Opinion
10 September 2019 682 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
Share:

The international break has given Fantasy Premier League managers plenty of time to stew over their squads.

As has become tradition, a fair number of FPL bosses will have deployed their first Wildcards over the last fortnight as they look to overhaul their failing teams or consolidate a good start.

For those of us with the prized chip still intact or who have already burned it, we still have a number of conundrums to solve ahead of some appealing fixtures in Gameweek 5 and beyond.

To help you with any dilemmas, we’ve put together another panel of Fantasy managers to answer your questions.

WHO’S ON THE PANEL THIS WEEK?

Tom Freeman / avfc82 – A long-term member of and frequent poster to the Fantasy Football Scout site. Tom has five top 1,000 finishes to his name in ten years of playing FPL.

Aleksander Våge Nilsen – Currently eighth in the Fantasy Football Scout Career Hall of Fame, having had three top 1k finishes in the last five seasons.

FPL Hints – One of the most-followed names in the FPL community, a seasoned veteran as well as a Scout writer and an Official FPL panellist. Finished 110th in the world in 2011/12.

Greyhead – The writer of, among other things, our weekly Great and the Good series. Greyhead finished 85th in the world in 2018/19.

Legomané – Fantasy Football Scout moderator and current leader of the Mods and Cons league. Legomané finished 1,006th in the world in his previous best season of 2016/17.

SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS

682 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. merin
    7 years, 1 month ago

    GTG?

    Pope
    TAA Zinch Digne Pieters
    Salah(c) Sterling(v) KDB Mount
    Wilson Pukki

    (Button Greenwood Lundstram Cantwell

    0 FT, 0.3 ITB

    1. thewhitepele
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      7 years, 1 month ago

      G2G

    2. Champagne supernova
      7 years, 1 month ago

      It’s template, that team is everywhere

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Would one surge up the ranks with an everywhere team 🙂

        Y or N?

    3. Joyce1998
      7 years, 1 month ago

      your gonna want to play lund this gw

      1. merin
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Instead of who?

        1. gergin
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Pieters. No need to double Burnley away.

      2. George Sillett
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Not really with the rest of his team .

    4. Eze Really?
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Good side but personally not sold on Mount in an injury plagued side.

  2. FirminoIsBetterThanYou
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Pope
    TAA - VVD - Montoya
    McGinn - Sterling - Salah(C) - Lanzini - Mount
    Pukki - Haller
    Button - Digne - Greenwood - Rico
    1FT 1.7ITB
    G2G? Or drop someone for Digne?

    1. Klip Klopp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      7 years, 1 month ago

      VVD to Digne? if not then save

    2. thewhitepele
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      7 years, 1 month ago

      G2G, don't think its smart getting out VVD when they're playing NEW at home.

  3. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Lundstrom or Diop?

    1. ZeBestee
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Lundstram
      KDB

      1. thewhitepele
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        7 years, 1 month ago

        This

  4. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Aguero or KDB?

    1. Nomar
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Depends who else you've got and who h one you want most.

      1. Nomar
        7 years, 1 month ago

        * which one you want most *

    2. JoeSoap
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Tough call. Aguero likely to be a rotation risk if Jesus is back though arguably a more reliable captain when playing. I am keener to get KDB myself.

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Both.

  5. thewhitepele
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Pope
    TAA VVD Digne Zinch
    Salah Sterling KDB Cantwell
    Pukki Barnes

    Button, Greenwood, Rico, Dendonck

    Any ideas? Have 1FT and 1.1m ITB. Right now thinking of saving the FT and doing Dendonck+VVD --> Mount + 5.7 (e.g. Alder) next week. That would mean playing Cantwell v MCI but at the same time get to play VVD v NEW. Sound good?

  6. Klopp it
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Iv 1 ft what would you do with this team?

    Pope
    Pieters, lundstram, digne, robertson
    Salah, sterling, maddison, kdb
    Pukki, haller.

    Bench, button, greenwood, cantwell, Söyüncü

  7. jia you
    7 years, 1 month ago

    I logged in to FPL and changed the colour of Kun's 'C' from white to black, it looked so good I saved it for a minute before losing my bottle and switching it back 😉

    1. Shatner's Bassoon
      7 years, 1 month ago

      hahaaaa! DO IT!

  8. TheBabyfacedAssassin
    7 years, 1 month ago

    1FT 0.1ITB, save it FT and GTG?
    Pope
    VVD, Lundstram, Söyüncü
    KDB, Salah, Sterling, Mount
    Aguero, Barnes, Greenwood
    Subs Cantwell, Kelly, Hanley

  9. Worsle90
    7 years, 1 month ago

    How’s this looking?

    Pope (BHA)
    TAA, VVD (NEW), Digne (BOU), Zinchenko (NOR), Lundstram (SOU)

    Sterling, KDB (NOR), Salah (NEW), Gudmundsson (BHA)

    Haller (AVL)

    Button, Joelinton, Dendoncker, Greenwood

  10. BarrowAFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Current team:
    Pope - Heaton
    TAA - Digne - Coleman - Montoya - Lundstram
    Salah - Sterling - KDB - Trossard - Dendo
    Haller - Barnes - Greenwood

    Is this worth a WC to get Aguero in?

    Pope - Button
    TAA - AMN - Lowton - Soyuncu - Lundstram
    Salah - Sterling - KDB - Cantwell - Dendo
    Aguero - Wesley - Greenwood

    1. theswallow1965
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't WC. You have Sterling & KDB already as great City cover.

  11. The Overthinker
    7 years, 1 month ago

    15:00 Sterling C
    16:00 salah C
    17:00 Sterling C

    And its just Tuesday 😀

    1. KGFC
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Goes with your name 😉

  12. dshv
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Heaton

    Virgil - Robbo - Digne - Walker

    Salah - Martial? - Mount - Sterling

    Pukki - Wilson

    (dendo, lund, green)

    1. Martial to who ??
    2. Save FT
    3. Any other advice?

  13. JoeSoap
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Would you WC this lot? Or just take Moura out and leave it another week? 0.5 in bank

    Was tempted last GW, took a hit and failed (mainly due to Robinson). Those in bold are the players I may get shot of and maybe one of the Pool defenders. Needs more City.

    Pope
    vvd, Robbo, Digne
    Sterling, Salah, MOURA, ROBINSON, MOUNT
    Pukki, Haller
    Heaton, MONTOYA, GREENWOOD, Kelly,

    1. buzzkill
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't WC that personally

      1. JoeSoap
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Thanx. Tempted to leave it this week though feel I am constantly losing ground by not using it.

    2. Shatner's Bassoon
      7 years, 1 month ago

      If Robinson is fit you can play him... otherwise use Montoya as bench cover with a good fixture.

      Wouldn't get rid of Mount - Wolves without Boly could be vulnerable at set pieces (which he takes) or through the middle, where hopefully he will play again if Pedro or CHO come back.

      Which leaves Moura... with your structure it's hard to get to KDB from him but maybe one of the Pool DFs could be sacrificed?

      Otherwise I would consider Martial, James, Ceballos or McGinn. Maybe even Maddison if you're not too bothered about fixs.

      1. JoeSoap
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks for your input. Moura is the main problem. Ironically got rid of martial last GW and took chance on Moura. KDB hard to fit in without an extra transfer though could do Dilva.

        1. Shatner's Bassoon
          7 years, 1 month ago

          I did exactly the same and we have v similar sides actually! This was mine at the end of last GW:

          Pope
          Digne Robbo Zinch
          Sterling Salah Moura Mount
          King Haller Pukki

          Heaton Montoya Dendonck Lunds.

          Just that one structural difference having King meant I could climb from Moura to KDB in 2 moves 😐

          1. Eze Really?
            7 years, 1 month ago

            You just answered his question succinctly as you can.

          2. JoeSoap
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks again. Will stall the WC and have a rethink.

            1. Shatner's Bassoon
              7 years, 1 month ago

              NP, good luck.

              1. JoeSoap
                7 years, 1 month ago

                Good luck to you as well.

    3. Eze Really?
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I will put an "N" in place of their name if no WC is necessary and then you can make up your own mind.
      N
      N N N
      N N Y N N
      N N
      N N Y Y
      Mind made up?

      1. JoeSoap
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Appreciate that. Probably right though I am sure Robinson would have been included had he not scored. Probably leave WC for now.

        1. Eze Really?
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Good Call!

    4. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I like Moura to David Silva. He will be rotated every now and then but is usually in the points when he plays.

      1. JoeSoap
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks, rotation would be a concern, same for most City players I guess.

  14. Harvey Spector
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Captain Kane? Torn between Salah and Kane.

    1. The_Fish
      7 years, 1 month ago

      City against Norwich.

    2. Mini Mahouse
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Salah if you're not captaining anyone from City

    3. Eze Really?
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Watch people run to Kane who has just scored the worst hat trick in history.

    4. theswallow1965
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Salah & Sterling could have hauls this weekend but Sterling edges it for me against that Norwich defence!

    5. theswallow1965
      7 years, 1 month ago

      But out of the two, Salah for me 100%

  15. Bruno Bruno!!
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Anything worth a hit?

    Ryan
    Coleman VanDijk Otamendi Lundstram
    Salah McGinn Sterling KDB
    Wesley Kane

    Button Catwell Greenwood Kelly

    0.2m ITB

    1. Mini Mahouse
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Nothing I would do here for a hit tbh

  16. Mini Mahouse
    7 years, 1 month ago

    G2G?

    Pope
    Otamendi Digne TAA Lundstram
    Salah Sterling KDB
    Haller Barnes Pukki

    Button Cantwell Dendocker Rico

    1m ITB

    1. Bruno Bruno!!
      7 years, 1 month ago

      solid team

  17. Athletic Nasherbo
    7 years, 1 month ago

    If Trent starts tonight would you be reluctant to bring him in this week for a -4? Fear that he may not start if so, and thus can wait a week.

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      7 years, 1 month ago

      And boom out of the blue TAA goes up another 0.1. If you can afford it then fine. But read in the previous article where one poster had Lapotre, his price went down and then TAA went up. Losing 0.2 gotta hurt like a mofo.

      1. Eze Really?
        7 years, 1 month ago

        See below

      2. Athletic Nasherbo
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Not fussed. Lost 0.4 on the planned transfers anyway.

  18. Eze Really?
    7 years, 1 month ago

    How do people deal with the 2 games a week period we are entering?
    Do you always have a strong 1st bench to cover for inevitable rotation and injuries?
    Do you cover 2 bench possibilities? Not a big problem if you have a cheap "Lundstrum and Cantwell" alternative.
    Or do you just take a chance on the strongest possible 1st 11 and take the medicine for a fail.
    My personal concerns are South American international players and ones from the far east.

    1. The_Fish
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I like a playing bench, but not an expensive one. Currently Montoya, Dendoncker and Greenwood. 2 points is fine, if that's all it is.

      1. Eze Really?
        7 years, 1 month ago

        50/50 whether good enough.
        Kelly injured and will lose his place.
        Dendonker rotation threat.
        Montoya OK but there will be time you hope he does not come on.
        IMHO

    2. MTPockets
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Depends what you mean by rotation. e.g. If you'll start X player anyway and he's likely to get limited minutes rather than none it's not worth pondering bench picks too much. Personally want 2 starters and that's about the only criteria

      1. Eze Really?
        7 years, 1 month ago

        I mean zero minutes.
        Defenders usually either play or don't

        1. MTPockets
          7 years, 1 month ago

          For the average defender it's probably max 2pts lost. For premiums - problem is it's difficut to afford them and have great benches. Having a more rounded squad has tended to backfire for me - in that yes rotation happens but less often and less predictably than I worry about

          1. Eze Really?
            7 years, 1 month ago

            That is why I asked those questions. Interesting because if I look back I tend to agree.

      2. Shatner's Bassoon
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah this is how I feel about it too. 2 playing benchees is usually enough to cover any full no-shows, and I also like not to have too many selection headaches so those players will usually be pretty much bargain basement.

        1. Eze Really?
          7 years, 1 month ago

          I think 1st bench is crucial though. I like a player who can surprise me with points on the bench but get wound up if he stays there. (Smile)

          1. Shatner's Bassoon
            7 years, 1 month ago

            ha... Cantwell/Lunds are perfect for that then really, especially if bought at starting price. Both running around in attacking-ish areas + at least the potential for returns in most fixtures.

            1. Eze Really?
              7 years, 1 month ago

              The 2 I kept on my WC

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      7 years, 1 month ago

      As long as I have 2 bench which are starting like Lund and Cantwell then 3rd bench can see zero minutes.

      1. Eze Really?
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Agreed. Makes Lund and cant a worthwhile tfr if you don't have them

    4. AndyCook
      7 years, 1 month ago

      It’s rare for attacking players to get zero minutes. One playing defender on the bench is normally enough if playing three at the back or one playing player to field a full 11. Full playing bench is redundant

      1. AndyCook
        7 years, 1 month ago

        One playing player in a four or five at the back*

  19. Calafiornication
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Hello there
    My current team
    Heaton
    VVD Digne Zinchenko Lundstram Montoya
    Sterling De Bruyne Mane
    Rashford Pukki
    Bench: Martial Cantwel Greenwood

    My question bank a transfer ? Or use it ?
    Martial injured or Rashford just not performing

  20. Klopp it
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Wat wud u do with this?

    Pope
    Pieters, lundstram, digne, robertson
    Salah, sterling, maddison, kdb
    Pukki, haller.

    Bench, button, greenwood, cantwell, Söyüncü

    1. The_Fish
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Very little.

      Wouldn't want double Burnley though

  21. BlzE_94
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Which would you pick on WC??

    A) Sterling + Abraham

    B) Aguero + Mount

    1. The_Fish
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Calafiornication
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. Eze Really?
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Boils down to wanting Sterling or Kun.
      Therefore A because Kun will have his minutes managed more than Sterling.

  22. Party Til You Pukki
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Been a while since I've posted, but here's my current wildcard. Any thoughts, tips or character assassinations would be greatly appreciated. Feel like I'm in danger of chasing form, and I'm dumping out Vardy to accommodate the front three. That feels like it's going to bite me on the arse pretty hard. Burnley's fixtures look too juicy to ignore.

    Pope (Button)
    TAA / Digne / Lundstram / Tarkowski (Kelly)
    Salah / Sterling / KDB (Cantwell)
    Pukki / Barnes / Haller

    1. kendo
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good to me

      1. Party Til You Pukki
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Nice one. Looking forward to watching it all go up in flames this weekend.

  23. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Play double Everton defence or Lundstram?

    Or both and bench Pukkhi.

    Thanks.

    1. BlzE_94
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Why would you bench pukki? :S

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        7 years, 1 month ago

        I’m not. Have city defence though so could do it and go for the higher ceiling but I won’t.

      2. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Would have been quicker to just answer the question.

  24. runupstream
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Ederson (Button)

    Digne TAA Robertson (Kelly Rico)
    Dendoncker Salah Sterling James Cantwell
    Rashford Jimenez (Greenwood)

    I want to bring Aguero in. What to do?

    1. runupstream
      7 years, 1 month ago

      1,6 ITB

  25. gonzalocampos
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Decisions decisions: Play Pukki or Lundstram?

    I am at 65% playing Lundstram.

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Should be 99% playing Pukki

      1. zinaks
        7 years, 1 month ago

        i am currently on lundstram over pukki.... got me reconcidering there!!! -.-

  26. Gunner1290
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Who to play:

    A) dendonker (Chelsea home)
    B) Soyoncu (United away)
    C) greenwood (leciester home)

    1. kendo
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. gooner_112233445566
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A for me but wouldn’t want to play any if I’m honest

  27. gooner_112233445566
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Down to this decision...

    A) otamendi, Ceballos (other 5.9), Jimenez, c Wilson
    B) ota, lanzini, pukki, Jimenez
    C) ota, lanzini, pukki, c Wilson
    D) soyuncu (other 4.5), lanzini, Jimenez, pukki
    E) soyuncu, pukki, Jimenez, c Wilson

    Please vote

    1. theswallow1965
      7 years, 1 month ago

      C

  28. kendo
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Pope
    VVD Digne Zinchenko Wan-Bis
    Mane Sterling KDB Martial
    Pukki Barnes

    Pope Lundstram Cantwell Greenwood

    Have 2ft’s really want Salah back to do this

    Can either go

    A Martial to James or Mount

    B Wan Bis to a Burnley def and play Lundstram

    Any other advice appreciated

    Kendo

    1. theswallow1965
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A unless you particularly want double Burnley defence.

      1. kendo
        7 years, 1 month ago

        On the ffs pod today they mentioned Burnley as top for cs potential next 4 gw’s

        1. Hy liverpool
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Don't listen to them then.

    2. kendo
      7 years, 1 month ago

      It is their helpful advice on the pod that is leaning me towards considering another Burnley defender - thanks for your helpful comment 🙂

      1. Andy_Social
        7 years, 1 month ago

        In that case listen to me - I've got Pope, Pieters and Lowton!!!

        1. The Overthinker
          7 years, 1 month ago

          So you've again gone for triple team def 😀

    3. kendo
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks Andy - lots of faith there!

  29. Pep Roulette
    7 years, 1 month ago

    On WC! Have Sterling!

    A. KDB & Cantwell (Greenwood bench)
    B. DSilva & Pukki (Guendouzi bench)

    1. The_Fish
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. AndyCook
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Neither would work for me

    3. theswallow1965
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A

  30. beastie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    7 years, 1 month ago

    How's this?

    Pope - Button
    TAA - Digne - Otamendi - Pieters - Lundstram
    Salah - KDB - Son - Mount - Cantwell
    Haller - Pukki - Barnes

    0.5 ITB