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

    I was worried about selling Alonso and Firmino to get Aguero 😆

    1. Homer21
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Yep, its all about who you sold to get him in, there are many stories with varied results!!

  2. stat
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Anybody doing Aguero -> Lukaku for next GW?

    Both in great form, but obviously one of them is pretty much guaranteed to play 90 mins every week and the other isn't. Also, Palace at home seems like the kind of game Lukaku could score a hattrick in and I'm scared about not having him especially for that fixture.

    Still not 100% sure on it but Lukaku seems like the safer option.

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      I have Lukaku Kane Aguero

      1. stat
        8 years, 11 months ago

        I was tempted to go down that route when I WCed but I really wanted Alonso as well, as they have a decent run of fixtures coming up and he could pick up some attacking returns.

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Already did this. And reverse gw8 again

      1. stat
        8 years, 11 months ago

        I'm tempted to just get Lukaku and then bring in someone like Silva who will probably pick up points in those decent City fixtures as well.

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

      god no

      1. stat
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Why not?

        1. F4L
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 11 months ago

          If Kun doesn't play midweek, id prefer to captain him over Lukaku . If kun does play, then maybe I would consider this transfer, but lets wait and see

  3. _figu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

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

    I want to avoid Phillips' price drop. And he's useless, benched for Carroll this GW. Who should I get? 6.1 moneyyyyyy.

    Shaqiri / Jese / C-M
    Brady
    Richarlison
    someone else?

  4. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Newcastle and ARS cleam aheets will take me over 90. Kola assist might get me 100

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

      Sweet

  5. KingOllie
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    How the hell did maguire get that assist?
    Does mark own him?

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

    Should I do Hart to Elliot now as he’s going to drop tonight?

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

      Yeah

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

      Hart's got a nice run of fixtures coming up.

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

        Don’t want the 4.4mil keeper wildcarding next week

  7. RÏɠBY
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    tempted by sterling though i know how rubbish he is* pure ff player
    worth it?

    *any other team he wouldn't be gifted goals (because he can't do anything on his own)

  8. amol
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Considering i got Firmino 8.5 and hes now valued at 8.6 for me after rising 0.2, will he stay at 8.6 for me if his value goes down tonight?

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      no

    2. Kip
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      nope, selling value will be 8.5 again

    3. Yellin' in my Ear
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      No

  9. F4L
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Matip would be a decent defender if Liverpool had any other defenders

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

      Look out there and tell me five that would make Liverpool stronger. Five. Then you win a prize. It’s difficult how it is.

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

        Cahill Luiz Azpilicueta Christensen Rudiger Zouma. 6 for the price of 5.

  10. ABCDEFC
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    A) Jesus + Firmino >> Vardy + Morata
    B) Jesus, Alonso, JWP >>> Morata, Azpi, Gross (-4)
    C) Firmino, Alonso, JWP >>> Vardy, Azpi, Gross (-4)
    D) Jesus, Firmino, JWP >>> Morata, Vardy, Gross (-4)

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

    Currently have Kane Kun Luk
    Thinking about Luk - Morata/Vardy

    1. stat
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Currently have Kane Kun Vardy
      Thinking about Kane Luk Vardy

      1. immybob
        • 17 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Man U weren't great today and the fixtures are tricky for the next 4.

        1. Yank Revolution
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 11 months ago

          Erm, next week is Palace, HOME!

          1. immybob
            • 17 Years
            8 years, 11 months ago

            Yeah... Missed that one..!! Be keeping him for the moment.

        2. stat
          8 years, 11 months ago

          Palace (H) is the kind of fixture Lukaku could score a hattrick in. Liverpool's defence is dodgy, Huddersfield are an unknown quantity against bigger sides and Spurs is a tough match up.

          I could always go Aguero -> Lukaku for this GW and then dump Lukaku for Morata. Doesn't seem like a safe thing to do but this game is driving me crazy.

  12. Yellin' in my Ear
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Is niasse worth a punt, two goals in 35 mins today. May lead the line if Rooney can't play next week...

    1. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Marlon Harewood mkII

  13. InSaneMan-e
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Any ideas on what to do? 2FT and 0.2 ITB

    Foster (elliot)
    Kolasinac TAA Bdavies (simpson) (naughton)
    Mkhi Salah Alli Choupo
    Kane Carroll Lukaku

    Any help much appreciated

    1. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      TAA/Carroll > Jones/Aguero?

      1. InSaneMan-e
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Affordability. Carroll will probably be a failed punt but with Swansea at home surely deserves chance there

  14. Aston-villain
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Best defender for 5.5?

    1. stat
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Jones

    2. immybob
      • 17 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Got to be Jones

  15. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Alonso owners crying about the CS should consider themselves lucky he wasn't sent off. Never mind a zero, that would have been a negative score, a ban and price drop.

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      agreeeeeed. Shoulda walked

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

      Ban

    3. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      I sold him for -4 this week so a CS for Kolasinic and its all gravy

    4. KingOllie
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      What about my mendy pick?

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

        You're entitled to cry. That was harsh.

  16. OLLY G
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    On Luk, Kun and Firm

    Anyone seems to be agreed on Luk as an essential, but what about the other two places?

    Luk, Kane and Morata?

  17. F5jason
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Current team:

    Foster, Elliot
    Stephens, Rangel, Lascelles, Francis, Dunk
    Eriksen, Salah, D. Silva, Mkhitaryan, Carroll
    Lukaku, Abraham, Kane

    Potential WC team

    Foster, Elliot
    KIKO, MBEMBA, Lascelles, Francis, Dunk
    COUTINHO, GROSS, D. Silva, Mkhitaryan, Carroll
    AGUERO, MORATA, Kane

    What do you think??

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Defence is really bad

      1. F5jason
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Agreed, but it's getting me enough points, any team can keep clean sheets, on any given day... individuals get goals.

      2. F5jason
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        The opening line of this arrival sums up my team..."Quite simply, we can’t have them all." The defemce is where i dont have it!

  18. FC Hakkebøf
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Im seriously tinkering like crazy. I need some advice - the more the marrier. Firmino is dropping before deadline and Morata will most likely rise. What to do?

    A) Firminho + Miki --> Morata + Jese/chopper/shaqiri/other 6.8 mid (-4) to catch price changes even though the former pair will probably outscore the latter pair especially given the hit.

    B) Do the transfer on two ft after gw7 and loose 0.2 TV

    C) Burst into panic

    In any case, do you have any suggestions for a midfielder to replace Miki?

    1. Puyol Pants Up
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      D) do nothing

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Hmmm..

    3. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Dont like Miki with Uniteds incoming fixtures

  19. Puyol Pants Up
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone have Marks team link?

    1. Puyol Pants Up
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Cheers

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

      370

  20. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    21 scored and 2 conceded. One City in each line I think for the triple up. I will deal with the benching when they happen and they will.

    1. Puyol Pants Up
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Aguero + Silva + Walker/Mendy the best 3

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      possibly. Silva and Kun are nailed in my team

    3. KingOllie
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Kun silva mendy in my team and staying there. Praying mendy isnt broken

    4. Albrightondknight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Probably could only afford Kun Silva and Otamendi.
      Only have Kun right now but 2FT next week and it will need a -4

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

    Fabianski
    BDavies Jones Mbemba Kola
    Miki Ramsey Eriksen
    Kane Aguero Firmino

    Subs: Elliot, Carroll, Simpson, Chalobah

    A) Make Kun back to Kaku ( he can score a lot vs Palace)
    B) Firmino Ramsey to Morata Atsu ( before Morata rises)

  22. pakornk
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Lukaku, Kane, Morata
    or
    Kane, Kun, Morata

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

      I think for the next 5-6 games the best option is KaneKun,Morata the only problem is to go against the Lukaku ownership

    2. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Kane Kun & Morata.

      Lukaku will be a consistent scorer, but I think these three will get more double figure hauls.

  23. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Assuming my first keeper is Elliot, who is everyone getting should they wish to have another 4.0 keeper. Have Foster, but thinking of freeing up 0.5

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

      Tim Krul

  24. noquarternt
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    What happened to Mendy?

    Kane Lukaku Agüero (c) and Salah and still got a red arrow.

    Must be some huge scores out there.

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

      Tweaked his knee. Tried to run it off but could'nt.

  25. villian-ty
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Holgate anyone?

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      nope

  26. FPL Maldini
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Morata is looking very hard to ignore at that price, think I might swap Firmino to Morata after next week and have Lukaku, Morata and Kane forward line

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

    How do Liverpool line up in attack when Mane is back?

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Coutinho in for Wijanldum, Mane Firm Salah up top

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Salah, Firmino and Mane up top, with Coutinho in midfield.

  28. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    DDG, Elliot
    Alonso, Cedric, Dawson, Mee, Long
    Alli, Salah, Choupo-Moting, Carroll. RLC
    Jesus, Morata, Kaku

    1FT, 0m

    I've been stuck around the 1m mark since GW1, what's my best option ?

    A) Alonso and Jesus to Davies and Kun for a hit.

    B) WC (DDG, Dawson, Long, Salah, Choupo-Moting and Jesus to Foster, Jones, Mbemba, Coutinho, Grob and Kun)

    C) Save FT (and find a way of getting Kun for Jesus after Chelsea game, for a sizable TV loss)

  29. johnnybeefcake
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    is it worth a -4 hit to take out Mendy (injured) and Firmino (Out of form) for Jones and Morata?

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      I think so yes..though United have tough fixtures after gw7... Maybe go for Cedric instead?