Opinion
4 October 2018 1087 comments
@FPLGeneral @FPLGeneral
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It’s all about Harry Kane in the world of Fantasy Premier League this week, and with good reason.

In this latest article I’ll be giving my thoughts on whether he’s worth signing for Gameweek 8 as well as touching on a few other areas.

They include Manchester City rotation and my plans for budget options in defence and attack.

To Kane or not to Kane?

Kane is the standout captaincy option in the final Gameweek before the dreaded international break as Spurs host Cardiff. A brace against Huddersfield last week and a goal against the mighty Barcelona on Wednesday night has FPL managers ripping up their teams to fit him in.

Will he send his backers into the break buzzing or will he frustrate in a so called ‘easy fixture’ like he has done many times before? Is he back to his best or is it chasing last week’s points?

Whether you’re on the Kane train or not, Saturday’s game at Wembley is sure to be entertaining.

When I finish typing this, I’m going to hoover my living room, paying more attention than usual to the area behind the couch because that’s where I’ll be from 3pm to 5pm on Saturday.

As much as I’d like to own Kane and captain him this weekend, I don’t want to lose Eden Hazard, Mohamed Salah or Sergio Aguero to do so. Spurs have a tricky run of fixtures after the Cardiff match and he hasn’t passed my eye test yet this season.

The David Silva myth

There’s a belief among some in the FPL community that David Silva can’t play three games in a week because a ‘source’ claiming to be ‘close to the player’ said so. This information came out when the Spaniard was rested for the Cardiff game. Since then, he’s played three games in seven days against Oxford United, Brighton and Hoffenheim.

Like the Sergio Aguero fiasco in Gameweek 2, the lesson here is to trust your instincts rather than those of others who claim to be ‘in the know’. I expect to see Silva’s name on the City team sheet for the Liverpool game on Sunday. He’s pivotal for them while Kevin De Bruyne is out, and he’s got two weeks to put his feet up afterwards, having retired from international football.

That said, even though I think he’ll play this weekend, Silva could be the makeweight in a double move I make to improve my strike force. Five games without a goal for Callum Wilson has me worried and losing patience. I’m eyeing up Marko Arnautovic to replace him with Richarlison coming in for Silva.

The Holebas roller coaster

As the clock ticked past eighty minutes at the Emirates on Saturday, Holebas was looking good for an unlikely clean sheet and three bonus points. It was too good to be true. He’s now scored me a grand total of two points from three matches since I brought him in after accumulating thirty-four points in the opening four Gameweeks.

I’ll be taking another ride on the Holebas roller coaster this week, so you can be certain that he’ll pick up his fifth yellow card of the season after Callum Wilson wipes out his clean sheet!

Good luck to all in Gameweek 8 and stay strong during the international break.

You can follow the FPL General on Twitter HERE. He has achieved three top 500 finishes in the last four seasons.

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1,087 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. HamezMace
    8 years, 23 days ago

    Ederson and Fraser to Ryan and Maddison for free?

    Team is
    Ederson, Button
    TAA, Shaw, Holebas, Boly, Wan Bis
    Hazard, Mane, Richarlison, Fraser, Ward
    Aguero, Kane, Wilson

    1. Shatner's Bassoon
      8 years, 23 days ago

      Think Wilson -> Mitro or Arnie might be better with the Ederson to Ryan saving...

      Tough one, cos Maddison is very good.

      1. HamezMace
        8 years, 23 days ago

        Yeah I'm desperate to get Maddison in. Annoyed with myself that I went with Richarlison on my WC a couple of weeks ago...literally flipped a coin between him and Maddison, but I still like Rich.

        You make a very good point though, I would like Arnie in that front three, especially now Wilson has dropped off the penalty taking order all together. Hmmm thanks for that!

    2. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 23 days ago

      I'm not sure about Ryan and clean sheets

      1. HamezMace
        8 years, 23 days ago

        His fixtures look the best of the 4.5m if I'm not rotating.
        Brighton do have a nice run of games after a difficult start, and Ryan was good last year.
        Ederson has away games to Liverpool and Spurs in the next three so I think it's time to move him on.

        1. Shatner's Bassoon
          8 years, 23 days ago

          They look alright but Az mentioned on the SC about a lot of the good-looking ones being away, where Brighton struggle a bit.

          Fabianski hauls in unexpected games, so I'm gonna just chuck him in as a S&F for the foreseeable.

          1. HamezMace
            8 years, 23 days ago

            I listened to the SC too, and noted the away games...but as I've noted below Fabianski has City and Spurs in his next six, and three of the other four are away games for him too.

            To be honest if you have Fab, you'd want me to get anyone other than him...all my close calls go wrong!

    3. DeathoftheParty
      8 years, 23 days ago

      Bit sideways?

      1. HamezMace
        8 years, 23 days ago

        Interesting, thanks for your thoughts

    4. Runaway
      8 years, 23 days ago

      I would prefer Fabianski as a fire and forget 4.5 GK and still like Fraser more than Maddison at least until GW10. Maybe you can consider upgrading Wilson to Arnie with the leftover money?

      1. HamezMace
        8 years, 23 days ago

        If I was able to rotate 2 x 4.5m I'd definitely have Fabianski - but as set and forget I don't think I can. His next 6 games include Man City, and Spurs..and 3 of the other 4 are away games.

        Noted above that Wilson to Arnie could be a better choice..and not something I'd really looked at, but now yes you could be right...I was so blinded by my love of Maddison I didn't look at that move. Double Bournemouth is too much - although it could have easily worked out on the 85th minute on Monday night!

        Thanks for the reply.

  2. SPorting
    8 years, 23 days ago

    Start two of these muddy funsters:

    1) Robbo (MCI)
    2) Laporte (liv)
    3) Knockaert (WHU)
    4) Fraser (wat)
    5) Jimenez (cry)

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 23 days ago

      1, 5

    2. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      8 years, 23 days ago

      If you habe Knockaert th may as well get him

      1. Dr. Agabuse
        8 years, 23 days ago

        casuals answer

    3. Runaway
      8 years, 23 days ago

      3 and 5 but quite surprised to see a team benching 1,2 and 4

    4. HamezMace
      8 years, 23 days ago

      3 and 5.

      Ask yourselves what you think the score will be in the Liv/City game, I'm thinking both team will score.

    5. La Roja
      8 years, 23 days ago

      Crikey, it’s too tough

      Pass.

    6. Moosie the Staggie
      8 years, 23 days ago

      45

  3. #FPLBhuna
    8 years, 23 days ago

    bottomed (and sorry for the multiple reposts)

    best move here?

    A) Gw8: kun > vardy (1ft) // Gw9: vardy + moura > jiminez + salah (-4)
    B) Gw8: kun > arnie (1ft) // Gw9: pva + moura > jonny + salah (-4)
    C) Gw8: kun > vardy (1ft) // Gw9: Moura > Mane (ft)
    D) Gw8: hold kun (save transfer) // Gw9: kun + moura > jiminez + salah (2ft)

    henny
    alonso - doherty - pva
    hazard - moura - fraser - richarlison
    kane(c) - mitrovic - kun

    hamer - awb - robertson - guendouzi

    1. Moosie the Staggie
      8 years, 23 days ago

      D

    2. Shatner's Bassoon
      8 years, 23 days ago

      Presume you're set on holding Kane long term then?

      D is a non-starter. Don't get rid of Aguero before BUR.

      out of the remaining options I think B is best as there are more long-term moves there.

      But I'd be looking to shift Kane in gw9 to fund Salah rather than Aguero.

      1. Shatner's Bassoon
        8 years, 23 days ago

        Well that's me told, but D is absolutely asking for trouble.

    3. jayzico
      8 years, 23 days ago

      Def D mate

    4. Pukki Party
      8 years, 23 days ago

      Wouldn't get rid of Kun gw9, Kane instead for me. But save ft this week anyway

    5. HamezMace
      8 years, 23 days ago

      Replied on the last page, in case you didn't see, B

  4. Tshelby
    8 years, 23 days ago

    Looking for some input

    2FT
    0.8 ITB

    Hennessey, Hamer
    Trippier, Alonso, Monreal, AWB, Bennett
    Hazard, Salah, Rich, Fraser, Billing
    Zaha, Mitro, Kun

    A) Alonso, Rich, Kun -> TAA, Sterling, Vardy (-8)
    B) Alonso, Zaha -> TAA, Vardy
    C) Monreal, Zaha -> Jonny, Vardy
    D) Hamer -> 4.5 goalie
    E) Zaha -> Arnie
    F) Something els?

    1. LD
      8 years, 23 days ago

      E

    2. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 23 days ago

      e

    3. Don Kloppeone
      8 years, 23 days ago

      Just E imo

  5. Runaway
    8 years, 23 days ago

    I will use my WC either in GW9 or GW10 so I need a punt for 1 or 2 GW. Son fits perfectly to that definition so planing to do Dilva > Son atm. Would you suggest anything different?

    Patricio
    Alonso Chilwell AWB
    Hazard (V) Dilva Richarlison Fraser
    Kane (C) Aguero Mitrovic

    Hamer Robbo Cairney Peltier
    1FT 0.1 ITB

    1. danishdynamite
      8 years, 23 days ago

      Chill. Your team doesn't need WC'ing

      Save this weeks FT and do a mini-WC with a judicious hit to add to your 2 FT's

  6. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 23 days ago

    Would you WC this team this week

    or do a -8 (Aguero, Salah & Pogba > Kane (c), Hazard & 9.5 MF) and WC next week instead

    Ederson Ryan

    Alonso Bellerin Boly Kabasele Cook

    Salah Pogba Richarlison Jorginho Fraser

    Mitrovic Aguero King

    1.6 ITB 1 FT

    Any ideas would be welcomed

    1. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 23 days ago

      If you bring in Kane (c), Hazard & 9.5 MF, I dont see a reason to WC next week. But I think you can give Aguero, Salah and Pogba another chance this GW and see if you want to WC next week.

    2. La Roja
      8 years, 23 days ago

      Yes

  7. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 23 days ago

    Pick one to start:
    1) Robbo
    2) Bennett
    3) AWB

    1. Moosie the Staggie
      8 years, 23 days ago

      1

    2. danishdynamite
      8 years, 23 days ago

      1, 3, 2

    3. Dosh
      8 years, 23 days ago

      1)

  8. Ramboros
    8 years, 23 days ago

    Jonny, Azpi and Alonso picked for international duty. No Morata.

    1. Ramboros
      8 years, 23 days ago

      Sorry, Morata was there.

  9. kime67
    8 years, 23 days ago

    do we really think spurs and kane is up for it after yesterdays very disapointting loss.

    1. kalmoffit
      8 years, 23 days ago

      See who's back at weekend. Will be a worry if no Dembele, etc.

    2. Holmes
      8 years, 23 days ago

      they were going to lose anyway, not a big deal...

      can take out frustration on cardiff now

  10. Dr. Agabuse
    8 years, 23 days ago

    need to get out Ramsey (expecting a child, subbed early last week) and will WC next week

    Maddison or Lamela/Moura (Cardiff)
    Or Salah to Hazard more important and get him back in on WC ib?

    1. Samuel669
      8 years, 23 days ago

      Maddison would be a good shout.
      I'm sticking Salah, not jumping ship yet!

  11. ClassiX
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 23 days ago

    How does this sound as a conspiracy theory: Kane starts v Cardiff. At around the 60 minute mark he gets tackled/knocked/bumped and leaves the field "injured" - can't play for England in the IB and has a 2 week rest...?

    1. Ramboros
      8 years, 23 days ago

      Kane will never turn down the opportunity to score goals.

      1. danishdynamite
        8 years, 23 days ago

        ......unless he's constantly being a pillock and dropping deeper than a poor man's Wayne Rooney

        1. Ramboros
          8 years, 23 days ago

          I don't get the constant complaint that he's dropping deeper. He's in the box when he needs to. He's never going to outrun defenders anyway, so he might contribute otherwise.

  12. Samuel669
    8 years, 23 days ago

    "Who to start
    A Ings
    B Wan Bissaka
    C Mountinh

    1. JurgenRocks
      8 years, 23 days ago

      B or C, I'm in the same dilemma with my CP and Wolves players

      1. Samuel669
        8 years, 23 days ago

        I'm leaning more towards Mountinho.

    2. Moosie the Staggie
      8 years, 23 days ago

      A for me.
      The penalties swings it

  13. jia you
    8 years, 23 days ago

    Think there might be a couple of upsets this weekend, predicting:
    Liverpool 0-3 City
    Spurs 1-1 Cardiff

    1. Dr. Agabuse
      8 years, 23 days ago

      interesting and thruout possible

    2. Dr. Agabuse
      8 years, 23 days ago

      but pool love homegames

      1. jia you
        8 years, 23 days ago

        ...just watched the midweek game and they were really really poor, surprisingly so. But yeah could easily bounce back v City!

        1. asquishypotato
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          8 years, 23 days ago

          I wouldn’t take the midweek performance seriously, blatant one eye on the weekend game.

    3. Meinhoff
      8 years, 23 days ago

      No chance Liverpool don't score in two games in a row, plus at home

  14. tibollom
    8 years, 23 days ago

    Bottomed, sorry for the repost.

    Would you do any of these for a hit? only got 1 transfer

    a.Salah + Ings to Kane + 6.0 mid?

    b. Salah + Mitro for Kane + Maddison?

    Or should I get rid of Mendy?

    DDG Stek
    robbo mendy trippier AWB peltier
    Haz Salah Fraser Walcott Hojberg
    Aguero Mitro Ings

    1. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 23 days ago

      b

      1. tibollom
        8 years, 23 days ago

        thanks mate - worth the -4 hit then.

  15. ElliotJHP
    8 years, 23 days ago

    Come on Laca, earn that armband this weekend..

    1. La Roja
      8 years, 23 days ago

      I expect him this on bench tonight

      1. La Roja
        8 years, 23 days ago

        Great command of English there

  16. balint84
    8 years, 23 days ago

    Robertson to Tripper is a must step?

    1. tibollom
      8 years, 23 days ago

      no

    2. Holmes
      8 years, 23 days ago

      nope, you would like to have robertson from next week

    3. Balotellitubbies
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 23 days ago

      No no no no. Look further ahead than gw8, Rob's fixtures much better longer term.

  17. JurgenRocks
    8 years, 23 days ago

    Bench one:

    1) Laporte
    2) AWB
    3) Doherty

    1. Holmes
      8 years, 23 days ago

      Laporte

    2. Balotellitubbies
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 23 days ago

      1

  18. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
    8 years, 23 days ago

    The wife after saying I want to swap Aguero to Kane for a hit...
    "What is a hit?..."
    *Explain FFScout terminology*
    *Explain what FFScout is*
    "So Kane needs to get at least a goal to breakeven?"
    "Yes, but also depends on bonus points"
    "What are bonus points?"
    "Just extra points for doing good stuff... a simple yes or no will suffice here!"
    "Go do the washing up and I will tell you when you get back"

    🙁

    1. Pierce34
      8 years, 23 days ago

      You heard her, do the washing up.

    2. HamezMace
      8 years, 23 days ago

      You married well.

  19. La Roja
    8 years, 23 days ago

    Is this worth it?

    Aguero Salah ➡ (K)ane Sterling -4

    1. Balotellitubbies
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 23 days ago

      Youre one week too late for that, sorry.,

      1. La Roja
        8 years, 23 days ago

        I know but Kane vs Cardiff could be big and owners will captain him

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 23 days ago

        Yeah agreed.

    2. Olivier Bernards watch
      8 years, 23 days ago

      I don't think so, no. Kun has been one of the best value big hitters so far, and I don't see any reason to expect that to change. Salah has great fixtures coming up (unlike Kane) and his stats are still strong, plus question marks about whether Kane will continue to be prolific with deeper field position. Sterling looks good, but overall little to choose between the two combinations, so not worth spending two transfers to change them, and definitely not worth it for a hit

    3. Gruu
      8 years, 23 days ago

      yes

  20. LWB
    8 years, 23 days ago

    I think I maybe know the answer, but is replacing Auba and Sorloth with Lacazette and Arnautovic good for a -4? Leaves me with:

    Ederson (Stek)
    Trippier / Luiz / Robertson? / Boly? / AWB?
    Mane / Son / Maddison / Richarlison (Guendouzi)
    Lacazette / Arnautovic / Aguero

    Also, which defender to go with Trippier and Luiz?

    Ta

    1. Moosie the Staggie
      8 years, 23 days ago

      I would

    2. Moosie the Staggie
      8 years, 23 days ago

      I wouldn't have Luiz but probably Robertson

      1. LWB
        8 years, 23 days ago

        Cheers - just keeping on to Luiz until I WC

  21. Olivier Bernards watch
    8 years, 23 days ago

    For those holding a WC and not planning to use it in the international break, when do you think the optimal time to use it will be? Anyone noticed any particularly good fixture swings or have any other ideas about when will be best?

    1. Pierce34
      8 years, 23 days ago

      "When my team needs it" as the cliche goes. If I have players in good form I won't try to be too clever by wildcarding for any real or imaginary fixture swings.

      1. Olivier Bernards watch
        8 years, 23 days ago

        probably the sensible attitude

      2. jia you
        8 years, 23 days ago

        Hey there mate, scraped our h2h last GW but we both had poor scores! Ready to bounce back?

        1. Pierce34
          8 years, 23 days ago

          Hey - was on holiday for the past few weeks so was away from this site. Well done - I wouldn't call it 'scraping' because you had it won with 9 players on Saturday after all my 11 had played 😀 Just a bit unlucky Burnley and Bournemouth didn't do well for you.

          I'm not panicking personally - I never considered the Aguero to Kane switch, so I'll either save my transfer or replace Aubameyang after the press conferences.

          1. jia you
            8 years, 23 days ago

            Yep, Auba is a concern for you, will you swap him out for Kane for a hit?

            1. Pierce34
              8 years, 23 days ago

              I briefly considered it but I don't want to lose any of my other players - the only ones I can feasibly downgrade are Mane, Robertson and Alonso and I want them all long-term. Mane is the most expendable in my opinion but I have value tied up and I want to give him a chance in the easy fixtures coming up.

              So - Aubameyang to Lacazette or Vardy it is!

              1. jia you
                8 years, 23 days ago

                Yeah, the one I'm considering losing is Alonso but that could bite me! One of my IB transfers will be Mee to LIV defender though most likely so prob best to hold Alonso for now.
                I really like both those options, Laca & Vardy, actually so good luck!

                1. Pierce34
                  8 years, 23 days ago

                  We shouldn't overthink it - there's a good chance Spurs will be tired/jaded/too depleted to score lots of goals vs. Cardiff, there's bound to be a brief coming down to Earth after facing Barcelona in a glamour match-up.

                  And if there isn't, we probably have good enough ranks to cover for a mini-Kane explosion for now 😉

                  Good luck!

    2. Holmes
      8 years, 23 days ago

      I'll try to keep till GW14 and activate before GW15

      But if team needs some much neede refreshment which is looking like, then I dont mind an early WC

      1. Holmes
        8 years, 23 days ago

        not sure what I have written, argh, hope the message is delivered 😮

    3. wagwan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 23 days ago

      I'm going to use it in the run up to the busy christmas/new years period to ensure I've got a decent bench, I'm sure my team will be limping along on its last legs by December.

    4. kalmoffit
      8 years, 23 days ago

      I have three non playing on bench, so could be forced to wildcard at anytime.

    5. jia you
      8 years, 23 days ago

      Glad I've got it out of the way myself 😉

  22. Dosh
    8 years, 23 days ago

    A) Aguero + Robertson --> Kane + TAA (have sterling)
    B) Aguero + Alonso --> Kane + TAA (double Liv defense from next week for their good fixtures)
    C) Aguero --> Vardy (great fixtures this week on + use cash to get a Liverpool mid next week)
    D) Save FT (hide behind the sofa)

  23. ELMEO
    8 years, 23 days ago

    Aguero + Salah to Kane + Gudmonsson for one week?

    Still have WC, plan to use over int. break...

    1. Shatner's Bassoon
      8 years, 23 days ago

      Sounds alright to me if you're dead-set on WCing. Those two could be ideal 1-week punts.

      Could even go for Son instead of JBG for full Spurs coverage.

  24. Karan_G14
    8 years, 23 days ago

    Simple A or B:

    A) Aguero to Kane for free and most likely reverse the move in GW9 or 11

    B) Save Ft, Hazard(c) and take the risk of falling 20-30 points behind if Kane hauls.

    Team has no other issues as of now.
    Getting Kane in and out will probaly mean I’ll have to delay my move for bringing a Pool defender & Arnie to around GW10-11 depending on when I plan to get Kun back.

    Cheers! 🙂

  25. balint84
    8 years, 23 days ago

    I have 2ft. I've done the Kun to Kane, but now I'm considering teh second transfer.
    Kamara to Jimenez worth it? I've never played with 3 forwards.

    1. Holmes
      8 years, 23 days ago

      Nope, save. will be useful for Kane to Kun move next week

  26. camarozz
    8 years, 23 days ago

    Who is the player you would most want to have this week??

    I'm leading all my MLs and sitting at 22k. Have mitb for Salah + TAA over IB. 2fts. Used my WC but no hits so far.

    Really looking for that player this week that will keep me ahead of the pack and a small green arrow...

    I'm thinking Son, Ozil maybe

    Any other suggestions???

    1. Karan_G14
      8 years, 23 days ago

      Since I don’t own Kane definitely him. He could define a green or red arrow this week.

      1. camarozz
        8 years, 23 days ago

        Would mean losing Kun and I don't want kane long term plus it messes up my future Salah transfer .

        Your probably right tho having said that.

  27. Jubilanus / BSC Small Boys …
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 23 days ago

    Does anybody know if there is a Community Team Competition planned this season? And when it might start?

    1. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
      8 years, 23 days ago

      This

  28. tibollom
    8 years, 23 days ago

    a. Mendy + Salah + Mitro to Maguire + Maddison + Kane for -8pts
    b. Salah + Mitro to Maddison + Kane for -4pts
    c. Salah + Ings to 6.0 Mid + Kane for -4pts

    DDG
    robbo trippier AWB
    Haz Salah Fraser Walcott
    Aguero Mitro Ings

    Stek, Hojberg, Mendy, Peltier

  29. balint84
    8 years, 23 days ago

    or another question.
    Play Schürrle or Jimenez?

    1. Meinhoff
      8 years, 23 days ago

      Jim

  30. jamesterz23
    8 years, 23 days ago

    Thoughts on my team this week? Struggling with who to bench with so many players playing each other!
    1 ft 1.0 in the bank

    Patricio
    Alonso Doherty WanB Holebas
    Hazard(c) Salah Richarlison Fraser
    Aguero Mitro

    Hart Robbo Wilson Billing

    1. Moosie the Staggie
      8 years, 23 days ago

      Wow

      If that was my squad I would be playing Robertson Wilson and Hart