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. DOUBLEDOWN
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Pick three defenders to play out of this lot - real headache this week

    A. Alonso
    B. Doherty
    C. Pereira
    D. AWB
    E. Robertson

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      A, C, D.

  2. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Ederson
    AWB Tomkins Kabasele
    Mane Walcott Maddison Richardson
    Kane Aguero Mitrovic

    Hamer Robbo Ward Mendy

    1 FT, 1.2 itb.

    Only one thing Im really thinking this week, transfer out Mendy to someone like Doherty or Trippier.
    Thoughts?

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

      No love for Marcos?

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Also looking at him, just wondering whether I should get rid of Mendy or just save the transfer.

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

          Mendy out for me and bench Awb or Tomkins.

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

          I would save the transfer.
          I get the feeling Mendy will start against Burnley after the ib. (If you can afford to hold him that long!)

    2. jtreble
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Trippier seems like sure points to me.

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

      Think more in advance. Trippier for gamweek od two is nad investment looking at rest od your defence. I'd bring Yedlin, Duffy or Fabiański as a keeper

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Keeper wise I'm just staying with Ederson for the season.
        Duffy could actually be a good move looking at those fixtures.

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

      Duffy in?
      You want to glue your Palace defenders to the bench pretty soon

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah, just noticed actually.
        So maybe save this week and move on a Palace defender soon.

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

    a) ings / 8.5m mid / alonso (and benching headache most weeks with my other front 6)

    or

    b) kane / 4.5m mid / duffy (bench the 4.5m mid most weeks)

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

      B sounds fine

    2. Bialystrzelec
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      B

      1. Zizou
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        thanks, my thinking is B but just wary of getting rid of alonso, i suppose i'm getting kane so i think overall points should be higher with b

  4. Bialystrzelec
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Mitrovic to Arnautovic for free?

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

      A no from me.
      Have you seen Fulhams 3 fixtures after Arsenal?

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

        Including Arsenal IMO

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

          True. Curious if Leno is top shelf.

      2. Bialystrzelec
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        How about Jimenez to Arnie then?

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

      No way

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      No.

  5. Bialystrzelec
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    RMT. What moves would you make?

    2 FT / 1.7 ITB

    Patricio Hamer
    Alonso Trippier TAA Doherty AWB
    Hazard Mane David Silva Fraser Richarlison
    Aguero Mitrovic Jimenez

    Thanks!

    1. Pinturicchio10
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Drop Fraser / Richarlison and upgrade Jimenez to Vardy.

    2. Lord Bendtner
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Hi all,

      If you had to pick one for the next 2GW ?

      Alonso (SOU,mun) or Trippier (car/WHU) ?

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

        Probably Trips

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

        Alonso. Nailed on, more attacking.

      3. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Trippier, and its CAR/whu.

      4. jtreble
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Trippier for the two game weeks; Alonso long-term.

      5. JohnnyMagrinho
          7 years, 2 months ago

          I’d go for Trippier myself.

          A) Cheaper
          B) Easier fixtures
          C) Should play both games as Aurier injured
          D) Spurs’ main avenue for assists (set pieces, crosses etc...)
          E) Spurs probably more likely to keep a clean sheet than Chelsea as they play less risky football

          But, long term? Well, there’s a reason Alonso is £6.7m...

        • Lord Bendtner
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          thank you all

          I will get Trippier now and then Alonso on WC gw10

      6. JohnnyMagrinho
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Taking out Aguero for anyone other than (potentially including) Kane for -4 then getting him back again after the IB is a no go, right?

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

            Would not use -4 to take out Aguero no.
            If you were to keep Kane, then maybe. But not just for this week.

            1. JohnnyMagrinho
                7 years, 2 months ago

                Yeah would be just for one week. Feels like a huge gamble... relying on Aguero to blank AND replacement to score at least just to break even.

                Just think there’s better options up front for this week. Don’t want to lose value either, though. Just always get so itchy about making transfers...

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

                  I get it. itchy fingers myself. But as you said. Aguero has to blank and Kane has to haul to make this a good transf.
                  And you have to cross your fingers that there are no injuries in the IB if you are going to get Aguero back for BUR without using minus points.

            2. I Member
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Yeah that's a hard no.

          2. Aubaaaaa
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Would you:
            A. Play Mitrovic save FT
            B. Sub Jimenez for Kamara and play Mitrovic

            1. Aubaaaaa
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Sorry option B should be sub Jimenez for Kamara and play Jimenez

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

              A

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

              Im confused. When you say sub, do you mean transf Jimenez in for Kamara?

              Cause both of A and B contains playing Mitro. And you cant play Kamara cause he does not play. So you would play Jiminez for Kamara anyway.

              1. Pinturicchio10
                  7 years, 2 months ago

                  Correct. A whole heap of gobbledegook is what that is. lol.

            4. 8-2
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              GTG? Went -4 Salah/Wilson to Fraser/Kane

              Patricio
              Alonso AWB Doherty
              Hazard Fraser Richarlison Maddisson
              Kun Kane Mitro

              Hamer Ward Bennett Robbo

            5. Ronnies
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Best pick here:

              A) Aguero >>> Kane (c)

              B) Maddison >>> Hazard (c)

              Thanks guys.

              1. 8-2
                • 14 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                For one week, A.

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

                A

            6. OptimusBlack
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Get Kane and not sell Kun Cost me -8 PTS
              DO IT ?
              YAAAY
              Nope

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

                Are you selling Kun as part of a -8? Sounds bad

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

                not for -8

            7. Metamorph
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 2 months ago

              Got to be hardest week for captain choice this one... non Kane owner, and thinking I might avoid Liverpool City fixture so who would you go with from below;

              A. Arnie
              B. Vardy
              C. Tripps
              D. Alonso

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

                You don't have a better alternative than Vardy? I'd go Vardy out of those

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

                  Only other serious choices in my team; Aguero, Dilva, Salah...

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

                B

              3. I Member
                • 10 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                B

              4. OptimusBlack
                • 12 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                B

              5. JohnnyMagrinho
                  7 years, 2 months ago

                  Arnautovic or Vardy for me. I only have Arnie out of those two and he’s my choice for this week. Expecting West Ham to get stronger.

                  Their midfield looks pretty decent and Arnie is one of the most fixture proof players in the league.

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

                    Thanks, feel the same with West Ham. Initially was thinking I'd prefer Vardy against Everton defence, but as you say Arnie is so fixture proof.

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

                Tough one to pick my team for this weekend. What do you think?

                Ederson
                Doherty Monreal Alonso Trippier
                Maddison Hazard Richi
                Wilson Mitro Kane

                Steele Dilva Fraser AWB

                2.0 itb

                Is it worth taking a hit to make any transfer?

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

                  Very good team, save the FT if you still have it. And definitely no -4

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

                    Cheers. Benching Dilva seems weird.

              7. COYS Down Under
                • 10 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                Patricio (Hamer)
                Trippier Alonso Doherty (Robbo AWB)
                Hazard Fraser Maddison Son (Stephens)
                Lukaku Aguero Arnie

                0 FT
                GTG?

                Tossing up between Lukaku and Hazard for the armband.

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

                  Definitely Hazard over Lukaku for armband

              8. xRedArrow
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                Going to WC Gameweek 9, so looking for a one week punt:

                Mkhi (ful) to

                A) Maddison (EVE)
                B) Peyrera (BOU)
                C) Ramsey (ful)
                D) Gudmundsson (HUD)
                E) Lamela (CAR)

                Or:
                F) Tomkins to Shaw (NEW)

                1. COYS Down Under
                  • 10 Years
                  7 years, 2 months ago

                  F is safe, I don't see Newcastle scoring.

                  I'd also get Yarmolenko over A - E.

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

                  D

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

                  Definitely D for me

                  1. xRedArrow
                    • 9 Years
                    7 years, 2 months ago

                    What about Peyreyra against BOU?

              9. Alli
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                GTG?

                0 FT 0.2 ITB

                Patricio
                Trippier - Robertson - Alonso - W.Bissaka
                Salah - Hazard(c) - Walcott
                Aguero - Arnautovic(vc) - King

                Hamer - Smith - Cairney - Stephens

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

                  Like it all except Wally. Only due to history with him over the years, I know he's on form. Prefer Maddison, they're fixtures are great

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

                    their

              10. gooberman
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                I'm in the not to Kane camp. A lot of mention on the scoutcast about bringing in Kane for this one game only and captaining him. For me, Hazard is just as good a captain option given his form and opposition at the weekend. Southampton are dreadful.

              11. FOMFF
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                Are we still doing those RMT threads? Would really appreciate some advise on WC move

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

                Got aguero Kane lacazette up front
                Thinking Aguero to arnie this week and billing to Mané next with the fixture swing?

              13. SlowStart
                • 11 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                Playing 4-3-3 atm, would like to switch to 3-4-3.

                Current team;

                Ederson (Hamer)
                TAA, Laporte, Alonso, Pereira (AWB)
                Richarlison, Mane, Hazard (Jorginho, Billing)
                Aguero, Zaha, Firminio

                Potential Transfers

                GW8 Zaha > Mitrovic
                GW9 Alonso > Doherty (or someone else 5.0 or less)
                GW10 Jorginhio > Maddison
                GW11 Mane > KDB, Lapotre/ Ederson > (?) -4pts
                GW12 Mitrovic > Arnie

                Any thoughts appreciated.

              14. Adzy
                • 10 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                Play
                A. Pereyra
                B. Fraser

                1. Max City
                  • 9 Years
                  7 years, 2 months ago

                  Woild play fraser because pereyra does not convince me..

                  Fraser is not a strong pick either imho

                2. Alajiii
                  • 7 Years
                  7 years, 2 months ago

                  Pereyra...

                  everyone has Fraser... nick that little differencial

              15. Alajiii
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                Who to Captain?

                Lacazette
                Lukaku
                Sterling
                Lucas
                Trippier

                1. Max City
                  • 9 Years
                  7 years, 2 months ago

                  Laca

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

                Play TAA or WB?

              17. Clarity
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                Hennessey
                Alonso Trippier AWB
                Dilva, Madisson, Salah, Hazard
                Ings, Wilson, Aguero

                Bench: Patricio, Benett, Cook, Ward

                2 FT 0.2 in bank.

                Dilva > Rich Aguero > Kane good moves?

                Plan to swap aguero back in week after.

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

                  Not certain about Rich. Sales have started. Might consider someone else.

              18. Papasthathopolous
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 2 months ago

                Kun to Kane (c) for a -4 ?