Scout Notes

Fernandes back with a bang as Rashford and Martial underwhelm at Brighton

Brighton 0-3 Man United

  • Goals: Mason Greenwood (£4.3m), Bruno Fernandes x2 (8.7m)
  • Assists: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.4m), Paul Pogba (£8.3m), Greenwood
  • Bonus Points: Greenwood x3, B Fernandes x2, Wan-Bissaka x1

Bruno Fernandes (£8.7m) came back from the Fantasy brink to show his true worth in Manchester United’s 3-0 win at Brighton.

The Portuguese international had been overshadowed by Paul Pogba‘s (£8.3m) return to the starting line-up in Gameweek 31+ before a poor 120 minutes against Norwich in the FA Cup over the weekend, leading to low expectations for Gameweek 32+.

But Fernandes blew those out of the water, coming away with two goals, a clean sheet and two bonus for a 15-point haul on Tuesday evening.

While Pogba’s presence did appear to harm Fernandes’ assist potential once again, having the Frenchman around unlocked something else for his midfield colleague: even greater goal threat.

Fernandes found himself offered up plenty of opportunities and, even though they were often from outside the penalty area, he still looked threatening all evening.

He came close to opening the scoring in the 12th minute when Pogba squared to him on the edge of the box. Fernandes’ sweeping finish curled back in on Mat Ryan‘s (£4.7m) goal, striking the base of the post.

Fernandes then put a direct free-kick over in the 20th minute, before finally netting the goal he attempted earlier when Pogba squared it to him again in the 31st minute, with a little help from an Alexis Mac Allister (£5.5m) deflection.

Fernandes’ finest effort came in the second half, as he finished off an exciting counter-attack move, reminiscent of the Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney glory days. Harry Maguire (£5.3m) headed clear, Nemanja Matić (£4.8m) hooked a through-ball out to Mason Greenwood (£4.3m), who crossed to Fernandes arriving at the back-post with pace, volleying beyond Ryan with aplomb.

“You know, good defending on the set play and you know we’ve got pace on the counter. We want to go forward quickly and a great pass by Nemanja, great cross by Mason (Greenwood) and fantastic finish from Bruno.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

With another haul in the bag, Fernandes owners will be in a good mood ahead of Gameweek 33+ which brings a hapless Bournemouth side to Old Trafford. Especially encouraging was that, with the game won, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was able to substitute the Portuguese midfielder just after the hour-mark – particularly important given his FA Cup exertions over the weekend.

“Great to get that 3-0 early so I could get Bruno and Luke off. They’ve had a hard weekend with 120 minutes in the cup. That worked out well.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

It was fitting that Greenwood’s cross for Fernandes’ second goal sailed over Marcus Rashford (£9.1m) and Anthony Martial (£8.2m) as both players blanked in Gameweek 32+ following decent scores in the previous outing.

While holding each of them for a home match against Bournemouth seems like the obvious decision, there were certainly elements of both players’ performances that were a bit discouraging.

The 20%-owned Rashford was heavily involved in approach play during the first half, as Solskjaer was keen for Manchester United to ask questions of Martín Montoya (£4.3m), but could not find his way into dangerous penalty area situations.

If anything, Rashford played much wider than his owners and backers for the captaincy would have liked, his only effort of the game coming from outside the box, as he cut inside onto his right-foot and blazed high and wide.

Meanwhile, in contrast to the explosive display against Sheffield United, Martial was forced to endure a workmanlike evening at Brighton. As Brighton tried to sit deep, often shifting their back-four into a back-five by tucking the advanced Tariq Lamptey (£4.0m) into full-back and left-back Dan Burn (£4.5m) into the centre-back trio, Manchester United’s centre-forward did not get much space. The role he performed for the team, pulling markers away from team-mates, played a big part in the success of the evening, but left him without a single shot at the Amex Stadium.

While holding Martial and Rashford ahead of Bournemouth is an obvious decision for Fantasy managers, the recent performances of Greenwood will be turning their eye.

He has now started each of the last two matches in a row and made a case for man of the match at Brighton.

The budget forward produced an excellent piece of skill and finished well for the opening goal and it was his pace on the counter that earned him an assist, and all three bonus for United’s third of the evening.

With Daniel James (£5.8m) the main competition for his place, it is hard to see Greenwood benched for the next match. Reliability of starts is not something that has applied to the forward in his time at Manchester United so far, so if he were to finally achieve it, with form and fixtures converging, Greenwood could provide exceptional value between now and the end of the season.

“(Greenwood) played fantastically. He’s a young kid and he’s a special kid. We know when he gets faced up and looking forward he’s dangerous but his hold-up play and link-up play today was great. He’s just as good with his left foot as he is with his right foot. He’s developing into a fine young player.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

As Fantasy managers chase other ways to invest in Manchester United assets, Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.4m) is becoming an increasingly viable option.

The right-back made plenty of forays down his side of the pitch against Brighton, providing yet another assist. That was his third since Gameweek 26, having produced just one in the first 25 matches of the campaign.

With Bournemouth (home), Aston Villa (away), Southampton (home), Crystal Palace (away) and West Ham (home) up next, Wan-Bissaka is sure to combine his newfound assist potential with clean sheets as well.

Manchester United have now recorded six shutouts in their last eight Premier League matches, Wan-Bissaka averaging 7.25 points per game in that time, more than any defensive colleague.

Finally, Brighton assets largely proved once again how difficult it is to invest in their services.

Faced with a tough test, Graham Potter shuffled his pack extensively, deploying a blend of 4-4-2 and 3-5-1-1 during the match.

Key goalscorer Neal Maupay (£5.7m) did not feature until the second half, coming at the interval with Leandro Trossard (£5.8m). Of the two, it was the latter who went closest to scoring, twice shaving the post with fierce shots across goal.

“Purely tactical (the team selection). Using Aaron Connolly’s pace. I think Neal (Maupay) can help us off the bench. It’s important to have players that can come on and finish the game. It’s a big squad. Everybody is ready to help. We’ll need that going forward.” – Graham Potter

Brighton and Hove Albion XI (3-5-1-1): Ryan; Montoya, Burn, Duffy, Dunk (Bernardo 81′), Lamptey (Trossard 46′); Bissouma, D Stephens, Pröpper (Maupay 46′); Mac Allister (Mooy 81′), Connolly (March 87′).

Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Shaw (Williams 64′), Maguire, Lindelöf, Wan-Bissaka; Matic, Pogba (McTominay 64′); Rashford (D James 78′), B Fernandes (A Pereira 64′), Greenwood; Martial (Ighalo 78′).

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FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 32+

1,040 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Reg83
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    if u had to chose between

    a. jesus and bergwijn (or mahrez as 3rd city attacker) and Greenwood
    b. mahrez and DCL and Rashford

    which one?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

    3. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A but Mahrez over Bergwijn any day

  2. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Still have WC and BB. GW 34 or 35 best time to use the BB? Cheers

  3. Jared Dunn
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hi, 2FT's 0.8 ITB

    Patricio (Button)
    TAA / AWB / Doherty (Kiko / Lascelles)
    Salah / Son / Fernandes / Sarr (Davis)
    Rashford / Jimenez / DCL

    Thinking Sarr > Foden. Maybe Jimenez to Jesus also to capitalise on City's fixtures.

    Any thoughts?

    1. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Don't think Jesus is good value for the returns tbh

      1. Jared Dunn
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah not sure either, hasn't looked great from what I've seen. Just debating whether to push for a higher rank with him.

    2. JfA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sarr to Foden looks good, Watford seem devoid of any ideas, I've got 6.2M tied up in Deeney as bench fodder.

      1. Jared Dunn
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah running into dead ends when I've seen him, Deeney likewise.

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not a fan of Jesus, misses too many chances

      1. Jared Dunn
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Fair, may just roll the 2nd transfer then.

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

      I did the same move, Sarr to Foden. I was hoping to hold onto Sarr for that Norwich game, but can't wait for a performance. He's been disappointing since the restart.

      Keep Jimi. I'm on the same triple wolves and happy with that trio.

  4. Kitman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I’ve got 2 FTs and 0 ITB

    Pope - Martin
    TAA - Doherty - Maguire - Holgate - Lascelles
    KDB - Mane - Son - Bruno - Cantwell
    Rash - Jimi - Nketiah

    I’m thinking Son > Mahrez and Mane > Salah which also frees up a fair bit of cash

    Any thoughts?

    1. JfA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Foden has to be an amazing differential if you've got the nerve.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Just keep Mane

  5. JfA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I read too much in to the FB's being rotated and went Maguire over WB, ouch, not worth using a transfer for at this stage though?

    1. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nope

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nope

    3. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No

    4. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No. Maybe I'm biased as a fellow owner but we're a bit unlucky to be down 9 points already. Maguire had a goal disallowed against Sheffield and then went and scored in the cup. If I had to pick now I'd go AWB but not worth a transfer to ditch Maguire.

    5. Rover
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      For what it's worth, even taking a hit for Maguire > AWB would have paid off in each of the last two GWs.

  6. stefand
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    is pulisic out today

    1. Albert_Luque
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No ones sure

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bench most likely

  7. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hi guys,
    A bit hypothetical at the moment, but if both Bergwijn or DCL don't deliver this week I'm considering:

    DCL > Nketiah
    Bergwijn > Martial

    Decent moves? Current team below.

    Pope, x
    TAA, Lascelles, Kiko, Doherty, Holgate
    Mane, KDB, Bruno, Bergwijn, Guendouzi
    DCL, Jimi, Rash

    1. Albert_Luque
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Are you happy with three Man U attackers? If it were me I’d do one transfer - Bergwijn to Pulisic. If you’re set on getting rid of those two players, I’d prefer Nketiah and Mahrez.

      1. More Cowbell
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I hadn't considered Pulisic, thanks. I like CHE fixtures and they've got something to fight for. Will be interesting to see how Pulisic gets on this evening.

  8. Albert_Luque
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I’d already got rid of Greenwood for a -4 this week, and still no regrets despite that performance. I just don’t think he’s got the surety of starts that Rashford has.

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      At that price he doesn't need to really, but he should surely play the next 2/3.

    2. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      You got rid of him for a hit ahead of Bournemouth at home? I'm a bit baffled by that move.

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

      No regrets at all?

      I think most people will be looking at bringing him in of anything, and he looks a really good option

    4. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If you've no regrets, that's fine.

      But I'd be looking to bring him in for BOU playing with a decent attack with some service, for a change

      Not a guaranteed starter by any means but who cares for 2/3 games at 4.3m?

    5. Albert_Luque
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      My transfer was Greenwood, Son and Sarr out for Rashford, Pulisic and 4.4 mid.

      Whilst Greenwood is a good option, I think the limiting factor of only 3 Man U players is an issue - id prefer to have a defender and two premium attackers that I’m confident will start.

      1. beric
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I would definitely regret that, early transfers smh

  9. HaffNanner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Struggling to find any strikers I actually like to replace Auba.

    Thoughts on this 4-5-1 as an idea?

    Henderson (McCarthy)
    TAA Doherty Wan-Bissaka Aurier (Lascelles)
    Salah KDB Mahrez Son Fernandes
    Jimenez (Greenwood Nketiah)

    1. COYS78
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Good line up - Jesus looks good with Aguero missing time, nice run of fixtures coming up as well.

      1. HaffNanner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Jesus is a good shout. Might swap him for Mahrez in a 442. Thanks

    2. More Cowbell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Front line is too light IMO, only Jimi of those 3 guaranteed consistant pitch time

      1. Lev Yashin
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Unless baby Jimenez comes early.

  10. SantaCruz87
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What’s the odds of Ritchie missing out today?

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      It didn't look good tbh

      1. SantaCruz87
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        U mean not playing today?

        1. El Presidente
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Yes

          1. SantaCruz87
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Yeah hope so. Needed Ings to come in as 1st sub actually

    2. Jekori
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bruce yesterday: Touch and go. You know what Matt's like, he'll be desperate to play, but he was nowhere near on Friday, so we'll see how he is because again, a soft tissue injury, you can't really take a risk because if he's not right, then he could risk being out for the rest of the season. But for obvious reasons, he'll be desperate to play

  11. El Presidente
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I was planning on shifting DCL but just realised last 3 GW are great for him. Maybe just keeping and use transfers elsewhere...

    1. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yep. Good call.

  12. grennans2
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A, B or C the better use of the 1 FT this week? Will prob do the other the week after

    Martinez (Button)
    TAA - Doherty - Saiss - Lascelles (Simpson)
    Salah - KDB - Son - Fernandes (Guenduozi)
    Rashford - Jimenez (Nkietah)

    A) Martinez > De Gea
    B) Lascelles > AWB
    C) Guenduozi > Foden (start Foden and bench Saiss then)

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  13. PBUnited
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bit stuck on strategy here with no chips left. I know at least 3 need to go but only 1ft

    Hendo
    Saiss TAA Lascelles Aarons Baldock
    Pogba KDB Grealish Norwood Duda
    Auba Jimi Rash

    Fernandes and DCL for Grealish and Auba for -4 (leaves 1.9 ITB)?

    1. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sorry but that MF is a mess.

      I think I would take a -8 and do something like Auba to Greenwood, Pogba to Fernandes and Grealish to Salah/Mane.

      1. JfA
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Don't mince your words

  14. Mcgugan
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who is the better option, Rashford or Martial?

    I can only afford one and a mid-priced option in place of the other. I think I prefer Martial, but no mid-priced forwards I want (have Ings and Jiminez).

    So:
    A) Rashford and 7.7m midfield (who?)
    B) Martial and 8.6m striker (who?)

    1. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Great question and I'm in a similar position now, my preference is rashford but struggling to find a good striker to fit in with jimi and nketia

      1. Mcgugan
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Ings seems on great form - with the benefit he seems to mop up bonus when he scores. If you don't have him, i'd go Ings and Martial

        1. n14mul
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Ings is the best options but doesn't have the fixtures

      2. Lev Yashin
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Ings

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Rashford and David Silva

    3. Basil1977
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      rashford and pulsic

  15. Fuddled FC
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pick 2 out of 3 midfielders

    a) Mahrez
    b) Martial
    c) Bruno

    1. Andrew
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A and C

    2. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      struggling with the same thing atm bruna martial and foden atm

  16. Andrew
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Son and DCL > Mahrez and Ings with my 2 FT's?

    1. Areyouthereyet
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’m looking at this as well. Might backfire

  17. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    So big decision to make.

    Son or Mahrez?

    Son is nailed but with Kane back looks shackled. Spurs chasing a CL spot so Mourinho could go all out to try secure that.

    Mahrez explosive but Pep roulette is a problem.

    Who would you rather have from GW34 till the end?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Will just have to wait and see if Son goes wild vs SHU.

    2. Reg83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      tough one. mahrez i think

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mahrez - despite missing a start or two should score more given how City play

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

      I'm going Son to Mahrez this GW

    5. Rover
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think tomorrow will be very telling. For Mahrez's minutes and Spurs' form. Personally I prefer Kane to Son as a Spurs attacker till the end, and so am only really considering Mahrez between these two.

  18. Reg83
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    2nd and last chance for bergwijn tmrw.

    1. More Cowbell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Agreed. I'm resigned to the fate that it'll be a flop and will need to ship him but I do hope I'm proved wrong.

    2. Jekori
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Same. I've got 1.2 ITB to either get Mahrez for him or Ederson for Pope later. I'm hoping i can get Ederson and keep Bergwijn cause i like differentials to boost my rank. He'll have to start and look great or at least get an attacking return for that

  19. Rohirrims
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How does this look for a BB:-
    Krul - Pope
    AWB - Doherty - TAA - Taylor - Lascelles
    Salah - KdB - Foden - Fernandes - Cantwell
    Rashford - DCL - Jimenez

    1. Reg83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      get rid of norwich players

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        this, brighton played well last night

    2. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Krul and Cantwell to Martinez and Saka

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        +1

    3. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I have a similar team and still have BB. I will probably downgrade Rashford to Greenwood, then upgrade Cantwell & Krul before using my BB.

  20. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Eric Garcia should be back surely? 4.5m

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      better options in defence

    2. Reg83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      too risky; he may play the odd game

  21. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    AWB Martial Bruno

    Or

    Rashford instead of Martial

    Which triple up would you do?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      AWB Martial Bruno

    2. Fuddled FC
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Martial instead of Rash atm

    3. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I would prefer Tony over Rash

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

      Not tempted with Martial, Bruno, Greenwood?

  22. Fuddled FC
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hmmm so

    a) Aub & Sarr & Saka > Greenwood & Bruno & Mahrez (-4)
    b) Aub & Sarr > Jimi & Bruno

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      N

      1. Lev Yashin
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        o contest.

        B.

  23. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    For the weekend mane or bruno for captain ?

    Also think about rashford

  24. Nanoelektronicar
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Swap Rashford and Bruno for a hit in a double mid+fwd transfer and captain Bruno vs Bournemouth?

    Rashford is captain in the bus team at the moment, but last night's performance was poor.

    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sounds like a bad idea dude

      1. Nanoelektronicar
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Hard to resist if Bruno ends up the ultimate captaincy choice for the week. I'll probably captain Salah or Rashford in the end.

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not sure when you mean, what’s your team?

      1. Nanoelektronicar
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Pope

        Doherty Boly TAA AWB (Lamptey)

        KDB Mahrez Salah Martial (Davis)

        Jimenez Rashford (Connolly)

        I would do Rash and Davis to Bruno and Nketia.

      2. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        hes taking out rashford and bringing in fernandes with 2 transfers

  25. Mr. O'Connell
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    After yet another captaincy fail, I decided to look at some new approaches and maybe develop some kind of strategy next season. I'll be honest, I'm close to closing my eyes and throwing a dart at my team screen.

    I've analysed perma captaincy strategy and the rotating captain strategy for this season using Salah and KDB to see how they would have performed. I've measured this against an average for the top 10 live hall of fame captaincy performance across the season so far.

    A few things to note: Triple captains have been factored in (with Salah's played in his DGW and KDB's in his), vice captain points also included. The rotating captaincy strategy uses "best fixture" with Home fixtures more often than not taking precedence (clearly this is subjective, but if you have the fixtures side by side it's usually pretty obvious).

    Salah perma, KDB vice: 442 points
    KDB perma, Salah vice: 430 points
    "Best" fixture rotation: 597 points (you would have got 18+ points from each of the first 7 fixtures. Also TC played at first opportunity)
    My score: 402 points
    Top 10 HoF average: 435 (with a max of 506 and min of 372)

    21/31 captaincy successes (5 points +)
    14/31 captaincy hauls (10 points +)

    Another thing to note is that we didn't know that KDB would be the best option at the beginning of the season (was widely considered Sterling), but after 4 or 5 weeks of the season KDB had truly emerged.

    Conclusion: this is clearly a very small sample size, and I'd like to compare these metrics with the FFS poll winner each week, and also look at previous seasons, but it's quite telling and would remove a lot of the stress of picking a captain each week.

    Liverpool and City will be the best, and highest scoring sides once again next season and most teams will not be going without the best option from each side (granted KDB at 9.5 was a gift we will not see again), so if the fixtures align, captaincy rotation may be the answer we've been looking for all these years.

    I'd like to hear of anyone's experience with adopting either of these strategies (either this season or in the past) - who were the players? I'm sure one year I never took it off Suarez and ended up around the top 1k.

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      KDB is alright, but most of us sold Salah early in the season when he was playing with a minor injury and Mane was outscoring him every week. For the few that kept Salah, their rank suffered.

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        true, but Salah and KDB are there just to add some colour. I'm thinking more about the best option in the game at the time, or the 2 best options.

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Everyone’s in same boat.
      Last week went with poll, Bruno 3X2=6 points, this week tried my own pick Doherty 6X2=12

      IF I had left it on Bruno 15X2=30

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        isn't that what the data is saying? - if you think Bruno is the best option, you should leave the captaincy on him.

    3. French Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      great post - @Mods it deserves HT

    4. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      FYI, while not the FFS poll, a Reddit captaincy poll would stand at 394 points for the season.

    5. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      apologies, realised I havent doubled the vice captaincy scores for when either Salah/KDB didn't play so you can add 32 and 13 points to their perma c scores, respectively.

  26. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What would you do here?

    Pope
    TAA Robbo Doherty Saiss
    Salah Bruno Martial KDB
    DCL Jim

    Martinez Sarr Ayew Ward

    1FT 0.0 ITB

    A Ayew -> Greenwood 1FT (Bench Saiss(ARS)
    B Sarr -> Foden 1FT (Bench Saiss(ARS)
    C Save (Play Saiss(ARS)

    Cheers

    1. stevieme
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      100 points behind in my cash mini league. Both teams very similar. Both of us have triple captain and free hit remaining. Can I catch him?

      1. Henryyy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yes but it will be tough, got to nail the C

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

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

        All good.....save

  27. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Reckon Ritchie will play tonight?

    1. JfA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      He's injured is he not?

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I thought he was in contention?

    2. JfA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Late fitness test, nufcblog haven't got him in their predicted line up

    3. Jekori
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Bruce yesterday: Touch and go. You know what Matt's like, he'll be desperate to play, but he was nowhere near on Friday, so we'll see how he is because again, a soft tissue injury, you can't really take a risk because if he's not right, then he could risk being out for the rest of the season. But for obvious reasons, he'll be desperate to play

  28. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    After yesterday unsure of my early Martial move at w/e? Giving three United attack a try.

    Pope,
    Trent, Aurier, Boly
    Salah, KDB, Fernandes, Martial
    Jimmy, Rashford, Vardy

    McCarthy, Sarr, Taylor, Holgate

    .2 itb

    Thinking TC on Salah or Bruno?

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      TC Salah

    2. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I went early on Martial too am just glad he got through the game without an injury last night. Think its all good. points will be shared and as long as he stays fit he is a great option.

  29. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    whats a 'bus' team? seen the term used a few times

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      The team u set straight after the game is updated in case you get hit by a bus before deadline

      1. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        hahaha surely not

        1. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          That's what it is haha.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Team that you set for the next GW in case you get hit by a bus and can't rearrange your team before the deadline.

      It may be pre transfers but your captain and bench will usually be set up as you'd want them

      1. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        wow. Who coined that term and started this haha

        1. The Polymath
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Be aware you can only have 8 players in your bus at a time, due to social distancing. 😉

        2. ktk_interista
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Always cheating podcast.

  30. Ranger3
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Would you do KDB and Doherty to Salah and 4.3 Def ?

    1. JfA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not the way Wolves are atm, what are you going to gain, KDB and Salah are likely to get the same-ish points from now till the end and Doherty is going to get you much more points than say Lascelles.

      1. Ranger3
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I have Mané and would like to have Salah also and captain him for the Villa game... And not even sure KDB will play the next game as I'm sure he starts tomorrow.. But yea a bit risky

        1. JfA
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I depend on whether you're looking at just that game, I know it's tempting to want Salah for that game but it's a marathon not a sprint

          1. Ranger3
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Need to think again and watch the game tomorrow, thanks