Opinion

The Digest – Gameweek 4

The curtain comes down on Gameweek 4 with the Digest round-up, capturing the player, the team and the topic of discussion to stand out from the previous ten fixtures.

We focus our attentions on Spurs all-conquering wing-back and the much-improved Magpies, before assessing the continued armband dominance of two-big hitters up front.

The Player

After four rounds of fixtures, Spurs’ Ben Davies leads the pack at the top of the Fantasy Premier League standings.

The Welshman’s 14-point return away to Everton – his second such haul in the opening four Gameweeks – helped him clamber to the summit on 32 points, one point clear of Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.

Davies has wasted no time in reminding us of the explosive potential offered by raiding wing-backs in the Premier League.

Unleashed down the left, he’s produced more crosses and successful crosses than any player in the top-flight.

Indeed, Davies has even emerged as Spurs chief creator – a total of 13 key passes is more than any team-mate and bettered only by Man United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil, with 15 apiece.

Over 196,000 FPL managers have already acquired the Wales international since the weekend – making him the number one transfer target ahead of Gameweek 5.

A glance at the upcoming schedule suggests that Davies’ momentum will continue to build – the north London outfit offer home clashes with Swansea and Bournemouth and trips to West Ham and Huddersfield in the next four rounds of fixtures.

With new arrival Serge Aurier set to challenge Kieran Trippier for the role on the right of Spurs’ defence, Davies is easily the most secure and potentially profitable route into a rearguard that conceded the fewest goals of any side last season.

The general assumption was that Davies started the campaign as second to Danny Rose for the role on the left. But the Welshman’s recent displays indicate that the wantaway Rose may well have to settle for a back-up role – if he ever finds a way out of the treatment room.

The Team

In retrospect, it seems that Jonjo Shelvey’s moment of Gameweek 1 madness clouded many a Fantasy manager’s assessment of Newcastle United.

Let’s not forget that, before the midfielder received his marching orders for kicking out at Dele Alli, Rafa Benitez’s men were all square at 0-0 with Spurs early in the second-half at St James’ Park.

Twelve minutes later, the Magpies were 2-0 down and unable to contain Spurs’ one-man advantage.

Yet since then, Newcastle have conceded just one goal in three fixtures, racking up back-to-back shut-outs against West Ham and Swansea City.

Just three sides have conceded fewer goals than the Tyneside team’s total of three against, while they also rank fourth most resilient when it comes to shots allowed inside the box after four rounds of fixtures.

At 4.0, stopper Rob Elliot could barely be more enticing as a fire and forget option between the posts. He’s earned one save point in three of his first four outings and even picked up a single bonus point against the Swans – despite only making three saves.

Essentially, Elliot is benefitting from his defensive team-mates’ inability to complete 30 passes per appearance and therefore boost their bonus point system prospects; we saw similar with Burnley’s Tom Heaton last year.

Further up the field, Matt Ritchie’s back-to-back assists could also bring the Scotland international into contention for our five-man midfields as Benitez’s side prepare for a strong run of home matches.

Between now and Gameweek 16, five of their upcoming six at St James’ – STO CPL BOU WAT LEI – look good for Fantasy returns.

While set-pieces and spot-kicks strengthen Ritchie’s appeal, Christian Atsu is another to monitor. Yes, he dropped to the bench last Sunday for the first time this season, but there’s a felling his omission was simply down to long-haul flights after international duties.

At 5.0 to Ritchie’s 5.9, Atsu is one of the few viable attacking options in the midfield budget bracket.

Yet that pair may well be surpassed by the value on offer from new arrival Joselu up front. Handed a debut off the bench in Gameweek 2, he’s since registered nine shots on target – joint-top among all players with big-hitters Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku and Mohamed Salah.

Having found the net on his home debut already, the 0.4%-owned Spaniard now has the opportunity to take advantage of that favourable schedule and emerge as our budget frontman of choice.

The Talking Point

Four Gameweeks into the season, Lukaku and Kane continue to dominate the captaincy plans of FPL managers.

In each of those rounds of fixtures, the Belgian was the top armband choice, with Kane claiming runners-up spot – last week, the United man was captained by 37% and 11% opted for Kane.

Such is the confidence in this pair, no other player gained more than 4% captaincy backing for Gameweek 4.

Lukaku may sit fourth in the forward standings and Kane thirteenth, yet for FPL managers, they remain the undisputed top choices when it comes to selecting the captaincy.

Arguably, such is their stranglehold, going without both means you run the risk of a slide down the rankings should they deliver.

If you break the bank for both, you have the opportunity to cover at least 50% of their captain haul and remain in touch.

With those two dominating, it leaves the selection of our third forward all the more crucial.

Looking at the top of the FPL standings, Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino is the second most popular candidate, yet he’s produced half the number of shots in the box than midfield team-mate Salah.

The goals have dried up from Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez, while Jamie Vardy will struggle to extend a 50% goal conversion rate that’s seen him score with all three of his shots on target.

Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford and Danny Welbeck have excelled as mid-price options, but their pitch-time continues to remain in question. And neither player’s cause is helped by reverse out of position roles.

Typically, it’s only really the heavyweights Alvaro Morata and Gabriel Jesus that perhaps warrant attention. But slotting one of that pair alongside Kane and Lukaku is surely a stretch too far for most.

That consigns them to the role of compelling, but perhaps risky, alternatives to the big two, and leaves us still pondering the route for our third striker.

If Firmino can flourish in the coming Gameweeks, he will surely put the debate to bed. However, should he falter – as he has been known to do in the past – then his 30.9% ownership will begin eyeing the latest mid-price or budget alternative to offer a hint of form.

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2,002 Comments Post a Comment
  1. New Post
  2. Bolasie
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Any of these worth a hit?
    A, Ince --> Chupo
    B, Stephens --> Bavies

    Thanks

    1. FantasyNik123
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      B possibly, but im keeping Ince.

  3. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone ever seen/heard Klopp saying "Firmino on penalties until he misses one"

    Other than on the last page?

    Wouldn't be something FFS would miss if it was said.

    1. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Should be given to Salah

      1. Ci Siamo
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Is this your opinion or have you heard this?

  4. markus808
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    What do you think about Welbeck, at 7.5 he's such a value pick, easy games, premier league experienced, worth a punt?

    1. El_Shaw
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Sanchez coming back could affect his playing time.

    2. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Won't play a when Sanchez is ready

  5. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Just get Jesus
    a.now
    B. Wait til GW8

    1. mojoindojo
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      C Dont

      1. Albrightondknight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Non option for me but thanks for response. Why no?

  6. Bolasie
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Any of these transfers worth a hit?
    A, Ince --> Chupo
    B, Stephens --> Bavies

    Thanks

  7. EDEN THE MAN
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Ritchie in a rotation with Abraham

    or Ramsey plays every game.

    Transferring out Pogba.

    Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

  8. Braca_Bez_Gajca
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Really want to pick up a Man City player especially since I used my WC this week, but still not convinced with rotations and minutes of anyone

    1. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Jesus

  9. @fpl_phenom
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Could Firmino lose pens?

    1. lespaul
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Could do Probably not

  10. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Despite the penalty miss, did Firmino play well?

    1. Plant Based FPLer
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Not IMO. He's kinda just a makeshift striker who's on pens (for the meantime) and sometimes might be in the right place at the right time like today.

  11. lespaul
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    imagine the scenes if sissoko starts at LWB

  12. Lanley Staurel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Any injuries or concerns after tonights games?

  13. willl
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Coutinho or Sigurdsson as Pogba replacement.

    Head says Sig, heart not so sure.

  14. Cube
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    I have Antonio and Chicharito. I need to transfer one out for a lipool player. Cash isn't a problem. So which option is better?

    A. Antonio >>> Salah
    B. Chicarito >> Firmino

    1. Bobjonesjnr
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Chicharito>>Firmino.

      Little Peas is playing off Carroll and not guaranteed to play the whole game every match.

    2. Plant Based FPLer
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Give west ham a chance this weekend. West brom gave up 3 this week.

  15. amit1964
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    hii, please help me to decide:

    a) miki+chicharito

    b) jese+firmino

    thank's

  16. Udo
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Coutinho to rise?

  17. Xerox1
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Which one would you chose:

    A) KDB/Morata

    B) Silva/Siggy/Firminho

  18. FPL Jogger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    My team, already subbed Pogba out for Mkhitaryan and no free transfers left, 0.5 in the bank

    De Gea
    Bertrand Lascelles Stephens Francis
    Mkhitaryan De Bruyne Alli
    Gabbiadini Jesus Lukaku

    Eliot Loftus-Cheek Mee Carroll

    I would like to get Kane and Davies in,
    Gabbiadini (before his price falls), the other Southampton players out and De Bruyne out

    Any suggestions how I should manage this?
    A. Wildcard this week
    B. Joselu and Kane in for Jesus and Gabbiadini (8 points)
    C. Gabbiadini for Joselu and hope Spurs get Wembleyitus (4 points)
    D. sit on my hands, do nothing and hope Spurs get Wembleyitus

  19. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Happy with where I am at, 4 total transfers made for the season 0 Hits.

    Any improvements needed? 0FT this week left.

    Foster
    David Luiz Stephens Alex-Arnold
    Eriksen Mykhi Ramsey Choupo-Moting
    Firmino Kane (C) Lukaku

    Elliott, Carroll, Mee, Rangel