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14 October 2018 1023 comments
DavidMunday815 DavidMunday815
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Marcos Alonso (£7.0m) is now without an attacking return in Fantasy Premier League since Gameweek 4.

Despite proving a hugely popular figure, there has been a drop off in his offensive potential in recent weeks.

In this members’ piece, we’ve taken a look at whether or not his owners should be worried about his place in their squads.

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  1. Dream Killers 2.0
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Would you play your wildcard with this team or stick and use the 2 FT?

    DDG (Speroni)
    Robertson, AWB, Shaw, Duffy (S.Cook)

    Salah, Richarlson, Hazard (Cairney, Stephens)

    Aguero, King, Mitrovic

    1. RUUD!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      That teams a mess

      1. Dream Killers 2.0
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        I know what you mean.

        Sitting at 82k rank though so it has served me well (despite double UTD defence!).

    2. MTPockets
        7 years, 5 months ago

        If Salah's ok would just use the 2FT on two of DDG, Shaw, Cook, Cairney.
        If not then maybe time for wc.

        1. Dream Killers 2.0
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          I’d be tempted to WC if Salah is out...

        2. Waterwheel Inc.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Inclined to agree with this. But yes, if Salah is out it might be a good opportunity to spread that cash around and fix a few problems with the wildcard.

      • Ron_Swanson
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Probably WC it myself, especially as you have a decent rank - try and retain it and improve

      • diesel001
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        DDG, Speroni and Shaw to Patricio, Fabianski and Laporte

        1. Dream Killers 2.0
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Don’t fancy burning two transfers on goal keepers. Would only use one transfer on a keeper.

      • Black Knights
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        That’s a good a front 3 as you could select this weekend. The 3 mids are great too. AWB ought to be your 4/5th defender for the foreseeable, so DDG and Cook to Patricio and Mendy maybe? Or cairney out.

        1. Dream Killers 2.0
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          If making 2 free transfers is probably get rid of DDG and Cook/Shaw.

          Have the advantage of 2.1 in bank as well...

      • The Cherry Picker
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        I’d use the two free transfers this week and WC next week. Maybe gear them towards catching risers you want. It’s an absolute waste of 2FTs otherwise.
        Make the changes and WC early next week to hit the risers mate!

      • The Cherry Picker
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        DDG to Ryan
        Cairney to Maddison to catch his price rise tonight?

      • SADIO SANÉ
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        enough good players to keep it, just do a -4 this week, DDG/Shaw out and upgrade Cairney to Maddison or someone

      • Giroud Depardieu
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        You only need to use 2 FT, save the WC

      • Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        nah. Decent team despite some off template choices (especially defense).

      • Patio Kev
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        I’d WC that all day. DDG, Speroni, AWB, Shaw, Cook, Cairney and Stephens all gone for me. Just get it over and done with.

        1. Patio Kev
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Your team is exactly what the wild card is for - to make wholesale changes.

          1FT a week ain’t gonna be enough to fix that anytime soon.

          1. SADIO SANÉ
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            except that a -4 'fixes' it pretty easily

      • Sizo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Why not play Cook? Just use the 2 transfers somewhere. Could get Mendy or double on Liverpool at the back.

      • Totalfootball
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        DDG and shaw out
        play cook

    3. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Some interesting data, which compares PL pts on a like-for-like fixture basis compared to last season.

      Watford +8 (i.e. they have 8 pts more than in the equivalent fixtures last season)
      Arsenal +7
      Chelsea +7
      Bournemouth +0
      Palace +0
      Huddersfield +0
      Brighton -4
      Man Utd -6
      Newcastle -8

      1. panda07
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Interesting, do you have the rest?

      2. #FPLBhuna
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Very interesting would be interested to know the rest too

      3. MTPockets
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Only up to gw5, but this gives an idea of early form vs equiv fixtures last season:
          http://www.plfantasy.com/p/team-stats.html

          Good site to keep an eye on. Hopefully will get updated.

      4. #FPLBhuna
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Somehow have managed to save my ft this far into an international break

        What’s the best use of the FT? 3m itb

        Moura > Mane? Team below

        henny
        alonso - robertson - doherty
        hazard - richarlison - fraser - moura
        kane(c) - Vardy - mitrovic

        hamer - pva - awb - guendouzi

        1. #FPLBhuna
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Or hold?

          1. BOATIES FC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            PVA to TAA?

          2. xuwei
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Not much city there. I’d be tempted to dump a crystal defense for city.

        2. Old Wulfrunian
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          I think you need one of Salah/Kun.

          1. #FPLBhuna
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Agreed but I can’t see myself getting either this week

            I want Salah but only if he’s 100% cleared to play

        3. The Cherry Picker
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Moura - Mané a bit sideways for me this week. Think he could do well. I’d probably save and get Salah in for CAR

          1. #FPLBhuna
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            I agree just worrying to go into hudd away without any pool attackers but I’m with you on this it does feel sideways

        4. Giroud Depardieu
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Save and use 2 FT next GW to get rid of Kane & Moura

          1. #FPLBhuna
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            I like this idea tbh

            But would be worried to go into hudd without any liv attack

      5. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        If you're around still Spud;
        Happy Birthday!! D)

      6. suddenorgan
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        is it too early to get rid of Trippier? Happy to give Kane one more week but want Robertson and feel like Alonso / Trippier / Robertson is way too much at the back

      7. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        What do I do with this bunch? Got 2FT, 1.2ITB, cheers!

        Rui,Hen
        Alonso,Robbo,Trippier,WB,Bennett
        Mane,Hazard,Dilva,Maddison,Billing
        Kun,Wilson,Mitro

        1. Patio Kev
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Front 8 look absolutely solid to me.

          I’d look for a double Palace defensive escape route.

          Maybe keep 1 FT and swap out Hen or WB to Brighton (Ryan / Duffy) ?

        2. Cornholi0
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Tripper to Mendy for me

          1. Hits from the Bong
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Or T.A.A?

        3. is this real
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Our teams are identical except I have Richarlison, Fraser and Jiminez instead of Maddison, Billing and Wilson (also a 4.0 keeper instead of Hen). Been struggling to find a good move I can make with 1 FT and dont want to take anyone else out with a 2nd FT. Actually considering losing one of my transfers!

          There's no urgent repairs needed in your team but if I were you I'd probably lose Hen for a 4.0 to spread funds elsewhere or get Doherty in for Bennett.

          1. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Cheers lada

      8. Hits from the Bong
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        I’m really struggling this week. I want to get rid of Kane and Ings, but have a few injury doubts to contend with. Tempted by Aguero and Arnie, but looks like Lacazette will rise tonight. I’m guessing I should wait on fitness news?

        Patricio
        Alonso Robertson Doherty
        Salah Hazard Richarlison Fraser
        Kane Wilson Ings

        Hamer, AWB, Peltier, Moura

        0 itb

      9. FPL Maldini
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        I own Boly already, who to get now?

        A) Doherty

        B) Lascalles

        C) Yedlin

        1. Cornholi0
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          C

        2. Hits from the Bong
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          A

        3. Rage Against The Raheem
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          C

        4. jtreble
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          What is your backbend?

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

            .., back end: GK + D.

      10. Jules Rimet
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        A. Aguero + Maddison

        B. Vardy + Sterling

        1. Firmino
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          A because of the 2mil difference

          1. Jules Rimet
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Nice! Thx

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

          B for points.

        3. Positive vibes
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Laca + Sterling

      11. Firmino
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Surely Mendy and Robertson are better picks than Alonso?

        1. aleksios
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Why not have all 3?

          1. Firmino
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Can't pass on the value of TAA and Doherty. Only 2 places left to fill.

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

          All three pretty equal to me.

        3. Rage Against The Raheem
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Do you not think so highly of your own team mate? I hope Andrew does not know you think Alonso is better than him.

          1. Rage Against The Raheem
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Sorry. They are about the same tbh, having 2 of them is fine, having all 3 even better.

        4. is this real
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          All good picks. It's a headache choosing which to own of them, Trippier and Doherty.

      12. Bobby_Baggio
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        These transfers worth it or not for free if Salah is injured please? Salah + Mitro > Mane + Laca?

        Patricio
        Alonso - Luiz - Trippier
        Salah - Fraser - Haz(C) - BSilva
        Wilson - Aguero - Mitro

        (Hamer) - AWB - Bennett - Stephens

        1. aleksios
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          If injured then yes.

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

          Not the greatest fixtures for ARS up until GW16.

      13. aleksios
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        a) Salah to Sterling for a hit if injured.
        b) Bench Salah and play Maddison.

        Thanks.

        1. Dreaming of glory
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          B

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

          Bench for me.

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

          B depending on how injured.

        4. Totti
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          A

      14. Roy Rovers
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Time for me to wildcard?.....Salah, Shaw, Fraser and VVD??

        I have 2FT with 0.1ITB

        Pat / Hamer
        VVD* / Shaw* / Alonso / Doherty / AWB
        Salah* / Hazard / Maddison / Richarlison / Fraser*
        Aguero / Mitro / Ings

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

          Not for me. Great team. Easy to FT your way away from injuries.

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

          no wait till you get more news

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

        VVD yellow flagged.

        1. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          What happened to him TM?

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

            Ribs.

        2. Roy Rovers
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Wondered when that was going to happen.

            1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              "rub injury" (as the URL says) sounds most unpleasant. Will need some cream for that.

        3. #FPLBhuna
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Any idea why Patricio hasn’t been TM?

          Thought he had a knock or something

          1. dunas_dog
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            No confirmed report just speculation

              1. dunas_dog
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                7 years, 5 months ago

                Precautionary not to play in friendly doesn’t sound like reason for yellow flag to me. No confirmation of any injury in this.

                1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
                  • 11 Years
                  7 years, 5 months ago

                  Gotta love owners in denial when this sort of thing happens 🙂

                2. noquarternt
                  • 10 Years
                  7 years, 5 months ago

                  Nothing concrete of course, but people get yellow flags without hard evidence all the time.

        4. panda07
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          He's scored 2 in 2 for Holland, Klopp needs to stop putting him in front of the keeper for corners

      16. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Fella... if you had to lose one of these 3 down to Doherty to free up funds to do mane back to Salah soon which would you lose and why....??? Cheers in advance
        A- Robbo
        B- Mendy
        C- Alonso

        1. grumpyman
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          C. Sarri has him defending more.

        2. noquarternt
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Read the above article

        3. Totti
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          c

      17. Iceball
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Hennessey Hamer
        Alonso Shaw* Doherty Robertson AWB
        Salah* Hazard Maddison Fraser* Höjberg
        Kane Mitro Jimenez
        1ft. 0,5 itb.
        First plan was Kane to Aguero but now bad news all over the place. Have to downgrade Kane or Salah to afford Shaw to Mendy.
        What do you think?

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

          kane to lacazette and salah to sterling

      18. shpyrq
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        On a wc. What's better?

        Lacazett , Maddison , Sigurdsson

        or

        Vardy , Sterling , Kenedy

        ??

        1. Positive vibes
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Laca, Sterling, 4.4m mid

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

          do u have aguero?
          is so then A
          otherwise B

      19. FPL_DON
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        (a) Sigurdsson or (b) richarlison?

        Thanks in advance

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

          siggy

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

            for the set pieces and penalties

      20. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Doherty or TAA folks ??? Already have Robbo and Bennett

        1. FPL_DON
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Doherty seems a banker

        2. Iceball
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Doherty

        3. Duffy Dunk
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Doh!

      21. Totti
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        guys any suggestions what to do with bernardo silva?

        A) keep
        B) sell

        1. tvz32
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Sell

        2. Pylynen
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          A atleast next week

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

            i'm afraid he won't start

        3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Going for his 8th blank in 9 games playing in one of the best attacks in Europe - definitely keep.

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

            he is blanking and you want me to,keep?
            🙂
            sorry i don't understand

      22. poolgazza
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        OK, first time posting currently ranked around 7,500.

        Patricio (Hamer)
        Alonso Robertson Trippier (AWB) (Bennett)

        Richarlison Hazard Mane D.Silva
        (Maddison)

        Ings Aguero Wilson

        I've 2 free transfers, do I need to change anything?

        1. Positive vibes
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Solid team, GTG. Well done with the rank.

        2. Eddie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          I've practically the same team. Depends how much you have in bank. If Salah will definitely be starting I'd want him in. Otherwise I'd be looking for a way to bring Arnie in for Wilson in a couple of weeks.

        3. noquarternt
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Eye on Patricio

        4. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          First time posting? You’ve been here for 7 years 😆 ?

          Trippier to Mendy and roll the other transfer?

          How much ITB?

          1. poolgazza
            • 15 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            I know, after 7 years you'd have thought I'd have posted before right. Never really been too bothered before but playing for money this year as well as fun. 0.2 itb was looking at Trippier for Mendy but doubts over Patricio have me worried not having a playing keeper on the bench.

      23. tvz32
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Probably a bit early for this but would you play Maddison (ars) or Arnie (TOT)?

        1. Pylynen
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Arnie

      24. Pylynen
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        What to do with this team?

        Foster
        Alonso Trippier Doherty
        Hazard Mane Maddison Richarlison
        Kane Laca Wilson

        Hennessey Bennett Ward AWB

        A)Trippier>Robertson
        B)Save

        1ft 0.8 itb (no WC available)

        1. Ron_Swanson
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          B

        2. tvz32
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          A) long term move

        3. Totti
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          aren't you afraid to go without man city coverage?

      25. DameCorp
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        What to do with this loss? Wildcard still in tact but have some serious bench fodder.

        Ederson 4.0
        Mendy Alonso Robertson AWB Peltier
        Hazard Mane Maddison Fraser Gunnarsson
        Kane King Zaha

        1 free transfer, 0.5 in the bank.

        1. Pylynen
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Save

        2. Ghost Gooner
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Peltier to Bennett or Gunnar to Kenedy. No need to WC

          1. DameCorp
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Yeah the bench really needs some work. Thanks mate!

        3. Totti
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          i think you should get aguero or sterling

        4. Darth_Krid
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Kane to Aguero.

      26. Totti
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        likelihood of aguero and sterling to be benched?

        1. Rhinos
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          virtually zero for kun, as for raz i really have no so I'll ho with 10% seeing as I own him

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

            sorry dont understand second part 🙂
            could you please explain

            1. Rhinos
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              *no idea so I'll go

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

                yea ok 🙂 i got it

        2. I Member
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          You would think Aguero definitely starts after two weeks off. Hoping Sterling gets a rest in the second England game but I'd expect him to start regardless.

      27. Rhinos
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        would love to see Salah ruled out for at least this gw, Shaqiri punt way more interesting

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

          pointless
          doesn't deserve the punt

          1. Rhinos
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            why not

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

              i think mane or firmino more safe as may be sturridge start not shaqiri

              1. I Member
                • 10 Years
                7 years, 5 months ago

                This. Shaqiri isn't nailed even if Salah is out.

              2. Rhinos
                • 12 Years
                7 years, 5 months ago

                well obvs they safer but they're also 2-3 million more. Be interesting to see what Klopp says

        2. I Member
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          One week punt?

      28. price
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        What to do with Trent Alexander Arnold??
        I have a defence of

        Alonso Mendy TAA Doherty Wan Bissaka

        will he keep his place?

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

          yes
          he'll start most probably

        2. I Member
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Keep.

        3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Keep him and forever remember that one season when he was 5.0 instead of the 6.5 he’ll be next year & beyond.

      29. I Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        I was all set on getting Salah on my WC but now I'm starting to think he's not worth the extra over Sterling even if he is fit. The appeal of Salah is that he's a captaincy option but Hazard and Aguero have been reliable with the armband and also have good fixtures. Any other WCers planning to go without Salah if he's available?

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

          do you have aguero sterling hazard and no liverpool coverage if salah not fit?

          1. I Member
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Aguero, Hazard, Sterling and Firmino atm.

            1. tvz32
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              How do you fit all of them in your team?

      30. Ruth_NZ
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        General comment on the members articles...

        These articles (for example the Bournemouth one) are seriously flawed by the inclusion of (and emphasis upon) xA as if it is a hard stat. It isn't. It is a very suspect attempt to quantify assist potential that notoriously under-estimates some players and significantly over-estimates others. Historically it does not tally well to actual assists. It is far harder for OPTA (or anyone else) to calculate than xG, for example, and xG is already vulnerable to misuse because the title is misleading.

        The xG number doesn't represent "expected goals", it represents (as best they can assess it) "goal potential". Why that difference of language is important is that xG places absolutely no importance on finishing skill; give Aguero and Joselu 10 chances each from around the same shooting positions and the model will give them an identical xG, whereas we all know to expect Aguero to convert a higher percentage of those chances than Joselu. Simply, Kun's "expected goals" would be higher but that wouldn't show in his xG. 😕

        Anyway... xG is tricky enough but they have refined the methodology enough for it to be a useful guideline to the quantity and quality of chances a player is getting - as long as you know that's what it is, not "expected goals". But xA is so imprecise as to make xG look like 20/20 hindsight. 🙄

        Just as a test, I'd challenge everyone to explain to themselves what an xA is and how it is calculated. I bet that not more than 1 in 100 would come close. Is it a measure of when a player gets an opportunity to create an assist (whether they make the pass or not)? Is it a measure of the xG created by their passes that actually reach their target, meaning that non-completed passes and/or cleared crosses have no effect on xA whatsoever? Are you aware that a player will receive a portion of xA for a pass where the receiver doesn't even try to shoot and where shooting would be a poor decision? Thought not. 😉

        As soon as you try to explain what xA is you will realise that it is a hellish difficult thing to calculate and that is undoubtedly the case. OPTA and others are still working on it and refining it and it will doubtless gradually improve but it will never be as solid as xG, which isn't exactly rock-solid itself.

        As it stands, xA chronically underestimates assist potential and for some players by a large amount (up to 50%). It also ignores the wastefulness of a TAA type that pumps a lot of crosses into the box but not in any precise way. So, right now the more traditional measures of "chances created" and the slightly more subjective "big chances created" are far more useful guides.

        PS That makes xGI a dubious number as well, of course. Sorry and all that - I know we'd all like it if there were a few simple numbers that would tell us everything. But these ones don't and even with xG (which is the best of them) you do need to understand what it is telling you and what it isn't.

        1. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Great post Ruth

          You are right it is all a load of bs.

        2. FFPro
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Some good points however I tend to take chances created with a grain of salt when it comes to set piece takers. They can be misleading as headers generally have a much lower chance of being converted, whereas xA factors this in.

          Anyhow, expected stats are just another metric to be examined - not the be all and end all.

      31. Totti
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        who will score more points in the coming weeks?

        A) aguero and bernardo silva
        B) sterling and lacazette

        1. Duffy Dunk
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          B

        2. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          A