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

    Anderson or Fanderson?

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

      Anderson, as there is no other Anderson in FPL this year to confuse him with.

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

      Snoddy + 2m.

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

      Anderson

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

      Anderson as no other in PL

    5. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Flanders

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

      Fanderson.

    7. Boo Ya Ka Sha
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Flapperson

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

    The Salah debate:
    I'm a Salah owner who worryingly doesn't have any City attacking coverage. I'm considering bringing in Sterling/Sane and Mane. Does anyone else think Sane and Mane could 'cover' the points potential of Sterling and Salah to free up funds for elsewhere in the squad. With Salah playing 3 of the top 6 in the next five surely now is the time to downgrade him for other assets from like City? Kane and Hazard are already in my squad with Chicharito likely to partner him up front.

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

      Sane & Mane definitely will not fully cover Salah and Sterling - you'll need the points from the other players you upgrade with the freed up funds. Also - are S&M really captain options in your mind?

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

      Mané cannot cover Salah in my opinion, far less dangerous and just the generally inferior player. I prefer Sane + 2m to Sterling though. Can you fit Salah and Sane?

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

        Good points lads. Trying to boost my City attack but I'm just concerned that Sane may be rested.

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

      Really?with wolves and Newcastle next 2?

    4. Boo Ya Ka Sha
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I think Sane could cover Sterlings points. But I have doubts about Mane making up for Salah.

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

        Cheers Ali G

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

    Which option do you prefer over next few weeks?

    A Alonso Richarlison Chicharito -4
    B David Luiz Son Jimenez -8
    C TAA Richarlison Wilson ( existing set up with AWB and Digne off bench if TAA and Wilson out)

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

      Of those, A

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

      How about just TAA out, no hit?

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

        Thanks. Yes if Wilson OK could do TAA to David Luiz or Robertson

    3. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      a

  4. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    richarlison or fraser?

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

      Richarlison

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

      This week, Fraser

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

      Richy

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

      Fraser.

    5. Boo Ya Ka Sha
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Fraser this week. Did Rich to Anderson on Monday. Will try to get him back in 3 weeks.

  5. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    WC, which trio

    a- son snod pritchard
    b- anderson richar 4.5 mid.

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

      B

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

    Maybe one spot open in defence for one of these guys,
    A. Robertson
    B. D.Luiz
    C. Trippier
    —————-
    D. Keep TAA

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

      B

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

      Other defenders?

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

        Bellerin Doherty AWB Digne

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

    Picture looks like Salah and Lovren have just been caught snogging

  8. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Sane or Son has more chances of starting? And who is better for the next 2 GWs?

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

      My preference would be Sane

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

      I would say Son ( but have Sané !)

    3. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Sane better imo. Rotation risk pretty similar

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

      Anderson could match/outscore them both over the next 2

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

      Son probably on first on. Sane on second, higher celling

  9. Kun Tozser
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Captain:

    Sterling
    Eriksen
    Sane
    Auba
    Alonso

    ?

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

      Auba provided rested tonight

    2. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Auba

    3. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Would go for Sterling...

  10. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    WC, which

    a- son snod pritchard haz sterling
    b- anderson richar 4.5 mid. haz sterling
    c- haz sane son snod richar
    d- haz sane son anderson 5.0 mid

  11. J.Litmanen
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Keeping my FT this week (I think?)

    Fabianski
    TAA - Kola - Doherty
    Sterling - Anderson - Rich - Sané - Fraser
    Kane - Auba

    Hamer, Schindler, Kamara, AWB.

    Now, do you suggest any transfers? If not, do I

    A: Play as is
    B: Bench Rich for Schindler

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

      B

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

      b

  12. Tarzan
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    RMWCT
    Fabianski-Hamer
    TAA-WanB-Alonso-Kolasinac-KikoFemina
    Salah-Sane-Richa-F Anderson - Hojberg
    Kane-Jimenez-Chicha
    1.0 itb
    Any suggestions?

    1. Pilgrim62
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Kiko to Doherty

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

    TTA to ?

    Kola
    Luiz
    Suggestion?

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

      Lovren? Femenia?

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

      Luiz, Chelsea got some good fixtures coming up and solid in defence.

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

      Your other defenders?

  14. Wild Card this!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Got Snoody last GW and have FAnderson, sold Arnautovic for obvious reasons...still I’m tempted to get Chicharito...I know it’s too much but returns from rejuvenated WH are quite tempting considering their price tag...

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

      Too many eggs in one basket for me, only team i would triple up in attack would be City.

      1. Wild Card this!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I agree. Just key point is price....for example - cost you nothing - to have them as 3rd or 4th...but returns are greater then players in same price bracket...

  15. EgyptianKing
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    I mates.

    In your opinion, Sane starts saturday?

    Cheers

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

      More than 50percent, but far from certain

  16. King Henrik
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Sitting 11k atm. Looking for some differentials to jump into top 5k. 2fts and plan on getting rid of Taa and Arnie.

    Hennessey
    Alonso Robertson Taa*
    Hazard Salah Fraser Paterson
    Kane Wilson Arnie*

    Patricio WB Musuaku Holebas

    A. Chicha and Ballerina
    B. Chicha and Luiz
    C. Anything else ?

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

    Are my subs in the right order?

    Mccarthy
    Robbo Doherty Kola
    Mane Eriksen Snoddy Fraser
    Kane Laca Jimenez

    Hamer Richarlison, Digne, Awb

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

      I'd put AWB first tbh.

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

      Awb,Richarlison,Digne for me.

  18. Pieterke30
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    A. Hazard and Success (both starting)

    B. Son and Mitrovic

    What d’ya say?

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

      A

    2. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Success is a waste of spot in the team

      1. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        So, B?

      2. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        I agree which is why I want to get rid

      3. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        B

  19. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    A laca to mitro for free
    B laca and son to mitro and sterling -4 (no city assets, will son even start?)
    C save transfer

    ?

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

      A

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

        leaning towards it indeed, just afraid of the four yellows

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

      Why would you bring in Sterling if he may not even start. Mahrez playing this week for sure

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

        Also true

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

      Ah - Lord Flash. Been taking any women to 'heaven and back again' lately? For me I like the look of option B as I'm expecting City to come back with a vengeance after losing top spot and Sterling to kick on from his impressive form of late.

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

        Always treat your women like you treat your kite! 🙂

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

          - love it!!!!!!!!! Well put Sir.

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

        Ha ha! Can you imagine the Twitter mob if that was a character in a modern show though?

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

    Mahrez punt/Richarlison/Son replacment (2 week), Opionions Vote Please

    I currently have Sterling/Brooks/Sane/Richarlison/F. Anderson and 0.3 in the Banks

    I think Sterling or Sane be rested this week, think Mahrez will defo play this weekend.

    Option1
    I can either leave it as it is
    Option 2
    Bring Mahrez for Sterling and Son for Richarlison (4 point hit)
    Option 3
    Bring in Pedro or Willian for a 2 week punt/swap for Richarlison (0 point hit)

    Let me know, thanks guys!

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

    bench one

    a. jimenez
    b. rich
    c. snodgrass
    d. torreira

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

      East B. Rich

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

      B

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

    Bench two:

    A) Richarlison
    B) Digne
    C) Awb

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

      Play rich

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

      Play C

  23. Naby K8a
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    No official update on TAA's injury but talk of 2-3 weeks out.

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

      Link to the talk please.. Thanks

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

      Nope

    3. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      We have to see...

  24. Kalou
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Crazy to get rid of Auba?
    Thinking a -4 hit
    Auba+Murphy->Son+nitro
    A.yes
    B.nope

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

      Not crazy, but dont

  25. YoungPretender
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    RMWCT

    Fabianski
    Luiz Kolasinac Doherty
    Sterling Son Anderson Hazard
    Kane Wilson Mitro

    Hamer Schindler AWB Gunnarsson

  26. Olee
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    A or B?
    A: Arnie -> Chiharito+0.9ITB
    B Arnie and Højbjerg (-4) -> Kamara and F. Anderson+0.1ITB

    1. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      a

  27. MAVER!CK
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Any updates on Trippier yet?if passes fit TAA>Trippier could pay off even for a hit this week right?

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

      Considering it myself. Not for an hit tough.

      If not fit, Kolasinac/Monreal.

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

        Considering i already have Alonso-Robbo-Laporte-TAA.

      2. MAVER!CK
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Was considering Kolasinac, there's rotation risk though..so sitting tight for some Trip update.
        Hows Luiz-Alonso double up for their upcoming fixtures?

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

    So if Lacazette plays tonight are fellow owners getting rid? I must admit it will be hard for me to keep him.

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

      I don’t know I don’t want to think about it yet 🙁

    2. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      If he plays, he is out

  29. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Good evening lads

  30. HD7
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    How does it look?

    Fab
    AWB Robbo Alonso Belerin
    Sterling Richa FAnderson
    Chicha Kane(C) Auba

    Subs: Button, Camarasa, Kenedy, Digne

    Doing:
    Salah to Sterling
    Sucess to Chicha (-4)