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.

4,244 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Tmel
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Elliot
    Jones Kola Bavies
    Richarlison Salah Mkhi Carroll
    Kane Jesus Lukaku
    (Speroni Simpson RLC Long)

    Have 0ITB but need to make a transfer as have 2FT (still want 2FT for international break). Any move stand out?

    1. J T
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Wait till after this weeks games are finished and then the CL games?

    2. Pranav Santhosh
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      i was in a similar situation 0 itb and no obvious transfers i wanted to make i did long to mbemba to avoid price drop

  2. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Daniels > Jones?

    1. skodaole2
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      MUN fixtures after this GW will be liv,hud,TOT,che,NEW,BRI,wat,ars,MCI

      1. LǝgleSs e|even
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Who is a better pick at similar price range

        1. skodaole2
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 11 months ago

          I got Reid for their next nice fixtures, would keep Daniels though if i had him. There is also Maguire or Simpson (who could save you funds)

    2. Gooner Kebab
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      sure but Utd fixtures turning red.

      1. gooberman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        A good time to invest in their defenders actually. I feel that their clean sheet prospects are better against the big teams with the way Maureen sets the team up in the bug matches. His emphasis is very much on defense and they are more than capable of shutting their opponents out.

    3. Mahesh_Kumar
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Get Jones in and play him every single game till the end of the season

    4. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks guys, done.

  3. The Overthinker
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Very early thoughts about this team with 2FT

    DDG
    Kolasinac-stones-yoshida-davies
    Alli-eriksen-gross-mkhi
    Lukaku-jesus

    Bench - Elliot - naughton - Tarroll - quaner

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      A week early for CHE players, not sure how to use one FT this week.

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

        might as well do it know and save some cash

        1. Gooner Kebab
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 11 months ago

          True, Morata could score against City.

    2. MTPockets
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Monitor Jesus' minutes on tues.

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

      jesus to morata and chill

  4. bigbudgie
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone know why Fraser didn't play? Just dropped for Ibe?

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

      yeah, think so

  5. Big P
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Coutinho or Silva on WC?

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Coutinho More fun

    2. Tim Canterbury
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Silva I reckon

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

      both please

    4. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      silva, better fixtures

    5. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Silvia, Coutinho probably deeper when Mane is back

  6. Steve McCroskey
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    To WC or not to WC? Ake, Mooy, JWP and possibly Firmino need to go

    Foster/Elliot

    Bailly/Mee/Suttner/Naughton/Ake

    Mhiki/Eriksen/Mooy/JWP/Carroll

    Kaku/Kane/Firmino

    1. MTPockets
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Wildcarding to lose peripheral players seems a waste.

    2. Differentiator
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Wouldn't

  7. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Hi folks. Where would you recommend I use a ft?

    Elliot
    Davies, Jones, Maguire
    Eriksen, Mkhitaryan, Ritchie, Moting
    Kane, Lukaku, Jesus

    Kiko, Carroll, Mbemba 2ft 0itb

    Jesus to Morata for free..

    1. Toby Lerone
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Looks like the best option

  8. klavan
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    best defender under 4.7 to replace TAA?

    1. klavan
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Have Mee

    2. Pranav Santhosh
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      naughton or clark considering you already have mee

      1. klavan
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Have Fabianski so dont want Naughton.

        Is Simpson better option than Clark?

        1. Pranav Santhosh
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 11 months ago

          Don't get naughton if you have fabianski. I haven't looked at Simpson as an option but I have looked at Clark and I think he has good goal threat in a solid Newcastle side. That being said everyone is talking about Maguire as a good option so can't see why Simpson won't be a good option for .5 less

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

      naughton for the next 10

  9. Pillson
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Now then folks,

    Foster, Elliot
    Alonso, Kolasinac, Bertrand, Naughton, Marriapa,
    Ritchie, Mhiki, Erikson, Alli, RLC
    Abraham, Lukaku, Firminio

    1FT, 1.4itb. Bob-->Vardy or save FT for a sort out in the international break?

    1. Pranav Santhosh
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      save a FT looks a very solid team

  10. Tim Canterbury
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    With so many options transfers will rarely flood to one player meaning 0.3 rises in one week will be a lot less likely

    1. james 101
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      I guess players coming off injuries (or "injuries") could be different?

  11. james 101
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Morning all.

    Okay. Going round in circles...!

    Elliot. Foster.
    Davies. Jones. Kola. Lascelles. Hune.
    Eriksen. Mikhi. Ritchie. Choupo. Fellaini.
    Kane. Kun. Firmino.

    A. Leave it!
    B. Mikhi to Cout
    C. Choupo/Firm to Carroll/Morata (-4)
    D. Fellaini/Firm to Cout/Ayew (-4)
    E. Something else? Silva?!

    Thanks!!

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

      Leave it

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Firmino to Lukaku or Vardy

    3. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      stick

    4. Toplad
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      I'm going Frimino > Vardy

    5. Patricio17
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      I think you're better off leaving it tbh

  12. DeadStarComing
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Bonus points still frustrate me even though I've had a good week with them. Still think the system needs adjusting. How do you come on as sub, score the equalising goal in a 2-1 loss and get max bonus? FPL is stating Abraham was the best player in that match. Did anyone go? Was that really the case?

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      You don't get bonus points for being the best player

    2. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      I'm happy because I've got Abraham but agree with your point.

  13. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    50th birthday party last night ,dj played back in black ac/dc for the host ,great memory as everybody rocked...*tune*

    1. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Happy 50th mate. Cheers

  14. Ivanov Itch
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    First good week so far this season and with 1 ft and 0 itb considering taking a hit to do

    1. Gabbiadini > Tammy
    2. Stephens > Bailly
    3. Save

    Can't see many other options without wholesale changes and WC - is this worth doing 1, 1&2 or 3, or any better ideas?

    Current team
    Elliot / Foster
    Jones / Alonso / Mee / Stephens / Rangel
    Silva / Fab / TC / Eriksen / Xhaka
    Kane / Lukaku / Gabbi

    1. Patricio17
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      This is really tough, because a replacement for Gabbi in that price bracket is pretty much non-existent. So I hate to do this, but I would cash in on Alonso > Monreal and do Gabbi > Vardy. Can you afford this? If you got Alonso at 7.1, you'll just be able to afford this.

      1. Patricio17
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Or Fab > Atsu, Gabbi > Vardy.
        Then, next week, Stephens > Reid.

  15. bigbudgie
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Fraser to who, have 5.9m budget which means:

    A) Choupo
    B) Shaquri
    C) Atsu (have joselu)
    D) Brady
    E) Stanislas
    F) knockers

    1. The Overthinker
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. Patricio17
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      A

  16. Dazzrb
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Firmino to Vardy for free?

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

      Maybe. Pool still the better team

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Yes, time to get rid of Firmino

    3. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Got him out already.

  17. Arctic_Orangutans
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    What’s going to be Peps plan away at chelsea? Can see Jesus or Kun getting benched for that

  18. HD7
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Fabianski
    BDavies Jones Mbemba Kola
    Salah Atsu Eriksen
    Kane Aguero Morata

    Subs: Elliot, Carroll, Simpson, Chalobah

    How will this look?

    1. Arctic_Orangutans
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Looks good

      Bavies could de-rail some tough fixtures coming up

    2. El-Kloppico
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Loftus instead of Chabolah.. and Ritchie over Atsu for me. else it seems nice!

      1. HD7
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        I dont have a WC 😀

  19. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    What do we all think about Alobso yesterday. Had a bad game being caught out of position and taken off to be saved from being sent off.......just a bad day at the office or a worry.....

  20. Toplad
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Please rate my team:
    Elliot
    Mee, Jones, Cedric
    Salah, Eriksen, Silva
    Kane, Kaku, Firmino

    Foster, Naughton, Mbemba, RLC, Carroll

    1ft, 0.1m itb

    Firmino > Vardy? Yes or No? Other options?

    1. The Legend Squad
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Really like this team. Firmino to Vardy could be a shout... think that the points seem to be scored from Liverpool’s midfield, plus Sturridge competition is worrying

    2. Patricio17
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      I'd leave Firmino for this week. Has Newcastle. Save free transfer and make a plan to get Morata. This could mean downgrading one of your mids, but I feel it's worth it. If you like your midfield the way it is and don't want to change it, then yes, Firmino > Vardy looks a good move.

  21. Chasing Waves
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Foster

    Holgate Fernandez Bavies

    Mkhi Gross KDB Choupo

    Kane Kun Morata

    Elliot Maguire TAA Mesa

    KDB & TAA to Mane/Salah & Cress for a -4 worthy or not? 0.0itb

    Thanx

    1. Patricio17
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      I would say yes. Although, I think you could get away with just KDB > Salah/Mane. Then TAA > Cresswell the following week.

  22. The Legend Squad
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Does anyone know the amount of points that put you in the top 1k, 10k, 100k etc? Or where to find this info?

    1. Patricio17
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Use this URL:

      https://anewpla.net/fpl/report/

      Enter your team ID on the home page. Provides a neat little analysis of your team, including what you're looking for.

  23. England23
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Mhiki and Firm

    Or

    Mane and Rashford?

    All I’ve heard is how Firm is going to get dropped now, but all I’ve seen is that since mane has been gone he has suffered. So should I wait on this until after next week? Thanks guys

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

      Definitely still rates micky and fimino over rashford mane

  24. Fire Chief Moe
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    GW8 WC ?:

    Fab
    Azpi Cedric Bavies Kolasinac
    Silva Eriksen Salah Ritchie
    Morata Vardy

    Elliot Tarowski Shaqiri Abraham

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

      your bench is way too expensive dude. Put your money in your starting 11.

  25. Sparkys Barmy Army
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    With Willian and KDB really not producing the goods so far this season, who should I be looking at to replace them? Silva for KDB is an obvious one which leaves me with 8.8 to replace Willian, who should I be looking at?

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

      coutinho it is then

  26. El-Kloppico
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Firmino > Vardy locked.

    Time for Leicester to go full throttle!

  27. Jelder
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Any need to change this team for next week?

    Foster
    Trippier Jones Hegazy Monreal
    Salah Miki Eriksen
    Firmino Lukaku Aguero

    Elliot Carrol King Mbemba

  28. d_manga_fanatic
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    repost since i got no respinse before...thoughts on the following:

    out: Redmond, Firmino
    in: Atsu, Morata

    i want to get in a liverpool mid to replace firmino but struggling to free up the funds and think morata has more consistency than all Liverpool mids except salah. thoughts?

    def: Stephens, stones, Jones, mee, suttner

    midfield: atsu, mooy, Carroll, Eriksen, Miki

    forward: morata, Kane, lukaku

  29. HonestBlatter
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Is Gomez putting TAA to the bench for now on?