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

    Foster
    Cedric Bavies Daniels Long Moreno
    Atsu Richarlison Mkhi Eriksen Brady
    Kane Kaku Firmino
    S: Speroni

    2FT, 0.1 ITB

    Thinking of improving defense.. thoughts?
    Probably need to downgrade Firmino to release funds..Thank you

  2. The Royal Robin
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    What would you do with this lot? I'm tempted by a couple of ideas.

    Foster
    Cedric Jones Alonso Bavies
    Brady Mkhi Eriksen
    Lukaku Chicharito Kane
    --------------------------------
    Lossl Carroll Chalobah TFM

    A) Eriksen > Silva/Salah/Coutinho?
    B) Alonso > Cresswell
    C) Save

    1. Prison Mike
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Why are you looking to get rid of the top scoring mid?

      1. The Royal Robin
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        I've got no City or Liverpool and I want to free up cash. I probably won't do it though. Would you do anything else?

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

      save and Mkhi/Chic > Morata/someone following gw

      1. The Royal Robin
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Maybe, Lukaku - Kane - Morata would be pretty sweet but my midfield would be absolutely dire then.

  3. Moshinp4p
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Foster/Elliot

    Mee Jones cedric
    Miki Salah silva
    Aguero morata Kane

    Do the Hokie pokie with Aguero and kaku

    Best way foward???

  4. Sam1878
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    With two free transfers is it worth doing firmino --> vardy (bou) for one week then Mkhi & Vardy to either:

    A) Atsu & Kun
    B) Richie & Morata
    C) keep Vardy & Mkhi because they both do well

    Reason being GW7 seems the wrong time to sell Mhki with Crystal Palace at home and Morata & Kun playing each other in a potentially low scoring game.

    1. Sam1878
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Other main players include Salah, Erikson, Kane & Lukaku who I can't justify getting rid of.

  5. Davido989
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone considering delaying WC till gw 12?

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

      o/ , depending on internationals

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

      Na I'm still thinking GW8.

      I'd like another decent week in 7 and try to nail the wildcard then.

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

      I'm considering delaying it until late December.

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

      I'm delaying mine till gw22

    5. Karan_G14
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Nope.

    6. Prøfeßör …
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      No, unlikely.

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

      Yeah. Even though I just did a Fellaini punt.

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

      No need to WC this imo

    8. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I honestly can't decide right now...

      Bringing Firmino+Jesus in was the worst decision of the season so far but I don't think my team is THAT bad.

      Probably need rid of those 2 eventually for another big hitter but with Chelsea playing Man City this week I don't know if it's urgent. Could just go into GW8 with 2 transfers

    9. GE
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      No, with 45 points this week and big red arrows and no Kane or Aguero I can't wait for the international break 🙂

    10. Mo Mané No Problems
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Yep. I would only make 3-4 changes to the squad on a WC and have a feeling the big MIDs will be back around that gw12 international break

  6. That Fantasy Guy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed.
    Best midfielder under 6.1? already have Brady
    A. Choupa moting
    B. Ritchie
    C. Atsu
    D. Xhaka
    E. Ricarlson
    F. Other please suggest.

    Cheers

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

      B

    2. Sam1878
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

      Already replied. But I hope the Xhaka suggestion is a joke 😉

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

        For what it's worth, the stats really favour Richarlison and Choupo-Moting over Ritchie so far, but he does of course have all those set pieces.

    4. That Fantasy Guy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers all

  7. Qaiss
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    I thought point deductions for transfers take place after the first points update?

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

      They do.

  8. Differentiator
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Will take a bet that a decent chunk of Firmino out will have been on an activated WC and guess that he doesn't fall in price tonight. He's a decent chunk off falling on FPLstats, though could change if it updates again

    Time to sleep 🙂

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

    Not buying top heavy hype. The real value is in midfield. Eriksen, Salah, Mane, Alli and potentially Silva/Mkhi will break the 200 mark.They cost less than 10m.

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

      I think everyone was just excited by the wing-back potential now there are so many - that, coupled by the Mane ban and Pogba injury made top-heavy or defence-heavy teams more popular.

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

      silva mkhi won't even come close to breaking 200 point mark

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

        That's why I said potentially those two. Both have the potential. You don't need 10 goals to achieve 200, steady assist rate will do the trick.

  10. cult
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    A. Firmino, Kolasinac, Gross
    Or
    B. Morata, Cedric, RLC

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

      A

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

    I know Morata is quality, but Stoke were atrocious.

    Not sure I can release Kane, Kun or Rom for Alvaro. He won't play such an awful defence every week.

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

      But Kun will play Palace every week?

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

        Kun is on another level to Morata. Don't twist it

        1. Krionos
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          More susceptible to rotation though.

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

        Kun is Kun.

        Amateur.

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

      I think it's clear that people just need to hold whichever 3 of the 4 they have.

      Personally, I'll consider Morata after the City match.

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

      What does the rest of your team look like with that forward line?

  12. tafrère
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Play only 2 of them in GW6 :

    A. Otamendi (che)
    B. Naughton (whu)
    C. Mbemba (LIV)
    D. Fer (whu)

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

      Come on I know this isn't the sexiest question but... Haha.

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

      A and D

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

        Cheers I'm going B. and C. atm.

    3. Hotdogs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      B and C/D

  13. Magic Bean
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Average amount of players still to play?

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

      2.5 I think.

      1. Magic Bean
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

  14. bangers and M*A*S*H
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Need to ship out Firmino.

    Chicharito or Vardy?

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

      Vardy by far.

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

      Gotta be Vardy

  15. The Royal Robin
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Who would you play in goal next week?

    A) Foster - Unlikely to keep a CS vs Watford, but more likely than Lossl.

    B) Lossl - Going to have to make hundreds of saves. Could get in on those pts.

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

      Foster by far.

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

      Foster

  16. tafrère
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    David Silva earned me 22 points in 2 games since I brought him in, I am falling in love.

  17. Super Silva
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Do o save or use FT ?

    Foster
    Hegazi Davies Jones Cedric
    Silva Mkhy Alli
    Lukaku Firmino Aguero

    Elliot Carroll Rlc Smith

    Thanks.

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

      Which Smith is it ?

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I have narrowed down some options that also applies to your team.

  18. noquarternt
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Wait to see the results of course...but if he's out for a bit

    Mendy -> Walker/Azp/Kola? (Have Bellerin)

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

      Walker if you want to keep a City wingback. But Azpilicueta looks like gold this season.

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

        This is my thinking, Chelsea are about to have an amazing run of fixtures as well. Cheers.

  19. FC Hakkebøf
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    (RP - Shorter post)

    A) Firmino + Miki --> Morata + max 6.8 mid (-4) to catch price changes
    B) Do the transfers next week on 2 ft but loose 0.2 TV
    C) Firm --> Vardy on a ft
    D) Do nothing and monitor the situation

    What do you guys think? Any Fellow Miki + firm owners out there?

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

      I'd definitely wait until all midweek stuff has finished. But C looks good potentially.

    2. FantasyNik123
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Id do B. Slightly worried abt Firmino but its not the end of the world.

    3. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks for the reply guys... Im gonna take the firm drop as my current tv is 102.0..I think I can afford it. Still dont understand why people are rushing Morata in when Chelsea face MAC next.. Its stressing me out!

    4. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      NOQ i like that option as well. But I dont like MU fixtures, and I dont believe their current goals PR game ratio is a fair reflection of how they are playing.

    5. Sam1878
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Think I'm going with firmino to vardy before firminos drops, then take it from there

  20. Qaiss
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Sorry to ask again but is it me or the point deductions haven't taken place yet? I thought they usually happen after the first points update?

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

      Already done

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

        In one of my private leagues, one of my rivals was 35 points behind me last game week. He then took a 12 point hit this week and has ended up with the same points as me. Surely then he should be 47 points behind me?

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

          Ah don't worry, my mistake. Im way too tired. Off to bed for me, I'm losing my mind!

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

      They have happened.

  21. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Where has Niasse been? So confused with his sudden arrival and brace 😆

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

      Wasn't even in the game but appeared afterwards. A poster was pissed off earlier on

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        😆

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

    Wayne Hennessey, you hopeless keeper, how do you not save that Aguero header.

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

      I like how Aguero didn't have to move at all for that header.

    2. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I think you answered your own question

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

        Well, was not meant as a question to be honest. I swear these dodgy keepers will be the end of me. Stekelenburg last year when everyone in my ML had Hazard captain. Hennessey today.

  23. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone else just waste 2 hours of their lives watching the Nutty Professor 2 in a drunken haze?

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

    Is Jones still banned in UCL?

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

      NO

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

        Thanks, transfer cancelled then 🙁

  25. FantasyNik123
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    What are your reasons for WC for GW8?

    I was planning to do it but my team has been playing alright so far and only really need to change maybe 4 or 5 players, as there aren't any clear alternatives popping up right now. Could do it for TV.

    1. Twelve years a slave
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I would only use it if you need to.

      I dont want to be a doom and gloom merchant but anything could happen between now and xmas, including off the wall stuff like terrorist related postponements, weather or a sudden injury glut.

      Having said that I used mine on the flimsiest excuse that I might los 0.1 on Sutner 😀

  26. Professor Abel X
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Alonso & TC > Davies & Ritchie with 2 FT, sound moves?

    1. FantasyNik123
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      No. You'll want Alonso in the next 14 GWs.

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

        lol

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

      No. Madness to lose Alonso just before their amazing run.

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

      Are you playing TC right now as a starter ? I'd downgrade Alonso if I were you but maybe you don't need to do 2 transfers right away ?

      1. Professor Abel X
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah TC is a starter at the moment, tough one, maybe I'm being too impatient with Alonso

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

          Imo Alonso just like Kane is a great pick but I believed there are equivalent players cheaper. In that Chelsea defence Azpi, Cahill, Luiz when hell' return, name it.

  27. tafrère
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    People tend to forget that just like Jesus Aguero will be drop eventually. He already has been drop against BOU. That's why Morata is an excellent alternative for £1.5 less. Fixtures are great for both.

    1. FantasyNik123
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      This. Although Aguero has been my fav fpl player for the last 4 years, he's never had competition as promising as Jesus. I will probably go with Morata for the same reason as he has some easy fixtures coming up. But will be monitoring Hazard too.

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

      Morata is dramatically overshooting his xG and will likely regress. He should have 3 goals so far.

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

        But he has 6 and 2 assists lol.

  28. Kevin Twine
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    How long till price changes?

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

      2 hours more or less.

  29. Gazpilicueta
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    What do you guys think about adding a defensive mid position to the game? Possibly one slot per team, in place of a defender or midfielder, 2 points for 60 minutes, 2 for a clean sheet and 1 point per 3 "defensive tasks completed"
    Would love to be able to play the matic's of the game

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

      no

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

        Oh how articulate of you, sorry I mistook this as a forum for discussion...
        Ya dink winkle

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

      With their current pricing and occasional goals- everyone would have Xhaka, Kante or Matic. We would be deprived of the pleasures of the Choupos and Atsus of this world.

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

        Sure but we would have Kante.... plus u could keep atsu and play 3 big ones up top 🙂

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

      It just don't look fun to me. I want goals and assists I don't care about a frecking tackle.

  30. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Mooy is a dead weight in my team.

    6.1 to place him, already have Ritchie

    Mooy to ......

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

      Richarlison? Choupo-Moting?

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

      What did you score this week? Pretty sure you had all the bigs up top.

    3. FantasyNik123
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Choupo