Opinion
30 September 2017 3512 comments
Mark Mark
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Suddenly the field has cleared again.

Having appeared to be awash with options and configurations up front, Harry Kane is now surely established as the undisputed primary target in attack.

And while Romelu Lukaku toiled in another four-goal victory for Manchester United, the other contenders for our frontlines have lost some ground.

Alvaro Morata’s early withdrawal against Manchester City has temporarily de-railed his burgeoning reputation and Fantasy ownership.

Confirmed as a hamstring issue by manager Antonio Conte, we must now wait on a further prognosis before we can be clear if this is a setback that will knock the Spaniard out.

Thankfully, Conte appears to be playing down the problem but the Morata bandwagon has hit the buffers for now.

With Sergio Aguero sidelined with a rib injury, Kane and Lukaku seem largely unchallenged heading into the break.

Despite his seven goals in as many Gameweeks, that’s a scenario that flatters Lukaku.

With news breaking post-deadline that the Belgian was struggling with a knock sustained in training, the initial thoughts were that he could miss today’s meeting with Crystal Palace.

He started and completed 90-minutes, but was subdued and failed to deliver the anticipated threat to a beleaguered opponent.

Kane, in contrast, was a menace from the first kick against Huddersfield until Spurs shifted down the gears in the second period.

But, typically this season, Lukaku could and should have matched Kane’s two-goals. He rolled a big chance wide before converting a tap-in from Anthony Martial’s centre.

Maybe the Belgian wasn’t fully fit but, in terms of the “eye-test” and pure performance, Kane demonstrated that he is on a different level at present.

My captain selection – switched to Lukaku overnight – was steered by the fears that Palace would capitulate, with the Terriers perhaps presenting a tougher opponent to Spurs.

To an extent that was true. United had more shots and had five big chances to Spurs’ two.

But Lukaku simply did not expose the Eagles frailty and help himself to the big score that I and many others hoped for and expected.

With United’s schedule now stiffening, Lukaku will doubtless suffer some sales, but those losses would be far more severe were it not for the setbacks for Morata and Aguero.

He may well survive in squads with Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus perhaps the most viable and “secure” alternative left standing to partner Kane in our forward lines.

With talk of Aguero returning in four weeks or less, a move for Jesus could also be a short-term measure, aimed at capturing Man City’s plum home encounters with Stoke City and Burnley.

But given that they sandwich a Champions League tie with Napoli, it will be interesting to see if Pep Guardiola attempts to manage the minutes of his only out-and-out striker.

Arguably, those jostling with Kane and Lukaku for our attention have failed to build their case heading into the internationals.

Kane looks untouchable, and while Lukaku is nowhere near as devastating, he continues to prove effective. That might be just enough for now.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

3,512 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. F4L
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Davies!

  2. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Jerk it, baby!

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

      Are you on the wrong forum?

      1. Doosra - ☭BowenOfRice☭
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Onanism is rife.

      2. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Knee Jerk, you sicko.

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

    Dont kneejerk Long out boys.

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

    Never had an FPL season like this. I’m ready to throw in the towel.

    GW6: Sub Morata for Aguero, Morata scores Hat trick
    Aguero gets injured
    GW7: Sub Aguero for Morata
    Morata blank and gets injured.

    Anyone worse the 23 points?

    1. MTPockets
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Snap on pts. Planning ahead isn't working so struggling to a sh1t tbh.

    2. FPL Husaria
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      33 points with Atsu. I recommended to my brother to play free hit and suggested players. He did, and 75 + Laca. Happy with him.
      Ps. If you do transfer and after play free hit, all will back to previous week. Confirmed

      1. Lanley Staurel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Good to know. So the transfer is cancelled out if you do the free hit afterwards??

        1. FPL Husaria
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 11 months ago

          Yes. Brother did RLC to Surman...today he played free hit and RLC back in team.

  5. Feloh
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    kaku and Kane season keepers

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Nope

    2. Lanley Staurel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      What we have learnt is noone is a season keeper as tou cant keep 5 strikers for the season 😀

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

    Sterling could be a fantastic option these next 3 weeks.

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

      Yeah I think him or Sane for Mkhitaryan this week, have Lukaku

  7. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    KANE 🙂

  8. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Otamendi you silly silly boy
    91st minute yellow cost me 3 points...

    1. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Same

    2. Lanley Staurel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Ditto

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

    Hi chaps...whats the best place to check price changes while im on this wildcard??

      1. Our Tiny Windows
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        What he said.

    1. Our Tiny Windows
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Fplstatistics.co.uk

      1. Lanley Staurel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        What she said

  10. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    I've kneejerked! Played my WC. Nah, not really. Always planned to WC now as built my team for the first 6/7 GWs.

  11. Pochecinno
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    United didn't outscore Spurs

  12. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 17 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Last Man Standing Update

    Current safety score = 31
    Top score = 87
    LMS average = 50.02

    3 games + autosubs to go.

    LMS average shows a great GW for FFS so far. 🙂

    1. Doosra - ☭BowenOfRice☭
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Top man! Thanks. (I'm still here.)

    2. Our Tiny Windows
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Can’t believe I’m still in this!

    3. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      33+Salah...pray for me mate

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

        You're a goner 🙂

        1. ★Kuntheman★
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 11 months ago

          😆 cheers Nidgey

    4. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks for the update TM

    5. KingNidge
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      🙂

    6. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Lovely thanks, for once I'm not sweating

    7. robdag
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      33 with 5 to play. Hmm.

    8. schifoso
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Any chance I could join Last Man Standing at this stage in the game?

  13. camarozz
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Elliot
    Davies, Jones, Cedric
    Ramsey, Antonio, Ritchie, Eriksen
    Lukaku, Vardy, kane

    (Ryan, Suttner, T.carrol, long)

    Longest iv ever gone in a season without using WC. Two reasonably good gws. Had planned WC and with a fixture shift and no city or pool coverage do you think I should WC??

  14. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Early thoughts here?

    Wildcard to avoid drops of Hart, Mee, Long and Mooy?

    Hart
    Davies / Cedric / Naughton / Mee
    Salah / Mkhi / Ritchie
    Kane / Lukaku / Morata

    Elliot / Mooy / Carroll / Long

    2ft, .5itb

    1. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      I wouldn't. It's only pretend cash.

      Hart and Mee could easily play out a turgid 0-0 next gw.

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        West Ham looking better at the back week by week. Thanks.

  15. purple.emu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Really unsure why people are so keen on sterling, sane was more nailed last season and pep loves him. Reckon he's te one to go for over them all. Sterling will get benched more.

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Price a reasonable factor, also the fact that Sterling has scored more consistently this season

    2. ENZO SZN™
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Why are you talking about last season when Sterling has started in the last 5 games?

  16. DROP IT LIKE IT'S HART
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Surprised with a rise to 106k from 400k plus with 69 points. Thought the GW was high scoring.

    1. the snazzy viking
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Only Kane really made it high -scoring for some

      1. Lanley Staurel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Davies?

  17. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    How would you crowbar in City and Chelsea into this:

    Begovic/Elliot
    TAA*/Mee/Naughton/Davies/Lowe*
    Salah/Eriksen/Gross/Atsu/TCarroll
    Kane/Lukaku/Jesus

    Problem is I'm quite attached to my big hitters, and City and Chelsea are not budget by any means!

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      2 FT, 0 ITB, holding WC as long as poss

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

      Can you do Eriksen to hazard?

      1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Can't afford unfortunately.

      2. Our Tiny Windows
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Exactly.

    3. Sterling is £11Mill..…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Well for Chelsea I would only consider either an uninjured Morata, an in form Hazard, Azpil or Alonso
      From City an uninjured Aguero, Sterling, Jesus or Silva or Otamendi

      Jesus>Vardy
      Get Sterling
      Naughton or Lowe>Azpil

      You probably cant afford this though?

      1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Probably not. Thanks though 🙂 Does strengthen my thought that I'm better off sitting tight for the time being!

      2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        0.2 off J>V, N>Azpi!

        1. donkey73
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 11 months ago

          eriksen->sterling and Lowe->chelski

  18. nkhoughton
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Current team would you wildcard?

    Elliot
    Alonso Jones Davies Cresswell
    Mahrez Salah Eriksen Eriksen
    Kane Morata

    Foster Mcburnie Fernández RLC

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

      Sell one Eriksen

    2. VFORVANDETA
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Double Erik.

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

      Silly predictive text I have CM

  19. lennie123456789
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    A) Miki > silva/sterling
    Or
    B) Kaku > Jesus

    For city coverage?
    I'm on A is that right?

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

      A

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

    United out scored Spurs did they? Must have missed the 5th goal

    1. Pep says
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      What you talk about Willis?

      1. Lanley Staurel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        Flash back!

  21. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Is this squad worth a wildcard:

    Foster Elliott
    Jones Bavies Mee Lowe £4m
    Eriksen Mkhi Salah Ritchie Carroll
    Kane Lukaku Joselu

    Opinions appreciated! Was all set to wildcard but not sure now.

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Nah. I'd consider Mkhi to Silva though

    2. Demel
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Save wildcard

    3. Lucky Z
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Keep WC. Just do Mkhi to City MF

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

      Mkhit to City mid perhaps and think you will be fine

  22. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Yoshida has been a great little success story for me lately. Since they signed Hoedt and VVD stayed, I've been plotting ways to get rid, but always had more pressing issues so have kept him. Scored a goal today and even if he loses his place or is rested for next GWs, he'll owe me nothing.

    I find that it's often the relatively small points hauls from cheaper, unhearlded players that give the most satisfaction.

  23. Mayo for Sam
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Who goes for Davies

    A Naughton
    B Cedric

    1. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Southampton have a lovely run of fixtures

      1. Doosra - ☭BowenOfRice☭
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts ...

      2. Feloh
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        why get rid?

    2. Our Tiny Windows
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      A. Easy

  24. Danno - Emre Canada
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Cut my OR rank in half, that will do, now if I could do that every GW.....

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      4m to 2m?

      1. Danno - Emre Canada
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 11 months ago

        660k to 330k

  25. Lucky Z
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    With Kane (c) out of top 3mln for this GW on 36 points. Who made such low OR, Lukaku and BDavies, which I don't own? Although I have 7 players yet to play, but anyway.

  26. camarozz
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Just checking Gargatron and I'm 13 points off 1 million. And iv taken 16 points in transfer hits

    So it's cost me 500 k places.

    That hurts.

    1. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Well, it does depend how many points those hits made you....

  27. Demel
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Thank you Aurier. You gave Trips one last week. And what a great performance to bow out of my team with. Thanks for the memories Trips.

    1. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Not sure I would be selling so quick.

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

      I think Aurier will start the CL matches and Trips on the PL ones, could be good for the Bournemouth match too

  28. KLOPPTOMANIA
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Time to WC?

    Foster/Elliott
    Davies Jones Maguire
    Eriksen Mhik Ritchie Mooy
    Kane Vardy Lukaku
    (Suttner Hunemeier** Carroll)

    1. tm370
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      I wouldnt - looks solid. I'd move one of the United options out and Mooy

  29. Weeb Kakashi
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC Team

    Krul Elliot
    Luiz Otamendi Cedric Fernandez Mbemba
    Alli Hazard Choupo Carroll RLC
    Kane Jesus Lacazette

    1. Lucky Z
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 11 months ago

      Hazard and RLC => Coutinho and Ritchie, or any other similar combo