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. gawa11
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Fabianski

    Jones Davies Kiko Femenía

    Carroll Eriksen Mhki Salah

    Kane Morata Firmino

    Elliot Groß Clark Hünemeier

    Going to make 1 transfer this week, firmino to vardy my best option?

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Yes, or save

      1. gawa11
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks I have 2ft so will use one and then have 2 for the break

    2. J T
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Wait till CL has been played then think about transfers.

  2. The Legend Squad
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    What to do with Alonso... I currently play with him in a 4-4-2.

    1. Keep
    2. Downgrade to fodder, upgrade Carrol to Silva (-4)
    3. Alonso to Mendy
    4. Alonso to Kolisinac
    5. Alonso to other defender? Who?

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

      1, for the season

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        This

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

      season keeper, I own him too, gutted he came off on 58 mins! He'll get returns.

    3. MTPockets
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Keeping for now.

      • Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        He is certainly one who rewards patience. He hauled a number of times last season straight after fairly poor scores by his standards

    4. Plagued by indecision
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Feeling like this is a disaster and have an early wildcard itch. Jump?

      Foster / Elliot
      Bailly / Mee / Mbemba / Ake / Stephens
      Fellaini / Lokilo / Alli / Eriksen / Salah
      Wood / Jesus / Lukaku

      Lots of dross in there.

      1. FootballFanatic365
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        not right the entire thing

      2. Fantasy Gold
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Looks pretty awful.

        Wildcard looks a good option.

        How did you end up with Fellaini?!

      3. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Ake, Stephens, Fellaini, Lokilo, Wood, maybe Jesus all players I would remove.

        Id Wildcard.

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

        WC

      5. Simon69
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Not necessarily. Get Fellaini out asap.

      6. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Might be able to manoeuvre a way out of it. You have one of the best captain options for next week and the two Spurs mids for Huddersfield. Bailly good CS chance.

    5. Cornholi0
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Can`t just sit and watch the Spanian wonderboy outmuscle and outrun defences, so time to bring in Morata!?

      Alonso and Firmino to Morata and 5,9 defender (Bellerin, Davies) for a hit

      Yes/No?

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

        Defences won't consist of Fetcher and Johnson every week!

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

        Darren Fletcher at centre back handed Morata his goals yesterday. City next week won't be so kind, so I wouldn't go for him just yet.

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

          ^What Irbox said

        2. Cornholi0
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Both true but he will be the main man for the champions, is a proven goalscorer and priced to low. After the City match he will most likely triple rise because of the fixtures, and he will rise atleast once this week?

      3. gawa11
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Don't think it's worth a hit as chelsea have city next, but bring in for the cpl game

      4. Teror
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Yes

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Good call. Though I imagine he will be back in next week after yesterday's poor result

        1. Fantasy Gold
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah probably

          1. Scapegoat Salah
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Just hope it ain't Carroll who makes way

            1. Fantasy Gold
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              I doubt it will be him.

              He was providing a lot of decent crosses, the problem was the useless buggers on the end of them

    6. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Morning guys! So finally jumped on the Groß bandwagon this week, what's the bet he blanks today!

      1. Pieterke30
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Well done, nice anti-jinx

        1. Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Hope so!

    7. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I really need a big performance from Newcastle today. Elliot, Ritchie and Joselu. Please guys! Do it for me!

      1. Pieterke30
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Just Ritchie please

        Thanks

      2. Fantasy Gold
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Screams 0-0 or 1-0 either way. Can't call it

      3. kennethrhcp
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        I fear asking how you got yourself into this situation as your team ain't linked and I'm doing awful 🙂

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

        He'll probably get a standard YC and then be 1 away from suspension

      5. MTPockets
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Same. Elliot, Clark, Ritchie.

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

          Atsu for me!

        • Karan_G14
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Got all 3 of them too. 25 points to incoming.

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

        Front line: Kane, Kun, Jesus

        A) Jesus to Morata
        B) Jesus to Lukaku
        C) Keep Jesus

        thanks

        1. Pieterke30
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Keep Jesus.

          It was his turn to get rotated but he hasn't lost his spot all of a sudden.

          He will keep playing and scoring

        2. MTPockets
            8 years, 6 months ago

            See who plays mid-week.

        3. Sepp Blattered
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Early thoughts on my team for next week? 1FT with 0.2 ITB

          Foster
          Kolasinac - Jones - TAA
          Eriksen - Salah - Mkhi - Ritchie - TC
          Kane - Lukaku

          Subs:
          Elliot - Mee - Mariappa - Mounie

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

            Gtg

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

            hold, almost identical to my team but I have Aguero instead of Kane and Alonso instead of the beast.

            1. Sepp Blattered
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              I don't like playing TC - 2 points is never enough.

        4. FPL ZB
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          I haven’t changed my strikeforce yet this season at all. May explain my problems.

          1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Haha, neither have I thinking about it.

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

            I wish I didn't change... started with aguero kane n lukaku.

            Got rid of aguero after his benching

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

            Andy Carroll?

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

            Neither have I. Only circling around 3rd strikers. Need a heavy Top3.

        5. FootballFanatic365
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Save FT ?

          _________Foster_______________

          ___Jones Kolas Davies Naughton__
          __Mkhi______Silva______Ritchie___
          ___Morata___Kane____Kun___

          Elliot/ ECM Mbemba Carrol

          1. Pieterke30
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Yay

            1. FootballFanatic365
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              thats a yes?

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

                It is

                1. FootballFanatic365
                  • 11 Years
                  8 years, 6 months ago

                  No chance for choupo vs soton?

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

            Save

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

          Any one have a new script for tampermonkey/
          FPL get team info?
          Nick Child?

          Lost without it

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

          Need the casuals to start becoming disinterested in FPL - the amount of short-termism and lack of patience is rife! Feel like I'm getting caught up in it - one or two bad weeks and suddenly people are selling for the latest hot option!

          1. MTPockets
              8 years, 6 months ago

              Same every year, just bigger numbers.

            • kennethrhcp
              • 15 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              I usually start slow but this has def been my worst. I usually find its over xmas when I start going up the tables... so another few months to go yet

            • Jafalad
              • 16 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              Three weeks ago: Firmino
              Two weeks ago: Kane
              Last week: Kun
              This week: Morata

              Hokey pokey and an aggressive rotation of your forwards appear best policy.

              1. The Overthinker
                • 9 Years
                8 years, 6 months ago

                Next week lukaku 😉

              2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
                • 9 Years
                8 years, 6 months ago

                Nope

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

            Should be GTG for GW7?

            Foster
            Davies/Jones/Cedric
            Salah/Miki/Ritchie/TC
            Kane/Kaku(c)/Kun

            Elliot/Chalobah/Mbemba/Lowe

            and before GW8 I plan to do, with 2FT, Kaku Miki to Morata Silva

            1. Pieterke30
              • 9 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              Yeah good plan

              1. Pieterke30
                • 9 Years
                8 years, 6 months ago

                Let's just hope that Champions League and international break won't fack it up

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

                  Yah

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

                Can't look past Chelsea fixtures and Utd probably will settle on 1:0 during their coming ones

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

            Gday all,

            Anyone has link to price rise and falls from last night?

            Search function doesnt seem to pull results from comments..
            Thanks

            1. Mini Mane Mo
              • 10 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              Under hot topics

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

                Legend. Thanks bud !

          4. Teror
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            How many changes should one make to their team to justify using one's wildcard? I'm looking at 8, but three are complete sideways moves and another two are still within the same price bracket, and the two majors changes I'm looking to do couple probably be achieved with 2FT and a hit or two. Should I hold onto my WC and take the hits you think?

            1. Woeisme
              • 13 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              One believes one can justify rolling out ones wildcard in this instance

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

              Reading the 1st sentence I feel like I'm replying to the queen 🙂

              I'd say -12 is where I'd look at it. Look at your team for next 6 weeks and see if you need it.

          5. Goonermeister
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            A) Ritchie + Vardy
            B) Mkhi + Joselu

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

              A

          6. pundit of punts
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Is it worth to get rid of Kolasinac in gw 8 to afford Morata?

            Kolasinac has dodgy fixtures - wat,eve,SWA,mci,TOT

            Thoughts?

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

              Looks like 3 CSs there in the 1st 3

              1. pundit of punts
                • 13 Years
                8 years, 6 months ago

                Everton to score at home surely?

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

                  I can't read the future and btw don't call me surely

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

              I've just got kolasinac in thinking he had a good run for the next 5 fixtures. I am considering getting Alonso too though as Chelsea's long run fixtures from gw 8 are very appealing.

          7. Magic Box
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Jumped up 800k places last night after my dreadful start. Yay!

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

              Fair play! A few good weeks and you can jump to respectable positions... wish I could do that 🙂

              1. Magic Box
                • 11 Years
                8 years, 6 months ago

                At this stage in the season it only takes a couple of good gameweeks to get yourself in a decent position. Keep at it!

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

            Have two FT in Int break and plan to do Firmino Miki Ramsey to Morata Salah Atsu for -4, good plan?

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

              Looks good but most plans will be out the window after next gmwk

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

                This is true!

          9. FootballFanatic365
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            start
            1 naughton
            2 Choupo
            3 Mbemba

            1. FootballFanatic365
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              mkhi > Coutinho

              also how has mkhi looked. Threatening or not?

              1. Lecky Legs FC
                • 10 Years
                8 years, 6 months ago

                I personally wouldn't get rid of Mkhi yet got Palace at (H) next

                1. FootballFanatic365
                  • 11 Years
                  8 years, 6 months ago

                  so thats the point when we part ways

          10. There's Always One!
            • 16 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Should I do Alli to silva to free up funds for firmino to morata?

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

            First in the world is a woman

            1. There's Always One!
              • 16 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              And?

              1. Simon69
                • 13 Years
                8 years, 6 months ago

                This should be interesting...

            2. MTPockets
                8 years, 6 months ago

                Voting, contraception, FPL. Whatever next...

            3. grifster69
              • 14 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              Any ideas regarding transfers appreciated willing to take -4
              Elliot(Foster)
              Jones, kolasinac,Davies, Suttner, Long
              Mkhi, Salah,Ramsey, Atsu, Carroll,
              Gabbadini, Kane,Lukaka

              1.4 million in bank

            4. Mr. Blonde
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              Last week before my wildcard. Do I

              A) Firmino to Vardy
              B) Firmino and Alonso to Lukaku 4.3 -4

            5. Lecky Legs FC
              • 10 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              Considering doing KDB > Hazard next GW for free yay or nay?

              1. The Overthinker
                • 9 Years
                8 years, 6 months ago

                Yaay

                1. Lecky Legs FC
                  • 10 Years
                  8 years, 6 months ago

                  Ok cheers

              2. Simon69
                • 13 Years
                8 years, 6 months ago

                Yep

            6. Simon69
              • 13 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              Morning all. Have 2FTs.. Any suggestions on how to improve this lot would be greatly appreciated! 1.1 ITB

              Foster,

              Alonso, Jones, Davies, Cédric

              Eriksen, Mkhitaryan, Richarlison

              Agüero, Lukaku, Chicharito

              Subs: Elliot, Mbemba, Mooy, Carroll

              1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
                • 16 Years
                8 years, 6 months ago

                Mkhi to coutinho?

            7. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
              • 16 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              Advice on siggy..... should I keep for good run on fixtures or get rid? Only got him in last week but doesn’t seem to be fitting into Everton’s system at min

              1. Simon69
                • 13 Years
                8 years, 6 months ago

                I'd get rid based on how woeful Everton look.

            8. Townsends Tactics Truck
              • 12 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              Need some Liverpool cover in midfield, but who to go for:
              A) Coutinho
              B) Salah
              And also, who to lose:
              1) Ritchie
              2) Gross

            9. FootballFanatic365
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              How many have you scored guys
              also tell your captains/ Thanks