Pro Pundits - Tom

What Brighton’s win over Newcastle means for Spurs assets in Gameweek 30

Aah, the international break… not the most exciting of times is it?

However, the good news is that we’re almost at the half-way stage, and the break does at least allow us to take stock of what is happening and where.

With that in mind, today we’re looking at Brighton and Hove Albion, what Newcastle’s defensive issues mean for Spurs assets as well as the best options at Arsenal and Chelsea.

Brighton rolled over Newcastle United in Gameweek 29, with a clever set-up that saw them completely dominate their opponents.

Though their formation was listed as a 3-4-1-2, it involved centre-forwards Neal Maupay (£6.2m) and Danny Welbeck (£5.5m) moving into wide areas in possession. That in turn created space centrally, which wing-backs Pascal Groß (£5.8m) and Jakub Moder (£5.0m), plus Leandro Trossard (£5.8m), were able to exploit.

That’s all for today people, let’s catch up again soon!

81 Comments Post a Comment
  1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    How did the UK become a dictatorship?

    As this page was empty we may as well discuss this.

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      can you expand please? as far as I'm aware this is what most voters voted for - 484 MPs voted to renew the Coronavirus Act

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        in fairness the Crime Bill was 'only' 359 but remember these are *elected* MPs

    2. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Look we only suggest things, you're free to make your own transfers 😉

    3. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yawn.

    4. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      The international community is concerned at the heavy handedness from the government. UN peace keepers will be deployed to cool the troubles

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

      More importantly, why are international and European (club and country) matches being allowed to go ahead a)when travel for everyone else (apart from Charles & Camilla to Greece) and b) infection rates in Europe are seeing a 3rd wave. Its beyond belief to be quite frank.

  2. FPL Theorist
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Duffy's been dropped by Ireland. What a nose-dive his career has taken!

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      From the time people put the TC on him.

      1. Bennerman
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Still haunted. Haunted

    2. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Didn't start on Wednesday against Serbia either

    3. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He’s been utterly woeful this season.

  3. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    The international break is closer to its end than its start 🙂

    1. Ibralicious
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      It's taken so long I almost forgot FPL existed

  4. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Martinez
    Dias - Dallas - Shaw
    Bruno - Bale - Son - Lingard
    Kane - Bamford - Antonio

    (Pope) (Raphinha - Stones - Dunk) 1 FT - 2.4 ITB

    Any thoughts on what to do here? Need to burn the FT because I'm probably WC'ing GW31, will have to play it safe to maintain the top 6-ish k rank. Possibly Dunk -> Chelsea defender and start over Dallas?

    1. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Wouldn't bench Dallas. Maybe Pope > Mendy

  5. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Evening all, hope your enjoying the break

    I’m set on bringing raphinia into my team this week.. great fixture and with no wc I’m looking to bring in players who I’m happy to keep until seasons end

    Question is who would you lose first

    A. Bale
    B. Souceck

    I just have a feeling bale might start against Newcastle and have a point to prove, either that or he flops and is removed next week for jota

    What do you think?

    1. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A due to his unlikeness to start

    2. Groot the Leveller
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      And there's me planning to ditch Raphinia after the next game.
      There is a reason my rank is so poor...

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Haha hello groot I’m not doing great only rank 300k or so, i have bamford but wouldn’t mind shipping at some point for Antonio, Werner etc so gives me some options there

        Also just think Leeds are so great and their players are 100% nailed with no other commitments

    3. Anshuman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'd keep Bale for Newcastle. Soucek isn't the asset he used to be since Lingard's arrival. I'd definitely sell Soucek of the two.

      1. Bennerman
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Not sure I see they correlation. Soucek is worse because Lingard has arrived? Surely their respective positions don't bother each other too much. Or you got some knowledge to pass on to me (please)?

        1. Anshuman
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Haha I'll do my best, Bennerman!

          I think two factors have contributed to the lessening of Soucek's goal threat since Lingard's arrival: one with a direct correlation, the other purely coincidental. Lingard has taken Noble's place in the team and become their primary goal threat (even more so than Antonio imo, xG stats notwithstanding). This has meant Soucek has gone from a box to box marauder to a more disciplined holding midfielder. I'm sure the underlying stats will bear this out if you have a look. It certainly feels that way on the eye test.

          Secondly, Dawson's introduction into the team around the same time as Lingard's has meant the lessening of Soucek's set piece threat. Cresswell and Bowen the WHU corner takers have almost exclusively targeted Dawson from corners. I owned Soucek for a good chunk of that time expecting them to eventually start looking for the Big Man but they never did! They even looked for Diop but rarely (if ever Soucek). So I got rid in the lead up to BGW 29. And even though he scored I'm pretty comfortable with my decision. The goal itself was so fluky. The bigger takeaway though is that Soucek is unlikely to do what made him such an awesome asset in the first half of this season. Of course I could be wrong!

  6. Tomas_brolin
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I own Kane and Bamford. Would you use FT to get raphinha or son this week? Leaning towards raphinha. WC31

    1. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Raphinha.

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

      Tough one. You seem to be targeting the right fixtures for a one week punt. Albeit I thought Sheffield United looked much better vs Chelsea in the Cup and I don't think they're going to get beat 5-0 every week like some expect. Given the evidence Tom provided, Son seems tempting but his fitness is an issue. Everyone under the sun seems to have Lingard, but if you don't own him he has a good fixture this week and you could hold him long term too.

    3. themaindanger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      If you are wildcarding in 31, I'd consider bringing in both for a -4?

      1. Thomas Jerome Newton
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I wouldn't use 4 pts for a single game, as less likely to get rewards.

  7. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Play Mendy or Martinez?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Mendy.

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Ta

  8. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is trosard to jota no brainer transfer with 1ft ?

    1. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      It somewhat depends on whether you have WC and/or FH left but the short answer is no, it's not. Brighton's fixtures are not bad at all and Trossard is a player in form who has been moved into a central role.

      At the same time, the BvB Dortmund games will be uppermost in everyone's minds at Liverpool, whether they want it to be that way or not. It's unavoidable. The CL is all they can win now this season and it's arguably their simplest route to CL qualification next season too.

      Liverpool players aren't automatically better for FPL than Brighton players. Especially not right now.

  9. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Jota brace already in game tonight - definitely on watch list for WC in 31

  10. bobfredbob
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Do we know when it’s most likely Spurs’ possible dgw32 will be announced?

  11. estheblessed
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Really not sure who to bench?!?

    Martinez
    Cresswell, Dias, Rudiger
    Gundo, Raphinha, Lingard, Bruno, Son
    Kane, Bamford

    Johnstone, Antonio, Konsa, Veltman

    1. Anshuman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I think you have it in the right order as it is

    2. S3
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      good 2 go

    3. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Konsa over Dias and
      Antonio over bamford/raphinha

  12. GROBARI
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Jota who? Cmon Serbia!

  13. Mike C
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Reguilon if fit also worth looking at on the left with his attacking role

  14. S3
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on GW 30?

    Martinez
    Cancelo, Shaw, Digne
    Salah, Lingard, Son, Gundogan
    Kane, DCL, Watkins

    Sanchez, Stones, Vestergaard Pereira 1FT 2.1ITB

    A. Vestergaard >> Azpi/Rudiger (bench Watkins)
    B. Pereira >> Raphinha (bench Watkins)
    C Pereira + Salah >> Bruno + Jota (-4)
    D. Save FT

  15. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    DW wins by KO

  16. AppleDunk
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Martinez, Mendy
    Stones, Digne, Dallas, Mee, Dunk
    Gundo, Raphina, Bruno, Lingard, Odegaard
    DCL, Kane, Bamford

    0ft, plenty itb. Planning to BB30, WC31.

    Worth doing Dunk->Rudiger for -4?

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Don't like it, you need a defender with attacking threat to have a real chance of doing more than just breaking even.

    2. Bennerman
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I probably would. Mostly out of itchy-trigger boredom, though,
      Probably wiser to wait

    3. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Nah not if wcing soon

    4. ameenkw
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Wait

  17. The Ilfordian
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Happy British Summer Time. Does this mean price changes will be at 2.30am from now on?

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yes

      1. The Ilfordian
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      As someone from the southern hemisphere, I am jealous of you guys getting the extra sunlight now that we are about to lose it and go into winter

      1. The Ilfordian
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Sorry I realise I was being a little UK-centric. This year Spring is especially welcome in the U.K. as it comes with the reopening of pubs (gardens). I hope all is well wherever you are.

  18. Ragabolly
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Risers: None

    Fallers: Telles (5.3) Choudhury (4.6)

    1. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Cheers Ragabolly, keep up the work!

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Respect the grind Mr Ragabolly

  19. Thomas Magnum
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hello, DZ. How we all doing today?
    What do we all think of Portugal's 'phantom' goal today, and was CR7 in the right or wrong to have reacted the way he did

    1. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Absolute disgrace from Ronaldo, to leave his teammates, and to disrespect the armband like that, shame.

      Stefan Mitrović saved the next shot from the line, so the first effort was not in vain 🙂

      Aleksandar Mitrović is now the record goalscorer for Serbian national team (Yugoslavia national team included) breaking the record that stood 65 years, and still just 26 years old.

      1. GREEN JUMPERS
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I think he was irked because he scored an obvious goal. Probably also that there is no goal line tech or VAR in an international match involving him.

        1. maylo_av87
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          That doesn't justify his reaction, leaving your teammates, going straight to the tunnel, disrespect to the opposite team, throwing C band on the pitch. You can get irked by the refs, but you don't do those things if you are a captain, and a 36 year old man.

      2. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I was taken aback when I saw the footage of Ronaldo... I can understand the frustration, but to throw the armband on the ground and storm off when you're representing your nation really rubs off the wrong way.
        It was a real good goal line stand at the end, it just shows the determination in the Serbia side and keeps them in a good position in the group because of it. Portugal would have to be disappointed they haven't managed to click yet.
        Well done to Mitro as well, 39 goals in 64 appearances is no easy achievement, especially for a team in euro qualifiers and to do it relatively young. Hopefully he can start turning it on for Fulham here on out if he gets starts, but here's to many more goals for country

      3. Bennerman
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        BS.

        Surely we now are in the era where that goal is provably a goal. And he is rightly asking how – now that we have chosen this digital route - that is not a goal?

        OK, a bit flouncy, but he is in the right – not not in the wrong

        1. Thomas Magnum
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          To be fair, I would have thought that by now UEFA or FIFA would have enough money to set up VAR at stadiums in advance for the these qualifiers. Imagine this happened on the final qualifying game and determined whether a team qualifies or misses out on the WC or Euros, etc

          1. Bennerman
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Agree.

    2. maylo_av87
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Serbia fan here. Portugal did not deserve to win, neither did Serbia, so 2-2 is a fair reflection on the game itself. Hard to tell 100% without the goal line technology or a view which would be on top of the goal line, but it does seem like it was a goal. CR7 a big baby as usually, it's a disgrace for Portugal that he's their captain. Furthermore, Portugal had a few FKs, it was a huge relief to see CR take them instead of Bruno, who is a far better FK taker. CR proves again that he never thinks about the his team, it's all about him, not a first time that he reacted like this. Btw, Mitrovic is now all-time best scorer for the national team, 26 yrs old, Scott Parker should find a way to use his abilities. That is a proper goalscorer, he needs better service (he does have Tadic in Serbia, so that probably helps a lot)

      1. GREEN JUMPERS
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I can see why he was a tad frustrated after scoring the "winner"

        1. Nanoelektronicar
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          He was frustrated because he hasn't scored for national team a few games in a row, needs to be more selfless.

          1. Thomas Magnum
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            If Portugal are going to make it out of their 'group of death' group in the upcoming Euros, Ronaldo is going to have to find a way to lead and get everyone to click, he'll most likely also have take himself off some duties and let Bruno take over. They have a good squad, and have a chance to make it far in the tournament, but won't even make it out of the group the way they're going right now

    3. LSK
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      To me right or wrong doesn’t come into it. That’s who he is and who everybody knows he is. He’s never tried to hide it. Take that selfish, crybaby but ultra competitive attitude away from him and he would be half the player that he is.

  20. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    A) Cancelo > Rudiger (no more city assets)
    B) Targett > Rudiger

    1. Die Hard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

    2. ameenkw
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

  21. ClassiX
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I never understand the bizarre mind-set that says because we can't have VAR at every stadium, we shouldn't have it at all. It's illogical and panders to some warped sense of fairness that says let's default to the lowest common denominator. Basically the message is because we can't get the technology to 100% of the games, our default should be 0%. Why do organisations do this? Surely if you can get VAR to even 1 game, that's a better outcome than 0%?

  22. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I need my fantasy fix in this international break - I have signed up for a Formula 1 fantasy game even though I have almost no interest in cars these days 🙂

    1. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Back the Nissan Micra

  23. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Too many Pereira´s in my team I feel...:

    a. Pereira -> Shaw
    b. Pereira -> Lingard
    c. save the transfer

    Martínez
    Cancelo, Digne, Lowton
    Salah, Fernandes, Gündogan, Mount
    Antonio, Kane, Bamford

    McGill, Pereira, Struijk, Pereira
    1 free transfer, 1.1 million in the bank

    1. ameenkw
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Chips situation?
      You can save the ft I think

      1. fc_skrald
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks. Yes, would like to save it. No chips left for me.

  24. ameenkw
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which side of this trade wins? 6-man draft.

    Salah, martial/Wilson and maguire

    Bale, vardy and pereira/Digne/rudiger

  25. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I have been having a well needed break.

    Have there been any international break injuries that are worth noting?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You're not on break if you want to know about Injuries 😉