) No Pogba

    Help please

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

      Lol

    2. Reggie Nainggolan
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      A

  6. douglas1500
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    A - de Gea, Bailly, Willian, Lukaku
    or
    B - 4.5m keeper, Bailly, Pogba, Lukaku

    1. Reggie Nainggolan
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      B with foster

      1. douglas1500
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Yea was thinking that cheers

  7. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    The next 2 fixtures arent going to be any where near as easy for united as the last 2 have been

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Leicester shipped 4 against a much worse arsenal attack only 8 days ago... i'd fancy utd to get at least 2, maybe 3 or 4 again. The Stoke game isn't for another 3 weeks which is an enternity away in FPL terms anyway, but I'd imagine Pogba & Mkhi will both be 8.4/8.5 by then, with Lukaku probably up at 11.8 & maybe even +0.1 or 0.2 price rises for Jones / Bailly / DDG

  8. Tmel
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 months 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 tomorrow's games but miss out on the price rise

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

      KDB for me.

    2. CelticBhoy1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      B

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      KDB... He'll have to do an awful lot to justify his place ahead of the likes of Pogba, Mkhi, Mane, Alli, Eriksen - who are all cheaper, so even if he matches them he's not offering value for money.

  9. ooooo
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Mkhi to rise?

  10. df34
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Watching Arsenal fan TV, Gunners fans not happy !!Common trend, is questioning Bellerin playing on the left, rather than right .

  11. Random Name
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2017/08/18/the-community-round-up-207/?hc_page=7#hc_comment_16233087

    "If Joyce says he's out. He's out"

    Mane goes on to start, play the full 90 mins and score the winner... Paul who?

    1. Reeker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      To be fair he said he is unlikely to start because he missed training, not that he wasn't going to start.

  12. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    A) Jones Pogba Mooy

    Or

    B) Trippier Redmond Ritchie

    1. HNI
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      A is much more stable and good if you stick for next 5....Can advice below?

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

    Best out of these mediocre 3?
    Please not have Stephens as Soton cover but Bertie is also attacking

    1) Bertie +Dawson+Ramsey
    2) Kompany + Mee/Suttner + Ramsey
    3) Kompany + Bertie + Ritchie/Atsu

    Atsu allows Jrod upgrade for 7mn fwd in future but makes lose sharp Ramsey

    1. CelticBhoy1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Ramsey is not nailed so atm I'd have to go with 3 and Ritchie

    2. â­ Bemba_Da â­
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      i like a and b they are more secure. I think ramsey's only problem is his fitness. That's why he misses games

      wait to see how atsu/ritchie do tomorrow though, possibly they may look the better option if newcastle do well

  14. â­ Bemba_Da â­
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    is pogba the real deal or do you think he has been lucky? majority of goals/assists in the final few mins

    1. HNI
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      He hit woodwork in middle of match too...

      1. HNI
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Plus he really created nice chances throughout...Can advice me above bemba?

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

      2 poor teams too.

      It is tempting though.

    3. Karan_G14
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      I think that's the key to it. United need to score an early/first half goal for teams to open up.

      Leicester are going to sit back but they weren't great at the Emirates let's see how they do at OT. Early goal and I can see another 3/4 goals.

    4. pundit of punts
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Get Mkhi

  15. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    JWP Kolasinac to Richarlison Trippier and WC during IB ?

  16. onionbarje
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    I still ain't convinced Pogba, yes he's nailed on but only really scores when he gets pushed up the pitch. When he plays in CM which he will do for most of the season, he doesn't do much fpl wise

  17. Karan_G14
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    If KDB blanks is it worth doing these moves for (-4)?

    Ake & KDB âž¡ Alli/Eriksen & Trippier/Jones

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

      I would

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

      I'm looking at this rather than jumping on the Pogbandwagon

      Eriksen and Trippier my preferred picks

      1. Karan_G14
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Even I would like Trippier but I don't mind the 0.5 Jones leaves me with it could come handy.

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

      Trippier fit for next GW?

  18. drughi
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Would you WC this lot ?

    Forster elliott
    Bertrand Kompany Mee Daniels Hunemeier
    JWP Carroll Ramsey KDB Salah
    Jrod Kane Lukaku

    1. HNI
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      no way!

  19. the snazzy viking
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    what is this sudden Pogba craze?

    1. â­ Bemba_Da â­
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      you didn't see the scores today?

      1. the snazzy viking
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        I watched the whole match. He was ok but people wildcarding to get him in is hilarious

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

      I think he might have scored a lot of points.

  20. MiguelAngel
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    To Hagazi
    A) Monreal
    B) Danilo

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

    We don't have to choose between Pogba and Mkhi...just get both and then drop one later on maybe for the next hot bandwagon.

    I's only GW2 so just enjoy the ride and the price rises whilst United are playing so well.

  22. Stats Don\'t Lie
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Best move?

    A) Daniels > hegazi/dawson/jones
    B) Dann + Daniels > jones + dawson(-4)
    C) Dann + Daniels > hegazi + trippier (-4)
    D) Daniels + Firmino > Chica + Trippier (-4)

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

      I would just do Dann to Jones

      1. Stats Don\'t Lie
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Sell Dann over Daniels despite fixtures?

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

          To me, that doesn't matter since I don't trust Palace defence with any fixture.

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

      I like D

  23. Man Chest Hair United
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Who to ship for pogba

    A Willian
    B Ramsey

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

      B

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

      A

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

      Willian

  24. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Couldn't watch the Arsenal second half, how did Arsenal look? And why were Kola and Laca subbed early?

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

      Shit

      Because they were shit

  25. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    This knee jerk post looks to me like someone is afraid not owning Pogba and needs that Fellaini argument to keep him warm at nights 😉 😛

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

    Eriksen or mkhi/Pogba?... surely Sen,No?

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

      Eriksen for me.

  27. Random Name
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    -8 done.

    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Laca out?

  28. Numb
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    So, KDB was deemed essential going into this season and after one game he's not?

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

      Cheaper essentials now.

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

      Not when Mkhi, Pogba, Alli, Eriksen, Mane, Salah... are all doing better for less.

      Plus Sanchez and Hazard are on the horizon too to drop a massive cat amongst the pigeons

      1. Hibbo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 7 months ago

        Once the money is all taken out of midfield.

        Now that is a wildcard.

  29. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Well, I had a knee-jerk last week, and I have Hegazi coming off the bench this week. Happy days! 🙂

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

      🙂

    2. MiguelAngel
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Doos, would you do Danilo or Monreal > Hegazi? (No WBA defence atm)

  30. No_Mo_Salah?
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone not jumping on the Pogba and Mkhi train yet? Ive only got Lukaku as cover at the moment but cant quite bring myself to shift KDB Salah or (or suprisingly Ramsey who looked good today) to accomodate one of them.

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 7 months ago

      Can't afford.