Scout Notes

Lacazette scores on first start as Aubameyang also opens his account

In our penultimate set of Scout Notes from the weekend’s matches, we reflect on the Sunday lunchtime kick-off at the Emirates and two outstanding fixtures from Saturday.

Alexandre Lacazette (£9.4m) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m) were both on target as the pair started together for the first time this season, but there was unexpected misery for owners of Henrikh Mkhitaryan (£7.2m) as the Armenian winger was dropped to the bench.

The prophesied avalanche of goals for Sergio Aguero (£11.3m) and Manchester City failed to materialise at the Etihad as Pep Guardiola’s side ground out a 2-1 win over a stubborn Newcastle United on Saturday evening.

Aguero – owned by almost 50% of Fantasy Premier League managers at the Gameweek 4 deadline – and Benjamin Mendy (£6.4m) had to make do with a solitary assist apiece, as Kyle Walker (£6.5m) and Raheem Sterling (£11.0m) each marked their first home appearance of the season with a goal.

Adama Traore (£5.5m) hit a last-gasp winner as Wolves recorded their first win of the season – but West Ham United remain pointless at the foot of the Premier League table.

Cardiff City 2-3 Arsenal

  • Goals: Victor Camarasa (£4.5m), Danny Ward (£4.5m) | Shkodran Mustafi (£5.4m), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m), Alexandre Lacazette (£9.4m)
  • Assists: Joe Bennett (£4.5m), Sean Morrison (£5.0m) | Granit Xhaka (£5.4m), Alexandre Lacazette, Lucas Torreira (£4.9m)

A day of firsts at the Cardiff City Stadium: a first Premier League goal of 2018/19 for the hosts, a first start for Alexandre Lacazette (£9.4m) and a first league goal of the campaign for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m).

Lacazette’s inclusion in the starting XI, along with that of the returning Mesut Ozil‘s (£8.3m), came at the expense of Henrikh Mkhitaryan (£7.2m), the most-owned FPL asset in the Arsenal squad and the only Gunners midfielder or forward who had played all 270 minutes of their league campaign before kick-off.

Mkhitaryan’s benching was a reminder that the Armenian midfielder is far from nailed in this Arsenal XI and the performance of Lacazette in tandem with the players around him suggests Mkhitaryan might find it tough to break back into the side.

Unai Emery’s praise of Ozil – who played on the right flank in Mkhitaryan’s stead – after the match will put further doubt into the minds of the 20+% of FPL managers who own the benched midfielder:

I think today in the second half Mesut played a good match because he worked every minute that he was on the pitch.

Maybe with the control and possession [we had] in the second half, and the positions on the pitch, he feels better on the pitch.

I want to give every player the same condition and every player is very important. With Ozil and his quality, I think we need… his quality for the team.

Lacazette was, as anticipated when the team news broke, used as the focal point of the attack, with Aubameyang moving to the left flank – Alex Iwobi (£5.5m) dropping out of the squad – and Aaron Ramsey (£7.4m) once again deployed in the hole.

Lacazette set up Aubameyang for Arsenal’s second goal, before scoring the 80th-minute winner himself. The French forward had earlier hit the post, and recorded more attempts on goal than any other player on show in South Wales. Lacazette also registered more penalty box touches in this one fixture than Aubameyang has all season.

Speaking of the much-discussed strike pair, Emery said:

They are playing in the position, they are playing minutes in each match and today they started. We are continuing working on the combination on the pitch between the players, and also keeping our mentality and our ideas.

Today I think the performance of the two players, with their goals, helped us. We can continue to work to find the best individual performance and quality from each player.

I spoke with [Lacazette] because I knew him at Lyon. I know he has a great capacity to score when he’s in the box and when the team give him good chances. He has very good scoring data and today he showed us.

In keeping with his lack of involvement in the goalmouth, Aubameyang’s superb strike came from distance after Lacazette’s lay-off. Though the Gabonese striker is now off and running in 2018/19, his lack of prominence in the box has to be an ongoing concern: 17 FPL forwards have had more shots in the penalty area than him this season, while 27 players in his position have recorded more touches in the opposition box.

As good as the Gunners were going forward, they remain suspect in defence. Only Burnley and Huddersfield Town have allowed more shots on goal than Emery’s side this season and that their backline was breached twice by a team without a Premier League goal to their name in 2018/19 before kick-off says much about their fragility in defence.

Uncertainty over Petr Cech‘s (£5.0m) ability with the ball at this feet continues to grow and feeds a lack of confidence in FPL investment in Arsenal’s defence.

Cardiff clearly targeted Cech whenever the ball was played back to him and Harry Arter (£5.0m) spurned a glorious opportunity when one of Cech’s errant passes out went straight to the City midfielder.

Emery was bullish after the match, however, when asked about the continued reliance on Cech’s short passing game and suggested he would proceed with this approach going forward:

He’s progressing. He has experience and he is intelligent and he is doing what we want to do to win with our jobs and work on the pitch.

It’s very important for me to continue doing this and improving. If you play every time long balls, you lose possession and momentum.

We take risks in moments of the match, but when you break their pressing on the pitch you can find space for attacking the opposition. It is for that it’s clear you can maybe do one mistake like today and one action, but we need to continue with this personality.

The Gunners were twice undone by crosses into the box, one of which came from a well-worked Cardiff free-kick, and the north London side are now one of just five top-flight clubs without a clean sheet to their name this season.

The Bluebirds and Neil Warnock will be buoyed by their performance against their visitors, having ended their barren run in front of goal.

Warnock ditched the usual 4-3-3 formation in favour of a 4-4-2, with “out of position” FPL midfielder Danny Ward (£4.5m) lining up alongside Bobby Reid (£5.4m) up front and Victor Camarasa (£4.5m) shifted out to the right of midfield.

The tactical moves paid dividends in attack, with Camarasa firing in City’s first league goal of the season before Ward nodded home following that choreographed set piece mentioned above.

Warnock’s comments after the match hinted that the adventurous approach and formation is something he is keen to continue going forward – which may open the game up at Stamford Bridge in Gameweek 5 and benefit the likes of Eden Hazard (£10.6m), Marcos Alonso (£6.7m) et al:

I don’t think we’re good enough to park the bus ‘cos I think we’d have lost 1, 2, 3-0 anyhow, so we decided last weekend that we’d have a go.

I’d rather, at my age, enjoy watching my team. Football’s too negative at times.

We’ve tried it in the Championship, one up front and it worked for us but at this level they’re too good a player and we’d never see the ball or create anything. So it was important that we tried the system out this week and I thought Victor [Camarasa] was super in his role.

I just want us to compete and try and score goals.

I was really pleased for Danny Ward. I thought him and Bobby complimented each other, really.

Ward’s goal and Warnock’s words after the match suggests that the “OOP” City player may enjoy more of a sustained run in the first team now and furthers his candidacy as a budget fifth-choice midfield pick should money be required to upgrade other positions.

Cardiff City XI (4-4-2): Etheridge; Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett; Camarasa (Madine 89′), Ralls, Arter, Hoilett; Reid, Ward (Zohore 84′)

Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Cech; Bellerin, Mustafi, Sokratis, Monreal; Guendouzi (Torreira 70′), Xhaka; Ozil (Welbeck 84′), Ramsey, Aubameyang (Mkhitaryan 89′); Lacazette

Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle United

  • Goals: Raheem Sterling (£11.0m), Kyle Walker (£6.5m) | DeAndre Yedlin (£4.5m)
  • Assists: Benjamin Mendy (£6.4m), Sergio Aguero (£11.3m) | Salomon Rondon (£5.9m)

After the six-goal demolition of Huddersfield Town in Gameweek 2, the expected deluge of points for Manchester City’s most-popular FPL assets haven’t quite materialised over the past fortnight.

After a 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers last Saturday – with the little-owned Ilkay Gundogan (£5.5m) and Aymeric Laporte (£5.5m) combining for the latter’s headed equaliser – Pep Guardiola’s side were made to toil by a stubborn Newcastle United side who executed a similar gameplan to the one they implemented against Chelsea in Gameweek 3.

Sergio Aguero (£11.3m) and Benjamin Mendy (£6.4m) at least emerged with assists to their name, though there was once again no clean sheet for the league champions and Aguero’s impressive goal-scoring record against the Magpies counted for little as he even failed to force Martin Dubravka (£5.0m) into a single save.

This was Mendy’s fifth goal involvement of the season and his rate of assists continues to astound: the French left-back is now – after only four matches – just two short of Ben Davies, Kieran Trippier and Aaron Cresswell’s joint-defensive-high of seven assists in 2017/18.

Mendy was once again prominent in attack, having more touches in the final third yesterday than Aguero.

The Argentinean striker, meanwhile, had four attempts on goal but not one of them was on target. Aguero could have easily had another assist, however, after providing an inch-perfect through-ball to Fernandinho (£5.4m) – City’s midfield general being denied by Dubravka from close range.

Gabriel Jesus (£10.4m) joined Aguero up front, as Guardiola rolled out a 4-1-3-2 for the Magpies’ visit. David Silva (£8.5m) and Raheem Sterling (£11.0m) were joined by Riyad Mahrez (£8.8m) in the midfield trio ahead of Fernandinho, with Bernardo Silva (£7.6m) and Gundogan dropping to the bench.

Fernandinho is now the only City midfielder who has started all four of City’s league matches this season, underscoring the irksome rotation risk associated with the Sky Blues’ more attack-minded midfield assets.

With the midfield such a Fantasy minefield, some FPL managers have taken to doubling up in the league champions’ defence. Ederson (£5.6m) is perhaps the only rotation-proof asset in this City squad and is by some distance the third-most-popular FPL player in Guardiola’s side behind Aguero and Mendy, sitting in 22.9% of our squads.

For the second match running, however, Ederson was beaten by one of the two shots on targets that he faced, depriving his owners and those who had a playing City defender of another clean sheet.

It is somewhat ironic that the Sky Blues’ only shut-out this season came on the opening weekend at Arsenal, with that match seen as the difficult prelude to an appealing run of six fixtures that City are now halfway through.

Ederson has conceded more goals than he has saved shots in the last three Gameweeks and while he can’t be held personally accountable for any of those strikes, the leaky nature of the defence in front of him is cause for concern.

Fulham are next up for the 2017/18 title winners, a side that has racked up more attempts on goal (60) than any of the four sides they have already faced this season.

While City’s defenders can compensate for said loss of clean sheet with attacking returns – Kyle Walker (£6.5m) and Mendy were involved in the two City goals on Saturday evening – Ederson’s appeal is heavily reliant on his clean sheet potential, with save points few and far between. Having said that, of course, the Brazilian goalkeeper did register an assist for Aguero’s opener in the 6-1 win over Huddersfield in Gameweek 2.

Leroy Sane (£9.3m) failed to make the substitutes’ bench yesterday evening, but Guardiola reiterated that his continued omission from the City team is a tactical, rather than personal, decision:

Last game Phil Foden was not in the squad and I was so sad for Phil, like I’m so sad for Leroy now.

But we have a squad. We have six strikers and I decided to play with two strikers. We have two wingers plus another one on the bench, and that’s why we decided this game he would not be there. Try to work hard again and in the next games he will be ready to play.

Guardiola added diplomatically – or perhaps ominously – to BT Sport:

Another day it will maybe be Rash [Sterling] out or Riyad [Mahrez] or Bernardo [Silva] or Sergio [Aguero] or Gabriel [Jesus].

David Silva started his third successive league match and was the stand-out City asset from a statistical point of view: the Spaniard had more penalty box touches, attempts on goal and shots in the box than any player on show at the Etihad. No-one on either side created more chances than Silva, either.

Mahrez was somewhat wasteful on the right flank, meanwhile, and has failed to register more than two FPL points in his four appearances this season. Sterling’s deployment on the left led to another goal though, his strike against the Magpies (cutting in onto his right) mirroring his effort in the 2-0 victory over Arsenal.

Newcastle were much as they were last week: dogged and lacking in much ambition going forward. This was the third straight match against one of the “big six” in which they have succumbed to a 2-1 defeat, but their smothering performances in the last two league fixtures are noteworthy for those considering an attacking Arsenal asset in Gameweek 5.

That the Magpies have only lost these daunting fixtures by the odd goal this season suggests they will continue with this approach, and indeed Benitez was relatively upbeat in his post-match presser:

They won because they are a good team, but we were in the game. We were close to maybe getting something and that is the positive thing for the future – to see a team that is trying to do what they have to do to maximise what we have.

We have to do what we did, and we did well but still we need something more if we want to get points against this team, especially away. The team effort was there, the mentality was there – you could see the players fighting for each other.

I’m really pleased with that but really disappointed because we have to manage better to get results here.

Salomon Rondon (£5.9m) registered the assist for DeAndre Yedlin‘s (£4.5m) first ever Premier League goal and his bustling hold-up play was a positive for the Magpies in defeat. Only Harry Kane had more shots than Rondon among FPL forwards in the second half of last season and the Venezuelan striker, while never prolific, is perhaps a budget forward to monitor from Gameweek 9 when United’s fixtures take a turn for the better and the 5-4-1 has been shelved.

Dubravka was Newcastle’s stand-out player, making six stops – three of them in quick succession – and only narrowly missing out on a bonus point. His £5.0m price tag is something of a shame, as he is one of the more dependable goalkeepers outside of the top six and would be another name to consider for that excellent run of fixtures after the October international break.

Manchester City XI (4-1-3-2): Ederson; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Mendy; Fernandinho; Mahrez (Gundogan 76′), D Silva (Kompany 89), Sterling; Aguero, Jesus (B Silva 58′)

Newcastle United XI (5-4-1): Dubravka; Yedlin, Lascelles, Fernandez, Clark (Murphy 81′), Dummett; Kenedy (Atsu 54′), Diame, Ki, Perez; Rondon (Joselu 73′)

West Ham United 0-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

  • Goal: Adama Traore (£5.5m)
  • Assist: Leo Bonatini (£4.9m)

For the first 91 minutes of the game at the London Stadium on Saturday, the goalkeepers were on top.

Lukasz Fabianski (£4.5m), who trailed only Jack Butland last season in terms of Premier League saves, continued where he left off in 2017/18, registering another five stops – one of which was a “big chance” for Wolves’ Leo Bonatini (£4.9m). No top-flight goalkeeper has racked up more saves than the Polish international this season.

Rui Patricio (£4.5m) was equally impressive, denying Felipe Anderson and Michail Antonio (both £6.9m) before capping his performance off with a sprawling, head-first stop from Marko Arnautovic (£7.0m).

Wolves’ defence in general was solid and, though this was their first clean sheet of the season, their underlying statistics hint at further shut-outs to come: only two Premier League clubs have conceded fewer big chances than Wolves this season, while just three teams have allowed fewer shots inside the box.

Jonny (£4.5m), Conor Coady (£4.5m) and Willy Boly (£4.5m) – along with goalscorer Adama Traore (£5.5m) – walked off with the bonus points, but Matt Doherty (£4.4m) was eye-catching from an FPL perspective: the Wolves’ right wing-back had two attempts on target and created as many chances for his team-mates, one of which was a sitter that Raul Jimenez (£5.5m) fluffed when unmarked eight yards.

Joao Moutinho (£5.4m) excelled in midfield and from a Fantasy perspective, given his set-piece deliveries and passing ability, could prove to be as productive as the more widely owned Ruben Neves (£5.2m) this season. No Premier League player has taken more corners than Moutinho in 2018/19, with the more experienced of Wolves’ midfield pair also creating more chances than any player on show in east London on Saturday.

It was from the Wolves’ central midfield’s high press that Traore’s stoppage-time winner came about, as Neves dispossessed a dawdling Carlos Sanchez (£4.5m) to set the decisive attack on the way.

Speaking after the match, Nuno Espirito Santo highlighted that effective pressing and his side’s threat posed from wide positions:

The moment of recovering the ball with two minutes to go was huge. After 90 minutes one of our midfielders went high to press and won the dual.

We know about West Ham on the counter-attack, with the speed of the players, but we were fortunate to get on the counter attack with the high pressing of Ruben and deserved it.

If you look at the game, both teams could have won it, but I felt we were more in control of the game. When we have the ball we know to keep it and create chances in wide areas.

Wolves were unchanged for the fourth league match in a row, but the performance and goal of Traore upon his introduction may now place more pressure on Diogo Jota (£6.3m) and Helder Costa (£4.9m) on the flanks.

There was little positive to report from a West Ham perspective, who are now pointless at the foot of the table.

Arnautovic winning his fitness race was an initial boon for his circa 18% owners, though the Austrian was an isolated figure up front again and the save he drew from Patricio was his only real clear chance in the match.

Fabian Balbuena (£4.5m) was a stand-out name from an FPL point of view and had the Hammers held on for a first clean sheet of the season the Paraguayan centre-back might well have claimed maximum bonus points, given that he bossed the recoveries, tackles, and Clearances, Blocks and Interception (CBIs) statistics – all key factors on the Bonus Points System. Balbuena also had a clear headed chance from a West Ham corner in the second half.

West Ham have neither the form nor the fixtures (three of their next five league matches are against last season’s top six), however, and any investment in their assets is surely ill-advised at the moment.

West Ham XI (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Fredericks, Balbuena, Diop, Cresswell; Sanchez, Wilshere (Obiang 64′); Snodgrass (Yarmalenko 46′), Anderson, Antonio (Hernandez ’75); Arnautovic

Wolves XI (3-4-3): Patricio; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Moutinho, Neves, Jonny; Costa (Bonatini 72′), Jota (Traore 62′); Jiminez (Vinagre 87′)

Our Scout Notes return tomorrow morning with the FPL fallout from the two 16:00 BST fixtures at Turf Moor and Vicarage Road.

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3,600 Comments Post a Comment
  1. bennyp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Best Bilva replacement within 0.5 or lower??

    1. FootballFanatic365
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      pedro

      1. bennyp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Would leave me with Haz + Alosno + Pedro

    2. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Moura if you think keeps the start, prob will?
      Maddison bit of a punt with some nice fixtures?

    3. stamboy
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Seems to be Moura, Pedro, Mikhi but all have doubts over being nailed. D.Silva is an option if you can squeeze a bit extra cash. Maybe wait for Richarlison to return?

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        the thing is, even if they're not nailed, they are excellent options right now and can grab something from either hooked early or substituted on late 🙂

    4. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Moura (short term) Mhki (if you want to give him another chance) Fraser (if you don’t have him)

    5. skeyrd
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Had the same situation and went with Madison because of fixture, set pieces, naildness and low ownership

      1. noquarternt
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah leaning Maddison myself. Such a great player to watch as well, hopefully a big career.

    6. Mcgugan
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Could give him 1 more week then go Richarlison

  2. Joggers Nipple
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Just feeling a little stuck on where I should be looking next with this team

    Ederson
    Robertson Mendy A.Smith
    Salah Mane Neves Pedro
    Aguero Auba Ings

    Hamer WanB Schderlin Peltier 1FT 0 ITB

    Get off 3 LIV? Should have done Peltier to other 4.0, too late. A.Smith worth a FT? Schdelin to a Cardiff 4.5? Neves to Kante was a plan a few week back.
    Any general advice really welcome

    1. bennyp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Great team honestly. Only man missing is Alonso.

      1. Joggers Nipple
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks, Alonso is missing but guessing only way to get is to downgrade Mane. If all goes well over next 2 weeks will more likely hold

    2. stamboy
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Does A.Smith play?

      1. Joggers Nipple
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah, hes playing

    3. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Probably a save over those small moves.
      Moving a Pooler goes either way.

      1. Joggers Nipple
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks, thinking the same on a save.

    4. joset46
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      JOGGERS BIPLE

      You have no Alonso or Hazards ahead
      but you 3 Liverpool players, so if Liverpool lose a game you lose big time on points missed elsewhere
      Salah - Mane combo when you have Robertson is a bit risky

      1. Joggers Nipple
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I do actually agree but 'annoyingly' Mane keeps scoring so feels wrong getting rid, as does a move of Robertson to TAA to free cash. Thanks for thoughts

        1. joset46
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Robertson likes to go forward so there potential for assists and goal threat
          but 4 of the next 5 Liverpool fixtures are tough.
          Has Salah got a bit of a hangover from last season, CL Final injury and a poor WC
          and Salah blanked Ramos in the UEFA awards ceremony.
          I am considering dropping Salah for Mane.

          1. In Like Flynn.
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            I've just done the Salah-Mane to upgrade two others.
            I hope the total points will be higher.

    5. Mcgugan
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      An option I’ve done with a similar team is
      Salah > Hazard, Smith > Alonso.
      Sounds risky but if you still have a wildcard, you can get Salah back in GW8/9 easily.

      I’d definitely back Hazard and Alonso over Salah and Smith for the next 4 fixtures

  3. FootballFanatic365
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    60 pts after WC

    hows everybody doing?

    1. stamboy
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      63

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Poorly.

    3. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      61.
      Very happy with that following a GW rank last week of 4.5 M!

    4. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      60 all out. 59k tank atm.

      Would have taken that in pre season, happy

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Rank* not tank lol

    5. Manumana
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      66 and 22 on the bench

  4. PapaLloyd
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Pickford - Fab
    Mendy - Robbo - Daniels - Tomkins - Zanka
    Salah - Bilva - Walcott - Neves - Cairney
    Aguero - Auba - Ings
    ______________________________
    1 FT, 0.3 in the bank

    Would like to keep Auba but need to sell really in order to free up funds as have no Chelsea cover and would like to bring in Hazard or Alonso so looking to get advice please.

    Current thoughts (Zaha could be swapped for another depending on injury):
    A) Auba + Bilva > Hazard + Zaha (-4)
    B) Auba + Bilva + Zanka > Zaha + Dilva + Alonso (-8)
    C) Do nothing and wait another GW (although would probably have to take same hits as would like to bring back Rich for Wally)
    D) WC

    Many thanks

    1. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      You could actually WC that
      Too much cash in GKs
      Tomkins should be Wan B
      Cariney to a 4.5
      B Silva and Walcott out
      I would actually keep Auba

    2. Mcgugan
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah I’d think about a wildcard - taking -8s is a lot if you still aren’t going to be 100% set on your team

  5. pressdpm
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Is it worth wildcarding? I’ve had a great start to the season, but there’s a few weak players drifting in and I’m missing some essentials like Alonso.

    Hennessy
    Robertson - Mendy - Wan Bissaka
    Salah - Mane - Walcott - Mhikitaryan
    Zaha - Aguero - Arnautovic

    Stekelenburg - Peltier - Cairney - Kabasele

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Don’t think it’s wildcard worthy imo

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      But then again, Walcott Mhki Cairney Peltier...like you say you want Alonso too.

      That’s a few weeks worth of transfers or could be done with hits

  6. FootballFanatic365
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    who to bench

    Hennesey - Fab
    Mendy - Robrtsn - Alonso - AWB - Bennet(Wolves)
    Salah - Mkhi - Walcott - Pedro - Moura
    Aguero - Mitro - Wilson

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      You'll know near deadline.

    2. FootballFanatic365
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      also Save ft?

    3. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Too early to ask

    4. FootballFanatic365
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      cheers

    5. stamboy
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Great team

  7. thetti_23
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    I've been falling in the rankings over GW 3,4. I'm thinking of using my WC to switch up my team to give me more choices for captains and strengthen my DEF and MID;

    GK: Lossl, Etheridge
    DEF: Mendy, Shaw, Wan-Bissaka, Alonso, Monreal
    MID: Hazard, Pogba, Mane, Milner, Neves
    FWD: Aguero, WIlson, Mitrovic

    Changes to the original line-up are,
    Auba>Mitrovic
    Jorghino> Hazard
    Wishere> Milner
    Mkhi>Neves
    Cook>Monreal
    Van Dijk>Alonso
    Tarkowski>Shaw

    Is this reasonable or too rash?

    1. FootballFanatic365
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      no need of WC. Looks good

      1. stamboy
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Go for it

  8. nelluckram
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    A) Salah + Pedro
    B) Hazard + D Silva (+ 0.5)

    1. FootballFanatic365
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      a

      1. Thinkering like a Boss
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        A

    2. joset46
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      a] too many have this pairing
      b] could prove fruitful going forward as a differential

  9. jamesterz23
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    What do people think of this wild card team?

    Patricio

    Mendy Robertson Alonso

    Hazard Salah Maddison Walcott

    Aguero Deeney Jiminez

    Bench
    Begovic, Doherty, Wan Bissaka Ward

    1. FootballFanatic365
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      decent. 6/10

      1. jamesterz23
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        What could be improved do you think?

        1. FootballFanatic365
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          go 3-5-2

          with better mids

          keep jimenez as a roration option with a mid

    2. Pinturicchio10
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Poor imo.

        Bournemouth / Wolves GK rotation isn't a thing, fixtures don't work out and there's no H/A fixture swap either. Weak pairing.

        Defence is template, no issues. Considering fixtures ahead you could ditch Robertson for a few weeks at least and reinvest elsewhere but no big deal there.

        Cant really settle on Walcott as he may be injured, rest looks fine.

        Forwards is where things fall down badly. Jiminez and Deeney should be nowhere near a wildcard squad. They are cheap punts, not solid wildcard material.

        1. jamesterz23
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Thanks so much for your advice, il keep tinkering

      • joset46
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Walcott >>> Lucas Moura for me
        keep an eye on Pereyra WAT

        1. jamesterz23
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Just giving Walcott one last game before I get richarlison back in

    3. FootballFanatic365
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      watford are so aggressive.... they must be on some stuff

    4. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Wow of the 5 premier league hattricks scored in 2018 , Aguero has 3 of them.

      1. Thinkering like a Boss
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Kane & Aguero the only one capable doing hattrick. Maybe Salah after that

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Ramsey and Salah scored the other 2 in 2018.

          1. Thinkering like a Boss
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Not sure about this season

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

          Anyone can. Monreal nearly had one last year.

    5. Numb
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Think I’ll miss out on #1 after Laca fired today but getting closer

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        #2 now

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Alright thanks. Not bad. You’re climbing as well I see!

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 15 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            #6 probably. Will have a look at top 10 later.

            1. Numb
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              Nice.

              1. stamboy
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 9 months ago

                WOW great work guys top 10 overall

    6. Welp
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Hi any thoughts on whether I should wildcard this?

      Foster - Fab
      Mendy - Robbo - Tomkins - Wan B - Peltier
      Salah - Mane - Pogba - Walcott - Cairney
      Aguero - King - Zaha

      1 FT . 0 in the bank

      1. Thinkering like a Boss
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Need more chelsea

      2. Werkself
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I would WC that team.

      3. noquarternt
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Pogba Walcott Zaha Tomkins. Not enough for a WC in my eyes. But touch and go.

    7. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I think I make big mistake doing Bednarek, Mahrez > Alonso, Schurrle.

      I think I should do Robertson/Shaw, Mahrez > Mkhi, Alonso

      1. FootballFanatic365
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        robrtsn is a season keeper

        1. Thinkering like a Boss
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          So far yeah. But I should get Mkhi right? No Arsenal player is killing me. Im sure he will play next game

          1. FootballFanatic365
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            keep a close eye on Auba Laca mkhi especially home fixtures

            1. Thinkering like a Boss
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              Not sure I can afford them atm. Alonso so expensive that kill my attacking.

    8. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Last Man Standing Overall Ranks

      Top 100 = 3
      Top 500 = 16
      Top 1K = 29
      Top 5K = 173
      Top 10K = 306
      Top 50K = 1017
      Top 100K = 1528
      Top 500K = 2851
      Top 1M = 3174
      2M+ = 9

      1. noquarternt
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Hard to believe you can be 2 mill plus and still in after 4 GWs.

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Consistent mediocrity ftw

        2. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          This guy https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/entry/64545/history got safety score in 1 and 4, 1 over in 2 but 22 over in 3.

      2. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Skin o' my teeth this week, gets me a week past my exit last season so counting that as a win after such a poor GW.

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Well done. 🙂

          1. waldo666
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Hahaha, Cheers 🙂

      3. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers TM! Glad to still be in it

      4. Varsenal
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        @TM,

        Is the safety score always the Gameweek's "Average Score"? or does it vary?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          GW4's average score is 44.
          https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2018/07/20/the-last-man-standing-competition-4/ has all the details.
          Up to 6% next GW.

          1. Varsenal
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Thanks!
            I knew there was a post somewhere that I didn't read close enough. Appreciate it.

    9. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Do you remember the 21st night of September?

      1. Werkself
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I believe the day started out cloudy.

      2. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Autumn solstice.
        Quarter day when commercial rents fall due.

        That's all I have off the top of my head.

    10. FootballFanatic365
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Burnley Def is dead this season. They were so open and could have conceded 5. terrible

      1. Thinkering like a Boss
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Tired legs after UEL qualification. Trust me next week they come good

        1. FootballFanatic365
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          how many times they got caught on the break. ridicululous so open. so unlike them. we want burnley in their own halh for 80 mins defending.

    11. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Patricio, Hamer
      Mendy, Shaw, Alonso, Robertson, AWB
      Schurrle, Mane, Salah, Pedro, Moura
      Aguero, Wilson, Kamara

      Any suggestion what formation should I use?

      1. Thinkering like a Boss
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Would you wildcard this team?

        1. Joggers Nipple
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          no

        2. stamboy
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          No

      2. Werkself
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Wouldn't WC. The team says 3-5-2 or 4-4-2 depending on fixtures

    12. RubeRx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      How is everyone dealing with Mkhi's cameo?

      Keeping or twisting?

      1. Thinkering like a Boss
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I definately keep if I have him

      2. Numb
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Not sure that one game is enough to know if he’s out of the first XI or just rotation / dependent on opponent?

      3. FootballFanatic365
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        home banker. keep him

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          But they’re away again next game!

      4. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Keeping for now but if I do happen to hit that WC button, things may change.

      5. Werkself
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Quite pleased, actually.

      6. Arctic monkeys
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Doesn't look good, i'm selling but on WC

      7. noquarternt
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Probably keep for now. Maddison and Richarlison for Mhki and Bilva maybe soonish...

    13. K.F.C
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Hey Lads any thoughts on this bunch worth WC?

      Ederson, Hamer
      Alonso, Robbo, AWB, Bennett, Mee
      Salah, Mkhi, Wally, Neves, Kante
      Kun, Firm, Zaha,

      1 FT 0.9 ITB
      possible WC to this lot?

      Henny, Hamer
      Alonso, Mendy, Robbo, Holebas, Bennett
      Salah, Hazard, Billing,
      Kun, Mitro,Joselu

      Either (Pogba/Neves) or (Moura DSilva/Pereyra)
      Appreciate the help cheers!

    14. steven8991
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      What is the best 4.5-4.6 as main GoalKeeper??

      1. learnedlizard
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Patricio and Ryan swichero

    15. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Do you think that Sterling could be a better pick than Kun?

      1. Arctic monkeys
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        If he was 1.5-2 million cheaper

      2. Werkself
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Could be and might not be. Kun for me.

      3. Joggers Nipple
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        no

      4. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Nope.

      5. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Kun hasn't done much other than vs huddersfield, though he has had chances to be fair. Sterling has looked good when he plays and don't forget he had 18g and 17a last year

        1. Arctic monkeys
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          So Kun scored a hattrick and Sterling looked good

          1. learnedlizard
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Lool

          2. Bad Kompany
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Guess that didn't make much sense.

            Was trying to say that other than the game where city destroyed huddersfield (hard to compare them in this game because sterling didn't play).

            1. Arctic monkeys
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              Aguero's start to this season is very good, scored a hattrick and IIRC hit the post/bar in 3 occasions. Sterling is a good option but way expensive.

              1. Bad Kompany
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 9 months ago

                Fair enough. I actually agree that Kun seems to be a better option right now. Just think Sterling should be mentioned a little bit more. Think that he could be a good option as a Salah replacement

        2. waldo666
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Yes but don't forget he also only cost 8m last season

          1. Bad Kompany
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            So if he cost more last year he would have been a better option this year

            1. waldo666
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              Just saying he offered allot better value last season compared to this.

      6. Pinturicchio10
          5 years, 9 months ago

          If we could be sure that Sterling plays every week, then yes, absolutely.

          1. Bad Kompany
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Aren't Kun and Sterling likely to play about the same number of games

      7. lilmessipran
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Mkhi owners keeping or selling? No glaring issues in the team.. mkhi to maddison worth it as my FT? Already own Fraser, any better mids to get for less than 7.1?

        1. Arctic monkeys
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Pedro and Schurle are the best picks in that price range, along with Maddison

          1. Arctic monkeys
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            And yeah i'd sell

        2. joset46
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Pedro
          Richarlison after the Arsenal game.

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

        1 FT
        Henessey Hamer
        Mendy Alonso Robertson WB Peltier
        Salah Mane Walcott Miki Fraser
        Ings Aguero Mitrovic

        Is it worth Salah or Mane to Hazard?

        Or should I keep them and use my FT for Walcott to Pedro?

        Advice guys

        1. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          I think so . Pedro should start now and hope for the best with Mkhi.

      9. learnedlizard
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Should I hold on to mkhi?

        1. Netley Lucas
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Looks to be worth a sell right now, Pedro or Maddison imho

        2. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Scroll up

        3. UpAndAway
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          I got Mkhi in for Jota 2 GW ago. This puts a black cross besides his name now as a rotation risk.

          I'm looking at Maddison now before I get Richarlison back.

          Problem is I also have Zaha. Don't like owning both and reluctant to take a hit.

      10. Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        With o my .4 ITB no straight move I want to make for free
        Will either
        A. hold FT or
        B. take a hit.
        Best option here I have a few ideas myself just checking for a consensus. Thanks

        Ederson Hamer

        Alsonso Mendy TAA SCook WanB

        Salah Pedro Mkhi Fraser Stephens

        Kun Auba Ings

      11. Tabbara
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Thoughts anyone
        Fraser and Zaha(waiting to see if he is fit) for King and Jota (-4)?

        1. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          If Zaha is going to be fit I would not make those moves.

      12. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Done Vvd to Taa and Luiz to Alonso for a hit. Now my team looks like this:

        Kepa, Stekelenburg
        TAA, Alonso, Mendy, Trippier, WB
        Salah, Hazard, Fraser, Neves, Masuaku
        Mitrovic, Aguero, King

        Thougts?

        1. Arctic monkeys
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          VVD

          1. Arctic monkeys
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            VVD's header and Luiz fk confirmed 😀

            1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              Hahag wouldn't be surprised

        2. Albrightondknight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Decent 433. TAA I am probably going to ship pretty soon. Whether I avoid Pool defence or go Robertson I have not decided.

          1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Im gonna stick with at least one of Pool's defenders throughout the season. Imo they are going to have a lot of clean sheets.

            1. Albrightondknight
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              Fair enough I can see TAA rotation pretty soon especially when CL kicks in.

        3. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Should have gone for someone else over Trent but whats done is done

          Sit back and relax

      13. mranonymous
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Outside of CL rotation, Milner nailed?

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Looks like he is nailed but cant be sure

        2. Arctic monkeys
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Keita looked nailed and he was rotated last GW

      14. gunner1994
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Best midfielder under 6.5mil?