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).

2,053 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. SharkyT
    8 years, 21 days ago

    0.5m ITB

    Kane & Holesbas > Aguero & Mendy for a hit?

    1. Davido989
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Easily.

      1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 21 days ago

        morning mate, do you still think Mane plays ?? Im off to the Kent coast so won't be looking at FFS till tonight.

        1. Davido989
          8 years, 21 days ago

          I personally think he does. Only 3 players have missed a game through hand injury since 2012 - all 3 were GK's.

          1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            8 years, 21 days ago

            is that right..............you know your stuff fella. Thank you and good luck this weekend. I agree with you about the Bernard home fixtures too.

            1. Davido989
              8 years, 21 days ago

              Good luck to you too and have a nice day.

    2. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Yes!

  2. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 21 days ago

    In the unlikely circumstance that Guardiola says KDB will start, would anyone get him in straight away?

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Some already have
      I prefer to spend transfers on players with form

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      8 years, 21 days ago

      if Mane is ruled out too, I'll be extremely tempted

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        8 years, 21 days ago

        still hesitant because of Cardiff though

        1. Planet Head
          8 years, 21 days ago

          And Fulham after that

          1. SADIO SANÉ
            8 years, 21 days ago

            yeah tbh I think Mane will have to be completely ruled out for me to do it, that Cardiff game next week is much better than KDBs

      2. Planet Head
        8 years, 21 days ago

        If Mane is injured then I will too, yep. Once I've finished kicking myself about Mane's price drop

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          8 years, 21 days ago

          I didn't really see that drop coming, thought most would wait until today given the fixtures, luckily have 0.1ITB so I can still make it

          1. āš”ā˜…Vibudhā˜…āš”
            8 years, 21 days ago

            Me too

    3. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 21 days ago

      If Kane out then yeah possibly

      1. āš”ā˜…Vibudhā˜…āš”
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Kane?

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          8 years, 21 days ago

          Kane Mane Sane same thing

      2. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Mane**

  3. Davido989
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Which duo do you prefer?

    A) Richarlison and Murray
    B) Bernard and Arnautovic

    1. Jontharon
      8 years, 21 days ago

      A

    2. KingOllie
      8 years, 21 days ago

      B because of Arnie

      1. Davido989
        8 years, 21 days ago

        My current thinking.

    3. william prunier
      8 years, 21 days ago

      A just
      Not sure about Bernie

      1. Davido989
        8 years, 21 days ago

        It could be Fraser but he's a doubt apparently.

    4. tvz32
      8 years, 21 days ago

      A

    5. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 21 days ago

      B

    6. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 21 days ago

      A. Need to see more from Bernie to see if he can be consistent

      1. Davido989
        8 years, 21 days ago

        That midfielder will be rotated mate. I was planning on playing Bernard for his home games, and benching for the away games.

        1. internal error
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          8 years, 21 days ago

          Then B it is

          1. Davido989
            8 years, 21 days ago

            Sweet pal.

        2. The 12th Man
          8 years, 21 days ago

          I’m doing this. Bernard rotates well with Fraser except gw14.

    7. Differential C (Mark)
      8 years, 21 days ago

      B, Arnie a must have imo

  4. Planet Head
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Do we think Arsenal will revert back to Auba alone up front for the tough upcoming games?

    1. Hits from the Bong
      8 years, 21 days ago

      No

    2. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 21 days ago

      No. Laca is probably ahead of him in the pecking order anyway going on form,

    3. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Can't see Laca getting dropped with his form

    4. Konstaapeli
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Every game is different. Emery might well mix things up. No-one is safe but both will play most of the time.

  5. FPLCEO
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Really appreciate any thoughts on the below WC team.

    Trying to spread value and get some differentials.

    Leno (Fabianski)

    TAA Luiz Doherty (Zabeleta, Bednerak)

    Hazard Sterling(c) KDB Richarlison (Hojberg)

    Vardy Mitrovic Lacazette (v)

    1. MTPockets
      8 years, 21 days ago

      You think Leno's nailed when Cech is fit?
      Defence is suffering from £ in mids, but could be good.

      1. FPLCEO
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Yes I think Leno will play as a great shot stopper and better with his feet.

  6. āš”ā˜…Vibudhā˜…āš”
    8 years, 21 days ago

    How much time left for the Liverpool presser?

    1. Holmes
      8 years, 21 days ago

      around 3hrs

      1. āš”ā˜…Vibudhā˜…āš”
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Oh Nice!

    2. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 21 days ago

      2h 45mins ish.

  7. tvz32
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Reposting due to no response previously

    On my WC and need to decide on these 2 combo

    A) Alonso Balbuena Fraser
    B) Mendy TAA Knockaert

    A) has an underperforming Alonso, Balbuena who i am going to rotate with Doherty and Fraser who is now a doubt

    B) has Mendy and TAA who are both rotation risks? Also Knock who is a punt but has fixtures on his side and on set pieces

    1. Hits from the Bong
      8 years, 21 days ago

      A

    2. MTPockets
      8 years, 21 days ago

      B just because I wouldn't be getting Fraser in now on a wc.

    3. AuFeld
      8 years, 21 days ago

      A. Go with the 'under-performing' Alonso. Knockaert will probably lose his set piece duties when Gross returns.

    4. tvz32
      8 years, 21 days ago

      You guys are not making this any easier. Gut says B is more balanced

  8. John Colby (C)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Para-phrased repost. It would be great to get the community's thoughts as to the strongest option please :

    A. Alonso Westwood Aguero Arnautovic
    Or
    B. Doherty Hazard Vardy Quaner

    1. āš”ā˜…Vibudhā˜…āš”
      8 years, 21 days ago

      I saw Hazard and I typed B

      1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Then saw quaner and wished you hadnt

      2. Smurf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Same here. You really need to have Hazard regardless of the other picks.

    2. tvz32
      8 years, 21 days ago

      A

      1. John Colby (C)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Cheers guys. Salah owner who is worried about no Hazard coverage. Looking to bring Alonso in at least and with Arnautovic's fixtures picking up soon I'm hoping for the best

    3. MTPockets
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Maybe B if Quaner's your only dead player, but don't like non-playing picks.
      Can you make things work via cheapest dead option - a 3.9m def (saving 0.5m)?

      1. John Colby (C)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Clever suggestion MTPOCKETS. Never considered that. Cheers.

  9. jomikijiq
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Bench one

    A) Alonso
    B) Jonny
    C) Fraser
    D) Arnautovic

    1. Sap
      8 years, 21 days ago

      B

    2. Superballzzz
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Weirdly I guess you hope Fraser out as makes the decision for you

      Iv benched arnie!

      1. jomikijiq
        8 years, 21 days ago

        I do indeed šŸ™‚

        I think I’m leaning towards Arnie as well

    3. The Left Duke #3
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Tough but B probably

  10. fenixri
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Any news on Fraser?

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 21 days ago

      See Scout Tweets. Or go back a page or 2.

    2. The Left Duke #3
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Himself and Kind to be assessed

  11. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Really tempted by an alternative (other than Maddison) option from Leicester on wildcard.

    Maguire or Pereira worthwhile or are they an attack only option?

    1. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Both great options really. I like the saving Pereira gives you but obviously that comes with a slight doubt over his starting spot.

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Very few pick either here from the looks of it. I wonder whether they offer sufficient 'cover'.

        1. Smurf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          8 years, 21 days ago

          Don’t worry about the herd on here. On a wildcard you have the luxury of looking forward with your picks where most people with just one transfer will in the most part need to focus on say Liverpool assets etc.

  12. ZTF
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Best 5.4m forward option off the bench?

    1. The Left Duke #3
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Vokes 5.3m?

      1. ZTF
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Yeah I suppose. Shame I’m 0.1m short of Vietto

    2. Holmes
      8 years, 21 days ago

      none, try to find extra 0.3 or just go with 4.4m forward

      1. Holmes
        8 years, 21 days ago

        0.2*

  13. The Left Duke #3
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Pulled the trigger on Mane to Sterling last night.

    Will wait for pressers but is this worth a WC ?

    Fabianski MCCARTHY
    Alonso Robertson Doherty Wan Bissaka SHAW
    Hazard Sterling Maddison Richarlison KANTE
    Aguero ZAHA KING

    to

    Fabianski PATRICIO
    Alonso Robertson Doherty Wan Bissaka ALEXANDER-ARNOLD
    Hazard Sterling Maddison Richarlison HJOIBERG
    Aguero ARNIE MITROVIC

    1. Sap
      8 years, 21 days ago

      No

    2. Konstaapeli
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Nope

  14. Lord Bendtner
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Hi all,

    best option ?
    a) Richarlison for playing as striker
    b) Maddison for better fixtures ?

    1. Sap
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Both)

  15. altan8797
    8 years, 21 days ago

    should I trust Sterling over Kun on captaincy?

    1. Davido989
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Easily.

      More PPM, more points, never blanked at home.

      1. Pieterke30
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Not « easily ». If one of them gets benched tomorrow, my money is on Sterling

        1. Davido989
          8 years, 21 days ago

          There's always going to be that fear with any City player. It's FPL, you'll get some bad luck along the way.

    2. Prison Mike
      8 years, 21 days ago

      It’s worth a gamble for sure given sterling’s better form and minutes

    3. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 21 days ago

      I would go Kun personally (have both myself) but I think you can trust him and if your gut is telling you Sterling go for him rather than listen to crowed.

      1. Rage Against The Raheem
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Crowd

    4. FPLCEO
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Yes - safer bet for me. Great stats and more likely to play for the full 90.

    5. altan8797
      8 years, 21 days ago

      thanks all

  16. Prison Mike
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Which Liverpool fullback do we think will see more rotation going forward?

    A) TAA

    B) Robertson

    1. Hits from the Bong
      8 years, 21 days ago

      A

    2. Davido989
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Trent. Klopp has an obsession with Lovren which could see Gomez/Trent miss the odd game.

      1. Pieterke30
        8 years, 21 days ago

        But you’re still confident Trent will start the next two, as you were two weeks ago?

        1. Davido989
          8 years, 21 days ago

          Yes, for sure. It's the tougher games where there's a worry.

      2. Prison Mike
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Cheers berbs, he is one of the best centre backs in the world after all...

        1. Davido989
          8 years, 21 days ago

          The worst starting CB Liverpool have had in many years.

      3. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        8 years, 21 days ago

        haha, it's weird, isn't it

        1. Davido989
          8 years, 21 days ago

          It's disturbing and concerning. Lovren is dogsh*te.

          1. internal error
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            8 years, 21 days ago

            Everytime the ball is in the box and he is near the ball, my heart stops

    3. Jontharon
      8 years, 21 days ago

      A

    4. altan8797
      8 years, 21 days ago

      TAA

  17. Pieterke30
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Howe saying Fraser « has carried a hamstring injury for a few weeks ».

    Don’t fall in the trap, lads. Why has he kept playing him then? What’s changed now? He said the same thing after last intl break. I didnt get Fraser on my WC as a consequence and missed his 18 pt haul.

    Fraser WILL start.

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 21 days ago

      What's changed? Stanislas was still recovering from his injury the last time around.

      1. Pieterke30
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Yeah.
        Fair point.

        But Im still bitter from last time.

        1. GENERATION X
          8 years, 21 days ago

          Try selling him before it...

    2. AuFeld
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Not worried. Starting Fraser with Maddison on the bench.

      1. GENERATION X
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Yeah same here - some interest in the Sunday game then...

    3. SADIO SANÉ
      8 years, 21 days ago

      you got the EuroMillions numbers too?

  18. moz_1983
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Is the following squad decent for a WC attempt?

    Patricio - Fab
    Alonso - Robinson - Laporte - WB- Bennett
    Salah - Hazard - Richarlison - Maddison - Obiang
    Aguero - Arno - Jiminez

    Thoughts?

    1. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Yes

  19. Mackans
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Alonso or Mendy?

    1. moz_1983
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Alonso if I had to choose.

    2. Hits from the Bong
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Alonso more nailed

  20. GENERATION X
    8 years, 21 days ago

    As someone who sold Fraser based on his last injury news I'm back in the same boat...

  21. Eden Wizard
    8 years, 21 days ago

    High Ceiling or High Floor, non-captaincy?

    1. AuFeld
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Who do you think has a high floor?

    2. Holmes
      8 years, 21 days ago

      prefer high floor

      1. Eden Wizard
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Thanks, dullard hey šŸ˜‰

    3. AuFeld
      8 years, 21 days ago

      High ceiling for the bold.

      1. Eden Wizard
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Indeed thanks.
        Ceiling is both Richarlison & Brooks, floor is TAA + Richy.

  22. H-Over United
    8 years, 21 days ago

    5/15 of my team ist "yellow/red"...
    Holebas, Tarkowski, Mané, Fraser, Stephens

    Have 2 FT and are 0.1 less to do this:
    Tarkowski & Holebas -> Mendy & Bednarek

    Would u take a hit and get the 0.1 with another transfer like...
    Stephens -> McTominay or Begovic -> Lössl?

  23. Starky22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Thoughts on team for GW9?

    Fabianski
    Alonso, Mendy, Robertson, Cook
    Dilva, Hazard, Fraser
    Aguero, Vardy, Mitro

    B: Knockaert, Maddison, AWB, (Hart).

    To enable Sterling considering the following next week for 4 PT hit with Fraser's :
    Fraser, Dilva, Vardy > Neves, Sterling, Arnie
    Thoughts?

  24. Jebiga
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Are you starting or benching Fraser ?
    15 minutes cameo could be the case ?

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      8 years, 21 days ago

      I don't own him but I think it's a start or not-in-squad situation.

    2. #FPLBhuna
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 21 days ago

      im probably going to start him and bench alonso

      for me, he either starts or is omitted altogether don't see a cameo

      won't hurt us with an 18 pter every time

    3. Goat
      8 years, 21 days ago

      18 pointer could be the case

    4. Sap
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Start

    5. MTPockets
      8 years, 21 days ago

      starting or selling

  25. Differential C (Mark)
    8 years, 21 days ago

    What I'm getting from Howe's presser is that Fraser is either starting or not playing at all. With H.Costa coming on from the bench if Fraser is a no-show, I'm guessing there's no need to use a transfer to rectify that situation?

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 21 days ago

      correct

      1. Differential C (Mark)
        8 years, 21 days ago

        Cheers Guru

  26. mike09
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Bench one:

    A) Bennett
    B) Knockaert
    C) Maddison
    D) Ings

    1. Differential C (Mark)
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Benny, the others have much higher points ceilling.

    2. #FPLBhuna
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 21 days ago

      B

      newcastle will keep a cs this week imo

  27. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Thoughts?

    Patricio -- Foster
    Alonso Robbo Doherty Shaw -- Awb
    Salah Rich Maddison -- Camarassa Stephens
    Kane Kun King

    A: Shaw >> Morrison and do camarassa/kane >> Hazard/ings (-4) in gw10
    B: Shaw >> Morrison and WC in gw10 to bring in hazard,arnie,mitro
    C: Shaw >> Dunk (+0.6m) and do camarassa/kane >> Hazard/ings (-4) in gw10 and still have funds for king > arnie in gw11

  28. Eze Really?
    8 years, 21 days ago

    This GW only:
    Dubravka and Arnie or Alisson and Wilson?

    1. Davido989
      8 years, 21 days ago

      Alisson and Wilson.

  29. ltd-ffc
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Any advice greatly appreciated on this team.

    Ederson
    Alonso robertson walker wan-bissaka
    hazard(v) maddison Mane Lucas Moura
    Aguero(C) Jimenez

    Bench: Betinelli, Mitro, Cedric, Hojbjerg

    2 free transfers 0.2m ITB

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      8 years, 21 days ago

      what on earth is this

      what is mitro doing on your bench

      what is wanbis doing starting

      lol

      1. ltd-ffc
        8 years, 21 days ago

        undecided on starting to be honest and i havent changed anything yet.

        its probably being a fulham that has made me hesitant over Mitro lol

  30. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    8 years, 21 days ago

    Patricio (Foster)
    Alonso, Robertson, Trippier, Shaw (AWB)
    Hazard, Salah, Maddison (Neves, Hojbjerg)
    Kun (c), Wilson, Mitrovic

    2 FT's, 0.0m ITB

    How does Trippier and Shaw to Mendy and Doherty sound ? Is double Wolves D too much when they have a good fixtures like this GW ?(will be playing Foster when they don't).