Pro Pundits

What Abraham must add to his game as I prepare to leave ‘Pukki Party’

My big dilemma this week was what to do with Teemu Pukki (£7.1m). Having shown up ‘fashionably late’ to the Norwich striker’s party in Gameweek 4, there was a sense that I’d already missed most of the good stuff and, now, it was a case of either waiting to see if there’d be a big Finnish finish or ‘remembering that I’d left the stove on’, and making a quick getaway.

I’m not fully convinced that the Pukki party is genuinely over but Norwich look worryingly out of form and it will always be a concern as to whether they can maintain their attacking output now the initial exuberance of their opening matches is out of the way, especially as their fixtures begin to get tougher.

Comparisons to Fulham and Aleksandar Mitrovic’s decline around this time last season are maybe a little lazy, but still fairly inescapable.

Pukki and Norwich have regressed in recent weeks

Meanwhile, over in west London, Tammy Abraham (£7.7m) is beginning to look like he could be a genuine mid-priced heavy hitter and, as we’ve seen in the past with the likes of Harry Kane (£10.9m) and Jamie Vardy (£9.0m), these types of players, when they emerge, can quickly become essential for their own points output, for the additional captaincy options that they provide and for the investment that they enable elsewhere.

I could, and probably should, have made the move for Abraham earlier but, despite eight goals in as many games, I still have some reservations.

You see, as a Chelsea fan, I love Abraham to the extent that I’d happily throw myself in front of a Julian Dicks penalty for him, but as a Fantasy Premier League asset, I’m not entirely convinced (yet).

At the risk of applying Love Island logic here, I typically have a handful of boxes that I want my FPL forwards to tick: 

1. Do they score goals? 

2. Do they play for a team who create enough chances? 

3. Do they contribute assists as well as goals? 

4. Do they take penalties or other set pieces? 

Jorginho’s role in penalties at Chelsea is a slight concern for Abraham’s prospects

On current evidence, Abraham only offers the first two and, normally, I’d want at least three.

Why does this matter if he’s scoring points from goals? Well, Abraham is currently averaging a goal a game and, even with some good fixtures to come, this output will inevitably regress, particularly without penalties to help inflate his numbers, meaning that blanks are on the horizon unless he can start to contribute assists as well as goals.

In his favour is also the fact that he’s an all-purpose sort of centre-forward, with the size, speed and variety of finishing to deliver against any sort of defence, meaning that, while he won’t score every game, I’ll always believe he stands a chance.

And there’s that price…

Ultimately these factors, plus the opportunity to avoid the sort of “Oh… yay….” instances of cognitive dissonance I’ve been experiencing every time he scores was enough to convince me to finally push the button on Pukki to Abraham.

Will I captain him? It’s tempting but I’m currently leaning towards Callum Wilson (£7.9m) both for the quality of Bournemouth’s fixture at home to Norwich and for his relative consistency this season. Though this particular decision may well go down to the wire.

My team for Gameweek 9

Simon March is a member of our Pro Pundits initiative, a team of Fantasy managers here to bring you regular advice and updates on their teams. Simon won the FPL title in 2014/15 and has become a fixture on the punditry circuit ever since.

1,468 Comments Post a Comment
  1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    GTG?

    Ryan
    TAA Pereira Rico
    KdB Mané Maddison Mount
    Wilson(c) Auba Tammy

    Bench: Button D Luiz Lundstram Kelly

    D Luiz ok 4.5m fodder?

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

      no, Dendo or Nakamba

    2. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I have luiz, wish i didnt

    3. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Dendo is back in. Cheers

  2. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Salah + Cho

    Or

    Mane Mount

  3. Trippier Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Start Cantwell over Firmino or Son this GW? Currently 1st place on bench

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

      no

    2. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      What no

      1. Come on you Kante
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        No

  4. TSILIKAFENEIAKOS
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    McGinn Vardy or Maddisson to fill in the gap as 7th player? (8th will a fodder)

    KDB Mane Sterling Mount
    Abraham Wilson

  5. gooner_112233445566
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    On wc, down to this and can’t decide...
    A) soy, Maddison, Wilson
    B) perreira, Maddison, king
    C) perreira, odoi, Wilson

    I already have Abraham and mount

    On b right now (not sure I want to triple up Chelsea attack, expect king to be moved centrally with Fraser coming in and he is on pens

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

      A

    2. Abaddon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

  6. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A. Maddy
    B. Jimenez

    A or B? Sorry repost.
    Cheers 🙂

    1. gooner_112233445566
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Tough one. Do you have any Leicester players?

    2. boroie
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Jim

    3. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Jim

  7. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who is everyone captaining ?

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wilson

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Nice choice

        1. Weasel Boy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Thanks
          Haven't picked right cap since GW 2 so need a break.

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Surely he ll do well against Norwich

    2. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Good luck

    3. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Tammy

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers

    4. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Kane

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Ok great option

        1. Bavarian
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Last chance

    5. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Aguero for me

      1. Bavarian
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        good luck mate

    6. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Tammy or Mane. Not sure yet

    7. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wilson

    8. DMP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wilson. Tammy VC. Salah and Sterling assisting.

  8. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling or Auba?

    1. gooner_112233445566
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling

  9. bigbudgie
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Comments on this wc?
    Ryan (Button)
    Taa Boly Ota (rico Kelly)
    Sterling KDB maddison mount (dendo)
    Vardy Wilson tammy

    Flipping between sterling/mane. Still not sure on defence

    1. gooner_112233445566
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I think downgrade ota. The sterling mane debate is tough as city fixtures more appealing for next 3. Could have sterling until then, then have plan to get mane after. (I am doing similar)

  10. TANGUY TUESDAYS
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Bench:
    A) Otamendi
    B) Rico

    Cheers

    1. boroie
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Rico

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Otasmelly

      1. Come on you Kante
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Flip a coin this week 🙂

  11. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A) Auba Dunk 0.9 ITB - I’ve gained 0.1 on Auba
    B) Aguero Kelly 0.2 ITB - won’t play Kelly for a while due to fix. Kun rotation?

    Pope
    TAA Soyuncu Dunk*
    Mane KDB Mount Maddison
    Auba Abraham Wilson
    —McGovern Rico Lundstram Dendoncker

  12. PepSala
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Would you go Auba or Aguero on a wildcard?

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Aguero

    2. abaalan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Originally planned auba, but now looking at the fixtures I want kun for at least next 3. Then probably rearrange to eat more Liv after 13

  13. Ruud van Kane
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    My current headache.
    Pick 2: D Silva, Mginn, Yarmanlenko

    Pick 2: Mina, Zinche, Lundstram

    1. boroie
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      McGinn Yarmolenko

      Mina zin

  14. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    WC decision.

    A. Sterling + Connolly + tomori (442)
    B. Aguero + Dendoncker + Lundstram/montoya (443)

    Basically "A" allows me to upgrade montoya or Lundstram (4.5) with tomori, but "B" gives me more nailed subs and kun.

    1. boroie
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

  15. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A) Sterling + Vardy
    B) Auba + Maddison

    1. Ruud van Kane
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'm on B

    2. boroie
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

    3. Arthur Shelby
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I prefer A as a combo, but it also costs 3m more so that has to be taken into account! Probably B if you do

    4. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A all day

    5. gooner_112233445566
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

    6. Liber
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

  16. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope
    TAA, Otamendi, Digne, Soyuncu
    Salah, Sterling, James, KDB
    Abraham, Wilson (c)

    Button, Dendonker, Lundstram, Greenwood

    0.1m ITB, 0 FT

    A) James to McGinn for a hit
    B) James to Yarmolenko for a hit
    C) Save and do James to Yarmolenko for fee next GW.

  17. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    On WC, have KDB and Aguero

    A) Mané
    B) Sterling

    1. Arthur Shelby
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Mane

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

    3. Ruud van Kane
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

      Cheers all

    5. gooner_112233445566
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I would go b for next 3, then plan to bring mane in aftef

  18. Arthur Shelby
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Hi all, I have a little conundrum in draft (no player prices for those unaware).

    I have Fraser, who's lost his starting place, and Harvey Barnes, who I think has potential to score points but can never be trusted to play enough minutes.

    Now, question is: should I ditch one of them for Lucas Moura on a punt for this week?

    I don't particularly want rid of Fraser as I feel he definitely has the potential to come good, but I could ditch Barnes for Moura, hope he starts and put Fraser on the bench.

    If it goes wrong, no biggie, Barnes would be available next week, along with Cantwell and a couple of others (Cantwell is unavailable atm). What do you think?

    1. gunnerlover
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Fraser could well be a hidden gem this weekend

      1. Arthur Shelby
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah, I'm hoping he gets the nod... could be a lovely point-scorer if so

  19. gunnerlover
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Got myself into such a mess and found McGinn as surplus with my current front 7. Want to free up funds. Who’s the cheap mid everyone fancies?

    1. Marty McFly
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      What’s the rest of your front 8?

      1. gunnerlover
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Maddison, Mount, KDB, Mane, Auba, Tammy and King

    2. Arthur Shelby
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Probably Cantwell, or if you want the cash, Dendo

  20. Liber
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    One week punt up to 10mil?

    Can't be Son, KDB, Mounth,

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

      Midfielder.

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

      Lucas

    3. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Madders

    4. boroie
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Hudson Odoi?

    5. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Dele Alli if you want the ultimate punt. Seems to be fit, Eriksen sounds injured (and playing badly) and it's against Watford. Could play. Or maybe Moura a slightly safer option.

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

        Yeah, that's ultimate for sure. Was just checking him. Maybe liitle to adventourous. haha

  21. SHOOTER MCGINN
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    KDB has only had 1 shot on target this year away from home. Highest score away from home is 9. Will probably get something today, but is he captain material?

    1. boroie
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I wouldn’t. Think there are better options for the C this week.

  22. BenjaminFlow
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Which two to play?

    A) Lundstram
    B) Rico
    C) Guendouzi

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      bc

    2. gunnerlover
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A and B. Guen will get booked!

  23. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Chambers or Söyüncü?

    1. boroie
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Soy

    2. Liber
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Soy for sure long term.

    3. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      cheers

    4. gooner_112233445566
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Soy

  24. Marty McFly
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    2fts. 0.4itb.

    Pope 4.0
    TAA Otamendi Tomori Rico Lundstram
    Salah Son Mount McGinn Cantwell
    Aguero Tammy Pukki

    A) waste ft
    B) Cantwell > fodder to add itb
    C) Pukki + Cantwell > Wilson + fodder
    D) Aguero > Auba
    E) Aguero + Pukki > Auba + Wilson
    F) Pukki + Cantwell > fodder + Maddison

    1. FPL Ultras
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      E

      Also I would transfer out Ota to upgrade mid

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      C

  25. FPL Ultras
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    On Wildcard:

    Patricio
    TAA | Dunk | Rico
    Sterling | KDB | Maddison | Mount
    Auba | Vardy | Abraham

    I am concerned about the two double-ups of Leicester and Chelsea. Would you move either Mount or Maddison out for a player of another team ? e.g. Yarmolenko

    Currently Captaining Abraham. What do you think?

    Thank you!

    1. FPL Ultras
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Captain one:
      A) Sterling
      B) Abraham
      C) Vardy
      D) Auba
      E) KDB

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      No way, I brought Madders and Vardy in. Such a great run and hard to find a better value combo.

    3. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Why concerned? You got them for both their fixtures, right? Strong team

  26. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Might just captain Wilson so if he fails I can scream “Never again” and have no qualms ditching him after the watford game

    1. gunnerlover
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Lol I’m the same with King... tempting

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

      Go for it. Trash defence. Re watch the Norwich Villa highlights if you need convincing.

    3. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      He's a completely sensible captain choice. If he fails, it won't be a mistake in judgement, but bad luck.

      Personally I don't own and am sticking my armband on Sterling

    4. abaalan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Just had a look and Jesus played 2x 90 mins on 10 and 13 Oct. Aguero had 2 weeks off....surly mat play today

      1. abaalan
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Fail reply

  27. gooner_112233445566
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    On wc

    Maddison or Jimenez?
    Got soy.

    1. FPL Ultras
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Have gone for Maddison

  28. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Do you expect Aguero to start the next 3 league games?

    1. boroie
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Hard to tell.

      Think he’ll start today due to having a free international break. Then it depends how he does and how it links with the CL.

    2. abaalan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Hope so if I keep o my WC!

    3. gooner_112233445566
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Expect him
      To start the 2 home games. And 70% sure he starts today.

    4. abaalan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Just had a look and Jesus played 2x 90 mins on 10 and 13 Oct. Aguero had 2 weeks off....surly mat play today..

  29. DantheManinaPan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    This week I'm saving.

    But how about this for free next week?

    Cantwell - - > CHO
    Ota - - > Chambers

    (Obviously dependent on this week's performances)

  30. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    My current situation on picking a captain

    A. Abraham (head)
    B. Sterling (heart)
    C. Jiménez (punt)

    1. gooner_112233445566
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A