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

    Despise Lacazette. He’s stunk up my team since week 6 & now he’s at the kiddywink table. Loser.

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      U have the patients of a saint

      1. Don Van Vliet
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Didn't realise there were a lot of canonised GPs.

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

      I still like Lacazette, I do despise Emery now though.

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

        Yeah that too. Vampire looking pain in my....

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

          Loved him in Mr. Deeds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHVyayHXOdY

  2. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Brooks replacement lads? Max £5.9m.

    A. Schurrle
    B. Snodgrass
    C. Gundogan
    D. Other?

    Cheers

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

      snod

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

      B

    3. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Y replace Brooks.What happened to him?

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Nothing happened to him, just think could be better options and nothing else needs addressing in my team

        1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Next 2 decent for Brooks for his price.Bit sideways

          1. THFC4LIFE
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Probably right

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

      Torreira?

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

    BOTTOMED, WC team, currently -0.2, which route to overcome this situation

    ederson button
    doherty kola luiz lovren awb
    sterling son anderson richar haz
    wilson kamara kane

    a) doherty to benet/schindler/vinagre
    b) awb to bedanrek
    c) anderson to snod
    d) richar to peryera or 6.6 mid
    e) wilson to chicha

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

      Wilson to Chicharito given that he's a doubt for this weekend.

      However, I'd be tempted to have Sane instead of Sterling perhaps.

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

        good pt

        1. Front 442
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          I’m thinking the same.
          I’ve had Wilson since GW3
          so I don’t really want to sell.
          It would have to be Hazard>Sane for me.
          Worried about rotation though obviously

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

    Laca + Diangan to Chicharito + R. Pereyra (-4)?

    Yay or nay?

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

      y

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

    Son in for richarlison worth it???

  6. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on the following for a - 8 ?

    Lacazette + Brooks + Balbuena -> Chicharito + Son + D.Luiz

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

    I had been wondering recently does Emery really rate Laca? Any time I've seen him he's always looked pretty dangerous but...

    Emery gave him 9 consecutive league starts earlier in the year, and in the last four of those Laca contributed nothing (Arsenal had 7 goals/7 assists, Laca got 1 goal)

    Since then he's only started 1 of 4 in the league and the one he started he was hauled off on 45 mins.

    I did question whether Emery is going cold on him, or it's fitness related, both of which are bad for FPL hence he is being sold in massive quantities.

    His start tonight goes a long way to confirming this?

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

      A striker hauled off at HT while its 0-0 is a very bad sign. In comparison to Auba he's a clear 2nd bet. Very good back up option for Arsenal but not an FPL asset that can be trusted.

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

        Yep, I think we have to look at this through the FPL lense and not try to sugar coat his substitution as something to be glossed over - whether it was tactical (being tactically substituted is quite damning in & of itself mind you) or fitness related, both are bad for FPL.

        I think he either has a manager who doesn’t fully rate him, or has ongoing fitness issues, neither of which we can afford to carry in an FPL team unfortunately.

        Shame, as he’s quite a decent player

        1. diesel001
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Emery doesn't rate him. Laca only stayed in summer because Emery convinced him to give it a go. That has failed and I expect Laca to be on his way in January, particularly with no ban on playing in the CL or EL.

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

            That looks a very realistic possibility. If not January, certainly the summer, barring a catastrophic injury to Auba

          2. Zenith UK
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            I'll take him at WH, even if he did snub us for another non-CL team when he said he wanted CL football! 😀

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

              Laca at a non-top 6 club would be great for FPL

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

                He could go to United, the graveyard of previously good players. 😀

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

                  Jose wouldn’t play him regularly, it would be the same carry on we see with Emery unfortunately 🙂

              2. Zenith UK
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 3 months ago

                Considering the money we offered Tevez to return at the time we should've just stumped up and paid him. Imagine FAnderson, Laca, Arnie front line... jheez. Yes please.

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

        Agreed.That's why i sold him for Kane.

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

      Yes

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

      I wonder, would Emery still have hooked him if the offside goal stood?

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

        It all depends on why he subbed him -if it was fitness related then almost certainly. If it was “tactical” I think he still may have subbed him, given that assumption - he wasn’t liking what he saw from Laca and felt Mkhi was the better player for the team

  8. KJT123
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Lacazette starts 🙁

  9. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on the following WC team, leaves 0.6m itb. Suggestions from improvements?

    Fab Steele
    Alonso Doherty Schindler Balbuena awb
    Hazard Anderson Bilva Sterling Rich
    Kane Mitro Kamara

    - wanted auba but it was between sterling and Auba
    - wanted Son but 0.3m short plus not sure Son will start this weekend
    - can do Balbuena > kola but he is not nailed

    1. Zenith UK
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Personally;
      Steele to Button
      Bilva & Sterling to Sane & Son
      How much left over to upgrade Kamara/Mitro/Schindler?

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

        Yes I considered sane and son but it’s a tough one. rMt says sterling and rich

        0.6m left

        1. Zenith UK
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Why not Son/Sane/Rich?

  10. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Which transfer this week? (still got wc, so short term), 1FT, 0.4 ITB to play ahead of Richarlison and WanB:
    A) Gudmundsson -> Snodgrass
    B) Gudmundsson -> pereyra
    C) gudmunsson -> Jota
    D) Diop -> Holebas
    E) other

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

      B

    2. Zenith UK
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A

  11. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    On WC

    Team A
    Fabianski, Lossl
    Digne, Robertson, Doherty, AWB, Luiz
    Sané, Perreyra, Camarassa, Son, Salah
    Chicharito, Aubameyang, Jimenez

    Team B
    Fab, Lossl
    Kiko, Robertson, Doherty, AWB, Luiz
    Sterling, Camarassa, Snodgrass, Son, Salah
    Rondon, Aubameyang, Jimenez

    Got to be Team A really, no? Sterling and Salah is too much tied up in 2 players isn’t it. 🙁

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

    I really want to play Success this week but I can’t bring myself to bench any of this bunch for him

    Alonso Laporte Robertson Doherty

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

      I wouldn't bench any of them for him either.

      Decent fixture for a 1st sub, so he may get points and could easily be needed.

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

    Does the Tottenham v Arsenal match next week make Kane a captain risk this weekend?

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Don’t understand the logic ?

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

        Could he get 60 minutes or worse?

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Ah, you think he may be rested because of the midweek cup Mickey Mouse game ... I doubt it because the league is more important

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

      Nope, by Saturday Kane will have started only one game in the last 11 days - when have we ever had that luxury?

      He could do serious damage to Burnley with that amount of down time in his recent schedule

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

      No. He's not capped on how many goals he can score in 7 days.

  14. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Who would be a Laca owner eh 🙂

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

      Yeah - sigh,

  15. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Laca starts tonight = benched in PL
    Auba not in squad = starts in PL

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

      Alright, alright - don't rub it in.

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Auba = captain option against a poor Soton team

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

        Yes as good as any but many may be put off after last week

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

    The last time Sane didn't start for Man City (6 games ago) Mendy played at lb v Utd.

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

      He is in full on beast mode - the guy is he closest thing to a young CR7 i’ve seen.

      I’ll be swapping Sterling for him next week all being well

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

        Yeh Sane it great , just trying to point out Sane isn't missing a game when Mendy is out.

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

          Thinking of ditching Sterling and keeping Sane myself

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

            But in a few GWKs Mendy comes back, then what

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

              He’s going straight back into my team - back 5 all the way

              Robbo, Alonso, Mendy, TAA, Doherty - and Trippier/Digne not far behind them

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

              Then I will swap out and bring in Sterling/Aguero again, but for now Sane and another upgrade seems better or Hazard.

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

          That left foot is highly valued by Pep

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

            Great 🙂

  17. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Current WC draft. 0.7itb leftover.
    Any changes to consider while waiting for pressers? Son? Update fodder and/or bench? Just one, or both Cherries?

    Fab
    Robbo, Doherty, Kola
    Sterling, Sané, Hazard, Anderson, Fraser
    Kane, Wilson
    Bench: Steele, Kamara, AWB, Bednarek

    1. Zenith UK
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Steele to Button
      Sterling to Son
      Upgrade Wilson/Kamara/Bednarek

  18. Front 442
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    What to do GW17

    Fab/Hamer
    Robertson/Doherty/Delph/AWB/Duffy*
    Salah/Hazard/Rich/Fraser/Kayal
    Kane/Jiminez/Wilson*

    1ft 1.0m itb

    a)Rich>F.Anderson
    b)Kayal>Snodgrass
    c)Hazard>Sterling
    d)Jiminez>Chica
    e)Delph>Kolasinac
    f)Duffy>Kolasinac
    g)Hazard>Son/Eriksen
    h)save

  19. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Has Aguero been pictured in training today ?

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

      I want to know. I want to get Kun insstead of Kane

      1. Bruno Bruno!!
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        same

    2. MTPockets
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Yesterday. Search gettyimages for manchester city

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

      Two strikers needed, 14.5 budget. Who to get?

    4. Fred the Red
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Is there any update on Wilson?

      1. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Tomorrow am.

    5. Goonsquad245
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Sterling had his rest last week at Watford, Sane had a half off against Chelsea when that didn't go to plan and won't play at Leicester midweek.

      Nothing to worry about lads - carry on.

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

        Remember the league cup last year? Pep played Aguero, KDB, Sané, Sterling - versus Bristol city. And Leicester took them to extra time & penalties last year, no way Pep wants a repeat of that.

        They also have a home game v palace 3 days later - recipe for strong team in league cup followed by rest/rotation v palace if ever I saw one.

        No reason to sell city asssets, but every reason to avoid captaining them.

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

        I tend to agree but trying to make any sense of Pep's XI rarely works haha.

    6. BON
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Why is this bit below in the article? And who even are you? Who wrote this? Your name is always blank when you post articles. Why are you telling us your personal transfer plans in a community article?

      "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."

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

        Is King also one to consider?

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

      Thoughts on these options fellas? 1.5itb, 1FT

      (1) Mendy -> Kola (bank money for Firmino -> Kun when from injury)
      (2) Richy -> Anderson (play AWB, can't afford Kun)
      (3) Mendy, Firmino -> Rice, Kane (-4)

      Patricio
      Robbo - Mendy* - Alonso
      Hazard - Eriksen - Richarlison* - Fraser
      Auba - Firmino* - Jiminez
      -------
      Hamer - Bennett - AWB - Stephens

    8. Monkey Hanger
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Laca starts tonight.

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

      Any chance Arnie drops tonight?

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

        Highly doubt it.

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

      Taking D. Silva and Arnie out for a hit.

      A) Jimenez + Sane
      B) Jimenez + F. Anderson (funds for Bennett -> anyone next GW)
      C) Hazard + Kamara (play both, not ideal)

      Currently on A, even with his rotation risk. Felipe has looked good though but stats don't really back it up. Could do A with Son as well, I guess.

    11. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Best replacement for Laca with 0.0m itb?

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Big downgrade or upgrade to Auba, depends on your team and willingness to take a hit

    12. lindeg
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      would you rather have sterling or auba over christmas?

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

        Sterling

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

          why?

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

            Better team, better stats

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

      Laca out for -4? Firmino, chicha,rondon, anyone.

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

        that wouldnt be worth it