Scout Notes

Salah’s FPL appeal boosted by early AFCON exit for Egypt

Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) made a much earlier-than-anticipated exit from the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday evening after Egypt were defeated 1-0 by South Africa.

The shock result means that Salah and his country have bowed out of the tournament over two weeks before it is due to finish.

Bafana Bafana’s victory could have repercussions in Fantasy Premier League, with Salah’s summer international obligations coming to an end before those of teammates Sadio Mane (£11.5m) and Roberto Firmino (£9.5m).

With the Africa Cup of Nations final taking place exactly three weeks before Gameweek 1 kicks off, we had previously expressed concern that Salah and/or Mane could be doubts for the 2019/20 curtain-raiser between Liverpool and Norwich City in August.

Last year, Dejan Lovren (£5.5m) and Jordan Henderson (£5.5m) were handed three weeks off after their exertions with Croatia and England at the World Cup.

Klopp is, indeed, expected to give Firmino and Alisson (£6.0m) the same amount of time to recover after their run to the final in the Copa America.

Salah’s premature departure from the Africa Cup of Nations, however, has effectively killed any concern that he won’t be ready for Gameweek 1 – barring any further injuries, of course.

Egypt 0-1 South Africa

Saturday’s result was an unanticipated outcome: Egypt were not only the host nation of the competition but also the pre-tournament favourites with the bookmakers and made it to the final in 2017.

Egypt went into the weekend with a 100% record in this year’s tournament, while South Africa had lost two of their three group matches and only qualified for the knockout stages as one of the best third-place teams.

Salah had been a doubt for this last-16 tie with a cold but recovered to line up, as he so often does, on the right flank.

The Liverpool winger looked below-par and didn’t have much influence on proceedings, however, with South Africa full-back Sifiso Hlanti proving more than a match for the premium FPL midfielder.

Salah started brightly and fizzed an early effort wide via a deflection but struggled to make an impression beyond that, save for one superb pass through to Mahmoud Trezeguet that the Egypt attacker should have converted.

Trezeguet had missed another chance that Salah had teed up earlier in the game, while the Liverpool man himself had two other blocked shots and drilled wide from a long-range free-kick.

Ahmed El Mohamady (£4.5m) and Mohamed Elneny (£4.5m) both started the game for Egypt, with the Aston Villa right-back completing the game and Elneny substituted with seven minutes to go.

Both of those two players will also now return to their respective Premier League clubs.

For what it’s worth, Percy Tau had an excellent match – the Brighton and Hove Albion attacker has not been able to get a work permit since his move to the Amex but a strong showing from South Africa this summer could change all that.

Uganda 0-1 Senegal

While Salah’s Africa Cup of Nations has come to an end, Mane and Senegal have progressed to the tournament quarter-finals after edging past Uganda on Friday.

It will be interesting to see just how far Mane goes with the Lions of Teranga, given the concerns we outlined above about Liverpool assets being handed three-week breaks following their international efforts this summer.

Senegal next face Benin on Wednesday, with their opponents being one of the lowest-ranked teams left in the competition.

Mane’s nation, meanwhile, are now as short as 8/5 with some bookmakers to win the tournament following Egypt’s exit.

The former Southampton winger was again in the thick of the action, scoring his side’s winner after 15 minutes before missing from the spot for the second time in this tournament.

Mane broke the deadlock when racing through to finish M’Baye Niang’s pass but, having missed from 12 yards against Kenya last week, then saw a second-half spot-kick saved after he himself was felled by opposition goalkeeper Denis Onyango.

Mane and Senegal can occasionally look dangerous going forward but this was a match low on goalscoring opportunities, with Senegal having just five shots in total.

The premium FPL midfielder was again deployed on the left wing and lasted the whole 90 minutes.

Budget midfield pair Cheikhou Kouyate and Idrissa Gana Gueye (both £5.0m) also played the full game.

Morocco 1-1 Benin (1-4 Penalties)
Nigeria 3-2 Cameroon

Wolves’ Romain Saiss (£4.5m) played the full 120 minutes as Morocco bowed out of the Africa Cup of Nations after a penalty shootout defeat on Friday.

Saiss impressed in defence as Morocco bossed the possession and chances but his country were unable to break down a stubborn Benin side who triumphed on penalties after playing the last 25 minutes of extra-time with only ten men.

Alex Iwobi (£6.0m) was on the scoresheet in the other round-of-16 tie to take place on Sunday as Nigeria edged past defending champions Cameroon in a five-goal thriller.

The lively Arsenal winger scored the game’s winner on 66 minutes, charging through to finish low past Andre Onana after being slipped through by Odion Ighalo.

Wilfred Ndidi (£5.0m) played the whole 90 minutes in midfield while Brighton’s Leon Balogun (£4.5m) replaced Iwobi in stoppage time.


We’ll bring you up to speed on the other Africa Cup of Nations games and the finals of the Copa America and Gold Cup in the coming days, as well as revealing the latest on Alexis Sanchez‘s (£7.0m) injury after the Manchester United winger was substituted in his country’s 2-1 defeat to Argentina on Saturday.

1,372 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jay Jay Okocha
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A) Robbo, Siggy, Vardy
    B) VVD, Brooks, Kane

    1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

  2. TAA & the Milner effect...
    BigManBakar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Liverpool defence and the case of Trent’s invisible assassin:

    Trent Alexander-Arnold (GW 1-9)

    Assist potential: 5 chances created, 125 mins per chance created, 0 big chances created

    Bonus potential: 8.5 mins/baseline bps being the worst of all Liverpool defenders over the given period


    Trent Alexander-Arnold (GW 30-38)

    Assist potential: 21 chances created, 37 mins per chance created, 4 big chances created

    Bonus potential: 5.3 mins/baseline bps being the best of all Liverpool defenders over the given period



    The contrast between the two different sets of underlying numbers (that too for the same player and over a reasonable sample size) is so stark that it almost demands further scrutiny. You begin to question what went so remarkably right or what went so drastically wrong during the two periods.



    The answer lies not within Trent’s performances himself, but in Jurgen Klopp’s lineup. When the Liverpool lineup is released, FPL managers often turn a blind eye to the presence or absence of a certain super boring James Milner barring the occasional murmur or two heard from a Salah captainer on the team sheet’s impact on Liverpool’s penalty takers. However, this deserves further introspection.



    In my previous piece on Lucas Digne, I highlighted the inflated credit given by FPL’s bonus system to set piece takers. I will present more of that evidence here. Milner started 8 of 9 Liverpool’s opening fixtures last season, monopolizing the set pieces (25 to Trent’s 4) in this period – a time when Trent’s chance creation and bonus statistics were at an all time low. On the contrary, he started just one of the fixtures from the period ranging 30-38 – at a time when Trent was Liverpool’s highest chance creator (monopolizing set pieces, 42 to Milner’s 12) and baseline bps accumulator. Coincidentally, this period was also the time Trent enjoyed his best form of the season, whether in FPL or otherwise. This begs the question, is James Milner really that uninteresting or is he, in FPL literature, Trent’s invisible assassin? In real life, he may not possess the swag and skill to catch the spotlight on Instagram but the above “theory” seems to suggest that FPL managers need to give him added attention.



    It comes across as no surprise that with 21 clean sheets to their credit last season, Liverpool’s defensive assets are a tantalizing proposition to many a FPL manager right now. At the time of writing, Liverpool’s defence (including Allison) has a staggering effective ownership of around 140% - meaning that picking “just” one of their defenders is more of a safety measure and you need to pick at least two in order to realize any effective gains from their returns.



    Picking a Liverpool defender or two is a sound, risk averse strategy as well – especially from the evidence derived last season. Trent and Robertson enjoyed a higher points per game played return (6.4 and 5.9 respectively) than PL Golden Boot winner Aubameyang (5.7), for example. In fact, only Sterling, Salah, Mane and Agüero had a higher points per game played return than Trent and Robertson – which is again testament to the incredible value either offers at £7m. To put these numbers into context, the highest points per game played return for a comparable asset priced at £7m was Milivojevic’s meager 4.4. Even Van Dijk (with a points per game played return of 5.5) comfortably outscored the likes of Vardy, Pogba, Laporte and Son (all with a points per game played return of 5.1) in this metric, signifying that the defensive colossus could have a far greater role to play in our thinking than he did last season particularly given that he is more kindly priced at £6.5m. Again, to put these numbers into context, the highest points per game played return for a comparable asset priced at £6.5m was Deulofeu’s paltry 4.4.



    As a writer, I feel it is my responsibility to highlight the good with the bad. Hence, it is only fair that I point out that statistically Liverpool’s defence as a whole overperformed last season. In fact, they conceded more shots in the box in 2018/19 than in 2017/18 and according to the xG model, a variance of 7 goals between the expected and the actual goals conceded highlights the fact that Liverpool perhaps achieved 3 to 4 clean sheets more than what they actually deserved. Tellingly, one area where Liverpool really improved defensively in 2018/19 (as compared to 2017/18) was in the big chances conceded category (40 vs 54) which set the tone for a higher number of clean sheets. I believe that even if the statistical model holds true and Liverpool’s defensive returns regress to the mean, Liverpool’s defensive assets should form the blueprint of your FPL team because the difference in value offered by them and the next best alternatives seems borderline gargantuan.



    This brings me to the end of the first half of my article, I don’t want to run the risk of making it too long and boring! I will be releasing the second half later next week in which I will run a comparison between the different Liverpool defenders, assessing what each one brings to the table. Thanks for taking the time out, I hope you enjoyed the read!

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Superb. Set pieces were huge to Trent's returns!

      Btw, how did you get the large spaces between paragraphs without a .

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Test

        icles

        1. BigManBakar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Boom! 😉

          1. Piggs Boson
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            But it didn't

            work!

            1. Ginkapo FPL
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Copy and paste from word where the line spacing is higher.

              1. BigManBakar
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                +1

              2. Piggs Boson
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Ok.

                I'll try that.

                1. Ginkapo FPL
                  • 12 Years
                  4 years, 8 months ago

                  Other word processing packages do exist

      2. Ógie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Nice post TFF.

        1. BigManBakar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Thanks Ogie. 🙂

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Sorry, are you saying 'get Trent'?

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        "Liverpool’s defensive assets should form the blueprint of your FPL team because the difference in value offered by them and the next best alternatives seems borderline gargantuan."

      2. Parm
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Pretty much, TAA & Robertson offer the rare combo of playing in a really good defense and offering quite a few attacking returns. Alonso under Conte esque.

      3. BigManBakar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Pretty much, particularly if Milner looks like not being first choice. The article also emphasizes the value that the Liverpool defenders offer, even at £7m or lower.

        1. Pieterke30
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          No Salah is what you’re saying then?

          We got to take captaincy into account too

    3. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Top stuff! Almost makes me want to triple up

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Ha ha. I've long had a draft with triple Liverpool. However, it rested on the premise that Salah would be rested after Afcon. Today's scrapped that, but I'm sticking with 2 out of the 3 and Salah. Nb I wouldn't rule out VVD. Neck-and-neck with Robbo for my third spot.

        1. Pieterke30
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Same from A to Z mate

          Salah and TAA nailed in my side, currently have VVD but could become Robbo. If Pool sign Junior from Betis I will defo keep VVD

      2. BigManBakar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thank you. 🙂

    4. FPL Mountaineer
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Top quality analysis and content!

      1. BigManBakar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thank you sir! 😀

    5. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Could FFS manage to create a breakdown of attacking points for each player with different combinations of outfield players? They do this in overwatch for teamfight win %

      https://overwatchleague.com/en-gb/news/23053239/divergent-evolution

    6. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Great post as always! As someone who owned Salah and TAA for much of last season, Milner's inclusion was always something I looked out for.

      Towards the end of the season, Klopp preferred Keita to him in the "easier" games, a trend I hope will continue with Oxlaide-Chamberlain providing another more offensive option next season. Particularly when considering Salah and the games we'd likely want to captain him for.

      As for them overperforming defensively, I believe Alisson is a huge factor in this. I personally expect them to concede a similar amount of goals, so long as him and VVD remain fit.

      1. BigManBakar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thank you for your kind words. Great point on Allisson actually, I remember him saving a few one on ones when the opposition looked certain to score at times last season!

    7. 2right
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Excellent read

      1. BigManBakar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks 🙂

    8. pablospicks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Whilst the Milner/Set Piece thing is a factor.

      He also improved where he was crossing from. Earlier in the season he was putting more speculative balls in from deep, in the second half of the season he was getting a good 20-30 yards further up and putting more dangerous crosses in that were being converted.

      Also our plan in the earlier weeks of the season was to grind out results for minimal effort where as the shackles were off in the last few months when he was assisting loads.

      2 long seasons for us now, plus a World cup, Copa America/AFCON. I think we'll see a more managed start again.

      I think the full backs will be told to pick their moments rather than join every attack. Still going with both of them though!

      1. BigManBakar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks for the detailed insight. Great analysis.

    9. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Interesting... Hope to see part 2 soon.

      1. BigManBakar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thank you! 🙂

    10. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Really good read this. Outside of the obvious with a player sharif duties, Trent greatly improved his output and got better himself this season.

      For Liverpool I’ll be looking forward to seeing a Trent/Ox combo down that right since Ox will have the physicality and base to help Trent.

      1. BigManBakar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thank you. Do you think Ox will be first choice early on in the season, assuming that he has a full pre-season?

        1. asquishypotato
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I would say so, may be rose tinted glasses but some of the performances pre injury were excellent.

          Although wouldn’t be surprised for Henderson to take up he right midfield spot with his improved form.

          1. BigManBakar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Cheers. 🙂

    11. M Heaney
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. How many other gems do you have to write about. Well done, and thanks.

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

        +1

      2. BigManBakar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thank you for the generous feedback! I have a few more planned, I'll keep them coming don't worry! 😉

    12. Lemongrab
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      God tier hot topic. Thanks for posting looking forward to pt.2

      1. BigManBakar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thank you very much sir! 🙂

    13. Tony Moon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Great article, many thanks!

      1. BigManBakar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        My pleasure. 🙂

    14. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Very well written. Good job mate. Thank you !!

      Looking forward for the second part

  3. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Switched it up a bit....would you change anything?

    Ederson
    TAA, Robbo, Digne, Ake (Cathcart)
    Salah, KDB, Siggy, Maddison, (Dedoncker)
    Wilson, King, (Greenwood)

    1. One Man
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I would downgrade wilson to Delu and upgrade ake to Laporte or Azpil

    2. One Man
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I would also bring in VVD for Digne and Sterling for Salah to finance it 🙂

  4. One Man
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Is ederson a good pick alongside a 4m keeper ? Or should I I pair him with a 4.5m keeper ?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Hell yes. Why would you ever drop him?

      1. One Man
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        True

    2. Thomas Jerome Newton
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Save the 0.5.
      Better to use it over 38 games than wait for the one game you might miss out on 2 pts.

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

    A: EDERSON Button

    Trent Robbo Digne TAYLOR TARGETT

    B: BURNLEY 4.5 Button

    Trent Robbo LAPORTE Digne 4.5

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

      B

  6. Robson-Canoe
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    I think I cracked it:

    Ryan
    Robertson TAA Laporte Digne
    Salah Sterling Perez Zaha
    King Jimenez

    Thank me later.

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

      Strong team

    2. Kobayashy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Not convinced on Zaha and Jimenez, but fairly decent.

    3. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Not strong enough without Vardy

  7. Victor Moses
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Best midfielder at 5.5?

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      El Ghazi

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

        Interesting, any comparison tool between him and McGinn?

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Nope. Just the eye test at this stage.

          McGinn is a quality player but he'll pick up cards. El Ghazi plays the the furthest forward of the mids on the left wing, and looks quick & hard-working. Just like the look of him.

          More interested in Trossard at 6.0m at this stage though.

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

            Thanks, will have a look.

          2. barracuda
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Could you not invest 6 mil into an experienced defender like Azpi? Would't it be wiser?

    2. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      McGinn- apparently..

  8. barracuda
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    2 strict rules for me this season:

    1. stay patient
    2. no hits

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yep this is my desire

      I’ll allow the odd hit in a mini wc situ but I’m not racking up the 40 points deducted through hits as per previous seasons

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

        I will also try to delay my WC as late as possible.

        1. Supersonic Marv'
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I rarely get beyond week 3 before using my WC.

        2. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Hear hear. Really need a good start so I don’t have to bite the bullet in gw3/4

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I think 2 is OK used sparingly, I've heard the successful ones tend to use a -4 as part of a mini WC when they have 2FT.

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

        Could consider this but not at the moment.

    3. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      for me:

      - set and forget keeper (did rotation keepers the past few years)
      - no early transfers
      - try to keep hits to max of 10 over season (last years count was 18 hits)

    4. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I give you to GW2 before you break

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

        Not this season.

    5. McEwan
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      There’s different ways to skin a cat in this game and if your lucky enough to hit the formula, it might just pan out these things work. But personally I wouldn’t hamstring myself with actual rules. Patients in this game has probably become less of a factor in fpl imo over the seasons. Would say that’s down to an increase in assets and rotation. Hits are a great tool, when situations open up.

      Tend to hear these things become advice from people who have had an incredible season and hit the run of moves where these factors are irrelevant to them.

  9. Stokelona
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    RMT

    Ederson
    Robertson TAA Digne Walker Trippier
    Salah KDB Pulisic
    Vardy King

    4m Dendoncker Romeu 4.5

    1. falafel
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I dont prefer 5 at the back so would change that

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Pretty good. Just questions over Trippier (does manager trust him, is he staying?) and Pulisic (untested).

  10. falafel
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Please help me out with this team!
    Pickford (Button)
    TAA, Robbo, Trippier, Digne (Gibson)
    Salah, Zaha, Bilva, Gray (Dendoncker)
    Aguero, King (Silva)

    Happy for all the help i can get

  11. Parm
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Ederson/Alisson would be good options if they actually had save opportunities(and subsequent BP) to top up on their clean sheet return. That's what made 17/18 de Gea so elite and really changed the mindset of FPL managers, 18 clean sheets and 115 saves is a combination I doubt we'll see again as City/Liverpool aren't that leaky and neither Ederson/Alisson are as good as 17/18 de Gea was as a pure shot stopper. Stop putting Ederson in your teams now yeah.

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Doesn't matter. They were the highest scoring keepers. Take out Pickford and they were a country mile ahead of the rest.
      Ederson outscored every Citizen apart from Aguero and Sterling (twice the price) and Laporte, marginally. And he won't be rotated. The rest of your points are unconvincing speculation. I'm afraid your case doesn't stand up.

      1. Parm
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I don't see Aguero and Aubameyang(take out Jimenez like you have with Pickford) in every team despite being a country mile ahead of the rest of the forwards. In terms of PPG Ederson was heavily outscored by Sterling & Kun, even Fabianski who had 7 clean sheets to Ederson's 20 scored just 26 points less, such is the impact of saves/bonus.

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

          26 points could be considered a reasonable return for an extra £1m. But you are spot on about Fabianski being a saves machine. Surprised he’s not been in more people’s teams

          1. Parm
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Do you think over a season you could make up 26 points elsewhere with an extra £1m? You're an awful FPL manager if you can't.

            1. McEwan
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              From that angle I think you make sense. That extra cash should enable you to make that difference and some although it’s near impossible to work out.

              The thing I have is analysing a keepers points total over the season when personally, I’ve never had a season keeper. Even with the single wildcard. I still play the fixtures with keepers as much as I do with defenders.

    2. Stokelona
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      De Gea only scored 3 more points that season than ederson last

    3. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Still 169 points for 6mil

    4. FPL Mountaineer
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      It's not gonna work out for those 2 goalkeepers because they play more attacking football so they're less likely going to have shots aimed at their own goal. So, we can't expect too many saves from those goalkeepers. At the end of the day, it's a risk versus reward so sometimes it's better to play it safe and other times go with the risk. That's where the risk of owning Pickford paid off because Everton defence was terrific in the second half of the season and Pickford could pull out those saves, especially the penalty saves helped his case.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Whatever. Some of us look at the actual number of points they amassed rather than rely on imaginative speculation and see what nonsense some of you are spouting.

        1. FPL Mountaineer
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Are you referring to my comment? I'm not the one speculating. I just said it as it is. If you don't like what I said, then there's no need for you to be so condescending and rude. You can just kindly ignore it.

  12. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    After all of the tinkering and drafts, I keep returning to these 2 drafts which are only 2 players different, and basically dependent on Zinchenko's nailedness.

    1)
    EDERSON
    Robbo | Vvd | Digne | KELLY*
    Salah | Kdb | Zaha | Maddison
    Kane | King

    Button | Dendoncker* | RICO | Greenwood

    *Becomes 3-5-2 with Dendoncker if Kelly doesn't play

    2)
    RYAN
    Robbo | Vvd | Digne | ZINCHENKO
    Salah | Kdb | Zaha | Maddison
    Kane | King

    Button | KELLY | Dendoncker | Greenwood

    Apart from that the only other debate is Robbo or TAA.

    Thoughts?

    Thanks

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Zaha from the off not worry you? If he goes to arsenal.

      And not sure I’d be happy without sterling

      Nicely balanced team tho

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks, I'd want him even more at Arsenal!

    2. FPL Mountaineer
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      If you're going with a cheap bench with players that aren't making frequent appearances, you must make sure that your playing 11 is spot on, players must not miss out. You would need backup for those that miss out like Zinchenko perhaps.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks, that's what the Donkey is for! Lol

        1. FPL Mountaineer
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Also, tread carefully with King. He's injury prone too, so probably you'd need one more backup player. I have Dendoncker too. I think possibly with a 4.5 defender, you would be better served. I recommend Max Aarons from Norwich who is rumoured with a move to Palace as an AWB replacement.

        2. FPL Mountaineer
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Also, I forgot to mention that if the Zaha move to Arsenal doesn't materialize, you might not want to own him if he's demotivated or uninterested. All depends on how he performs but for now, it might be better not to own him until the move is complete. You'd want a happy Zaha.

  13. Siggy in the Middle
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Any here trying five at the back? I can't say I'm not tempted given the value in it. The only problem is that your bench is more expensive than four at the back or three at the back formations.

    1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I am 🙂

      Currently on:

      Heaton

      TAA Robbo VVD Digne Walker

      Sterling Zaha (if he signs for Arsenal)

      Kane Vardy King

      (Cheapies)

      1. HollywoodXI
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        That is the EXACT same team as me 🙂

        1. HollywoodXI
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Whoops no it’s not!

          1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Who's different?!?

    2. Stokelona
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I’m going for 5 at the back, just posted my team above. I think the premium defenders offer good value compared with the likes of Zaha and Grealish. Man City, Liverpool and Everton also have good opening runs of fixtures and could clean up.

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Many many many. But you seem to have talked yourself out of it. The bench is only more expensive if you want to fill it with non-playing 4m defenders, which is a foolish move.

      1. Siggy in the Middle
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        It's what in on at the moment. Just trying to look at any sales but you make a good point about the 4.0 defenders.

    4. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Me... Even brave to drop Salah to make it happen haha

  14. Jafoole_88
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Got a sneaky feeling that Bournemouth won't live up to their favourable opening fixtures against Sheffield United and Villa. I think past seasons have shown that promoted sides actually do well at the start of the season and put up a fight; it's only near end of the season where they start falling down the table.

    1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      This! Still going for King regardless but not expecting big hauls. I actually think Liverpool vs Norwich won't be a thrashing either, 2-0 perhaps

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      If Fraser goes they're going to struggle this season.

      He's in the last year of his contract, and refuses to sign. https://www.afcb.co.uk/news/first-team/club-statement-on-ryan-fraser It doesn't look great.

      Cautious about the Bournemouth forwards...

      1. The 5% Team
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        there haven't been too many rumours about a possible transfer or renewal though

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Talk of Arsenal as he'd be half the price of Zaha.

      2. Jafoole_88
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers. Good to know.

        I've gone through about 10 drafts and until recently, I had 2 or 3 Bournemouth players, including Nathan Ake (though I reminded myself that Cherries are rubbish at clean sheets)

  15. falafel
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Best option in midfield for 6.5 except Perez?

    1. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Redmond? Looked promising after RH took over last year.

    2. Stokelona
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I’d say brooks or Grealish have the fixtures

    3. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      brooks? perez?

      1. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        ah, sorry, instead of perez

    4. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Keep an eye on Gross.

  16. WorldCupDanB
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Has there been any articles about the promoted teams yet? I've looked but can't find them.

  17. NUFCAndrew
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Best budget forward that isn’t King?

    1. FPL Mountaineer
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I've gone with Wesley Moraes from Aston Villa. I had a look at him. He looks a great finisher.

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      For the first 2 games for sure. Jota and Deulofeu are also viable.

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

      Murray and Delofailu?

  18. falafel
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone fancying Willian, he is playing against three top teams until december so very favourable fixtures, for just 7m in a offensive Lampard team he shoul surely do as good as Zaha and the other 7m midfielders?

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

      I think Pulisic is the one to be on but pre season will reveal more. I was very impressed with some snippets of him for the USA recently. Plays just like Hazard, cutting in from the left dribbling and playing one twos. If he takes pens and hits the ground running he could prove essential at £7.5m

  19. Kobayashy
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Can any Sheffield Utd fans comment on the likelihood of John Lundstram seeing much playing time this season?

  20. LFC4EVER
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts of my early draft for my team?

    Pickford - Ryan
    Robertson - Mendy - Coleman - Valery - A Smith
    Salah - KDB - Siggy - Brooks - Trossard
    Giroud - King - Wesley

    Thanks!

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

      Hard to say as I know nothing about Trossard or Wesley! Pre season will say if Giroud and Mendy are viable options. Giroud is a bargain price if nailed

    2. UnluckyXI
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Imo I'd turn siggy into Perez or mads freeing up 1-1.5 then with that

      Mendy to laporte
      Giroud to Jimenez

      I'll admit don't know anything about Valery, Wesley or trossard.

  21. UnluckyXI
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Ederson (button)

    TAA Robbo Digne Azpi (Kelly)

    Salah KDB Perez Noble (Dendonk)

    Kane, King (Greenwood)

    A) Digne, Kdb, Greenwood
    B) Coleman, Zaha/Maddison, Jimenez (noble moves to bench)

    Cheers

  22. Scotty B
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Alisson
    Walker ____ VVD Laporte ____
    Salah Siggy ____
    King Aguero

    4m 4.5m 4.5m 4.5m

    Which option looks better?
    A Ake, Coleman & Richarlison
    B Smith, Digne & Richarlison
    C Ake, Digne & Fraser
    D Coleman, Digne & Zaha
    E AWB, Digne & Maddison
    F Azpi, Digne & Perez

    1. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      E

    2. UnluckyXI
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      F as I have those three

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

      D easy

    4. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      for the love of god, do your own research

      1. fantasyfog
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        yeah scotty stop using the members to get advice and help? I mean that sounds...crazy..

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          What advice? if he asked an insightful question then sure, this is just others playing his team. Open questions and not closed.

          1. fantasyfog
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            which came first...the chicken or the egg...discuss

            1. Supersonic Marv'
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              The egg.

              1. FPL_Gyarados
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Yup, the egg

    5. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Believe in yourself Scotty! You can do it!

      1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        He's a bot. That's the only explanation

  23. goneill79
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Villa have got to make the most of those opening fixtures.Anyone views on their attacking assets?

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

    I appreciate that this question must get asked every year, and if it has already been asked recently then I apologise for the duplication, but if there were no budget limit and you could pick any players you wanted (whilst sticking to the three from a club limit), who would you go for?
    Whilst I’m anticipating a lot of fairly identical teams, it will be really interesting to see whether anybody goes for 'hidden gems' or at least lower-priced players on the basis that price and last season's points are no guarantee of future success.

    1. Siggy in the Middle
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Ederson

      Robertson TAA Dave

      Salah Sterling KDB Eriksen

      Auba Kane Vardy

      Kepa, Son, Digne, Pereira

  25. Parm
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    It's 2019 and the FFS members area still doesn't have save points as a column. Smh.

  26. Stokelona
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Would you rather have?:

    A) De Bruyne and Vardy
    B) Perez and Aguero

    1. UnluckyXI
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B as I feel that A is an injury nightmare waiting to happen

      1. Kobayashy
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        A

    2. FPL_Gyarados
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A, just

  27. ZTF
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Heaton
    TAA Robbo Laporte Digne
    Salah Perez Sterling Freeman
    King Vardy

    Button Rico Dendoncker 4.5m

    Thoughts?

  28. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    am i on the right path? what should be changed with this team:

    ryan heaton
    robertson, coleman, WB, ake, reid
    salah, KDB, zaha, brooks, dendoncar
    Kane, king, wood

  29. Parm
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Dele Alli is seriously underpriced. With the addition of Ndombele he'll be back alongside Kane-Son; 15 goal season minimum imo.

    1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Needs a big season, has been missing for the last 2 seasons

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah, if he gets to play in an advanced position then he could be gold.

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Spread betting midpoint is 8 PL goals this season

  30. Kobayashy
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A. Duffy
    or
    B. Ake
    ?