Opinion
23 September 2017 4244 comments
Mark Mark
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Quite simply, we can’t have them all.

On a day that began with us fixated on the fortunes of Sergio Aguero, it was perhaps fitting that almost every other big striker produced their own bid to steal his thunder.

Aguero was a slow starter but eventually found his gear to take his turn in Manchester City’s mauling of Crystal Palace.

A goal and an assist were his reward, with two bonus points ensuring that the Argentine avoided being dwarfed by the double-figure blitz from Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane from midfield.

Again, there was evidence that Pep Guardiola’s attacking riches border on the ridiculous. Just ask Gabriel Jesus.

The Brazilian sat unused on the bench, forcing his 678,000 owners – not least the 183,000 who acquired him with Palace in mind – to choke on a bitter pill.

Pep’s Jesus decision was perhaps signposted by 90 minutes in midweek. But it’s no less confusing for us Fantasy managers, who must now wonder if Guardiola will toy with ongoing rotation of his strikers, with Sterling and Sane building compelling claims for regular starts.

Chelsea in Gameweek 6 will tell us more, although it’s City’s meeting with a beleaguered Stoke City defence that we really care about now.

We can, of course, opt out completely. It’s not as if our options are limited.

Harry Kane’s brace at the London Stadium offered a reminder that he will not surrender the Golden Boot, or his place in squads.

Sold by 196,000, with 141,000 of those swapping to Aguero, the Spurs striker set the bar for the City man with a 13-point return in the early kick-off.

Kane remains a force of nature, with the talent to circumvent Spurs’ woes on the Wembley turf – he now has 11 goals from his last five away matches.

Romelu Lukaku wasn’t to be put in the corner. He picked off his sixth goal in as many Gameweeks, as Manchester United endured a hard-fought victory at St Mary’s.

But Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata won today’s battle.

He ruthlessly exploited an ailing Stoke City defence to punish the 148,000 who had disposed of his services amid the clamour for Aguero.

Chelsea and Morata won’t play against a centre-back pairing of Darren Fletcher and Glen Johnson every week, but the Spaniard’s haul was nonetheless telling.

It offered a reminder that this is a season awash with goal scoring riches.

Our midfield firepower may have stalled – thanks in no small part to the absence of Eden Hazard and Alexis Sanchez. But that’s allowed the strikers to roll back the years and reinstate themselves as the critical position in our squad.

This could have a marked impact on our squad construction, particularly for those still with Wildcards to play. Funds in midfield will surely be scrutinised, monies in defence squeezed.

This could be a season where the big-hitting forwards take turns to dominate. Restricting ourselves to just two may no longer cut it.

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

  1. F4L
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    That's a second yellow..................................................................................................

    1. Numb
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      "Good game management by the referee" says the commentator

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        what does the commentator knew. I'm the expert here 😎

  2. osullg26
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    A) Alli and Vardy

    Or

    B) Richarilson and Aguero

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      B by a mile

    2. ooooo
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      B

    3. Veezeeboy
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      B

    4. Trevez
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      B for sure help please at the bottom

  3. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    How likely is it that Yoshi will keep playing? Amazing fixtures.

    1. MikeDuff
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Unlikely

    2. Numb
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      VVD should come in soon

      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Is Hoedt definitely going to play ahead of Yosh then?

    3. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      when VVD comes back I wouldn't bet on it

      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        No chance he plays ahead of Hoedt?

    4. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Is Cedric nailed?

      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah

    5. Ghost Gooner
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      VVD Hoedt look like will be the 1st team pairing

    6. Ser Davos
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Just looking at Soton's fixtures again. incredibly tasty and Stoke just looked utterly toothless. What a set of fixtures they have and had

  4. ooooo
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Sorry for repost after only a few mins :
    Best £4.5mil keeper for this gameweek only (not hart)

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Fixture ticker says Foster

    2. MikeDuff
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Foster

  5. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Still unsure about my Mendy Alonso Firmino situation.
    Have 2ft
    A) Firmino to Vardy now and nothing more atm, maybe save if Mendy seems all right and nothing special happens midweek.
    B) Firmino and Alonso to Morata and Jones. Morata has tough game but is probably double rising and has good fixtures. Jones have tough program though and no threat (and is injury prone) He has done good until now though...I think Alonso has so much coming up also, ohh
    B) Firmino and Mendy to Morata and max 4.9 (Reid?) Would have to play Reid most weeks though.

    1. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Last option is C all right...

    2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      C but hold off until as late as price rises allow.

    3. KingOllie
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Wait on mendy news. Just take the firmino drop

    4. aleksios
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      On the same situation,gone heavy back...did you regret it?
      By the way i would do c.

    5. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      A

    6. Veezeeboy
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      C maybe .

  6. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Would keep both Forster and Bertrand until GW12 or ship one? They should get at least 3 CS in the next 5.

    1. MTPockets
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Who would you sell them for with better fixture potential?

        1. Team Cruel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Would be a downgrade somehow. I've got a lot of money tied up in defence.

      • Veezeeboy
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Would downgrade for long term use of that cash up front .
        But pretty sure as you say they ll rack up the points ,

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Darren Fletcher probably cost me 200k in rank toady 😡

      1. Farke in hell
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        what's your current rank

        1. F4L
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          600k, nothing special, but non - morata owner, and he should have taken away Chelsea's CS

    3. HD7
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      So are we doing Kun back to Kaku? ( I really want to save but have a feeling that Hulk says Kaku smaash next week)

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Kaku 4 next week. Own him or buy a maaaassssive sofa.

    4. aleksios
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Good team on papers but...what to do here?
      --Elliot
      -Alonso-Kolasinac-Davies-Jones
      -Eriksen-Ritchie-Gross
      -Kane-Luk-Firm
      -----Foster---Hegazi---Chalobah---Mooy.
      1ft 0itb.

    5. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Quality from Azpi!

    6. Flynny
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Is anyone looking to hold onto their wildcard as long as possible and not play it in 2nd int break?

      I could use mine to get 3 heavy hitting strikers - but my team is looking reasonable and wonder if should be saved til approaching xmas...

      What are people looking to do? Thanks

      1. LǝgleSs e|even
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Wait till internationals to see what happens

      2. MikeDuff
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Don't want to wait too long because everything kind of resets in January as teams bring transfers in. Means if you Wildcard at Xmas you won't get much benefit because you'll want loads of different players come Jan... I'm waiting until mid October latest

      3. AllanM
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Keep as long as possible.

        Take chances with transfers knowing when it goes tits up you WC to fix.

    7. Kileman
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Am doing Firmino -> Morata.

      To support who should I get rid of:
      A) Bertrand -> Hunemeier
      B) Davies -> Mbembe

      Rest of defence is Kola, Bailly, Long - so will be left with just 3 core defenders.

      Thanks!

      1. LǝgleSs e|even
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Bailly to Jones

      2. Trevez
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        A or B ethers way good transfer I would go A Davies cs next week and Vardy hat next week

      3. Veezeeboy
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        A imo
        Bavies will explode with another 12 point haul before everyone remembers why he was so good in the first place .

    8. Trevez
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I have these guys that I am not happy with what should I do with them ?
      Firmino Willian and Stephens
      A Vardy Richarlison Kolasinac -4
      B Calvert-Lewin Silva Kolasinac -4
      C Richarlison Kolasinac free
      Other options?

      1. Pierce34
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        C

      2. Veezeeboy
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        C

    9. JAC THE CAT
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      2FT

      Firmino -> Vardy

      1. LǝgleSs e|even
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Small Pea

    10. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Nothing for him today but Shaqiri again looking a good pick with all those set pieces.

      1. Optimus.
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Them hips dont lie

      2. _figu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        I might look into getting him in after GW8, possibly on WC in 2 weeks.

    11. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Imagine if Kane was wrongfully classed as a defender in Fpl this season like Bale was one season 😯

      Rondon been classed as a striker this season which offers some hope next season

    12. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Elliot | Foster
      Alonso | Kolasinac | Davies | Bertrand | Hune
      Eriksen | Mkhi | Phillips | Atsu | Carroll
      Aguero | Lukaku | Chicarito

      1FT 0.1 ITB

      Phillips is about to drop tonight. Tell me a better move than Phillips to Fellaini and I'll do it.

      1. RabidImp
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Ritchie/Brady?

    13. ralfb
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      want to do firminho to morata.
      therefore i need to sell wood for max 5.5m forward
      wood for
      a) abraham
      b) niasse
      C) ayew
      D) Hemed
      E) anyone else ?

      1. zes
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Probs Abraham out of those, I have my reservations though due to underlying stats being poor. Niasse not nailed, Ayew not a goalscorer really and Hemed in a team that don't look like scoring really

      2. _figu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Joselu or Abraham

      3. Veezeeboy
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Joselu or Niasse if he keeps starting .

    14. F4L
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Morata already speaks better English than our man Harold

      1. KingOllie
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Daffy duck.. hes one of our own

    15. ooooo
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Double up on WBA defence for this gameweek only cause I’m wildcarding after?

      1. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Not against an inform Watford

      2. Pierce34
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Watford is a good team.

      3. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Why. Watford are no mugs.

      4. Veezeeboy
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Watford are strong away from home .

    16. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      What chance of Koeman giving Niasse a starting spot to prove his worth. A natural goalscorer.

      1. TLF
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Would be good to know, I'm looking to replace Mounie and fancy a punt

    17. zes
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      0.6m itb, 2ft

      Eliot/Foster

      Alonso Cedric Jones Naughton Rosenior

      Eriksen Mhki Atsu Brady Caroll

      Kane Kaku Firmino

      Thinking of going Kaku, Firm, Brady >> Hernandez, Morata, Cout.

      Yah or Nah?

      If Nah, what else?

    18. Big P
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Tammy nailed on for next week?

    19. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Diego who?

      1. Big P
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Even Southampton would have scored against that Stoke team.....

    20. amol
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Repost:
      Foster(Elliot)
      Cedric Jones Davies (Naughton, Rosenior)
      Mkhi Eriksen Salah Richarlison (RLC)
      Morata Kun Firmino

      2FT and 0.3 itb, what to do?

      A.) Firmino > Vardy
      B.) Firmino > Lukaku, Mkhi > Atsu
      C.) Other
      D.) Hold tight

    21. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Kane's haircut is too safe that I'm thinking of selling

    22. F4L
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      So United aren't last on MOTD...

    23. Bring the Cavalry
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Is Willian > Pedro a good transfer?
      Got 7.9 to spend

      1. LǝgleSs e|even
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Oh no mate. Better options out there

      2. KLOPPTOMANIA
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Don't like it. Why you still got Willian? Need big hitters like Silva, Salah, Eriksen or Alli with cheaper options like gross, mooy, Ritchie etc

      3. Veezeeboy
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Mid priced and slightly inconsistent . He rarely gets assists as well so take him at your own risk.
        Would get big hitters or cheap ones now .
        The 6.5-8 mil market is bare right now, just avoid imo

    24. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Is it worth using an FT to get Begovic out? Only have 1FT...

      1. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        For who?

        1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          No idea but on -97.0

        2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          If not I'll just hold after the drop and only play him when Bournemouth remember how to defend

    25. BendingFCs
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Thinking long term...

      A) Hazard and Firminio
      B) Coutinho and Morata

      Cheers in advance

      1. BendingFCs
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        *Firmino

      2. F4L
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        B

        1. BendingFCs
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Thnx

      3. Veezeeboy
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        B
        More balanced and consistent players with a chance of explosiveness .
        A both will be slightly inconsistent

        1. BendingFCs
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Agreed, although Hazard can be deadly when in form and getting minutes (which he obviously isn't at the moment)