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Learning from ‘The Great and The Good’ FPL managers – Gameweek 4

Fantasy Football Scout community writer Greyhead continues with his series of articles analysing the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) transfers and strategies of some noted Fantasy managers, from serial top 10k finishers to well-known faces.

The Great and The Good this year are the Scouts Joe LepperNeale RiggGeoff Dance and Tom Freeman, FPL Wire’s Zophar, from the Hall of Fame Fabio BorgesFPLMatthewYavuz Kabuk and Tom Stephenson, Blackbox’s Az and Mark Sutherns, FPL “celebrities” LTFPL AndyMagnus Carlsen and FPL General plus last year’s mini-league winner Les Caldwell.


He wore a number seven and he looked so fine

Da doo ron-ron-ron, Da doo ron-ron

Someday soon I’m gonna make him mine

Da doo ron-ron-ron, Da doo ron-ron”

You didn’t need crystals to tell you who was the focus of our attention over the international break, with hype off the scale for a certain Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.5m). Did he deliver? Siuuuuu!

The break also brought more than its fair share of injury drama, although Rafa decided to keep some of it to himself and there was FIFA related nonsense which led many of us to regret getting that Brazilian.

There was also the small matter of a few Wildcards being popped early with Magnus, Joe, Les and Geoff the first to break from the pack. With the clickbait headline that Magnus preferred Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£9.9m) to Ronaldo!

OVERALL PERFORMANCE

Despite the clamour for Ronaldo, it was the Romelu Lukaku (£11.6m) captainers who hit the top scores in Gameweek 4 with Mark hitting 76 and Magnus Wildcarding himself into the top 100,000 with a score of 79.

Along with the Chelsea striker they both had a strong defensive performance with 29 points coming from their backline and goalkeeper, Magnus just had the edge though thanks to his eyebrow raising Aubameyang move.

Those who handed the armband to Ronaldo all did well with Joe Lepper continuing his run of green arrows to move into the top 100,000 and Az ascended this made-up mini league gaining 200,000 places along the way.

Less fortunate, were those who bet against the house with Neale’s surprising choice of Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m) being one of the factors that gave him a red arrow this week, although it’s easy to forget that the “other” Portuguese scored a fantastic goal.

Les Caldwell has been in contact to let me know he meant to captain Lukaku, but unfortunately his oversight meant he had the armband on Michail Antonio (£7.9m), which on any other day could have brought returns but on this occasion brought a red card and a red arrow.

WILDCARDS

Aubameyang can exploit Norwich defence ahead of Arsenal fixture swing 4

JOE LEPPER

The Scoutcast Svengali made sweeping changes to his squad with 11 moves overall including, of course Ronaldo, and the return of Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) after last week’s short-term gamble on Son Heung-Min (£10.0m).

He has used the emergence of the cheap enablers Tino Livramento (£4.1m) and Brandon Williams (£4.0m) to allow him to afford Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£8.2m), Diogo Jota (£7.7m) and Mason Greenwood (£7.7m), plus he is betting on Wolves fixtures gaining him a green arrow or two with a double up of Conor Coady (£4.5m) and Adama Traore (£6.0m).

The full moves are below:

INDavid Raya (£4.6m), Andreas Christensen (£5.0m), Coady, Williams, Livramento, Salah, Traore, Jota, Moussa Sissoko (£4.5m), Calvert-Lewin, Ronaldo

OUT Robert Sanchez (£4.5m), Luke Shaw (£5.5m), Luke Ayling (£4.5m), Kostas Tsimikas (£4.1m), Ben White (£4.4m), Fernandes, Son, Said Benrahma (£6.4m), Josh Brownhill (£4.5m), Danny Ings (£8.0m), Ivan Toney (£6.4m)

MAGNUS CARLSEN

The drama in Magnus’ Wildcard was not in the number of changes, but the lack of the winking Portuguese, the Grandmaster preferring Lukaku and a certain Aubameyang who rewarded him with a goal this weekend.

Unlike many he has gone for three heavy hitters, Salah, Aubameyang and Lukaku, which means in midfield he has selected the kindlier priced Raphinha (£6.5m) and Traore, who he will hope to turn their nice run of matches into points.

The final surprise in the Grandmaster’s Wildcard is his triple-up on Norwich, which may cause a few of us to look up the Canaries’ new signing Matthias Norman (£4.5m) to see what we have missed.

The full moves are below:

IN – Coady, Williams, Traore, Jota, Normann, Lukaku, Aubameyang

OUT – Tsimikas, Andrew Omobamidele (£3.9m), Son, Benrahma, Brownhill, Ings, Toney

GEOFF DANCE

The cunning Canadian was another one to press the button. He has shifted his approach to a 3-5-2 preferring Ferran Torres (£7.2m), Greenwood and Ismaila Sarr (£6.0m) to a third striker of Calvert-Lewin or Patrick Bamford (£7.9m). Interesting to note none of the Wildcarders have gone for the Leeds striker despite his good run ahead.

He has also invested more in the backline with the flying, but injury prone, full-backs of Lucas Digne (£5.4m) and Kieran Tierney (£4.9m) coming in, although they are backed up by those cheaper bench options of Williams and Livramento.

The initial results were positive with another green arrow, he has yet to have a red one this season and sits up at 125,000.

The full moves are below:

INIllan Meslier (£5.0m), Digne, Tierney, Livramento, Williams, Torres, Sarr, Jota, Ronaldo, Keinan Davis (£4.5m)

OUT – Sanchez, Sergio Regulion (£5.2m), Adam Webster (£4.5m), Tsimikas, Shaw, Fernandes, Billy Gilmour (£4.5m), Benrahma, Toney, Ings

LES CALDWELL

Les, last year’s winner of the qualifying mini-league, also overhauled his squad. I should take this opportunity to give you a little more info on the winner of FPL’s equivalent of Star Search/Opportunity Knocks – younger readers may want to Google this reference.

Les is another Canadian, they are taking over, what’s that all about? He is one of our more senior managers at the young age of 70+ and a former American Football referee so let’s see if he has scored a touchdown with his Wildcard.

He has ignored Ronaldo, preferring Lukaku and interestingly has stuck by Benrahma whilst many have sold him on their Wildcards.

The arrival of Antonio Rudiger (£5.5m) looks a sensible move with the Chelsea rear-guard continuing to look difficult to breakdown and he’ll be hoping that Raul Jimenez (£7.4m) can show a return to form over the coming weeks.

The full moves are below:

IN – Shaw, Rudiger, Coady, Livramento, Torres, Jota, Allan (£4.6m), Jimenez, Lukaku

OUT Vladimir Coufal (£5.0m), Daniel Amartey (£4.1m), Joel Veltman (£4.4m), Tsimikas, Fernandes, Riyad Mahrez (£8.8m), Gilmour, Ings, Toney

TRANSFERS

Robertson and Watkins injury latest as Son starts up front again in Kane absence 3

This is a summary of the transfers for this week :

Az – Ronaldo, Greenwood (Ings, Fernandes)

LTFPL Andy – Ronaldo, Greenwood (Toney, Fernandes)

Fabio Borges – Calvert-Lewin (Ings)

Joe Lepper – Wildcard

Geoff Dance – Wildcard

FPL General – Ronaldo, Greenwood (Ings, Fernandes)

Les Caldwell – Wildcard

Magnus Carlsen – Wildcard

Mark Sutherns – None

FPL Matthew – Ronaldo, Jota, Livramento (Ings, Fernandes, Tsimikas)

Neale Rigg – Calvert-Lewin, Raphinha (Ings, Harvey Barnes (£6.8m))

Tom Freeman – Calvert-Lewin, Jota (Son, Toney)

Tom Stephenson – Ronaldo, Torres (Fernandes, Ings)

Yavuz Kabuk – None

Zophar – Ronaldo, Torres (Ings, Fernandes)

Unsurprisingly, Ronaldo was the most popular transfer this week, but what was surprising was even some of the most conservative managers Zophar, Tom Stephenson and FPL Matthew took hits to get him in their squads.

Fernandes was the victim of Ronaldo’s success as he left many of the squads with the likes of Greenwood, Jota and Torres seen as suitable backfills, as The Great and The Good balanced the books.

The Sheriff and Deputy of Fantasy Football Scout aka Neale and Tom will be seeking a showdown with Mr Benitez after the disappearance of Calvert-Lewin on Monday night, as they had both brought him in for the appealing Burnley game.

Meanwhile, with six of them taking hits, it was left to Mark and Yavuz to remain calm in the chaos as they simply rolled their transfer.

TEMPLATE

Sarr underlines differential potential as Chelsea earn another clean sheet

The template for The Great and The Good is as follows with number in brackets showing how many teams in which they appear:

Sanchez (12), Steele (8)

Alexander-Arnold (15), Shaw (12), Ayling (9), Tsimikas (7), Livramento (7)

Salah (15), Benrahma (11), Raphinha (10), Greenwood (8), Jota (6)

Antonio (15), Ronaldo (8), Calvert-Lewin (6)

Major changes to the template due to the four wildcards in play with the forward line now receiving significant investment as Ings and Toney are sacrificed for Ronaldo and Calvert-Lewin.

Elsewhere, Jota comes in for the once untouchable Bruno Fernandes and Livramento continues to pick up enough supporters to displace Veltman from the squad.

SEASON STATS

Now the season is hotting up, I have shared below the key stats for the campaign:-

The captaincy scores show how reliable the heavy hitters have been so far with most averaging over 20 points in the first four games. Fabio has had a slow start with Fernandes letting him down in Gameweek 3 being the major contributing factor.

Is FPL Matthew showing a new reckless side? He took a minus eight this week and has already made five transfers. Should we change his moniker to Maverick Matthew? I doubt it.

On the value side of things, Yavuz Kabuk and Tom Stephenson are cash rich thanks to Benrahma and Antonio early rises, but let’s see if this becomes a factor later in the season.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Auto Draft 11

It’s been a season where everyone appears to be posting good scores, many breaking the 300-point total already but before anyone who’s had a slower start considers taking big risks remember there is a long way to go, 34 weeks to be precise.

Don’t panic, the gap is still small with less than 50 points between the top 10,000 and 500,000 and there are plenty of other opportunities ahead.

The emergence of 3-4 heavy hitters means, not only can you not own them all, but the swings are likely to be bigger so don’t force it and that top finish could still be yours.

Anyway, that’s all from me for now and remember don’t have nightmares.

For those effected by any of the topics raised in the above article then you can find me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Greyhead19

676 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pedersen
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    I am considering wildcard. My current idea would be

    Sanchez, 4m
    Taa, James, Shaw, Marcel, Livra
    Salah, Greenwood, Torres, Raphinha, Benhrama
    Ronaldo, Antonio, 4,5m

    Will leave 0.4m itb to go shaw to Alonso gw7 if he still plays by then and/or Lukaku

    1. Pedersen
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      My biggest concern is my midfield

      1. Andy1
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Midfield is good. Torres is rotation risk, but you have coverage on the bench

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Seems like a good time to ditch Ben no? Man U next, and he wont be playing up front if thats what you're hoping.
      See if Torres starts for City tomorrow, if he does, then maybe reconsider him. You probably have one mid risk too much either way.
      This is basically the same as one of my drafts, but I have Jota instead of Ben so its even more risky lol

    3. boozybaz
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Benrahma to Gray use the extra money to strengthen your 4.5 striker or in defence Leeds Wolves and GW7 onwards Chelsea.

  2. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Bayern score in Barcelona

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Poor defending, center back should never turn away from the ball.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Horrible goal to concede

      2. el polako
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Is "el pussino" Spanish word ?

  3. Andy1
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Current WC. Any thoughts?

    Sanchez Steele
    Taa James laporte white livramento
    Salah raphinha Gallagher gray sissoko
    Ronaldo Lukaku Scarlett

    1.1 in the bank

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I’d get Marcal and Semedo on WC - based on xG stuff they are a gift (as long as he doesn’t change formation) with those fixtures

      1. Fish up a tree
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Agree, Wolves look really good all round & fixtures are crying out for it

    2. Fish up a tree
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Laporte is risky, Gallagher @ Liverpool next

      1. Andy1
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Cancelo or Dias better picks?

        1. Fish up a tree
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah but like Sadio said get on Wolves!

    3. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      what future moves can you make though? Its ok, but its kliek you are wildcarding to a bus team because you cant really change it without downgrading a premium and accepting defeat. After 3/4 weeks people will ditch 3 premiums when they need cash, maybe its ok for that period.

  4. Dot Polka Dot
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    You’re struggling for 11 while Antonio is banned. I’d also ditch Shaw

    1. Dot Polka Dot
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      @pedersen

  5. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    On a WC would you go

    A Ronaldo and Lukaku... 4.5m forward.. no Greenwood.
    B Spread the funds more. Ronaldo to Lukaku GW7..

    Spreading it would be something like this...

    Sanchez Steele
    TAA James Marcel Duffy Livra
    Salah Greenwood Raphinha Gray Gallagher
    Ronaldo Antonio Bamford

    1. Andy1
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      That's my conundrum too. So much better team with only Ronaldo. But Lukaku still going up in price

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      B

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A
      Sanchez Steele
      TAA James Shaw Marcel Livramento
      Salah Raphina Sarr Gray Gallagher
      Ronaldo Lukaku Scarlett

      That's a strong squad

  6. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Doucoure over Gray anyone?

    “I arrived at Everton and didn’t play [tactically] like I did in Watford,” said Doucoure.

    “Last season, I had a deeper role, more defensive than at Watford.

    “I had the same skills but needed to adapt.

    “This season, I think I am going to be more forward and attacking.

    “The manager wants me to be more offensive

    “The first time we met, he explained my strengths and what I have to do.

    “We have spoken a lot on the training pitch, he told me I have to go forward and score more goals.

    “It is one of my main qualities as a player and I want to enjoy that this season.

    “I can be in the box more, create a lot of chances and be in the final third to score more goals.

    “I am practising this and will do it on matchdays.

    “He [Benitez] is a great manager and has given me lots of advice and I am happy with that.”

  7. YNWA74
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    What you think of Kovacic?
    Will he continue to deliver… only cost 5mill.

    My tip if you need a cheap forward is to get Pukki now.
    Canaries are burning to get started and with easy matches 5.9mill is great price.

    Also torn between Jota and Greenwood, but the latter will have much stronger with Ronaldo on the team.

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

    A, B, C or D?

    A) Antonio to Saint max and Benrahma to Jota (4-3-3)
    B) Antonio to a 4.5 St and Mendy to Jota (4-4-2)
    C) Benrahma to Raphinha (5-3-2, in this case i bench Antonio and have to play this formation)
    D) Roll the transfer

  9. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on this 4-4-2 wc draft with 4 premiums?

    Sanchez
    Taa cancelo shaw semedo
    Salah raphina Sarr gray
    Ronaldo lukaku

    4.0 mccarthur omo scarlett

    1. Shayben
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I like it, only changes I would consider are Cancelo and Scarlett out for someone like Pukki and Marcal. Gives you an extra player and would say Pukki could easily outscore Cancelo. But I do prefer 343 to 442 so maybe it's just that.

  10. Whits
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Would you do H.Barnes and Digne to Semedo and Pepe for a hit?

  11. navraj01
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    opinions on this wc draft
    sanchez
    TAA rudiger ayling marcal
    benrahma salah jota gray
    Cr7 Lukaku
    any tips appriciated

    1. navraj01
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      appreciated*

  12. jazzy30
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Hello good people, how is Toney to Jimenez this week? Keeping Antonio for this week on the bench

    rest of the squad:
    Def: semedo, trent, shaw, ayling, livramento
    Mid: Salah, Jota, Benrahma, raphinha, gilmour
    Att: Ronaldo, Toney, Antonio

    Please do help along with suggestions of rest of the squad and possible transfers.

    TIA!

  13. StingRay
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Fancy saving 0.1 on a goalkeeper ?

    Foster (Watford goalkeeper) is predicted to drop by 0,1 within the nxt 2 days.

    Therefore, you can spend the 0,1 elsewhere, esp, atm when every 0.1 counts.

    Also presently Foster is the no2 goalkeeper, but last season he was for part of the season, their no1.