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FPL Rate My Team surgery with five-time top 1k finisher Tom Freeman

23 October 2026 268 comments
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Five-time top 1k finisher Tom Freeman is here to help with your pre-deadline dilemmas for the next hour.

Whether it’s questions on benching decisions, captaincy, chip strategy or anything in between, Scout’s Deputy Editor will tackle whatever’s thrown at him.

He’ll be on hand to first reply to requests from Chief Scout Members in the Hot Topic below the line of this piece.

If there’s time, Tom will also turn his attention to other requests in the comments section.

READ MORE: FPL Gameweek 8 team news: Friday’s injury updates

You can, as ever, chip in with your own opinions on the RMT requests filtering through – and naturally, you’re free to ignore the article’s subject matter and talk about any other wider Fantasy Premier League (FPL) topics.

Don’t forget that if it’s an algorithmic answer you’re after rather than an opinion-based one, we also have a â€˜Rate My Team’ tool available in the Premium Members Area.

268 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. RMT SURGERY WITH TOM
    avfc82
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    7 hours, 50 mins ago

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  2. RogueBlood
    7 hours, 43 mins ago

    Got 5FT so can make some changes, need to take out Saka currently have 0.2ITB what xfers would you suggest? Currently thinking Saka & Kostoulas > Tavernier & Isak

    Raya
    Calafiori, Gvardiol, Muharemovic
    Gross, Rogers, King, Schade
    Pedro, Haaland, Kostoulas

    Dubravka, Hall, Thomas, Saka

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    1. TheBiffas
      7 hours, 38 mins ago

      Nice moves

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  3. theshazly
    7 hours, 37 mins ago

    1st on bench in case DCL is out :

    A ) Thomas
    B ) Diego Gomez
    C ) Davis

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      7 hours, 31 mins ago

      A

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  4. Bobby_Baggio
    7 hours, 36 mins ago

    Afternoon all. Bruno out makes sense but who to? Thinking Dias out to get more funds too. 0m ITB & 3FT.

    Raya
    Dias - Calafiori - Konsa
    Bruno - Rogers - Gomez - MGW
    Haaland - DCL - Pedro

    (Steele) - Davis - Giles - Hughes

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      7 hours, 30 mins ago

      Mbuemo

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      1. Bobby_Baggio
        7 hours, 25 mins ago

        Sorry you saying Bruno > Mbuemo?

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    2. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      7 hours, 20 mins ago

      I did Bruno - Mbuemo

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  5. The Philosopher
    7 hours, 36 mins ago

    Tp

    Start

    A: Davis
    B: De Cuyper

    1: Gross
    2: Garcia

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      7 hours, 30 mins ago

      A1

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    2. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      7 hours, 22 mins ago

      A1

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  6. Moneymar
    7 hours, 36 mins ago

    Wirtz or Barcola?

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      7 hours, 30 mins ago

      None but Barcola if had to

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    2. Psakhotherapy
      7 hours, 14 mins ago

      Rio..?

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  7. Under my Cucurella
    7 hours, 35 mins ago

    GTG?

    Raya
    Cala Hall Thomas
    Mbuemo Rogers MGW Tav
    (c)Haaland (vc)Pedro Gonzalo

    4.0 Gross De Cuyper Davis

    2FT 1.6ITB

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    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      7 hours, 20 mins ago

      Nice! Not sure od bench Gross tbh

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      1. Under my Cucurella
        7 hours, 12 mins ago

        Thanks, I know there's a really strong argument to start Gross this week but I trust the fixtures of my other options this week to take a gamble. Hoping Gonzalo can finally put away some of his chances. The only downside there is I am pitting Gonzalo against Thomas!

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        1. mr_jones
          6 hours, 54 mins ago

          fixtures over form is always a bad idea. especially with the poor performances from gonzalo and fulham. but go for it.

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          1. Under my Cucurella
            6 hours, 31 mins ago

            I agree, I think the underlying numbers are informing it as well. Gonzalo underperforming numbers and Gross overperforming numbers plus the fixture is enough to sway it for me. It will probably backfire anyways. Best of luck to you mate

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  8. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    7 hours, 34 mins ago

    Best Saka replacement?

    A MGW
    B Tavernier

    If I sell Saka this week, who to bench to play 352

    1 Vuskovic
    2 Thomas

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      7 hours, 30 mins ago

      A but close B

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    2. Under my Cucurella
      7 hours, 24 mins ago

      I'd start Thomas. Really tough call on the other two. I own both and think they're both good options

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    3. mr_jones
      6 hours, 54 mins ago

      A1 (because there will be more defcon)

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  9. damiang2233
    7 hours, 33 mins ago

    Think DCL will start this weekend?

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      7 hours, 29 mins ago

      I think so with it being last game on Sunday

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    2. Feanor
      7 hours, 24 mins ago

      They shouldn't risk him

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  10. Pariße
    7 hours, 30 mins ago

    Start one:
    A) Hall (cry)
    B) Delap (ips)

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      7 hours, 29 mins ago

      B

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  11. space mercenary
    7 hours, 29 mins ago

    Emery on Manzambi: "It is not a big injury, but in case he doesn't feel 100 per cent comfortable, training firstly... The plan is, can you run? Can you touch the ball? This is the process."

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    1. Conners
      7 hours, 22 mins ago

      Not sure what to make of that...

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  12. lilmessipran
    7 hours, 28 mins ago

    Do we think he benches Bruno now? Kinda worried about this

    When Carrick was asked specifically about Bruno Fernandes's position ahead of the game, in his pre-match press conference, he replied: "Most important for me is the team, first and foremost, the squad and the dynamics in the squad.

    "Again, it's about the football club and I will do what is best for the football club.

    "I'm just saying, whatever the situation, I will do what is best for the football club. If I spoke to him or not, I don't think this is the time to go into that in much detail."

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  13. G Banger
    7 hours, 26 mins ago

    With talk of Kroupi eating into Tav's minutes I'm now considering alternatives with my FTs. Thoughts on:

    a) Saka + Egeli => MGW + Evanlison
    b) Saka => Tavernier

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      7 hours, 25 mins ago

      B but close A

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    2. mr_jones
      7 hours, 18 mins ago

      Kroupi will probably eat more minutes from evanilson. so B

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  14. Feanor
    7 hours, 26 mins ago

    Start one:

    E)gan
    G)vardiol
    W)issa

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      7 hours, 25 mins ago

      E but close G

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  15. wesross22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    7 hours, 25 mins ago

    Hi mate, benching dilemma like a lot of people!!

    Current team is:
    Raya
    Calafiori, Hall, Muhemerovic
    Groɓ, Odegaard, Tavernier, Gibbs-White, Palmer
    Haaland, JP
    Subs: Dub, Vuskovic, Gonzalo, B.Thomas

    Correct order? Have lost faith in Gonzalo so am actually considering Thomas in for Hall which might be mad!

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      7 hours, 24 mins ago

      Who is captain, Palmer?

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      1. wesross22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        7 hours, 21 mins ago

        It was!
        Currently on JP as don't fancy Haaland this week

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    2. Throwback
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      7 hours, 19 mins ago

      same benching headache as you.
      - hall vs vucko vs thomas - have to play one (currently on same as you - no thomas isnt a mad shout ) Benching BRI is logical but feels wrong.

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      1. wesross22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        7 hours, 11 mins ago

        Great minds!
        If Hall wasn't good for defcon and on set pieces I'd play Vuskovic no doubt. Just feel like Liverpool more likely to score than Palace

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        1. Throwback
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          6 hours, 1 min ago

          asked Tom sim RMT question:

          [benching headache
          -vukovic vs hall vs thomas(COV)
          -gross vs barnes
          -NEW form very unreliable to pick both hall + barnes(over BRI) -
          -which is best combo - Hall + Gross ?]

          avfc82 reply:
          I'd bench Vuskovic + Gross out of those options.
          If you don't want to play both Newcastle players, Vuskovic + Barnes.

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          1. wesross22
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            5 hours, 49 mins ago

            Ah brilliant. Ta mate!

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  16. Fordy40
    7 hours, 24 mins ago

    Saka for……?

    A. MGW
    B. Mbeumo
    C. Palmer
    D. Tavernier
    E. Schade

    Or other ?

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    1. DRIZ ✅
      7 hours, 23 mins ago

      C or D

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    2. Fordy40
      7 hours, 22 mins ago

      Or Rice, or Odegaard

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  17. Donny_Rover
    7 hours, 23 mins ago

    Want to bring in Muharemovic, would you sell:

    A) Hall, or
    B) Gvardiol

    Love both as players but Newcastle are terrible and getting a bit fed up with the rotation risk for Gvardiol.

    Bit of a benching headache as well, would you bench (bench 2):

    1. Sangare
    2. Gross
    3. De Cuyper
    4. Gvardiol/Hall

    It’s possible first sub will get on anyway as DCL is in my team.

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    1. Radulfo28773
      7 hours, 20 mins ago

      Sabgare and De Cuyper

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    2. mr_jones
      7 hours, 17 mins ago

      Hall, we conced anyway. and DC will bring more attacking threat

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  18. Radulfo28773
    7 hours, 21 mins ago

    Would you play Gross or Guehi

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    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      7 hours, 20 mins ago

      Gross

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  19. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    7 hours, 18 mins ago

    4 mil ITB and 2FT
    Kinsky
    Calafiori Konsa Palestra
    Mbuemo Odegaard Gross Cherki Rogers
    Haaland Joao Pedro
    Thoms-Maguire-Kusi-Asare

    Any ideas please, Im at a loss, was gonna look to bring DCL in but I dont think this is the week.
    Is Palestra a major issue?

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    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      7 hours, 9 mins ago

      Gross - Palmer a good move?

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  20. Radulfo28773
    7 hours, 18 mins ago

    With the DCL news, what would you change here? Thanks

    Verbruggen
    Calafiori Konsa Gvardiol
    Odegaard Palmer King MGW
    Haaland(c) JoaoP DCL

    Kinsky Gross Guehi OSheq

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  21. mr_jones
    7 hours, 16 mins ago

    bench manzambi (now 50%) or play Thomas-Asante vs Fulham? he will be my first sub

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  22. Nightf0x
    7 hours, 16 mins ago

    Verb (kinsky)
    Cala konsa neco (ewjik egan)
    Ode bruno palmer gross (slater)
    Dcl pedro haland

    Which ?

    A) ode to tav
    B) bruno to MGW/tav
    C) both a & b with -4
    D) WC

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    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      7 hours, 14 mins ago

      c

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    2. HUMAN TRIPOD
      7 hours, 3 mins ago

      D) I'd be tempted to wildcard and use the Bruno money elsewhere to change the structure up a bit.

      Could play with any of these: DCL to Isak, Triple Arsenal defence (Raya), Muharemovic and/or Silva in def, £6m-ish mids.

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      1. Funkyav
        7 hours ago

        its really not a great week to WC imo

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      2. Nightf0x
        6 hours, 36 mins ago

        If i WC

        Tzo/4 verb/4
        Konsa cala jcunha hall bogle
        Rogers tav gross mgw manzambi/schade
        Haland pedro dcl/isak

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    3. Funkyav
      7 hours, 1 min ago

      B probably

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  23. Legohair
    7 hours, 14 mins ago

    Play

    A. De Cuyper
    B. Jackson

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    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      7 hours, 14 mins ago

      b

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  24. Machine Gun Skelly
    7 hours, 12 mins ago

    KDH and Odegaard to:

    A) Manzambi and Mbuemo
    B) Tav for KDH and keep Odegaard.

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    1. Conners
      7 hours, 10 mins ago

      B this week - are you confident in Manzambi starting after Emery's comments?

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      1. Machine Gun Skelly
        7 hours, 9 mins ago

        What did he say?

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        1. Conners
          7 hours, 7 mins ago

          As per 'Space Mercenary' comment above.

          Emery on Manzambi: "It is not a big injury, but in case he doesn't feel 100 per cent comfortable, training firstly... The plan is, can you run? Can you touch the ball? This is the process."

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  25. Conners
    7 hours, 11 mins ago

    Anyone considering FH this week?

    Got DCL and Manzambi orange-flagged, Ttiple Brighton at Pool and Kinsky away at Chelsea...

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    1. OptimusBlack
      7 hours, 8 mins ago

      Good Idea

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  26. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    7 hours, 11 mins ago

    Do I keep Schade?

    Y or N

    Best Saka replacement?

    A MGW
    B Tavernier

    If I get rid of Schade I can get A and B in this week...

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    1. Machine Gun Skelly
      7 hours, 10 mins ago

      Y
      Mbuemo but if I had to choose i'd say MGW

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    2. Bobby Digital
      7 hours, 9 mins ago

      Y
      A

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  27. Bobby Digital
    7 hours, 10 mins ago

    Is this team GTG? Would you change anything?

    Rushworth
    Konsa Calafiori Thomas Davis
    Bruno Mbeumo Rogers
    Haaland Pedro DCL

    Kinsky Gross DeCuyper Slater

    0.7m itb, 0 ft

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    1. HUMAN TRIPOD
      7 hours ago

      Maybe Gros in for Thomas/Davis.

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    2. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      6 hours, 54 mins ago

      Looks good, possibly play Gross instead of Davis though. DCL injury may not make much difference as they'll both potentially end up playing for you

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  28. Lucky Z
    7 hours, 8 mins ago

    Is playing Manzambi over Gross too mad?

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    1. Tonyawesome69
      7 hours, 7 mins ago

      Yes

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  29. Judeksi
    7 hours, 8 mins ago

    Typical luck: transferred DCL in last week and he's right away injured...

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    1. HUMAN TRIPOD
      6 hours, 59 mins ago

      Great advice in hindsight, but reckon it's usually best to do transfers closer to the deadline, even if miss out on a price rise.

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  30. Tonyawesome69
    7 hours, 8 mins ago

    A wee bit worried about a pre-60 min sub for Calafiori as tomorrow would be his 3rd game in 6 days.

    Mikel Arteta on whether Riccardo Calafiori can start a third game in a row: “He’s ready. I think he’s in a different place because he had a full pre-season & he’s been available for every match. Piero Hincapie, he trained with us & he’s available for tomorrow.”

    https://x.com/afcstuff/status/2113638251340693668

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