Scout Notes

Why Santo rotated Doherty and Patricio in Gameweek 29

Wolves registered only their third shut-out in 21 Gameweeks on Saturday as they saw off Cardiff City at Molineux.

Owners of Matt Doherty, Jonny and Rui Patricio missed out on the clean sheet points, however, as Nuno Espirito Santo rotated heavily.

There was further joy for Raul Jimenez‘s owners, though, as the budget-turned-mid-priced Fantasy Premier League forward banked a third double-digit haul of the season.

The 2-0 win for Santo’s side is the chief focus of our Scout Notes below, while we also run the rule over Brighton and Hove Albion 1-0 Huddersfield Town.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 Cardiff City

  • Goals: Diogo Jota (£6.1m), Raul Jimenez (£6.9m)
  • Assists: Raul Jimenez, Diogo Jota

Having promised to give John Ruddy (£4.2m) a run-out against Cardiff in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Nuno Espirito Santo wielded the rotation axe further after a busy week.

The “in the know” rumours turned out to be accurate once again as Santo made five changes to his starting XI from the defeat to Huddersfield Town in midweek.

As well as Ruddy for Rui Patricio (£4.5m), in came Adama Traore (£5.1m), Ruben Vinagre (£4.3m), Romain Saiss (£4.2m) and Morgan Gibbs-White (£4.3m) at the expense of Matt Doherty (£5.5m), Jonny (£4.4m), Ruben Neves (£4.9m) and Joao Moutinho (£5.4m).

While Ruddy’s inclusion in the team was on the grounds of building up match-sharpness ahead of his start in the FA Cup quarter-final in a fortnight’s time, the Wolves boss explained his outfield rotation after full-time:

It’s a short squad, a very short squad of 16 [outfield] players, so credit to them as they prepare themselves for the moment the chance comes.

I think it is our job to prepare the squad well, so we’re always able to choose a strong XI.

We are all aware of what happened at Huddersfield, we didn’t perform well, but it’s nothing to do with that.

We have to realise the momentum. We came from a very good run of games, so it would be stupid on my part to pass on that message to them.

When you have a tough cycle of games in a week, the third one is the one we believe requires some attention.

Those last two lines are the most relevant to Fantasy managers worried about the first-team prospects of Doherty and co.

Firstly, the mass-benching of four of Wolves’ midfield five (we’re including the wing-backs in that) was not some sort of punishment for the dismal defeat at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Secondly, Santo’s comment about the third match in a “tough cycle of games” is something to bear in mind in future with Double Gameweeks on the horizon.

Wolves’ two Premier League fixtures in Double Gameweek 32 immediately precede FA Cup semi-final weekend, which they may yet be involved in, while the expected Double Gameweek 35 runs straight into Gameweek 36.

The Wolves boss has previous for this sort of thing, benching Raul Jimenez (£6.9m) and Moutinho at the back-end of Gameweeks 14-16.

The squad players performed well on Saturday, with Gibbs-White and Saiss impressing in the centre of the park and Vinagre and Traore putting in decent shifts at wing-back.

One piece of good news for Doherty’s owners is that, for all Traore was electric when bombing forward and taking on his man, he offered little in the way of protection for Ryan Bennett (£4.2m) at centre-back.

Santo seemed to address that in an early second-half change, throwing Doherty on at wing-back and pushing Traore alongside Jimenez.

The Wolves head coach confirmed that the player sacrificed in that substitution, Diogo Jota (£6.1m), wasn’t injured:

No, he’s [Jota] perfect. It was a decision. We didn’t change tactically. We balanced the team a little bit more. It was good.

Jota and Jimenez combined beautifully in the first half, each setting up a goal for the other and recording double-digit FPL hauls.

Jota finished a brilliant 16-pass move to open the scoring after quarter of an hour, while his Mexican strike partner doubled the lead two minutes later following a swift break – and error from Sol Bamba (£4.7m).

Further chances came and went, with Leander Dendoncker (£4.3m) hitting the post from point-blank range and then seeing the follow-up effort deflected over, Traore dragging wide after a solo run and Vinagre twice stinging the hands of Neil Etheridge (£4.7m) from presentable positions.

After missing out on clean sheet points, Doherty’s owners were then denied an assist when Etheridge somehow kept out Jimenez’s 73rd-minute effort from a prone position.

Santo said of his side’s efforts:

It was well played in the first half, very well. The second half was not so good.

I’m pleased, especially for the manner we scored. It was well played.

I’m not so pleased with the second half because we must do better in situations when we have superiority – when we are in front.

Credit though for the way we defended, until the end of the game, with all the problems Cardiff put you in – throw-ins, corners, through-balls – over and over again.

Wolves will be without Bennett for their next two Premier League matches after the centre-half collected his tenth booking of the season, meaning Saiss will likely keep his place (either at centre-back or in midfield if Dendoncker drops into defence) in Gameweek 30 and the first half of Gameweek 32.

Owners of West Ham assets will be have been encouraged to see Cardiff so wide open at the back ahead of the two clubs’ meeting in Gameweek 30.

The Bluebirds’ defensive strength against non-big six sides was one of their major plus points but they have now shipped ten goals to Watford, Everton and Wolves in little over a week.

The perhaps premature return from injury of Sean Morrison (£4.7m) has been cited by some Cardiff fans as a contributing factor in their recent troubles at the back.

The Bluebirds look set to be stuck with their club captain at centre-half, though, after Bamba picked up a knee injury on Saturday.

Neil Warnock was downbeat when asked about his defender’s prognosis:

Not very good, we honestly don’t know the full extent but I would imagine the way things are going, it would be season-defining.

You can’t tell with things like that until they’ve settled down with swelling.

The worse scenario is if it’s a bad one, I can’t see him playing again this season. But that’s imagining it’s the worse scenario.

He’s had a rip on his thigh which should have kept him out for six weeks, so you never know with Sol – he might be alright for next weekend.

With Bruno Ecuele Manga (£4.4m) needed at centre-half in the event of Bamba’s absence, FPL bench fodder option Lee Peltier (£3.9m) should see more regular starts at right-back – though January signing Leandro Bacuna (£4.5m) can also deputise there.

Warnock lamented his side’s defensive display in his post-match press conference:

We don’t give ourselves a chance. We’ve got to go a goal in front for a change rather than committing suicide like that and giving two goals away. For me, they were stupid goals.

We’re not scoring goals and we’re conceding silly goals. It’s a bad recipe.

I thought the attitude was alright. I thought the two full-backs were excellent, Bennett and Pelts. I thought Joe Ralls was super. Victor [Camarasa] was tired but he came through alright. There were a few plusses for us but we killed ourselves with the goals.

Victor Camarasa (£4.6m) returned to the starting XI after his recent injury lay-off and was part of an attacking 4-1-2-1-2/4-4-2 diamond line-up, with Bobby Reid (£5.2m) playing in behind Oumar Niasse (£5.0m) and Kenneth Zohore (£4.6m).

The Bluebirds created few chances of real quality, however, with an early Aron Gunnarsson (£4.4m) volley that Ruddy almost fumbled into his own goal about as close as Cardiff came to scoring.

Warnock was asked to explain his formation after the game and said:

Because of you guys, you want them all! I just felt the way Wolves play we could catch them in certain areas and I still do. Unfortunately, we can’t if we throw goals away like that. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing, we won’t win any games if we concede goals like that.

Wolves XI (3-1-4-2): Ruddy; Bennett, Coady, Boly, Saiss; Adama (Cavaleiro 75′), Dendoncker, Gibbs-White (Moutinho 64′), Vinagre; Jimenez, Jota (Doherty 47′).

Cardiff City XI (4-1-2-1-2): Etheridge; Peltier, Bamba (Manga 45′), Morrison, Bennett; Gunnarsson; Camarasa, Ralls; Reid (Paterson 59′); Zohore, Niasse (Healey 76′).

Brighton and Hove Albion 1-0 Huddersfield Town

  • Goal: Florin Andone (£5.0m)
  • Assist: Anthony Knockaert (£5.2m)

There’ll be plenty of Fantasy managers who won’t give two hoots about the events at the Amex on Saturday, with only one player on show – Shane Duffy (£4.7m) – having an FPL ownership of higher than 3.1%.

Nevertheless, Brighton are one of a cluster of clubs who are guaranteed two Double Gameweeks and the Seagulls may even have a third (or a rare Triple Gameweek) further down the line depending on their progression in the FA Cup.

Huddersfield, meanwhile, are one of just eight teams who are guaranteed fixtures in Blank Gameweeks 31 and 33.

From a Brighton perspective, a relative lack of injury and suspension in Chris Hughton’s squad means that “nailed” (let alone in-form) attacking assets are few and far between.

Glenn Murray (£6.3m) has started every Brighton league match in 2019 but has looked off the boil in recent weeks and was hooked before the hour on Saturday, with his replacement, Florin Andone (£5.0m), impressing on his introduction.

Andone was back from a three-match ban this weekend and looked lively, nodding in an Anthony Knockaert (£5.2m) cross to give the hosts all three points.

The Romanian striker’s pace and dynamism are attributes that the predatory Murray lacks up front, though Hughton’s 4-3-3 set-up invariably means that there is room for only one of those two FPL forwards.

The Brighton manager said of his two strikers:

[Florin] wants to play every game, as they all do. He is always disappointed when he doesn’t play. He is just back from a three-match ban as well. I thought he was excellent. That’s what you want from any sub that comes on.

Glenn is always going to be there as well and that’s the type of competition you want. Florin is a different player. It is a tough decision at times which way to go.

Glenn is a type of player who doesn’t have to play as well. Even when he is not at his best, he can still get a goal. He has a knack of being in the right place. He will always score goals.

Much uncertainty abounds in the wide areas, too.

Solly March (£4.9m) and Jurgen Locadia (£5.3m) have had the duopoly on those positions over the last two months or so but it was Knockaert and Alireza Jahanbakhsh (£6.7m) who were given the nod against the Terriers.

Knockaert’s set-piece deliveries were a constant threat for the Seagulls, while Jahanbakhsh put in perhaps his best display in a Brighton shirt to date and came close to a first FPL attacking return when striking the crossbar in the first half.

The return to fitness of Jose Izquierdo (£5.9m) is another name to throw into the mix on the flanks.

Hughton said of Jahanbakhsh’s display:

It was a terrific strike in the first period. He just needs games. He is one who is still getting used to the league here. He has had three setbacks, coming back late from the World Cup, being injured and then going to the Asian Cup. He’s never had a long enough run. He is adjusting. We just need him to get some goals.

Alireza is a player we value having come in for big money. It was another good opportunity for him. I am hoping we are going to see more because he is a goalscorer. That’s why we brought him in. We want our wide players to contribute and we are missing Jose Izquierdo’s goals that we had from the left-hand side last season.

Pascal Gross (£6.7m) – who missed this game because of a hamstring problem – is arguably the safest attack-minded Brighton asset when fit (having started 14 of 15 matches since returning in Gameweek 13), though the German schemer has been used in a more withdrawn role this season and would be less appealing if Knockaert was sharing set-piece duties.

Hughton intimated that he would perhaps stick with a 4-3-3 going forward:

It is just trying to get the balance. The clean sheet is big for us. It is the best platform to push on. The level of our performances have improved in a 4-3-3 but you’ve got to be scoring goals.

Brighton’s custodian and two centre-backs will no doubt be popular choices for their Double Gameweeks, with Duffy and Lewis Dunk‘s (£4.4m) aerial threat and Mathew Ryan‘s (£4.4m) budget goalkeeper status obvious attractions.

Duffy is perhaps the pick of those three: the towering centre-half recorded another three headed goal attempts on Saturday – no Premier League defender has had as many efforts on goal than the Ireland international in 2019.

Brighton recorded their sixth clean sheet of the season on Saturday but, as has often been the case in 2018/19, that perhaps says more about Huddersfield’s shortcomings in attack than their own solidity.

The Terriers have looked better (and more secure at the back) under Jan Siewert over the past few weeks but creativity remains an issue, with Ryan not really tested by any of the four shots on target he faced on Saturday.

Not one of Huddersfield’s six efforts on goal was from closer than 12 yards out.

Siewert stuck with a 4-4-2 diamond following the win over Wolves, with budget FPL midfielder Juninho Bacuna (£4.2m) – who was arguably Town’s man of the match – replacing Demeaco Duhaney (£4.0m) at right-back.

The Terriers were heading for their second successive clean sheet before being caught out by a quickly taken free-kick for Andone’s winner and Siewert expressed his anger at full-time:

I think we did a lot of good things, but in the end, I am so angry because we lost the game because of one situation where we were not switched on. It was a free-kick they played short and quick and we were not switched on and we were not organised.

We lost it through that, and we have so many supporters here from a long distance supporting us. Just one situation and we lost the game, I am so angry.

Brighton were not better than we were – we had good defending and many opportunities for counters, and we had good play.

Huddersfield lost Jonathan Hogg (£4.4m) to injury in the first half and Siewert provided an update on the midfielder after full-time:

Hoggy had a knock. He was injured so I had to sub him before half-time. Hopefully, we can get Hoggy back on the pitch as soon as possible.

At the moment I am not sure because it was a hard knock. He couldn’t breathe any more and that’s why I had to sub him early, which doesn’t make it easy. I hope it is not a broken rib. It could be, but I hope not.

Jason Puncheon (£4.2m) wasn’t part of the Huddersfield squad after reports of a bust-up with his manager but Siewert appeared to leave the door open for a return, saying:

Yes, he is part of my squad but I have to do decisions and I will do the decisions in my way. We had 18 players in the squad and I am just allowed to have 18 players, so I made my decision and I am paid for making decisions.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI (4-3-3): Ryan; Montoya, Duffy, Dunk, Bernardo; Propper, Stephens, Bissouma (Kayal 85′); Knockaert, Murray (Andone 57′), Jahanbakhsh (Izquierdo 77′).

Huddersfield Town XI (4-1-2-1-2): Lossl; Bacuna, Schindler, Kongolo, Durm; Stankovic (Hadergjonaj 65′); Hogg (Mooy 40′), Billing; Pritchard (Kachunga 61′); Mounie, Grant.

316 Comments Post a Comment
  1. gonzalocampos
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 25 days ago

    Does it make sense to hold Aguero for 31? City has Fulham and Cardiff on 32 and 33.

    1. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 25 days ago

      Absolutely.

      He is one of 3 players I will keep through the blank and double mayhem.

    2. MTPockets
        5 years, 25 days ago

        I may do. Him or Jimenez

      • Maddamotha
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 25 days ago

        FH

      • Lemongrab
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 25 days ago

        I don't think he's playing in 33?

      • Collie01
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 25 days ago

        Unlikely to play 33

        1. gonzalocampos
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 25 days ago

          When we will know if City plays on 33?
          I can do Aguero & Doherty to Higuain/Vardy and Rice for 31. This will be my team:

          Fabianski
          Robertson - Alexander A - Pereira - Rice
          Salah (C) - Hazard - Maddison
          Vardy/Higuain
          Subs: Button - Wan Bissa - Pogba - Rashford - Jimenez

          1. avfc82
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 25 days ago

            After the FA Cup QF with Swansea.

            If City win, they'll blank in 33.

      • shearer9
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 25 days ago

        I'm holding him and Jimenez.

    3. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 25 days ago

      Any thoughts on this bunch? 1.6ITB. 1FT. Thinking of saving. Anything worth a transfer or a hit?

      Fabianski
      TAA, Pereira, AWB, Yedlin
      Salah, Son, Pogba, Rich
      Aguero, Higuain

      Hamar, Doherty, Højbjerg, Kamara

      1. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 25 days ago

        Only 7 BGW players there.

        4 transfers required to get a full XI.

        Either you roll now and take a -8 next week or do -4 & -4.

        1. shearer9
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 25 days ago

          Full XI isn't essential. I'm looking at getting 8 out or 9 with a hit.

          1. Zladan
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 25 days ago

            You’re right, it isn’t essential

            But the teams who do play have decent fixtures between now and then and are therefore worth bringing in to make XI in my opinion.

            1. Maddamotha
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 25 days ago

              What players would you sell? Pogba and Doherty maybe? United always does well against Arsenal, and Pogba loves big games. Son is playing Southampton..

    4. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 25 days ago

      Thoughts on Brooks?
      Is he nailed with Wilson returning?

      1. Goat
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 25 days ago

        Yes

      2. HamezMace
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 25 days ago

        Don't think Wilson returning affects Brooks at all.

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 25 days ago

          Brooks seems to be playing in the position King used to play when Wilson was fit. But Brooks slotted in at RW when that happened.

          1. HamezMace
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 25 days ago

            Bournemouth played a different formation against City than they've played this season, that I've seen anyway, designed to sit deep, with a back 5.

            Earlier in the season Wilson, King and Brooks all played at the same time, I expect that to continue now the games are improving for them.

        2. T0RR3S
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 25 days ago

          This. I got King this week may get him next

      3. MTPockets
          5 years, 25 days ago

          Probably. It's the just returned from injury part that's putting me off

          1. Karan14
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 25 days ago

            Yup that’s putting off a bit but he’s started one game now and will have another week of training.

          2. Mysterion
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 25 days ago

            75 mins vs City so looking good for NEW at least if not hud

            1. MTPockets
                5 years, 25 days ago

                Looking good to play doesn't necessarily mean back to his best though.
                Same with Wilson, potentially

                1. Mysterion
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 25 days ago

                  Fair yeah but I watched the City game and he didn't seem rusty, fixtures should help even if he isn't at his peak

                  1. MTPockets
                      5 years, 25 days ago

                      Fair enough, I didn't see it

          3. HD7
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 25 days ago

            I will probably use -8 to get a full team for GW31 and 33. It isnt so much I guess?

            1. caldracula
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 25 days ago

              Not too much but advantage for those who don't need to take hits. All comes down to how you think they will pay off.

          4. barcaa7
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 25 days ago

            Vardy or Barnes? for gw31

            1. Zladan
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 25 days ago

              Which Barnes?
              Vardy over either though.

            2. T0RR3S
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 25 days ago

              Vardy ofc

            3. Shineonme
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 25 days ago

              Vardy by some way imo

          5. shearer9
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 25 days ago

            Is it madness to sell Pogba and Shaw for Maddison and VVD? They both blank 31&33 but I have FH and WC for the doubles to get them back in, and don't have much value tied up in them. I'd sell Son but then he plays 33 it seems, so a bit daft to do that.

            1. Collie01
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 25 days ago

              Im selling Shaw, likely keep Pogba

              1. shearer9
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                Yeah Pogba is more the issue. I need to sell him or Son to afford VVD/TAA. Really feel I need that second Pool defender for the blanks. I'd sell Sterling but before WAT seems insane.

              2. Totally Hammered
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                Am selling Shaw as well but can’t decide who to get... was thinking Schar but he is 1 booking away from a 2 game ban... Lascelles safer as don’t fancy Leicester.. any else on your radar that play 31&33?

                1. PastaFasul
                  • 10 Years
                  5 years, 25 days ago

                  I've been happy with Lascelles...but I also picked up Rice for Bednarek out

                  1. Totally Hammered
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 10 Years
                    5 years, 25 days ago

                    Cheers, yes Lascelles and Rice I think are the ones...

                2. Collie01
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 25 days ago

                  I was thinking Chilwell but Leicester dont inspire me one bit.

                3. shearer9
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 25 days ago

                  Maybe Ake.

                  1. Totally Hammered
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 10 Years
                    5 years, 25 days ago

                    Not considered bournouth but only need them for 30, 31 & 33... and those 3 aren’t bad for the Cherries..

            2. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 25 days ago

              Sold Pogba & Shaw for TAA & Mane (2FT's)

            3. Shineonme
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 25 days ago

              Keep pogba to much value in him plus your need him for gw32 and future fixtures

              1. shearer9
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                Would cost me 0.3 to get him back, it's not awful. Plus as I said I would get him back in for GW32 with FH and 34 onwards with WC. The main question is will he haul against Arsenal.

                1. Shineonme
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 25 days ago

                  You never know. That game could be a goal fest if either team score early on..

          6. CostaCoffee
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 25 days ago

            Etheridge and Rashford -> Boruc and Firmino? Sound good for 2fts? Need to load up on gw31 players

            1. Dybala10
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 25 days ago

              Wouldn’t be rushing to get Firmino based on his returns this season.

            2. Garlana
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 25 days ago

              Id rather have Josh king

              1. Garlana
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                Double pool defence and Salah/mane or Salah+mane and robo/Trent.

          7. Yank Revolution
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 25 days ago

            Rip, Keith Flint of The Prodigy....sad...love that band.

            1. MTPockets
                5 years, 25 days ago

                Same. Very sad

              • Chasing Waves
                • 12 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                This

              • SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                Had the privilege of seeing them live, just 10mins from where I live. Still up there as one of the best performances I've seen live. RIP

            2. TaiwanHC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 25 days ago

              Thoughts on Son + Guaita —> Hazard + Boruc for free?

              Will FH in GW32 and WC in GW34.

              Thanks guys!

              1. dezille
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                Definitely a yes from me

              2. Shineonme
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                Keep son this week then sell him before gw31

            3. Tmel
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 25 days ago

              Lose Rash or Jiminez > King? Would lose a fair bit of value in either.

              (am FHing GW32 AND WCing in GW34)

              1. CostaCoffee
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                I’m keeping Jimenez but only because I know I’ll keep him on wildcard

              2. shearer9
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                Rash. Jim in great form and nailed.

              3. WVA
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                Can you not hold this week? Really tough call though.

              4. Chasing Waves
                • 12 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                Lose Jimmy for me

              5. T0RR3S
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                if at equal value loss i prefer to keep jimi as hes more secure option

            4. WVA
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 25 days ago

              1ft 0.7itb, any transfers needed or save for bgw31?

              Boruc
              TAA Pereira Keane
              Salah Hazard Son Pogba
              Aguero(c) Jimenez Rondon
              Ryan Kola Westwood Jonny

              1. Zladan
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                Pogba Jimmy Kola Jonny all have less than favourable fixtures and could be transferred for a player with GW31 fixture.

                1. WVA
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 25 days ago

                  Pogba and Jimmy both highly likely to get something this gw imo, Kola and Jonny both safely on the bench but one of them will go next week. Has Kola been dropped?

                  1. Zladan
                    • 6 Years
                    5 years, 25 days ago

                    I wouldn’t say dropped. I think it was tactical for Spurs game. Needed a more defensive minded player to deal with Son.

            5. dezille
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 25 days ago

              Building for 31/33.

              A) Vardy/Higuin & Brooks/Fraser
              B) Mane & Wilson/King/Arnie/Barnes

              Not sold on Bournemouth despite good upcoming fixtures. Think I prefer the Mane over TAA route for my 3rd Liv spot. Also quite like the potential value of one of the above cheap strikers.

              Anyone able to comment on Arnie's recent gametime and whether this is likely to change? Has looked sharp whenever introduced. What about King's gametime when Wilson is back involved?

              1. arkom
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                This is tough.. Vardy & Fraser or Mane & King I'd think.

              2. BoleynWin
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                Arnie is the best forward we have but with the recent injury & more importantly transfer saga he isn’t as nailed on, if we had lost heavily without him then he would have definitely been crowbarred straight back to the starting 11 but Chica & Antonio have more than filled his boots recently.

                I think option A with Vardy & Fraser

              3. caldracula
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                Not just throwing a spanner in the works but I would go either Higuain + Brooks or Mane + King.

                1. caldracula
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 25 days ago

                  Thinking about it Mane + King definitely.

              4. T0RR3S
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                I see it as Vardy&Brooks vs Mane&King
                I'd choose the latter imo

                1. dezille
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 25 days ago

                  Cheers for the input all! I already have Hazard so edging towards Mane rather than the Vardy/Higuian route. Will wait for pressers to see if I can make a better decision on the striker..

            6. Firminooooo
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 25 days ago

              Thinking about Son to Hazard this GW for free. Who score most point? Hazard against Wolves or Son against Southampton.

              1. dezille
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                I made the move last week but if I were you I'd hold for this GW. Save and reassess

              2. shearer9
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                So Spurs deffo play GW33?

                1. shearer9
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 25 days ago

                  Comment fail

                2. HamezMace
                  • 9 Years
                  5 years, 25 days ago

                  No

              3. HamezMace
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                Based on form and fixtures, I'd say it's a complete 50/50 for those two this week.
                Expect Hazard to do better in 31 though.

              4. PastaFasul
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                I'm holding Son for this last week...then to Hazard for the blank

                1. Shineonme
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 25 days ago

                  I'm doing the same. Son could do well against southamptn. Can see spurs scores 3 goals in that game

            7. arkom
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 25 days ago

              Lloris / Speroni
              Robertson / Doherty / Pereira / Shaw / AWB
              Salah / Mane / Pogba / Richarlison / Puncheon
              Barnes / Jimenez / Aguero

              2 FT
              2,2£ ITB

              So guys, I'm preparing now for blank gameweeks.. What to do?!

              A) Doherty or Shaw --> Rice or Luiz
              B) Speroni --> Fabianski or Boruc
              C) Puncheon --> Fraser
              D) Jimenez --> King
              E) Jimenez and XXX --> Vardy and XXX (Fraser, Boruc, Rice etc.)
              F) Other?

              Next week maybe Hazard etc. in..

              1. arkom
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                So for example playing roster could be as follow at week bgw31:

                Boruc
                Robertson / Pereira / Rice
                Salah / Mane / Richarlison / Brooks
                Barnes / Higuain

                Good enough?

            8. Sotamendi84
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 25 days ago

              Play one
              A) jimeneth (che)
              B) adam smith (hud)

              1. Dybala10
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                B.

                Jiménez returns in big games aren’t too bad but I’d back Bournemouth.

              2. cheeky moses
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                A imo.
                Don't trust the Bournemouth defence away from home

              3. WVA
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                A is on fire and almost guarantees you an assist!

              4. T0RR3S
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                AAAAAAA

            9. Earn your Spurs
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 25 days ago

              When are the GW31 postponed games expected to be announced? I'm not sure what they're waiting for?

              1. HamezMace
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                Waiting to see which teams go through in the FA cup.
                Doubles scheduled to be announced as soon as the FA cup QFs are played.

              2. MTPockets
                  5 years, 25 days ago

                  Cup QF games, so end of GW31

              3. shearer9
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 25 days ago

                Do Spurs deffo play GW33?

                1. MTPockets
                    5 years, 25 days ago

                    No. Depends on Brighton's cup game, and FA scheduling

                    1. MTPockets
                        5 years, 25 days ago

                        ...for if/when rearranged

                  • Dybala10
                    • 6 Years
                    5 years, 25 days ago

                    Which one for BGW31 is likely to score more?

                    A) Azpilicueta, Fraser, Maddison (-4). Field 11 players and Higuain (c)
                    B) Hazard and Tarkowski. Field 10 players and Hazard (c)

                    1. cheeky moses
                      • 8 Years
                      5 years, 25 days ago

                      A but with another captain

                  • Tmel
                    • 13 Years
                    5 years, 25 days ago

                    Best 4.7 or under defender to navigate the blanks?

                    1. cheeky moses
                      • 8 Years
                      5 years, 25 days ago

                      Think Clyne could be good

                    2. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 25 days ago

                      Tarkowski perhaps

                    3. T0RR3S
                      • 8 Years
                      5 years, 25 days ago

                      Stankovic 3.9

                    4. Punty McPuntface
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 25 days ago

                      Rice

                  • cheeky moses
                    • 8 Years
                    5 years, 25 days ago

                    A) Jimi > Vardy (play camarasa)
                    B) Camarasa > Maddy (play Jimi)

                    1. T0RR3S
                      • 8 Years
                      5 years, 25 days ago

                      B

                  • Tshelby
                    • 9 Years
                    5 years, 25 days ago

                    Have 2FT's might use them this way:

                    Jim -> Vardy
                    Doherty -> Daniels

                    Or keep Doherty and get rid Anderson for Bournemouth player

                    I will only lose 0.3 on Jimenez

                    1. Dybala10
                      • 6 Years
                      5 years, 25 days ago

                      Wouldn’t want Daniels and he isn’t even a started.

                    2. cheeky moses
                      • 8 Years
                      5 years, 25 days ago

                      Also tempted by Vardy. Not sure on Daniels and his playtime

                    3. FFSbet.com
                      • 8 Years
                      5 years, 25 days ago

                      Vardy and Brooks good options

                  • Dthinger
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 7 Years
                    5 years, 25 days ago

                    This season, I've been tracking the performance of my team from GW1, as if I had made no changes and no transfers. For a while I was doing pretty well compared to that zombie team, but now(after 3 GW scores in a row under 40) he's only trailing my actual team by 26 points. Not sure what that says about my managerial choices, but it does make me question why I spend so much time on this pursuit.

                    1. HamezMace
                      • 9 Years
                      5 years, 25 days ago

                      Same mate.
                      My GW1 dead team would be outscoring my current team, not by much...after that Jota haul a few weeks back, they were about 50-60 better off!

                      1. caldracula
                        • 8 Years
                        5 years, 25 days ago

                        What's your points total?

                        1. HamezMace
                          • 9 Years
                          5 years, 25 days ago

                          Current team - 1630
                          GW1 dead team - 1645

                    2. ol3andre
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 8 Years
                      5 years, 25 days ago

                      Damn thats harsh.

                    3. MTPockets
                        5 years, 25 days ago

                        Could mean you had a good GW1 squad. Mine was awful and now = 1447
                        https://www.game-change.co.uk/2017/08/28/fantasy-football-what-if-machine/

                      • RedLightning
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • Has Moderation Rights
                        • 13 Years
                        5 years, 25 days ago

                        According to the Fantasy Football What-if Machine, my GW1 dead team's score would be 1585.
                        My actual live team's score is 1644.
                        So at least I'm beating my dead team.
                        But if I had started Fabianski, Walker and Wan-Bissaka in GW1 and benched Patricio, Mendy and Jorginho instead then that dead team's score would be 1669, which would beat my live team.
                        I'm not sure that the What-if Machine has allowed for auto-subs when Mendy didn't play though, so my dead team score probably ought to be higher.

                        I had a strong squad at the start of the season before I started to spoil it with my first wildcard!

                        1. MTPockets
                            5 years, 25 days ago

                            Yes you're right about auto-subs. Don't know of a tool that does that

                      • TLF
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 7 Years
                        5 years, 25 days ago

                        Think I'm going to get Boruc in this week for Patricio then field 10 next week with a hit. Captain is the tricky decision of the week with Salah, Sterling & Kun all decent options. Guess the mid week action will help inform the decision.

                        1. Warby84
                          • 8 Years
                          5 years, 25 days ago

                          I’m going sterling

                          1. TLF
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 7 Years
                            5 years, 25 days ago

                            Do you own all 3 too ? Will need to monitor minutes in champs league before making a decision I think.

                            1. Annie
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 11 Years
                              5 years, 25 days ago

                              City and Liverpool don't play in CL this week

                              1. TLF
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 7 Years
                                5 years, 25 days ago

                                So they don't ! My bad, cheers Annie.

                      • caldracula
                        • 8 Years
                        5 years, 25 days ago

                        Anyone else can't wait to get the next couple of gameweeks under way?

                      • jdp219
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 7 Years
                        5 years, 25 days ago

                        2FTs and prepping for bgw31. FH in gw32.

                        1) Son, Rashford > Mane, King/Wilson
                        2) Son, Rash > Mane, Barnes/Wood
                        3) Bednarek, Rashford > TAA, Barnes/Wood
                        4) Rash > Barnes (bank the other FT)

                        Current squad:
                        Fab, Button
                        Robbo, Doherty, Luiz, AWB, Bednarek
                        Salah, Son, Pogba. Hazard, Anderson
                        Rashford, Jimenez, Rondon

                        1. FFSbet.com
                          • 8 Years
                          5 years, 25 days ago

                          1

                        2. MTPockets
                            5 years, 25 days ago

                            1, just b/c wouldn't want Barnes/Wood in this week vs liv

                          • Warby84
                            • 8 Years
                            5 years, 25 days ago

                            1 w/ king

                          • jdp219
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 7 Years
                            5 years, 25 days ago

                            Well, that's pretty convincing. Thanks, all.

                            fwiw - I would probably bench Barnes this week. King at Huddersfield definitely the way I was leaning, anyway.

                        3. waltzingmatildas
                          • 13 Years
                          5 years, 25 days ago

                          Hey guys,
                          Could do with some help here....
                          Fabianski hamer
                          Robertson Doherty AWB bamba a.smith
                          Salah Pogba son Anderson fraser
                          Jimenez rashford Aguero
                          Have 2fts
                          Thinking son out,but not this week. So, who do I downgrade so I'll have an extra 2mil. Rashford, Doherty.....?

                        4. Smelbow
                          • 7 Years
                          5 years, 25 days ago

                          Hi guys,

                          So I have used my Fh, went reasonably well in the city dgw plus picked Haz and Hig, but am now kind of stumped with the remaining game weeks. I have a solid 9 for 31, do I wc 32, ride out 33 and bb 35?

                          That's the best that I can muster...

                        5. FFSbet.com
                          • 8 Years
                          5 years, 25 days ago

                          FH GW32,which option is better till GW34 WC ?

                          A) Boruc + Rice + Higuagin (-4)

                          B) Kepa + Luiz + Arnie

                          1. Warby84
                            • 8 Years
                            5 years, 25 days ago

                            A

                        6. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
                          • 7 Years
                          5 years, 25 days ago

                          For the BGW's:

                          Clyne - (NEW, BUR)
                          Taylor - (LEI, bou)

                          Both 4.4m

                        7. FlashG
                          • 11 Years
                          5 years, 25 days ago

                          Brought in Brooks so now have 9 for GWK31.

                          What do people think to selling Mane/Doherty for Hazard/TAA next GWK for a -4 hit? Worth a hit?

                          Team would be:

                          Fab
                          Robbo
                          TAA
                          Pereira
                          Brooks
                          Hazard
                          Salah
                          Richarlison
                          Higuain
                          Vardy