Captains
19 October 2018 2053 comments
DavidMunday815 DavidMunday815
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It’s a welcome return for our Captain Sensible article as the return of Fantasy Premier League action is now very close.

The second international break of the season has given us plenty of time to weigh up our skipper decisions for Gameweek 9.

As per usual, Sergio Aguero, Eden Hazard and Mohamed Salah all figure in the debate. We’ll be looking at the results of our poll as well as the underlying data behind the options themselves, their teams and their respective Gameweek 9 opposition.

Captain Poll

Not for the first time this season, Sergio Aguero (Ā£11.3m) is the runaway leader of the captain poll. At the time of writing, the Manchester City striker boasts a 44.69% share of the vote and was considerably clear of second-placed Eden Hazard (Ā£11.3m).

The Chelsea man has just under 13% backing thus far. Both he and Aguero may have been boosted by the fact that Mohamed Salah (Ā£12.8m) is an injury doubt for Gameweek 9 when it came to the voting process.

Hazard especially has also been more reliable than the Egyptian this season and leads his rival on goal involvements by a score of ten to five. That is why the easier fixture for Salah is not so enticing, even if Hazard is facing Manchester United.

Interestingly, Raheem Sterling (Ā£11.2m) is still yet to trouble this season’s big three. He sits fourth in the vote with a little under 7% of the votes in our poll, despite blanking in just one of his Premier League appearances in 2018/19 and outscoring Aguero in every home match. That could indicate that many of those who participated in the poll are struggling to fit him into their squads given their current structure and are looking elsewhere for the captaincy.

Alexandre Lacazette‘s (Ā£9.7m) recent form has him hot on Sterling’s trail in the captain poll. He currently edges Harry Kane‘s (Ā£12.5m) 4.55% share of the vote with a backing of 4.63% at the time of writing.

Surprisingly, up next is Marcos Alonso (Ā£7.0m) whose 2.48% score is nearly more than double that of Alexandar Mitrovic (Ā£6.9m), Callum Wilson (Ā£6.4m) and Richarlison (Ā£6.8m).

  1. Fantasy Gold
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Real football is back.

    Oh, it’s beautiful.

    1. Eden Wizard
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Boro tonight, i agree šŸ˜‰

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

    Kane(c) anyone?

    1. Eden Wizard
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Can't captain if i don't own šŸ˜†

    2. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      If he's your best option, yes

    3. Superballzzz
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Just sold

    4. Dele
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Selling for Aguero

    5. ZeBestee
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I am.

  3. Riders of Yohan
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Stick or twist?

    Patricio / foster
    Robbo / Alonso / shaw / awb / bennet
    Hazard / richarlison / Maddison / Fraser / hoijberg
    Kane / aguero / Mitrovic

    1ft 1.3 ITB

    Any help is greatly appreciated

    1. Killitzer
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      How about Shaw—> TAA?

      1. Riders of Yohan
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Double Liverpool defence? Was thinking more mendy

        1. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          Double.

      2. stamboy
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Not nailed is he? Was thinking Gomez might be more secure

    2. Ynwalfc
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Haha was just about to copy the above comment. Doubling up on Liverpool defence is a good move

  4. Killitzer
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Kane —> Aguero -4
    Or
    Mane —> Sterling -4
    Or
    Neither. Hope for Kane and Mané to do well?!

    1. Superballzzz
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      If your in front in your min league make the Aguero move and out the band on him

      1. Dele
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        This

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Kane > Aguero but wait on Mane in the presser.

    3. Riders of Yohan
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      If both fit then leave personally

    4. Millie7
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Mane has just had surgery hasnt he?

  5. Don Van Vliet
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Hasn't Sterling blanked twice?

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      2 pointer against Wolves, 3 pointer against Liverpool and a no show against Huddersfield.

  6. irfanm66
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    What time is the Press conferences tonight?

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Starting in 2 hours roughly. Bournemouth usually have theirs early on a Friday.

  7. daitheboot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Assuming Mane starts
    .. Play either Bennett in def (have Doherty) or Maddison in midfield?

    Ta

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Maddison

    2. Klein
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Maddi

    3. Don Van Vliet
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Tough call. Watford haven't looked much threat of late, but the Monday night clash between Arsenal and Leicester seems to have harvested a lot of goals in recent memory.
      I'd go Maddison.

    4. daitheboot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks chaps, confirmed my thinking and also nice to have someone in reserve for Monday

  8. Taegugk Warrior
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Play :
    A. Patricio (vsWAT),
    B. Begovic (vsSOU)

    P.S : also play doherty.

    1. Klein
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      A for me

    2. Azathoth
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      A

    3. EDUARDO DA SILVA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      B, watford will score.

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

    Repost from prior article:

    Hennessey (Hamer)
    Alonso Robbo Mendy Bennett (AWB)
    Hazard Rich Salah (Maddison Hojbjerg)
    Aguero(c) Murray Ings

    1FT, 0m ITB

    Advice needed on FT please although all below feel a bit sideways:

    A) Hennessey to Fab
    B) Ings to Jimenez
    C) Murray to King / Wilson
    D) Roll FT

    Many thanks

    1. stamboy
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Roll

  10. farmerfat
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Sterling (c) Aguero (vc) set and ready to go šŸ™‚

    1. TLF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Good luck

    2. Don Van Vliet
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Braver man than me.
      Not worried that Agero ownership might punish you, or are you taking the Derek Trotter approach?

      1. farmerfat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        I've had 2 red arrows the past 2 weeks, dropped to 300k, feeling the risk might do me well, if it doesn't work then at least I can say I tried :p

  11. SPorting
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Last call for action, people. Starting XI and bench order OK?

    Bearing in mind I have 2FTs so it’s “use it or lose it” time:

    Ryan
    Laporte, Alonso, Robbo, Doherty
    Salah, Haz, Rich
    Kun, Mitro, Jimenez

    Button, Fraser, Knockaert, AWB

    1. Klein
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I would downgrade knock/frazer with 1Ft to have cash for upgrade next week

      1. SPorting
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Which upgrade are you looking at?

        Fraser is a keeper for me and Knocky is in for his good run when Jimenez's turns dodgy.

    2. Ynwalfc
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I would play Fraser maybe for Laporte, he’s got Southampton at home.

  12. Cojiro
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Wolves double up (patricio and bennet) or play Duffy?

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Double up

    2. The Cherry Picker
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I’d play Duffy personally to spread the risk. That’s the sensible thing to do

  13. Dele
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Trippier > Mendy for a hit?

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Nah

    2. The Cherry Picker
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Not this week

  14. Azathoth
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Don't own Kun,so (s)terling and (vk)ane for me.

    1. The Cherry Picker
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Ouch. That Burnley game is going to be bittersweet

  15. TLF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    For GW6 I used my 2 FT to sell Mendy and Mkhi for Robbo and Sane instead of Doherty and Sterling. What a costly mistake that was.

    1. The Cherry Picker
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Yep. Things have a funny way of working out though. They might haul.

  16. Eden Wizard
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Going with my gut instinct this week, look forward to my extra rough with the not so smooth post...

    1. SPorting
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      And that would be.....?

      1. Eden Wizard
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Bench Doherty, Watford to score.
        Jiminez hattrick masterclass with no assists.

        1. Eze Really?
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          3 doherty assists?

          1. Eden Wizard
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            "with no assists"

            1. Eze Really?
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              Might as well stick your fingers down the throat now. Save making a mess at the weekend!

              1. Eden Wizard
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 4 months ago

                Tough bench decision this week for a lot of people.
                Appreciate the Wolves defence is statistically excellent and Doherty is playing high and wide but someone has to be benched..

                1. Eze Really?
                  • 11 Years
                  7 years, 4 months ago

                  I am benching Alonso (scared though)

                  1. Eden Wizard
                    • 7 Years
                    7 years, 4 months ago

                    I'm now on Richarlison bench due to lowish stats & CPA defensive stats. Honestly terrible headache this week!

                    1. Eze Really?
                      • 11 Years
                      7 years, 4 months ago

                      Playing CF in an attacking team. Thinking Rich a captain pick!

          2. Eden Wizard
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            3* Doherty shots double deflecting before dropping to Jiminez šŸ˜‰

            1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 4 months ago

              in bound 0-0

  17. TLF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Be interesting to see the City line up and whose minutes get managed with champs league in mind a few days later.

    1. Eden Wizard
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Always interesting! Kun surely nailed on starter, that's enough for the arm band.

      1. TLF
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Agreed, would love to see Sane get a start this week.

        1. Eden Wizard
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          He looked GARBAGE for Germany.

          1. TLF
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Yeah I know but Pep has a habit of picking players up when they are down and getting the best out of them, this could be one of those scenarios and who better to get Sane's confidence back against than Burnley. Pep may well want to rest key players for the champs league mid week.

        2. Eden Wizard
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          but if it meant Sterling benched i'd go for it šŸ˜‰ ha

          1. TLF
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 4 months ago

            Could happen but unlikely

    2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Both Sane and Sterling played 180 mins in the IB. I can see both rested for the CL midweek.

      1. TLF
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Not sure Sane will be saved for champs league, Mendy is ahead of his in the pecking order when Pep plays his favoured formation. Sterling could be rested but I think he will get minutes to be honest.

  18. Ynwalfc
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Ederson
    Robbo,Alonso,Doherty
    Mane,Fraser,Hazard,Richarlison
    Mitro,Wilson,Kun(C)

    Subs Hamer,TAA,Maddison,WB

    I’m not sure on leaving TAA on the bench but I can’t think who to swap him with. Any ideas or any changes needed? Thanks guys

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      See what's going on with Mane and Fraser later, you may well get him off the bench anyway.

      1. stamboy
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Prefer TAA to Alonso this week

    2. Ynwalfc
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks, yes he’s good to have as a first sub

    3. Whazza
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Well, Fraser might be injured

  19. Who Ate All Depays?
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Guys, what do you suggest with 1 FT and 3.7 itb?

    Patricio
    Alonso, Laporte, Bennett
    Hazard, Richarlison, Fraser, Schurrle
    Aguero, Kane, Wilson
    (Hamer, AWB, Shaw, Ward)

    A) Save FT
    B) Shaw -> Robertson
    C) any other suggestions

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      B and bench Bennett imo.

      1. stamboy
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        +1

    2. The Cherry Picker
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I’d save if I were you. Evaluate the squads after the IB and get your Liverpool attacker in next week with 2FTs

  20. TheDragon
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Is Salah is fit (and you own him) is he not a better captain option?

    1. Kanga roo
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Potentially, why do you think he might be?

      1. TheDragon
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Huddersfield are terrible and if you own him and won’t captain vs Huddersfield is it even worth owning him given his price

        1. Mackans
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          He is much better at home tho

        2. stamboy
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 4 months ago

          +1

  21. Jontharon
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    1FT £3.3itb
    Ederson
    Doherty, Alonso, Wan-Bissaka, Robertson
    Fraser, Mané, Hazard, Richarlison
    Agüero, Ings

    (Ryan) (Zaha, Cairney, Schlupp)

    A) Schlupp > Mendy
    B) Mane > Salah
    C) Something else?

    1. The Cherry Picker
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      100% B

      1. stamboy
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        +1

  22. Babit1967
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Part of me wants to stick the armband on Salah as I feel Aguero will get hooked on 60 ish but then there is always the chance he will get a hat trick so Aguero it is

    1. Eden Wizard
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Aguero's year this.

  23. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Thinking of taking a wild punt on Deulofeu.

    Watford have a few great fixtures coming up. wol HUD new sou is solid and he'll likely start this week.

    1. Eden Wizard
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      He'll start by the sounds of it, can see Watford bouncing back. Watford paper suggests Pererya Gray Deulo front 3...pretty flames

    2. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Eyeing him up as a Fraser replacement in a week or so. Might watch the Wolves - Watford match to see how he's going.

    3. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Away to Wolves isn’t a great fixture

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah fair enough. But hard to argue the other 3.

    4. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Bit risky as might be building up fitness but could pay off. I like Schürrle over next 3

    5. Demel
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I have been looking for a Danny Ward replacement. He is one to put on the radar.

  24. Limit80
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Any reason to think Gomez won't start? Similar stats (spg, KPpg) to taa. Already have taa - looking to double.

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      He'll start. I'll probably get him next week.

      1. Limit80
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks

    2. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      He will be prone to rotation so there is always a chance he won’t start especially now that Lovren and Matip are fit

      1. stamboy
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Will he be more prone to rotation than TAA?

  25. The Red Devil
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    RMWCT
    Ryan button
    Alonso Robertson Doherty zabaleta Bennett
    Hazard maddison richarlison Mane hojbjerg
    Mitrovic lacazette aguero

    0.1ITB
    Looking at getting Sterling and Mendy, maybe switch to 4-4-2 with aguero & lacazette?

    1. Joggers Nipple
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Do the 4-4-2.
      Team is all good if mane is fit

      1. The Red Devil
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        If I get Sterling and Mendy, no Mane probably

    2. The Cherry Picker
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Foolish to get Mané in on a WC when he’s not going to play this week. He’s not in good enough form to bench him and pick him up when he returns. If you want advice that’s it. Need to revisit before tomorrow.

      1. The Red Devil
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        I'm actually looking at a 4-4-2 with Sterling hazard maddison richarlison & aguero lacazette upfront

    3. The Cherry Picker
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Also, Zab?! Come on mate. You have been playing this game long enough to know you’ll have to use a transfer on him in a few weeks.

      1. The Red Devil
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 4 months ago

        Lol, wanted a different cheap enabler, otherwise I'll have to double up on wolves, Bennett and Doherty

  26. jia you
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Rough: Mane injury, so premium asset benched, and no wiggle room to bring in KDB/Sterling.
    Smooth: Bennett's 15 pointer autosubbing with KDB & Sterling blanking.

    1. The Cherry Picker
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Doherty*

  27. The Final Boss
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Patricio foster
    Peltier* Mendy Luiz robbo AWB
    Mane* haz rich moura cairney*
    Kane zaha* Wilson..

    0.6 itb..
    A)wc
    B)zaha to mitro for free
    C)Kane and mane to lacz and Sterling -4
    D)zaha and mane to jiminez and Sterling -4.

    1. Joggers Nipple
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      Wc and shift Kane and moura too

  28. Demel
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    All about the Salah captaincy this week. It would be glad to finally nail a big captaincy haul.

    1. Eden Wizard
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      You might try considering in form players.

  29. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Seems harsh on Arsenal to have to play Monday night then travel to Portugal to play on Thursday night. Good thing for them that they could put out a second team and still win in the EL.

  30. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 months ago

    Arsene Wenger to become Bayern Munich manager? That cant be true, can it?

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 4 months ago

      I can picture him in a lederhosen.