Opinion

FPL Question Time – Best budget forwards, Aguero dilemma and optimal defensive set-up

Question Time is back as Fantasy Premier League managers face some tough choices going into the second international break of the season.

Sergio Aguero’s latest blank at Anfield and the managing of his minutes has some owners considering offloading him.

Meanwhile, with so many budget forwards performing this season a debate has emerged over which ones are the best to own.

So we’ve put your queries to another panel of FPL personalities…

Who’s on the panel this week?

FPL General – Has finished in the top 500 in three of the last four seasons and is a big influencer in the FPL Twitter-sphere.

James Egersdorff – You can’t get much more experienced than this man when it comes to FPL. After yet another season inside the top 5,000 managers in 2017/18, James is a former leader of the Fantasy Football Scout ‘Hall of Fame’.

Simon March – Winner of FPL in 2014/15.

Question 1 – FPL General

With the fixture shift for many teams ahead, how should we arrange our defence? We have seen Alonso and Mendy make many of us cry before and Liverpool defence and Doherty seem unavoidable.

“My current defensive set-up is Trippier, Alonso, Holebas, Wan-Bissaka and Bennett. My Gameweek 9 transfer will be Holebas to one of Robertson, Mendy or Doherty.

“I’m happy to invest in three premium defenders and roll with the two budget enablers for the next few weeks.

“I missed out on Robertson’s points earlier in the season, and I’ve always felt he’s a player I’d bring in at some point. Now feels like the right time to do so with favourable fixtures ahead for Liverpool.

“I sold Mendy for Trippier two weeks ago which proved to be a good move and I’m happy to hold on to the Spurs man for the time being.

“I’m leaning towards Robertson over Mendy at this point but Gameweek 9 is still a long way away, with the international break.

“As much as I’d like to bring in Doherty, I’m reluctant to triple up on Wolves defensively (I’ve got Patricio as my set and forget goalkeeper). Both he and Jonny are excellent options playing as wing-backs in a very good Wolves side.

“Looking at the fixtures, Pereira (Leicester), Balbuena (West Ham) and Dunk (Brighton) are three others who are on my Watchlist.”

Question 2 – James Egersdorff

Is it time to offload Aguero? If so, who is the best replacement?

“This is a real conundrum with Sergio’s limited minutes becoming a real headache for FPL managers.

I gambled a little ahead of GW8 and took a last minute hit to bring in Harry Kane for Aguero. I didn’t like the fact his game time was being impacted and felt that the Liverpool match would be a low scoring affair.

“Likewise, I thought Kane would deliver against Cardiff and settle himself into a nice run of form. Alas, half my prediction was correct but the continuation of Kane’s poor value for money has left me thinking Aguero may be the go-to option with home games against Burnley and Southampton on the horizon.

A match against Spurs is sandwiched in between but his record against them is impressive having scored 10 goals since he joined City in 2011.

“So this brings me round to whether I think Aguero’s pitch time may improve. Guardiola has spoken about a small injury in recent weeks and given his absence from Argentina’s international squad, perhaps the two-week international break comes at a good time.

Likewise, the main rival for pitch time Jesus finds himself travelling away with Brazil. The return to fitness of Kevin de Bruyne is appealing too as a provider of even more scoring opportunities for the Argentinian moving forward. If uncertainty over Aguero’s minutes do remain though, especially as there are some must-win Champion’s League games coming up, then there are some alternatives FPL managers could look to.

“An obvious upgrade is the aforementioned Kane. Yet to hit top form yet this season, he is still tied with Aguero in second place on the goal-scorers chart.

“His price is at a premium however and FPL managers will have a keen eye on his form for England this week.

“Alexandre Lacazette is probably the in-form striker from the top six, but having been burned with Emery’s decision to bench Mkhitaryan earlier this season it’s a case of once bitten twice shy for me given that there are seven International level players to fill four attacking roles in the Arsenal XI.

“Jamie Vardy is an alternative with favourable fixtures and is almost certain to play but given Aguero and Man City’s goal-scoring prowess and Kane’s track record, it’s a battle between those two for a place in my team at the moment.”

Question 3 – Simon March

With so many good mid-price forwards such as Mitrovic, Arnautovic, Wilson, King, Murray, Jimenez, etc. taking their turns to perform every other week, which do you prefer going forward for the next several weeks?

“Form for mid-priced forwards so often seems tied to good fixtures, not just because they face weaker defences but, also because these are the matches their managers have identified as the ones they need to win.

“Of course, there are some players who seem capable of scoring against anybody, but it’s a much bigger task when they’re isolated up front in a team that is prioritising their defence.

“For that reason, I’m following the fixtures and looking at Marko Arnautovic at West Ham, Glenn Murray at Brighton, and Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic (probably just about in that order) with the caveat that the latter’s fixtures get very mixed after Gameweek 12.

“For the same reason, I’m not as convinced by the long-term potential of the Bournemouth forwards Josh King and Callum Wilson who, you could argue, are the current in-form players.

“After a couple of inviting Gameweeks, their fixtures take a pretty dramatic nose-dive and they’ll need to be at their very best to keep delivering throughout that period.

“However, since we’re juggling a lot of premium options this season, I think there’s also a case for looking at Southampton’s Danny Ings and Wolves’ Raul Jimenez, who, at around the £5.6 mark, offer a decent prospect of goals and the option to invest the savings elsewhere. That Ings is on penalties probably just about swing things for him but there’s not much between them.”

956 Comments Post a Comment
  1. GianniBanani
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Turns out I have 11/20 most owned players in my team excluding unimportant bench fodder (Hamer). Do I need more differentials?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Are those 11 players scoring points for you and green arrows?

      1. GianniBanani
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Rather yes, 5/7 gws is green

        1. Gentlemen Crier
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          Then no. Owning so many highly owned players is a differential in itself.

  2. The Head-Ake
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    A)Salah or (Mane + Moneyy)
    B)Jonny or Doh or Benn (heard Jonn has good underlying stats?)
    C)Arnie or Mitro or Wilson?

    Thanks 🙂

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Salah
      doh
      Mitro for next 3 then Arnie

      1. The Head-Ake
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks, sure about Salah? Why not Mane?

        Plus, what about Jonny? Does he offer enough attacking coverage?

        1. internal error
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          Mane doesn't look on it in a few weeks. At least Salah is getting good chances to score and is Liverpool's main attacking outlet. I think there's a possiblity Mane gets rested in one of the 2 games.
          TBH, Jonny and Doh could be a lottery over who gets the more points. Doh more chance of attacking returns but Jonny better for BAPS

          1. The Head-Ake
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 5 months ago

            Aight fair enough. What about Wilson vs Mitro? Is it the Cardiff factor?

            1. internal error
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 5 months ago

              I've got Mitrovic and have no intention of selling for the next 3.

          2. George Sillett
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 5 months ago

            Mane had always been streaky.

            1. internal error
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 5 months ago

              Yeah, and he doesn't look at his best atm.

              1. George Sillett
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 5 months ago

                It would be typical Mane after the IB to hit 3 in 2 games.

                1. internal error
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  5 years, 5 months ago

                  That's a possibility but he would have to come back from IB sharper than he is atm. He looks tired

    2. Jekori
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Salah
      Jonny
      Arnie

  3. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Had plan to swap Kane, Fraser, Shaw to Salah, Arnautovic , Bennett/Zabaleta this fake injury making it easier.... Will have this team -4, what you think?

    Henesy, Hamer
    Alonso, Robertson, Dohery, Wb, Bennett/Zabaleta
    Salah, Hazard, Richarlison, Madison
    Aguero, Arnautovic, Mitrovic

    1. KingOllie
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      very good

      1. Lignja
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks

    2. Jekori
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Except for the GK's, a very good team!

      1. Lignja
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        I'll change it some day when I don't have anything better to do

  4. Meinhoff
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on Kenedy (4.9m) as a 5th mid?
    Thinking of getting him in since Newcastle have a very long run of great fixtures, and he could step in when Richa has a tough fixture. But is Kenedy nailed on tho?

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah, looks good, took a knock at the weekend though so I’d just be a bit wary of that.

    2. Sameobi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      He's as nailed as anyone at the Toon and there's a decent run of games coming up. Bear in mind we're shite, though.

  5. sttewwizza
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Who can bring more points in next 6-8 rounds ?

    A: Aguero

    B Salah

    thanks...

    1. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Salah has easier fixtures and more minutes so probably him, but it's anyones guess really

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

      A

  6. TLF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Reckon I can get away without Salah next game week ? I want to observe one more Pool game before making a decision with my 2 FT. 1.5 itb currently.

    Patricio (Ryan)
    Bennett, Alonso, Robbo (PVA, WB)
    Sane, Dilva, Fraser, Hazard (Knockaert)
    Wilson, Mitrovic, Aguero

  7. Jekori
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Bottomed (Thanks Internal Error for the reply!):

    Which one would you rather have?
    A. Kün Firmino KdB Bennett
    B. Kane Firmino Bernard Mendy for -4
    C. Kün Vardy Ramsey Mendy for -4

    1. Johnny Leghorn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      C.

  8. The White Pele
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Get Wilson for 2 GWs then swap to Arnie or get Arnie now?

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Wilson then Arnie

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Get Arnautovic now

    3. Lignja
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Arnautovic now in 2 weeks maybe u will need your transfer for something else

    4. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Dont waste a transfer on a 2 wee punt

  9. Weasel51
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Hit the WC button or save?

    Hennessey
    Alonso Robertson Trippier
    Hazard Sterling Bilva Fraser
    Kane Arnie Wilson

    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

    Fabianski
    Alonso Mendy Doherty
    Salah Hazard Richarlison Fraser
    Kun Lacazette Murray

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      WC but I'd look at keeping Robertson

    2. barton fc
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      bench?

  10. Boris Bodega
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Pogba and Shaw > Mané and Duffy worth it for -4?

  11. Gorbitz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    WC worthy??

    Patricio / Foster
    Alonso Rob Chilwell Bennet AWB
    Haz Dilva Richarl Fraser Stephens
    Kun Mitro Vardy

    or just Dilva -> Mane

    1 ft, 2.9 tib

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Team good for the mo , just Dilva to Mane or could be better you save as you may want Salah rather

  12. Releasebreaks
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    For the next week, should i stick with Kane or change to:

    A - Aguero
    B - Lacazette
    C - Save transfer and try again with this shitty kane

    1. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      C

  13. ooooo
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Changes to this wc team?
    Patricio
    Alonso Robertson Doherty
    Salah Haz Richarlison Maddison
    Aguero Arnie Wilson

    Button WB Bennett Masuaku

    0.3itb

  14. barton fc
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    on wildcard which is best?
    A. bennett lacca
    B. alonso arnie

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Depends who else you have. If Bennett will just sit on your Bench, seems like Lacazette is scoring a lot of goals

  15. JJ123
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Any advice would be appreciated, 1FT 0.0 ITB, wildcard played.

    Patricio Hamer

    Bellerin Alonso Trippier AWB Doherty

    DSilva Hazard Maddison Moura Billing

    Wilson Aguero Lacazette

    Thanks!

    1. Pia06rc
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Nice team! I’d hold this week view a view to getting rid of Silva week after

    2. Johnny Leghorn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Moura. Get rid.

  16. Georgeyboy33
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on my team? 1FT 0.6ITB

    Hennessey Hamer
    Alonso Trippier Robbo AWB Bennett
    Hazard Fraser Maddison Milner Hojberg
    Kun Kane Mitro

    1. Pia06rc
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      I’d look to upgrade Milner, probs through downgrading Kane

    2. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Milner out for a month. There's your priority

      1. Georgeyboy33
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah I wanna get rid of Milner, might save FT and downgrade Kane and upgrade Milner if Kane blanks against WHU

        1. potatoace
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          Saving for that idea sounds shrewd to me. You've got enough to get you thorough this gw I suppose.

          1. Georgeyboy33
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 5 months ago

            Yeah - I took Lacazette out for Kane last GW...poor decision but gonna give him a chance and like you say, probs enough for this GW

  17. Pia06rc
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Any transfers needed or hold?1.4m itb 1FT

    Ederson
    Robertson/Doherty/Alonso
    Rich/Madd/Haz/Dilva/Fraser
    Kun/Firmino

    Bench:Ings/WB/Tomkins

    Planning Silva to Mane after this GW

  18. tmduc
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    How about tripling WOL: Patricio, Doherty & Jonny/Bennett? Ta

    1. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Triple ups at the back of any type aren’t for me.