Scout Squad
11 September 2025 259 comments
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The Scout Squad sees our in-house team discuss who they think the best Fantasy Premier League (FPL) players are for Gameweek 4 in isolation.

Sam, Marc, Tom F and Neale explain their picks in the article below.

MORE ABOUT THE SCOUT SQUAD

Scout Squad Gameweek 1

The focus is only on the upcoming Gameweek with the Scout Squad, so there’s no medium-term planning involved.

The players who get the most votes are much more likely to make the Scout Picks, although the final XI can’t exceed £83.0m – so occasionally, we have to source cheaper alternatives.

Each of our writers must meet the following requirements for this feature:

  • At least one sub-£5.0m goalkeeper
  • At least one sub-£5.0m defender
  • At least one sub-£6.0m midfielder
  • At least one sub-£7.0m forward
  • No more than three players from the same club

SCOUT SQUAD: BEST FPL PLAYERS FOR GAMEWEEK 4

 

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The rest of this article below is completely free to read but requires a Fantasy Football Scout user account for access – you can get yours at no cost here

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  1. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Just read that Wissa has the sacred Newcastle number 9 shirt. It's not often a Newcastle no.9 has to share minutes. Is likely to be more nailed than people thought? I'm on a WC and rate him massively and think there could be big regret not getting him now.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Agreed, think he’s a good punt

  2. DavvaMC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Spurs fixtures still look good. So now thinking Xavi as an option instead of Semenyo?

    A. Semenyo
    B. David

    Thanks

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      A

    2. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 13 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Who is David?

    3. DavvaMC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      David!! - No idea it is meant to Xavi 🙂

  3. Bale11
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Currently ranked 8 mil and my worst start for a long time.

    Does this team still need a WC? I could just swap RAN for Munoz and pray villa get it back together.

    Sels

    RAN Porro Konsa

    Rogers Salah Wirtz Kudus

    Wood Pedro Watkins

    Bench: Dubruvka, Anderson, Esteve, De cuyper

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Give it one more GW - perhaps sell Wood for Mateta or Wissa

    2. Chillarn7
      10 months, 1 day ago

      I wouldn’t wc right now given the fixtures Liverpool and Villa have. Pretty good spot to triple up Liverpool/Villa for 2-3 GW’s to try and get some green arrows, then play your WC when the fixtures turns in Arsenals favour GW7.

      1. Chillarn7
        10 months, 1 day ago

        We should have 2-3 GW’s until Isak will be ready to start for Liverpool and then there will be doubts regarding minutes for especially Gakpo and Ekitike.

  4. Roy Rovers
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    GTG or use the 2 FT?.....1.5 ITB

    Petrovic
    Cucurella VDV Munoz
    Reijnders Semenyo Gakpo Kudus
    Haaland Ekitike Wood

    Dubravka Rogers RAN Gudmundson

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Food team. Save

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 9 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        Good*

      2. Roy Rovers
        • 11 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        .....and I'm starving!!

        1. My heart goes Salalalalah
          • 9 Years
          10 months, 1 day ago

          Hehe

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Wood out for Pedro

  5. Chillarn7
    10 months, 1 day ago

    When it says 75% after a player in doubt on the predicted line ups page. Does that mean 75% of being fit to play or 75% of being injured?

    1. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      75% of being fit, usually a yellow flag, orange flag is fifty fifty, red flag zero chance

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      75% fit. 75% chance of playing

  6. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Think I'll hold on to my WC a bit longer.
    1ft 1.0m itb. Chamge in defence, or Watkins to JP or Ekiteke?

    Sanchez
    Rodon Diouf Porro
    Bruno Semenyo Gakpo KDH
    Watkins Haaland Wood
    Dubravka MGW Williams Esteve

    1. Roy Rovers
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Yeah hold....food team!!

      1. Moderately content penguin
        • 7 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        Needs more Mateata

  7. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Is Evanilson a better WC pick than Mateta? No pens but better long term fixtures. Mateta could be a sell after West Ham away and even that might be a tricky game if they play like they did against Forest

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Mateta for me

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Consider Wissa too

      1. Jet5605
        • 11 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        He's in along with Robot. Third spot is between Mateta, JP and Eva

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • 9 Years
          10 months, 1 day ago

          JP a non negotiable I’m
          afraid

  8. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Guehi way more transfers in than Munoz or Lacroix. Is Guehi the best defensive pick from Palace at only 4.6?
    I'm looking at Lacroix in for Diouf...

  9. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Best use of the ft here folks? 0.4m itb

    sanchez
    gabriel milenkovic vdv
    palmer semenyo johnson reijnders
    haaland watkins pedro

    dubravka anderson gudmundsson dorgu

    1. King Sheep
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Liverpool, Newcastle and Palace triple ups with 2 Arsenal.

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 12 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        Tough with 1 ft

    2. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Palmer to anyone if he’s out, otherwise could maybe find a replacement for Milenkovic from the Palace troops

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 12 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        Thanks. Thinking palmer > gakpo. Would you take a hit for dorgu > lacroix or just start milenkovic?

        1. FPL Scoop
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          10 months, 1 day ago

          Probably wouldn’t take a hit for that mate, though tempting

          1. SpaceCadet
            • 12 Years
            10 months, 1 day ago

            Tempting for sure, might just risk it. Cheers

  10. Miguel Sanchez
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Play Sels (ars) or Verbruggen (bou)?

    1. King Sheep
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Verbruggen

    2. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      V

    3. Full ham tragic
      • 3 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      I have same keepers and playing Verbruggen

  11. King Sheep
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    A - Salah/Haaland draft with 3 rotational defensive double-ups for next 4 GW's

    Petrovic
    Senesi Guehi Richards (Cash, Konsa)
    Salah Gakpo Enzo Reijnders (Paqueta)
    Haaland Pedro Mateta

    B - No Salah draft with a set and forget defence

    Raya
    VVD Munoz Ait-Nouri
    Gakpo Semenyo Rogers Sarr Reijnders
    Haaland Gyokeres Pedro

    Which is the better Wildcard ...

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      B - survive this week without Salah and you’re in a much better state long term with that squad

    2. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      In A, I definitely see the merit in Cash and Konsa individually if Villa can get it together, though not sure I’d want both. The cheap defence definitely makes for an appealing MID/FWD line though - what’s your reasoning on Mateta, out of interest?

      In B, I don’t think I’d bother with RAN personally but the rest of the backline (without knowing the subs) obviously looks strong. Curious about Rogers - obviously scored for England but has looked more off it than Watkins - and you might want to check injury latest re Sarr. Getting Gyokeres in early for GW7?

      With a downgrade on RAN, maybe replacing Rogers and Sarr and boosting your bench, B looks stronger imo - he says hopefully, as a fellow non-Salah wildcarder…

      1. King Sheep
        • 10 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        In A , Mateta is just a 7.5m penalty taking price/placeholder, the cheap defence would be an ongoing 4 week punt which I would plan to change every 4 weeks to attack fixtures.

        In B, subs being Senesi & Rodon which would be set and forget defence. Rogers would be in for fixtures and Sarr will come in when fit, he'd be another 6.5M mid for now, I do like RAN but could become Gabriel/Cucurella

    3. Full ham tragic
      • 3 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      B for me definitely

  12. FPL Scoop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    After waaay too much tinkering, the WC looks like it’s coming down to the following…

    1) Vicario Munoz vs Raya Lacroix
    2) Calafiori, or Gabriel (less exciting imo) plus change
    3) 4th def… Chalobah, DefCon Burn or save some £ with a 4.5
    4) Grealish… worth it over KDH? Feels more fun, so heart says yes…
    5) Semenyo vs Enzo vs other (Paqueta, Dango…) - will likely eventually become Eze
    6) Keep faith with Reijnders, or drop to Harv Elliott, Elliott Anderson, KDH or even Josh King
    7) Watkins or Mateta - and why - in the Isak placeholder spot

    As it stands, with £1.7m ITB:

    Vicario (Dubravka)
    Muñoz Calafiori Senesi (Burn Gudmundsson)
    Gakpo Semenyo Grealish Kudus (Reijnders)
    Haaland JPedro Watkins

    Main worry = no Salah, and indeed only one Liverpool. But hope is that eventual pick-up Isak becomes THE guy. Also, Watkins… sold immediately in initial WC draft but he’s somehow crept back in - stats are improving last two, and not convinced Mateta is necessarily better despite immediate two fixtures.

    Now time to monitor today’s presser for any nasty IB surprises!

    1. King Sheep
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      1 Raya Lacroix
      2 Gabriel
      3 Plenty 4.5m defenders
      4 Grealish
      5 Semenyo
      6 Reijnders
      7 Watkins

      Kudus lack of shots is a worry but he passes the eye test.

      1. FPL Scoop
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        Thanks v much!! Nice to have a little reassurance on Watkins and Grealish, and I suppose it’s easier keeping Reijnders and downgrading later if need be than trying to scramble the other way.

        Semenyo feels so template-y but you’re probably right, good stats and good placeholder for Eze.

        Is Gabriel over Calafiori just for presumed security of starts? And interested why Raya Lacroix, as I’d gone the other way based on Vicario making more saves and Muñoz being more attacking / fun to watch

        1. King Sheep
          • 10 Years
          10 months, 1 day ago

          Gabriel for security yes, Raya Lacroix seems more solid for CS and Defcon but yeah, Vicario Munoz would be more fun, Raya being a cheap Arsenal asset just edge's it for me.

  13. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Which pair to play?

    A) Bruno and Pedro
    B) Salah and Rejinders

    (It’s about bringing in Salah for Bruno or Pedro for Guiu, last one will make me bench Reijnders)

    Also have Haaland.
    Salah for the next 2 games before WC

    1. King Sheep
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      A

    2. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Ooof that is tough. I much prefer Guiu to Pedro than Bruno to Salah for obvious reasons, but I’m going to say B in this scenario. I’m a bit worried about Pedro’s late IB return, and knowing you’re wildcarding in two weeks is a good out in case you wanted to rejig away from Salah then, after these next two decent fixtures.

  14. mookie
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    "The King" vs Burnley:
    9 starts - 1 goal and 1 assist
    1 sub - 1 assist
    https://www.transfermarkt.com/mohamed-salah/bilanzdetails/spieler/148455/plus/1/gegner/1132

    1. mookie
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      *8 starts - 1 goal and 1 assist
      2 subs - 1 assist

    2. FPL Scoop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Indeed, saw this earlier in the week. Obviously a good chance it blows up and he scores a hattrick from nowhere, but knowing this helped back my decision to go without him on WC

      1. mookie
        • 12 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        On WC as well and strongly considering the same.

    3. mookie
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Haaland vs United:
      5 starts - 6 goals and 3 assists
      https://www.transfermarkt.com/erling-haaland/bilanzdetails/spieler/418560/gegner/985

      1. mookie
        • 12 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        PL

      2. FPL Scoop
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        You’re jinxing it, mookie!

        1. King Sheep
          • 10 Years
          10 months, 1 day ago

          FPL Scoop getting mookie'd! lol

          1. FPL Scoop
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            10 months, 1 day ago

            😆

  15. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Can I get some advice on next moves. A few red arrows in a row so I need to change something!

    A. Murillo (but has 2 good fixtures after Arsenal) —> Munoz
    B. Wirtz —> Semenyo
    C. Wirtz —> Gakpo
    D. Save FT

    1. King Sheep
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Save

    2. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 1 day ago

      I did a but mot sure about the fixture. Main reason I did it was already had sels

  16. Jullepuu
    • 6 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Thoughts on my wildcard draft?

    Sanchez Dubravka
    Munoz VDV Senesi Andersen Esteve
    Salah Gakpo Semenyo Kudus Reijnders
    Haaland JP 4.4

    1. King Sheep
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      If you want Salah/Haaland, downgrading the defence to get a decent striker would be my advice.

      1. Jullepuu
        • 6 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        JP is a decent striker. If you mean the 3rd striker, he will be last on my bench every game week and right now I don't want to spend any extra money for that slot. Also, the defence is already really cheap so not much to downgrade there

    2. Over Midwicket
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Kudus to Ndiaye

      1. Jullepuu
        • 6 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        Solid option for sure but the fixtures make me want Kudus more

  17. Over Midwicket
    • 14 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Anyone feeling a Wissa(WOL) punt this week?

    Almost no one worth their salt has him, fired up, amazing fixture, possibly pens, Newcsdtle are beasts at home. He's a lethal finisher, 24 G&A last season in a much worse team.

    1. MBK 42
      • 11 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Will he start though? Hasn’t played for Brentford whilst on strike and not sure if he played over the intl break.

      1. Holmes
        • 12 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        136 mins over 2 international games, 2 goals and an assist.

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Good pick imo but his minutes might be managed due to IB involvement.

      1. Hairy Potter
        • 11 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        Apparently Wissa was sent for a scan on his return, but it came back all clear. Woltemade has trained with the team since the start of the week, so may get the nod on Saturday. Big week for Newcastle to navigate Wolves, Barca and Bournemouth.

  18. Holmes
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Vicario
    Cucurella, Ait Nouri, Porro
    Salah(vc), Ndiaye, Reijnders, Dewsbury Hall
    Watkins(c), Ekiteke, Pedro

    Bench: Spence, Rogers, Murillo

    1. aapoman
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      captaining a player from a team who have scored 0 this season seems madness

      1. Holmes
        • 12 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        there is always a turning point.

    2. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 1 day ago

      C Salah or sell. There is no vc

      1. Holmes
        • 12 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        why?

        1. AAAFootball
          • 1 Year
          10 months, 1 day ago

          If you don't trust him with the armband against Burnley, he is not worth 10 mil, let alone 14.5

          1. Holmes
            • 12 Years
            10 months, 1 day ago

            what if I think he scores more than any mids but not more than Watkins?

            1. AAAFootball
              • 1 Year
              10 months, 1 day ago

              I would disagree, Everton fan and expect 2-0 to us, but would still say use the cash for Haaland or multiple upgrades

            1. Holmes
              • 12 Years
              10 months, 1 day ago

              Lets agree to disagree here, I dont play like that. I have benched the most expensive players for a cheapest option, price means nothing to me.

              Being an Everton fan, you would obviously expect your team to win. Would be more digestible if Villa fan said that 😉

  19. cescpistols1
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Thoughts on this WC? 0.0 ITB. Got a few punts in there.

    I’m most unsure on Elanga. Can even get Rogers and bench Elliott till he’s up to speed.

    Raya Dubravka
    Frimpong VDV Senesi Guehi Gudmundsson
    Salah Elanga Kudus Elliott King
    Haaland J.Pedro Mateta

    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Semenyo from elanga imo

    2. Dollyems15
      • 4 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Looks good, not sure on the Frimpong pick (could work out well) maybe downgrade him and upgrade Elanga or Elliott. I have J Pedro on my WC but seriously thinking of downgrading him. Not sure how Maresca will use/rotate with Europe on the horizon, maybe try to rest quite a bit to avoid injury as no other real recognised striker apart from Guiu, might even end up with Garnacho up top

  20. aapoman
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Just roll? 1ft and 0.3itb

    Sanchez
    Munoz Porro Andersen
    Salah Bruno Gakpo Rogers Reijnders
    Gyökeres Watkins

    Dubravka; Williams, Guiu, Esteve

    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Yeah that's fine

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Roll, yep

  21. Dollyems15
    • 4 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Best combo on a wc?

    A. Bruno + mid up to £6.7m
    or
    B. Mbuemo + mid up to £7.6.

    Other midfielders are grealish, semenyo and gakpo.

    Is Mbuemo the more exciting pick? Must be mad going a Man utd player but with no Europe thinking its better as less rotation.

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      A

    2. Dollyems15
      • 4 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Which mid would work best with the Bruno combo?

    3. Mr.K
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      People seem to prefer Bruno but I'm on Mbeumo myself. I think stats-wise he's more promising, though it has only been three games and I guess Bruno has the advantage of not being new to the team.

      As far as I understand, ManU's offensive stats have looked better than the returns, which is why I'm going for a ManU player as well, even though my gut says stay away!

    4. Dollyems15
      • 4 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      was all set on dropping J pedro to Thiago to upgrade midfield but sticking with him now. So it comes down to having either:

      Bruno + Stach/Lukic (not exciting picks but bench fodder to rotate with Grealish)
      or
      Mbuemo + Paqueta/Elliott

      Not sure what to do, just thinking Mbuemo gets more goals

  22. Shark Team
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Guys which one you think scores more:
    A) Reijnders(MUN)
    B) Mateta(SUN) -4

    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Maybe b?

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      A

    3. REMILAN
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      I would say A this week but reindeer has Arsenal next week while Mateta has another good fixture

    4. Mr.K
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      More likely A though I think it's entirely possible he'll end up with something like 2 as well

  23. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Better option this?

    a. start milenkovic
    b. dorgu > munoz -4

    1. AAAFootball
      • 1 Year
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Oohh I would do b for the long term, did mil to mun for fee this week

      1. AAAFootball
        • 1 Year
        10 months, 1 day ago

        Free not fee

        1. SpaceCadet
          • 12 Years
          10 months, 1 day ago

          Cheers. Munoz or lacroix?

          1. AAAFootball
            • 1 Year
            10 months, 1 day ago

            Both good

            1. SpaceCadet
              • 12 Years
              10 months, 1 day ago

              Thankee

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Milenkovic to Munoz?

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 12 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        Milenkovic has 2 good fixtures in gw5 and 6

        1. Holmes
          • 12 Years
          10 months, 1 day ago

          Its Ange bro and they were already struggling defensively

          1. SpaceCadet
            • 12 Years
            10 months, 1 day ago

            Ya but bur and sun in the next 2 are hard to overlook. Plan to sell him after that.

    3. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      What’s a Dorgu?

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 12 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        Its the funny sound your stomach makes when you forget breakfast

      2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        Wasn't he the god that Dr strange kept hassling

  24. dansmith1985
    • 4 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    A)Play Dango and Wood
    B)Palmer to Grealish for a -4 and bench one

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      A for now, need more info

    2. Mr.K
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      A

  25. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    On a WC, would you hold porro?

    1. mookie
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Prefer Cash for 1m less.

      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        I'm not touching villa until they start showing some cohesion

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      yes, good placeholder for Arsenal defender

  26. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    In what order should my bench be?

    Gudmundsson
    Wood
    VDV

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Wood, Van De Ven, Gudmundsson

    2. SpaceCadet
      • 12 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Reverse order

  27. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Good morning.

    Premier League news conferences taking place as the top-flight returns.

    Liverpool manager Arne Slot speaking after 09:00 BST after signing Alexander Isak on deadline day

    Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, Chelsea's manager Enzo Maresca and Brighton's Fabian Hurzeler also set to speak this morning.

  28. Mr.K
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Okay, I'm on a WC and I've been trying to be an independent thinker on this one, and I think it might have gone too far! Kinda curious to hear what people think.

    Raya - Pope
    Lacroix - Munoz - Senesi - Gabriel - Chalobah
    Mbeumo - Grealish - Gakpo - Tavernier - Reijnders
    Haaland - Ekitike - JP

    Addressing some of the most obvious question marks:

    Tavernier and no Semenyo? I tried to raise a bit of discussion about this (with no luck) but I saw some Bournemouth fan post how he thinks their returns will be quite scattered in general. Everyone's on the MUCH more expensive Semenyo but if this particular fan's view holds any water I'm not sure if the price difference is worthwhile - especially with Tavernier then also working as a differential. I'm not really following Bournemouth though, so I'm going by stats and this one possibly fringe view.

    Double Palace defence? I don't mind. I'm not that firm a believer of "covering" teams in general and Palace defence has been surprisingly good. Might drop one later if it seems like the move.

    Two pricey goalies? Yeah, this one I'm not sure about. I originally had Raya and Dubravka but I had 1M in the bank and it just kinda felt like a better idea to use it and to gain some flexibility. It does feel kinda stupid too though.

    1. REMILAN
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      I do like double palace but the problem is their team is so small and Europe starts this week so they will be tired and maybe ship more goals

      1. Mr.K
        • 12 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        This is a good point. I think I'll keep for a couple of weeks but with the Europe I can definitely see myself dropping one of the two. Thanks!

    2. The Mentaculus
      • 5 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      I'm going for Lacroix and Muñoz on WC also. This does look like overkill on GKs to me tbh, don't see why you'd rotate Raya. Think I'm going for Pope/Roefs rotation, although it's close with Raya (& Dubravka). Would agree there's a few decent options with Bournemouth mids (Brooks has looked good too) but price isn't really an issue for me and I would still expect Semenyo to outscore the others

      1. Mr.K
        • 12 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        Cheers! You might be right about the goalies. I think I'll simply do some groundwork and literally just look at the fixture lists and see how often I'd realistically play Pope in front of Raya and decide based on that. Probably a downgrade is the sensible thing to do.

    3. JT11fc
      • 7 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Do your defenders rotate well? I feel like you would want to play them all most weeks.

      This is my current wc draft, similar
      0.7 itb for Gyok
      Raya
      Cucu Vvd Senesi
      Paqueta Semenyo Mbuemo Gakpo
      Haaland Pedro Ekitike

      Dub Elliott De ligt Ekdal

      1. Mr.K
        • 12 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        Quite similar indeed! I think the defence rotates alright, and I went a bit heavier with the defence on purpose. The defensive returns this season have seemed promising, and I in general like to have a fairly balanced squad anyway. In the past I've noticed that when I usually start struggling is when I'm too stuck with the obvious starting eleven. I think now I'll have the opposite headache of benching decisions, but it's a nicer problem to have.

        Also, as The Mentaculus pointed out about CP and Europe, I think I'll end up slightly downgrading on of the CP def. Honestly, I think I might now even go with VdV except that I didn't realize he had a price increase when I got rid of him earlier this week and now I'm too stubborn to get him back with the same price!

        1. JT11fc
          • 7 Years
          10 months, 1 day ago

          Vvd in there plus getting on the double Arsenal def early should be a real game

          1. JT11fc
            • 7 Years
            10 months, 1 day ago

            Game changer*

          2. Mr.K
            • 12 Years
            10 months, 1 day ago

            I don't think I want double Arsenal def (plus Raya) before GW7 and even then it's tough because I might want an attacking player as well.

            As a slightly superstitious Liverpool fan I'll happily go without Virgil! CS against Arsenal was good but I think there's been so many changes that each game will be a bit of a mess for the next few weeks at least. I think we'll be leaking goals and if not I'm not gonna be mad about it either!

    4. CherryBoys
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Agree with the (other) Bournemouth fan! Returns will definitely be spread around, but any player that can put a brace past Liverpool has got to be worth the extra outlay, have you watched Semenyo this season, he has upped his game even more than last and he was a monster then! However, they all need to put some accuracy boots on, 20 shots against Spurs and only one goal. I’m definitely not taking anything away from Tav, he is a superb player, but with the likes of Kluivert, Adli and Gannon-Doak now in the mix someone has to lose minutes and I feel it will be Tav. Semenyo is more nailed than a nailed thing and in my humble opinion, this seasons poor mans Salah. Downgrade a Palace defender and a goalie and Semi is yours too!

      1. Mr.K
        • 12 Years
        10 months, 1 day ago

        You make a strong case, thank you! I'll need to think about this a bit. I kinda like Tavernier as a differential option for the near future, but it does sound like I'll want to move to Semenyo anyway. If it'd be as easy as to just make a direct switch in a couple of week I'd do that, but his potential price rise might make things more complicated.´

        I do have a few players in my team that I'm not completely convinced with and could easily see myself downgrading Mbeumo, a CP def or even Reijnders in a couple of weeks, so it really is mostly a question of if I'd be creating myself more trouble than it's worth by not going straight in with Semenyo. Thanks for your thoughts, you've given me much to think about!

        1. Mr.K
          • 12 Years
          10 months, 1 day ago

          Already downgraded Pope. It's madness to keep him just to sit on the bench for like 85-90% of the matches!

  29. Friday's press conference times
    Skonto Rigga
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Morning folks, here's the full list of pressers according to the BBC (times in BST):

    9am - Hurzeler (BHA), Slot (LIV)
    9.30am - Howe (NEW)
    10am - Maresca (CHE)
    12pm - Iraola (BOU)
    12.30pm - Guardiola (MCI)
    1pm - Pereira (WOL)
    1.15pm - Amorim (MUN)
    1.30pm - Arteta (ARS), Andrews (BRE), Parker (BUR), Glasner (CRY), Moyes (EVE), Silva (FUL), Frank (TOT)
    2pm - Emery (AVL)

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Thanks Neale. Thanks for being up so early to give us the information.

  30. Stimps
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 1 day ago

    Already used my FT. Obvs Sarr and Dorgu gotta go

    Petrovic
    Cucurella VDV Richards
    Salah Kudus Reijnders King
    Haaland Pedro Evanilson

    Dubravka *Sarr Gudmundson Dorgu

    A) Save
    B) Sarr to Semenyo (-4)

    1. jaffary
      • 2 Years
      10 months, 1 day ago

      Save