Opinion
23 September 2017 4244 comments
Mark Mark
Share:

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

    I'm a Jesus owner, will have a keen eye on the Man City line up in the champions league mid week. What are our thoughts? Surely can't drop Sane from the starting 11 at Chelsea after that display but this is Pep we're talking about. I'd love to give avoid the rotation risks but I can't given the rate of there goals and points returns to match.

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Jesus to get 90 mins in champs lge then benched for chelsea

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

        Could easily happen.

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

        thats the worry especially as I'm going 3-5-2 this year up to now

    2. Ten Season Wonder
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Jesus will play CL 100%.

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

        They will put their top team out for Chelsea, will not be any resting going on

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

          But how many forwards? Surely won't play with 2 up front.

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

            Sorry mate but nobody knows but we may have an idea based off how long and who plays midweek

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

          Their top team as in Aguero Jesus up top? If Jesus gets 90 mins in the champs I can see him getting dropped again

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

      Could see pep rolling the 3-5-2 Jesus and kun up top

    4. Pratik
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      My guess is Aguero and Sane are sure starters against Chelsea, with both being in the subs for the CL.

      As for Jesus, it depends, based on his performance and the formation wants against City => translates to no one knows.

  2. Pep says
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Best one week punt for next GW? King? Rashford?

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

      Chicharito

  3. Ten Season Wonder
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Mbemba nailed?

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

      tomorrow? nope

  4. We Will Klopp you
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    what do you guys think has greater potential?

    A) what I've currently got

    Brady Mkhi Silva Salah
    Kun Kane Firmino

    6 regular point scorers over the season with 1 cheapie

    B) Brady 6m mid Silva Salah
    Kane Kun Morata

    5 regular point scorers over the season, 2 cheapies

    Just trying to put a plan together for two frees next gw

    1. We Will Klopp you
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      gw8 that is

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

    Forgot the clocks in NZ changed last night. Was sitting here waiting for price changes and just realised it not for another hour

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

      Happy with ur WC so far TL?

  6. Ben the Mee
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Well that's the four premium wing-backs train derailed.

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

        Still got Kola to come!

        1. Ben the Mee
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Yeah. But assuming you went with the premium wing-back template of Alonso, Bavies, Mendy, Kola, that's very little bang for your buck. At least for this week. I just can't see this formation keeping pace with a front three of premium heavy-hitters.

        2. We Will Klopp you
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          I just think it's far too risky to be relying on wbs for a lion share of your points as 5-2-3 teams do for example, their points tend to be very unpredictable

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

        Which £4.0 do you fantasy more in case of Mbemba returning to the bench ?

        A. Rosenior

        or

        B. Mariappa

        Rosenior seems more nailed.

        1. We Will Klopp you
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Rosenoir since the first choice rb is a bit more ancient than he is

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

        People after today:

        https://goo.gl/uhUqTR

        1. We Will Klopp you
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Like I said at the time, even if he blanked and I had taken him out I wouldn't have spend the money, the fear of him is just too great

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

          That's what I was hoping for. Then Morata, Kun and Lukaku all scored.

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

        Whisper it but is Moreno a viable option?

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

          Nope.

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

          Scream it out loud, not yet.

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

          I mean, he can earn attacking returns, he's good on bps, but we're not sure he'll start and that Liverpool defence looks too weak. I wouldn't bother a thought.

          1. We Will Klopp you
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Nah, my local u12 team could probably score vs our defence, Lovren & Matip lack concentration for one thing & composure (Lovren, Mignolet) which leads to them facing more pressure and so on in the cycle of doom

      5. Green Ninja
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        2 FT in the bank and don't really have any trades to make, happy with team but don't want to waste it

        Foster (Elliot)
        Alonso, Bailly, Davies, Clark (Hegazi)
        Mkhi, Erikson, Ritchie (Carroll, Cork)
        Kane, Lukaku, Chicharito

        $0.1 spare

        What should I do?

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

        Have 3 x 4.5mid is annoying me, but Leicester fixtures is great & hope some assist from Andy King. What should i do for 1 FT? save for GW8?

        Foster
        Cedric Jones Naughton Bavies
        Salah Eriksen AndyKing
        Lukaku Aguero Kane

        (Elliot TCarrol Chalobah Mbemba)
        1FT, 0m ITB

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

          Save, your top 3 is strong as. Seems everyone is going for a strong top 3 and sacrificing mids and defence

      7. Under The Kosc-ielney
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        I'm gonna do a knee jerk as well and attempt to get in another big hitting forward.
        I have Jesus but Pep's rotations are risky.
        On that note....

        1. Jesus + Chou-Mo + TAA ---> Lukaku + S. Davis + Mbemba (-8)

        2. Jesus + Chou-Mo + Otamendi/Davies ----> Lukaku + S. Davis + Jones (-8)

        3. Jesus + TAA ---> Morata + Jones (-4)

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

        Time to drop Firmino and Mkhtaryan?
        I can get Aguero and Atsu for free with current prices.

        Team would be:

        Foster
        Davies, Jones, Alexander-Arnold
        Eriksen, Salah, Atsu*, Loftus-Cheek
        Kane, Lukaku, Aguero*

        Elliot, Carroll, Naughton, Mbemba

        Good moves?

        1. More Tragic
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Firm away to Newc with Mane back?
          Mkhi home to Palace?

          There's so many choices is fooking doing my head in

        2. Under The Kosc-ielney
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          I'd hold on to Mkhy if i could

      9. Roys Peak
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Best man utd defender unlimited budget?

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

          Valencia

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

          Valencia

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

          Jones.

          1. We Will Klopp you
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Jones

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

        Demi Rose looks like fun fwiw

      11. Jasoooooooo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Hey guys, thoughts on Azpi? 4 assists already is very impressive, is that a fluke or is he getting fwd enough for him to continue getting these attacking points?

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

          Considering, I believe, 3 of them were crosses to Morata, he's not getting up a lot. But as a Chelsea defender, looks the most locked.

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

            He's also a bonus point machine

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

        Don't want to WC in GW8 because Spurs have Bournemouth at home and I can use 2 FTs to get City players. How to fit Morata in for the Palace game is the problem though.

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

          Thats awesome!

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

        Mooy and Long out for RLC and Maguire/Ottamendi/Stones/Jones for a (-4)

        Back line of ....

        Hart / Elliot
        Davies / Cedric / Naughton / Mee / Long

      14. kumast
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Firmino to Vardy.

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

        Reminder : here's my bps table updated after today's game.

        https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fWYJ4xbDl0wuDtNyugA_JCclvAKkw3g_Y5JvgWijcA0/edit?usp=sharing

        1. MALDINI'S EYES!
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          This is great thanks

          Salah is so low!

      16. England23
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        2ft, thoughts on this? I’m hoping Mendy will be fine or will swap for walker

        DDG
        Kolasinac Mendy Davies
        Eriksen Mhiki Hazard Chalobah
        Kane Firmino Joselu

        Subs: Elliot Mbemba Simpson Romeu

        Thanks guys!

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

        Nobody considering Okazaki 5.5? His stats are off the charts
        and that was before his goal today
        https://www.triggerlips.com/index.php/player-ratings/

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

          Can't with Morata, Kane, Lukaku and Aguero firing with no premium midfielders like Hazard or Sanchez banging them in yet

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

          I'm thinking about him in draft as i have Benteke and Defoe.

        3. We Will Klopp you
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Not nailed and doesn't play enough minutes, Ihenacho back too now

        4. Royal5
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Rotation putting me off :/ Need a Mounie replacement asap though.

          1. Royal5
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Abraham, Niasse and Hemed ahead atm

      18. Totalfootball
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        What to do here ?

        Foster Elliot

        Davies Jones Mee Clark Long
        Salah Eriksen Mkhi Carrol Rlc
        Aguero Kane Firmino

        1FT 0.2itb

        A) Save
        B) Firmino > Vardy
        C) Firmino > Vardy before the drop , enables me to get Silva for Mkhi next week before city's great fixtures !

        Thanks !

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

          Oh and
          D) Firmino and mkhi to Morata and Ritchie (-4)

          🙂

      19. Teahupo'o
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Is Mendy ok for Chelsea or move him for Kola?

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

          Wait and see. Could be fit

      20. Del FPL-iero
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        3-4-3
        Elliot-Foster
        Davies-Cédric-Alonso-Naughton-Rosenior
        Ramsey-David Silva-Mkhitaryan-Loftus-Cheek-Carroll
        Lukaku-Kane-Firmino

        What would you change in the aforementioned squad (2FT)?

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

          No good squad imo!

          1. Del FPL-iero
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Thank you Marquinhos!

      21. Ten Season Wonder
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        When is price rises / drops?

        1. We Will Klopp you
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          In about 45 mins (2:15)

          1. We Will Klopp you
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            40*

        2. Teahupo'o
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          30 minutes

        3. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          I think around 40 mins. Clocks went forward in NZ so 210pm instead on 110pm

        4. More Tragic
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          40 mins

        5. Ten Season Wonder
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          cheers all

      22. Jasoooooooo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        How come did Alonso get only 58mins?

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

          To avoid a redcard.

        2. More Tragic
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Conte hates seeing 7.1m defs get 6 points.

          Plus he was about to see red

      23. milk_7
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Ritchie (6.0) v.s. Richarlison (6.0) folks? Thanks 🙂

        Next 5 games:
        Ritchie: Brighton (A), Liverpool, Southampton (A), Crystal Palace, Burnley (A)
        Richarlison: West Brom (A), Arsenal, Chelsea (A), Stoke (H), Everton (A)

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

          Ritchie.

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

            But he already has 3 yellows so carefull there.

          2. We Will Klopp you
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Ritchie, play the fixtures

        2. Ten Season Wonder
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Richarlison is more fun

      24. We Will Klopp you
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Surely Mkhi and Firmino has greater potential than Ritchie & Morata or what do people think?

        1. Royal5
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Firmino is always going to be inconsistant, much rather have Salah/Mane/Coutinho.

          1. We Will Klopp you
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            I have Salah too, he's locked in for me for a while

            1. Royal5
              • 14 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              Salah looks like a season keeper unless he get´s injured.

        2. More Tragic
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          So many choices WWKY

          my brain is fried

          1. We Will Klopp you
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            This season has been very difficult thus far in terms of choices

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

          Yep Firmino Mkhi have greater potential no doubt but they are not looking good..
          Morata seems like a bankable big hitter and Ritchie is involved in most of newcastle's goal + on pens...so no idea !

          1. We Will Klopp you
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Hmm, I guess another gw will make things more clear but fpl-wise Mkhi has been performing

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

              Initially he was , but lately seeing the games he doesn't look that good.. maybe CP (H) will give a better idea !

        4. A Betting Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Strange but good question as on paper I thought 'no I'd prefer Ritchie & Morata'. But when you look at it, despite it being obviously very close and basically impossible to call, if they all played every game for the rest of the season then you'd maybe be looking at something like ~170+170 vs ~125+190.

          340 vs 315, maybe.

          1. A Betting Man
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Might have overestimated Mkhi there actually

            1. We Will Klopp you
              • 9 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              Nice way of putting it, I'd rarely if ever captain anyone other than Kun or Kane so something else for me to think about. Any move would happen in gw8 so still have plenty of time to think

        5. marquinhos
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          I'd like to think so but it has not panned out that way so far