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. LewanGOALski
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    DDG
    Bertrand - Otamendi - BDavies
    Eriksen - Ramsey - Ritchie - Moting
    Kane - Lukaku - Firmino

    bank: 0.2
    1 FT

    where to look for a 1-week punt before GW8 Wildcard?

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

      Do you need a wc? Save ft and have 2 into ib?

    2. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Save

    3. Pranav Santhosh
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      maybe eriksen to mkhi for a one week punt before wc

    4. Patricio17
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Firmino > Vardy against Bournemouth

      Or Otamendi > Monreal/Cresswell

  2. arndff_
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    WC or not? 1FT, 0.4ITB

    DDG
    Dawson Monreal Naughton
    Atsu Salah Mkhi Eriksen
    Abraham Lukaku Kane

    Elliot TCarroll Otamendi Long

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

      Stick

    2. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Defijitely not

    3. skodaole2
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      If you plan to WC, definitely not this week. MUN great fixture, your defenders have ok fixtures, NEW vs LIV could be a goal fest so Salah and Atsu could be both in the points and Spurs away seem to have no difficulties to score.

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

      I know alot of us planned 2nd ib wc but I think alot of us won't need it yet.

      Like above save ft and see what's needed over break

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

      lol, that team is way too good

    6. Patricio17
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Leave for this week, captain one of Kane/Lukaku, and wildcard after

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

    It has been me suggested I should consider a wildcard. How does this look?

    Foster / Elliot
    Jones / Stones / Mee / Lowe / Mbemba
    Salah / Eriksen / Richarlison / Atsu / King
    Morata / Aguero / Lukaku

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

      Is this your wildcard team?

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

        Yes. Getting rid of Stephens, Ake, Fellaini, Wood, Lokilo, Alli, Jesus, Bailly

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

      I’d WC that for sure.

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

        😆

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

      Just a thought. Foster to 4mil gk. Just play elliot and use the .5 in defence or midfield

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

      Downgrade King and upgrarde defenses

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

      Salah to Coutinho to save some cash?

    6. Patricio17
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I think that defence could be better. Downgrade Richarlison to Choupo-Moting. Upgrade Lowe to something better. I think you should also consider alternatives for Foster and Jones, their fixtures aren't great going forward, rather replace them with ones with better fixtures since it's your wildcard. Cedric, Cresswell, Maguire all options there. If you could push to Monreal, even better.

  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

    Will probably captain whoever I bring in

    1. Pranav Santhosh
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      try the lukaku punt and captain him

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

        this. Let's save the excitement and all just be senseable this week

    2. Patricio17
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      B with the 4.3 as Martina and captain Lukaku

  5. lennie123456789
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Foster - 4
    Davies - Jones - Naughton - 4 - 4
    Eriksen - Cout - Miki - Choupo - 4.5
    Kane - Kaku - Rooney

    1ft 0itb. What to do with Rooney?
    Thanks

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

    rp

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

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

      126 with 5 to play.

      Not sure if it's decent around these parts?

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

        21 points per player is not bad tbf 🙂

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

        Gold !! But could have been better had you TC your Captain

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

      48 with 5 to play

    3. Pranav Santhosh
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      69 captained kane with elliot and mbemba to go if mbemba doesnt play carroll 2 points off the bench

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

      (K)ane

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

      Kane(ç), kun, morata , eriksen owner . Going yayayayaya

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

      75 Kane(c)

    7. JONALDINHO
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      51pts with 4 to play even with Kane(C). Shocking week again

  7. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    WC?
    Foster Elliot
    Lowe Hegazi Cedric Suttner Long
    KdB Mkhitaryan Alli Gross TC
    Kane Lukaku Joselu

    1. Offs!de
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Defence looks shaky
      One/Two transfer to make your defence a good shape?

    2. Patricio17
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah, I'd want an Aguero and Morata in that forward line, and I'd want to sort out that defence. Might be worth it in the international break

  8. Offs!de
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Any thoughts or GTG?

    Fabi/Elliot
    Jones, Davies, Lascelles/ Ward, Gamez
    Salah, Alli, Pascal Gross, Doucoure/ Carrol
    Aguero, Morata, Kane

    1 FT, 0.1 m in the bank

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

      WC team?

      1. Offs!de
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        played WC two gw's back.

        Now, I have got 1 FT in hand

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

          This weeks not even over yet, champions league mid week! Chill for now..

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

    i think this is the season of dull moves

  10. Blanka
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Does anybody know if the injured Zaha will be price locked?

    He's in my plans but need him to drop another 0.1. He's on - 89.4 on fplstatistics.co.uk.

    1. MTPockets
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Only locked when flag removed.

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

          Oh cheers. So could quite easily drop then.

          1. MTPockets
              8 years, 6 months ago

              Yep. Scroll down on fpl statistics site for more info (notes):
              http://fplstatistics.com/

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

          Who is gonna play upfront for Palace though?

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

            Good question. Zaha will be a great pick when he's back though I think. He was in everyone's initial squad and their fixtures will turn.

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

        Any thoughts on this team?

        Foster
        Alonso Bailly Bertrand Monreal
        Eriksen Alli Mkhitaryan Atsu
        Lukaku Morata

        Elliot T.Carroll Mariappa Quaner

        2FT 0.5ITB

        1. diesel001
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Very good team IMO and similar to mine. I am looking at a 1 week punt to replace Atsu.

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

            Interesting and thanks! I've realised if I do Azpilicueta and Jones I get 2.0m in the bank. Of course won't do it yet but something to maybe look at.

        2. Patricio17
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          I'd be looking to usher in a Man City defender and attacker into your team. But that can wait until next week. Perhaps look at replacing Foster with someone who has stronger upcoming fixtures. It's not really a priority yet though. Consider a Liverpool mid perhaps? But otherwise, no issues for this week at all.

      • diesel001
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Not sure why people are getting rid of Mkhi and Lukaku when there are midweek CL / EL games and they are playing Crystal Palace next at Old Trafford next.

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

          Don't think people are selling Lukaku on here

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

        Is there anything more depressing than the thought of work the next day with the only comfort being provided a rubbish 4pm kick off?

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

          Nothing. Sundays suck.

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

          Tbh, atleast there's MNF

        3. MR Penquin
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Having to go to work today 🙁

          However got two players today

      • Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Evening all,

        Never thought I'd be in the position come GW7 with WC in tact, 2FTs and have no moves to make... 1m ITB

        They are burning a hole in my pocket. Any ideas?

        Elliot Foster
        Kola Davies Jones Mee Lowe
        Alli Salah Mkhi Gross Carroll
        Kane Lukaku Quaner

        1. Patricio17
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Looks great for next week. Just look to push in some Chelsea and City assets from next week onwards. Perhaps you could start this week depending on how many you'd like to have for the coming weeks. I would say I'd want at least 3 in total from Chelsea and City. So perhaps get one in now, and another 2 next week.

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

        Alli to silva to free up funds for firmino to morata?

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

          No way

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

          Makes sense to me

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

            I reckon you need 3 x premium strikers this season or you miss out

        3. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          No

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

          Not yet. Alli (hud), Firmino (new) looks better than Silva and Morata playing each other.

          GW8/9 yes.

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

            A more sensible approach !

            If you have the extra 0.2 to cover the price changes then wait it out

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

              this

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

          Silva is not one to be getting IMO.

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

        Thoughts about Chicarito at 7.0

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

          Not worth it

        2. skodaole2
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Chicarito needs to be in the box and get a perfect delivery or a rebound to score. I would first buy Carroll then him if i had to go for a WHU's attacker. And with Antonio out the delivery will probably be worse.

      • HALFSPACE
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Lacazette (C) when one of your forward scored a hatty and the other a brace....

        1. La Roja
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Nailed on for blank then.

      • Flynny
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Should I be looking to wildcard this lot in the international break?

        Foster Elliot
        Bavies Jones suttner lowe long
        Eriksen salah mkhi ritchie tcarroll
        Kane lukaku Carroll

        Thanks

        1. La Roja
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          No

          Just sort Any Carroll out with 2FT and a hit

          1. La Roja
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Andy*

        2. diesel001
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          No. Would rather look at changing Carroll and upgrading the defence. Even a -4 is worth it for that.

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

            Cheers guys....peoblem is not much out there in the way of cheap strikers.. .

            Niasse hopefully...

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

          No way

      • Steve McCroskey
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Should I wildcard this team? There's quite a few in there that I think need to go:

        Foster/Elliot

        Bailly*/Mee/Suttner/Naughton/Ake*

        Mhiki/Eriksen/Mooy*/JWP*/Carroll

        Kaku/Kane/Firmino*

      • The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        De Gea, Elliot
        Alonso, Kola, Mbemba, Hunemeier, Long
        Eriksen, Mikhi, Carroll, King, Groß
        Aguero, Morata, Kane

        Thinking I need to get Salah but not sure how to do it. Any ideas?

        1. diesel001
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Stick IMO.

      • Yozzer
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Is losing Bobby a bit knee jerky? Mane back now and we know how well he did at start with salah and mane at either side

        1. diesel001
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          I am keeping him for next week. Newcastle away is the type of game Liverpool enjoy.

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

          Not sure. I got him out yesterday, to free some funds up to upgrade my defence.
          Keep him if you must for the NEW game, after which fixtures turn tough

      • Chucky
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Any chance Lasacles gets rested? Have schindler first on the bench

        1. La Roja
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Rest for what Chucks? 😀

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

            😀

      • Shrimpy
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Which 1 to bench out of Daniels, Cedric, Naughton and Simpson next week?

      • TheEgyptianKing
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Had a pretty good gameweek

        Kane (c), Kaku, Daniels, Otamendi, Jones, Salah

        Only Mkhi and Firmino didnt do anything thus far

        Need Ramsey and Ritchie masterclasses

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

        Just looked at the high scoring FPL player now Migapool GW rank 1, 131 points. transfer 18 (-63) and I thought people were bad on here taking -8's sometimes.

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

          It's a -68 actually. GW ranks not taking hits into consideration gives you results like this.

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

            Yeah think more should be done about that in the future.

      • sglancelot
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Eriksen > Silva a sideways move?

        1. Toby Lerone
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Wouldn't get rid of the Dane before hudd away

        2. skodaole2
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          no, but there is no clear reason why would you do that

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

          I'd argue it's a downgrade. Come the end of the season, expect Eriksen to have materially more points

        4. Gooner Kebab
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          After the Chelsea game perhaps.

      • Toby Lerone
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Morning campers,
        One week punt needed here before WC. any suggestions? 0.6 itb

        Elliot
        Kola Jones bertrand
        Mkhi alli atsu INCE
        Firm luk kane
        Foster suttner Carroll long

        Ince to...?

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

          I honestly don't understand this wildcard planning business. Your team is fine.

          1. Toby Lerone
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Yeah guess there's not much to change. What would you do with ince? He has stats but couldn't hit a barn door

      • pjomara
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Is Sané a viable option or too much risk of rotation?

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

          Thinking the same about sterling. Sane rotating with Jesus seems more and more the case

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

          rotation

        3. Tim Canterbury
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Risk of rotation 😆 there is no risk with city players they WILL miss minutes

        4. Crouching Tiger
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          It's a gamble that may pay off, or maybe not 😉

      • Bleach †
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Any possibility that Rosenior might start today?

      • HD7
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Fabianski
        BDavies Jones Mbemba Kola
        Miki Ramsey Eriksen
        Kane Aguero Firmino

        Subs: Elliot, Carroll, Simpson, Chalobah

        Planning to do: Firmino Miki Ramsey to Morata Salah Atsu
        Yes or No

        1. Toby Lerone
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah i think i may do similar with firmino and mikhi after next week

        2. Patricio17
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Yes, but only next week.