Opinion

FPL Question Time – Liverpool defenders and best time to sell Alonso

Fantasy Premier League Question Time is back following the return of top flight football in Gameweek 9.

As ever, the FPL community is brimming with questions, which we have put to our latest panel of pundits.

Read on to find out what they think about the best way to cover Liverpool’s defence, whether it’s time to sell Marcos Alonso and how to build the most effective forward line.

Who’s on the panel this week?

FPL General – aka Mark McGettigan, who has three finishes inside the top 400 in the last four seasons and who has a huge following on Twitter. Mark has also appeared on the official FPL Show this season.

Who Got the Assist? – Tom and Nick run one of Twitter’s most active Fantasy accounts and run their very own blog, also producing an excellent regular podcast.

Holly Shand – aka FPL Holly, founder of the popular Fantasy Football Community Twitter account and website and another who has appeared on the official FPL Show in recent months.

Question 1 – General

Is Robertson the only Liverpool defender worth investing in? Should we avoid all others?

“The Liverpool defence is a bit of a minefield right now. Alexander-Arnold, Gomez and Lovren are competing for two places, not to forget Joel Matip as well.

“That’s enough for me to avoid these players in FPL.

“I’ve got Robertson as he’s the safe bet. Van Dijk looks secure as well if you are willing to fork out £5.9m for a centre-back who has zero attacking returns this season.

“If I was going for a Liverpool defensive double-up, it would be the Scottish Roberto Carlos and goalkeeper Alisson.”

Question 2 – Who Got the Assist?

With Alonso’s points drying up and Mendy proving again threatening, should we make the switch now? Or because Chelsea have easier fixtures comparing to City in the next three should we wait after GW 12 to make the change?

“I can see why a lot of people are eyeing the price of Alonso and thinking he could function as a cash cow.

“As we got a hint of with his headed goal this week, you’ve now also got his team mate Rudiger second for goal attempts, just three behind the Spaniard.

“To his credit, Alonso is still getting in the right positions to register attacking returns.

“But the crucial element for me is his ownership. Nearly 50% of managers have him in their squads.

“Chelsea have Burnley Crystal Palace and Everton before the next international break, which on paper is better than what City have.

“Anything in those winnable games and it’s a bona fide rank killer. Other managers may be braver, but I’m not selling until injury forces my hand.”

Question 3 – Holly

Is it too risky to go with three cheaper strikers with none of the big strikers in good form (aside from Aguero) or should team structure still take priority?

“Aguero, Aubameyang and Lacazette are leading the way for premium strikers, and I expect that trend to continue.

“For this reason, I’d say you need at least one expensive striker or maybe even two, with Aguero and Lacazette the pick of the options.

“Bournemouth have provided great value in the cheap striker slot, but as their schedule stiffens, a move for Arnautovic might be wise.

“Mitrovic, Jimenez and Ings are all lacking consistency right now.”

Question 4 – General

While I’m looking to protect my overall rank somewhat. I’m also looking for a differential or two. Who does the panel see making a difference, away from the norm over the next three Gameweeks?

“I’ve had a look at my Watchlist and picked out three differentials who I think could score well over the next three Gameweeks.

“Ben Chilwell (0.8% ownership) impressed me on Monday night against Arsenal. He picked up his first assist of the season, bombing forward from left back for Leicester. He faces West Ham (h), Cardiff (a) and Burnley (h) next.

“Newcastle need to turn things around quickly after a very poor start to the season. Their fixtures are great between now and Boxing Day (they don’t face any of the ‘Big Six’ until then) which could see an upturn in form. Kenedy (1.2% ownership) is the one I’m interested in.

“Jamie Vardy (4.9%) was very quiet against Arsenal, possibly due to illness. Interest in him will be low after two blanks but I can see him back amongst the goals over the next three Gameweeks.”

Question 5 – Holly

Do you view the Wolves defeat as a reality check or an anomaly against a Watford side with a point to prove? How should that affect our utilisation of our Wolves defensive assets over the tricky run of fixtures in the coming Gameweeks?

“Those managers who jumped on the Wolves defence have been fortunate so far, as defensive stability coincided with great fixtures.

“According to expected goals conceded, Wolves are third best in the league, behind Liverpool and Manchester City.

“We must remember that they are a promoted team though.

“Their defence still contains value options, with Rui Patricio a set and forget keeper option, who should do well for save points over the difficult period.

“Doherty is still a great third or fourth defender and Bennett a great bench filler with his 4.2m price.

“It might be time to abandon a starting double or triple up, but still worth carrying one or two in your squad long-term.

“It’s these players that can enable us to afford the popular premium options of Mendy, Robertson and Alonso.”

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1,171 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    When did Juventus change there logo to match Jermaine Jenas' bathrobes?

    https://image.ibb.co/bPFGAf/JV.png

  2. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Kane > Auba?

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

      or Laca ?

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

        Kane > Auba (not Laca)?

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

          yes

  3. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Bemba spotted at OT.

    1. ItOnlyTook9Years
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Chicken pox?

  4. ItOnlyTook9Years
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Good evening all, what do you think of these moves:

    Kane + Richarlison OUT
    Salah + Jimenez IN

    For a -4

  5. Turns
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    2FTs, 2.1ITB.

    (A) Jiminez, Richarlison -> Firmino, Billing
    (B) Jiminez, Mane -> Success, Salah
    (C) Richarlison, Mane -> Seri, Salah
    (D) Something else?

    Patricio
    Mendy - Robbo - Alonso
    Hazard - Maddison - Mane - Fraser
    Aguero - Mitro - Jiminez

    Subs: Hamer - Richarlison - Bennett - AWB

    1. ItOnlyTook9Years
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Wait for Mane news

  6. cravencottage
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Please rank as prospects over next 4 weeks"
    A) Alonso
    B) Robertson
    C) Mendy

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      A = B = C

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

        A2 + B2 = C2

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      B C A

    3. ItOnlyTook9Years
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      All equally important

    4. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      C
      B
      A

  7. kime67
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    dont know what to do with my free transfers. looks like a goalie swap

    1. BIG TONES
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Wish I had a spare one for that (Hart owner)

  8. vardys party
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Ryan (button)
    Mendy Robertson Alonso (Balbuena Bennett)
    Schurle KDB Richarlison Hazard (Romeu)
    Arnautovic Auba Firmino

    Rate my wildcard team?

    1. kime67
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      no salah no mane. crap

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      With Kun & Mo leading the goal threat charts, by some distance too, you probably need one or both mate, they can destroy you

  9. BIG TONES
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Rate the transfers I just did out of 10:

    Kane & Richarlison > Salah and Wilson (2FT)

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Good moves but should of waited

      1. BIG TONES
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Wilson potentially going up means I couldn't afford. Also I'm a bit busy this week to monitor fpl stats etc so just went with gut and did it

        1. THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          Fair play. Good luck

          1. BIG TONES
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 5 months ago

            You too!

    2. Nascimento
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Why?

      There's nothing you can do about them now

      1. BIG TONES
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Just want to hear opinions. Don't always have to ask for advice and I can make own decisons lol

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

          I'm going to be generous and agree with Kime67

          1. BIG TONES
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 5 months ago

            You don't seem very nice!

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

              It's good that you've got Salah in

              1. BIG TONES
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 5 months ago

                Cheers! He's actually a diff in my ML, good chance to catch a haul before they jump on board ahead of FUL

    3. kime67
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      4

      1. BIG TONES
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Tough. Respect your honesty tho

    4. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      5/10

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        I don't hate the transfers. Just seen you were forced by Callum's possible rise so I'll bump it up to 7.5

        1. BIG TONES
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          Oh thank you! 7.5 decent in my eyes

    5. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      I'd be happy having them both this weekend
      9 short term
      7 medium term

      1. BIG TONES
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Agree actually on short/long term split on ratings! The game is starting to move fast tho, am leading my rivals this season and want to keep ahead of the curve

    6. Monkey Hanger
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Wilson basically a one week punt now.

      1. BIG TONES
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Want to own one attacker that plays FUL every week ideally

        1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 5 months ago

          No you don't

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

            Its close. Wilson is a genuine captain option this week.

            1. BIG TONES
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 5 months ago

              Agree, but I couldn't not put it on Salah against Cardiff.

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

              He’s my captain.

          2. BIG TONES
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 5 months ago

            Apart from Hudds GW after this, I'll have an attacker to face them for the foreseeable future. They have the worst defence in the league by miles. Jokanovic doesn't even know his best team yet either

  10. firstade
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone else waiting for Dale Stephens to drop to 4.3?

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      When I renewed my FPL account in the wee small hours a few months ago, these are the sort of moments I hoped for.

    2. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      I've been waiting for weeks, it's not gonna happen.

      1. firstade
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Damn. He would be my enabler to get arnautovic next week

    3. Harper (No more Penandes)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Why are people selling him? What do you expect from a £4.5 mid lol

      1. firstade
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Shhh! Let them sell 🙂

    4. fc_skrald
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Hoping the same about Gunnarsson.

      1. firstade
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Have to start monitoring him as well. Thanks!

  11. drughi
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Gooooooool dybala

  12. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Dybala goal!

    Serious ball in by that right winger.

  13. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Benzema 1-0 against Victoria's Secret.

  14. Nascimento
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Christ, plenty of time for us to hit back but really cannot afford an upset here

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

      United needed an upset to win.

  15. Bialystrzelec
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    1FT / 0.1 ITB

    Patricio Hamer
    Alonso Mendy TAA Doherty AWB
    Salah Hazard Richarlison Fraser Maddison
    Aguero Mitrovic Jimenez

    Thoughts?

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

      Looks good, I'd look into downgrading one of Fraser/Richarlison. Bring in Arnie. Maybe Robertson for TAA when you get the chance

  16. FPLGeezer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Kane & Fraser to

    A) Firmino & Mane
    B) Salah & any striker up to £6.4m (suggest best option if so)

  17. Sif
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    When do United play Juvet at home?

    1. Am sorry to say again it�…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Right now

      1. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        Match postponed, only Juventus have turned up....

  18. Sharkytect
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    This is my first season owning alonso. As a non-owner, you think you have been proved right by not owning him for several games, and then he'll score three consecutive double-figure hauls.

    Just keep him

    1. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Problem is it's as underwhelming as I expected.

  19. Tomerick
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Has Martial been lucky in the last two or is he a genuine option now?

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Wondering this myself.

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

      ~100% shot conversion. You take it from there.

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        This

    3. LarryDuff
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Hot and cold type of player

    4. Sif
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Hasn't done well until now because he hasn't played. Lots of talent but still unsure if he'll get the minutes.
      Jose needs to given his form

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

      I cant see him being dropped from the first team now which makes him a genuine option imo.

    6. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      One bad performance and a Jose strop away from being benched for a month again.

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 5 months ago

        This is what puts me off

  20. ClothedinSun
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Mané to Martial or Ozil? Or stick and pray for that sweet upturn in form?

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      If Mane is fit play him

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

      Stick

    3. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Keep Mané for Cardiff then reassess

    4. ClothedinSun
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      The crowd has spoken favourably: He stays!

  21. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Salah and arnie or mane(if fit) and firmino?

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

      Former

  22. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Dilva!

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Mahrez could have had a hat trick by now....if he wasn't Mahrez.

  23. Legomané
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    DSilva boom
    Jesus 'assist'
    Mendy aa

  24. drughi
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    David Silva goal

  25. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Okay David, okay. Do that at the weekend too pls though

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

    Im pretty sure Silva starts against Spurs

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 5 months ago

      Bloody hope so. Subbed at 60 would be great (potentially)

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

      Off early here and a rest in the Caravan cup.

  27. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    LAPORTEEEEEEEEEEE

  28. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    OMG laporte

  29. Legomané
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Laporte g
    KDB a

  30. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 5 months ago

    Kdb assist