Opinion

Moving on from latest Pep-troll and the curse of the mid-price defender

For many of us, the last four Gameweeks of Fantasy Premier League have been comical, to say the least.

It’s certainly been that way for me. You couldn’t write it. Let’s go back to Gameweek 22.

Aboubakar Kamara (£4.5m) is transferred in just days before he decides to fight Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.5m) in a yoga class. The first person in the history of yoga classes to start a fight in a yoga class. Kamara is loaned out to Yeni Malatyaspor as punishment and gets red-flagged.

In Gameweek 23, Marcos Alonso (£6.5m) was shipped out for Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.2m) on the Sunday night after the Spaniard managed just two points in Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Newcastle.

Tuesday rolls around and Trent is ruled out for four weeks due to injury. Burned by moving early. Another red flag.

On to Gameweek 24. The injured Alexander-Arnold makes may for Everton’s Lucas Digne (£5.3m). Digne is benched by Marko Silva, comes on for Leighton Baines (£5.0m) after 55 minutes and gets himself sent off shortly afterwards. A painful -2. Yes, you’ve guessed it, yet another red flag.

Next up, double Gameweek 25 and visions of 100+ points. “Leroy Sané (£9.7m) has the best chance of starting both games.” Captain Leroy it is then.

Pep Guardiola decides to bring his FPL trolling to a new level, not playing the German at all against Arsenal then substituting him in the 59th minute against Everton. One point over the two games. ONE! Despair for triple captainers.

Naming my podcast ‘The 59th Minute’ came back to bite me in spectacular fashion. One can only laugh (otherwise I’d cry).

With Chelsea up next then a Blank in Gameweek 27 coupled with the pain he’s caused, Sane is the most transferred-out player this week.

It’s no surprise to see that Son Heung-min (£8.7m) is the most popular replacement. The South Korean has scored in back-to-back games since returning from the Asian Cup and faces Leicester (home) and Burnley (away) in his next two.

He’s got seventeen attacking returns (10 goals, 7 assists) in just nineteen appearances this season. A points machine.

Paul Pogba (£8.6m) and Sadio Mané (£9.5m) are two others to consider for those looking to jump off a Man City midfielder this week.

Pogba has six goals and three assists in his last seven appearances while Mane has outshone his more expensive teammate Mohamed Salah (£13.6m) in recent Gameweeks scoring in each of the last three matches. Mo points for less Mane?

Richarlison (£6.8m) is another player who has to go soon. The curse of ‘keeping a player because he has a double Gameweek’ strikes again. One attacking return in seven just isn’t good enough.

There are plenty of replacement options with the likes of Diogo Jota (£6.0m), Pascal Gross (£6.7m) and James Ward-Prowse (£5.1m) finding form in recent weeks. Early season favourites Ryan Fraser (£6.1m) and Felipe Anderson (£7.1m) shouldn’t be ignored either.

Eden Hazard (£10.9m) and Gonzalo Higuain (£9.5m) linked up well versus Huddersfield and posted good scores but it’s important to remember that it was Huddersfield, a team preparing for life back in the Championship.

The Blues face Man City (away) then have a blank in Gameweek 27 followed by Spurs (home). A tricky run. Higuain is on the Watchlist for now while Hazard will be making way this week to make space for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.2m).

The Gabonese international should do damage over the next three Gameweeks as his Arsenal side come up against Huddersfield (away), Southampton (home) and Bournemouth (home).

Captaincy for Gameweek 26 isn’t straightforward. Salah faces Bournemouth at home but he has blanked in the last two Gameweeks.

Aubameyang has 15 goals to his name but just six of those have come away from the Emirates, and he has had an illness in the week too.

The likes of Pogba and Rashford should be considered as they travel to face a struggling Fulham side.

Son is another candidate this week with Spurs welcoming Leicester to Wembley. Lots of options.

Having captained Mo for his hat trick against Bournemouth earlier in the season, I think that’s where my armband will be, come deadline on Saturday.

528 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Is there any update on TAA?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      No, but I think Klopp is due to give us nothing useful tomorrow

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      He’s been close, then very close, he’s probably now very very close.

      My guess would be he plays. They’re desperate for him

    3. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      desperately waiting for one.Guess is he might play as they are in desperate need but have to wait for klopp press conference

  2. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    1) Do we reckon there will be any price changes for sane and son tonight? the fplstatistics estimates keep changing
    2) If you could get only one of Son or Auba this gw, who would you get? Auba would be for a hit but as i will anyways take a hit next gw for him, it shouldnt make a diff.
    3) Rich (wat, blank) >> Anderson (cpl, FUL) worth a hit? will have schindler coming on for Rich in gw27 but leaning towards Anderson

    1. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      1. Son yes, Sane no would be my guess
      2. I'm getting both for a hit
      3. Maybe wait a week?

  3. Kuzser
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed.
    What is a better option for this week:
    1) Sane Son + 4 points
    2) Hazard Son + 4 points
    3) Son Auba

    Thinking in what order to get rid of Sane, Hazard and Kamara to get Son and Auba

    1. Super John McGinn-
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      3

    2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      2

    3. Kuzser
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Actually option 4: Sane, Auba +4 points

    4. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B

  4. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts? Have to start 2:

    A) Bednarek (CAR)
    B) Holebas (EVE)
    C) AWB (WHU)
    D) Richarlison (wat)

    Leaning A/D now

    1. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I've got a similar decision to make (1 from BCD) and still undecided but Everton's inability to defend set pieces is leaning me to playing Holebas currently. It's a bit of a coin toss though.

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      AD

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      ACB in that order and forget D.

      Rich is a one pointer. Watford may concede but there’s very little about his recent record to suggest he’s a scorer.

      Holebas has the chance of an attacking return but I’d marginally favour AWB with a clean and/or bonus points

  5. Super John McGinn-
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on what to do with this? First time I've ever actually considered a -8

    Fab, Steele
    Alonso*, TAA, Doherty, Digne, AWB
    Salah, Hazard*, Sane*, Pogba, Siggy*
    Rashford, Jimenez, Kamara*.

    2FT 0.2 ITB

    A) Alonso + Hazard + Siggy + Kamara > Kolasinac + Son + Hayden + Auba (-8)
    B) Hazard + Sane + Kamara > Son + Hayden + Auba (-4)
    C) Hazard + Kamara > Punch/Hayden + Auba
    D) Alonso + Siggy > Kolasinac + Son

    1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      D

    2. Kuzser
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      If I do what you recommended me above, then it'll be your B.
      Also C might work and sane->son next week

  6. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    What would you do with this lot?

    0ft 1.1itb

    Fabianski
    Doherty - Alexander-Arnold[*] - Jonny
    Salah[c] - Hazard - Son - Pogba[vc] - Richarlison
    Aguero - Rashford

    Button - Bednarek - Peltier - Kamara

    A)No hits. Aguero + Richarlison to Aubameyang + Anderson/Jota for -4 gw27
    B)Aguero to Aubameyang for -4 .Richarlison to Anderson/Jota gw27
    C)Aguero + Richarlison to Lacazette + Mane for -8

    Going to get Higuain for the Arsenal Striker in gw29

    1. Kuzser
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. ChippyT
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I'm in a very similar position B sounds the best.

  7. TLF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    With news of Auba illness I think i'll hold Aguero for Cheslea match and roll FT.

    G2G....

    Ryan (Pat)
    TAA, Robbo, Doh
    Salah (C), Son, Pogba, Rich
    Rash, Jiminez, Kun
    (WB, Digne, Camarasa)

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I am still going ahead with it.

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

    Sane owners keeping?

    1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      he is gone

    2. Kuzser
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      He let us down badly. Unforgivable

    3. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      keeping, already on a -4, not worth another hit

    4. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      No, pondering who to replace him. Probably Jota and upgrade elsewhere.

    5. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      No. Son's in.

      1. FPL_DON
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        pretty resounding no then haha

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

    Any news on Pereyra?

    1. Root
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      "The return of Doucouré and Femenía will offset the continued absence of Roberto Pereyra, the team’s top-scorer with seven goals. He will be missing again as a result of the injury he sustained against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium.

      “It is something in his hamstring” said Gracia. “He needs more time to recover. In a couple of days we’ll see if he will be ready. It is always important not to lose one player like Roberto, but you know I don’t like to complain about players I don’t have. I prefer to focus on players I have available.”"

  10. Richd
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    I am no way risking Auba with any mention of illness. Regardless if he trains.

    It’s one red flag

    The second red flag is he’s away from home.

    1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      away from home is what is making it tricky for me .If it was at home would confidently risk the -4

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      And Kun is at home for in form City.

    3. mattyb09
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      After hearing about the illness, I am considering Aguero & Richarlison to Lacazette & Son

  11. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Must be a lot of Pep hate now - especially from Sane(c) and Sane(tc)

    1. Goat
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Always hated him.

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

      I was caught out by a Sane(c) and rivals caught up hugely with Augero(C) and (TC)... however I knew the risk going in, so I can't hate Pep for it.
      I should have gone all in, or kept away altogether.

      I have sold Sane now with a view to the upcoming blank.

    3. wernerhedgehog
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Sane's to blame too really. A bit 1 dimensional, unlike B.Silva or Sterling.

      On hindsight he's easy to drop, but his form was brill.

    4. el polako
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Dont hate the player, hate the game.

    5. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Nope. It was my mistake to trust him.

  12. Lyonnais
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Would you rather:

    A) Save FT
    B) Hazard + Kamara ---> 4.5 mid + Aubameyang -4

    B = change from 3-5-2 to 3-4-3.

  13. ChippyT
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Need some help with the team guys...

    Fabianski
    Bennet|AWB|Doherty|Digne
    Pogba|Rich|Salah(C)|Son(VC)
    Rashford|Aguero

    Button|Sane|Holebas|Kamara

    Thinking of doing a straight swap... Aguero for Aub ?
    Then eventually Richarlison for Bench fodder and Kamara to Jiminez. Am i making a mistake keeping Sane ..

    Digne to Pereira was my original plan for GW26 but less inclined to do so now.

  14. Oh Maddison
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    So, currently leading my ML with 12 points after a disastrous Sane (C) last DW. What would you do now...

    A. Sane -> Son for free
    B. Hazard -> Jota joined together with A for a -4.
    C. Ings -> Auba joined together with A and B for -8.
    D. Other suggestions.

    Help a pal out 🙂

    1. ChippyT
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A for me. Would hold on to Haz for now, I shipped him last week and am regretting it. You will get to see what they are like against a good team in Man City, with Higuain in the side.

      1. Oh Maddison
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        No need for Auba then?

      2. Oh Maddison
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Got Rash and Jimenez 🙂

    2. mattyb09
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Just A for now.

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

    Save my FT or tear apart my team to bring in Aubameyang?
    Is the starting 11 and my bench right? I could bring in another keeper for Button and YOLO BB.

    1 FT
    1.3 ITB

    Lloris
    Doherty - van Dijk - Robertson - Shaw
    Sterling - Salah (C) - Pogba - Son
    Jiménez - Rashford

    (Button, Long, Townsend, Jonny)

  16. IamthenextTeemuPukki
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Any help is greatly appreciated, figure others are in similar situations, and do not want to take hits to complete 2 of the 3:

    I have already done Sane - Son like a lot of people. If you could make only one of these moves, which would you make THIS WEEK, knowing others will eventually occur as well:

    A. Luiz (MCI Away) to Robertson (Bou Home) - I have no other Liv defense
    or
    B. Hazard (MCI Away) to Pogba (Ful Away) - I have Rashford for MU cover
    or
    C. Aguero (Che Home) to Auba (Hud Away) - will definitely happen next week, but is it needed now instead of A/B.

  17. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    This hit should work it over the next 2 weeks right? Assuming mane and rashford both play in 27 and get 2 points then I only need then to outscore sane and richarlison by 4 points this week to make it profitable.

    Moves would Be:

    Sane, Richarlison, Kamara out

    Rashford, Mane, Puncheon in

    Madness or genius?

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      It's for a -8

  18. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    who’s likely to score more in next 3 pls
    a. laca + fanderson
    b. aub + 5.2 fodder

    ?

  19. DantheManinaPan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    I'm really really struggling with this decision. I just can't decide

    A) Sane to Mane
    B) Aguero to Auba
    C) Both for -4

    1. jay89
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A for me.

    2. ChippyT
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I'm not convinced getting Mane for a -4 is worth it. I'm pretty sure B is the way forward!

    3. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

  20. Eytexi
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Auba illness news has me stuck:
    A) Hazard.
    B) Auba (-4).

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      He will play imo it’s said in the metro he will still travel to the John smiths on Saturday

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        *will be likely he travels to

      2. Eytexi
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Sounds good, gonna leave it as late as possible hoping for more news.

        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah that’s sensible mate I already did it last Sunday when I was on the ale unfortunately haha

  21. jay89
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Would you do this move for free, or hold fire?

    Sterling + Firmino --> Mane + Auba

    Have triple Liverpool, so can't just do Sterling > Mane. So has to be either both or none..

    1. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Leave it as late as possible hoping for Auba news but yeah, I'd do it.

  22. JRO093
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Ryan
    Bennett, Robertson, Digne
    Sane, Haz, Richa, Salah, Pogba
    Rash, Jimenez

    Patricio, Rondon, Bednarek, Wan Bis

    1 FT. Do I;

    1) Sane to Son?
    2) Haz to Son?
    3) Sane and Haz to Fanderson and Son (-4)?
    4) Find a way to get Auba in - if so how?

  23. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Do we think Auba will be fit this weekend? Laca is tempting me now as he is arguably in better form than Auba

    1. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Hopeful for auba, not tempted by laca.

  24. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Tempted by this, sane+hazard to son+Anderson, following week firmino to Aubameyang. Thoughts?

    Guaita
    Doherty, kolasinac, Robertson
    Salah, hazard*, sane*, pogba
    Jimmy, rashford, firmino

    Boruc, laporte, camarasa, kiko

    1. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Definitely. Good moves.

      1. Garlana
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

  25. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    What is the view on acquiring mane as a sane replacement rather than son??

    Mane would be a huge differential for me and plays all the blanks.

    I have robbo and Salah so won't be able to get TAA further down the line

    Thanks

    1. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Mane is an option long term but Son's points over the next 2 i reckon will make him worth it.

    2. Alpharius
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I think it’s a good option. Son is probably the safer pic in terms of transfers in at the moment, but if you need a differential over many managers in MLs etc he’s not a bad shout. Tbh not being able to double up on defence is probably not that bad.

  26. JohnBlack
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    G2G this week? 0itb, 1ft

    Fab
    Robbo TAA Doherty
    Salah(C) Sane Son Pogba
    Auba(VC) Rashford Jiminez

    Pat WanB Bednarek Puncheon

    1. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yep, nice team.

  27. Grounderz
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Possible another Sane price drop before GW deadline? He’s currently at 79.40% from FPLStatistics.

    1. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I reckon he'll drop again tomorrow, yeah, but just opinion.

    2. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      yes

  28. SHOOTER MCGINN
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Made some moves. GTG or any suggestions?

    Patricio
    Robertson TAA Doherty
    Salah Sterling Son Pogba
    Laca Jimi Rashford

    Fab Bednarek Hayden Digne

  29. 11 smelly shirts
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Not sure whom to bench:
    Fabianski (Etheridge)
    Robbo, AWB, Digne, Bednarek, Kolasinac
    Pogba, Salah, Redmond, D. Silva, (Nasri)
    Auba, Jimenez, Rashford

    Can't make up my mind if Fab or Etheridge and thinking to bench D. Silva and Digne (Nasri is a given on the bench due to injury)
    Have bad experience with putting AWB on the bench. Bednarek and Redmond have easy fixtures. Kind of expecting D. Silva not to play from beginning as he did so the last three games...
    Any advice is appreciated

    1. 11 smelly shirts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Anyone?

  30. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    G2G?

    Etheridge
    Robbo, Shaw, Doherty
    Salah(C), Pogba, Son, Sterling
    Firmino, Rash, Jimenez

    Speroni, Westwood, AWB, Bednarek