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31 August 2018 98 comments
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It was always going to be Mohamed Salah captaincy year.

However, we are in just Gameweek 4 and already Salah is a huge underdog to Sergio Aguero. It seems that everyone from this week’s Scoutcast will go with Aguero and the Captaincy Poll also shows huge Aguero’s advantage – 65.7% for Aguero vs 11.2% for Salah.

Honestly, I am very surprised by this one-sidedness. Let’s consider some facts:

1) Aguero may be benched. The rule is you should not captain a player who may be benched. Yes, he started all home matches last season when available, but that does not mean he will do the same this season. Pep Guardiola may decide to shuffle some things up after a draw against Wolves and may go with more mobile Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling.

2) Salah is obviously more consistent. Aguero blanked in two gameweeks out of three. Salah had attacking returns in all three games. Of course, everyone remembers Aguero’s 20 point haul in Gameweek 2, but isn’t Salah able to do that just as well?

3) Manchester City has a better fixture, but Liverpool’s is not bad either. Last season Aguero scored 3 goals at home vs Newcastle and blanked away. Salah scored 2 goals at home vs Leicester and 1 goal away.

4) Salah has better underlying stats so far this season. Number of penalty touches and goal attempts are similar, but Salah is much more productive creatively creating chance every 22 minutes versus Aguero’s every 41 minute.

I hope these points will open up the discussion a little bit.

I understand that not captaining Aguero is a risk, but so is not captaining Salah. Salah is yet to score a brace this season and he will be hungry for it.

Who are you captaining and why?

 

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  1. Geoff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Thanks for this!

    Aguero for me, out of fear largely. I was really frustrated with Salah's lack of bonus again last week. He was wasteful, which of course could mean he hits it big, but I can't see Aguero rested for this one

    1. MikeBravo
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Kun has two internationals coming up. The rest might come against Fulham. Mahrez and Sane can take care of Fulham.

      1. MikeBravo
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Done. Triple captain Kun.

        1. Hungry Singh
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Dropped by Argentina

          1. MikeBravo
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 3 months ago

            So he has. Was on holiday when that news came out, is that a good enough excuse?

        2. Kane Toads
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          that's what I'm thinking

      2. alexmj
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Aguero isn't in the Argentina squad?

        1. MikeBravo
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Google, news.

      3. hysteria
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        kun is not selected for the internationals....he will have a nice couple of weeks rest ...might need to consider that tc chip for the later part of the son

  2. Ady87
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Can't captain Salah if I don't have him.

    Aguero for me then.

    1. Tshelby
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I'm playing my wildcard and also created a team without Salah but I don't know if it's a great idea.. Do you?

      1. alfast1c
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        its good why not. no1 can guarantee that salah will be as good as last season.

        1. Tshelby
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          True but he has been pretty constant also this season

        2. Eden Wizard
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Other than the fact he's started with exactly the same average.....

        3. Krionos
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          His stats show that he has started this season even better than last...

      2. Ady87
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Mine doesn't have him!

        Ederson
        Alonso Mendy Robertson
        Hazard Mane Mkhi Walcott
        Aguero(c) Zaha Wilson

        Subs: Hamer AWB Bennett Neves

        Cost £100.9m

        1. MikeBravo
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          I just don't think Mane will ever be as consistent as Mo.

          1. Ady87
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 3 months ago

            He won't, but the £3.2m let me buy Hazard, Alonso, Ederson and Mendy who will all jointly outscore the other options available for lesser price points.

            1. Ady87
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              As opposed to Rudiger, Shaw, TAA, Patricio etc

            2. IRBOX âš½
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              I have that exact team, without Ederson but with Salah instead of Mane?

            3. MikeBravo
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              It definitely looks good at the back, and AWB on the bench...noice.

  3. michudagawd
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Good to go?

    -4 (Ricky + Arnie -> Mkhi + Mitro)

    Fabianski
    Wan-B Robbo Mendy Alonso
    Salah Mkhi Bilva Mané
    Mitrovic Aguero (c)

    Foster - Ings Stephens Peltier

    0 itb.

    1. Ady87
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Looks good.

    2. MikeBravo
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Fantastic.

    3. fabregasismagic
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Nice

  4. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Difficult decision. Got burned gw2.

    1. koaksi123
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      got screed as well, brought in mendy instead

  5. alfast1c
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Nice article, although I am still going with Aguero. You forget one thing, City already failed, Lpool is yet to failed, why not at Liecester away? Statistics doesnt prove anything. My opionion is that Aguero will get a goal at least and Salah might draw this one. One only concern is if Aguero starts. But cant take the risk and not captain him...

    1. _Make
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      This is the classic gamblers' fallacy. City have got their 'fail' out of the way and Liverpool have not, so they are due one. It doesn't work like that.

      All we can go on to predict future form is past performance, and that City failure is more telling than Liverpool's 100% start.

      1. alfast1c
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Tbh its all based on luck. I am not gambler at all, i just think reasonably. You just have to be lucky and guess when a team blanks. If u are going by statistics u cant win the game, u have to have luck and guess the right captain.

        1. _Make
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Indeed. In a given gameweek literally anything could happen. I took a hit for Hazard last week and it looked as if he might have to go off in the first five minutes with an injury at one point. He went on to score around 10 points.

          BTW the 'gamblers' fallacy' is a psychological term, not an accusation 😉

      2. alfast1c
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Plus its harder fixture for Lpool. Maybe iam subjective cause iam utd fan, but still! Have hopes in Liecester! 😉

    2. Krionos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      "Statistics doesnt prove anything" uh what?

  6. Slippy
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    My decision is between Aguero & Hazard. Any thoughts here on who will score more of those two?

    1. alfast1c
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      As for Hazard, you can never know. But still i think its a gamble, if ure playing safe!

  7. ElliotJHP
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Aguero repaid me for captain in GW2, full expect him to do the same here.

  8. Eden Wizard
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Previous article highlighted Rafa's stubborn defensive style, erring to Salah again now. Puel loves to have the ball so will commit in midfield, Salah countering heaven....Just needs to convert!

    1. Eden Wizard
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Just wish Salah was on pens....

      1. IRBOX âš½
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Doesn’t need them

    2. Jarnathan
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      That didn't work very well for Brighton... 3-5-2 coming up.

      1. Eden Wizard
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Brighton absolutely capitulated, Rafa only conceded 14 goals away versus "top 6" last year. He will play to be disciplined i think.

      2. Eden Wizard
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        You do realise 3 at the back is actually a defensive formation?

        1. Jarnathan
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          I don't recall any of the articles describing Man C's lineup against Brighton as 'defensive'.

          1. Eden Wizard
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 3 months ago

            How's that relevant, tell me how 3atb is less defensive than 4....

            1. Jarnathan
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              So a formation can be both more offensive and defensive at the same time?

              1. Comment removed. Please refer to our terms and conditions on posting comments.

                1. Jarnathan
                  • 9 Years
                  7 years, 3 months ago

                  So when all else fails, lets start insulting people.What is wrong with you? Did I offend you somewhere? Can you explain which part of my English you do not understand?

                  Let's summarise:

                  I implied in my original comment that the formation City played 3-5-2 against Brighton worked well against Brighton's bus parking - an aggressive formation, as alluded to in previous articles.

                  You responded by saying that '3 at the back was a defensive formation' - I read this as suggesting that the 3-5-2 formation employed by Manchester City against Brighton was not a more aggressive formation, but a more defensive one - thus suggesting that you disagreed with me that City's approach was more aggressive.

                  If not, please elaborate on what you mean. Use simple English for me please, as I'm clearly not literate as you are.

                  1. Eden Wizard
                    • 7 Years
                    7 years, 3 months ago

                    A 4 at the back against a sitting team is much more attacking as, your full backs become wingers, a sitting back 3 + Fernandinho (defensive box of 4) was overkill versus Huddersfield (especially with Mendy & Walker's pace).

                    So a constantly sitting box of 4 (in a back 3) is more defensive than a sitting 3 (in an attacking back 4) hence, numerically a back 3 is more defensive (albeit the name suggests a back 4 is more defensive).

                    1. Jarnathan
                      • 9 Years
                      7 years, 3 months ago

                      Thanks for your polite response.

                      Even though in Man C's case, they've used a back 4 with wingbacks (as you described above), is this normal? I don't recall any other team doing it - and even under these circumstances it seems the Wingbacks play more defensively (at least the heatmaps show Mendy less forward with 4 at the back)

                      And don't most other teams that play a back 4 utilise traditional fullbacks rather than wingbacks?
                      I.e. generally speaking, Wingbacks are much more commonly used with 3 centrebacks and fullbacks are generally utilized in a back 4 and that when Wingbacks are played as part of a back 4 - they're generally playing a more defensive role and not getting forward as much.

                      Is this your understanding?

            2. Ask Yourself
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              City used Mendy, who spent more time in the final third than anywhere else, and Bernardo Silva, obviously not a defender, as a wing back. Only using 3 defenders compared to 4 is very attacking. Even Stones was getting forward it was all our attack.

              1. Ask Yourself
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 3 months ago

                All out*

              2. Eden Wizard
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 3 months ago

                Exactly, so a 4atb where the FBs are wingers, is more attacking that a 3atb where your centre half pitches in to make up the numbers.

                1. RustyBz
                  • 10 Years
                  7 years, 3 months ago

                  this is painful to read

            3. circusmonkey
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              7 years, 3 months ago

              I think he means in real football.

  9. Me Spurs
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone triple C Kun? So tempting given his record v toon

    1. Kloppage Time
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      could pay off but I still feel saving the TC untl the double gameweeks is the better option

    2. MikeBravo
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I'm 90% going to. DGW will be for bench boost. Triple captain never seems to work in DGW, what with big players getting rested.

  10. _Make
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    What's interesting this gameweek is that if Aguero does blank and Salah does score, we will be looking at a situation where a Salah permacap will have outscored a Salah / Aguero rotation, in the first few gameweeks anyway.

    If the situation is reversed this would be interesting too, lending further credance to the idea that we should always own both of the leading scorers to 'hedge' the captaincy points of a failed pick.

    1. alfast1c
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Hehe it doesnt go like that...

      1. _Make
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        🙂 it might do over the course of a season, barring, as you say, serious injury etc.

        I was always in the second camp - own both top players to hedge your bets. Last season it really hurt though as I was far too dogmatic in believing that Kane would perform against the smaller clubs - he invariably struggled whilst Salah helped himself!

    2. alfast1c
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      What if Salah gets injured and break ur plan for perma cap? 😀

    3. Eden Wizard
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I planned to perma-C Salah but GW2 was an exception. Heading back to Salah C.

      1. alfast1c
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Tell me how it ends up m8.

        1. Eden Wizard
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          What a pointless comment.

    4. FPLTrader
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      At this point of the season I will only consider not captaining Salah against big 6.

  11. Limbo
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Expectations are high. If Aguero starts (I think he will) I expect him to get double digits. Salah could do same but it's a tougher fixture. Fine margin.

    1. Kloppage Time
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      quite agree, what swings it for me is the 60% to 11 % in favour of Aguero, if you get it wrong it will cost you

  12. Botman and Robben
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    I expect Aguero to do just about what he did in GW2.

    1. MikeBravo
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Triple capitan...

  13. alfast1c
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Do u lads honestly think Aguero might get benched? With all the rotations in Peps mid, I think hes the only consistent there on the pitch!

    1. _Make
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      I think he has an 80% chance of starting. Pep might want to mix it up because his last match against 'weak' opponents didn't end well but a.) it's too early in the season to drop a player who scored three in the last game and b.) Jesus is yet to convince. As is Sterling. YET.

      The reason I'm not a Kun owner is that he will be benched eventually - maybe soon - and the unexpected benching may well undermine that 20pt haul in GW2.

      1. Annie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        risky

      2. James
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        You do know he hit the post twice? One of which was from a free kick. That goal goes in and everything looks different I guess!

  14. Cok3y5murf
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Aguero, but people are illogically looking at historical stats vs Newcastle when what matters is only their current form. They've looked impressive and were very unlucky to come away with nothing vs Spurs and Chelsea.

    I'm captaining him but only because I expect him to score more than the others in my team. The fixture next gameweek vs Fulham is the real deal because their defending has looked very shaky.

    1. MikeBravo
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Those stats don't look illogical. Those stats stink of goals. I smell them.

      1. Cok3y5murf
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Smelling goals is illogical too.

        1. MikeBravo
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 3 months ago

          Ha ha. Spoilsport!

  15. Sjaugen
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    I believe that Man City will be able to tear apart a ultra defensive Newcastle lineup.
    Would not be surprised if ManCity started the very same 11 as vs Huddersfield

  16. MikeBravo
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Pep just sent me a text. It said, " did none of you guyths learn from GW2 againthst Hudderthfiel tha Sergio will thscor a lotta gols on thSaturday? Ith silly not too captain heem thees week."

  17. MikeBravo
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Kun just sent me a text. It said, "I will destroy Newcastle."

    1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      me too, told me to stick a tun on him getting another hat trick.....x

      1. MikeBravo
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        Yes. Do it. Balls.

  18. Costa Nostra
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Is the Guardian writing for FFSCOUT now??? Honestly; how is this any different? “Aguero may be benched”. Really?? Fear mongering people into changing captains is bad business. No different than 2 weeks ago.

    1. MikeBravo
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Read my text from Pep, says it all.

    2. Pep says
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Ha, just read it now. I've kinda given up reading the articles. Definetly not as good as they used to be.

      1. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 3 months ago

        This is a Community Article, let's take it a bit easy here

    3. FPLTrader
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Aguero being benched is a higher risk than for Salah. There are no sources this time, however, I think you should agree with that.

  19. Hand of clod
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    When you consider NEW have conceded twice as many shots in the box as LEI it leans more toward Aguero. Salah's consistency is hard to argue against though - i can see him get a return this week again.

  20. TopwithKlopp
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Bloody hard to choose, but I will go with Aguero.. Typical if Salah nets two or three and Aguero fires blanks this weekend...
    Although, I am a Liverpool fan so if Salah is on fire then I will sleep With a smile on my face regardless..

  21. The Train Driver
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    What is the distraction for Salah from the Egyptian FA that Klopp was talking about?

    1. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      A dispute over image rights.

  22. John_ITFC
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    I won't be able to make a decision until 11:29am tomorrow morning... and no doubt it'll be the wrong one!

  23. Hungry Singh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    1) Not really based in any fact, plus he's been dropped by the Argies apparently. Does he need a 'rest' after 3 games?

    2) Small sample size, and in away games. Monster at home.

    3) Monster at home.

    4) Can't disagree with this. Numbers support Salah. However, he's not on pens and Friend does love a pen.

    Definitely more rotation risk for Aguero, but at home to any of the bottom 10 is a plum Aguero fixture for me.

  24. Teror
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    How about TOSUN?

    1. Chockky
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      if he outscores them both I will eat my hat

  25. bigvern63
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    I am considering Tomkins to Wan-Bissaka, Milivojevic to Hughes (Watford) and Firminho to Aguero for a four point hit. Any thought, anyone, please?

    1. Haugli
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 3 months ago

      Doesn't sound too bad

  26. Patch
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 months ago

    Going to sleep, Guendo do I sense a goal in you, young lady boy?