Opinion

The Knee Jerk – Gameweek 9

Just for a moment there, we thought we had Pep worked out.

After meticulously studying his selections, we were beginning to gain confidence that his days of meddling with our Gameweek tallies were over. We were almost complacent.

The tide of goals and points produced by his Manchester City side were more than a little seductive. But they were a siren song, tempting us to sail towards the rocky outlines of Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus, only to be shipwrecked by Guardiola’s teamsheet.

We always knew that Sergio Aguero was pivotal to his selection today. Many expected the start for the Argentine, but the smart money was on both Sterling and, to a lesser extent, Jesus be alongside him.

Between them, that pair had picked up 673,000 new owners who, this evening, have just a single point to show for their investment.

More significantly, some 586,000 or 11.3%, had the armband with Jesus. That included 36 of the top 100 managers heading into Gameweek 9 – the top choice among that leading pack.

Meanwhile, others had him as their vice-captain with Sterling – who was a total no-show – as their primary skipper. A double-blow.

It appears that Guardiola was biding his time, welcoming us in and reassuring us, before hitting us with a sucker punch.

So now we have to regroup, assess the damage and attempt to decode this latest situation with new data.

There were perhaps two factors at play.

For one, City faced their toughest test so far in the Champions League against Napoli in midweek.

Secondly, maybe there was a desire to give Aguero the opportunity of a start at the Etihad with the club scoring record in his sights.

In the end, he scored the goal to equal Eric Brook’s record and, interestingly, Guardiola again acknowledged post-match the importance of achieving this milestone quickly.

“Sergio has not played for three weeks and it takes time to get that little bit of rhythm back. He needs to play minutes, he did it today and maybe on Tuesday again. It was important for him to equal the record as soon as possible. When he breaks it, it will be something special.”

That would hint that Aguero will get another run-out on home turf against Wolves in the EFL Cup – the chance to break the record in front of his own supporters, rather than at The Hawthorns in Gameweek 10. Perhaps.

We can only really speculate. But what is of more concern is that, with a second tie with Napoli to arrive after the West Brom clash, we have to presume that Guardiola will have this in mind.

City sit clear on top of their group; they can afford to drop points but, after 11 successive victories in all competitions, Guardiola will not want to scupper the current momentum.

With Aguero, Jesus and Sterling – along with Bernando Silva and Leroy Sane – once described as his “five strikers”, just how will Pep now approach matters?

Previously convinced that his “central strikers” – Aguero and Jesus – would be paired together, are we now to accept that Guardiola has broken from this pattern? And if so, can we really ride with that?

Tonight Aguero is already the most bought player ahead of Gameweek 10. Meanwhile, Jesus ranks second for sales.

However, there is every chance that Aguero will be saved for Napoli while Jesus starts against the Baggies in Gameweek 10.

While we can study his selection patterns further and make assumptions, we seem unlikely to crack Guardiola’s code.

If we are to invest in City’s attack, we have to accept the anxiety and disappointment witnessed today, else perhaps settle for David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne who, to this point, seem immune to the tinkerings.

It’s becoming a fascinating sub-plot to a season that continues to test and tease.

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

3,488 Comments Post a Comment
  1. thorvaldsson
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Lukaku is just unshakable I want to drop him for Aguero or Morata but he keeps buying himself time.

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Aguero or Jesus is a conundrum and Morata is off form or possibly not 100%. Just wait on Lukaku.

      1. thorvaldsson
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Sounds like solid logic

  2. BrutalLogiC
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    WC time overdue?

    Forster / Elliott
    Jones / Cedric / Davies / Mee / Long
    Sterling / Atsu / Erik / Ramsey / Carroll
    Kane / Vardy / Lukaku

    1. Scout Pics
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Your team is incredibly similar to mine. Not sure what you would change really. F*cked if I'm risking city attacking assets.

      1. Scout Pics
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        (We share 11 players)

  3. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Last Man Standing Update

    Current safety score = 18
    Top score = 61
    LMS average = 30.31

    2 games to go + autosubs

    1. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers TM

    2. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I so wish this was last week.. I would have survived

    3. Pranav Santhosh
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      currently on 21 going to be close this week

    4. Paul
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I am still in contention to survive!! 😮
      I thiught I was a sure goner

  4. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    In to top 10k. No it probably won't last, but delighted 🙂

    1. Touré De Force
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Well done

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      😀

    3. Sterling is £11Mill..…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      You peaked to soon, you know like in fast and furious your that guy who used his NOS to soon and the Japanese guy owns you

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Ha. Only other time I've got there was in gw 37 two years ago, so probably right!

      2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Or maybe he's Vin Diesel :O

      3. Scout Pics
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Too not to

    4. DeathoftheParty
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I've just broken the top 100k (somewhere around the 65k mark...) and I'm absolutely delighted for ya. Keep making the right choice.

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Congrats 🙂

    5. FC Lackless [BALEGIUM]
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      great stuff...well done

  5. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Eyeing up Haz+Lukaku+Vardy > Coutinho+Aguero+Morata for a -4, What you think? 🙂

    1. Prison Mike
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Not for me, Morata may not even start ahead of Bats after today's performance

      1. ENZO SZN™
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Bats is super sub at best.

  6. McNulty
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Who'd have thought Sterling as captain not going to plan?

    Going forward I don't have a clue who to captain next week either...

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Probably Sterling. It's all guesswork isn't it.

    2. Scout Pics
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Hmm maybe someone who is nailed. Just a thought.

  7. OnionBag
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Quick straw poll - do you have a 4m defender in your squad?

    1. TheTwelfthMan
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Nope.

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

    3. Freddo
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      No

    4. X Trapnel
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      no

    5. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Not yet

    6. KingOllie
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Nop. My cheapest is 5.7m

      1. OnionBag
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Are you happy with the way that's working?

        1. KingOllie
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          59k OR

          Need to drop Alonso though hes a troll

        2. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Have you seen his OR...

    7. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Nope
      2 4.4s though

    8. Rash
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yep rotting away

    9. Scout Pics
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Started with one. 3.9 now. Why wouldn't you?

      1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Prefer depth on my bench just in case but tbh have never needed more than 1 sub

        1. Scout Pics
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Never got close to my third bench player having to play...

          1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            Also gives more rotation options 🙂 which I generally get right (benched Dunk this week though)

      2. OnionBag
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        For my first 4 defenders I tend to use 2 x 5.5-6m defenders from top sides, and 2 x 4.5m defenders with good fixtures coming up.

        But I can never remember from previous seasons if I found it useful to have another 4.5m defender or if the 5th defender was just a waste and may as well be a non-playing 4m guy.

    10. lugs
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      yes , i swapped Mbemba today for Edwards at Stoke , so thats one non playing defender for a currently injured one lol , he does have potential though and the risk is minimal at that fodder price range 🙂

    11. Pranav Santhosh
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      yes mbemba

  8. Messsiaah
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    what to do with this lot? have 1ft

    Elliot Fabianski
    Jones Otamendi Ward Duffy Mbemba
    Sterling Richarliason Hazard Choupo RLC
    Kane Jesus Vardy

    1. X Trapnel
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      not a bad side at all. Jones to van Dijk?

    2. Freddo
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Didn't realise Pep hinted that Aguero could start against Wolves, that changes everything.

  9. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Slowly but surely creepin' up the ranks

    1. Scout Pics
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yup, it's been slow but sure.

  10. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    ..any preliminary views on what to do here?...2ft and 0.9itb.

    Can take a 0.1 drop on Jones...

    Fab Elliot
    Luiz bavies jones ward wimmer
    Hazard silva richarlison rlc carroll
    Kane jesus vardy

    Thinking hazard to salah with one ft.....and consider jesus to kun after seeing pep line up on Tues...

    Any thought appreciated...thanks

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Sound like sensible moves to me

      Obviously the aguero-jesus thing could backfire but equally could not

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Based on the article above, if kun starts Tues and jesus doesn't I won't be making that move.....

        Can't imagine both start that game....

        1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Sounds sensible. Yeah would doubt that but who knows haha

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

    ßßßßßßßßßß

    Wow. Feel like a kid on Christmas morning.

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Look at all those pregnant Godzilla's.

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        lol

  12. KingOllie
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Watched richarlison the last 2 gameweeks. Hes the real deal. Missed 2 easy chances today but he could have easily got 20 points.

    Time to get him in vs a hapless stoke?

    1. SC not pearls before swine
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I may captain him TBH. Mad at myself for benching him...

      1. KingOllie
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Gonna do ritchie -> him this week i think.

        Hopefully hes a season keeperand will keep rising

      2. Rash
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Thinking of doing the same.. once again I have no standout option this week

    2. suddenorgan
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      looks like the best option at that price range by a long way

    3. skriniar
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      good point, watford looks good today

    4. the axolotl
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      i think i'm going to get him in for eriksen as a make weight to fund a big front 3 of lukaku kun kane,

  13. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Elliot
    Cedric Jones Alonso Bellerin
    Salah Shaqiri Eriksen Ritchie
    Lukaku Kane

    Fabianski Abraham Carroll Tuanzabe

    2 FT - which 2 players should I sell?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Lukaku + Jones at 1st glance.

      1. Scotty B
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        >>>>????

        1. KingOllie
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Aguero and Mee

        2. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Depends on tomorrow and midweek.

        3. Rash
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Aguero ward is what I'm looking at

  14. Messsiaah
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    done a big mistake yesterday from going Davies to Jones.
    should i get back to Davies for free?

    1. E25
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Nope

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Wait

  15. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Eriksen to Salah for GW10?

    Wont make any move till friday

  16. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Foster over Elliot was looking genius until 85 mins 🙁

    Was on 7 points plus 2 bonus 🙁

  17. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    How's team looking for next week? Jones injury a bit of a bummer, but Ben Mee can step in... No Kane or Kun starting to worry me now:

    DDG
    Trippier, Bavies, Mee
    Salah (c), Sterling, Richarlison, Groß
    Kaku, Jesus, Morshata
    (Elliott, Jones, Naughton, Chalobah)

  18. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Why do people keep saying Kane is fixture proof? He was last year of course but until he scores at home this year it’s impossible to say that surely.

    1. E25
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Who is saying that? I'd say everyone is saying the opposite right now... Hence why a lot of people capped jesus/sterling over him

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Just a few now... many do not I do agree. Can’t believe some people still are saying it

        1. E25
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Who knows why but this wembley theory seems to be holding up. Although he has also had some bad luck with the woodwork etc.

    2. KingOllie
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      He will win golden boot or be there abouts.
      Just gotta captain him at the right times

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Getting him when he’s essential and finding that moment will be the key to success by Gameweek 38

    3. TheTwelfthMan
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      3 in 9 against the top 6 sides last year - hardly fixture proof. 26 in 21 against bottom 14. Lukaku scored as many against top 6 sides.

  19. Red Dagger ✪
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    TM can we make option s = ß a hot topic? 😉

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Ňœ.

      1. Red Dagger ✪
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Haha! Perfect!

  20. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    46pts moves me from 1.1m to 706k.

    First time in the top 1m this year after a shocking start. Small mercies but I’ll take it. Onwards and upwards.

    1. KingOllie
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Well played. Keep ticking along

      1. Rains of Castamere
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers pal

  21. Tim Canterbury
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    I'm bringing Otem & Silva in to partner Sterling. At least then their absences won't impact my captain. Which would be Kane or Lukaku

  22. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Howwwwww about Ri(c)harlison at home to stoke???

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Nah, scores better away.

      1. SC not pearls before swine
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        That seems like it's probably because he's had to play Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool (Off the bench) at home. Only Brighton as an easyish fixture and they're not pushovers.

        1. KingOllie
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Vs brighton they were on 10men too!

          1. SC not pearls before swine
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            Oh yeah, I'd forgotten about that!

    2. Sterling is £11Mill..…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Kane for me, Rich V

    3. KingOllie
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Tempting.
      Hes very good. Hope he keeps improving

    4. Tim Canterbury
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Salah

    5. TheTwelfthMan
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Too punty. Got to be a LIV or a CHE player.

  23. Kristobal
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone knows why Mbemba isn't playing? Is he injured?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Dropped.

    2. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Rafa hates him.

      1. Kristobal
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Ok. Any idea why? He has been playing well, hasn't he?

  24. Red Dagger ✪
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    My draft team is beating my fantasy team by 9 points season to date. How is that even possible..?

    1. skriniar
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      lol

    2. Tim Canterbury
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      My fantasy teams beatin my draft team by 117 points and I'm top of a 16 man draft league. Yeah I think there's something wrong 😆

      1. Red Dagger ✪
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        I'm in a 5 person league in draft so I'm guessing my draft team is probably better than yours.

    3. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Beating my draft team by 100 points but my draft team is winning this GW so far haha

  25. arndff_
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    What to do with that bunch? Please, help! 🙂

    [2FT, 0.0ITB]

    DDG Elliot
    Otamendi Monreal Jones Naughton Long
    Eriksen Salah DSilva Atsu Tarroll
    Kane Lukaku Abraham

  26. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    I'm scared to log in and check my rank.... should i do it or wait until tomorrow ?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Flip a coin.

      1. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Heads... I check, Tails..I get reinstated into LMS

    2. skriniar
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      epic

  27. Sterling is £11Mill..…
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Has anyone got a worse graveyard/bench then me?
    Speroni (risen from the dead)
    Mbemba (chilling)
    Hanley (has transferred to Norwich)
    Carrick (crocked)

    1. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Lol that's epic.

    2. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Clearly you don't believe in bench points then...

      1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        only time I will have a half decent bench is for bench boost

  28. F4L
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Just stuck in that point of a season where there is literally no one to buy right now

    1. Tim Canterbury
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Just blindly go with the watchlist

    2. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Stanislas.

    3. KingOllie
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Are you rank 1?

      1. F4L
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        far from it

    4. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Glen Murrary obviously...

  29. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    What a nightmare is Pep's rotation. I'm really unhappy with Lukaku, so going definitely for Aguero. Only thing that could be worse than this is Bavies imminent rotation. 🙁

    1. Tim Canterbury
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Please don't compound your misery. In all likelihood Aguero comes on for 1 point again WBA

    2. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I get this, but least we forget he's the 3rd highest scoring playing in the game. Nailed and playing for one of the leading teams in the epl.

      What's not to like? Even on an off day which has been almost every game he's played he still manages to get points.

      I'm keeping.

  30. SC not pearls before swine
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Play Tammy or Atsu next weekend? :/

    1. Tim Canterbury
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Buy a defender

      1. SC not pearls before swine
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        If Jones's injury is bad enough I may do. I'd rather not take a hit to sell him if he's not out long though.