Team News
8 November 2016 1029 comments
James H James H
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Wayne Rooney is handed a reprieve as Marcus Rashford drops to the United bench. David Moyes’ decision to opt for 4-4-2 earns Sunderland a first win of the season, though Bob Bradley ditches a similar formation at the break as Swansea City are beaten by United.

After assessing the first ten teams yesterday, we now cast an eye over the remaining half for lessons learned in Gameweek 11..

Manchester United

Starting XI: De Gea; Young, Jones, Rojo, Darmian; Carrick, Fellaini, Pogba (Fosu-Mensah 90); Mata (Lingard 82), Rooney (Schneiderlin 89), Ibrahimovic.

  • Jose Mourinho made five changes from the side that drew 0-0 against Burnley for the trip to south Wales. This meant that Ashley Young, Phil Jones, Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini and Wayne Rooney came in for Daley Blind, Luke Shaw, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and the suspended Ander Herrera.
  • Those changes saw Mourinho opt for a 4-1-4-1 formation at the Liberty Stadium, with Carrick stationed in the defensive midfield role. Juan Mata (right) and Rooney (left) started out wide, with Paul Pogba and Fellaini in central midfield. In defence, Young and Darmian were stationed at right-back and left-back respectively, allowing Jones and Marcos Rojo to form the central defensive partnership.
  • With the match won, Mourinho introduced Lingard, Morgan Schneiderlin and Timothy Fosu-Mensah late on, as Mata, Rooney and Pogba made way.
  • Although United cruised to victory against Swansea City, a much sterner test awaits at home to Arsenal after the international break. Chris Smalling (foot) and Shaw (leg) could push for recalls in defence, though Mourinho was somewhat critical of the pair post-match. Herrera will be back from suspension, offering an alternative to both Carrick and Fellaini. In the wide positions, Rashford, Martial and Lingard may come back into contention, though with Zlatan Ibrahimovic suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season, one of Rooney, Rashford or Martial look set to fill in as the lone striker.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks, Lone Striker

Middlesbrough

Starting XI: Valdes; Barragan, Chambers, Gibson, Friend; De Roon, Clayton; Traore (Stuani 90), Forshaw, Downing (Fischer 78); Negredo.

  • Aitor Karanka made one change from the side that beat Bournemouth 2-0 for the trip to the Etihad, with Marten de Roon coming in for the suspended Gaston Ramirez.
  • De Roon started alongside Adam Forshaw in central midfield, in a 4-1-4-1 formation. Adama Traore (right) and Stewart Downing (left) operated out wide, while Adam Clayton was stationed in the defensive midfield role.
  • Karanka made just two late substitutions, as Viktor Fischer provided some fresh legs in place of Downing for the final 12 minutes. Cristhian Stuani did likewise on the opposite flank, coming on for Traore.
  • With ‘Boro set to host Chelsea after the international break, Karanka may adopt the same formation, resisting the temptation to go for his favoured 4-2-3-1. Clayton, Forshaw and De Roon could continue in the middle, then, with the returning Ramirez more likely to threaten Downing’s role on the left. Otherwise, there are few selection issues for Karanka to ponder.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Attacking Midfield

Southampton

Starting XI: Forster; Yoshida, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand; Clasie (Ward-Prowse 79), Romeu; Tadic (Boufal 66), Davis, Redmond (Rodriguez 79); Austin.

  • Claude Puel made one adjustment for the trip to the KCOM Stadium, with Maya Yoshida coming in for Cuco Martina.
  • Yoshida started at right-back for Saints, while Puel resisted the temptation to hand a first Premier League start to Sofiane Boufal. This meant that Dusan Tadic, Nathan Redmond and Charlie Austin again formed the front three.
  • Boufal was the first player to be introduced off the bench, though, coming on in place of Tadic after 66 minutes. The new boy played on the left wing, with Austin moving into the central striker role, and Redmond to the right. Then, with 11 minutes remaining, James Ward-Prowse and Jay Rodriguez were brought on for Jordy Clasie and Redmond in straight swaps.
  • After conceding another two goals on Sunday, Puel will be desperate to have Cedric Soares (ankle) back to face Liverpool after the international break. The fact Yoshida was used at right-back on the weekend suggests Puel doesn’t have too much faith in Martina as an option. With over a week to further improve his fitness levels, Boufal may come into contention for a start against Liverpool, with Tadic and Redmond’s places appearing the most at risk.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Flanks

Stoke City

Starting XI: Grant, Bardsley, Shawcross, Martins Indi, Pieters; Whelan (Bojan 71), Adam; Walters, Allen, Ramadan Sobhi (Diouf 84); Bony (Crouch 71).

  • Mark Hughes was forced into making two changes from the side that beat Swansea City 3-1 for the trip to the London Stadium. Ramadan Sobhi replaced the suspended Marko Arnautovic, while Jon Walters earned a recall in for the injured Xherdan Shaqiri.
  • Sobhi and Walters played on the left and right respectively of the attacking midfield trio in the 4-2-3-1 formation favoured by Hughes.
  • Shortly after going a goal behind, Hughes turned to Bojan and Peter Crouch off the bench, with Glenn Whelan and Wilfried Bony making way. Crouch took over as the lone striker, while Bojan operated in the No 10 role, leaving Joe Allen and Charlie Adam in central midfield. Mame Biram Diouf was introduced late on in place of Sobhi in a straight swap.
  • Arnautovic will return for the home clash against Bournemouth after serving his one-match suspension, while Shaqiri (hamstring) should have a good chance of being fit following the break. Geoff Cameron is another who should have enough time to recover from a knee injury, and perhaps come back into the side at the expense of Adam in the middle of the park. Bojan staked a claim for a starting spot with his goal off the bench, but it remains unlikely he’ll force his way back in just yet.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Flanks

Sunderland

Starting XI: Pickford; Jones, Kone, Djilobodji, van Aanholt; Pienaar, McNair (Denayer 72), Ndong, Watmore (Love 90); Anichebe, Defoe (Gooch 90).

  • Sunderland boss David Moyes made three alterations for the trip to Bournemouth, with Papy Djilobodji earning a recall in place of the injured John O’Shea, while Paddy McNair and Victor Anichebe came in for Jack Rodwell and Wahbi Khazri.
  • Anichebe’s inclusion saw Moyes opt for a 4-4-2 at the Vitality Stadium, with the powerful forward partnering Jermain Defoe up front. Duncan Watmore (right) and Steven Pienaar (left) started out wide, with McNair joining Didier Ndong in central midfield. Djilobodji partnered Lamine Kone in central defence.
  • Not long after Pienaar was sent off after receiving his second yellow card, Moyes decided to introduce Jason Denayer in place of McNair. The Belgian joined Kone and Djilobodji in central defence, with Sunderland moving to something akin to a 5-3-1 formation, with Anichebe moving to the left side of midfield after Defoe had given them the lead from the penalty spot. Donald Love and Lynden Gooch made appearances during stoppage time as Sunderland held on for the 2-1 victory.
  • After finally finding the winning formula, Moyes will likely stick with a similar side for the home clash against Hull City after the international break. He will be without the suspended Pienaar, though, so one of Khazri, Gooch or Adnan Januzaj may be options to replace the South African, with Patrick van Aanholt also capable of playing in a more advanced role on the left. If the likes of Jan Kirchhoff (hamstring) and Lee Cattermole (back) are available as they continue to build up their match fitness, they may push McNair for a starting berth in central midfield. Anichebe did pick up a rib injury on Saturday, but it’s likely he’ll be fit to face the Tigers.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Left Wing

Swansea City

Starting XI: Fabianski; Rangel, Van der Hoorn, Mawson, Kingsley; Routledge (Barrow 46), Britton (Fer 70), Ki Sung-yeung, Sigurdsson; Borja Baston, Llorente (Montero 46).

  • Bob Bradley made four alterations for the home clash against Manchester United, with Angel Rangel, Stephen Kingsley, Leon Britton and Borja Baston earning recalls in place of Kyle Naughton, Neil Taylor, Leroy Fer and Modou Barrow.
  • Those changes saw Bradley switch from the 4-2-3-1 used in the 3-1 defeat to Stoke City to a 4-4-2, with Borja partnering Fernando Llorente in attack. Gylfi Sigurdsson was forced to play on the left side of midfield, with Wayne Routledge on the opposite flank. Ki Sung-yeung partnered Britton in central midfield, while Rangel and Kingsley slotted in at right-back and left-back respectively.
  • But following a dreadful first-half display which saw the home side head into the break 3-0 down, Bradley made a double substitution, with the fit-again Jefferson Montero and Barrow replacing Routledge and Llorente. Those changes saw the Swans switch back to their usual 4-2-3-1 formation, with Montero (left), Sigurdsson (No 10) and Barrow (right) forming the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Borja. The tiring Britton was replaced by Fer in central midfield for the final 20 minutes.
  • Given the 4-4-2 was something of a disaster, Bradley will likely revert back to 4-2-3-1 for the trip to Goodison Park after the international break. Montero and one of Routledge or Barrow should start out wide, with either Borja or Llorente operating as the lone striker. He could yet revisit using Sigurdsson as a “false nine” though if he looks to go with a more defensive 4-3-3 against Everton. Fer may challenge Britton for a starting spot in midfield, while Naughton and Amat in particular could push for recalls in place of Rangel and either Mike van der Hoorn or Alfie Mawson. Taylor is another who may come back into the reckoning at left-back in place of Kingsley.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks, Lone Striker

Tottenham Hotspur

Starting XI: Lloris; Dier, Wimmer, Vertonghen; Walker (Trippier 80), Wanyama, Dembele, Rose; Eriksen; Son Heung-min (Winks 89), Kane (Janssen 73).

  • Mauricio Pochettino made two changes for the short trip to the Emirates, with Kevin Wimmer and the fit-again Harry Kane starting in place of the injured Dele Alli and Vincent Janssen.
  • Those changes saw the Argentine opt for a different formation, deciding upon a 3-4-1-2 system. Wimmer joined Eric Dier and Jan Vertonghen in a three-man backline, with Kyle Walker and Danny Rose used in the wing-back positions. Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele started in central midfield, with Christian Eriksen utilised in the No 10 role behind Kane and Son Heung-min.
  • Pochettino’s first substitution saw Janssen take over from a tiring Kane in a straight swap for the final 17 minutes. Then, after suffering a knock, Walker had to be withdrawn with 10 minutes left, with Kieran Trippier taking his place in a straight swap. Harry Winks entered the fray in place of Son in a defensive move late on to help pack the midfield, and try to hold on for a point.
  • While the 3-4-1-2 worked very well on Sunday, it remains unlikely Pochettino will use that system once Toby Alderweireld (knee) returns to full fitness. The Belgian may be available after the international break for the London derby against West Ham United, so we may see Spurs revert to the more familiar 4-2-3-1 system. Either Dier or Wanyama would partner Dembele at the base of midfield in that formation, with Eriksen set to continue in the No 10 role given that Alli is unlikely to be fit to face the Hammers. Erik Lamela should have more chance of recovering from his hip problem, while Moussa Sissoko will return from suspension, so one of those two may start on the right, with Son perhaps stationed on the left, leaving Kane as the lone striker.

Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, Flanks

Watford

Starting XI: Gomes (Pantilimon 33): Janmaat, Kaboul, Britos, Holebas; Amrabat, Behrami (Watson 60), Capoue, Pereyra; Igalho, Deeney.

  • Walter Mazzarri was forced into making one change for the trip to Anfield, with Daryl Janmaat coming in for the injured Sebastian Prodl.
  • Watford’s shape was more like a 4-4-2 formation, with Janmaat slotting alongside Younes Kaboul, Miguel Britos and Jose Holebas. Nordin Amrabat continued as the right, with Roberto Pereyra on the opposite flank.
  • Mazzarri was forced into making a change during the first half, after Heurelho Gomes suffered a knee injury. He was replaced by Costel Pantilimon in goal for the Hornets. The only other substitution made by Mazzarri saw Ben Watson take over from Valon Behrami in central midfield for the final half hour.
  • After shipping six goals at Anfield, Mazzarri will be desperate to have Prodl available for the home clash against Leicester City, although the defender faces a race against time to recover from a groin injury. If the Austrian is passed fit, Janmaat could be in line to replace Amrabat at right wing-back in a 3-5-2, although Mazzarri does have an issue to address on the left, with Jose Holebas suspended for the Foxes clash after picking up his fifth booking of the season. Amrabat or Juan Zuniga may fill in for Holebas, then, with Kenedy the other option providing he can recover from a knock. Craig Cathcart would be another option in defence if he can recover from a groin issue. Isaac Success could provide an alternative to Odion Ighalo in attack providing he can recover from a foot injury in time.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Wing-Backs

West Bromwich Albion

Starting XI: Foster; Dawson, Evans, McAuley, Nyom; Yacob; Phillips (Gardner 83), Fletcher, Morrison (Robson-Kanu 90), Brunt; Rondon.

  • Tony Pulis made three alterations from the side that lost 4-0 to Man City for the trip to the King Power Stadium. Claudio Yacob returned from suspension to replace Jonas Olsson, Matt Phillips earned a recall in place of the injured Nacer Chadli and James Morrison came in for the suspended James McClean.
  • Yacob returned to partner Darren Fletcher in the double-pivot of a 4-2-3-1, allowing Jonny Evans to revert to centre-back alongside Gareth McAuley. Morrison was handed a central support role, with Brunt (right) and Phillips (left) stationed out wide for the Baggies behind lone striker Salomon Rondon.
  • Such was the level of performance from his side, Pulis only made two substitutions late on, with Craig Gardner replacing Phillips, while Hal Robson-Kanu got a brief run-out in place of Morrison.
  • While the Baggies performed impressively on Sunday, Pulis will be desperate to have Chadli back from his knee injury in time to face Burley after the international break. The Belgian could either return in the “No 10” role or out wide, whilst McClean will also be pushing for the spot on the left flank. Rondon will have to be checked given he’ll now fly off to represent Peru over the international break, but with West Brom playing on Monday night in Gameweek 12, he should have enough time to fully recover and be able to start against the Clarets.

Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Flanks

West Ham United

Starting XI: Adrian; Kouyate, Collins, Ogbonna; Antonio, Noble, Obiang (Feghouli 89), Cresswell, Lanzini (Fernandes 62), Ayew (Fletcher 62) Payet.

  • Slaven Bilic made two changes for the home encounter against Stoke City, with James Collins drafted in for the suspended Winston Reid, while Andre Ayew replaced Edimilson Fernandes.
  • Ayew’s inclusion as the central striker in the 3-4-2-1 formation meant Michail Antonio switched to right wing-back for the Hammers. Collins joined Angelo Ogbonna and Cheikhou Kouyate in the three-man backline.
  • With the match goalless, Bilic opted to make a double substitution just after the hour mark, as Fernandes and Ashley Fletcher came on in place of Manuel Lanzini and Ayew. Those changes saw Antonio move forward to the right in what was more of a front three, with Fletcher playing as the central striker. Fernandes played in the familiar position of right wing-back. As a final roll of the dice in search of a late winner, Bilic sent on Sofiane Feghouli for Pedro Obiang, leaving only Mark Noble as a deep-lying midfielder.
  • With Reid available to face Tottenham Hotspur after serving his one-match ban, he’s likely to return to the starting XI in place of Collins if he can shake off a hamstring injury. The Welshman could retain his place, then, particuarly if Cheikhou Kouyate is shifted out of defence and into central midfield to cover for the suspended Mark Noble. Bilic will probably continue with Ayew as the central striker, but Fletcher and Antonio are other options in that position, while Andy Carroll (knee) should be nearing a first-team return.

Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Central Midfield, Lone Striker

  1. umerlfc
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Well I'm being stubborn and I'll wait on Internationals. Having missed the price rises on Hazard, I don't mind another price rise. I'd probably sell Lukaku after Swansea.
    My plan for Hazard is for GW13, which includes Lukaku+Redmond> Austin+Hazard

    My attack then would look like this:

    Sanchez - Hazard - Firmino - Coutinho - Allen
    Aguero - Austin - Vokes

    Thoughts?

    1. Good Times
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      there is a high chance you maybe out priced till then

  2. Bleach †
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Quick Poll: Would you rather have
    A) Alexis + Hazard and one Liverpool mids
    B) two Liverpool mids and Alexis/Hazard

    1. Hakchak
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      All of them and no Lukaku post Swansea

      1. Bleach †
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        And your strikers would be?

      2. umerlfc
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        This.

    2. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B gives you as much points plus money elsewhere to use
      So B for me

    3. ANON.
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B since the liverpool mids are cheaper and will likely score better in the short term. Fixtures are great

    4. Good Times
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      i have alexis hazard firm and coutinho =D

    5. HamezMace
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I have A, and I'm happy with that

  3. Snevitz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Posted this last night and had a few interesting comments so thought I'd post it again...

    I wanted to hold Aguero for one more week but price changes have forced me into a decision and I have to say that my team looks much better without him.

    3x 6m defenders (2 Chelsea)
    Hazard, Sanchez, Coutinho, Firminho
    Lukaku, Defoe, Austin

    The strikers maybe a little light weight but all are involved in the majority of their team's goals and are penalty takers.

    Who needs over priced City players who get rotated (hopefully)?

    1. Bleach †
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I would want to have Kun or KDB in atleast, but your plan might work.

      1. Snevitz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        At the start of the season I never thought I'd not have Aguero in my team but with Sanchez and Hazard playing pretty much up top and getting an extra point per goal and cleansheet, being cheaper and rotating well as captaincy options it basically came down to
        Aguero (x2), Redmond, Holebas, Fuchs, McCauley
        vs
        Hazard, Firminho, Austin, Alonso, Azpi & Walker

        1. Phil Dagger ⭐
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          I have aguero(x2) hazard coutinho firmino Austin Alonso koscienly/walker lukaku 2.6 itb

        2. Phil Dagger ⭐
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          don't know where all your money is gone main difference is aguero vs Defoe and sanch vs cout

          1. Snevitz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            A strong bench to cover the Christmas fixtures and not Sanchez vs Coutinho as I have both.
            Aguero vs Defoe is neck and neck but Defoe is nearly half the price, I can't understand how everyone doesn't own him.

            1. Phil Dagger ⭐
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              sorry Sanchez vs wally

              I do like Defoe though he can be brought as a third forward to go along with big hitters easily and is unlikely to be a captain option to have much effect

        3. Bleach †
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Decent tbh but I just dont have balls to leave Kun atm 😀

    2. umerlfc
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      You can hope you're wrong because Kun's ownership and captaincy probability is too high, and he scores big one week and you are behind

      1. umerlfc
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        you're not wrong*

      2. Snevitz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Not if I score consistently more each week, this team got just under 100 points both the last two weeks, just wish I'd gone for it when I first thought about it.

      3. Pegboy
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I'm ditching Kun. He's just not the automatic captaincy option he used to be.

        My team the following week (or maybe GW15 depending on defensive issues) will be:

        Sanchez, Hazard, Firmino, Coutinho, Walcott
        Costa, Kane (Diomande)

        1. Snevitz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          That's a good team, have you considered Walcott and Diomande to Allen and Defoe? You get a better first sub and Defoe has penalties and no rotation or injury worries at the moment.

          1. Pegboy
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Depends. I feel Walcott will score more than Defoe over the course of the season (60:61 at the moment), but it would be nice having a playing sub rather than Diomande.

  4. Good Times
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Taken a few hits and a crappy defense looks OK

    Heaton Pickford
    Cedric holebas pieters Kingsley Wilson (bourne)
    Sanchez hazard coutinho firmino de roon
    Aguero lukaku Austin

    G2G?

    1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Nice team.

      1. Good Times
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        cheers

    2. HurriKane
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Damn thats my exact front 8

      we think alike 😉

      btw my defense is crap too ( Heaton Jak Stones Evans Pieters Kingsley Amat). hopefully our attack makes up for t

  5. drughi
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Would be intresting if aguero blanks and costa and kane delivers next gw. Even more options

    1. Good Times
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      honestly doubt pep can bench kun with so many teams close by at the top, and you know kun scores when he starts

  6. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Can only afford to bring in either just hazard or Bring in both Coutinho and Costa for GW 13 which would you rather have.

    1. Good Times
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      coutinho+costa

  7. Bleach †
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Also thoughts on having Hazard and Costa both?

    1. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Could be gold if you can afford it, I could but my defence would full of players who dont play

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Get Hazard first, consider Costa once his ban is served.

      Does anyone known when the cut off is for players on 4 YC to have their slate wiped clean?

      1. Bleach †
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I have Hazard and thinking Lukaku → Costa after the Swansea game

    3. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Waiting till GW 15 or maybe Sanchez instead of Costa, depends on the perfromance durning next weeks

    4. Individual
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I have them both at the minute, having done Haz in for Sanch yesterday ahead of the rise.

      I think having the double up will be sweet during the fixtures over Xmas - I bought Costa at 9.9 and am enjoying the rises.

      Lukaku is the man who will probably fall out of my Costa-Kun-Kaku forward line for Austin, with an eye on eventually moving Kane in for Costa if the latter begins to tail off or the former begins to get in to gear.

      I do want a Chelsea defender eventually, but tbh if I have those two and a few other more pressing changes to make it's going to take a few steps before I get one in 🙂

  8. Miguel Sanchez
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Considering bringing in Nyom for:

    a) Amat
    b) Smith

    Thinking it may be prudent to start removing non-starters (Amat) in advance of the Xmas fixtures but downgrading Smith to Nyom will save me 0.4 which could be useful in future. Thoughts?

    1. HurriKane
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A.
      having a starter will come in handy over busy winter schedule

    2. Licious Lizard
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      b.

      Amat still has a chance to play. Give it a few weeks and then switch Amat to Kingsley if he is nailed by that time.

    3. _Freddo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A. Smith will still be useful to rotate with for their home games over the course of the next few months, it's only one game.

    4. Individual
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yep, I'm almost definitely doing the same. I'm doing Amat out - I have Pieters instead of Smith for my 3rd def, so it's a bit more straightforward for me.

      I'd be tempted to do Amat in your case, too, though. Smith is useful to have due to his attacking threat, and I doubt he'll see a huge drop or anything.

  9. HurriKane
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Really nice mix of Blue and Red in my starting xi.

    Coulld you predict them ?

    Blue
    Blue BlackStripes RedStripes
    Blue Red Red Red
    Blue Blue Redstripes

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Heaton
      Alonso Nyom VVD
      Hazard Walcott Coutinho Firmino
      Aguero Lukaku Austin

      1. HurriKane
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        good try 7/11

        Sanchez Stones Pieters Evans over Walcott Alonso VVD Nyom

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Nice front 7!!!

        2. Alnair
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          10/11 😐

    2. Alnair
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Fuchs McAuley Pieters
      Hazard Sanchez Firmino Coutinho
      Aguero Lukaku Austin

      ?

  10. Del Monte
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Kane & Barkley or Lukaku & Alli when fit?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      L&A

    2. Pegboy
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Never Barkley.

    3. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      You can get better midfielders for less money than those 2.

    4. HurriKane
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Get Siggy over Alli.

      he's the ultimate differential with great fixture supcoming.

      like defoe siggy will be involved in almost everygoal swansea scores

      1. HurriKane
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Lukaku and Siggy.

      2. Del Monte
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Siggy over say Ayew?

  11. The Stock
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    WC Team:

    Heaton / 4m

    Alonso, Pieters, Friend, 4m, 3.9m
    Hazard, Couts, Firm, Walcott
    Aguero, Austin, Lukaku

    Thoughts?

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

      5th mid? Pieters will be an issue in a month. 2 non defenders will hurt down the track.

      1. The Stock
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Fletcher.

        Dead on team value, so that's with nowt in the bank!

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

          I have Sanchez to your Walcott but no Alonso but a more rounded defence. Should try to have at least 4 playing defenders if possible.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Gonna need some more defenders who start over Xmas period. Who is your 5th mid?

    3. Licious Lizard
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe do Friend to Nyom for the next 3-5 weeks and use the extra 0.1 to do 4.0 to Kingsley (who will hopefully start).

      Who is 5th mid? Having to many non-starteers will hurt you in December

    4. Individual
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Think you need to do some reallocation here. There's a few holes - as TM says, Pieters becomes useless after a while and is generally not-very-good right now. Kaku is also a bit of a dead weight after the Swansea game.

      So I'd say:
      - Get a 4.3 5th mid instead of Fletch (every 0.1 helps)
      - Put Friend/Pieters down to Nyom/Dawson (4.3 - every 0.1 helps)
      - Can't see too many places you can shave, one suggestion could be to compromise on keeper and get Pickford in for Heaton for now to save yourself 0.6-7 (depending on your purchase price for Heaton) - probably not the right move but Pickford does, categorically, get saves!
      - Then, use the remaining money to upgrade Pieters to a 5.0+ defender - Morgan probably someone to look at in that bracket, along with maybe Cedric at Saints.

      I think the rest of you players are great - I'd be tempted to maybe also think about what you can do with Kaku after this GW to free funds.

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

    Last Man Standing

    Entry open during international break.
    Scores needed after hits are 43,48,34,25,40,35,27,27,31,61,39 for GWs 1-11 respectively.
    Code is 18487-7273
    Over 1860 qualified for GW12.

    1. lahi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      What's the deadline for new entries?

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

        January International break so GW21 deadline.

    2. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      How is it working ? I mean joining ?

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

        http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2016/08/01/the-last-man-standing-competition-2/

        Pass the scores above and enter via the code. If you enter and haven't pass all of them, I'll remove you etc.

        1. Atimis
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks mate !

        2. Snevitz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          That is a lot of work checking, somehow in gameweek 8 I came 3.3 millionth and still scraped through.

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

            Need to update your link. Only need to check GW1 and your big red arrows.

            1. Snevitz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Thanks, it works now

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

                Got very lucky in GW8 🙂

                1. Snevitz
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 16 Years
                  9 years, 1 month ago

                  Lucky is not how I felt at the time....

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

                    I bet, a bit of a yo-yo season for you.

  13. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    hoping Middlesbrough can maintain their defensive resolve against chelsea

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

      I just hope they cost 1.

      1. Bruno Bruno!!
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        really hoping costa and hazard flop for next 3 GW so they dont rise too much

        1. Alnair
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Hazard maybe but don't think Costa will.

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

            Costa should have a suspension included by then.

            1. Alnair
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              We were saying that weeks ago tbh, seems the hound is capable of learning 🙂

            2. Bruno Bruno!!
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Costa and coutinho or just Hazard

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

                Rather 2 than 1.

                1. Bruno Bruno!!
                  • 10 Years
                  9 years, 1 month ago

                  Thanks thats made my decision for GW13 a little easier

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

                    Who would by the mid/forward if you got Hazard?

                    1. Bruno Bruno!!
                      • 10 Years
                      9 years, 1 month ago

                      Sanchez, KDB, Firmino, Hazard, Gundogan

                      Lukaku, Anichebe, Austin

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

                        Who do you sell for Costa and Coutinho?

                      2. Bruno Bruno!!
                        • 10 Years
                        9 years, 1 month ago

                        Lukaku and Redmond after GW 12

  14. Sheeeit
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    What's the chances of Coutinho & Firmino starting? I've got both and I've also got Smith & Holebas who are suspended for the next game week. Struggling for a full lineup.

    1. Alnair
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Firmino - Certainly.
      Coutinho - Probably.

    2. Individual
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      For Brazil? Or in the next game vs. Southampton?

      I'd say pretty damn high for Firmino, and less-high-but-still-pretty-damn high for Coutinho - Liverpool have been laying on a private jet to get them back early etc. etc. so I think you'll probably see them both start.

      1. Sheeeit
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah I meant against Southampton. Phew, I can at least trust to hope now 🙂

  15. Kolarov Fpl Legend
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    We all know which Arsenal player was the best to own last year...If Gru starts playing up top as a striker, Sanchez > Ozil is the move i m gonna be making....What do you think lads?

    1. Individual
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      On board with this - done Sanch --> Haz this week thinking I'm going to upgrade Allen --> Mesut (via Kaku --> Austin) next week. Think he (Ozil) is just central to everything we do - I do like Wally but he's more replaceable/susceptible to injury/rotation than Mesut for me.

      1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        exactly...Lukaku > Gru and Sanchez > Ozil is my thinking

  16. ROOTY7
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Aguero+ Arnautovic---> KDB + Costa for a -4?

    Would leave my attack looking like this:

    Hazard Firmino KDB Matic Capoue
    Costa Lukaku Austin

    1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      nope, for Agueroless team that milfs does not look great.

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

        Must be one expensive defence.

        1. Kolarov Fpl Legend
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          i suppose you are right

    2. Individual
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Eww - how have you managed that? 4-3-3 is not really optimum for FPL.

      Your defence must be massive, especially if Kunless.

      Maybe worth taking some cash out of that to upgrade Matic/Capoue.

  17. New Post
  18. Pep bites Kun
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I'm trying to understand where all the love for WBA defense is coming from. They've had 2 clean sheets in the last 11. Are we harking back with rose tinted specs to the Pulis defensive reputation of old or are we hopefully anticipating it will return? An honest question..