Scout Notes

Injury to Gomez may aid FPL managers as Klopp’s rotation bites hard

Our latest Scout Notes article from the midweek round of Premier League fixtures focuses on events in Lancashire, where Jurgen Klopp wielded the axe and changed all bar four of his starting XI from the side that defeated Everton on Sunday.

There was precious little to cheer for owners of the Reds’ most popular Fantasy assets but Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino at least came off the bench to register consolation attacking returns as Klopp’s much-altered side made heavy work of defeating Burnley on Wednesday evening.

An ankle injury picked up by Joe Gomez will have soured the mood in the Liverpool camp but, at the risk of sounding callous and of course wishing the England defender a speedy recovery, we will discuss the possible silver lining for Fantasy managers in the piece below.

We’ll also cover the goals, assists, manager quotes and Fantasy talking points in our round-up of events from Turf Moor.

Burnley 1-3 Liverpool

  • Goals: Jack Cork (£4.6m) | James Milner (£5.6m), Roberto Firmino (£9.2m), Xherdan Shaqiri (£7.0m)
  • Assists: Ashley Barnes  (£5.6m) | Divock Origi (£5.0m), Virgil van Dijk (£6.1m), Mohamed Salah (£13.0m)

While a degree of tinkering was expected from Jurgen Klopp ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Burnley, the scale of his rotation came as quite the shock to the legions of Fantasy managers who were keenly anticipating the Reds’ encounter with one of the division’s worst defences.

Sadio Mane (£9.8m) and Andrew Robertson‘s (£6.5m) no-shows were anticipated after the pair picked up injuries in the Merseyside derby but the demotion of Mohamed Salah (£13.0m), Roberto Firmino (£9.2m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.3m) to the Liverpool bench for this fixture came as more of an unwelcome surprise.

Klopp made seven changes in all, with only Xherdan Shaqiri (£7.0m), Joe Gomez (£5.1m), Virgil van Dijk (£6.1m) and Alisson (£5.7m) retaining their starts from the win over Everton, and the mass-rotation looked to have been a huge miscalculation after an hour of Wednesday night’s clash in Lancashire.

Liverpool were disjointed in a goalless first half, with Joe Hart (£4.5m) only called into action to make two comfortable saves before the interval.

Worse was to follow on 54 minutes when Jack Cork (£4.6m) followed up parried efforts from James Tarkowski (£4.7m) and Ashley Barnes (£5.6m) to give the Clarets an unexpected lead, a goal that soon prompted the summoning of Salah and Firmino from the visitors’ bench.

James Milner (£5.6m) had drawn Liverpool level by the time the premium pair were introduced and in truth, the balance of the game had already shifted as Salah and Firmino took to the pitch, with Hart saving well from Daniel Sturridge (£5.8m) and Naby Keita (£7.2m) before Milner’s equaliser.

Salah and Firmino had only 25 minutes with which to influence the game but the consolation for their Fantasy owners was that the pair emerged from this hard-fought win with attacking returns – Firmino tapping home a cushioned pass from van Dijk with his first touch of the match and Salah setting up Shaqiri on the counter-attack in the dying moments to add gloss to the scoreline.

Salah might have had a goal himself after some beautiful combination play between the Egyptian and Keita, with both players being denied by the impressive Hart and Phil Bardsley (£4.2m) in the same move.

Rotation aside, the biggest storyline to come out of this fixture was the ankle injury picked up by Gomez midway through the first half.

The sight of the England defender being stretchered off looked ominous and Klopp suggested after full-time that the problem could be a serious one:

It was his ankle. Joe is injured and probably not only a little bit. We have to see, we don’t know in the moment. We sent him home.

The repercussions of a medium-to-long-term injury to Gomez could be significant, given that the England international has been used variously as a right-back and centre-half this season.

Gomez’s absence would leave only Nathaniel Clyne (£4.6m) – yet to play a minute of league football this season – as competition for Alexander-Arnold, while van Dijk’s status as the most “nailed” Liverpool defender would surely only be solidified further with his semi-regular central defensive partner sidelined.

Alexander-Arnold indeed appeared as if he would bank the most fortunate of clean sheets after replacing Gomez on 23 minutes, only for Cork’s opening goal to dash any hopes of a shut-out for his owners.

After almost two years without an attacking FPL return, it’s now two assists in as many matches for van Dijk, with the Dutch stopper providing the telling pass that led to Firmino’s strike.

The former Celtic and Southampton defender was a menace throughout at set plays, registering three headed attempts on goal from dead-ball situations.

Perhaps the pick of Klopp’s “second string” was Keita, who racked up more shots on goal and penalty box touches than any other player on show.

His manager said after the match:

Always when Naby had the ball, at least something changed a little bit. We all know Shaq can play much better – turn in situations, get the ball and be a bit more decisive. The only ones who really tried to do something was Millie with runs in behind and Naby with the ball. Hendo shouldn’t be involved in that – he had to protect all the runners.

So Naby made all the difference in a lot of moments. I think his blocked shot was the biggest chance we had in the first half, I’m not 100 per cent sure but at least it looked like a proper chance; Burnley blocked it. In the second half, the one-two with Mo [Salah] was a good finish and a bit lucky in that moment for Burnley. In the beginning it was really good and at the end. In the middle, we didn’t use him – I was shouting, ‘We have to use Naby!’ because he was not involved, we played long ball and big switches. Naby was constantly played over. When he was involved, he was really good.

The positive news for owners of Messrs Salah, Mane, Firmino and Robertson was that their understudies didn’t particularly impress, with Sturridge, Divock Origi (£5.0m) and Alberto Moreno (£4.2m) very much looking like second-rate versions of the players they replaced without doing too much wrong.

The hope for those hanging onto Liverpool assets over the festive period would be that Klopp has learned his lesson from making too many changes at once, though with seven matches to contest over the next 28 days there will inevitably be further disappointment in the form of a surprise benching in the coming month – as will no doubt be the case with Fantasy assets from other clubs.

Aside from a stoppage-time header from Ben Mee (£4.7m) that Alisson superbly clawed out, Burnley only really drew regulation saves from the Brazilian goalkeeper but Sean Dyche could at least take some pride from the manner of the defeat, given that the Clarets were still in the game past the 90-minute mark.

An ebullient Dyche said:

The mentality and framework and the energy and belief in made five changes and I felt that was necessary.

People sometimes question that, but before we worry too much about tactical shapes, we had to get the right bodies on the pitch tonight.

There were players who deserved a chance and I’m pretty loyal to the players here, but there comes a time when I have to shake the pack.

I thought that worked tonight, but of course it can’t just be about tonight. Those players have delivered and now it’s about taking it forward into the next game.

What we are doing flooded back into the group tonight.

We were knocking those performances out week after week last season and getting our rewards. We’ve come away from that this season, for many reasons. Now it’s about reminding ourselves that that’s what we do and as a performance marker it was important.

Those five changes Dyche alluded to saw Barnes, Tarkowski, Bardsley, Ashley Westwood (£4.5m) and Robbie Brady (£5.4m) come into the side in an admirably positive 4-4-2, with Steven Defour (£5.4m) missing through injury.

The heartening performance from the Clarets and Dyche’s upbeat words afterwards perhaps suggests the starting XI for the visit of Brighton on Saturday will closely resemble Wednesday night’s line-up, with Matthew Lowton (£4.7m), Aaron Lennon (£5.0m), Jeff Hendrick (£5.3m) and Kevin Long (£4.2m) seemingly unlikely to reclaim their positions after Dyche had previously talked of being “too loyal” to underperforming members of his squad.

Burnley XI (4-4-2): Hart; Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Gudmundsson, Westwood, Cork, Brady (Lennon 71′); Barnes (Vydra 83′), Wood (Vokes 71′)

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Gomez (Alexander-Arnold 23′), Van Dijk, Matip, Moreno (Salah 65′); Henderson, Milner, Keita; Shaqiri, Sturridge, Origi (Firmino 65′).

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1,448 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ABCDEFC
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    On a WC. Any obvious changes needed? 0.4M ITB
    Ederson - Hamer
    TAA - Doherty - Robertson - Rudiger - AWB
    Sane - Richarlison - Fraser - Anderson - Gunnarsson
    Wilson - Kane - Aubameyang

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      No Sterling. Rest looks great!

    2. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I'm not keen on Ederson. Waste of a City spot and Fabianski offers great value at 4.5. You also need Sterling.

    3. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Gotta have Sterling

  2. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Fellow Ederson owners.. Are you getting a bit fidgety with Fabianski rising through the fpl ranks? Personally I don't want a West ham defender playing every week and citys fixtures are mint(and you have to Expect guardiola to iron out their one defensive lapse per game). I have to admit the fidgeting is real though
    (repost from previous page)

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Why don't you want Fab?

      Best value in the game.

      (repost from previous page)

      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Yup.. Hence me becoming fidgety.. May spend a free transfer making the shift 🙁

        1. Valar(Keith)
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          (Reply reposted from previous page)

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      If you need funds you should sell imo.
      I Sold Allison yesterday. We can easily get back to premium keepers imo after Christmas period. Right now i needed money in the squad so...

    3. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Ederson is my City backline...

      And I can't afford 3 City MF/FW anyway.....

      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        This was my rationale

        1. Cruyff's Eleven
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          I'm not keen on relying on saves to get points.... One "near save" and its 2 points....

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

    Who to put on 2nd or 3rd spot on the bench ? Wan - Bissaka or Kamara ? 🙂

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Kamara scored 8 points on 3rd spot and i got 2 from hojbjerg on 2nd spot. 😛
      He is on 1st bench now for me.

  4. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    So...

    Snoddy faces:

    CPAL/ful/WAT/south/burn/BRI

    check their defensive stats:

    Most errors leading to goals:

    -Ful/bri/south tied 2nd most

    SiB conceded:

    -Burn(1st)Ful(2nd) Bri(3rd) South(6th)

    Crosses conceded from left flank:

    -Cry(3rd), Watf(4th) then Bri

    Attempts from setplays conceded:

    -Bri(2nd) Burn(3rd)

    Choooo! Choooo!

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Yep..smart fella.

    2. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Cue FAnderson.... 😉

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

    is balbuena coming back in?

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I hope so. Any West Ham fans around?

  6. fayons
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    1FT/1.1ITB (No WC)

    Fab/Hamer
    AWB/Pereira/Robertson/Digne/Doherty
    Sterling/Siggy/Salah/Gudmundsson/Masuaku
    Auba/Jimenez/Arnie

    Trying to wedge Kane into my team but can only do so by taking a -4 hit and changing Salah. Is it worth it with Liverpool playing Bournemouth next?
    Other option is to use my FT for Arnie & bring in one of Mitro/Chicha/Wilson

    What are your thoughts?

    1. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I'm going to... Salah + Arnie - > Kane + FAnderson

      1. fayons
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        What do you think of Snodgrass?

        1. Cruyff's Eleven
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Yeah, if funds are an issue that could work, but if you look at stats over the season and/or have a rank to defend I'd stick with FAnderson.

          Have not done like-for-like comparison. Someone mentioned Scoutcast was very positive on Snoddy....

          1. fayons
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Prob will go Anderson in that case, cheers mate thanks for the help

            1. Cruyff's Eleven
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              No worries, good luck!

  7. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Are there press conference today and tomorrow?

  8. xHaTr
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Does anybody know why Lacazette hasnt started the last two games? Is he nailed to start from now? If so are these good moves?

    Salah and Arnie --> Sterling and Lacazette (-4)

    1. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      far from nailed but likely starter yes

    2. DAVESAVES
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Maybe because coming back from injury and ARS played spurs and manutd right after and they wanted 100% fit players to start. Think he’ll start from now on

      1. DAVESAVES
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Transfers looks good btw

  9. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Is Kamara better bench fodder than Success?

  10. TAT
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Ederson
    Robertson - Alonso* - Doherty
    Richarlison - Sané - Hazard - Fraser - Son
    Aubameyang - Jiménez
    (Hamer - Arnie* - Wan-B - Vinagre)

    1. Alonso/Arnie > Digne/Lacazette (-4)
    2. Alonso > Digne
    3. Save transfer

    Leaning towards double Arsenal along with Jiménez. Fixtures are great, both players are great – and I'm struggling to pick up points, so I need to take a risk soon.

  11. Shatner's Bassoon
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Love my side this week. All in.

    Fabianski
    Doherty - Alonso - Digne
    Fraser - Martial - Anderson - Richarlison
    Kane - Aubameyang - Lacazette

    1. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      *Cue 5 unexpected benchings*

      1. Cruyff's Eleven
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        And City flogging Chelsea 5-0...

  12. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Which combo to partner Kane? Already have Fraser, if that makes a difference.

    A) Auba & Jimenez
    B) Laca & Wilson

  13. jorgenoj
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    RMT! 1FT and 0.8 ITB
    Fabianski - Stekelenburg
    Alonso - Robertson - Laporte - Doherty - AWB
    Salah - Sane - Richarlison - Fraser - Chalobah
    Kane - Arnie - Jimenez

    Thinking of Salah + Arnie --> Eriksen + Auba

    could also do

    Alonso + Arnie --> Kolasinac + Laca

  14. Cruz88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Which is better going forward:

    A) Salah, Azpi, Fraser
    B) Eriksen, D Silva, Alonso
    C) Hazard, Fraser, Alonso (and some money spare)
    D) other combination

    1. Ëð
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      D) do you already have Sterling/Sane?

      1. Cruz88
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Yep. This is my team:

        Hart
        Alonso TAA Dunk Laporte WB
        Salah Sterling Anderson Richarlison Deu
        Kane Wilson

        Basically I can swap Salah and Deu for the likes of Eriksen, Silva etc, or downgrade Alonso to Azpi so I can upgrade Deu to Fraser

        1. Ëð
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Can you afford B but with Sane instead of Silva?

          1. Cruz88
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Actually yes, currently with 0.1m to spare

            1. Ëð
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              I'd go with that.

              1. Cruz88
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 3 months ago

                Cheers. Not worried about Sanes minutes?

                1. Ëð
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  As long as Mendy is out and Delph is playing he's going to be getting plenty of mintues!

  15. The 5% Team
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    So Hazard leaving to Madrid in the summer is pretty much confirmed?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      How 😮

    2. J T
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Lol

  16. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Did my FT of Arnautovic -> Jimienez last night.

    Do you think Martial is likely to be out? If so is it worth a -4 hit to take him out?

    Got 2.6 mill in the bank.

    Fabianski
    Alonso Robertson Doherty
    Eriksen Sane Richarlison Martial*
    Kane Wilson Jimenez

    Patricio; Stones, AWB, Obiang

    1. Zebrahimović
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Same problem

  17. Demel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    People are talking about Wilson as if he is essential.

    i would not expect Bournemouth to score 2 goals or more in any of those next 5 fixtures.

    If I had a lot of value in him he would be staying for me. But I don't see him as an option to bring in.

    1. Ëð
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson seems capable of scoring against just about anyone. Especially with the way Bournemouth are set up!

      1. Demel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Maybe 1 goal. No more though. And he has 0.5 goals per game against the big clubs this season. That isn't great given the fixtures.

    2. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Liverpool at home - their focus is on CL midweek, expect them to lose or draw but I expect a goal or two both ends

      Wolves away - Chelsea could have torn them apart instead the result flattered them - I see Bournemouth between them comfortably

      Brighton at Home - Brighton are great when they play at home but don't travel well - I see another comfortable win for Bournemouth

      Spurs away - tough

      Utd away - the defence is shocking, could be tough but they always seem to let in a goal or two now

      1. Demel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Liverpool - Perhaps 1 goal in a defeat or even a 1-1 draw. Liverpool don't concede more than that.

        Wolves - Perhaps 1 goal in a defeat or even a 1-1 draw. Liverpool don't concede more than that.

        Brighton - Perhaps 1-2 goals in a defeat or even a 1-1 draw. Brighton don't concede more than that.

        Spurs away - Perhaps 0-1 goals in a defeat or even a 1-1 draw. Tottenham don't concede more than that.

        Utd away - Perhaps 0-1 goals in a defeat or even a 1-1 draw. Although who knows!!

        1. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          You think Wolves & Brighton are better than bournemouth at the mo?!

          I think Bournemouth (Wilson/Fraser) will do alright - sure I don't see hauls coming but a trickle of returns, other than maybe Brighton

          1. Demel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            I think that Wolves are similar. Neither team concede a lot - not eve to the best teams in the league. If City can't haul past them I don't see Bournemouth managing it. All of Wilson's hauls have come against teams who concede goals at a fairly often regularity. He may well drip feed the odd goal but lots of people talk about him like his a no brainer. At 7m I want a little more. i can take regular trickles owning Jimenez. Mitro for me has a far bigger chance of a couple of hauls over the next 5. At 0.5m less he looks a better option.

    3. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      He isn't essential, that's certain. Liverpool have only conceded 5 in 8 on the road this season and are undefeated. The fixture is as tough as they come for Bournemouth. You've then got some really tricky away games. If I had him I'd keep, but I agree with you and wouldn't sign him now.

      1. Demel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Exactly this logic.

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      5 games can be a dangerous range to base for decision making, especially at this time of year.

      Come Saturday he will have wol, BRI, WAT, WHM in his next 7 for example - that is decent in anyone’s books.

      Also his next 5 will present him with a lot of chances:

      LIV (H) - Napoli must win 3 days later - key defenders unavailable, just conceded to Burnley, BOU 4 days rest to liverpool’s 72 hours
      wol (a) - conceded 8 goals in last 4 home games, including Huddersfield
      BRI (H) - brighton usually solid, but nice home game
      spurs (A) - only kept one CS at home this season (Cardiff)
      united (A) - absolute circus of a team
      Watford (home)
      West Ham (home)

      1. Demel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Over the next 7 Mitro has

        United a
        West Ham h
        Newcastle a
        Wolves h
        Hudds h
        Arsenal a
        Burnley a

        Every one of those games Fulham could score 2 goals in. There is also a good case for switching Mitro to Wilson after the Huddersfield game.

        Mitro
        United a
        West Ham h
        Newcastle a
        Wolves h
        Hudds h

        Then switch to Wilson

        Wilson

        Watford h
        Everton a
        West Ham h
        Chelsea h
        Cardiff a

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          He does, but is he in the same form as Wilson? And will he get a YC?

          For a non owner deciding between the pair , Mitro probably looks the better pick, but I wouldn’t be at all suprised if Wilson outscored him either

          1. Demel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            I agree with those caveats. Points wise he is in similar form to Wilson. The YC is also a concern.

            I do agree that Wilson may outscore Mitro in that period. I would say it is about 55/45 in Mitro's favour.

            Lots of people are talking as if owning Wilson is a no brainer/he is essential etc. My point is that he is a good option. But potentially not the best option.

  18. Gameweek 15 Rough with the Smooth
    Geoff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Gameweek 15 Rough with the Smooth

    Feel free to post your tales of joy and woe from Gameweek 15 here:

    1. henrya33h
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      arnautovic as captain

    2. Ëð
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Rough... Arnie Injury.

      Smooth... (K)ane

    3. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      both Smooth and rough the same thing...

      Smooth:Arnie - me
      Rough:Arnie(c) - ML leader

      1. dicky2014
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Should that be the other way round?

    4. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Joy: Fabianski penalty save.
      Woe: My mate messaging me when he had lost his late cleanie.

      Joy: Kane returns; Firmino scoring and securing a BAP. Richarlison producing yet again.
      Woe: Arnie and Alonso zero pointers.

      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Smooth: in my fifty quid a head league the guy behind me captained Mané and vice captained Arnie. 😀

    5. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Rough- would you believed that I switch armband from Fabs to Salah last minute? Disgusting.
      Smooth- Doherty coming off the bench, and XI plays.

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

      Rough
      1. 38 points & 100k OR drop 😮
      2. Arnie injury spoiled every plan.

      Smooth
      Doherty scoring points again
      Kamara 8 points.

    7. Killitzer
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      rough - sold martial for anderson
      smooth- Milner 10 points of the bench

    8. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Smooth, transferred out Salah and Aguero, to bring in Sterling and Captain Kane.

      Sterling no show also meant that I got Doherty 5 points off the bench (robbo and Balbuena both injured meant AWB and zCamarasa were inevitable subs)

      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Rough: Got Arnautovic for a hit. Got rid of Ings.

        Smooth: Captained Kane after getting him for Aguero.

        1. Warby84
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          That’s really rough...

    9. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Rough - Duffy’s minus 2 point autosub for Robertson was a smack in the face.

    10. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Getting Kamara (I have no clue what he looks like!) off my bench for 8 points. 🙂

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        And buying Fabianski 1 minute before the deadline.

    11. Subzero (-4)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Aguero (0), hazard (6), jiminez(8) -> Kane(c) (24), sane (7) Wilson (12) for a -4. 75 all out and up to 14k OR. 43 points from the three transfers. Over the moon

      1. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        So an effective 19 points gained, assuming you would've captained Haz.

        1. Subzero (-4)
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          I was on salah (c) before transfers but yeah something around that.

      2. Subzero (-4)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Also got Doherty points from bench for Robbo!

    12. dicky2014
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Rough – Only had 10 men with Robertson, Sterling and Barkley no shows. Alonso zero points. Salah benched.

      Smooth – Transferred in Kane (c) for Kun, Fabianski pen save, Richarlison, and Wilson doing the business again.

      Ended up with 71 points and up to 909th in the world, highest ever, buzzing.

    13. rabo91
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Rough: Owner of Robertson, Sterling, Arnie, Vardy
      Smooth: Sane captain

    14. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Rough: Arnie injury ofc. Watching Wilson and Fraser tearing it up as more or less the only non-owner of either in the whole game, whilst cheapo cover Brooks returning nothing.

      Smooth: Kane(c) + Doherty and Jimenez ultimately saving my GW, and late Cardiff and Watford goals preventing a OR drop.

    15. Majestic Chanka
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Rough

      Triple City & Triple Pool gave one starter (Ederson)

      Laporte cameo blocked Kamara 8pts that was third on bench

      Lost my manager melee match up by 3 points because of that.

      Smooth

      Jimenez & Doc
      Salah cap return from a cameo was a bit jammy.

    16. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Smooth: Moved Kamara to 2nd on bench order and came in with 8 pts.
      Kane (C)

      Rough: Arnautovic,

    17. The Rumour Mill
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Rough: Starting 11 scoring 30 points only, and a Sterling captain no show.

      Smooth: Vice captaincy switching to Sane. Doherty first sub coming off the bench with 5, Rondon second sub coming off the bench with 9, Murphy third sub coming off the bench with 6. 27 points added through vice captain and autosubs, resulting in 57 and a green arrow. If ever there was an example of our benches being important, this was it!!

    18. DAVESAVES
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Rough: Arnie, Alonso and not owning Wilson/Fraser

      Smooth: (K)ane, Richarlison, Jiménez, Martial, Sané and 71p lead in ML 🙂

    19. doowral
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Rough: Sane (c) not coming off as spectacularly I had hoped. Doucoure goal cost me 10 points. Also not having Kane, Wilson or Fraser hurt me. Keane, Sterling and Pereira all rested so it was looking like a disaster.

      Smooth: Martial and Richarlison came to the rescue with some points, and 2nd and 3rd subs Doherty and Jimenez giving a little bit of luck so I didn’t lose anywhere near as much ground as I could have lost.

    20. Man Getting Hit By Football
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Rough: Alonso & Arnie 0 points, Doherty stayed on the bench.
      Smooth: 66 points, Kane (c), Jimenez off the bench. Highest OR of the season at 147k.
      Two gameweeks ago I was 361k. Next aim is to get inside the top 100k.

    21. Arctic monkeys
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Smooth: An 8 points hit to this;

      Brought Sané Wilson and Kane (C) for Mané Firmino and Aguero.
      Not doing well this season so hoping this is the begining of something good.

      1. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Those are good transfers. Four out of Five

    22. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Rough:

      Worried by rotation of Roberston / Alonso and thinking Bennett on my bench had been dropped after missing last game.

      So used my 2nd free transfer with minutes remaining in as rushed move which I'd wanted to role over to this week and got Duffy!! And played him.
      Result. -7 down overall as ended up with Docherty rooted to my bench with 5 points.

      Smooth. Kane ( C ), ignoring Sterling for this week, selling Kun, and a nice big green up to 31000 with score of 65.

    23. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Rough: 2 points from two West Ham attackers. At home to Cardiff
      Smooth: Kane(C), Sane in for Kun, Haz paid dividends. Wilson continues to delight (wish I'd paired him with Fraser)

      Broke into top 10k for the first time since GW2!

    24. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Felipe + Arnie in for a hit

    25. Bird Raymond
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Smooth - Kane (c) and Fabianski in for Ageuro and Patricio (-4). Jiminez and Doherty off the bench.

      Rough - Only managed to get 10 out with Robertson, Balbeuna and Sterling all benched, along with my 3rd sub. Not really a week to moan about the lack of clean sheets but disappointed to lose Fabianski's right at the end. Arnie injury.

    26. Goalosaurus
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Smooth: Got 11 players out and even had 1 left playing on my bench
      Rough: My perma 3rd sub Kamara (8 points) was the one left on the bench, thank you Laporte for your cameo

    27. ktk_interista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      68 pts (-4) so happy with that. Did Hazard and Aguero to Kane(c) and Alli
      Smooth:Fabianski, Richarlison, Kane(c), Wilson. Doherty off the bench for Sterling
      Rough: Alli punt didn't work. Hopefully he rewards me in the medium term. Hojberg second sub comes in for Robbo. Unlucky not to score.

      Good GW took me to just outside 20k and top of my 2 main mini leagues.

    28. Ohhh Shola Ameobi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Smooth: Successful 12 point hit. Salah (C), Arnie, Aguero and Martial (15 points) to Kane (C), Sane, Felipe Anderson and Aubameyang (35 points). Up by a net of 8 points, and I feel much happier with my team going forwards too.

      Also got Masuaku and Jimenez points from the bench due to Sterling and Luiz missing out.

    29. Triggy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Rough: Arnie and Alonso with 0, Robertson and Sterling not playing at all.

      Smooth: Kane captain (transfer in for Aguero), Fabianski penalty save, Richarlison goal, and Doherty and Jimenez off the bench for a total of 78 points 🙂

    30. The Left Duke #3
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Smooth - 2 FT Hazard & Aguero --> Sane & Kane (C) finishing with 70 pts and OR jump from 4.6k to 2.3k

      Rough - Like a lot of people, duckeggs from Arnie & Alonso

    31. Distinctly Average
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Rough:
      Arnie
      Double pool defence (Robbo no show)
      Alonso and WB blank

      Smooth:
      One week pre WC 2FT punt of Mane + Aguero > Kane© + Mahrez for a net gain of 37 points.
      Wilson, Richarlison, Martial, Haz all delivering attacking returns
      Doherty assist off the bench
      80 points all out, top of all my cash leagues.

    32. Pooodle
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      First 4 point hit of the season to bring in Kane (c), Sané and Fraser for Aguero, Hazard and Gudmundsson.

      Couldn’t really have gone better - think I’m about 33 points up on the deal.

      Rough was getting a combined 0 points from Robertson, Alonso and Arnie...

    33. shirtless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Rough; Salah(c), Laporte, Aguero, Robertson.

      Smooth; Salah(c) assist off the bench, phew. Hardly smooth, but 8 points is 8 points! Doherty, Richarlison, new recruit Mitrovic, Hazard, Jimenez and a couple of 3 pointers in Silva and Ryan. All out on 51, being as I was on 7 Tuesday night, and then saw Salah(c) wasn't starting, I'll take that all day long!

    34. Rash
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Rough: Arnie Alonso nil pois. Sterling captain no Robbo, went auba over Kane.

      Smooth: sané vc, Wilson Fraser Fabianski, Doherty off the bench, on the brink of the top 1k

    35. lahi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Smooth
      GW14 - Gunnarson 10 points off the bench
      GW15 - Aguero -> Kane (C), Shaqiri goal, Fab pen save

    36. Haggis
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Rough: Captain Salah benched, before coming on late, denying Vice Captain Wilson a double score and keeping first mate Doherty on the bench.

      Smooth: Eriksen subbed with a jammy CS point.

    37. prayner11
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Took out Patricio (2), Mane (0) and Aguero (0) for Fabianski (9), Richarlison (10) and Kane (c) (24) for a -8.
      82 points for the week and a nice jump to inside 12k overall.

    38. Pray for Mojo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      8 point hit

      Smooth: Son / Sane / Fabianski in
      Hazard / Aguero / Foster out

      Also - had Arnie capt until 1 min before deadline until I changed to Stering with Sane vice

      Rough:
      Fraser out
      Aubameyang in

    39. 5os
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Smooth:
      Salah, Hazard, Jimenez -> Son, Sane, Kane(C) for a -4 paid off instantly as I gained 18(-4) points
      All midfielders delivered: Son, Sane, Martial, Richarlison
      Fabianski penalty save.
      Jammy Doherty points off the bench. 2nd on my bench but came in after Robertson and Balbuena failed to show up.
      73 (-4) points overall and a jump in rank to get inside the top 4K!

    40. tambourineman
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Rough
      Rotation galore - Sterling, Laporte, Robertson and Salah (c). In a GW of a million goals none of my players scored and Salah's assist was the only attacking return. Arnie injured now so strengthening my weak bench will have to wait a bit longer.
      30 points and worst ever rank of 5,236,566th. Down to 27k after five red arrows in six and not sure how to avert the slide.

      Smooth
      Fabianski, first pen save I've had in four seasons of FPL.

    41. Mo Mané No Problems
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Smooth: Rose from OR 22K to 8K on Tuesday
      Rough: Massive drop from 8K to 32K on Wednesday

    42. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Rough:

      Alonso 0 pts
      Bellerin 0 pts
      Arnautonic 0 pts
      Sterling 0 mins
      Mane 0 mins
      Vardy 0 mins
      Arnautovic injured

      Smooth:

      Managed to field 11 men:
      Yedlin (1pt) off the bench
      Doherty (5pts) off the bench
      Kamara (8pts) off the bench
      Antonio starting and scoring, even as a "full-back"
      Captained Anderson (2pts) instead of Arnautovic (switched at the last minute due to rumour I heard of Arnautovic not starting)

      Rough:
      34 points overall
      Dropped from 45k to 91k

    43. FPLzebub
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Rough - Injury time goals robbed me of Fabianski and Foyth CSs and TAA off the bench lost me Kamara's 8pts.

    44. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Rough:
      Arnie injury,
      90+5 Cardiff goal sweeping my Fab CS,
      Salah (C) benched,
      Robertson,Sterling, Kenedy not involved

      Smooth:
      Fab penalty save in CS-less GW
      My first Wilson points after having him for 5 GWs (in different times)
      Wolves (Doherty+Jimenez) coming out of bench and saving my GW

  19. henrya33h
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Cant decide between the three,
    -Sterling and Hazard
    -Sterling and Kane
    -Hazard and Kane
    ??

    1. Ëð
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. Caleb's Kitties
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      B

    3. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Sterling and Kane.

  20. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    I thought Sterling, Auba etc were set to rise last night

    1. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Probably adjusted to wildcards?

  21. Ëð
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    What would you do about Arnie here? £0.4 ITB & 1FT

    A) Arnie -> Jimenez/Mitrovic
    B) Arnie, Sterling -> F. Anderson, Auba (-4)
    C) Arnie, Alonso -> Laca, Dunk (-4)
    D) Arnie, Sane -> Laca, Richarlison (-4)

    Fabianski, Hennessey
    Alonso, Robertson, TAA, Doherty, AWB
    Sterling, Sane, Sigurdsson, Fraser, Camarasa
    Kane, Arnie, Wilson

    1. Caleb's Kitties
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A, jimenez

  22. Caleb's Kitties
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone thinks hazard will still come good? I'm inclined to keeping him ahead of bringing in auba/laca..

    1. Dammed Utd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I going get rid looks like he may be on his way to Madrid end of the season if not in January

      1. The 5% Team
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        yeah, might play a little bit more cautious if that deal is done

    2. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Keeping for now. Looks lively still

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

      I'm holding

  23. Dion D's Solo Shower
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Is Mitrovic + Arnie OUT --> Laca & Success a smart move?

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I wouldn't get rid of Mitrovic now.

  24. Zebrahimović
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Recon Kane might be rested/have reduced this minutes this weekend with the big CL game coming up?

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Greedy kane will want goals n play 70 at least id say

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

      Maybe, but Kane is Kane.

    3. Caleb's Kitties
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I still believe he plays at least 75-80..guy doesn't do much rests once he hits form..

  25. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Laca (C) vs HUD

    Brave, smart or too risky?

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Decent shout

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

      What if Auba steals any single point from Laca ?

    3. STEP rOVERS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Same

      GL

  26. kennethrhcp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    1 to start:

    A. Alonso (MCI)
    B. Doherty (new)

    1. Klein
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Doh

  27. zakard
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    WC Team

    Fab / hamer
    Digne / Laporte / Bellerin / Doherty / TAA
    Sterling / Rich / Fraser / Anderson / Cairney
    Kane / Auba / Jimenez

    0.7 ITB

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

      To heavy in defence. Anderson and Jimenez to Son and Kamara, Update Cairney to Snodgrass...

      1. Cruyff's Eleven
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Double WHU midfield?!

        1. Cruyff's Eleven
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Oh sorry... After swapping FAnderson... Dûh

    2. Caleb's Kitties
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Midfield a bit too light weight for me, too much in defence..

  28. Kuzser
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    WC last week was a right decision.67 points with Kane(c).
    Thanks to all kind people who hepled.

    May I get some help on 2 questions:
    1) Arnie-> Jimenez , Chicha, Wilson or Mitro? (Have fraser and not keen to double up on Bournemonth now)

    2) play Fraser or Camarasa? With Camarasa-if not playing against Southmapton at home, then when?

    Team is:
    Fab
    Taa Digne trippier (awb Schindler)
    Sterling sane Felipe fraser/camarasa
    Auba Kane Arnie

  29. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Was just checking my ML competitors.. its tight at the top, am 16 points in front, but the guy behind has took a massive 40 points of hits compared to my 4.
    I know that sometimes hits can work out, but this seems like a lot!

    1. Kepa's at the wheel
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Wow, I'd call 12 excessive but sometimes necessary. 40 is a complete roster change

      1. avfc82
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I think he means 40 points over the course of the season ha. Keep doing what you're doing mate, he'll probably drop down the rankings soon enough taking that many hits.

        1. jason_ni
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Ha, yes sorry wasnt clear, that is since the start of the season!

  30. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Sane to erikson -4? Is it worth it

    1. Ozzy smith
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Absolutely not.

    2. Caleb's Kitties
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Not at all