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15 January 2016 801 comments
Mark Mark
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Our weekly members article, focusing on the Gameweek captain conundrum, has undergone some minor surgery this week.

The structure remains the same but with added insight on the specifics involving those players and teams involved at the very top of our current Captain Poll.

We check in on Rate My Team’s reckoning as usual, before rounding off with our opinion on the current poll standings in the light of the data analysis, including our view on differential captains.

The Captain Poll

We’re currently witnessing an almighty tussle at the top of our Captain Poll, with Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Man City’s Sergio Aguero at loggerheads with 36% and 29% of the vote respectively.

Kane currently edges the duel ahead of Tottenham’s home tie with Sunderland, although the lead has swapped hands several times in the last 24 hours.

Dimitri Payet is riding a wave of confidence following his spectacular contribution to West Ham’s midweek victory at Bournemouth and that’s enough for him to be elevated to third in our poll. However, the Hammers’ playmaker earns just 9% of the vote, considerably less than the aforementioned strike duo.

Further down the list, Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez is backed for a return to form ahead of his trip to basement-dwellers Aston Villa, while Kevin de Bruyne and Dele Alli provide midfield alternatives to cover Spurs and City’s attacking returns – they’re currently claiming just 3% and 2% of the current vote.

Are the current standings backed by the underlying statistics?

Let’s start breaking down the player and team data for the last four matches and throw some light on the situation.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

801 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. tm245
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    I own Sanchez -- any word on whether he will start?

    1. LC1
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      I personally don't think he will.

    2. Andrew
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      No news yet, I'd guess not, save him for Chelsea at home next week

    3. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Doubt it but you never know.

    4. tm245
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Cheers, will start him and hope for the best.

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Who's on your bench?

        1. tm245
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          It's not pretty -- Stanislas, Simpson, Rangel.

          I went luxe on my wild card and uber on my bench since my four heavy defenders and eight strong attackers approach had been a failure.

  2. sthelenslad92
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Captain Aguero or Payet? :S

    1. LC1
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Aguero

    2. skeyrd
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      own aguero also and leaning towards Payet for sure.

      even though he is coming back from injury, his form looks too irresistable especially against newcastle.

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Really they deserve it (even if they won the title) imo

      1. Eden Hazardous
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        They don't really but its fine as their matches are very entertaining

        1. Eden Hazardous
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          And they are the underdog and have a lower budget , smaller squad etc..

    2. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      still don't think they'll do it.

  3. Surgical Attack
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Links at the end of article aren't working for me.

    1. tm245
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Same for me -- this article is a bit different than the usual ones in the series in a few ways. No Form Attack vs Out of Form Defense section, either. Tables sorted a bit differently as well.

      1. Surgical Attack
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Yes, team statistics defending is sorted by goal conceded (which has less predictive value) instead of big chances.

    2. Surgical Attack
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      any mods around?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Will flag now.

        1. Surgical Attack
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          cool. thanks

  4. Jigger & Pony
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Bench Lukaku or Ozil this GW?

    1. Andrew
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Toss a coin

      1. Sess!
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        ....but call both heads and tails for Ozil and bench him.

    2. Bøss ⭐
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      neither, who else are you starting?

      1. Jigger & Pony
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Kun Kane Lukaku
        Payet Alli Mahrez KdB Ozil

        Tough...

        1. Blanka
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Exact same front 8. Probs leaning towards Ozil.

    3. Murph1
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Ozil

    4. Doolittle
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      I'm currently benching Ozil.

      1. Jigger & Pony
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Makes sense

    5. skeyrd
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      benching Lukaku. Ozil more consistent, Lukaku more explosive...I think Mesut's ability to rake in the BPS with just one assist is what does it for me

      1. Jigger & Pony
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        But Stoke away? Not been a good fixture for Arsenal.

  5. Bøss ⭐
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Pick 3 to start:

    A) Francis - NOR (H)
    B) Sagna - CRY (H)
    C) Williams - WAT (H)
    D) Moreno - MUN (H)
    E) Bellerin - stk (A)

    I currently have it on ABC, any help appreciated though!

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      ab c/e leaning towards c

    2. _Gunner
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      A B C

  6. Alan Hansen's Emu
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Lost at bottom

    Happy Friday afternoon all!

    Who would you bench this GW?

    A) Mahrez (avl)

    B) Lukaku (che)

    I'm thinking B?

    1. Bøss ⭐
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      I think both should be starting.

    2. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      currently on lukaku

  7. Pochecinno
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    I have a feeling Stoke are going to win with a clean sheet

    1. Milner4eva
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Benching Özil?

    2. FISSH
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      I have not the same feeling

    3. Bøss ⭐
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      I think Stoke could win, I doubt they'll keep arsenal from scoring though

    4. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      I have a feeling arsenal are going to win with a CS.

  8. The Wise Owl
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    My team for GW22.

    Butland
    Alderweireld, Bellerin & Fuchs (McAuley & Ward)
    Mahrez, Ozil, Alli, Silva (Arnautovic)
    Iglaho, Aguero & Kane

    Quite happy actually.

    1. _Gunner
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Its a great team, am leaning towards Arnautovic too

      1. _Gunner
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Benching Arnautovic*

  9. _Gunner
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Who to bench?

    A- Arnie
    B- Yaya
    C- Ozil

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      not b

    2. FPL Mentor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      A. isnt he injured? Hamstring?

      1. _Gunner
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Dont think So
        Hughs mentioned nothing about him and he is not flaged

  10. ANON.
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Schmeichel,
    Toby, Dawson, Smith
    KDB, Ozil, Payet, Mahrez
    Aguero, Kane(c), Lukaku

    Butland, Surman, Wollschied, Souare

    2ft, 0.6 in the bank. Don't want to waste a transfer. What should i do? Surman to anyone else under 5m maybe?

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      I'd get in a Lei defender.

      1. ANON.
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        I have Schmeichel already. Wollscheid fixtures are poor, could move him out to someone

      2. luke25
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Schmeichel is enough no?

        1. The Wise Owl
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Maybe but Lei have been good recently.

  11. Xna
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Huth, Ivanovic, Dier, Koscielny, Cresswell - bench 2

    1. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Tought.....cresswell and Kos probably.

      1. Sess!
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Strong case to bench ivan though.

      2. Xna
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        its on them currently 😀 but whatever i do it has potential to go wrong with points on the bench instead within the 11

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Cresswell and Kos

  12. Milner4eva
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Bench Özil or Ighalo?

    1. Whazza
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Özil

  13. Cradders
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Captain Mahrez or Payet?

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Mahrez from those

      1. Cradders
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        I'm so stuck between the two, and every time I've picked players due to fixtures over form they've flopped.

        And here we have Payet against a leaky Newcastle side and carrying a goal and assist on from the last game.

  14. flippetyflop
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    De Gea to LLoris/Schmeichel make sense? or save?

    De Gea Hennessey

    Williams Moreno VVD Sagna SImpson

    KDB Ozil Mahrez Alli

    Kane Lukaku Aguero????

  15. Daaf
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    I am curious. With lots of people having similar midfielders and attackers, are more people looking at their defence for points and transfers? Clean sheets are hard to predict, and people don't like spending transfers on defenders, but is there a case to be made for spending more transfers on swapping defenders out and having 5 actual decent defenders?

    1. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      no because of the reason you stated.

    2. FAITHNOMORENO
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      I've spent a fortune in defence and the returns have been very slim.
      Bellerin,Smalling,Walker,Bertrand and Moreno.
      One would hardly argue there are better options around,yet mostly they've all been dire in recent gws.

  16. 50pipsDaily
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    What to do with this team? Any idea to get Payet for King? Willing to take a hit.
    2ft, 0.4 itb

    Hennessy, Elliot
    Kolarov, Toby, Bellerin, Evans, Moreno
    Ozil, KdB, Mahrez, Alli, King
    Kun, Lukaku, Kane

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      kolarov→Daniels
      or save then KDB→Payet next week

      1. Milner4eva
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Wouldnt sell Kolarov at the moment.

    2. Daaf
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Not really, I like the team. The cheaper keepers go a long way, the rest of your team looks great.

      Maybe waste the transfer? Or downgrade Moreno to Simpson or something.

      1. Milner4eva
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah, I think this could be a good move.

      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      If I were going to get him in for that lot, I'd get him in for Mahrez and probably downgrade Moreno or Bellerin.

      1. 50pipsDaily
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Really stuck on this, keep thinking to bring in Payet, but dont want to lose any player except King.

  17. Is there anyone better than Payet?
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Is anybody else looking at their midfield unable to justify getting Payet in for one of them?

    1. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      He's ahead of most for me

        • 12 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        like my midfield isn't perfect and I think he's better than a couple I own but they all have reasons to be kept and I don't see him as such a big improvement that it wouldn't be better to roll the FT this week.

        1. Jigger & Pony
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Yes, short term one can wait but he's gold over the long term. Benching Ozil this week and playing Payet. Would play him over Mahrez too currently based on stats.

            • 12 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Would you get him in for Mahrez on 1 FT?

    2. Milner4eva
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      I honestly think he's the best pick in the game, so I didn't have this problem. Getting rid of Ramsey for him was a pretty easy move.

      1. Milner4eva
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        But I had 1ft to burn, so I was in a different position to you.

        • 12 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Best. Pick. In. The. Game. 😯 really?

        1. Milner4eva
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Who's better? Costs less than 8m, constant returns both home and away, can get nice hauls off just one assist, the fixtures are great, he hogs all set pieces. Only 15% picked too.

            • 12 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Best midfield pick right now with the fixtures, maybe. But the big strikers are still more important than him IMO.

      2. skeyrd
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        aye, even with Ramsey's haul, Payet will probably be a better pick moving forward, way more consistent. His creative stats are second only to Ozil, says a lot about the sheer amount of chances he creates, making him a bps darling

    3. 50pipsDaily
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      See above

    4. PurpleCobras
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      I'd quite like to bring him in for Mahrez but a) that's a bit ballsy for the likes of me and b) I can't quite afford the switch anyway...

        • 12 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        This is what I'd do if I were doing any move but then Leicester are playing bottom of the league...

        1. PurpleCobras
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          Yeah... Villa are defending a lot better than they were though and Leicester aren't attacking as well. I think I'll save a transfer this week and if I still fancy it afterwards I'll downgrade a defender and turn Mahrez in to Payet. Not had him all season and I like the cut of his jib.

    5. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      got messy.
      Had the choice last week of Ramsay + Vardy to either Siggy & Aguero or Payet & Costa.
      went the Aguero root.
      Now have to consider whether I sacrifice Mahrez and/or KDB for Payet and another midfielder maybe even back to Ramsay.

    6. ChameLeon Best
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      In the same position... so my intention is to wait until west ham have played City and reassess then.

    7. seanpauldcu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Former midfield of KDB - Mahrez - Ozil - Mane - Alli and chose last week to go for broke start using Alli as 4th MF and get Kun in so sacrificed Mane and Lukaku for Aguero and Stanislas and now have a midfield of KDB - Mahrez - Ozil - Stanislas - Alli.

      Payet far superior than Alli, Stanislas and maybe even Mahrez (though RMT disagrees) but to get him means I need 2.4m from somewhere so either downgrading a striker (Kane, Giroud (Plan to switch to Lukaku next week), Aguero) to Igalho for 2.7m or a premium defender (Bellerin, Toby) to Azpi/Clyne/Cresswell for .3m-.7m.

      Going to sit tight and see how he does against Newcastle away and City, I feel that City could be about to start turning it on and those favorable fixtures for W Ham (new, MCI, AVL, sot, nor, SUN, TOT,eve, WAT, che) may not be so favorable with the relegation sides now properly scrapping for every point.

    8. Futbol Heritage
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Hes the best midfield pic currently, my problem is whos the worst midfield pick in my squad to make way for him. Havent made up my mind

      KDB Ozil Ramsey Mah Alli

      All 5 have been considered, may just drop alli considering dembele is back

    9. Jafalad
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Goldust.

      Going with the Ultimate Power 5: Payet, Mahrez, KGB, Ozil and Rambo.

      Happily going without Kun as Kane, Lukaku and Igloo will do just as well.

      Loving the 4% owned Rambo for the stats he's producing 😉

  18. Fergietime
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Bench Arnie or Silva?

    1. Daaf
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Arnie.

  19. Jigger & Pony
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Is Targett again likely to play oop?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Team news says no

      1. Jigger & Pony
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks

  20. ANON.
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Wollscheid to Evans for WBA double up?

    Schmeichel,
    Toby, Dawson, Smith
    KDB, Ozil, Payet, Mahrez
    Aguero, Kane(c), Lukaku

    Butland, Surman, Wollschied, Souare

    2ft, 0.6 in the bank

  21. Rinseboy
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Hows this team looking? bench look ok, nightmare decissions over defence and attack!

    Fabianski
    Toby Azpi Cresswell
    Ozil Mahrez KDB Payet Alli
    Kane Aguero

    Ighalo Wolly Smith

    1. Daaf
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Maybe Smith over Cresswell?

      Benching Ighalo is hard, but understandable and probably the right call.

  22. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Bench one
    Arnie Mahrez KDB Payet Ozil
    Lukaku Ighalo Giroud

    Currently on Lukaku or Arnie but mostly Lukaku.

    1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Arnie to Alli yay or nay?

    2. Blanka
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      I'd go Arnie.

  23. ChameLeon Best
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    I'm wondering why Ighola huge drop off the past few weeks is being overlooked.
    It was pointed out that Watford vs Spurs game, Watfords attack was nullified by a back 3.

    The league is excellent that copying systems and tactics that work to such an extent and alarm bells should be ringing after seeing a porous Southampton back line (without Waya) revert to a back 3 and comfortably keep a clean sheet.

    My recommendation is move on from Ighola sooner rather than later.

  24. FPL Mentor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Right Team Set In Stone Now..

    Lloris
    Alderweireld Bertrand Huth
    Silva Sigurdsson Payet Mahrez
    Aguero(C) Kane Ighalo

    (Hennessey, Ozil, Bellerin, Moreno)

    Read to Rock and Roll?

  25. Blanka
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    DE BRUYNE OZIL PAYET ALI MAHREZ

    LUKAKU AGEURO KANE.

    Can't decide who to bench! Thinking Lukaku or Ozil?!

    1. Milner4eva
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Özil

    2. FPL Mentor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Ozil

  26. adidasOriginals
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Kane or Kun for (C) this weekend?

    1. Blanka
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Flip of a coin. I'm going Kun.

      1. adidasOriginals
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Kane scored an OG against SUN last year

        1. Simon Says...
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          That will have a big effect on what he does this year then.

          1. adidasOriginals
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            you never know, la

  27. boyofwonder
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    A nightmare to pick the team this GW. Any advice?

    DDG
    Monreal - Ivanovic - Dier - Toby - Simpson
    Payet - Mahrez - DDB - Fishface - Willian
    Kaku - Ighalo - Kane

    And who to captain? Leaning towards Kane....

    1. Casp123
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      I would bench Ighalo and captain Kane