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.

  1. Emmicson
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    How the HELL is Lukaku on 9 points
    He scored a goal, NO Assist NO Bap ???

    1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      6 points

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

          Triple captain...

          6 x 3 = 18

        2. BabyB
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Triple captain

    2. the snazzy viking
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Is your screen upside down?

        1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          TC used

    3. FPLzebub
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      You've got your screen upside down.

    4. Goat
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Triple captain
      3 x 6 = 18

    5. Ruffio
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Yep tc wasted. You should be laughing

  2. Lukakwho
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Would you WC this?

    Fabianski

    Kola, Bavies, Daniels, Mee

    Salah, Mkhi, Silva, Carrol

    Kane Lukaku

    (Foster, Dunk, RLC, JRod)

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

      No, it would almost be my wc team!

  3. Toby Lerone
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Is there anywhere apart from the ticker where i can find defence rotation?

  4. Monkey Hanger
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    A guy in one of my ML's played his free hit chip this week, and really creamed it.

    79pts with three Gunners, and Mo Salah still to go.

    You would have to put this down as a success. Wouldn't you?

    Has anyone else seen someone use this chip well?

    1. Rash
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      What would his previous team have scored?

      1. Monkey Hanger
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Can't say really. He had 49pts from 10 players. His eleventh was Aguero, who he capt. last week.

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Just got lucky, not the best time to have used it.

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        It's like accelerating in a marathon early, could get you ahead for a bit or help you catch up but what happens when the others accelerate over the blank gameweeks? He'll fall behind again.

        1. Monkey Hanger
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Agree. But there must be a figure you would swap this chip for now?

          1. We Will Klopp you
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 2 months ago

            Nah, not worth the hassle later of what you have to do if you blow it now unless you're willing to throw the gameweek. After last blank gameweek I had a load of Everton, WBA, Bournemouth and Liverpool players, only wanted to keep the Liverpool ones, was an absolute nightmare fixing it, that chip is priceless as far as I'm concerned

      2. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        how would you know it's never been available before?

      3. fedolefan
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Well, we all have to get lucky. It depends on the team. There's no real best time to play it. If you have like 4 fixtures in a GW with poor teams, you aren't scoring much anyway.

        1. We Will Klopp you
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Last year after butchering my team to get a good side out I got about 50-65 off the top of my head, so it depends, someone else has none of those players due to playing their chip early and it has a massive effect. 1. He just accepts that he'll miss those points 2. He takes hits to get out 7-9 players and hits to fix his team. Timing is crucial with the free hit chip imo.

          1. fedolefan
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah, even if 65, you got like 24 from Kaku and there were a few guaranteed picks like Mawson Siggy, Everton defender that put you in the 40s from what I recall. The big differential was King with his 18 but still, it is just 5-6 players. The Brom Burnley guys got 1s and 0s. The max value of this chip is around 30-35 and that's a jump that's achievable in a regular week too.

            1. We Will Klopp you
              • 9 Years
              8 years, 2 months ago

              I had King for that gw, great memory that. Thing is you could still score well with your team now, in the blank gameweek you couldn't with your regular team most likely so that chip will be invaluable then

              1. fedolefan
                • 11 Years
                8 years, 2 months ago

                Not really to be honest. Everyone just planned or whatever that gameweek. Can't say anything conclusively yet.

              2. We Will Klopp you
                • 9 Years
                8 years, 2 months ago

                Max value now is 20-35 considering our regular teams could still do well. Max value during the blank gameweek could easily be greater considering our regular teams won't do well that is without taking into account any hits you'd have to take to put a blank gameweek team together, or patient build up of a side weeks in advance costing you points, and hits you'd have to take to put your side back together again

                1. We Will Klopp you
                  • 9 Years
                  8 years, 2 months ago

                  Might be remembering it incorrectly but that's what comes to mind re the planning

    3. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I've used it and would have had similar returns if I'd only captained Kane. 65 with laca, Ramsey, salah and martina. if they produce tomorrow I'll feel like I've used it well

      if I hadn't have used it my original team but be on 43 with gross and Ritchie

    4. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I guess there are withdrawal symptoms when you team reverts back. 🙂

    5. Odikostar
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Surely blanks are the safest weeks. So many good punts to go for

  5. Rash
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Watching MOTD I think I may treat palace how I did with villa year they went down and just target them week by week they are absolutely shocking

    1. the snazzy viking
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Was my captaincy plan too.

      GW6: Aguero v CRY
      GW7: Lukaku v CRY
      GW8: Morata v cry
      they get let off for GW9
      GW10: Kane v CRY

      1. the snazzy viking
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        GW11*

        1. We Will Klopp you
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          was gonna try and do that as well, captained Aguero, captained Lukaku but been scuppered by Kane being Kane and scoring big and my unwillingness to let go of Lukaku

      2. Rash
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        As a morata owner I hope he's fit to continue the trend

      3. Rik Waller
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Surely Kane at home to Bournemouth gets the C now though

        1. Rash
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          I dont trust spurs at Wembley yet he will be my vice if morata is fit

        2. We Will Klopp you
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Kane all the way for me, Lukaku gw9, Salah gw10 if I still have him

      4. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        I got ridiculed for the same thing 😆
        http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2017/09/24/scout-notes-gameweek-6-saturday-4/?hc_page=7#hc_comment_16571622

        As I say at the time it's not something that was set in stone but it was a plan that although didn't target Palace themselves nevertheless worked while it was in action 😀

    2. SkeletONv01
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Bring in Morata and (C) if fit 🙂

    3. suddenorgan
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      can't believe people are selling Alonso, dream fixture

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

    Martial 3G and 2A in 138 PL minutes this season. Involved in all four CL goals the other day too. Imagine if he was nailed.

    1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      part of that is coming on once rashford has run the full back ragged already but yeah

  7. Junior ⚽
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Long and Mbemba I’ve the +/- 100 mark. Do you think they’ll change price or is it wildcards?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Looks like they may well change price

      1. Pompel
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        0.2 TV loss right there 🙁 Think I.'ll still hold om to ny EG chip

  8. Dybala10
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    If you got rid of Alli, for any pick, who would you get?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Eriksen

    2. Digital-Real
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Mane

    3. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Eriksen or Hazard

    4. Ambrosiana Inter
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I 'll be getting rid for hazard...altough not sure yet

    5. Odikostar
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Hazard

    6. Toby Lerone
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Hazard. Fixtures and a major differential

  9. Roys Peak
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Pick 2 mids -
    a) Mkhi
    b) sane
    c)silva
    d) sterling
    e) cout
    f)mane
    g) salah
    h)eriksen

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Salah Eriksen

    2. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Fh

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        All relative, if you can afford any of them then GH

  10. CFC96
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    40 pts with 3 to go, activated my WC, felt that having abraham as third striker was too much of a hinderance with all these big hitting strikers scoring

  11. the snazzy viking
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    for the 59548643593489th time

    Should I do Lukaku to Kane after the GW is over?

    Fabianski / Elliot
    Kola Davies Maguire Ward / Wimmer
    Salah D.Silva Ritchie / **RLC** **Chalobah**
    Lukaku Morata* Laca

    1FT, 1.2 ITB

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

      Definitely wait over the IB. Anyone could get injured. Morata might be revealed to be out for longer, then you'll be taking hits you could have avoided

      1. the snazzy viking
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks for the tips

    2. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    3. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      No

    4. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Nope keep both Lukaku and Kane

      1. the snazzy viking
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Best possible way I can get both in?

  12. Legomané
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    2,887,763 > 1,272,998 in under two weeks - phew, was sinking without a trace til Harry woke up 🙂

  13. Messsiaah
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    how nailed is Trippier?

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Not very.

    2. suddenorgan
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      he's not now that Aurier is available again

    3. Teror
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I brought him in this week but it's really a guessing game. Only Poch can answer that question. But my logic is that Aurier was so awful at West Ham, so clueless about the intricacies of English football that Poch is going to slowly ease him in, so I think for the next few weeks Trippier should be first choice and his performances are so consistently good that I wouldn't bet against him nailing himself down as first choice. Remember last season Poch wasn't prone to rotating him and Walker, so whoever becomes nailed should hold onto the position. Of course, I have a vested interest for all of this to be true.

      1. Messsiaah
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        ok i'm going to buy Trippier in my WC team

    4. Odikostar
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Not at all

  14. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Hopefully tomorrow will be Ben Mee's day a goal and CS would be amazing

    1. Odikostar
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      A goal will be more than enough

  15. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Is Delph worth consideration as a 4.5 m 4th/5th midfielder over Carroll given had good game today and Pep may well play him in premier league games or is there better option?

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

      Still likely a 2/3 point hero so while Carroll's still nailed I wouldn't waste a transfer on it. WC is a different situation I guess

    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Fellaini

  16. umerlfc
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    WC yes or no. I pretty much think so since I have no City and Chelsea

    De Gea Elliot
    Davies Cresswell Naughton Mee Long
    Eriksen Salah Antonio Ramsey Carroll
    Kane Lukaku Niasse

    1. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I feel like your defense and midfield should be better given you only have 2 big hitters up front. So I probably would. Your team isn't too bad though so play around and see what a -8 could do first.

      1. umerlfc
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers. Would definitely ponder over that in the int. break

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

      Yes

  17. jmcclory123
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    From watching match of the day I think it's madness getting rid of Alli

    1. FPL Maldini
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I agree, he at least deserves the Bournemouth game.

      Sort of game he could get a brace

    2. AllanM
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      He's better at Wembley

  18. Danstoke82
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Played my free hit today so back to my old team.

    Aguero > Jesus ?

    Or wait for Morata news?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Wait if you can

  19. Shardlow
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Any help would be good.

    Don’t normally do transfers during the weekend and especially with IB coming up but my team is

    Forster (Elliot)
    Ottamendi, Jones, Davies (Martina, Mbemba)
    Silva, Mhiki, Alli, Gross (RLC)
    Lukaku, Rooney, Morata

    And would it be worth it to do
    1. Morata & Gross >> Kane, Carroll (-4) to leave zero balance
    Before Kane goes up tonight? Worried this could be last chance to afford him this season.

    2. Save FT and the following week do Rooney, Gross >> Salah, Calvert Lewis (Free)

    3. Just save FT as it’s IB

    1. Rash
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      In most cases I think should wait but I think Kane is an exception to the rule and worth risking another transfer by getting him in early if can't afford after the rise

  20. Everyday im Schneiderlin
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    any news on moratta?
    only just bought him friday should i ship him.out?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Whoever you bring in could get injured. 2 weeks left.

      1. Frank Koscielny
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        This

      2. Everyday im Schneiderlin
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        true

  21. FPL Maldini
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Why is Andy King rising?

    Am I missing something?

    1. fedolefan
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      He's 4.4m and playing apparently. So everyone wants to save that 0.1m.

    2. Monkey Hanger
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Cheapest regularly playing mid. That's all.

      1. FPL Maldini
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah but he only played half the game today?

        What is the appeal haha

    3. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Don't think he will. Most of it must be wildcards doing Carroll -> King to get that .1. Brought him in just in case on WC if I end up needing that and he raises.

    4. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Because he is a cheap filler.

  22. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    4m defs apart from mbemba?

    1. Teror
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      There aren't any

  23. Junior ⚽
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Luiz 5.9 anyone?

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      possibly

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

      Good value. Not the best for baps, but should get goals and assists

    3. DIOCCÁ
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Will he play regularly though?

  24. Disco Pat
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    It's all relative. Works for this week but maybe the use of the wild card that has an expiry date at end of dec as opposed to the chip that works all year would have made more sense. But that's just my opinion.
    I used WC last week but don't plan to use and of the other chips until second half of season when there is dgw and blanks.
    People will rise the tables now with the chips but these people invariably fall back when others play their chips. Presently 25pts separate me if 554k roughly and 125k. Triple Captain on Kane todays gets you the extra 13pts maybe 200k places this week.
    Kane last 4 fixtures of season presently Brighton Watford west brom and leicester and that's prior to dgw which I'm spurs will have at least one id think. So think it's a waste if a chip today.

    1. Teror
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Sound logic, Disco Pat.

  25. purple.emu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    DeGea
    Monreal, Davies, Simpson
    Eriksen, Ritchie ChoupoM, Mkhi
    Kane, Kaku, Firminio
    (Elliot, Lowe, TCarroll, Long)

    Would you WC this team?.

    1. Scout Pics
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Defo.

  26. Del Monte
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    I have 11.0 for my 3rd and 4th midfielders. The 4th is non playing as I play 433.

    Who would you get?

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      King and C-M, upgrading elsewhere.

      1. Del Monte
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        What about Richarlison?

        1. Red Dagger ✪
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          I'd do King and Richarlison

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

          I like him after GW9.

        3. Odikostar
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Fixtures, but probably still the best

  27. Lionac
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Who do you expect to score more points until Aguero returns. D Silva or Sterling?

    I can get Sterling for free or Silva for -4

    What would you choose
    1) Mkhtaryan -> Sterling
    2) Mkhtaryan, Arnold -> Silva, Mbemba
    ?

  28. Rate My Tome
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Had my best season ever last year with a top 2.5k finish. This year I've been stuck in the millionaires club the whole season.

    Until now!

    66 points with Kola, Coutinho and Atsu left to go. Up from 1.1 mil to 400k.

    I remember why I play this game now.

    Anyone else got that goodtime feeling?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      o yes, o yes i do

    2. Goat
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Yup. 97k with 3 to play 🙂

      1. Rate My Tome
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Wow, congrats! 100+ week seemingly guaranteed. That's real goodtime feelings.

  29. Roys Peak
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    best city defender? thinking of bringing walker or stones in for dawson

  30. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Amazing from Yoshida!