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. A.T
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Pedro not starting tonight. I wonder if he's first choice now.

    1. MTPockets
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Risky but worth considering - tends to do well when he plays.

        1. A.T
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Started against City too so looks promising

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

      Opinions please:

      A) Dsilva --- Sane

      B) Dsilva + Siggurdson (-4 hit) --- Sterling + Pereyra

      1. A.T
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        B

    3. A.T
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Any news on Trent yet?

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

        Nothing definitive, just rumours

        1. A.T
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          That's he's out?

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

        Nothing yer

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

      Dalot looks like an interesting option after this GW ends. Might upgrade some Bournemouth bench fodder. Any other options in this price bracket I should look at?

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

      Pereyra (6,2£) or Snodgrass (5,3£) and why?

      I haven't watched many games either of them..

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

      Hi all should I WC now do you think ? One TF

      Cheers

      Ederson (boruc)
      Robertson. Alonso. Duffy. Alexander. wanbis
      Sane, Hazard, Siggy, Richarlison, Cairney
      Wilson. Auba. Mitrovic

      1. A.T
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        It's still a decent team. I'd probably save

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

        Thanks Timbo!

        1. A.T
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Actually who am I kidding, I've never kept a WC this long.

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

        I always seem to keep until Xmas for some reason even if doing badly

    7. AFC49
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Any Wilson news?

      1. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Tomorrow but he’s been picture in training

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

      I'm really not feeling the love tonight... Any ideas/comments/suggestions? 2.4itb. 1ft.

      Ederson
      Alonso, Robbo, Balbuena
      Snoddy, Richar, Ando, Son, Fraser
      Kane, Auba

      Pat, Joselu, AWB, Pereira

      I'm thinking probably Pereira to David Luiz this week (bench Richar). Then a -4 next week dropping Alonso and Joselu?

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

        Joselu to Mitro?

      2. MTPockets
          5 years, 3 months ago

          If you don't plan to keep 2 che defs why not just move Joselu on now, then Alonso to Luiz next gw

      3. Denis Tueart on the wing
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Opinions please:

        Hazard & Jiminez in for Richarlson & Lacazette

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

          No

      4. Holding Matip
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Giroud has just scored an absolute beauty

      5. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Giroud g

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

        Sane or Sterling?
        Shane's form looks great of late and it leaves money to spread elsewhere. But surely they are both nailed-on

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

          Sane

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

        If Giroud gets extended run in Chelsea side with Morata injury might be good differential at 2% ownership and good run of fixtures

        1. MTPockets
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Hasnt scored in any of the PL games he's started though - guess that's why Morata keeps playing.

            1. Where has all the rum gone?
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              Scored 3 so far

              1. MTPockets
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  Which 3?

                • Rash
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  In EL though wasn't they?

                  1. MTPockets
                      5 years, 3 months ago

                      Think so

              2. Where has all the rum gone?
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 3 months ago

                Looking at his stats, no.
                Used mainly as a target man to hold the ball for the mids to run in. Dnt feel much for that guy.

                1. Denis Tueart on the wing
                  • 14 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  good for Hazard tho

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

                    This. Giroud and Haz can combine quite well.

            2. Ghost86
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              So I’ve decided to sell Salah feel like taking a gamble after a good score last week and still got the WC.

              Currently no city and 1FT

              A) Salah to Sterling
              B) Salah & Cairney to Sane & Son -4

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

                B

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

                A - too risky taking a hit for Son when he could easily get rested this week.

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

                Don’t do it

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

              Who would you captain and why:

              A) hazard
              B) Sane
              C) sterling
              D) Aubam

              1. Sarcastic Warnock
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 3 months ago

                Interesting.

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

                I've got the same 4 and the same dillema.
                At the moment I'm on sterling C and Hazard V.
                Hazard most nailed so have him as vice. Torn between Sterling and Auba cap but home fixture swinging it atm

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

                  Currently got it on sterling with hazard VC too, forgot to mention i have son as well, but worried about mins.

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

                Currently on haz might change to auba though

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

                A

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

                Have three of them, with Auba (C).

              6. caldracula
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 3 months ago

                Hazard because I think he’ll score the most points out of them 4 options.

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

                Thanks all

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

              Fraser or Richarlison to Felipe Anderson?

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

                Why would you lose Fraser for the next 2?

              2. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 3 months ago

                Richarlison (but try get him back in 4GW’s time), Fraser has great next 2 Fixtures

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

              Rate my WC draft? Still got 1.8 ITB

              Fab Hamer
              Alonso Robertson Lovren Doherty AWB
              Sterling Sane Anderson Richarlison Hojberg
              Kane Mitrovic Jimenez

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

                Would boost the attack
                Kane not reliable as your main striker

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

                Can you squeeze hazard in?

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

              A) Wilson -> Chicharito

              B) Wilson, McTominay -> Kamara, Anderson (-4)

              C) Keep Wilson

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

                C

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

              Need some help

              Salah, Diangana, Lacazette

              For

              Kane, Anderson, Son

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

                Sounds good to me. Only worry is Son being rotated

              2. skihouse78
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 3 months ago

                Wouldn’t get son if getting Kane.
                Similar dilemma re salexit

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

                  Good point just think son until jan will play. Losing salah will free up funds

              3. St Pauli Walnuts
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 3 months ago

                Yes definitely. Only thing I'd say is Son might be rotated this week as has started a lot lately.

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

              Such a shame; with the nice upcoming fixtures the only viable attacking option at Arsenal is Auba 🙁
              I'm probably selling Laca for Kane today, would have loved if Ramsey or Ozil were sure starters.

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

                Seems like only one solution

            9. Sterling Malory
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              Monreal or Koscielny more likely to start against Soton?

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

                Koscielny is back from a long-term injury and plays tonight, so I doubt he'll be thrown into two games in one week. Monreal on the bench, so he'll probably start alongside Lichtsteiner.

                Emery: “Another option we can play with two, with three [at the back], Nacho Monreal & Lichtsteiner can play in this position, but I prefer to use, if we can, a specialist centre-back.”

            10. *Reformed-Character*
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              Hi Chaps

              A) Salah & Lacca to Hazard & Aubameyang
              B) Richarlison & Lacca to Snoddy & Aubameyang

              Would really appreciate some opinions.

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

                B

                1. *Reformed-Character*
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  Thanks

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

              Best option on a WC:
              A: Bellerin + Sane + Bilva + Son
              B: Kola + Sterling + Bilva + Rich

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

                B

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

                B

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

              To fund Laca to Kane:
              A)Stones to Kiko
              B)VVD to Lovren
              C)Wilson to Rondon

              1. skihouse78
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 3 months ago

                Probably C

              2. skihouse78
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 3 months ago

                Sorry meant A

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

                A

            13. Erez Avni
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              really don't know what to do here.
              I was the leader of my mini league until last gw and now I'm chasing after a 35 points gap... ffs... my rival has salah so I'm thinking about mini wc with -8 hit to bring sterking and son or just taa to doherty.
              would love to hear your thoughts...
              1ft 0.2 itb

              ederson
              bennet alonso taa (duffy wan)
              salah snodgrass fraser pereyra (richa)
              kane (c) auba jimenez

              1. MTPockets
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  Too early to worry about a 35pt gap. Defence would bother me most, esp if TAA injured.

                  1. Erez Avni
                    • 7 Years
                    5 years, 3 months ago

                    I agree so how about just doherty for taa and sterling for salah?

                    1. MTPockets
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Perhaps, although wouldn't personally want 2 wolves defs or take a hit to sell Salah.

                        1. Erez Avni
                          • 7 Years
                          5 years, 3 months ago

                          I can play wan b as a third def but yea I hear you...
                          and the no city cover is so frightening.
                          cheers man and good luck

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

                  Trent to Robbo -4? The extra funds will come from Sterling to Hazard.

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

                    Amazing moves

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

                    Wouldn't be selling sterling

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

                      He will be on the bench

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

                        You think Sane starts ahead of Sterling?

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

                          Yeh he hasn't missed a game yet whilst Mendy has been out, but Sterling only missed Watford to be fair

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

                    Last few weeks it has been Robbo to Trent -4? The extra funds needed for Hazard to Sterling ... hard to keep up with events 🙂

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

                      Fasted paced this stuff, everything may change tomorrow , be first to react or be last.

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

                        Fast*

                • fc_skrald
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  Is it worth it wildcarding for just 5 players?

                  Or save the transfer and play Aubameyang and Camarasa - I have no Man City players except Ederson in the goal.

                  Bennett, Zabaleta, Camarasa, McDonald, Aubameyang -> Bednarek, Schindler, Sané, Anderson, Kamara

                  To get:

                  Ederson
                  Robertson, Alonso, Doherty
                  Richarlison, Anderson, Salah, Fraser, Sané
                  Jiménez, Kane

                  Hamer, Kamara, Schindler, Bednarek

                  0.3 million left

                  1. MTPockets
                      5 years, 3 months ago

                      Prob not for those 5, but only a few weeks left to use wc anyway so depends whether plans would change considerably by wk 20.

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

                        The plans change all the time 🙂
                        Think I will just save the transfer, and then still have the possibility to wildcard next week.

                  2. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 6 Years
                    5 years, 3 months ago

                    play two from the above:

                    1. Kenedy
                    2. Kamara
                    3. Balbuena

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

                      Kenney and Kamara

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

                      2 and 3

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

                      Above? Think you mean below. I would play 1 and 2

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

                    Usually the first few rounds of the PDC Darts World Championship can be a bit boring as the big guns make it through. However, this year, two women have made it through to the first round. The first of which plays tonight. Will be interesting to see how she fares.

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

                      That’ll be more boring I think. Big darts fan but not a fan of the 24 extra players this year

                    2. MTPockets
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Sounds thrilling

                      • George Sillett
                        • 8 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        It's not quite the tournament it once was and a number of players are on the decline. If the real MVG turns up he will walk it.

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

                      WTF to do with Laca?

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

                        Tough isn't it? I'm slowly coming to the conclusion he'll have to go but I might give him one more week.

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

                          Something tells me he is going tonight 😀

                      2. FPL Pillars
                        • 7 Years
                        5 years, 3 months ago

                        Not looking good is it for owners

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

                        Wouldn’t like to own him

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

                        Sell