Scout Notes

Mitrovic catches the eye as Wolves’ popular Fantasy assets blank

Gameweek 19 got off to a disappointing start for those Fantasy managers who had high hopes for Fulham and Wolves’ most-owned assets, who all emerged from this Boxing Day encounter in west London with nothing but appearance points.

It was a case of what might have been though, as the two mid-price forwards on show – Aleksandar Mitrovic and Raul Jimenez – peppered the opposition goal with a combined 14 shots without success.

FPL bosses hoping for a rare Wolves clean sheet were also left underwhelmed as Rui Patricio‘s goal was breached for the tenth match in the last 11 Gameweeks, just at the point where Nuno Espirito Santo’s troops had got on top of their hosts.

We’ll round up the key Fantasy talking points and manager quotes from the first of nine Premier League matches held on Wednesday.

Fulham 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

  • Goals: Ryan Sessegnon (£6.0m) | Romain Saiss (£4.2m)
  • Assists: None

The 17.9% of FPL managers who own Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.7m) will have left been left scratching their heads as to how the Serbian striker posted a blank for the eighth time in ten Gameweeks, especially after his commanding display in the first half of this Boxing Day encounter.

Fulham were unquestionably the better team for the opening 45 minutes of this 1-1 draw and Mitrovic was central to everything the Cottagers did, linking up well with Andre Schurrle (£5.7m) and the impressive Aboubakar Kamara (£4.4m) in a fluid Fulham front three and dominating the trio of centre-backs around him.

Mitrovic had registered eight shots on goal in the last three Gameweeks and he almost matched that total in the first half of this Gameweek 19 curtain-raiser alone, chancing his arm on seven occasions and coming within inches of connecting with a Cyrus Christie (£4.2m) cross-shot on the half-hour mark.

The eclectic nature of Mitrovic’s chances underscores the Serbia international’s appeal when he is on-song; there are few FPL forwards who can score (or miss, as has become the case) from as many areas of the pitch as the ex-Newcastle United target man.

Never afraid to chance his arm from distance (two of his shots came from 25+ yards out), Mitrovic also dominated in the air and had a pair of headed opportunities in his eye-catching performance in the opening period.

The best of the Serb’s opportunities, however, fell at his feet when in the Wolves area. Producing some beautiful footwork on 40 minutes, Mitrovic sold two Wolves defenders with a feint and a shimmy before being denied by a point-blank Rui Patricio (£4.6m) save.

Mitrovic and his side were much quieter after the break but the Serbia international was to come within a whisker of a first Premier League goal since November when his deflected effort was cleared off the line by a backtracking Conor Coady (£4.5m) in the 89th minute.

It is difficult to make any kind of case for an FPL forward with two goals in his last 13 starts but Mitrovic could easily have a hat-trick here, being denied either by profligate finishing of his own, excellent defending or sheer bad luck.

The Serb at least avoided a caution in this match, meaning he can no longer pick up a one-match ban for collecting five yellow cards (the threshold raises to ten bookings after Gameweek 19).

Raul Jimenez (£6.2m) was not quite as prominent as Mitrovic in this fixture but posed Wolves’ only real threat for much of the match, firing a bicycle kick over after some superb control on his chest and connecting beautifully with a volley from a narrow angle that Sergio Rico (£4.4m) had to push away.

The Mexican striker also got on the end of two crosses from the left flank after the break without troubling the Fulham goal, going on to register six shots in total over the 90 minutes.

Wolves were well below-par before the break, with Santo hooking Adama Traore (£5.2m) at the interval in a change that he explained after full-time:

The left side was not working out, so we had to change and look for solutions. The team clearly needed more width to allow them to open the spaces inside.

We had to find solutions and I think we did better with the width on both sides with the wingers, Helder and Cav, and the team played well.

Santo also hinted at changes in Gameweek 20, with Wolves again in action on Saturday:

What we expect every time we choose the team or make a decision is that the team performs well. It doesn’t mean your place in the starting 11 is guaranteed. We have to look, now we have to rest, and prepare for the next game because it’s going to be very tough.

For sure we require another approach, in terms of what we decide, because this schedule is very tight. It’s a tough schedule, it’s very difficult for the players. Three days between games is very hard, especially with this kind of intensity, so we have to rest well.

One player who could be involved against Spurs at the weekend is Diogo Jota (£5.9m), who again missed out with a hamstring injury.

Santo said of the Portuguese midfielder:

Diogo is much better. First, he has to train 100 per cent.

Wolves were far from convincing at the back, meanwhile.

The days of a defensive double-up appear long gone and we are largely relying on attacking returns from Matt Doherty (£5.2m) et al at the moment, such has been their aversion to clean sheets in recent times.

Doherty was a considerable distance from his best in this encounter but still popped up with three penalty box touches and a shot on goal, while Jonny (£4.3m) came into the game gradually after the break on the opposite flank without seriously threatening an attacking return.

After 17 Gameweeks without a clean sheet, Fulham came within five minutes of consecutive shut-outs before Romain Saiss’s (£4.2m) scrambled winner.

Claudio Ranieri lined up in a 3-4-3 for the second successive match, only making one change, and this appears to be a formation he is keen on using going forward.

The Fulham boss said:

I think they’ve improved a lot. I think I’ve found a solution for this team with five at the back.

Of course, it’s not dogmatic. The team is much better, more solid, and more comfortable.

Of course, we need something more when we have the ball because when you’re bottom, it’s not so calm, you’re a little more anxious to do something good.

We have to continue this way. It’s the right way. It’s the second time we played in this shape and I’m very happy for this reason.

The fit-again Ryan Sessegnon (£6.2m) came off the bench to lash Fulham in front but Ranieri suggested the youngster still had much to do before he becomes a regular fixture in the first team:

I’m very pleased. He’s a very interesting young player. When he came on, the crowd and his teammates felt something could happen.

[But] he has to improve physically because when the opponents tackle, he has to be a little more powerful.

Fulham XI (3-4-3): Rico; Odoi, Mawson, Ream; Christie, Chambers, Seri (McDonald 82′), Bryan; Kamara (Cairney 73′), Mitrovic, Schurrle (Sessegnon 67′).

Wolves XI (3-4-1-2): Patricio; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Moutinho, Saiss, Jonny (Vinagre 82′); Gibbs-White (Costa 63′); Jimenez, Adama (Cavaleiro 45′).

Become a Member and access our data

Memberships for the 2018/19 campaign are now available for the price of just £15.

Join now to get the following:

  • Plot your transfer strategies using the fully interactive Season Ticker.
  • Get projections for every Premier League player provided by the Rate My Team statistical model.
  • Use Rate My Team throughout the season to guide your selections and transfers.
  • Get access to over 130+ exclusive members articles over the season.
  • Analyse our OPTA-powered statistic tables specifically tailored for Fantasy Football Managers.
  • Use our exclusive tool to build custom stats tables from over 100 OPTA player and team stats.
  • View heatmaps and expected goals data for every player.
  • Use our powerful comparison tool to analyse players head-to-head.

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A FANTASY FOOTBALL SCOUT MEMBER

767 Comments Post a Comment
  1. falafel
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Sounds Snodgrass and Alonso to Pogba and Lovren good?

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

      Sounds ok

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

      Or Sane and Snod to Pogba and Bilva?

    3. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      wait and see how Snoddy plays tonight

      1. Midlands Saint73
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Very badly hopefully

  2. white heart pain
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Had a massive rank slide last 2 weeks. No salah is hurting.

    RMT

    Fab
    Robbo Doherty Digne
    Haz Sterling Sane Pogba Richalson
    Kane (c) Jimenez

    Speroni AWB Bennett Kamara

    1. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      No Salah shouldn't be a problem over the next 2 as he has a poor record against top 6. Maybe use that time to plan how to get him in afterwards.

      Downgrade Sane to one of the mid price options and upgrade Sterling?

  3. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    I look at some of the “advice” on here and think....what?…then check rank...

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

      There needs to a tier/ badge system which reflects OR banding!

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Quite a good idea....Mods?

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

          Elitist nonsense

          1. Roy Rovers
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Don’t think ts elitist.....it’s called accepting good advice or constructive criticism from people that may have better knowledge than yourself...not a bad attribute to have in life as well as this game.

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

              Totally agree.

            2. Rasping Drive
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              You imply that good advice can only be given by people with a high OR. Which is patently not true.

              A high OR is an indication that thus far this season you have made good decisions; often those decisions are 50-50 ones (do I go with player A or player B; string at the back or weak up top and so on) So luck is a big factor.

              A more accurate indicator is how that manager has performed over a few seasons; but even then, you can see for yourself looking at the player’s history; you don’t need a badge for that.

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

              so if someone with 5m rank suggest you to pick player A, you will ignore and if someone with #1 rank suggest same player, you will pick him?

              1. Roy Rovers
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 3 months ago

                Have a look....I didn’t say that.

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

                  ".it’s called accepting good advice or constructive criticism"

                  no problem is accepting and getting good advices, everyone needs advice every now and then but the criteria you are using to filter good from bad is wrong. when your mind reaches a particular level where you can filter good from bad on your own no matter what the source is, thats the ideal stage.

                  There is no guarantee that someone with good rank history is going to offer good advice, it can all go wrong because their knowledge is as limited as others who put some amount of efforts.

                  So my opinion is that we should improve ourselves and the sepratation of good and bad will automatically happen.

        2. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Nah not for me, you've already got years a Member visible and now you want to add something that on a weekly basis is more up and down than a prostitute's knickers?

          Nah not for me 🙂

          1. Roy Rovers
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            Can we consult the other Mods??

            1. G-Whizz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              I'm sure if they see this they're quite capable of giving their own opinion and I think it's been looked at before mate, fairly recently I seem to recall, so long story short - no 😆

              1. Roy Rovers
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 3 months ago

                Cheers G, but that was what I was wondering.....can we get their opinions?…as you have made yours during the discussion?

                1. G-Whizz
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  I can't force people to respond if they don't want to but I will say (and I hope they don't mind me saying) the general consensus amongst the Team was that it would encourage elitism so it was decided against 🙂

      2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        No there doesn't. It painful enough watching everyone riding Mark on here , can you imagine everyone doing an FPL Virg on the other high finishers and can you imagine the smugness of some of these people.

        Just accept it's a fantasy game, it's not real. People can have good seasons and bad seasons , good luck or bad luck, you haven't got much control over the game . It doesn't make the high finishers better players and the lower finishes incapable of giving advice on football.

        Where would the likes of Mark and others be without OPTA feeding them info ? I know many folk who have far superior football knowledge to any of them but may not be so good at pulling numbers out their arse. Doesn't mean they can't advise you on good players to choose and transfers to make

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

        This is a good suggestion - something simple and low maintenance, but that still instantly shows the calibre of your decisions over an extended period of time.

        A star added to your name for every top 10k finish you've managed would surely be easy to implement?

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Very pertinent to take rank into consideration when taking onboard advice. Sadly most of the elite don’t post on here often

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Exactly....but you can put yourself in the elite this season!

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

        Depends a bit on your definition of elite. There are the famous elite managers, and then there are just people who play the game well and understand its complexities better than others. I'd like to think I'm the latter, but with a 1 year FFS badge and no grav, I imagine my advice is largely ignored despite my OR.

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Great OR mate!

          I’ll have to look out for any pearls of wisdom you give on here!

          I’ve had two frustrating weeks of big red arrows dropping from 29k OR (respectable I’d say) to 203k atm (fairly dire)

          Need to make some repairs but easier said than done

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

            Cheers. It's kinda taboo around here to mention your high OR, which I don't agree with. I love looking at the season's of other managers here doing really well, it's interesting and I feel like it's that kind of manager I'm competing with so you can learn from the way they've played the season differently to you yet effectively.

            Ouch that is unlucky. 29k OR is absolutely fine and a good position to build from. Shame about the drop. But there is a long way to go, you can definitely fight back.

            1. G-Whizz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              Taboo?

              Don't be silly, mention it all you like, ask Paul Gee 😆

              My personal thing is I don't take advice from people who haven't linked their team, but that's just me 🙂

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

                Every time I see somebody mention it, they get replies like "not so subtle brag" or "your post is just an excuse to brag" etc. I genuinely think OR is often at least a little bit relevant. But I'm pleased you've said that! Good approach actually regarding the team link.

                1. IRBOX ⚽
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  You’re absolutely flying bro! Well done, keep it up

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

                    Cheers mate. Best of luck to you too. I'm still reeling from the Digne benching - weighed it up so much and just couldn't play him ahead of Doherty, but I figured he would come into my 11 regardless. And then somehow no rotation happened! Very frustrating. Think I'd be hovering around the top 20 if I'd played him. Oh well.

                    1. IRBOX ⚽
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 3 months ago

                      Just one of those benching headaches, don’t dwell on it. As an Everton fan I’m kicking myself for not Doing Laporte > Digne as I planned based on their drubbing at the hands of Spurs. Have dropped from top 1k to around 3k this gameweek. Onwards and upwards huh

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

                        Cheers. I'm trying to get over it, but it does sting. I think if I had put him 3rd on my bench behind AWB I could have no complaints, but I really, really wanted to play him - and I even considered Bench Boost! But you're right, it was a benching headache for almost everyone this GW and this one didn't go my way. Plenty of things have gone my way so far, have to move on.

                2. G-Whizz
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  I generally ignore those kind of replies and put it down to the green eyed monster 😉

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

                    I'll start doing that too.

            2. Don Kloppeone
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              Yeh I don’t spend enough time looking at the choices others have made. It can really help

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

                I think it's a fantastic thing to do. You see some moves that look unusual but they've worked. The kind of moves that get dismissed easily every day.

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

          Bit of a veteran there Minus Four 🙂

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

            Last season was the first time I got 'serious' about FPL. I know that's a bit of a cop out, but I genuinely used to play with mates in a mini league and that was it - never checked price changes and hardly watched any premier league at all.

            Then I joined a more serious league and a cash league and decided to take it way more seriously, so I feel like I'm seeing the fruits of my labour this season. But I wouldn't call myself a veteran. Still learning a lot of things on the run.

            1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              That's how I used to play too. I'd have lost interest by the end of the season, probably by Christmas. Preferred the shorter formats (WC/Euros).

              Then I got hooked on the very minor nuances of this game. First proper season was 2014/15. Retired for 2 years but have come back. Struggling somewhat this season, but hoping I can claw it back for a top 5k.

              1. Roy Rovers
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 3 months ago

                Not to shabby there mate!!…plenty of time to go....

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

                You're in a good place to reach top 5k for sure. Even higher.

                Like what you said about the nuances of the game, that's what makes it great. And that's why I get dismayed at how simplistic some people try to make it. I tend to have about 5 or 6 different permutations in my mind for future transfers over short periods, and I make final decisions based on as much information as I can gather as close to the deadline as possible. And then I'm amazed when I see "Player A or Player B?".

              3. IRBOX ⚽
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 3 months ago

                You finished 3rd a few years back!? Amazing mate

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

                  Oh WOW! I hadn't noticed that. Incredible. Well done MO MANE. How did it feel? How close did you get to the win?

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

        Even sadder is that the 'original' mods and contributors don't post on here anymore or very very rarely. - what does that tell you?

        1. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Really? Who you talking about?

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

            Really, do you want me to list them?

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

            Ok, here's a starter and this isn't old posters who have long disappeared, just mods and cons who I believe are all still playing the game and generally using twitter or elsewhere.

            Mark, Granville, Paul (Sir Paulo) Greek Fan, Andy (original as in Goddard) Jonty (Joe), Disable, Stilicho, Demi, Timbo, Ryan, Spencer, Greenwindmill, Applebonkers are more recent newbies Az & Andy85wms(!!).
            TorresMagic is about the only one who has stuck it out.

            1. IRBOX ⚽
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              It’s a fair assessment

            2. G-Whizz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              Half of those are retired mods, and the other half have already stated they want more time to themselves and family.

              No need for smoke and daggers just say what you want to make your point as I have no idea what exactly that point is...

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

                I'm not having a pop at you and my point is not smoke and mirrors (daggers?).
                It's been remarked on many times that the 'old' posters don't don't post on here anymore, my point is that we're asked to pay and contribute to a site that even these guys don't even post on anymore.
                It's hardly an endorsement of the site, is it?

                1. G-Whizz
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 3 months ago

                  Yes mirrors lol my brain hasn't had it's morning cuppa yet 😆

                  Got it, now I see what you're saying...

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

                    😆
                    Bit early for daggers....have another cuppa.

                    1. G-Whizz
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • Has Moderation Rights
                      • 6 Years
                      5 years, 3 months ago

                      Shhh! 😆
                      Just poured me first but as you point out that second won't be far away! As a Christmas "treat" I bought some gold top milk (never had it before!) and boy it is quality!!!

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

                        It's a treat indeed although I don't waste it by putting it in coffee or tea - straight from the bottle....occassionaly a glass if the wife is watching.

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

              Timbo does post but I often feel his account has been hacked 😛

              1. G-Whizz
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 3 months ago

                😆

            4. Spencer
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 3 months ago

              I don't want to speak on behalf of the others, but from my own point I just don't have oodles of time to comment any more. Behind the scenes, I hope I'm making some kind of a contribution.

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

              Granville may be on here more than you think 🙂

              https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/profiles/granville/

              1. Gnu
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 2 months ago

                5 pages in 30 days?
                That's not a lot.

                1. rainy
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 2 months ago

                  More than a page's worth since my post above. That's quite a bit 😉

                  1. Gnu
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    5 years, 2 months ago

                    Seriously.
                    This is a lame answer.
                    No offence but it hardly answers my claim.

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

                      You are talking to the wall mate. They are in total denial. Companies that don't listen to their customers usually only end up going one way.

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

          Yeah, what it tells me (in part) is that Fantasy Football isn't always a life-long hobby!

          People have kids, families, jobs, and other things that take them away from spending inordinate amounts of time on Fantasy Football websites 😀

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

            But inordinate amounts of time on twitter posting about fantasy football?

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

      What really shocks me is that people actually take the advice. If you're asking a Player A or Player B question with no context and no deeper understanding of your team, strategy, future transfer plans etc, then the answer is completely meaningless. I don't even make a transfer without considering how it might impact future moves over the next 1-3 gameweeks. Good management is so much more complicated than basic questions and answers about players. I don't understand it.

      1. ALTOID11
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        My OR is 2,812 and I swear some people’s ‘advice’ on here is to sabotage or panic others. You got to enjoy the game - it is just a game at the end of the day.

        1. Roy Rovers
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Very true.....

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

        I like your thinking, the fact you are not adverse to transfers also appeals.
        I think too many refuse to take a hit when that hit can easily pay off.

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

          Yeah, I'm a massive advocate of well thought out transfers and hits where necessary. Patience is overrated in this game. Any manager who had been following the form and fixtures all season and regularly swapping around their heavy hitters with that in mind, would be doing very well.

          My strategy most of the season has been to let go of players as soon as I get the feeling they're about to enter a period of 1-3 fixtures that aren't ideal, for whatever reason, and bring in players who are the opposite - primed for points over a very short term run. No long term thinking at all, purely focusing on who looks set to deliver right now and getting them in straight away, before they get that first haul.

          4 points is nothing in the big scheme of things in my opinion. Think about when you play a Wildcard or have a great gameweek, you're not beating your rivals by 4 points that week, you're beating them by 20-50! Just get the optimal team and the optimal captain as often as possible regardless of hits, it will serve you well.

          1. G-Whizz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 3 months ago

            This strategy has been working for me 🙂

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

      That's where I'm going wrong! Maybe I should do the same.

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Well worth doing........

    5. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Play your own game.

      After being here on FFS for years, lurking on Fiso, being on another forums, lurking on FPL Twitter, listening to occasional pods, occasionally reading a FPL related Reddit post, reading the free articles on FFX I can categorically tell you in any single GW the advice you receive is never gonna be the golden ticket or that nugget of definitive Player A over Player B information that will fuel your success.

      I've stopped asking for advice years ago. I just read what others are upto to keep tabs on opinions and create my own self advice.

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

        That is an excellent approach. There is nothing to be gained from a random manager's opinion of a few players. They're just regurgitating other info anyway. The game is all about making effective series of decisions, over multiple weeks and based on multiple factors. I think it gets oversimplified on forums sometimes.

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          Agree with this. I will read others thoughts but who can predict who will haul in any given gameweek!? Better to compartmentalise information and fixtures, stay patient and positive by playing the odds and watch the points roll in

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

            Indeed.

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

            I always have a good read and i do pay more attention to those that I know that played the game for years or trust advice and I have to say the I do like the new badging system although I realise it's not fullproof but it's better than current OR and I often scan team link to see how someone has done in the past.
            In saying all that for the last number of years I tend to do my own thing as I enjoy having a punt or going with a hunch i may have. Can't say I've got a great success in that respect but I enjoy it when it comes off, the game is about enjoyment after all.
            I'll listen to advice more when there's a team tournement on like the manager melee currently running but usually I just go with the 'gut'.
            The RMT does rankle a lot because at the end of the day we should have our own strategy, I'm sure if I asked I would be constantly told to get Salah but that's a decision (strategy) I went with.
            Has it payed of - probably not. 🙁

    6. Roy Rovers
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Great discussion guys with varying opinions....good to see.

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

        Love it. I wish there was more of this on here, or it was easier to find perhaps. Personally as soon as I see a longer post, I get more interested.

  4. Hulk Smash
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Sterling, Lingard > Hazard, Pogba (exact money, 2 FT)?

    Current team is:

    Fab
    Alonso Robertson Doherty
    Sterling Lingard Anderson Fraser
    Kane (c) Aubameyang Wilson
    (Button, AWB, Bennett, Stephens) 0.8m

    1. Lukaku91
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      How long have you had Lingard?

      1. Hulk Smash
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Only this week as he was the easiest to get without using two FT. Pogba seems the better option though.

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

    Start one:

    Doherty (tot)

    Wilson (mun)

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

      Wilson

    2. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson probably

    3. Chrisirwin01
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Wilson. Imo he's got a better chance of scoring than a Wolves clean sheet.

      1. Lukaku91
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        you don't play Doherty for clean sheets

        1. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 3 months ago

          This, and if you are, you're playing this game wrong 😆

  6. Lukaku91
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    "Fulham came within five minutes of consecutive shut-outs before Romain Saiss’s (£4.2m) scrambled winner." - Seriously..? The game ended 1-1...

    1. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Oh yeah lol

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

    Trippier still a good option to get, or you think KWP will get a few more starts now?

  8. John Nerdelbaum
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    On wildcard

    a) Richarlison + Kamara

    b) Mitrovic + Hojbjerg

    1. Lukaku91
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      a

    2. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      A

    4. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      thanks all

  9. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Sane to Pogba ? Or keep for Sotton

  10. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Who to captain?

    A...kane

    B...hazard

    Thanks

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

      kane

    2. Samurai Blue
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

    First post! Headaches due to tinkering with the wildcard into the early hours so I would really appreciate your feedback.
    My current WC team is (0.0 ITB):

    Speroni Fabianski
    Digne Robertson Wan-Bissaka Doherty Shaw
    Pogba Hazard Salah Richarlison Lingard
    Jimenez Kane Ings

    Would you:
    A) Lingard -> Pereyra
    B) Lingard, Pogba -> Eriksen, Brooks
    (Both moves allow for Shaw -> TAA in a couple of weeks when the latter's fixtures get better.)
    C) Stick with this team
    D) Back to the drawing board

    Thanks!

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

      c

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

      Maybe do Lingard for Preyra, and upgrade Richarlison for Siggy as a differential, plus siggy is on pens and freekicks.

      Rest looks decent!

    3. Jimbo-Jones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Good team but weekly benching headache.
      Would downgrade one of Lingard, Ings, Jimenez, Shaw and use the money to upgrade another one of them.

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

    guys,which option is best to get Salah in?

    A.
    Auba to Kamara
    Fraser to Salah

    B.
    Martial to Salah
    Fraser to Son
    Kane to Kamara

    C.
    Kane to Kamara
    Fraser to Salah

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

      A

    2. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I would hold off on Salah for the next 2 weeks due to his record in games v top 6

    3. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      A for me. I'd get Salah in now. Back to his very best I think

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

      Depends on your team but I would stick with the premiums you already have for now.

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

    A nice Danny Ings brace to see off a good game week please 🙂

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

      cant wait for it.

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

      Yes please, also means theres no Fabianksi clean sheet 🙂

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

      Yeah.

    4. Midlands Saint73
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Yes on two counts

  14. aleksios
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Any suggestions here? 1ft 1.8 itb.

    -Fab
    -Alonso-Digne-Diop
    -Salah-Sane-Martial-Rich
    -Kane-Jimen-Ings.
    ----Butt--Fraser--Kola-Doherty.

    a) Kola+Sane to TAA+Hazard for a hit.
    b) something better maybe?

    Thanks guys.

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

    GW15 OR 13K
    GW18 OR 219k

    Could it even be worse?

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

      Dear me that’s tough, only way is up from here

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

        I think I will quit.

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

      Ohh.
      Hard luck mate.

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

      100k to 450k here..

  16. Samurai Blue
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Mat Ryan is off to the Asian Cup, who are the best alternatives? I'm currently on Ryan/Button, should I just bench Ryan until he's back and risk Button in goal? Or is Steele a threat?

    Options:

    Button / Steele (4.0) - For those who have one of the two Brighton keepers, the fixtures are a mixed bag, unfavorable in my opinion since EVE, whu, LIV, mun are all good going forward. Who will play though? Recently Steele was in the squad due to Button being injured, now the latter is back and yesterday he was on the bench. Manager Hughton did not yet commit to who will deputize for Ryan.

    Alisson (5.9) - Without a doubt the best defence in the league, 12 clean sheets in 19. Most of us have Robertson, TAA or VVD so doubling up could be fruitful if you have the spare cash. Set and forget. Next couple of games are ARS and mci, but this transfer will be long-term so there is no need for immediate points.

    Fabianski (4.7) - Gets most points on saves, cheap and the Hammer's next 2 fixtures can provide points: bur, BHA (excluding tonight's game vs sou). Then they have ARS at home and bou, wol away. If you already have a Hammer defender, I won't be so keen to double up (3 clean sheets in 18).

    Hart (4.5) - Burnley's fixtures look nice, but the amount of shots (and goals) they are conceding is alarming. With these statistics, Burnley will fight for relegation, even with a sea of blue in the coming weeks: WHU, hud, FUL, wat. Will surely get save points, currently on 77 saves. 4 clean sheets in 19. Risky.

    Pickford (5.0) - Everton is another team with nice fixtures, having bha, LEI, BOU, sou, hud in the next 5. Are they a team that gets clean sheets? Not so much, currently 4 from 19. Silva sets his team more to attack than defend, so they will concede in my opinion, even with the above fixtures.

    Patricio (4.6) - A very good option, Wolves will not be turned over by any team. The only issue is that most of us have Doherty or Bennett (or both), so doubling up with recently 1 clean sheet in 8 is not a good idea. They have Spurs and City away in the next 3.

    Kepa (5.6) / Lloris (5.4) - One of the big teams. These rely on clean sheets, Chelsea having 8, Spurs having 7. Good fixtures in the coming month. Chelsea have cry, SOU, NEW, ars, bou while Spurs have WOL, car, MUN, ful, WAT. From these two I would choose Lloris for the better fixtures, cheaper price and because I also have Alonso in defence. Set and forget.

    Any other options I missed? Foster? Schmeichel? Not an easy decision. Must get it right though because we don't want to spend FTs on goalkeepers.

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

      Fabianksi is a steal for his price and save potentiol

      1. Samurai Blue
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        From the lower priced GKs, Fabianski is the best option, no doubt.

    2. Samurai Blue
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Apologies, Spurs have 8 clean sheets, not 7. Missed the one where Lloris was injured.

    3. Lukaku91
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      i got lloris last week. very happy

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

      Allison or Fabs.
      Set N Forget !

      1. Samurai Blue
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        If I downgrade Laporte, I think I'll get Alisson or Lloris. Have 2 FTs.

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

      Patricio/Foster rotation

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

    When Ryan goes to Asia ?

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

      Scout tweets

  18. Holteenderinthesky
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Early Transfers made. Salah&Fraser>Hazard&Pogba for free.

    How my team looking now?
    Alisson
    Alonso, Mina, Schindler
    Hazard(C), Sane, Pogba, Richarlson, Anderson
    Auba, Rashford

    Bettinelli, Jimenez, Doherty, WB

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

      Nice team.

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

    I reckon there must be a lot of people who benched WB & Digne for the likes of Kola, Doherty, Jiminez ... I bet that hurts

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

      It does indeed hurt, WB 8 pointer to come on for Martial with Digne 17 juicy points sitting 2nd on the bench

    2. Boomerang V
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I have Digne as first sub 🙁

      Played AWB and Doherty over him.

      Now I am hoping for a FAnderson ir Ings no show

  20. FC Bazalona
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Best defender for next few weeks under 5.2 thanks

    1. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Digne

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

        This.
        Taa after gw21

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

    Leicester fans around ? Back to back wins against Chelsea and City... Surely the best Christmas present 😉

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

    11 points & McCarthy vs Fabianski & FAnderson... Who wins? My -4 this week and benching AWB instead of Rashford looks like I'm getting knocked out of the cup...

  23. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Auba + Sane to Rash + Salah
    a) yay
    b) nay

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

      B

    2. Top 210 Club
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      No

  24. onetowatch
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Hi guys

    So I am thinking of the following. What you think?

    Sane sterling alonso mane out

    Salah hazard Digne Pogba in

    -8 points

    What you think? I can do it exactly with 0.0 in the back if I do it today

    1. Trane84
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      I'd pull the trigger. City mids have been trolling me recently, too much rotation and you've got guys coming back from injury. I expect Aguero to be the best asset moving forward.

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

      Don't like taking hits but that looks really good.

    3. onetowatch
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks guys for the comments. I have moved out of the top 100 since Man City have decided to ruin my team. Think it’s best I sort this out quickly and do the changes.

  25. Trane84
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Debating offloading Fraser and Watford fixtures look strong. Worth switching to Deulofeu? It'll bank me 0.4. I'm 0.1 short of being able to switch direct to Pereyra.

  26. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    What was this Salah incident....

    https://twitter.com/_pauljoyce/status/1078225371999490048?s=19

    1. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      He dived.

      1. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 3 months ago

        Ok, danke.

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

    A) save ft and do Ederson/ sane to lloris/haz next gw (exact cash at the moment)
    B) do A this gw for -4 (exact cash)
    C) sane/auba to salah/Vardy for -4

  28. R.C
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    So Button starts next GW?

  29. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Son (c) also this week?
    Other options in my team would be Hazard or United mids.

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Feel Son might get rested for this one

  30. Z3US
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 3 months ago

    Sterling or Sané out for Haz.....

    Have money to do either - the other will likely make way for Salah in a few weeks.

    1. Z3US
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Oh boy what a dull top post. My bad.

      Alternative is to hold also..

    2. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Sterling

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

      Definitely Sterling

    4. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 3 months ago

      Most have gone Sterling but its really close, especially if funds aren't an issue. One will likely be benched this gw (but which one?!) and then both will probably play pool.

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

      Sterling

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

        Rage transfer last night - I could just about put up with the rotation but the lackk of returns :(.

        Sterling and Sane - Hazard and Pogba....... -4 done.

        Now watch Streling get a Hatty with 3 Sane assists .FML