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. Red Card Rockets
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    I brought in Hazard this week, but still thinking I want to get rid already. I'm I crazy? He's always trolled me.

    1. 420king
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Ye, best to get rid before Cardiff(H).

      1. Red Card Rockets
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        fair enough

    2. Jayv807
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Hazard isn't playing for Conte anymore which hopefully means less risk of getting subbed early (Conte loved subbing him out around 70 mins) while playing in a more attack minded team. This could result in more consistent attacking returns.

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

      Are you crazy?

      1. Red Card Rockets
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        If you've owned Haz in the past, you wouldn't think I'm crazy. 🙂

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

          I do but that different story. He under Conte. Not under Sarri though

          1. Red Card Rockets
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            He did it for 1.5 years under Jose too. We've only seen him for two game weeks really. It is a new manager and he performs in the first year. I will hold for now

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

              I'm really jelous team with Hazard and Alonso. I could only afford Pedro and Alonso atm

            2. Rasping Drive
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              He’s just got you a double digit score, and he’s got Cardiff at home next. Are you insane?

    4. My Name Is Pepu
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I see where you're coming from. But having looked at the 'stats' and having watched him play, Hazard has surely passed the 'eye test' for me.

      Under Sarri, Chelsea are no longer playing for 1-0 wins, like we saw against Bournemouth - Chelsea weren't just sitting back after scoring the first goal. They went for the kill and scored another goal.

      I currently own Alonso, Hazard and Pedro and I'm pretty happy with my Chelsea triple up.

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

        Stats were good, really? The guy doesn't shoot and constantly tracks back even with Conte long gone. I reckon (apart from the pens advantage) Pedro and Alonso are good enough Chelsea coverage. Hazard, for however good he looks on the pitch, is an upgraded Zaha and will blank more often than you'd expect. Only my opinion tho

        1. Postman Ty
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          It doesn't matter much when he blanks because one goal is almost guaranteed 3 bonus for him which goes a long way to make up for it. Plus pens and plenty of assists.

        2. My Name Is Pepu
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Did you just compare Hazard with Zaha?

          I'm so done, don't even want to have a conversation on this.

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

            Yep, for sure Hazard is a lot better, but both prefer to dribble around players without much end product

    5. Paul
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      This week as in the match for Bournemouth or post it??

  2. 420king
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    This is me right now, on a -4:

    Foster, Hamer
    Alonso, Robertson, Mendy, AWB, Bennett
    Salah Mane Pedro Lucas Walcott*
    Aguero Zaha* Kamara

    Prepping myself for a WC, but if either Walcott or Zaha make it for next GW (with no other issues), I should be fine with that bench?

    1. Red Card Rockets
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      What was said about Walcott's injury? Zaha out for 4 weeks maybe.

      1. 420king
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah I saw those news. 4 weeks would suck but in that case I'd bring in Mitro after the City game.

      2. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        4 weeks? Damn.. Zaha to ings and Cairney to Richarlison next week on the cards

        1. 420king
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Yup, if you can afford to bench Ings (he's cup tied gw6)

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

      Yep, Palace and Wolves both have decent fixtures.

      1. 420king
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks!

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

          Just be aware Bennett has competition and isn't 100% nailed...

          1. 420king
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Yeah, but I think he's nailed for September at least.

    3. ManofKent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Chances are you'll be able to field 11

      1. 420king
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I want good points as well though, Hazard my only worry.

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

          Yeah Hazard my main concern too but I probably captain Alonso next week.

          1. 420king
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Kun for me.

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

              Kun and Alonso my main candidate. But Alonso attackinh threat + cs potential is hard to ignore

              1. 420king
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 9 months ago

                He's doing so well...too well actually, probably due a blank soon 😛
                Just kidding, a very valid option and my VC right now.

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

                  haha. But Salah also on radar too, He just love attacking team and Spurs is one of them. Hard decision though.

                  1. 420king
                    • 9 Years
                    5 years, 9 months ago

                    Yeah, Salah/Kun rotation has worked for me so far though, so I think I'll stick to it for few more rounds 🙂

    4. Red Card Rockets
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I'm a fan of avoiding price drops and rises. If Zaha drops and Mitro rises, you need to move early

      1. 420king
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Zaha can drop twice before it affects me, but I'll be wary of Mitro rising again, thanks.

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

      Hit for a player you won`t even play him?

  3. Chandler Bing
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone else unfortunate enough to own Hudson-Odoi? He's very close to falling again.

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

      his highness forced my hand into a WC last night, couldn't bear another drop

    2. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      He's a FPL legend for me, got me my AWB 12 pts off the bench and then fooked off out of my team

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

        🙂

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

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

    With some rotation issue, quite happy to have strong bench. Anything would you like to change?

    1. Red Card Rockets
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Not sure of fixtures, but looks good. Liv rotation or minutes maybe with fixtures

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

        GW5 full of nightmare. Moura vs 3 LIV, Schurrle (my first sub) vs City, Wilson vs LEI (they quite good actually).

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

    Which Option?

    1. Wally & Bilva >> Fraser or Pedro (-4)?
    2. Bilva > Pedro GW5, then Wally > Rich GW6 or vice versa?
    3. Any other options you recommend?

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

      Just hold for now. Bilva give energy when he came on. Walcott > Pedro maybe but wait on his news and price change

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

    Which Combo?

    A. Richarlison + Aubameyang
    B. Sterling + Mitrovic

    DDG Hamer
    Robertson Mendy Alonso AWB Bennett
    Hazard Mane Fraser Hojberg x
    Aguero Ings x

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

      A if both of them play. Otherwise, B.

  7. Please Help I Don't Kn…
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this team?
    Patricio
    Mendy-Robertson-PVA-Alonso
    Hazard(C) -Mane-Fraser
    Wilson-Auba-Firmino

    Bench: Fabianski, Cedric, Neves, Romeu

    On a - 4, 0.3 itb

    Bench order okay?

    1. Red Card Rockets
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      When do Bournemouth fixtures turn tough?

  8. Kane5
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Using my wildcard next round after a shocking performance this week. Thinking of this team. Any help much appreciated. Cheers

    Have 1.1 m ITB.

    Ederson (Hamer)
    Alonso Shaw Tarkowski Bennet (AWB)
    Salah Moura Maddison (Westwood, Billing)
    Kane Aguero Ings

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

      Needs more mendy

    2. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Burnley def is a no go zone, they are going down.

      No Mendy is suicidal

      Moura is a rotation risk when son gets back on the team

      Ings is an injury , oops I mean an ingury risk.

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

        Ings argument is weak. Everyone can get injured, but until they do, just judge them on their quality

    3. Srv210
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Get Mendy..Kane,Salah,kun is hampering your midfield

    4. nisag17
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Where are Mendy and Robertson. You have to let go of Kane in my opinion. Mendy and Robertson are the real deal. Its not that they have been lucky to get the points that they have already. Downgrade Kane to Wilson for example and get Mendy Robertson and even Mane if possible instead of Maddison.

    5. Kane5
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      thanks everyone for your advice. Yeah not getting Mendy is probably my biggest regret. I had Robertson but trading him out this week with Liverpool's tough run ahead

  9. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    WILDCARD TIME
    ederson
    Alonso shaw robbo Mendy
    hazard mane Pedro
    vardy aguero Wilson

    (boruc Fraser wan b hodberg)

    How does that look? Tear it apart, don't hold back.

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

      quite decent tbh, benching headaches could be an issue with Fraser

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

      Wouldn't go Pedro on a WC, Maddison maybe

      1. FER FUSCH AKE
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        isn't a Maddy vardy double up too much?

    3. Srv210
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Don't fancy Mitrovic ?

      1. FER FUSCH AKE
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        has city next

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

        I have Schurrle as sub. Hopefully he as good as Mitrovic

    4. Eze Really?
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Pedro rotation?
      Ederson will end up a waste Citeh placehilder.
      Not sure on Robbo for cleanies now.
      Good side though.
      Watching the Salah players jumping ship.

      1. FER FUSCH AKE
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Pedro will score even from the bench

        pep will tidy up the defense, expecting at least 3 cleanies in the next 4

        didn't get robbo for the cleanie.

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

          This

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

      Pedro>> L.Moura for 1 SPU player?

      1. FER FUSCH AKE
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        cover is not the way to play this game. Also, moura is a bit expensive can't fit him in.

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

    Please rate this WC? I will keep 1.1M in the bank.

    Rui Patricio - Henessey
    Mendy - Robertson - Alonso - Bissaka - Bennet
    Hazard - Mane - Lucas Moura - Pereyra - Richarlidson
    Kane - Mitrovic - Ings

    1. Srv210
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Similar to what I'm looking for...

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

      Really nice team tbh. I'm full of surprise with a team without Salah.

    3. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Considering uve basically bought and expensive bench player I'd say thats a waste of Salah funds. I'd do perreyra to 4.5/4.9 and upgrade mane to Salah instead of wasting it.. else get hazard in there too instead of having wasted funds on the bench.

      1. Srv210
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Hazard is there

        1. Valar(Keith)
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          My.mistake.. either way wouldn't waste 1.1 and an expensive bench fodder instead of salah

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

            This. I do agree. for me salah is essential imo

    4. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      good team. gtg

    5. German Pascal
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Gee, you'd be hoping City don't score too many

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

      Kane to Kun and use the funds.

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

        there is no Kane in the team

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

          There is.

  11. Srv210
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    So tempted to get hazard for their good run of fixtures...but can't do it without WC which I don't want to play now ,should I WC to get hazard in ?

    Patricio
    Alonso,Mendy,Robbo
    Salah,Moura,Walcott, Madison
    Kun,auba,Ings

    0 ITB ,
    Majorly I would do Salah,auba,robbo,Walcott to hazard,mane,Mitrovic,holebas

    Should I pull the trigger or just hold till GW8??

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

      i think by GW8 you really will notice how essential Salah is. So, its a no from me but most people will get rid of Salah.

      1. Srv210
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Yes that is why I'm holding ,coz seeing the games Salah is getting chances he just needs to finish them properly..when he does that I would like to have him in my squad

      2. Red Card Rockets
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Yes, I would hold Salah

        1. Red Card Rockets
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          If you get rid, it will be REALLY tough to get him back

  12. as33
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Hey: a)Walcott>Pereyra
    Tomkins>Holebas
    b)Bilva>Kante
    Tomkins>Alonso?

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

      B for me but only if Kante is bench fodder otherwise A.

  13. German Pascal
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on need to WC?

    Fab (Foster)
    Alonso, Mendy, Robbo, (AWB, Bennett (Wolves))
    Salah, Bilva, Mkhi, Walcott (Scheniderlin)
    Kun, Arnie, Zaha

    1.1 ITB

    1. Red Card Rockets
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      No Just get rid of Myki

      1. jack149331
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        and zaha

    2. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      and Arnie.

  14. pjanns
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Patricio
    Mendy - Alonso - TAA
    Salah - Mane - Walcott - Mkhi - B. Silva
    Aguero - Zaha

    (Hamer - AWB - Peltier - Kamara)

    This team is suddenly in shambles.

    Anyone knows, how long Walcott is out?

    Zaha --> Mitro

    Mkhi and B. Silva Should be able to start next GW, rgiht?

    1. 420king
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I have doubts about Mkhi starting (see Laca for example) but I wouldn't do anything for now. 2 weeks until the next GW, just observe the price changes for now.

    2. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Question marks over Walcott, Mkhi, Silva, Zaha, Peltier, Hamer & Kamara.

      Thats 7 players. Enough for a WC imo.

      1. 420king
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Peliter, Hamer and Kamara are obviously bench fodder. One of them has already dropped in price and another is possibly rising. He should wait for now.

        1. Ryan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Bench fodder is no good when you need your bench. He does if he is to wait on the question marks over his starting players.

          1. 420king
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Yeah, but he's got time to get some answers.

    3. athreya
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Zaha and walcott should be your priority depending on the news.

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

    Minimum transfers needed to justify wildcard?

    1. athreya
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      4

      1. 420king
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        -12

    2. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      At this stage, -8

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

      Depends on the transfers really, if you're transferring out injured players especially LTIs then the hits pay themselves back rather quickly for the most part.

      If however one of those hits was say Salah to Mane/Hazard then it becomes slightly more complicated.

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

        Changing keepers (x2)
        Mkhi to Maddison
        Westwood to Pedro
        Zaha to Ings
        King to Wilson

        Alternatively, could take one hit and make just two (Mkhi and Zaha (depending on severity) out).

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

          I think just take the hit and keep your WC intact in that case.

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

            Appreciate your thoughts.

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

              You're welcome.

  16. athreya
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    a) Fraser + Mitrovic
    b) Schurrle + Wilson + 0.2

    1. 420king
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      a

  17. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Very tempted to Wc this team.

    Patricio Hamer*
    Mendy TAA Tomkins* Alonso Kabasele*
    Salah Mane Dilva Walcott* Cairney*
    Kun King* Quaner*

    * Denotes players to be replaced. Can also rebalance the squad & get in the likes of Hazard etc.

    Yes or No?

    1. athreya
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Just transfer out Tomkins and walcott and chill out. After a week.

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

    worth keeping King? or Wilson is better?

    1. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I don't think the sidways switch is worth the transfer but I do believe Wilson is the better option.

    2. athreya
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Wilson for me. But why do you want to do a sideways move?

  19. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    salah will be last season's Kane. convinced myself that he could easily score a hatty hence ended up capping him for blanks while salah kept getting double digit hauls.

    1. Red Card Rockets
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      I think Mo will come good soon. He's carrying this mental think after last season. I expect Klopp to shake him out of it.

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

      And Mane will be last season's Salah?

      1. Red Card Rockets
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        What about this season's Harry Kane? Spurs look like they don't remember each other.

  20. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Worth a WC?

    Patricio.
    Alonso. Robbo. Mendy. PVA.
    Salah. Mane. Groß. Micky.
    Kun. King.

    Subs: Hamer*. AWB. Gunnarson*. Kamara. 0.4itb. 1ft.

    Thinking failed punt Groß to Moira? Or save? Or just WC.

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

      save defo

      1. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Groß or Micky out for Moura and/or Pedro?

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

          Micky to Pedro sounds decent, slight rotation risk but he's got to play based on performances

          1. Over Midwicket
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Said the same about Micky..

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

              haha true, avoid and get Fraser?

    2. 420king
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Moira? From Overwatch?

      1. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah. Tracer for a hit

        1. 420king
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          I prefer Lucio or Roadhog 😆
          Micky before Groß imo.

  21. fedolefan
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Think it's about time I get Shaw. The guy looks like the real deal.

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

      not worried about Young?

      1. Red Card Rockets
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Young will come in

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

          I'm all ears if it's because he didn't play well or whatever.

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

        Young is why I didn't get him yet. But him starting every week offers enough evidence that he's Jose's #1 LB. He doesn't do a Poch/Mancini when it comes to rotating/resting and just keeps playing the best XI.

        1. Red Card Rockets
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          maybe, but how confident are you? Weight that in your decision.

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

            He's just 5m, so the odd benching won't hurt too bad i think. Plus, late cameos aren't guaranteed like with Poch.

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

      Been United's best player across these four games imo, would be hard for anyone to dislodge him at this stage and Mourinho has been quite complimentary too.

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

        Yeah, him starting over a fit Young tells me this too.

    3. My Name Is Pepu
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Bought him for the Burnley game. Almost scored, had 2 shots on target and a shot blocked.

      Good long term option IMO.

  22. jack149331
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    My team
    Fabianski
    Robertson Mendy Alonso
    Mkhitaryan Salah Bernardo Silva Walcott
    Zaha Agüero Arnautovic

    Bench: Foster Wan-Bissaka Stephens Peltier

    Should I wildcard or take a hit and take out mkhi and zaha..? thanks

    1. Rocky FPL
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Take out Zaha. Keep Mkhi for one more gw.

      1. jack149331
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        is walcott ok..

        1. Rocky FPL
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          In 2 weeks he shoud be fine. Good form and greater fixtures, I am keeping for now.

          1. jack149331
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            and who would you swap out for zaha?? mitrovic on form but pretty bad fixtures for him coming up.. tempted by wilson instead, thoughts?

            1. Rocky FPL
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              After the city game, Mitrovic should be fine. I wouldn’t call Arsenal tough, their defence is leaky. So both have good fixtures and are in good form. So if you have funds , go for Mitrovic else Wilson. I have both.

  23. Rocky FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Why is stephens (4.5m) dropping?
    Suchlike a good fodder to have. Consistently gives me 2 points.

    1. Red Card Rockets
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      There are 4.5's with assists and goals. WC's are happening.

    2. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      *1 point 😀

  24. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    If I wanna drop Liv mid, which one of these is a better combo...?

    A. Salah + Pedro
    B. Mane + Hazard

    Thanks.

    1. Red Card Rockets
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Short term, B

    2. petergriff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      That's the big question this week for me. I feel i need CHE midfield cover. I can only do Hazard easily by downgrading Salah.

      Or i could do BSilva or Mane to Pedro.

      Tough call

    3. My Name Is Pepu
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      B) all day long

  25. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Milner on penalties? Seems to be so ? Thanks.

    1. Red Card Rockets
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Milner's not a bad option so far. But you can only have 3 Liv

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

        Probably not gonna get him, loads of excellent other mids available. But this affects whether to keep Salah and/or Mane...

    2. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      in a hard game milner takes them. When pool is 2-0 up salah could take

      1. My Name Is Pepu
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        *Mane, not Salah

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

    How is this for a wildcard

    Patricio

    Alonso Mendy Holebas

    Hazard Salah Pedro Fraser Walcott

    Aguero Wilson

    Hart, Wan Bissaka, Doherty, Jiminez

    Will be swapping Walcott for Rich as soon as he’s back. Is Holebas too risky?

    1. Eze Really?
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Wally: Wait for news on muscle news on rib area. They can take a while to heal

    2. My Name Is Pepu
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Holebas is a good pick.

      Re Walcott, why have him in the first place if you're gonna ship him for Richa anyway? Just a waste of transfer.

      Rather transfer in Richarlison just before the deadline and bench him. You can play AWB against Huddersfield instead.

      That leaves you with no headache of a Richarlison price drop and you can also save a FT next week.

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

        Good point, cheers mate

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

      Pedro - Walcott >>> Lucas Moura
      Richarlison after the Arsenal game 23rd September or for the following game Fulham

  27. Eze Really?
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Ouch: Richi to Wally now Wally to who?
    If he is out i am tempted to go to Lingard.
    I thought United were good yesterday and actually not that bad against Spurs.
    considering Robbo to Shaw too.
    United fixyure are nice for quite a while.

    1. 420king
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      If you bought him for 6.5 you've got lots of time to think about it...

      1. Eze Really?
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Bought him for 6.6. Not so good but I will wait

    2. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Avoid Lingard. Will be in and out of the team and doesn't really score enough.

      I think Shaw is a good punt as Mourinho wants to give him a proper run in the team which is encouraging.

      1. Eze Really?
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Valid point. The 1 mil I get for sure gives me options in Midfield. Also have Mikhi which could be a problem

  28. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Zaha+Bilva> Ings+Hazard (-4) yay or nay?

    1. 420king
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      If Zaha is confirmed out probably yay. Just remember Ings can't play in GW6.

  29. Red Card Rockets
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Lukaku - anyone considering?

    1. My Name Is Pepu
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Not going anywhere near a number 9 playing for Mourinho. Don't fancy owning glorified CBs for 11m.

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

      I would love to slot him in next to Kun as was my strike force to begin last season, can't see a way though. Maybe if I was on a WC.

  30. jack149331
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Bring in Wilson or mitrovic???

    1. Red Card Rockets
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Fixtures vs stats, seems close one

    2. Red Card Rockets
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Mitro is kind of like Arnie, they could be getting hammered, but they could score anyway.