Opinion

Time for FPL managers to consider the world’s greatest defender?

When the Bournemouth team was announced at 11.30am on Saturday morning with no Callum Wilson (£7.0m) to be seen, I knew it was going to be a good Gameweek. The striker has caused me more pain than any other player this season and he almost came back in for Marko Arnautovic (£7.0m) before the deadline. That would have been the final straw.

Trusting Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) with the captain’s armband proved to be the right call. Forty-two points from the Egyptian plus another 50 from the rest of my starting XI fired me up the rankings from 339k to 142k. It was a good week to have a good week. Before his hat-trick, the plan was to move Salah out for Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) this week…

All hail Matt Doherty

The Wolves wing-back is fast becoming an FPL legend. Managers who snapped him up at £4.4m earlier in the season have got themselves an absolute bargain.

Despite the Wanderers failing to keep a clean sheet in their last three matches, the Irishman has registered two goals and one assist, racking up 19 points for his owners.

He’s the gift that keeps on giving. If you don’t have him, sit down and ask yourself: why?

Who ate all the bonus points? Andrew Robertson did.

The Liverpool left-back has made 14 appearances in the league this season and has been awarded bonus points in eight of those matches. The Scot has more bonus points (15) than Arsenal’s Sokratis Papastathopoulos (£5.1m) has FPL points (14). If you own him, you keep him. Simple.

With Liverpool conceding just six goals in their opening 16 games, a defensive double-up looks the way to go. Joel Matip (£4.9m) has joined Joe Gomez (£5.0m) in the treatment room which could see the world’s greatest defender, Dejan Lovren (£4.9m), become a budget-friendly option for the festive period.

The half-time tinkerman

Arsenal manager Unai Emery is proving to be a frustrating character for Fantasy managers. He often makes half-time substitutions which result in the dreaded one-pointer in FPL.

Alexandre Lacazette (£9.6m) was the fall guy in Gameweek 16, being replaced at the break against Huddersfield. His minutes in the last three Gameweeks read 45, 25 and 45. He’s a player we can’t depend on because of his manager’s unpredictable ways.

It could be the turn of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.5m) owners to be left frustrated this weekend.

Time to invest in Watford assets?

The Hornets were impressive against Everton and should have picked up all three points, but Lucas Digne‘s (£4.9m) owners were delighted they didn’t. In the next seven Gameweeks, Javi Gracia’s side face just one of the top six (Chelsea at home in Gameweek 19).

Roberto Pereyra (£6.2m) is back on the radar after his two assists and five goal attempts against the Toffees. Kiko Femenia (£4.2m) could be a nice differential if he keeps his place in the team ahead of Daryl Janmaat (£4.9m), who has recently returned from injury. Up front, Isaac Success (£4.6m) continues to get game-time (starting seven of the last eight), offering managers a route to 3-5-2.

Transfer plans

Having decided against the Arnautovic-to-Wilson move last week, I’ve got two free transfers for the weekend. Owning no Spurs or Man City assets is a worry, so Salah to Sterling is something I’ll be mulling over for the next two days.

Son Heung-min (£8.5m) is another target, but as he played 70 minutes against Barcelona, we could see him on the bench for the Burnley fixture.

Most likely, I’ll just do Arnie to Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.7m) or Javier Hernandez (£6.4m) and roll the other transfer.

Good luck to all in Gameweek 17.

 

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822 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Champ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Hello

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Waits for Lionel Ritchie comment

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

      Is there anybody in there?

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

        Just nod if you can hear me

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

          is there anyone at home?

          (Clearly 2 types of people in the world - those that hear "Hello" and start thinking of Lionel Ritchie and those who start thinking of Pink Floyd...) 🙂

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

            😉

            There's a third type these days who start thinking of someone called Dele A.

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

    So somehow, and stupidly, I still don't have Doherty.

    Presuming Wilson is not announced as fit, would you do Bennett and Wilson out, Doherty and Mitrovic in (-4)?

    I don't like taking a hit for a defender but I think it's probably worth it just to get Doherty long term because I keep putting it off.

    1. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson has apparently trained so I'd keep him

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

        Thanks - where did you hear that?

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

            Lol that's only half a head - definitely him?

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

              Think they're trying to hide him 😀

              Definitely him, number 13 on the training top too.

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

                Good stuff. Had him for 3 games now across the season for a combined 7 points so he owes me something!

          2. Jam0sh
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Article says he's a doubt

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

              It would certainly be a fast recovery from a hamstring injury if he plays this weekend.

        1. Jam0sh
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          I'd keep Wilson if no further news of him being out. Also wouldn't take a hit for Doherty

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

            Would have been worth a hit for each of the last 3 weeks though...

            1. Jam0sh
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              You can take a hit for him if you want and if you think that it is a good decision 🙂

  3. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    As I have WanB and Rich on my nmbench, should I transfer out TAA or Wilson or save Ft?

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

      Sounds like TAA could be out for a bit so he's probably worth moving on.

      1. Sharkytect
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Is this official?

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

          No, just on twitter rumours (FPL Editor)

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

        Ok

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Can TAA become Robbo? Maybe VVD? Think he'll miss more than one. Wilson could start so I'd be more inclined to hold onto him.

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Ah I didn’t know this.
        Sadly I’d did Robbo to him last week and can no longer afford him.

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

      I would wait on Wilson if you can afford a price drop. Haven’t heard the latest on taa. Not at all impossible for rich to get something

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

    'Worlds Greatest Defender'... first defender named in the article is Matt Doherty - fitting 😎

  5. Acrux66
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Hi i m thinking about change in my team :
    1)-Sterling -Martial-Kane ->Sane+Hazard+Aguero
    2)-Sterling -Martial-Kane-Son->Sane+Hazard+Rashford+Salah
    3)Just keep
    And when will be the best time to do this changes
    Now:
    Fab/Hamm
    Doherty/WB/TAA/Bellerin/zabaleta
    Sterling/FA/Son/Torreira/Martial
    Auba/Kane/Jim
    Thanks for help

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

      Why would you want to get rid of Sterling or Kane???

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

    Tough call!
    Points prediction anyone?
    A. Aaron Wan-Bissaka
    B. Richarlison

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

      2
      2

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

      2, 2

    3. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A 9 points
      B 2 points

    4. Up the tics
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A.2
      B.6

    5. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Meh. Like deciding what socks to wear in the morning.

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

        I know.. takes forever right? Hehe

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Although hipsters seem to not wear socks.

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

      6 potential bounus
      2

  7. Transferred Out
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    What to do with Martial? Rode the drop and only real option without taking a hit is Bilva. Best to just hold?

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

      Do you have Felipe Anderson / Richarlison?

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

        Fraser, Pererya?

        1. Transferred Out
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          I sold Martial for Fraser so can’t handle switching back for the loss in value. Pererya is an interesting choice I will consider.
          Thanks for the reply

      2. Transferred Out
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Yes to both

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

          Pereyra a good punt this week.

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

    When Matt Ryan heads off to the Asian games in January, who is the likely starter out of Steele and Button?

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

      In January, probably after GW21

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

        Did you even read the question?

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

          20 past 5

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

        I thought it has 2 questions, when and who, so...

        Button probably

    2. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      unclear

    3. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Hasn't Steele the one that has been on the bench lately? I would assume him.

    4. wernerhedgehog
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Button just came back from injury, so looking at the recent benched keeper (steele) is not conclusive.

      I've been told Steele is a horrible keeper tho.

  9. Up the tics
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    TAA out for

    A. Doherty
    B. Lovren

    Have robbo and bennett

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

      A

    2. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      Check Doherty fixtures, first!

      Think we have misse the train.

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

    Robertson for -8pts? 😉

    1. Football creep
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      No

  11. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Options

    A) siggy to son then back to richi in a few
    B) Digne to kola
    C) siggy to rich (sideways I know)
    D)save transfer

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

      D

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

      Any other GW, I'd say A) - but because Son may be benched this week I'd go with D)

      1. Rhodes your boat
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Agree, think I’ll save

  12. WVA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    TAA to Doherty worth a hit?

    1. Up the tics
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Probs not if you have a playing bench

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

        Thanks AWB Bennett Hojbjerg on bench

        1. Up the tics
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Nah don't waste 4pts wait until next gw

  13. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    A or B here? , A feels more comfortable and easier on the eyes.

    A) Anderson and Eriksen
    B) Obiang and Sterling

    With

    Sane Richarlison Brooks

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

      You really want to get Eriksen in? 🙂

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Yep he class one of my favourites

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

          In that case A) - easy!

  14. George James
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Predicted minutes this gameweek?

    A) Sane
    B) Sterling
    C) Son
    D) Laca
    E) Kamara.

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      😀

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

      10
      80
      25
      60
      30

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

      Probably none of them will get 90mins 😮

    4. Tev
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      25
      90
      70
      90 if benched tonight
      12

  15. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Morata tonight means giroud vs bha. Salah > Hazard (c) hmmmm

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

      Nice

  16. WVA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    What was the Trent news?

    1. George James
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      had a scan hopefully Klopp will give more info in presser

  17. Ligdon
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Salah to Sterling, Haz or some else for -4 ?

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

      Nope

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

      No

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

      Salah will get at least 2 attacking returns vs ManU this weekend - United have so many injuries Mourinho doesn't have a bus to park, at best he's got a Vito van...

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

    Dilva to:

    A) Son
    B) Anderson
    C) Someone else (max £9m)

    Cheers!

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

      Bilva ? Or pereyra and bank the cash maybe ? Out of those two Son for me

    2. Garlana
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I think those two are the best options I went for son but I'm admittedly worried about a benching, Anderson perhaps more nailed.

    3. Ambrosiana Inter
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Mahrez

  19. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    And there was a time I thought Bennett can cover Doherty.

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

      Same. Still got Bennett.. and no Doherty... Nightmare.

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

      Same was fine on defensive double up with Patricio when they were getting CS’s but costing me now

  20. Tucker
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    A) Wilson -> Chicharito
    B) Wilson, McTominay -> Kamara, Anderson (-4)
    C) Keep Wilson

  21. rohan
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Have Martial and no Fanderson

    Strangely tempted by Pedro instead.

    Go safe with Martial> Fanderson or Pedro?

    1. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I would go for Anderson since he is nailed, or Pereyra.

  22. gryffsonofarthur
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    FPL GENERAL showing Bias to fellow Irishman Doherty.

    And with good reason. Like his shirt, he's been Gold.

  23. Champ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    If Wilson is back in training, then even if he doesn’t feature at the weekend, at home to Brighton the week after could be tasty. Double digits quite possible imo

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

      Yeah but then terrible fixtures. Think switching to Mitro would pay off over the next 4

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

        Could be right. I have Jimenez though at Fulham to cover him for the spurs game. Not worried about Wilson away at united

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

      No such thing as a poor fixture for Wilson, and I don’t own him...

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Correct.

  24. Dr Van Nostrand
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Lovren is a poor option aside from the fact he's exceedingly error-prone he has an ongoing back issue that will limit the number of games he's able to start over the busy period. Fabinho can fill in at CB. VVD is the only completely nailed backline option at LFC

  25. evilfish
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Worth getting Anderson in for Richarlison (-4)?

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

      No

    2. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      No, he is great value at his price, only 2 bad fixtures then you would want him back. And the Spurs game is a home game so he could get something in that game.

  26. child of God
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Why isn't Alli getting some love? I feel he's the most nailed spurs midfielder and should play just behind kane so should get some kane assist and goals too

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Agree. Can't fit him in though.

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

      Congested Spurs midfield and rotation mentioned by Poch.

    3. Ambrosiana Inter
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Moura will play there at the weekend alli also been playing deep

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

      One of those players who I dont like to see in my team 😮

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

    Mane to Sterling or Salah for a hit?

    1. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      You may not get payback with a rested Sterling or Salah vs MU

    2. Ambrosiana Inter
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Keep mane if u kept him till now,could be good differential

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

        thank youuu

  28. gryffsonofarthur
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Any Brighton fans familiar with the back up goalie situation?

    I'll be wildcarding soon and don't want to add Button or Steele and see the other guy start while Ryan is in the Asian games. Waste of a transfer.

    Been told Steel is the guy named as the sub currently, but fans of his previous club say he's awful.

    Who will start in January?

  29. Camino Aleatorio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Captain logic between Auba, Hazard, and Salah?

    (A) Hazard because he torched BHA last year but false 9 is awkward for him
    (B) Salah because he is hot but MU will fight like tigers - Ashley Young is an injury menace to Salah
    (C) Auba should carve up Southampton but its a road game and Unai may Cameo Auba to 45 minutes of playing time

    1. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      ACB is my preferred order. Looks like Giroud's turn to start at Brighton, which will help Hazard. Aubameyang - I think Hasenhuttl will still be working out his best team, so it's an ideal fixture for him. Unlike others, I think he's clear first choice at Arsenal now, and that I have made a mistake by holding on to Lacazette. (but what do I know, I've had the wrong striker between the two of them all season!)

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

      Hazard looks safest. I think the false nine thing was tactical to counter City, should be back on the wing with Giroud up front this weekend. Brighton's underlying stats poor, Hazard nicely rested. Can see a cheeky brace

  30. Teomi
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Wich combo?
    A. Pereyra and mitro
    B. Brooks and lacazette

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

      A

    2. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. John Colby (Capt)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Definitely A