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. Dirty Harry
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    55mins

    1. Dirty Harry
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Fail reply

  2. Respect My Authoritah
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Considering Jesus captain after seeing MOTD. Bournemouth look dreadful, United seemed to struggle

  3. Reggie Nainggolan
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Lindelof for Hegazi
    De bruyne for Eriksen
    Willian fir Pogba (-4)

    Yay or nay

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

      Lindelof --> Jones.
      Hold on the rest

      1. Reggie Nainggolan
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        If I get Jones can't get pogba

  4. MFPL
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on Danilo + Ince > Pogba and Zanka? It'll be for a -4 hit, my team is currently:
    De Gea (Elliot)
    Danilo Dawson Stephens (Lowe Long)
    De Bruyne Salah Ince Ateu (Carroll)
    Kane Lukaku Gabbiadini

    Is there any other option that I could do?

  5. Bobby_Baggio
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    This a knee jerk and a half?

    Foster
    Monreal - Danilo - Daniels
    Allo - Mane - Willian - Ritchie
    Firmino - Lukaku - Jesus

    Mon + Ritchie + Firm > Jones + Mkh + Chicarito

    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      For a -4?

    2. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      No not really

      UTD and WHAM have great fixtures coming up and you have Mane for Pool cover.

      1. Yankee Toffee
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        why not Pogba?

        1. Bobby_Baggio
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Like someone said I think pogba will get lost in the bigger games

          1. Yankee Toffee
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            What bigger games? Pool in Anfield maybe but thats mid Oct

            26 Aug 17:30 3 Leicester (H) 2
            09 Sep 17:30 4 Stoke (A) 2
            17 Sep 16:00 5 Everton (H) 3
            23 Sep 15:00 6 Southampton (A) 3
            30 Sep 15:00 7 Crystal Palace (H) 2
            14 Oct 12:30 8 Liverpool (A) 4
            21 Oct 15:00 9 Huddersfield (A) 2

    3. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yes. Doesn't mean it's bad.

      Arsenal defence is a no for me. Jones looks good, but prefer a Saint/Dawson
      Chicha did well, but Firmino is a better option imo

    4. Red20
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Solid, good fixtures for all. Cresswell (5m) and Robertson (4.9) certainly worth monitoring if Jones gets ousted.

  6. Yankee Toffee
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    So glad Ramsey didn't get any points...

    1. laplana
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Knew he wouldn't. Back to the bench when Alexis is fit I hope.

      1. Yankee Toffee
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Same thoughts here. When Santi back as well

        1. laplana
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Santi is the best midfielder they have.

        2. michudagawd
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Santi won't be back anytime soon.

          1. Yankee Toffee
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Feels like he's been injured forever.

      2. the snazzy viking
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Wait... Sánchez plays CM?

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

        Why would he go back on the bench?

    2. the snazzy viking
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      He did get points

      1. laplana
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        In the FPL community that basically means returns from a goal or assist. 🙂

        1. the snazzy viking
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          I know I am just messing around lol

          1. laplana
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            No worries fella!

    3. Red20
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Need the same form Alli and co. tomorrow!

  7. cult
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Salah > Pogba if I have Firmino?

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      or Mane, sure.

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

        But also have Mkhi?.. still worth it

        1. Yankee Toffee
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          meh, if you have Mkhi, I might look at Alli or Eriksen instead.

          Do yo have Kaku?

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

            Yeah... I have Kaku,

            But I think the primo mid fiels right now is:
            Eriksen, Mane, Pogba..

            Don't want to miss Pog??

            Foster
            Yoshida, Ake, Zanka
            KDB, Salah, Mkhi, Willian,
            Lukaku, Jesus, Firmino

            1. Yankee Toffee
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Sounds good. Price change coming soon, supposedly

  8. zizoo10
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    i've really overestimated bournemouth this season. fraser > which cheap mid?

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      you got 0.0 itb?

    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      RLC

    3. Nathan20
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      For being the most nailed id go with Carroll. On set pieces too.

    4. bigbudgie
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Try to free up 0.5 to make him a 6.0

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

        Which 6.0 would you recommend?

    5. zizoo10
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      i have 2FTs and 0.5 itb, can tweak to bring even a 7.0

    6. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I recommend you stay away from Iwobi!

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

    Pick one:
    A) Alonso & Salah > Jones & Eriksen
    B) Kompany & Salah > Jones & Eriksen

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

    Anyone know of Trippier's return date?

    1. Guy Demel
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Should be next week. Depends how they get on tomorrow, if they look solid then they'll be no rush

    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Potentially tomorrow

    3. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Thinking he'll be eased back in....just conjecture tho

    4. Fantasy Football Friend!
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Could feature against Chelsea. Will definitely be back next week.

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

      Thanks everyone, looks a decent option being 5.4m

  11. Dirty Harry
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Gents.

    Best 4.5 defender thats not Mee.

    Phillips + Dann > Pogba + 4.5 (-4)

    Gives a front 8 of:
    KDB Salah Pogba Mooy
    Kane Lukaku Gabbs

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Look at BUR, BHA and WAT def

      1. Nathan20
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        just go to mbemba and bank the .5 🙂

        1. Yankee Toffee
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Will he play?

          1. Puyol Pants Up
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Should be nailed for the next couple of weeks.

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

    1FT + 1.5M in the bank. Keep J Rod for next 2-3weeks or move him for Gabbiadini/Chicarito?

    1. Obi-1 Kenobi-0
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Chicharito. Fixtures and form.

      Rodriguez. Fixtures.

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

    ramsey looked really good today - unlucky not to get points

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Go back to Wales.

  14. Guy Demel
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Which is the best source for price changes? FPL stats seems more sensible, fffix seems mental...

  15. davies
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    A) Willian > Pogba
    B) Tadic > Pogba

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

      A. Hazard and Pedro should return soon.

    2. Puyol Pants Up
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A

  16. Sadio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I'm really surprised a lot of the top players went for Bournemouth defenders. They never kept clean sheets away from home last season, meaning at best you were going to get 2 shutouts in the first 5.

    They will come good at some point this season, but for 0.5 more you could have had much better options in your backline.

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      The Ake factor

  17. Guy Demel
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    A

  18. michudagawd
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Early thoughts on this bunch folks?

    Foster Elliot
    Kolasinac Bertrand Lowe Suttner Long
    KDB Alli Brady JWP Carroll
    Lukaku Jesus Firmino

    1 FT, 1.5 itb

    Cheers.

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Need to upgrade Brady or JWP

  19. bigbudgie
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Best c Daniels replacement
    A) hegazi
    B) mee
    C) dawson

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      C

    2. ManofKent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      C

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

      A imo but most will say C.

  20. Brayden29
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts with 2FT's and 0 ITB going:
    Kolasniac > 5.0 DEF (Davies, Jones, Stephens, Long)
    Willian > Pogba (KDB, Salah, RLC, Carroll)

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good

      1. Brayden29
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks, which 5.0 DEF do you think?
        Double up I think on maybe WBA or SOU

        1. Yankee Toffee
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Hegazi is rising tonight, you could catch it.

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

    Bellerin didn't make a single cross and Laca didn't take a single shot, some weird stats in that Arsenal game

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      They looked 2nd best throughout imho.

    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Poor performance all round.

      Welbeck has no composure. Ramsey looked good at least

    3. DoobNoob
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      except for when laca was like 2cm offside and smashed it into the top corner

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

        Yeah but that doesn't count

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

          sort of counts

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

    Eriksen or pogba/mkhi a better option?

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Depends who else you have.

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

        Team is DDG
        ALONSO bailly Bertrand Dawson
        KDB willian Carroll salah
        Lukaku Mounie gabba rn
        Selling zaha ASAP.got 1m itb

        What'd ya suggest?

    2. Aubaaaaa
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      At this point, Pogba/Mhki is better. The team is oozing of confidence and they're scoring rather freely. Both will be involved in the goals one way or another.

      1. Yankee Toffee
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Yes but he has no TOT cover, I'd go Eriksen or Alii

  23. Obi-1 Kenobi-0
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    What do you reckon about taking a -4 to do Quaner + Alonso -> Chicharito + Trippier, pending the Chelsea match tomorrow? Allows me to play a 4-3-3 and means all my players are playable.

    Team link: https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/team/29874/event/2.

    1. Aubaaaaa
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      The transfer looks good. But yes, I would wait till after the games.

  24. Aubaaaaa
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Yay or nay?

    Out: DDG Daniels JRod
    In: Foster Jones JHernandez

    Main propose of downgrading DDG is to find the extra 1m to upgrade JRod. Getting Jones in for United cover.

    Think both Daniels and JRod will drop in price either later or within the next few days.

    1. Aubaaaaa
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      The above transfers for -8 hit.

  25. Cathal Cantona
    • 17 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Bet ake replacement for short-mid term?

    Was thinking hegazy or davies? which one or anyone better?

    1. Aubaaaaa
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Hegazi. Brom seems to have better fixtures and they're doing well defensively.

  26. Big baller
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Elliot Foster
    Stephens Mee Moreno Davis Rosenior
    Carrol Fraser Mane Kdb Alli
    Lukaku Jesus Mounie

    1 itb 1 ft. Planned Wc after gw 3
    What to do?

  27. NestorC
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    What do you think about it?

    Kola, Fraser and Firmino
    to
    Jones, Pogba and Chicha

    Cheers

  28. the snazzy viking
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    At the moment I'm thinking of saving the FT unless one of my lads get injured, to allow 2FT for the international break

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

      or use WC than

      1. the snazzy viking
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Team doesn't need WC I think. I've got the balance of the team spot on

  29. Puyol Pants Up
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Hey lads, any advice on this lot?

    Foster, Elliot
    Bertrand, Stephens, Dann, Mee, Long
    KdB, Salah, Ritchie, Mooy, Carroll
    Kane, Lukaku, Gabi

    1.5 ITB, 1 FT

    1. Obi-1 Kenobi-0
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      You don't have Pogba or Mkhitaryan, I'd suggest you find a way to get one in place of Ritchie.

      1. Puyol Pants Up
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah, not having one of them did hurt me alot this week. Any idea how to fit him in? KdB out if he blanks?

  30. Reggie Nainggolan
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Hart
    Davies Daniel Lindelof
    De bruyne Salah Mhki Willan
    Jesus Lukaku Chitarito

    Lindelof for Hegazi 
    De bruyne for Eriksen 
    Willian fir Pogba (-4)

    Yay or nay

    1. Aubaaaaa
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yay