Opinion
4 October 2018 1087 comments
@FPLGeneral @FPLGeneral
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It’s all about Harry Kane in the world of Fantasy Premier League this week, and with good reason.

In this latest article I’ll be giving my thoughts on whether he’s worth signing for Gameweek 8 as well as touching on a few other areas.

They include Manchester City rotation and my plans for budget options in defence and attack.

To Kane or not to Kane?

Kane is the standout captaincy option in the final Gameweek before the dreaded international break as Spurs host Cardiff. A brace against Huddersfield last week and a goal against the mighty Barcelona on Wednesday night has FPL managers ripping up their teams to fit him in.

Will he send his backers into the break buzzing or will he frustrate in a so called ‘easy fixture’ like he has done many times before? Is he back to his best or is it chasing last week’s points?

Whether you’re on the Kane train or not, Saturday’s game at Wembley is sure to be entertaining.

When I finish typing this, I’m going to hoover my living room, paying more attention than usual to the area behind the couch because that’s where I’ll be from 3pm to 5pm on Saturday.

As much as I’d like to own Kane and captain him this weekend, I don’t want to lose Eden Hazard, Mohamed Salah or Sergio Aguero to do so. Spurs have a tricky run of fixtures after the Cardiff match and he hasn’t passed my eye test yet this season.

The David Silva myth

There’s a belief among some in the FPL community that David Silva can’t play three games in a week because a ‘source’ claiming to be ‘close to the player’ said so. This information came out when the Spaniard was rested for the Cardiff game. Since then, he’s played three games in seven days against Oxford United, Brighton and Hoffenheim.

Like the Sergio Aguero fiasco in Gameweek 2, the lesson here is to trust your instincts rather than those of others who claim to be ‘in the know’. I expect to see Silva’s name on the City team sheet for the Liverpool game on Sunday. He’s pivotal for them while Kevin De Bruyne is out, and he’s got two weeks to put his feet up afterwards, having retired from international football.

That said, even though I think he’ll play this weekend, Silva could be the makeweight in a double move I make to improve my strike force. Five games without a goal for Callum Wilson has me worried and losing patience. I’m eyeing up Marko Arnautovic to replace him with Richarlison coming in for Silva.

The Holebas roller coaster

As the clock ticked past eighty minutes at the Emirates on Saturday, Holebas was looking good for an unlikely clean sheet and three bonus points. It was too good to be true. He’s now scored me a grand total of two points from three matches since I brought him in after accumulating thirty-four points in the opening four Gameweeks.

I’ll be taking another ride on the Holebas roller coaster this week, so you can be certain that he’ll pick up his fifth yellow card of the season after Callum Wilson wipes out his clean sheet!

Good luck to all in Gameweek 8 and stay strong during the international break.

You can follow the FPL General on Twitter HERE. He has achieved three top 500 finishes in the last four seasons.

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  1. Seamy
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Would you rather:-
    A) Bring in Arnautovic for Ings & bench Chilwell (EVE)
    B) Save FT in order to have 2 over the IB

    1. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      B.

    2. kalmoffit
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      Argh. That's hard. How many other problems do you have? If you can't see other issues, A looks good.

      1. Seamy
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        No problems as it stands.
        The only potential issue is that the transfer would price me out of Chilwell to Robertson in the coming weeks. May have to downgrade Ederson to fund it instead

  2. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Play one.

    A) Wan-B
    B) Bennett

    Will be starting Hennessey and Doherty if that matters.

    1. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      A)WB.

    2. Seamy
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      AWB for me

    3. Bring the Cavalry
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      A

  3. chelseabrad
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Ederson (Hamer)
    Alonso Trippier Holebas (AWB TAA)
    Salah Pogba Maddison Fraser (Stephens)
    Kane (c) Mitro Deeney

    Good to go...?

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Any transfers left?

  4. Bring the Cavalry
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    How do these transfers sound?

    Mane+Zaha > Son+Arnie 2FT

    Foster
    Alonso Shaw AWB
    Salah Hazard Mane Fraser
    Kun Zaha Jimenez

    Pat Bennet TAA Hojberg

    Cheers

    1. kalmoffit
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Just Zaha to Arnie

      1. Bring the Cavalry
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        No spurs v Cardiff though

  5. EgyptianKing
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Are these good moves for this GW?

    1) Kun out Kane in
    2) Bench Roberston and play Holebas

    Patricio
    Alonso, Holebas, Trippier
    Mane, Hazard, Maddison, Richarlison, Moura
    Kane, Wilson

    Hamer, Robertson, Bissaka, Kamara

    Cheers

    1. Old Wulfrunian
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      yes and yes

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Is Kun > Kane for free or a hit? If a hit then it's a no from me as there is absolutely no guarantee that Kane outscores Aguero by more than 4 points this week

      1. EgyptianKing
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        For free mate.

        Should I do it?

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          It’s very tough. I would say if it’s a one week punt and you still have WC or plan to get Kun back then yes. If not then no

          1. EgyptianKing
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Cheers mate.

            Yes, in fact the idea is a (very) short term punt. Kun long-term is greater in my opinion. Probably I would bring him back as soon as GW9

  6. tibollom
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Hi guys, only got 1 FT.

    Salah + Ings to Kane + 6.0 mid?
    Salah + Mitro for Kane + Maddison?
    Or should I get rid of Mendy?

    DDG Stek
    robbo mendy trippier AWB peltier
    Haz Salah Fraser Walcott Hojberg
    Aguero Mitro Ings

  7. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    go on Cardiff prove Joe wrong !!!

    1. Son is Rising
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Haha. They are trash.

      1. Pacer.
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        But they are rested, focused, and Spurs hour humped midweek by Barca and will be tired and their focus consumed by CL survival. How many times have we seen this...

        Genuinely believe many of the the 2 transfer Kane-in moves this week will turn out to be value-less

        1. Kanga roo
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Stop kidding yourself

          1. Pacer.
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            I'm a Kane owner. Why kid myself. I have little belief in the expected mauling

    2. Pacer.
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      As a Kane owner I'm feeling pretty Zen about this. If he blanks I've rolled my FT's for two weeks and seen a lot of people break their neck to bring him in. If he hauls then points. Bringing him in last week turned out to be one of my better moves

  8. The Left Duke #3
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Struggling for a (C) this week with no Hazard or Kane. Only 1 FT 0.0m ITB

    Fabianski McCarthy
    Alonso Robertson AWB Doherty Shaw
    Salah Mane Maddison Richarlison Kante
    Aguero King Zaha

    Should I WC ?

    Could address King Zaha Kante Shaw McCarthy as well as switch out a Lpool MD for Hazard and go double DF for the fixture swing.

    1. Bring the Cavalry
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I think you could get away not using your WC this week. Maybe Salah to Hazard as you have a WC if you want him back in the future

      1. The Left Duke #3
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Ya Salah to Hazard is my only real transfer option if I don't want to take a hit. My team is set up v well for GW 9 so could just bring in TAA for GW 9 and go Salah-less. If Salah shows up vs City or Hudd I can always WC then

      2. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Agreed. WC next week, 2 weeks of fun.

    2. LOL LINGARD SCORED
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Maddy could be a nice little punt

      1. The Left Duke #3
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        More a consistent scorer than C option IMO. Love him in my team

    3. Simmoo
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Alonso could be a good captain... probable clean sheet and any attacking return would see him score 10+

    4. JurgenRocks
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Maddison might score

  9. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Got Son in for Pogba for a 1 week punt.

    Pogba masterclass incoming.

  10. LOL LINGARD SCORED
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Why are people talking like Aguero is completely incapable of scoring against Liverpool?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      because they probably sold him for kane

    2. kalmoffit
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Because they are Liverpool fans?

    3. golfboy
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Agreed. I won't be swapping him for 1 Kane fixture vs CAR, too short term and could backfire. But if you have a plan/wildcard to get Aguero back it could pay off

    4. VaVaVoom
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I have no Kane, i Know.
      Hoping for Salah -3
      Kun- 2

    5. DGW Sane TC Fail....
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      his track record at Anfield suggests he's not going to score there. He has had a few assists though. Could be the year he gets on the score sheet 🙂

    6. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Everyone's gotta believe in something.

  11. Simmoo
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Should I start Bennett, Fraser or Wan Bissaka this weekend?

    1. SPorting
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Still Fraser for me

  12. JurgenRocks
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Not sure on which defenders to play this weekend. Not sure how the CRY vs Wolves game will go. AWB has always scored points on my bench whenever I've decided not to play him.

    Pick three or four. I could bench Fraser from my midfield to play four defenders.

    Laporte (Liv A), TAA (Man C H), Alonso (SOU H), Doherty (CRY A), Wan-Bissaka (Wolves H)

    1. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I'd bench Laporte as he's the one with least chance of attacking returns and likely to concede at least one.

      Personally playing AWB & Doherty over over Robbo this weekend & hoping for a 0-0 at Palace.

  13. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Wilson -> Arnie (-4)?

    Have Fraser

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I don't think so - do you have to play both?

      1. Stimps
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        2 of Fraser, Wilson and Ings

  14. SPorting
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Benching clangers abound here.
    3-5-2 the way to go?

    Ryan
    Alonso, Laporte, Doherty
    Hazard, Salah, Rich, Fraser, Knockaert
    Kun, Jimenez

    Button, Mitro, Robbo, AWB

    1. Simmoo
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Personally I would want Mitrovic against Holding and Mustafi, I’d drop Fraser

    2. VaVaVoom
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I would start Mitr

  15. VaVaVoom
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Will Rose be starting?

    1. Moosie the Staggie
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      85% sure he will

  16. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    I'm very concerned about a Salah benching this week.. can see Shaqiri being needed to look after TAA against Sane

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      That would be incredible. Salah's price would nosedive perfectly.

      Won't happen though.

    2. kalmoffit
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Shaqiri to do defending

    3. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      the logic here is all wrong

    4. Flowsick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Shaqiri doesn't defend.

    5. danishdynamite
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      "....can see Shaqiri being needed to look after TAA against Sane"

      And you heard this from Baldrick?

      Not saying he won't be dropped, but this will most certainly not be the reason

  17. Z3US
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Pogba -> Son for free?

    Already have Moura and Tripper.. is this overkill? Pogba still home to Newc which is on paper a good fixture...

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      As poor as Cardiff are, Spurs aren't exactly firing on all cylinders...

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Did it myself, could go either way, but I hate Pogba in my team and am wildcarding soon.

      1. Z3US
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah I've used my WC already - which would leave me with 3 Spurs and as the chap above says, they aren't exactly bossing it currently.

        Perhaps time for a final show of faith in Pog

  18. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    My current set up below. When downgrading Kane after Cardiff, would you go for Vardy, Arnie or Jiminez?

    Patricio
    Alonso, Robbo, Chilwell, Doherty
    Hazard(VC), Dilva, Richarlison
    Kane(C), Aguero, Mitrovic

    Hamer, Ghezzal, Wan-B, Hudson-O

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      if he scores v cardiff, it's going to be tough to drop him

    2. Dr. Agabuse
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      arnie

  19. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    To be fair to Cardiff..

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Haha!
      Haven't actually watched them properly yet. Are they really that awful?

      1. kalmoffit
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        No one knows. Can't find anyone who wants to watch them.

    2. Pacer.
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      It's going to be a funny podcast when Cardiff brutalise Brighton

  20. RossoneriHammer
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts please gents?

    Aguero and Lacazette out for Kane and Arnautovic

    Or

    Aguero and Alonso out for Kane and a DEF 5.6 or under (maybe Luiz, Maguire or TAA)?

  21. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    With Keita injured, what's the likely shuffling in the Pool team?

    Will Fabinho ever get his go? I know they are not the same type of player.

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Oh wait - he wasn't even starting lately

    2. Flowsick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Hendo to play.

    3. boc610
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Injury update says it's not too serious and may even be passed fit for sunday

    4. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Captain fantastic is gonna play.

  22. Mind över Mata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Morning all, best move here?

    A) Mane -> Son
    B) Pog -> Moura
    C) Mane and Pog -> Salah and 4.5

    Patricio
    Wan-B, Alonso, Trippier
    Pogba, Mane, Maddy, Hazard, Fraser
    Aguero, Mitro

    4.0; Jim, Robbo, Doherty

    Many thanks!

    1. Old Wulfrunian
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      wc available?

      1. Not again Shirley
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Don't WC that. Decent.

    2. Pukki Party
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Keep Pogba for this fixture surely. I'd be tempted with A

      1. hungngo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I couldn't trust Pogba anymore. Sold him and switched to Hazard (took a hit -4 pts actually)

  23. Enes_Sahini1
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    rp

    What do we think lads?

    Ederson
    Shaw Alonso Trippier
    Rich Salah Knockart Maddison
    Ings Aguero Mitro

    Bench: TAA AWB Cairney Begovic

  24. fridge
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Pls choose 1 to start

    A) AWB (WOL)
    B) Doherty (cpl)
    C) Ings (CHE)

    1. Dr. Agabuse
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. Flowsick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Gone for Doherty since Wolves have been more impressive recently than Palace.

  25. Arteta
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone going for Laca instead of Kane?

    1. JJO
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      no 🙂

    2. Pacer.
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I don't think many will see that as an 'instead' move

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

      I would have liked both, but more imp to keep Aguero for Burnley.

  26. #FPLBhuna
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    best move here?

    A) Gw8: kun > vardy (1ft) // Gw9: vardy + moura > jiminez + salah (-4)
    B) Gw8: kun > arnie (1ft) // Gw9: pva + moura > jonny + salah (-4)
    C) Gw8: hold kun (save transfer) // Gw9: kun + moura > jiminez + salah (2ft)
    D) Gw8: kun > vardy (1ft) // Gw9: Moura > Mane (ft)

    henny
    alonso - doherty - pva
    hazard - moura - fraser - richarlison
    kane(c) - mitrovic - kun

    hamer - awb - robertson - guendouzi

  27. falafel
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Best option in midfield for 4,5m?

    1. danishdynamite
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      BIlling, as he has the best fixtures ahead

      Still, you shouldn't expect more than 1-2 points from any 4.5'er in midfield

  28. AnfieldLad
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Pickford Stek
    Alonso Robbo Doherty Shaw WB
    Salah Mane Richarlison Maddison Stephens
    Aguero Mitrovic Ings
    1FT 1.9ITB

    Looking at 2 options really:
    A) Mane -> Hazard (c) save WC for now
    B) Aguero -> Kane (c) WC for GW9 over the International Break

    A is probably more sensible but I prefer B, thoughts?

    1. Old Wulfrunian
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      b

  29. Just Been On Loan
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Good to go with 4-4-2 this week? Unsure on WB vs Bennett, or if I should bench both in favour of Ings at home to Chelsea

    Ederson
    Trippier / Robbo / Alonso / WB
    Hazard (c) / Mane / Maddison / Richarlison
    Aguero / Vardy

    Hamer / Ings / Bennett / Billing

  30. kime67
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    imo spurs is not going to be up for it on saturday after yesterdays loss.

    1. Atom&Humber
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Nothing better than a plum home fixture after a defeat. They’ll want to put out a statement