Pro Pundits - Zophar
20 April 2021 335 comments
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One of the world’s best Fantasy managers, Zophar, is on track for an eighth Fantasy Premier League finish inside the top 10,000. Here he tackles some of the most debated FPL issues of the week.


With just five games played so far in Gameweek 32, I figured this would be a good time to take questions from the FPL community on Twitter.

Q. Is Mason Greenwood a legitimate choice over Bruno Fernandes? (@UnderstandingF8)

Mason Greenwood (£7.1m) took his total to four goals in as many Gameweeks with his brace against Burnley. Yes, his second goal was fortuitous and a result of a massive deflection but he has been posting impressive numbers now for some time.

That’s all for now, do let me know if you enjoyed this format and if you want to see it more frequently.

Good luck with the rest of the Gameweek!

The arguments for and against using a Wildcard in FPL Gameweek 3 1
335 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Ha.
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 3 days ago

    What to do with Bruno?

    Any news on Lingard?

  2. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 days ago

    Captain Salah, Bruno or Ihenacho?

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 days ago

      Salah

    2. not_astarte
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 days ago

      nacho

    3. JBG
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 days ago

      I'm going Salah.

  3. not_astarte
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 days ago

    In which season was the European Cup rebranded as the Champions League?

    1. MJF
        5 years, 3 days ago

        Good question. Think mid-90s.

      • Andy_Social
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 3 days ago

        '92-'93 season

      • shirtless
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 days ago

        Yes 92/93. Same year as Division 1 became the Premier. You still had the foreigner rule then in Europe. Only four per team. That included the home nations for us! Back in the 80's it was two foreign players per team. Napoli had Maradona and Careca, Juve had Platini and Boniek etc.

        1. The Knights Template
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 3 days ago

          Boniek brings back memories, great player.

    2. MJF
        5 years, 3 days ago

        Good discussion on BBC radio about all of this between Rory Smith and an EU law expert ruined by Micah Richards wading in with an emotionally charged, meandering ramble that makes zero sense. I like Micah, but he rarely, if ever, makes a point worth hearing.

        1. Rassi
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 3 days ago

          He is not very smart.

          1. MJF
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Unfortunately he cannot construct an argument. It’s as if he’s had no training in how to put across a point, like the majority of pundits.

              I want to hear what someone articulate like Alex Scott has to say.

          2. diesel001
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            Richards - Fun, enthusiastic, but dim.

            Better than Murphy though who is miserable, boring and dim.

            1. MJF
                5 years, 3 days ago

                True.

                As I say I do like the guy. Nice fella, funny and passionate.

                Pundits on TV and radio are part of football’s money issue IMO. It’s an old boys club where reputation grants access and outsiders - like journos - are usually scorned. They get paid bucket loads for virtually nothing.

                1. Jet5605
                  • 11 Years
                  5 years, 3 days ago

                  Don Goodman on Sky always speaks a lot of sense and articulates himself really well IMO. He should be in the studio more but guess he isn't at the top table in the boys club.

                  1. diesel001
                    • 9 Years
                    5 years, 3 days ago

                    Agree on Don Goodman. Also think Andy Hinchcliffe is good. But they aren't PL greats (like Neville and Carragher) and so aren't going to get the big games.

            2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 16 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              That’s always been my gripe with him - his analysis is 50% raucous belly laugh, 45% smile, 5% incoherent clichèd babble

              1. Andy_Social
                • 13 Years
                5 years, 3 days ago

                Gary Neville is playing a terrific game. Carry on like that and Salford City will need to expand their stadium!

                1. Jet5605
                  • 11 Years
                  5 years, 3 days ago

                  I see that Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer are wading in clearly sensing there is political capital to be gained given the millions of fans who are also voters.

                  1. Andy_Social
                    • 13 Years
                    5 years, 3 days ago

                    I do wonder how Johnson will justify getting involved. It suits his economic philosophy of ruthless profiteering from disaster capitalism to a tee.

                    1. Jet5605
                      • 11 Years
                      5 years, 3 days ago

                      It's basically a farce. He's only getting involved so that he can claimed he tried to stop it happening and didn't just sit back. He couldn't give two hoots about it really. All for political gain.

                    2. Moderately content penguin
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 3 days ago

                      Fairly easy that one

                      He's the man of the people - it's no distance at all from the the last election. The obvious gambit is to go for the 50 plus 1 model and putting fans first.

                      Good soundbites there. And we live in the soundbite era. How strong is this message

                      "I have given you back control of your football clubs"

                      The ramifications of doing that are naturally irrelevant.

          3. Atimis
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            Should I make any move here ?

            Mendy
            TAA/Castagne/Shaw/Rudiger/Holding
            Salah/Bruno/Jota/Lingard
            Nacho

            Forster/Davis/Son/Kane

            1. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Greenwood plan?

          4. Thomas Magnum
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            Anyone else having troubles with replies to comments on mobile?
            When I’m on laptop all the replies are up to date and displayed properly, whilst when I switch to mobile replies are always delayed, sometimes don’t even come through properly or even get displayed??

            1. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Nope, all good here!

          5. reubster
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            Not been impressed by the Watchlist picks this season. Currently, Bruno is 2nd rated and with an A form rating. Has blanked 7 weeks running. Lingard has blanked in ONE game, other than his being unable to play vs ManU, since joining WH. He's the top player in the game bar none.

            1. Rassi
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Yeah, it has been subpar.

            2. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Sounds like nobody is looking at it.

              1. reubster
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 3 days ago

                yeah, I guess so. I used to find it useful.

                1. The Knights Template
                  • 12 Years
                  5 years, 3 days ago

                  Me too

                2. Sun Jihai
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  5 years, 3 days ago

                  Spot the differential articles have generally been pretty good this season - though I think it's different authors (and not sure if the watchlist is updated that often)

                  1. Geoff
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • Has Moderation Rights
                    • 13 Years
                    5 years, 3 days ago

                    Watchlist is usually updated once or twice a week. I think last week it wasn't updated as often as usual though, yes

            3. Moderately content penguin
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Pointed this out a few days back

              They simply haven't bothered to update it since GW28.

              1. Rasping Drive
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 16 Years
                5 years, 3 days ago

                never look at it for that very reason. Similar situation with the ticker which often takes an age to update.

                1. Geoff
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 13 Years
                  5 years, 3 days ago

                  I'm surprised you say this, usually Mark has turned this around the same day or within 24h. I'll see if we can speed it up, but I thought we were doing a job on this!

          6. The Knights Template
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            Who will be in charge of Fantasy ESL?

            1. gedda
              • 16 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Too soon man, too soon.

              1. The Knights Template
                • 12 Years
                5 years, 3 days ago

                So don't mention Fantasy ESL Scout?

                1. The Knights Template
                  • 12 Years
                  5 years, 3 days ago

                  Now there's a domain name for you.

                  1. Andy_Social
                    • 13 Years
                    5 years, 3 days ago

                    Damn, it would ruin FF as it is. If this site got involved, on top of the support of gambling, I'd be off for good.

          7. Karan_G14
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            Thinking about a crazy -8

            Out: Phillips, Dias & Son
            In: TAA, Saiss/Coady & Greenwood

            Thoughts?

            1. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              I'm lovin it

            2. Tonyawesome69
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              I'm not so keen on Wolves defence. I feel non-owners have missed the boat there. Tougher fixtures in Burnley and WBA. Both teams more attacking than previous games. FUL and SHU attack weren't exactly potent but I think Wolves still conceded chances

          8. Sun Jihai
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            Bale likely to become a regular starter now Mou has gone? Can't wait for the inevitable haul vs. Soton!

            1. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Maybe.

            2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 16 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              With Kane out it must be very likely

          9. Weeb Kakashi
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            Nice short and sweet article for us.

          10. John wick
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            Any update on kane?

            1. Sun Jihai
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              @StandardSport
              Harry Kane missed first-team coach Ryan Mason’s first training session at Tottenham Hotspur and he is expected to miss the Southampton game on Wednesday. It remains unclear if he has a chance of facing Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday.

              1. John wick
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 3 days ago

                Tc fail....hpe he plays

                1. Sun Jihai
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  5 years, 3 days ago

                  Looks a very minimal chance especially with the cup final and limited prospects of top 4 (which doesn't matter anyway with ESL!)

          11. MMN
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            1 FT 0.1m. Only FH left. Any thoughts assuming Lingard is fit and Kane out for one game only? Stones/Gundo seem to be the weakest links ...

            Martinez
            Dunk, TAA, Shaw, Konsa
            Jota, Bruno, Lingard
            Iheanacho, Bam, Kane*

            Areola, Son*, Stones*, Gundo*

            1. Tonyawesome69
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Stones to Dallas. I would keep Gundo until they have won the league

            2. MMN
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Dallas at home to United?

          12. Tonyawesome69
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            Looking ahead to BGW33 I don't think I can go into the GW with no subs and Alonso.

            Looking for suggestions to replace Alonso. Probably missed the boat on Wolves defs as they are still conceding chances but now have tougher fixtures.

            I'm thinking of Coufal or Shaw. Leaning towards Coufal as he has the better run of fixtures and at WB he has had 3 assists in the last 3 games.

            2FT 0ITB
            Mendy
            Rudiger TAA Dallas Holding Alonso
            Salah Bruno Jota Lingard
            Nacho
            (Forster Kane Son Davis)

            1. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Both sound options.

              1. Tonyawesome69
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 3 days ago

                yup that's the dilemma. Any preference out the 2

                1. The Knights Template
                  • 12 Years
                  5 years, 3 days ago

                  I have Shaw. Potential dgw35?

                  1. Tonyawesome69
                    • 7 Years
                    5 years, 3 days ago

                    That's a good point. I'm still undecided on whether to FH in DGW35 or BGW36. If I use my FTs to load up on doubles then I could FH in the blank. Probably looking like 2-3 Utd, 1-2 LEI, 2 CHE, 1 ARS for 35

          13. The Mighty Whites
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            2FT, 0.4 ITB, thoughts?

            Mendy / Forster

            TAA / Castagne / Rudiger / Coady / Coufal

            Salah / Fernandes / Son / Jota / Lingard

            Kane / Iheanacho / Vydra

            1. Tonyawesome69
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Nothing sticks out. Maybe consider Bruno/ Son to Greenwood or Maddison if you don't want to burn a FT

            2. DannyDrinkVodka
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              I would be concerned about not having a playing keeper

          14. Jordan.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            24 hours of ESL debate and following the debate closely ,it is my conclusion that ESLwill not happen,i had no interest in the game last night and indeed didnt watch it ,in the shadows was the thought that this game is irrelevant and thus maybe pointless,what a terrible state of affairs ,many people say fans will watch ESL anyway i utterly disagree as with anything there has to be a point ,even as covid was going on the companies wanted you to pay for WBA vs FUL ,not many did so idea was binned ,im certain tv revenue will be very low for ESL ,time to relax everyone its not going to happen..

            1. Salan
              • 16 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              You mean TV revenue will be very low for ESL or EPL?

              1. Jordan.
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 16 Years
                5 years, 3 days ago

                ESL

            2. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              I don't like it when you're 'in the shadows' analysing things, Jordan. Makes me very nervous.

              1. Jordan.
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 16 Years
                5 years, 3 days ago

                relax TKL ,would never take on your fearsome jousting sticks ,i hated that feeling that leeds/pool didnt matter,im certain im not alone...

                1. The Knights Template
                  • 12 Years
                  5 years, 3 days ago

                  Arise, Sir Jordan!

                  1. Jordan.
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 16 Years
                    5 years, 3 days ago

                    HURRAH!! a seat at the banquet at last, i shall feast and cavort,bollocks to the barcelona/liverpool game...

          15. not_astarte
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            chances of bale playing?

            1. Sun Jihai
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Seems very high with no Mou and Kane being out

              1. The Philosopher
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 3 days ago

                Kane 100% out of the game or there's a chance he starts/benched? Any news?

                1. Podorsky
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 16 Years
                  5 years, 3 days ago

                  Will there be a Tottenham presser today?

                2. Sun Jihai
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  5 years, 3 days ago

                  Limited firm news (and press conferences disrupted by ESL + Mou sacking), but seems very probable he is out for Soton

          16. rnrd
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            ESL deciders have something very wrong about their strategy. They believe a locked league won't bore anyone but they forget excitement is very related to great stories in the making and what is un-expected and rare makes thing enjoyable.

            When Federer and Nadal played each other in the AO final in 2017, they had not played each other in a major for three years. This led to one of the best sports moment in the history.

            Also, there's life behind sports. Before covid, big UCL games were the game where we people used to gather to eat/drink and wacth the games together.
            Clearly, I'm not going to watch 5 Barcelona - Real Madrid per year.

            1. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Yep, the big games will be well and truly demeaned through irrelevent saturation. The gloss will wear off pretty quick. They may have to start selling hotdogs and peanuts at games.

            2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 16 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Barca Madrid will be playing each other 10 times a season

          17. not_astarte
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            Lol, salah has blanked more games compared to Bruno but people don't have second thoughts when selling out Bruno when it comes between the two.

            1. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Lol, thanks for the analysis.

            2. Pat Bonner
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Who scores more in remaining games is whats important

          18. Quan MisTaka
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            Dias or Cresswell to TAA?

            1. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Dias

              1. Quan MisTaka
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 3 days ago

                Interesting. Obviously with Creswell injured and dias the more short term appealing fixtures I was leaning towards Cresswell. But keeping him for final 3 fixtures and banking on city rotating loads could be a shout...

          19. YoungPretender
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            Most important players to own for the rest of the season? WCing this week. Cheers

            1. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Greenwood and Bumford

            2. not_astarte
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              with not underestimating players......
              Martinez
              Kane
              Lingz
              TAA
              Nacho
              Dunk

              1. Gudjohnsen
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 3 days ago

                Nice!

                I got all those players.

            3. Jordan.
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              mount
              foden

              1. YoungPretender
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 3 days ago

                Thanks everyone

            4. West End Exile
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              TAA and Nacho.

          20. not_astarte
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            Real Madrid President Sensationally Claims European Super League Has Come “to Save Football”

            1. Gudjohnsen
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Have not seen this quote anywhere else.

              Seems dodgy to me.

            2. Traction Engine Foot
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              No

          21. Gudjohnsen
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            Wil Rudiger start tonight?

            And if so will Chelsea keep a CS?

            1. Miguel Sanchez
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Probably as Silva and Christensen are bigger concerns.

              Suspect Chelsea will scrape a 1-1

          22. not_astarte
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            "Players banned from international competitions and national teams according to UEFA? Don't worry, this will not happen. They won't be banned if they join the Super League."
            "Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea, and the other clubs of the Super League, will not be banned from the Champions League or domestic leagues, 100 per cent. I'm sure. Impossible." not my words.

          23. DannyDrinkVodka
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            The EPL is not actually going to kick out the ESL renegades? The risk is far too great......

            1. Gudjohnsen
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              It would be like suicide imo.

              Those teams are far too important for the league.

              That's just saying it how it is.

            2. Quan MisTaka
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              I think Chelsea and City potentially being kicked out of this years CL is a bigger threat tbh. Can you imagine Guardiola's reaction

            3. Moderately content penguin
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              No they won't but there are ways they can make life difficult for them

              The more likely avenue for prevention is quite possibly government action. Populist Boris isn't constrained by European law and he's not exactly above making unilateral decisions to please the crowd.

              The mere threat of introducing a German 50 plus 1 ruling could bring Abrahamovic onside for instance.

              1. Quan MisTaka
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 3 days ago

                Yeah i really think CIty and Abramovic could crack. They dont exactly NEED the money. They are here for the prestige and to win stuff and make themselves look good

                1. Moderately content penguin
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 3 days ago

                  Think Abrahamovic is the one more likely to crack first - unlike all the other owners he appears to have a love for the game and simply being an owner and would be most aggrieved by being pushed out.

                  Of course he's in it for money but that appears secondary as a motivation - in comparative terms. The others are simply financial people who have fallen into football as a way of making money or improving their image

            4. not_astarte
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              roulette would be in full effect.

          24. Simpix
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            Perhaps one way of delaying or preventing the implementation of the ESL would be if the Referees Association and their European and International counterparts got together to state their unwillingness to officiate at these games.
            A Super League would require "Super" Referees so could not play matches without them.
            However, I'm pretty sure that the various Referees Associations have already been 'bought off' with the promise of untold riches for agreeing to go along with the proposals so we will have to wait and see what follows.

            1. Quan MisTaka
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Money money money for all involved

            2. Baps Hunter
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              They are the easiest one to bribe, so I really doubt that would work. And they could have committee of VAR refs to tell the ref on the pitch what to do.

              1. Salan
                • 16 Years
                5 years, 3 days ago

                Agree.

            3. Shaw must go on
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              what are about if they create a rule not allowing the dirty 12 signing players from outside their superleague??they will dry up...

              1. Salan
                • 16 Years
                5 years, 3 days ago

                FPL can create a rule. ESL can also create a rule.

            4. Salan
              • 16 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              You can assume the ESL Refs can also get at least 3 times salary of current ones.

          25. not_astarte
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            going to an era where you would be having 11 players and out of them only 4 or 5 would be playing because of the roulette.

            1. Holmes
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              You can pick players from other 14 teams, shouldnt be an issue

            2. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              Please keep posting.

          26. vova
            • 15 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            Creswell worth getting rid of for a 4 point hit? Have just enough players for next week (if Creswell is fit).

          27. JBG
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 3 days ago

            Which one?

            A) Lucas and Areola to Greenwood and Forster -4
            B) DCL and Lucas to Nacho and Greenwood -4
            C) Lucas to Traore/Raphinha

            I have Bamford, Coady and Bruno, but no Leicester players.

            1. AC/DC AFC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 3 days ago

              I like B but Greenwood may hit a purple patch now.

              1. JBG
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 3 days ago

                Thanks.