Opinion
14 October 2017 3261 comments
Mark Mark
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Manchester City are threatening to break Fantasy Football.

An irresistible attacking force, they appear to be capable of skittling any defence that stands in their way and, in doing so, they are presenting Fantasy managers with an extraordinary array of options.

The challenge, of course, is to exploit their incredible form to the full. This becomes a more thankless task with the passing of each and every Gameweek.

Today’s 7-2 victory over a shell-shocked Stoke City took Pep Guardiola’s side to a total of 17 goals from their last three home matches and 24 from the last five Gameweeks.

I had to go back and re-check those numbers, leaving me wonder if we’ve ever seen a single team provide such a relentless avalanche of Fantasy points.

The underlying statistics are even more staggering.

A tally of 103 shots, 73 of which have arrived in the box with 28 big chances. Guardiola’s side have fired a shot every 4.6 minutes over the past five Gameweeks.

Three City players scored double figures in today’s victory, with Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva also fetching nine and seven points respectively. And this without Sergio Aguero in the mix.

Indeed, the array of choice available has become bewildering.

Raheem Sterling’s 15-points surely underlines his potential during this, his most prolific spell of his career. The “winger” has now scored six goals and supplied two assists over five starts in the last six Gameweeks.

Sterling has been in Guardiola’s starting line-up each time when available from Gameweek 3 onwards and, priced at just 8.0; he surely justifies his rank at the top of our midfield Watchlist. He is already the top transfer target ahead of Gameweek 9’s visit from Burnley.

Then there is Sane.

Perhaps a more traditional wide player, less inclined to tuck inside to flank the central striker, the German has produced four goals and three assists from the last five Gameweeks. However, he has only made the starting line-up over the last three.

De Bruyne and Silva remain the creators. Less explosive, they are nonetheless consistent points scorers that also scream for our attention. The latter struck his first goal of the season today, while De Bruyne chalked up a fifth assist.

It’s difficult to separate the pair, but Silva’s price, at 1.5 cheaper, is surely a key factor. Crucially, as today’s goal indicated, the Spaniard also appears to have upped his direct threat to opponents, adding a new convincing string to his creative bow.

These are just the standout midfield offerings. When we start to contemplate the situation up front, our decision process becomes even more cloudy.

Gabriel Jesus reacted to Sergio Aguero’s return from injury with a brace and a 13-point return today. We now have to consider how Guardiola will marry the pair.

He will surely want to avoid disrupting the almost perfect blend he has discovered, and neither Sane nor Sterling can really warrant exclusion.

Could that lead to Guardiola rotating his two central strikers, or will he revert back to pairing them in attack, sacrificing one of his support attackers?

Jesus owners will be counting today’s points but also looking ahead to the Gameweek 9 meeting with Burnley and wondering Pep’s next move.

But surely we have to question whether Jesus and Aguero warrant our investment regardless.

Even if their minutes are managed from here on, while City’s thirst for goals remains unquenchable, perhaps we just can’t lose.

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

3,261 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Fred54
    9 years, 19 days ago

    Someting rather alarming I just realised. My best OR rank was actually after GW1, just outside 1M.

    Dipped as low 2.4M.

    Currently 1.8M.

    'Mare of a season.

    1. UnitedFan
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Good thing it's a marathon.

    2. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 19 days ago

      It's early. I think I have 3 points more than you overall and I'm 200K higher than you. A lot can change in a week or two.

    3. Optimus.
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Same mate, 500k 1st gw, 1.3m now 😎

      Hopefully I didnt peak too early

  2. Hardly Athletic
    9 years, 19 days ago

    A, B or C?

    a. Alonso + Mkhitaryan + Firmino > van Dijk + Sterling + Morata

    b. Alonso + Mkitaryan + Firmino > van Dijk + Zaha + Aguero

    c. Chalobah + Mkhitaryan + Firmino > Antonio + Sterling + Abraham

  3. Lone Wolf FPL
    9 years, 19 days ago

    Hart, Elliot
    Jones, Ward, Fernandez, Dunk, Mbemba
    Eriksen, Sterling, Richarlison, Zaha, Carroll
    Aguero, Kane, Morata

    How is that look? Any changes?

    1. Man Chest Hair United
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Looks great that front 7 is deadly

      1. Lone Wolf FPL
        9 years, 19 days ago

        cheers

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Wildcard?

      Is morata 100% back?

      1. Lone Wolf FPL
        9 years, 19 days ago

        yep
        Conte said he will be ok for Roma. ofc I will wait but will get him if fit

        1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
          9 years, 19 days ago

          That's great because I need to get rid of Laca!

  4. halnone
    9 years, 19 days ago

    at this point I'm just wondering how long I can ride my luck. I'm probably the worst FPL player in the top 50k

    Due to poor management, I couldn't fit Kane or Davies in my team this week and it ended up paying off once again

    1. the axolotl
      9 years, 19 days ago

      this game is mostly dumb luck, let's be honest

      1. UnitedFan
        9 years, 19 days ago

        Nope.

      2. Fred54
        9 years, 19 days ago

        A litte. Just have to place the pieces in the right place and hope they fit.

      3. Yozzer
        9 years, 19 days ago

        This ^^^

  5. ooooo
    9 years, 19 days ago

    How likely is Richarlison to get a ban?

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Nobody can answer this question. Just wait and see

    2. Syd.
      9 years, 19 days ago

      60/40 that he will get a ban

      1. ooooo
        9 years, 19 days ago

        Might end up having to start RLC then

    3. Deulofail
      9 years, 19 days ago

      This is news. Would be great, but I presume it's closer to zero than......11

    4. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      9 years, 19 days ago

      I'll tell you after MOTD lol

    5. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 19 days ago

      3 guys in the FA panel have to all agree that it was a ban

      0.5 * 0.5 * 0.5 = 0.125

      So theoretically he has a 12.5 % of getting banned.

      1. ooooo
        9 years, 19 days ago

        Oh and how many are there altogether in the board?

        1. Team Cruel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          9 years, 19 days ago

          There are 3. All have to unanimously agree that it was a dive.

          1. ooooo
            9 years, 19 days ago

            Ok thanks

      2. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        9 years, 19 days ago

        But this is without factoring in the actual incident. So to answer your question, no one's got a clue.

        1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
          9 years, 19 days ago

          😀

      3. Deulofail
        9 years, 19 days ago

        Your maths....seems.....very wrong......

        1. Deulofail
          9 years, 19 days ago

          Oh didn't realise there are only 3 people total. Fair may bad. I only said 'seems' and I'm not mathser! Nice job congrats love you 🙂

          1. Team Cruel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            9 years, 19 days ago

            😛

  6. Rik Waller
    9 years, 19 days ago

    Do the hits get calculated into your over score already?

    1. Fred54
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Yes hits are always factored in after the first points update of the GW.

  7. Optimus.
    9 years, 19 days ago

    Up to 39th in SKY overall with Kane (c) fail and Sanchez no show

    *screenshot updated from last gw now 🙂

    1. Optimus.
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Cheers all for the kind wishes, xmas cards will be sent!

      😉

    2. AllanM
      9 years, 19 days ago

      It's all about the 2.8mil recovery league!

    3. Numb
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Wow, nice one. Most people in the top 100 are no hopers who have been burning though their transfers so you have a genuine chance there (assuming you haven't been!)

      1. Anathallo
        9 years, 19 days ago

        This is good to read. I'm at 500th with only 3 transfers down. First time playing and really enjoying it.

        1. Optimus.
          9 years, 19 days ago

          Having only 3 transfers used is amazing mate

          1. Anathallo
            9 years, 19 days ago

            Lot of luck involved with injuries etc. Not sure if I'm going too slowly with them, but can start stepping it up as time goes on I figure. Was 330 before a dodgy day today.

      2. Optimus.
        9 years, 19 days ago

        29 left

        1. Numb
          9 years, 19 days ago

          Average transfers left in top 100 was 21 before this weekend.

          1. Optimus.
            9 years, 19 days ago

            Woah nice, I will still find a way to mess up though 🙂

          2. Anathallo
            9 years, 19 days ago

            Wow. Where do you find that info?

            1. Numb
              9 years, 19 days ago

              Sky Focus article on here a couple days ago

    4. Anathallo
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Nice. How many transfers used?

      1. Optimus.
        9 years, 19 days ago

        11 used so 29 left

        KdB has been a hero

  8. pakornk
    9 years, 19 days ago

    How is this for a wild card team?

    Fabianski, Elliot
    Bavies, Trippier, Jones, Mee, Simpson
    Salah, Silva, Sterling, Zaha, Carroll
    Kane, Jesus, Abraham

    with 1.1 ITB

    Good or who should I go for?

    1. Man Chest Hair United
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Looks good trippier may lose his spot to Aurier.

      Upgrade fab to de gea

      1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        9 years, 19 days ago

        Doubt it. Trippier has done nothing to deserve being dropped.

        When airier was given a chance he looked aweful and got a red card.

        Trippiers place to lose.

  9. Man Chest Hair United
    9 years, 19 days ago

    Richarlison on 2 points less than Kane . Been great value

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 19 days ago

      But he isn't as explosive as Kane.

      1. Man Chest Hair United
        9 years, 19 days ago

        Obviously as few are. But still for 6m he is great

    2. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      9 years, 19 days ago

      May we'll be suspended from the next 2 tho

      1. Man Chest Hair United
        9 years, 19 days ago

        Doubt it

  10. Camp No No
    9 years, 19 days ago

    Why are people selling Bertrand?

  11. pakornk
    9 years, 19 days ago

    Is this team still ok or should I wild card?

    Elliot, Foster
    Kola, Bavies, Stones, Bertrand, Rangel
    Alli, Salah, Mhki, Gross, Carroll
    Kane, Jesus, Quaner

  12. Rash
    9 years, 19 days ago

    Best defender for 5.2 or less. already have Jones naughton

    1. Man Chest Hair United
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Cedric

    2. Gareth M
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Agree with Cedric short term, perhaps Maguire longer term

  13. arndff_
    9 years, 19 days ago

    After VVD’s return, will Yoshida continue to play 90’? Thanks!

  14. Bleh
    9 years, 19 days ago

    Pretty bad gameweek for me so far! Early thoughts on this lot?

    A. Lukaku > Jesus
    B. Lukaku > Aguero
    C. Lukaku > Morata
    D. Save

    Elliot, Foster
    Davies, Yoshida, Jones, Otamendi, Naughton
    Silva, Salah, Ritchie, Gross, Loftus-C
    Kane, Lukaku, Vardy

  15. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    9 years, 19 days ago

    w/c completely sp*nked away

    worse off by 27 points with 2 to play

    beyond mad ...

    1. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 19 days ago

      and dropped 600k places

    2. Deulofail
      9 years, 19 days ago

      sponked?

    3. UnitedFan
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Ah come one you can't judge your WC based on one GW. Though that is bad.

      1. Jordan.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        9 years, 19 days ago

        im bloody fuming ,the ageuro stories made me dump jesus,and I just had to have hazard ,I was 5and 2 in my h2h league and 375k overall,it will probably repair *stomps off*

        1. UnitedFan
          9 years, 19 days ago

          Jeez that's rough. Good luck anyway.

    4. Deulofail
      9 years, 19 days ago

      spinked?

      1. Jordan.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        9 years, 19 days ago

        spunked and one of the 2 left is the great dominic calvert lewin from your mob *stomps off again*

    5. Deulofail
      9 years, 19 days ago

      spenked?

  16. Corrine M
    9 years, 19 days ago

    Eriksen and Mhik to Silva and Salah?

    1. Ha.
      9 years, 19 days ago

      No

  17. COYG
    9 years, 19 days ago

    On wc, name 3 defenders that are must haves, is there is any?

    1. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 19 days ago

      3 Man United ones....

    2. Fred54
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Ward, Jones and that's about it.

    3. Man Chest Hair United
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Jones Davies ward

    4. Coaly
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Ward, Jones, Bavies

    5. rojojojo
      9 years, 19 days ago

      If you asked this last week people would have said Davies, Azpi, Otamendi and Monreal, and look what happened. Basically there's no real answer to the question

  18. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    9 years, 19 days ago

    Last Man Standing Update

    Current safety score = 23
    Top score = 85
    LMS average = 38.90

    3 games + lots of autosubs to go.

    1. Fred54
      9 years, 19 days ago

      VvD and Vardy. Consolidate me!

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      9 years, 19 days ago

      616 used WC out of 3049
      3 used BB, 3 used TC

    3. Optimus.
      9 years, 19 days ago

      😎

    4. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      9 years, 19 days ago

      23 for real?
      Oh happy dayz! 😀

    5. robdag
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 18 days ago

      21 with Elliot, Clark, Gross and Vardy to play. Not feeling in the least bit confident.

  19. HD7
    9 years, 19 days ago

    What should my next transfer be?

    Fabianski
    BDavies Jones Simpson Kola
    Miki Atsu Eriksen
    Kane(C) Kaku Jesus

    Subs: Elliot, Carroll, Chalobah, Mbemba

    Either Mikhi Atsu or Kola out?

    1. Corrine M
      9 years, 19 days ago

      I'd say mhik to city mid

      1. HD7
        9 years, 19 days ago

        Sane or Sterling?

  20. Davido989
    9 years, 19 days ago

    Kane: LIV mun CRY ars

    Kane -> Aguero for a few weeks

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      9 years, 19 days ago

      But that 1st fixture 😛

      1. Syd.
        9 years, 19 days ago

        Liverpool will spank them

      2. Davido989
        9 years, 19 days ago

        Would keep if it was WHL

    2. Optimus.
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Think I'm going to do Lukaku to Aguero and go with..

      Kane Aguero Jesus

      1. Lone Wolf FPL
        9 years, 19 days ago

        this or Kane Aguero Morata where I'm going

    3. UnitedFan
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Kane (C) next week. 😎

    4. Lone Wolf FPL
      9 years, 19 days ago

      I think he is season keeper. Lukaku > Aguero imo

    5. Foozeball
      9 years, 19 days ago

      But Kane has a great away record so far this season. He might just surprise us against United 🙂

  21. England23
    9 years, 19 days ago

    Hazard and Chalaboh to Bakayoko and De Bruyne? Or just wait one more week for hazard

  22. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
    9 years, 19 days ago

    There're 49 points separating 1M and 100K. See how congested the ranks are and how close you are to each milestone here https://www.gargatron.com/

    1. Deulofail
      9 years, 19 days ago

      173 from the lead. Give up!

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        9 years, 19 days ago

        A lot of chips played in the higher ranks, that's not insurmountable.

    2. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      9 years, 19 days ago

      I moved from 1m to 275k this week 🙂

  23. Coaly
    9 years, 19 days ago

    1. Play Richarlison (che) or Dunk (whu)?
    2. Play Fabianski (LEI) or Elliot (CRY)?
    3. Captain Jesus (BUR) or Alonso (WAT)?

    1. Man Chest Hair United
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Richarlison Elliot Jesus

    2. Rash
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Rich
      Fab
      Jesus

    3. Gareth M
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Rich (def.)
      Elliot (close call)
      Jesus (def.)

    1. Man Chest Hair United
      9 years, 19 days ago

      I would take that I think

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        9 years, 19 days ago

        -48?

  24. Rash
    9 years, 19 days ago

    Thinking 2 weeks ahead with the 3 moves I plan to do how does this look?

    DDG
    Davies Jones naughton ward
    Eriksen richarlison sané
    Aguero Kane morata

    Elliot Tcarroll RLC mbemba

  25. Super Silva
    9 years, 19 days ago

    Quick question.

    If Carroll is my 2nd Sub after Mbemba, and I played 433, Does that mean if Mbemba doesn't play at all then Carroll should replace Davies and not Mbemba ?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Yes

      1. Super Silva
        9 years, 19 days ago

        To my next question. Will Mbemba play lol ?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          9 years, 19 days ago

          I guess no but I'm hoping.

          1. Super Silva
            9 years, 19 days ago

            Cool thanks boss.

    2. Deulofail
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Does it matter who he replaces?

      1. Deulofail
        9 years, 19 days ago

        Oh I understand now. Davies is replaced by 1st sub. If 1st sub doesn't play, he is replaced by second sub, etc

      2. Super Silva
        9 years, 19 days ago

        Yes because if I played a 343 formation then Mbemba would have to have went in regardless of any minutes played. I think.

    3. Gareth M
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Yes

  26. More Tragic
    9 years, 19 days ago

    Joe Hart has been a fooking legend for me in the last few weeks

  27. milk_7
    9 years, 19 days ago

    Hi folks, do you know when will we find out about whether Richarlison will be banned or not? Thx

    1. Optimus.
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Judging by his latest tweet he's already in jail

  28. ooooo
    9 years, 19 days ago

    Do we think Jesus will start next week our wait till the champions league?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      9 years, 19 days ago

      Wait and see.

    2. Numb
      9 years, 19 days ago

      I would think he will

    3. Pompel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      9 years, 19 days ago

      I just confirmed Lacazette -> Jesus. Debating whether to wild card , so always an option to go back

  29. mr messi
    9 years, 19 days ago

    Lukaku and Ramsey to Morata and Sterling?

    1. Lone Wolf FPL
      9 years, 19 days ago

      big fat yes