Opinion

FPL Question Time – Case for Sané as Christmas planning begins

Fantasy Premier League Question Time is here yet again to help solve your problems ahead of Gameweek 14.

Liverpool were unconvincing once again, even in a 3-0 win over Watford at the weekend, and some managers are still contemplating move their assets on.

The form of Leroy Sané has caught the eye, and could be a good alternative to the Reds’ midfielders.

We address that subject as well as how to approach the Christmas period and handle life in the top 10,000 Fantasy managers in this article.

Who’s on the panel this week?

FPL Holly – The founder and editor of Fantasy Football Community, as well as a contributor to the FPL Show this season. Holly was sitting just outside the top 1k going into Gameweek 13.

Who Got the Assist? – Nick and Tom are familiar names on social media as the two halves of Who Got the Assist?, the popular Twitter account and podcast. The WGTA boys have also featured on the FPL Show this month.

Chief FPL Manager – Another member of the Fantasy community with a huge Twitter following, “Chief” runs the FPL Hints website and has six top 1% finishes to his name.

Question 1 – Chief

Louis Stein: Is Sané looking like a good option with Mendy out and Pep’s post-match comments regarding Sterling and Mahrez fighting for the right wing spot?

“The more I think about it, the more Leroy Sané makes sense. With 33 points in his last two Premier League starts, he can no longer be ignored.

“Of course he won’t register double digit returns on a weekly basis but if last season’s performances are anything to go by, he’s more than capable of registering a Fantasy return for almost every 90 minutes played.

He was extremely unfortunate not to make the national squad at the summer’s World Cup and it’s fair to say that Die Mannschaft were a weaker unit without him.

“But for what it’s worth, this de facto ‘rest’ and the initial lack of game time up until early September could substantially benefit him in the form of being protected from mid-season burn out.

“Having said that, the spectre of Pep’s rotation will always be risky, especially with the upcoming annual fixture rush in December. Sané won’t be immune to it.

“However, as has been evident in the early stages of this season, Raheem Sterling has also missed out at times in the league too.

“But without Mendy’s presence until at least mid-January Sané may be an automatic starter, subject to on-going form.

“There’s no doubt that with ownership of less than half that of Sterling’s and a price tag costing £2m less that he’s effectively a rare Manchester City attacking differential.

“Best of all, because of his price, you can fit him in your team along with Laporte and Aguero, but this would be far more difficult if you were trying to shoehorn Sterling instead, alongside your other premiums.”

Question 2 – Who Got the Assist?

Fred W: Do you plan on holding Liverpool assets over the festive period? If not, when are you ditching?

“I plan on holding a defender (Robertson) for definite. Their defensive solidity is shown by the fact they’ve conceded the fewest shots on target over the last six Gameweeks.

“In terms of the attack, it’s harder to decide.

“Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are the key men there and are (especially in the case of Salah) returning points regularly.

“It’s up to you whether they are value for their price tag or if you think other emerging options are better targets.”

Question 3 – Holly

Doug: With a non-playing second goalkeeper, what are the best options for a set-and-forget keeper over the Christmas period?

“The premium goalkeepers look to be great options over the festive period, as they won’t get rotated, whereas the more expensive defenders are more likely to be.

“Take your pick from any other then Leno, with Ederson the standout.

“Personally, I prefer to have a cheap goalkeeper in my squad, where save points can bolster point totals, along with clean sheets.

I’m tempted by a move to Fabianski, given West Ham’s fixtures. He’s second for saves and joint top for bonus points.”

Question 4 – Who Got the Assist?

James: What are your key tips on climbing the ranks whilst in the top 10k? Template teams are rife with effective ownership considerations playing a part in keeping it that way.

“In the top 10k, it’s about biding your time.

The attraction would be to take risks to try to push on, but if you want to keep climbing it often comes down to one or two very small moves which makes the difference.

“When I (Tom) finished 2.3k in 2015/16, I was in the top 10k all season and, frankly, played a very safe game until the double Gameweeks when I went for it with a few bold picks and was richly rewarded.

So it’s about picking your moment and treading water by playing safely in the meantime. Good luck!”

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1,226 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    A) Hazard and Maddison
    B) Sterling and Jimenez

    1. maratus
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Dunno how long period you thinking but A for next 2 weeks. After that Maddison has awful fixtures.

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        More long term... Maddison is really annoying me

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      B
      Hazard exclusion is very very difficult though

  2. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Who would you rather get in as an enabler for Sane?

    1) Rondon
    2) Jiminez
    3) Ings

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      2

    2. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      It is what I am contemplating. Currently looking at Ings.

      1. ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Ings is Southampton's best player although the way they are playing, doesn't instill loads of confidence. Their fixtures are awful as well. What do you make of Rondon? Has fixtures on his side..

        1. Demel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 4 months ago

          At the beginning of the week he was the one I wanted. The more I look at things the more I think Ings may be the better option. He looked to be hitting form when he got injured. His ppg is surprisingly good and has this to back him up. He can nick a goal in tough games. He is on pens. He is cheaper. I still think Rondon is a decent option with those fixtures but I am slightly leaning towards Ings.

          1. ZeBestee
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 4 months ago

            Cheers mate.

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      the cheapest one

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

      3

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

      None

    6. Ynwalfc
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Jimenez

    7. GS456
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      2

  3. altan8797
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Who to captain here guys?

    A) Kun
    B) Sterling
    C) Sane
    D) Hazard

    1. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      D looks the one.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      DABC

    3. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

      A

      1. maratus
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        A or D (if fit)

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

      Hazard

    6. Dosh
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Kun, but he played 90 minutes last night and Jesus is almost back.

    7. altan8797
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers all

    8. Chrisirwin01
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      At present D because Augero played midweek. But it really depends on the presser.

  4. Demel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    On a wildcard. Team A or Team B? (Hazard or Alli?)

    A) Fabianski
    Robertson - TAA - Doherty
    Hazard - Sane - Sterling - Paterson
    Aguero - Kane - Ings

    Button - AWB - Camarasa - Peltier

    B) Fabianski
    Robertson - TAA - Doherty
    Alli - Sane - Sterling - Paterson
    Aguero - Kane - Ings

    Button - Jones - Brooks - AWB

    1. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      A

      1. Demel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks. This team (with Paterson/Brooks switching) has been my team since Sat. Though I keep looking at alternative.

    2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Both are brave picks and I like them both....double up on LFC defence....what's your thinking....

      1. Demel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        I think they are the best 2 defenders in the game on individual merit. Both offer attacking potential and play for the best defensive team in the league. Liverpool are no longer explosive and doubling up simply makes sense when you compare them individually to an alternative player at the same price point.

    3. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      No Mane ?

      I would pick A but without Ings...

      1. Demel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        I prefer the look of the City/Spurs attacking assets st the moment. Ings is a better option than he is given credit for.

  5. Farke in hell
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Zinchenko isn't a left back. Should be playing in midfield.

    1. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      You could say the same about Delph.

  6. George James
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    1FT 2.2 ITB.

    Can I get away with saving?

    Hennessy
    TAA • Doherty • Alonso • AWB
    Hazard • Billing • Richarlison • Salah
    Kun • Arnuatovic

    Mcarthy / Bennet / Wilson / Fraser

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Not if Hazard is injured.

      1. Jebiga
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Hes not injured

    2. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      What's the alternative?

      Swap Hazard for Sterling who is just as likely to play as Hazard?

      I'm almost the same and I'm saving, captaining Hazard and reassess next week with 2FT

      1. Chrisirwin01
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Possibly Sane, perhaps BSilva if your looking at alternatives. But I think you should save.

  7. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on Rich to Sane this week? or save FT?

    Pat
    AWB Robbo Alonso Doherty
    Has Salah Rich
    Aguero Arnie Jiminez
    Hamer Brooks Yedlin Hojberg

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      I would want Rich for 15 and 16.

  8. MiguelAngel
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    What to do here? Any suggestions please...

    Foster Hamer
    Alonso Robbo Digne Bennett Kiko
    Salah Haz Rich Fraser Westwood
    Kun Arnie Wilson

    1FT. £1.5 itb

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Change Change
      Keep Keep Keep Keep Change
      Keep Change Keep Keep Change
      Change (Next GW) Keep Change

      In other words prepare for Spurs run, Get Citeh Mid and get a decent bench

      1. MiguelAngel
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers bud

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

    Hi....can I have some early morning views on this wildcard please??

    Fab hamer
    Alonso TAA schindler awb Peltier
    Sterling hazard sane richi brooks
    Kun Arnie Jimenez

    Cash for kun to Kane gw15

    Thanks

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      This is pretty much what i am working towards without a wildcard

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Cool....I'm happy for now then

        Good luck

        Have a nice day mate

    2. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Looks good

      I’d look at Arsenal for Hudds and beyond

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks

        Guess hazard or sane provide a way to laca or auba if required

        Can't include them all in wildcard!

  10. Woody01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    1 FT available...

    A) Mane > Salah
    B Forster > Fabianski
    C > Holebas > Balbuena/TAA
    D > Barkley > Other cheap mid

    Patricio
    Alonso / Doherty / Robertson
    Mane / Hazard (C) / Sterling (VC) / Richarlison
    Jimenez / Murray / Arnie

    Forster / Barkley / AWB / Holebas

    1. Woody01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Mane > Sane btw

    2. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      A

  11. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Best 4.5 def or below:

    A) Schindler
    B) Balbuena
    C) other

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      B but monitor Hudds

  12. captainjilflex
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on my team please 1ft 0.9 itb...
    Pat
    Robbo Duffy Doherty Laporte
    Haz Salah Siggy Murphy
    Kun Arnie
    Hamer Yedlin Fraser Success

    Think im gona do Kun>Kane and possibly Salah>Sterling gw15

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Looks good

      1. captainjilflex
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        thanks

  13. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Ederson and Aguero to Fabianski and Kane (after this GW) ?

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Seems decent

  14. Concrete
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 4 months ago

    Think I’m doing Salah to Sane

    Gives a lot of cash that can be spent over the next few weeks giving options of Mane for Burnley, Sterling at some point, Alli if he shows form, Kane from 15, Lacazette from 16

    What do you think?

    1. MTPockets
        5 years, 4 months ago

        I like Salah's relative consistency of late, but can see the appeal of letting go.

      • Karan14
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        I’m thinking of doing Hazard to Sane if he is injured.

        I’m not so sure about selling Salah just yet. He has 3 good fixtures and has started playing No 9. He is also nailed. I honestly can’t see Klopp benching Salah atm.
        I’m looking at GW17 to sell him when Pool’s fixtures actually are tougher.

      • Concrete
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers!

      • The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        I’ve done Salah > Dilva to fund Wilson Kane.

        Planning Hazard,Aguero > Sterling/Sané, Aubameyang/Lacazette in a couple of GWs

    2. JCrosbie
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Diangana

      To Kayal?

      Is Kayal nailed on?

      No pressing issues with 2 FT and saves me 0.1m

      1. PaperTroopers
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        I have looked at Kayal for that same reason. He gets a lot of yellow cards though, so that has kept me away.

    3. Pirlø's Pen
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Any thoughts of this lot? 1FT 1.2ITB.

      Patricio
      Alonso Robertson Laporte Doherty
      Salah Sterling Mane Kenedy
      Arnautovic Mitrovic

      Button Richarlison Balbuena Success

      Thinking of a simple Mane -> Sane

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 4 months ago

        It’s that simple. Nice move.

    4. GS456
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      No doubt we need two city midfielders and Kane instead of kun from GW15

      But why is everyone so confident not having any Liverpool attack?

      Happy to sell Salah for Sterling as won't be captaining for a good few weeks, and for his price he needs to offer that.

      But finding it hard to sell Mane for Sane.

      What's everyone's thoughts? i know we have Robbo, but in my opinion Liverpool are the only other team in the league capable of scoring 3s, 4s and 5s against teams.

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

      Def ->Doherty,Alonso, Robertson, wan-bissaka
      Mid-> Richarlison,Hazard,Salah, Kenedy
      Fwd->Arnautovic, Aguero
      Bench ->Frazor,Success, ,Daniels
      In bank = 0.4
      Free transfers =1

      What to do ? Planning to get Kane this or next week? So save or any city mid? Plan wc on gw 17/18

    6. french holiday
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Milner pen

    7. Kasper the ghost keeper
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 4 months ago

      Do?
      1) Mane -> Sterling
      2)Mane -> Sane (Allows me to do Gray -> Anderson next week)