As always, we delve into the Gameweek 5 data in our first members article of the week. Arsenal’s midfield and Leicester’s form pair arrive under analysis, whilst we also cast an eye over Everton and West Ham’s playmakers after both guided their respective sides to victory.
A. Dawson or Creswell
B. Nyom or Francis [ Francis better fixtures, Nyom in a better defence]
Context
Defence is in a bit of a concern
Morgan Richards Shaw Gomez Kolarov
Planning Morgan/Shaw[whoever looks likely to drop] > Dawson this week
and the other to Nyom next week.Didnt expect [or want] this top of page
It's just the way of life.
Dawson / Nyom for me
Trust Watford with their upcoming toughish fixtures?
Myhill or Dawson for WBA cover??
Dawson!
Myhill. He gets all the baps
Dawson
Total noob. First timer. In middle of WC, long story as didn't really need to as sitting at ~24k with 267 pts but might as well make most of it:
Cech* (Myhill) Sanchez - but like pool's next few games
B. Barkley > Payet
C. Benteke > Kun (which means losing one of Man City defense)
D. Diff keepers?
E. Anything else? Since it is a WC for me
F. SAVEok that doesn't look right... repost:
Total noob. First timer. In middle of WC, long story as didn't really need to as sitting at ~24k with 267 pts but might as well make most of it. What change?
Cech (Myhill) but prob play Myhill this week
Kolarov, Dawson, Skrtel*, (Kompany, Bellerin)
Barkley, Coutinho, Yaya, Ayew, Mahrez (C)
Wilson, Benteke (Vardy)
$5.7M coin - which I could save and do C in future
thoughts on:
A. Coutinho > Sanchez - but like pool's next few games
B. Barkley > Payet
C. Benteke > Kun (which means losing one of Man City defense)
D. Diff keepers?
E. Anything else? Since it is a WC for me
F. SAVEC if kun is fit.
Does Kompany -> cheapo, Vardy -> Kun work?
Balders. Could, if I find someone for less than 4.8 (if I did math right)
Plenty in that price range, Prodl or Evans would be my picks
I don't get it, this is your WC team right?
Yes. This is my WC team. Lots carried over but moot point now. Stupid iPhone browser... hit wildcard 🙂
As you are on WC, post a full team so that we you can get some better reviews and advices. You don't need to compare it to your previous team as you already pressed the button.
I'd say you should be dishing out the advice with those rankings mate. Well done!!
Not sure I understand the first line, but can you post your team please?reposted - not sure why the original post screwed up.
rankings -- haha - yeah, I got lucky with Yaya as captain week one and had Mahrez only because I am a Leicester lad living in Detroit.
Anyone on here playing the Dugout Fantasy game?
o/ Im in div 9 I think
So last week i scored a palrty 37 but in the results it's coming up as 0 points. I suspect I made a transfer during the week and one of the players on my starting XI was transferred out mid week, leaving me with 10 on the pitch. Why would it then default to 0 ... is that something that happens if you don't have 11 starters?
Invalid formations -> 0 points I'm afraid 🙁
That's just nuts ... as i saved my team everything looked present and correct. I find that game frustrating@!!
No autosubs really gets me, I just want to set and forget my squad tbh
Have a read of some musings on my season so far if you're interested: https://innsie.wordpress.com
Sherwood defender needs to go Innsie!
Indeed Balders, although I have a bigger hatred for Ogbonna atm. Will probably end up playing my Sherwood defender this week too 😕
😮 thats scary stuff, what's the news on Ogbonna?
Dunno, haven't really looked into it since I'd be benching him this week anyway. Only dilemma is whether or not to keep him if he is back next week, as he's been a disaster for me so far.
The cheap defence ruined a lot of people. Hindsight would suggest the 5-5.5 price range was the way to go
Even people that did go premium largely went for the Chelsea/Mertesacker combination, its been horrid to watch for a lot of vets here.
I think it was you who had a good thread in pre-season that 5.0 really is the cheapest we should go for defence just because of the way defenders were priced this season vs previous seasons.
Yeah, basically the budget defenders are all risen 0.5 and the expensive defenders have dropped 0.5 reducing the price gap between them significantly.
Whether we like it or not, FPL's pricing strategy this season has so far got the results they wanted.
I think the pricing of the premium players and the mass of options of at the 7-8m bracket in midfield has been the main issue affecting seasoned players.
It's very prohibitive and experience has shown that it is not easy to get a big hitter back if you've downgraded and spread the funds. This line of thinking has led most of us to stick with at most 2 big hitters of choice + Mahrez + 1 mid priced midfielder.
The irony here is that what we should be doing is playing a midfield 4 that cost 7.5 and below - which goes against the traditional way of playing this game.
Another constraint is probably that the tried and tested 3-4-3 has limited our options and flexibility as many probably dare not veer away from it. Meanwhile, the way the points have been distributed is shouting for a change to 4-4-2 or 3-5-2.
Personally, I have bit the bullet and gone with a 3-5-2. Now I just have to pray it works out.
Finally, someone else who has joined the 3-5-2 gang 😀 Who's your 3rd striker?
Rantie 😀
Didn't weigh in in your debate, but whatever you said made perfect sense to me once you laid it out against the others.
Rantie 😎
Who is Rantie?!
A bandwagon that is waiting to explode.
Wouldn't you want a 3rd striker who at least plays? He doesn't look like he'll get a look in there.
rantie's underlying threat figures are very good,his driving runs coming from deep offer serious fantasy potential
Well said Shifty. I know what you mean about stubbornness with sticking with 3-4-3, but I just fear that the second I switch to 3-5-2 then the striker options will emerge and I'll regret it instantly. As of now, 3-5-2 does look great, but will it still look that good in a month or two? We'll see.
The way I see it, it's just part and parcel of 3-5-2 and you could argue it either way.
We have so many midfield options at the moment and they don't look like flash in the pans, it gives more weight to the longevity of the formation than past seasons.
The underlying assumption in what you mentioned above is that the 5th midfielder won't be able to outscore the 3rd striker. The way things are going with baps, a goal scoring, attacking, dribbling midfielder, creative is likely to outscore a 1-goal striker with just an assist.
Who do we have that fit the bill? Sanchez, Mahrez, Payet, Ayew, Mata, Yaya, Silva, Sterling, Hazard(soon), Eriksen, Chadli.
In any case, it's an easy switch of 2 FTs or -4 if a striker looks irresistible that does mean you have to break your 3-5-2...you just have to downgrade one midfielder and upgrade your 2nd striker.
I think the danger here is a lack of commitment to 3-5-2 if all it takes is an inform striker for you to break the 3-5-2 strategy. It's the exact same problem but in a different context that we are facing now - we are so entrenched in a 3-4-3 that we don't want to break the formation for a 5th midfielder.that doesn't meant you have to break your 3-5-2*
What would you do?
Have 2 FTs and already have Ozil
A) Hazard > Sanchez
B) Dave > Richards/Skrtel/Dawson
C) Both
CheersB. Dawson
B.
Ta!
Dave???
Migs out or hold for the next two 'easy' fixtures?
Obviously hold
You think they can hold off Norwich? Looked awful against an impotent United
Liverpool generally concede against top sides iirc, maybe because of pressure. Plus there are not many options available with good fixtures. Looking at next 2, I guess Liverpool has best fixtures. After that you can bring a new GK.
You're right about a lack of attractive alternatives for the next two fixtures. Myhill is tempting but the Villa derby rarely goes our way however bad a team they field.
Hold
hold.
So how come PL teams have struggled so much in CL in recent years?
Feel like there has to be an underlying reason...Just because they play in the best league in the world won't mean they are part of the best teams in the world. If you regularly watch Barca/Madrid/Bayern/Juve etc you will see a big difference.
"Best League in the World"™
overrated? sense of entitlement perhaps?
Quality difference!
IMO they don't really have an identity in there style of play.
For example an Italian te4am, by the way they play, you can say they play italian football, same for Spanish and German. While in EPL, the teams have more foreigners than British, which tend to break the real British Style!
Just take a look at Man Utd of the SAF era, they played a typical 4-4-2, with long balls coming from the flanks. Now its all a mixture of all leagues.
Any tips/changes? 2 FT. 0.2 ITB. Thanks...
Butland - McCarthy
Darmian - Kolarov - Alderweireld (Gomez, Oxford)
Hazard - Sanchez - Yaya - Mahrez (Westwood)
Aguero - Gomis - WilsonA) Mccarthy --> Myhill
B) Darmian --> DawsonB is probably better long term, although I think Foster will be out or a while yet
But land McCarthy
Good fixtures and save points. Hold or switch for myhil? (Else will get Dawson for Shaw)
If you have 2 FTs then use one to switch Butland >> Myhill if not hold
1FT should I save or
Ayew > MahrezSave
Thanks
Anyway else of getting Mahrez in ... he's a Must
Hazard + Pellè --> Mahrez + Benteke for -8pts
Yay or Nay?
And who to start between Butland and McCarthy this week?
No...
-8? Nay
Crazy squad for chelsea tomorrow. Mourinho benching Ivanovic, Terry, Costa and Matic. Also Pedro and Falcoa hurt. Enter Remy, RLC, Baba and finally Oscar's back.
That's the Mou way. I bet it'll work!
In Mou we trust
Pedro hurt?
Minor muscular injury. Not sure the extent. Sounds like he'll be good for Arsenal.
Alderweireld ---> Dawson for free? Upcoming fixtures for Spurs aren't great...
Yes easy
When can we enjoy next Scoutcast? I thought it was supposed to be yesterday.
Hot Topic
1st season playing, i have 2 free transfers but can't really see anything worth doing... 0.1 itb
McCarthy Butland
Kolarov Darmian Williams (Richards Gomez)
Sanchez Mahrez Pedro Westwood (Silva)
Aguero Gomis Wilson
any suggestions?
Myhill Butland
Darmian Kolarov Gomez Smith Targett
Silva Sanchez Mahrez Ayew Payet
Gomis Aguero Wilson
Thoughts?Very similar team to mine a bit further up. Also have 2 FT and not entirely sure what to do. Yours is in good shape. Hard to fault, really.
Reply fail at GreatCarragherReef...
lol.. no worries.. i got it though.. thanks!
cheers, do your toby to dawson for sure. considering richards to prodl
Thanks. Having a quick look at the fixtures, Richards ---> Prodl seems like a good shout.
It was really busy on here last night, and I only got one sensible response, so maybe my DZ friends can help...?
Ok... Aguero's gonna be fine (phew), and I can proceed with my defensive transfer...
So, just to get a second opinion(s), I'm gonna pose a quick question. Who do you think will deliver more points this week, considering both Villa defenders are eventually going anyway?
a) Richards (WBA) > Francis (SUN)
b) Guzan (WBA) > Myhill (avl)
c) Guzan (WBA) > Krul (WAT)
To frame the question...
- If I don't make the keeper transfer, I would be playing Butland (LEI).
- Richards is part of a defensive rotation, with the options I could potentially swap in are Huth (sto) or Azpi (ars), and I'm pretty set on benching the latter
I WAS leaning towards Francis when I first posted this for the potential attacking returns against a poor Sunderland side, on the basis there may be no clean sheets for me here, and Butland has save points potential either way. However, I've since added the third option, as I feel Krul has a great chance of keeping a CS at home to Watford, so may be a better option than the template and temporary Myhill. Butland has decent fixtures while Krul plays Chelsea & City.
What are your thoughts guys?Newcastle look dire, A is my favourite move to do first.
Cheers Balders! It's mine too actually.
Should probably stop debating it and get it done. It's been the plan since last week.
A lot riding on it at the moment, as I made a stupid bet before the international break with a cocky (casual) ML opponent who's been mouthing off, that I would be above him by October..
I've got Aguero, Sanchez, Pedro, Mahrez and Kolorov over him. His only big hitter is Hazard, and he had a 37 point lead with a month to go (although I forgot about the international week in my drunken rage/bravado).
Now I've reduced the lead to 30 points, but I need a big haul to eat into this this week. I'm very tempted to Bench Boost if I get within 10 points of him this week.
sorry i couldnt reply-i was asleep(how do you do it balders?)
but its an A for me-Richards will flatter to deceive-francis wontYou sleep at night, rather than staying up to answer needy posters? What's wrong with you!? 😆
Cheers mate!
I think B is the way to go Myhill for CS and Baps @4.5 what's not to like
My main cons are:
- he has a derby tie away from home
- he may be out again in October when Foster returns
I would plump for Krul perhaps. I think McLaren has visibly improved them as a unit and do feel Krul will get some good returns over the next 7-8 GWs. Myhill is a good pick too as even if he gets dropped, you do have a second keeper in Butland,
I would prioritize Guzan out over Richards as neither Butland nor Guzan look like they will be keeping cleansheets just because of the way their teams have been set up tactically.
Of the 3 promoted teams I would pick Watford for general defence ahead of the other 2 teams, Norwich for midfield, and Bournemouth for strikers/fullbacks.
I know it's not a straight up answer but hope that helps.Thanks for the detailed reply mate.
You have said that you'd air towards Bournemouth fullbacks, which is why I was looked at Francis who's showed great attacking potential.yea but i would prefer to use clean sheet potential as a strong base. But heck, if it's part of a rotation, why not Francis eventually. But for now, keeper needs to go.
Good advice. Cheers mate
I think WBA defence is a must so B) looks good to me.
I agree longer term, but if my focus is leaning towards who will score me points immediately (see my reply to Balders above), you think the Pulis effect will still see out a CS in an away derby tie?
Yes, I have complete faith in the Pulis defence
Fair enough! Cheer Ryan
Shaw to Dawson a no brained or are there any other better options for this defence? Cheers
bego McCarthy
kolarov Gomez morgan whittaker shawYep your defence needs help and would save you cash too
cheers
Evans for 0.2 less
Evans also loves to get injured
That's my concern too. Maybe dawson is the safer bet
Would you do the transfer now before shaw's price drops or wait for pressers to be safe?
Plenty of time till Shaw's price drops
Will wait for pressers in that case. Cheers Ryan
WBA defender is the best option out there imo
Surely Kdb has to start against West Ham after Nasri's yesterdays "performance".
Doing Silva -> Kdb before last gw was a mistake.Won't take Kevin long to hit his straps ... and he'll start regularly now I suspect. Nasri and Navas have been pretty awful recently.
Hopefully you are right
Dawson seems popular, but why not McAuley? Historically he gets 2-3 goals per season and the odd assist.
Dawson is more nailed (arguably), he will probably get similar attacking points, and the BPS seems to strongly favour fullbacks.
Dawson plays at right back..McCauley has chester and olsson for competition
I have one question, one question only
Which to play
Darmain away to Southampton
Or
Williams home to Everton
Thanksone answer
B=reliableDarmian
+1
Thank you.. 2 to 1 Darmian it is Mr Card Magnet
Darmian
What's the funniest team name out there ?
Manchester United
Fer Fuchs Aké
from DoosI always thought Kolarov Mane was pretty good
I went with Fuchs B*tches get Mane at the start of the season, but decided to change it every couple of weeks for a laugh. Currently on DunneChuJuanmiBebe?
Surely best move is save FT? Or maybe swallow my pride and do Kdb -> Silva
Butland (McCarthy)
Kolarov - Gomez - Darmian (Williams,Richards)
Sanchez - Kdb - Pedro - Mahrez (ww)
Aguero (c) - Gomis - WilsonYeah, save. Both KDB and Silva will come good I reckon. I KDB continues to start on the bench in PL, then swap perhaps.
Pelle + Butland --> Benteke + McCarthy with 2 frees?
I really want Tekkers for the next two, but don't have enough to straight swap for Pelle.
Current team:
Myhill Butland
Kolarov Francis Prodl Muniesa Targett
Silva Sanchez Payet Ayew Mahrez
Kun Pelle Wilson
2FT 0.2itb
Any help would be great!
Podcast now online
http://www.triggerlips.comNice work ... thanks Trigger
Begovic (McCarthy)
Kolarov, Shaw, Williams (Richards, Targett)
Hazard, Ozil, Mahrez, Ritchie (Mane)
Aguero, Gomis, Diouf
A) Start Richards and save FT
B) Shaw -> Dawson/Evans
C) Shaw -> Clyne/Gomez
D) OtherB) Dawson
Might as well shift Shaw now ... Dawson is the reliable answer
Start Evans over Richards?
Dawson*
I know Rojo took Shaw's place last night but any man U followers know if that is the expected replacement on a regular basis?
Whilst Shaw is out it will be yes. Blind will go to LB
Cheers.
Rojo and Blind will share LCB & LB
Cheers
