Scout Notes

Pereira the rare FPL gem in dull 2019 opener

Everton and Leicester treated Fantasy Premier League managers to a rather dreary opening match of 2019.

The two sides were separated by just one goal in a game that was largely characterised by individual errors and sloppy play.

Perhaps the biggest indicator of how much attacking play took place is the fact that just two offside flags were raised in the entire 90 minutes, the first one not coming until just before the 80th minute.

Nevertheless, there were still a few Fantasy talking points for us to discuss in this Scout Notes article.

Everton 0-1 Leicester City

Goals: Jamie Vardy (£8.9m)

Assists: Ricardo Pereira (£5.2m)

Ricardo Pereira (£5.2m) reminded Fantasy managers the part he can play in our squads this season as he came out of Leicester’s win at Everton with a double-figure haul. The FPL defender provided the assist for Jamie Vardy‘s (£8.9m) second-half strike, taking his count to four for the season. Over his last four fixtures, Pereira has averaged 6.75 points per game.

It was another match in which the Portuguese international was deployed on the flanks of an attacking trio as Claude Puel went with a 4-3-3 formation. Typically a right-sided player, this time around Pereira was stationed on the left of Vardy, with Rachid Ghezzal (£5.1m) on the other flank. The fact that Danny Simpson (£4.2m) was trusted with his first start since Gameweek 15 shows that Puel believes he has options at right-back to free Pereira up further up the pitch, even with Daniel Amartey‘s (£4.3m) long-term injury.

Crucially, the trip to Goodison Park saw Leicester record their seventh clean sheet of the season. Only Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs have more than that in 2018/19. The Foxes’ have actually been offering the potential for shutouts for some time now. They came into Gameweek 21 joint-fourth for big chances allowed in the four previous matches. At Goodison, they conceded just four shots in their penalty box all afternoon.

Southampton (home) and Wolves (away) are the next two matches for Leicester, which could provide more returns at both ends of the pitch for Pereira. However, it is Liverpool (away), Manchester United (home) and Tottenham (away) between Gameweeks 24 and 26, which may put off potential punters before their kinder stretch from Gameweek 27 onwards.

It is still worth noting that Pereira looks to be the only one to be providing any consistency in support of Vardy in attack. James Maddison (£6.8m) remained an unused substitute at Goodison Park having recorded just one offensive return since Gameweek 16. Marc Albrighton (£5.1m) featured only as a second-half replacement for Ghezzal, who had been comfortably one of the worst players in the opening 45 minutes. It was a shame for Algerian, who was making his first start since Gameweek 12 but based on his performance at Everton, he may find it hard to get back in again.

Meanwhile, Hamza Choudhury (£4.3m) made his third start in four matches. The 21-year-old did well in recent wins over Chelsea and Manchester City but was rested for the Gameweek 20 defeat to Cardiff. In defence, Wes Morgan (£4.5m) failed to recover from an illness which saw Jonny Evans (£4.8m) come back in alongside Harry Maguire (£5.4m).

In truth, Leicester’s back-line did not have a lot to deal with from an Everton side that struggled to find any rhythm in the lunch-time kick-off. Richarlison (£7.0m) was deployed on the left-wing, allowing Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.3m) to come back in and operate as the centre-forward. Unfortunately for the Toffees, Richarlison did not have his shooting boots on, in a performance reminiscent of his Watford days. Nobody had more shots in the penalty box than him at Goodison Park, but not a single one was on target.

“I felt our team were too nervous and anxious without reason. We are playing a lot of games in a row with no times to rest but that is not an excuse when you miss some simple things. When you play in this way with easy mistakes, the bad things come to you and that is what happened with the goal we conceded. We gave them the chance to do what they came to do.” – Marco Silva

As expected, the rusty Simpson did initially struggle with having to deal with Richarlison and Lucas Digne (£5.2m) on Everton’s left but neither one could record any attacking returns. The Frenchman continues to show amazing creative potential having launched 12 crosses into Leicester’s box, but without Cenk Tosun (£6.5m) or Richarlison at centre-forward, very few of them came to fruition on this occasion. One would expect more presence in the 18-yard-box the next time Everton take to the field, so now does not feel like the time to move away from Digne.

However, it must be noted that expecting clean sheets out of the diminutive left-back is increasingly becoming a tall order. Everton are now without one for eight consecutive Gameweeks. They were hardly attacked from angles by Leicester but were undone by a moment of weakness at the back. As previously mentioned, the game was characterised by sloppy play all over the pitch, and that continued well into the second half, Michael Keane (£5.0m) being punished for his poor control. He stepped out of the defence to gather a loose ball, his first touch letting him down and allowing Pereira able to feed the ball into the space behind the centre-back. That was all Vardy needed to chase it down and net a textbook strike.

“They came to play here with their midfielder line of five players and waiting for one mistake and one transition with Ricardo and Vardy. After that, if you were anxious or nervous, you will be more.” – Marco Silva

Named among the substitutes for Everton was the experienced Seamus Coleman (£5.2m), as Jonjoe Kenny (£4.2m) returned for his first start since Everton’s last meeting with Leicester in Gameweek 8. The right-back had the Toffees’ best chance of the game, hitting the cross-bar in the first half.

Gylfi Sigurdsson (£7.3m) returned to the side, with Bernard (£5.9m) dropping to the bench, and created more chances than any other player at Goodison Park.

Everton XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Digne, Zouma, Keane, Kenny; Gomes (Bernard 62′), Gueye; Richarlison, Sigurdsson, Walcott (Tosun 69′); Calvert-Lewin.

Leicester XI (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Chilwell, Maguire, Evans, Simpson; Ndidi, Mendy, Choudhury; Ghezzal (Albrighton 45′), Vardy (D Gray 90+2′), R Pereira.

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1,426 Comments Post a Comment
  1. eazy
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Fabianski->Alisson incoming. Anyone else with me?

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

      on WC, yes.

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

    Wonder when the next time Everton will keep a clean sheet...

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      They have been piss poor recently. Silva is a fraud.

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

      in DGW

    3. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      From what I saw yesterday, never!

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

        Good job I didn't buy Digne for clean sheets then 😆

    4. Game&Watch
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Guess it's time to swap Digne for TAA? Or perhaps hold for one more week?

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

        The cool kids will have both...

  3. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Pereirinho

  4. jia you
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    17,793 managers, thus far, have transferred in Son for one game v MUN!
    Also, see that my boy Pereira is being bought by plenty, my differential might not last long!

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

      maybe they will WC after that game 😉

  5. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Digne is a massive trap.

    How quickly we all forget about laughing at Az for having Pickford and no clean sheets at the start of the season.

    1. RustyBz
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Attacking threat

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Clean sheets are a Defenders bread and butter.

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

      Consistent clean sheets are hard to come by. You're better off with defenders who can score points even after the clean sheet is lost. Digne is outstanding value. I'd play him ahead of Laporte most weeks (non Laporte owner).

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        If that's the case then you might as well get Kolasinac.

        1. Chi not God
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          I do have kolasinac and he could easily have had 3 assists yesterday, clean sheets are not guaranteed so you definitely need a defender that's got attacking threat.

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

      Bad advice from the author: "One would expect more presence in the 18-yard-box the next time Everton take to the field, so now does not feel like the time to move away from Digne."

      Plus Keane is £4.9m not £5m.

    4. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Starting to agree. His attacking threat just keeps him alive.
      I laughed when I heard Az got Pickford.
      I the top 10 of poor performances I have seen Everton in over 50 years yesterday!

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        The article is telling people to keep Digne. I'm really dismayed that this will influence many people to hold.

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Get a life

    5. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Silly to expect CS from Everton. Digne is still ok value as he has a lethal left peg!

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        There are plenty of defenders with attacking threat AND clean sheet potential. It's not a mutually exclusive choice. Mark swerved Digne which tells you everything you need to know really.

        1. altan8797
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          why are you trying to make people sell him (or stop them from buying him) if you don't think he's worthy? Just shut up and enjoy as he blanks.

          1. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Why are you even responding to his drivel?

    6. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I have to agree. There is no cs possibility there and his crosses are wasted

    7. Up the tics
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Okay thanks

    8. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I'm keeping Digne until GW 26 at least. Clean sheets outside the Top 4 are unreliable. Apart from TAA (who himself is not nailed), there are few consistent CS chances below £6m. Leicester are meant to be a bastion of clean sheets and conceded vs Cardiff. Go figure.

      People go on about Mark, but how did those Balbuena, PVA, Schindler and Shaw transfers work out. They were / are rubbish for him. He has now got Bamba who will be just as poor IMO.

      The morale for defence is go premium (Spurs, Chelsea, Liverpool, City), go cheap and attacking (Doherty, Digne, Perreira, Kolasinac and Holebas) or get a combo of both.

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Just to illustrate the point with Mark's team:

        - Balbuena: Scored 9pts in the 4 times he was in the starting XI for Mark. Transferred in as part of a -8 in GW12. Transferred out for Shaw in GW19
        - PVA: Scored 9pts in the 3 times he was in the starting XI for Mark. Transferred in GW14. Transferred out for Schindler in GW17
        - Schindler: Scored 3pts in the 2 times he was in the starting XI for Mark. Transferred in GW17 for a -4. Still in team and plays Burnley tonight
        Shaw: Scored 4pts in the 2 times he was in the starting XI for Mark. Transferred in GW19. Transferred out for Bamba in GW21

        1. diesel001
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          So from those 'cheap' defenders he has scored 25pts in 11 appearances at an average of 2.27pts per appearance. That is ignoring the points lost for hits.

          I would rather have Digne, Kola, Doherty etc.

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

      Once again you're so full of s**t it really is hard to take any of your posts seriously.

      Not that I ever did in the first place 🙄

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        If people just ignored him he would bugger off, he is so needy and thrives on the attention.

        *I realised have just completely gone against my own advice 🙂

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

          Hahaha 😆

          Sound advice that is WR. Very sound 😉

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

          Maybe there’s a past here that I dont know of, but I really dont get the ‘agression’ against just a quite ordinary opinion..?

      2. A.T
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        That’s a bit harsh I have to say.

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah he definitely does not deserve anywhere near the level of hate he gets here. Mostly people trying to impress mods

          1. A.T
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Tbf I’m pretty sure WR isn’t arsed about impressing mods 😀

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

              😆

            2. Wild Rover
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 2 months ago

              I don't hate him either

    10. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Since i got him on he jas averaged 4.6 points/game and Everton has kept only one clean sheet.

    11. Sir Edo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Like the post since too much of those ”A or B” posts recently.. Sure, Digne not keeping clean sheets but not a hurry to ship him out. Managers having other issues like formation structure, injuries etc that have to be solved before shipping out the best freekicker in the game! 🙂

    12. joeydelucchi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I was thinking exactly this, i woke up this morning and thought, why do i have Digne why not just get Holebas in , save the .3m and actually obtain the assist points instead of dreaming about them with Digne!?

    13. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Any different to Doherty ?

  6. Pigeon
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Sorry for the repost but what does everyone think of these transfers?

    Sterling, Anderson, Fabianski > Salah, Pereyra, Etheridge (-4)

    1. RustyBz
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I don't like it personally.

      1. Pigeon
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah I really want Salah what with his good fixtures but it's hard to fit him in, what about Alonso > TAA instead?

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      No No No > Yes Yes No
      Find another way of getting Salah

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

      Don't love it. How often are you going to captain Salah in the next 4 GW? If you're bringing him in with those other two and taking a hit, it would want to be as your leading captaincy option.

      1. Pigeon
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Well I have Kane and Hazard too so maybe im trying to be too greedy.

        P.s. Damn is that your actual link to your team, if so well done

      2. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Salah should be captain next 5 after this game week

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

    why?

    1. Exeter Gently
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      That is some deep talk

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I was thinking the same thing!

    3. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I prefer Why not?

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

      One of my favourite posts 😀

  8. Henning
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Wc this? Need to get Kane in

    1.4 m in the bank

    Fabianski

    Luiz Doherty Digne

    Hazard Pogba Son Salah Felipe

    Rashford Jimenez

    Hamer Mitrovic Robertson Wan-Bissaka

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

      You're joking, right? Not even close to needing a Wildcard.

      Son + Mitrovic/Rashford -> cheapie + Kane if you must.

  9. Are we overlooking City assets?
    Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Are we all completely overlooking City assets?

    Everyone seems to have sold Sane, Aguero and Sterling when they were once essential. Their fixtures are really nice too. WOL hud new. All games they can win by like 4 or 5.

    Sane especially seems to be good value. I might do a season-defining move and skip one of Pogba or Salah to load up on City now in an attempt to go big or go home. Currently top 150k.

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Have to watch them tomorrow and decide

      1. Amsterhammer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah that's sensible.

      2. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Does it matter what result they get against Liverpool really?

    2. gergin
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Sorry, but Wolves home, Hudd and Newcastle away are far from a nice fixtures. Attacking wise. All teams are naturally defensive minded.

      1. Shuko
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        "defensive minded", well, that's basically all City's opponent.

        1. gergin
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Some teams can make it, others can`t. All these can.

    3. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I've still got Sane but he is the most likely to be sacrificed for Salah (or Sanchez)

    4. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      You'll go home without Salah

    5. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I agree with the sentiment. The herd mentality is overwhelmingly point-chasing focused, and you need to stay a step ahead.

      That said, I'm unsure about the Wolves game - it could go either way, and Wolves aren't prone to getting walloped. City should smash Huddersfield again though, so losing Haz for Sterling for instance could be a viable move there.

      Less convinced by Aguero despite his 20 pointer v HUD at home. With Kane and Auba so consistent, it seems hard to justify that move.

    6. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      issue is this season more than most you need to be fluid in moving players around.
      you can't necessarily "set and forget" City assets for 2 reasons.
      1, the rotation issue
      2, other players are scoring too heavily to ignore. e.g. those that did Sane to Son a few weeks back have gained a big advantage (also Sane to Pogba). Between a 35 and 40pt difference over previous 3 GWs. Many took out an injured Kun for Kane or Auba both of whom are showing enough form to keep Kun out for the moment.

      One of the problems/challenges of Xmas is the proximity of games. You are basically getting a month's worth of games in 10 days. Normally you have a better chance of teams/players turning things around over a 4 game period due to less injuries, less rotation and better planning/training time between games.

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

        Completely agree with all this. Being fluid with key assets is absolutely essential this season.

    7. french holiday
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Are u under looking United assets?

      1. tisza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Curious whether Alexis & lukaku back in contention will complicate their recent strong performers. Could become tricky much the same as City.

    8. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Which City attacking players will start ?

    9. Rider on the Storm
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Pogba and salah are not going out of my team for now. Bringing back a city mid might be tempting but id rather take a silva as they are cheaper and less rotated.

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

      No, not overlooking. Sold Sterling and Sané because they weren’t performing, simple as that. So far Pogba (c) has bagged me 36 points and we shall see how much Hazard (c) gets me this evening.

      Easy enough to bring one of them back in if they start performing again.

    11. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I’m not making this mistake again. Dropped Salah and Hazard to enable Sterling,Sané, Kane and Auba and it backfired massively.

      They are off the boil atm and the xmas pile up didn’t work.

      Once January rolls on and hopefully they keep dropping in price, I will reassess.

      Aguero doesn’t seem worth it anymore. I think Mendy is worth s look at and Sterling but that’s about it. KDB worth the 9.6?

      1. Miniboss
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I did exactly the same move on wildcard. Main rivals held to Salah & Hazard and my 60 points lead is now gone. Not going near city boys before one of them shows some Salah-like consistency.

    12. Amateur Pundit Zan
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I hope so as I am still sat on sterling and sane, though current thinking is to swap one for Salah and keep the other one. Salah so reliable and therefore captainable, hard to ignore past this fixture

    13. the Penman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Pep seems to struggle to navigate the Christmas fixture pileup over the past few seasons, in a way that Klopp hasn’t. Wonder why.

    14. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      City have done most of their heavy scoring at home. When you look at the fixtures you'll see that the 'easy' home games have run out for a while; Liverpool, Wolves and Chelsea are 3 of the next 4 visitors and they don't begin a run of really favourable home games till the beginning of March (GW28).

      That is after an almost certain blank week for them in GW27, which is only 5 GWs away.

      Put all that together with City's current blip in form and Pep's capacity for rotation and it begins to look less attractive to add, or even keep City players right now. They were never 'essential' anyway, just over-hyped.

    15. Dreaming of glory
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Got burned bringing sane and sterling in 6 weeks ago. Salah, haz, kane are the premium weapons of choice for the unforeseeable now, injuries aside

    16. The Rumour Mill
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Its not that they are being overlooked, its that better options have presented themselves, most of them at a cheaper price and without the rotation risk too. Added to this is the complete drop off in performance since about GW13:

      https://experimental361.com/2018/12/31/premier-league-trends-31-dec-2018/#jp-carousel-18954

      Their numbers are still good, but not insane like they were in the early season. Which suggests the excellent early season form was partly due to the easy fixture list. Well, they don't have easy fixtures for some time now, not until about GW28. You say they can win their next 3 games by 4 or 5. Of course they can. But is it likely? I'd have to say not. Wolves have already held City once this season, and have only conceded more than 2 goals in a game once all season. Newcastle at St James Park have also only conceded more than 2 goals in a game once, which was to West Ham when they were too attacking. They aren't going to go for it against City. City may get a bit more joy against Huddersfield, but on their day are capable of defending well, and City only put 2 past them last season over 2 games.

      You also have to consider the likley blank which will take place in GW27 if City get past Burton.

      None of this would matter so much if there was a dearth of other options. In the early season up until about GW14 there weren't as many options. At that time spurs were underperforming and had injuries and a tricky fixture list. Same for arsenal. Utd were still managed by Mourinho. In particular there was a dearth of mid priced midfielders, just premiums and budget players, which meant many played with defender heavy formations instead. Since about GW15 though we have had the emergence of Son, Pogba, Martial, Eriksen as well as continued consistent contributions from the likes of Anderson and Richarlison and Hazard. The fixture swing for Spurs and Artsenal also coincided perfectly with Aguero's injury, bringing Kane and Aubamayang into play. We have also had Salah back to his best which has added more budget pressure to many managers squads. With the drop in performance from many premium defenders (Alonso, Mendy, Laporte etc), this has enabled more money to be poured into midfield and attack without people having much to fear from the players they have been ditching. Simply put, you'd rather have Auba or Kane over Aguero. You'd rather have Salah or Hazard over Sterling. You'd rather have Son, Pogba etc over Sane. I'd even rather have Richarlison or Anderson over B Silva.

      Speaking of Sane, he was the only one i considered keeping due to his nailedness. But that went out the window when he was dropped in favour of Zinchenko providing the left sided width. City reverted to the structure they have often used when Mendy was fit, dropping Sane and using Sterling as the left sided attacker instead. The one thing Sane had over the likes of Hazard, Pogba and Son was that he was a guarenteed starter in a side more attacking than theirs. But without that, he has to go too.

      Captaincy is another factor. At the prices they are (particularly in the case of Sterling and Aguero), you really need to be captaining them at least occasionally.

      But in GW22 when they have WOL, Salah has bha, Hazard has NEW, and Auba has whu.
      In GW23 when City play hud, Salah has CRY, Utd have BHA, and Kane has ful
      And in GW24 City have new, but Auba has CAR, Hazard has bou, Salah has lei, Utd have BUR and Kane has WAT
      After that they play arsenal, chelsea and then most likley a blank. Not really worth it is it?

      Finally, If your aim in FPL is to climb the ranks and target a top 10k finish then ownership comes into the mix. Each week, its just as important not to lose, as it is to win. And at the moment Sane has a top 10k ownership of 9.1%, Sterling 8.3%, and Aguero just 3.1%. These guys can't hurt you even if they haul.

      1. Pep Pig
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Nice work mate

      2. Ruth_NZ
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        That's a brilliant write-up, essentially what I was getting at but much more detailed.

        The one thing I'd disagree with is the last paragraph. You are emphasising what can hurt you over what can help you. If having Aguero, say, is the right way to go then his lack of owners is an advantage, not a disadvantage. It cuts both ways. So, unless a safe 10k/20k finish is the extent of your ambition (which is fairly easy to do for a competent manager in all honesty) then I think you have that argument back to front.

        1. The Rumour Mill
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Cheers, Ruth.

          Thats a fair point you make and I agree with what you say as a concept. However in this particular scenario I don't believe it is an advantage to hold a low owned city asset at this point due to the reasons I gave. I'll certainly be monitoring them though for signs of a return to form, at which point, yes, that low ownership becomes an advantage. As you've said yoursef, its all about timing in this game!

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Right, so your argument for not owning them is that you don't think they are good FPL options compared to others.

            Low ownership = advantage when players are in form
            Low ownership = disadvantage when players are out of form
            High ownership = advantage when players are in form
            Low ownership = disadvantage when players are out of form

            Just delete the left side of the equation:

            ownership = advantage when players are in form
            ownership = disadvantage when players are out of form

            Aka own the players you think will get the most points

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

        “... These guys can't hurt you even if they haul ...”. :). What?

        1. The Rumour Mill
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          If your mini league rivals, say, have a city asset then they can of course hurt you. My point was more in terms of overall rank.

          If Aguero scores a 20 point haul tomorrow night then due to his current low ownership the top 10k average only rises by 0.62 points.

          However if say, Hazard, scores 20 points tonight, then the top 10k average rises by 24.48 points. If you don't own him then thats a lot of points you need to make up with your other players.

          Basically, If I don't own either Hazard or Aguero, then I know which I fear a haul from at the moment. As Ruth points out above though, if you've seen something which makes you think a city asset makes sense to get in, then their low ownership presents a great opportunity to make gains. I just haven't seen anything to make me think they are yet, due to the reasons I gave above.

          1. jtreble
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            If Aguero hauls and Hazard blanks, the 10Kers with Aguero move up and the 10-20Kers with Aguero displace 10Kers with Hazard. If the 10K template has it wrong then so, in relative terms, have you - there's no getting around that.

            1. The Rumour Mill
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 2 months ago

              Yeah but (almost) no one has aguero, so there is no one who benefits from a potential haul and therefore no one moves up to displace anyone else. The status quo is maintained.

              1. jtreble
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 2 months ago

                I’m done. :). Best of luck.

      4. Buzzy
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        logged in just to vote up Rumour Mill's post - well thought through and well said,thanks.

        1. The Rumour Mill
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Thank you

    17. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Next 3 are good fixtures in isolation. Wolves won't be easy but they could smash Hudds and Newcastle but expect one of them to be able to keep it tight too. Problem is they then have 2 tough fixtures after that so I'd rather just wait and see with them.

      Also it's not going to hurt your rank too much if they perform well anymore given how lowly owned they are.

    18. sandman58
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Sané great coverage

      Salah Hazard Pogba Sané
      Is a great midfield
      With one of Kane or Aubameyang up top

    19. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I don't think their fixtures are great, but I do find it interesting that many are jumping ship so quickly. All the reasons to own them were dropped because they had a second blank, as attitudes about their long-term worth flipped at the final whistle.

      I personally think Sterling is as good as Hazard, if not better, in FPL terms, despite the extra rotation risk, so it's not worth the transfer to swtich between them. I have Sane too, and I have a plan to add KDB to complete my Manchester Midfield this week or next. At least, the money is there to exchange Son whenever I want to.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Hmm I was out the loop about GW27. Now I'll have second thoughts about adding another City player. Which is annoying, as my last transfer was made with this move in mind. D'oh!

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

        I've seen a lot of folks share that opinion on Sterling... I think Haz has certainly been the better pick season to date given he has 13 extra points on the season, and a whopping 23 more points in the last 5, from a baseline price that was 0.5 cheaper.

        There's no doubt Sterling is so capable of a double/triple return in any game, but he's been a seriously frustrating player for well over 6 GW's now, and is facing the best defence in the league next.

        Also - out of all of the "big 6" - while fit, Sterling has missed out on the most games (3) (Kun missed 4 but was injured) - it's always such a sweat to see has he even made the teamsheet!

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          I haven't seen many with this opinion at all. But I've seen this write up from you before 😉

          Sterling faces Wolves next. He also looks liely to bag points in every game he plays. I don't feel that way when watching Hazard, especially with Morata in the team 😀 And I don't really care how many points are already on the board. That's the last thing I would take into account, given all the interesting an predictive factors that are more useful. And I'm not worried about sweating, I'm usially not too far from a shower.

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

            I've actually listened to a few podcasts where the same opinion has been held & they're adamant on not swapping Sterling to Haz (FML FPL is well worth a listen), but I just don't agree!

            It could be a blind spot i suppose if/when Sterling starts double & triple returning again though

            I think Pens, Corners and no rotation threat have gradually put Haz ahead of Raz, i suppose it just remains to be seen whether that continues or reverses.

            I'd love both ideally, but in a one only scenario I'm on haz at the minute as i just couldn't deal with Sterling anymore!

    20. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I think there is a possibility if Liverpool win tomorrow night that City will go after the CL above all else, even if they may pay lip service to the title. Rest/rotation central. For the sake of City assets in FPL they need to cut that gap pronto...

  10. BitefromBarcelona
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Would like to order a Hazard hat trick to be delivered tonight.

    1. FlockofSeagulls
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Cash or card sir?

    2. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Can I have a cherry on the top?

    3. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      lol

  11. child of God
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Fabiasnki
    Robo digne Doherty
    Mo hazard richalison martial f.Anderson
    Jimenez kane
    Subs Foster. Bissaka kamara Bennett
    0.1 itb
    2 fts'
    can this team be improved?

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

  12. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Next GW captain:

    A) Salah (bha)
    B) Hazard (NEW)

    1. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      A

      1. BitefromBarcelona
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Salah blank incoming

        1. Make Arrows Green Again
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah, I mean, he'll blank again eventually.

    2. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Same dilemma here. If Hazard gets 2+ attacking returns tonight, I'll go Hazard. Otherwise, Salah.

  13. akhilrajau
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Juminez or aurntovic to replace auba

    1. BitefromBarcelona
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Jiminez. Buy pogba and eriksen with the money you made.

      1. akhilrajau
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks. I am planning to sell Anderson and auba to buy Salah and juminez. I already have Kane and Pogba. Any more suggestions

        1. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Why replace auba?

          1. akhilrajau
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            I need to get in Salah. Please check my team
            Fabianski, lossl
            Doherty, Digne,Robertson, Wan-bissaka, kiko femina
            Richarlison,Pogba,Anderson,Hazzard,Gunnarsson
            Kamara, Kane, Aubameyang
            In bank = 1.7
            Free transfers =2

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

            Let them sell him more of a differential 😉

            1. akhilrajau
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 2 months ago

              Didn't bget

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

      Jimmy

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

      Jimenez (but I have both)

  14. Party time
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Aubameyang keep or sell?

      1. BitefromBarcelona
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Depends on who you are bringing in

        1. Party time
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Arnautovic/ Rashford if fit

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

          keep

          1. Party time
              5 years, 2 months ago

              Thanks bud. Maybe 1 more week.

          2. Konstaapeli
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Without any more context, i'd say keep.

            1. Party time
                5 years, 2 months ago

                Thanks for your suggestion buddy

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

              Which big hitter you would bring in ??

              1. Party time
                  5 years, 2 months ago

                  I am thinking of going for a budget forward. So I can beef up the midfield. Since I might bring in Sterling after this gameweek. What do you think

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

                    I'm thinking the same.
                    Just Kane in my case.
                    City won't be sh.t for long

                    1. Party time
                        5 years, 2 months ago

                        Yeah. I think Pep tends to do better in the 2nd half of most seasons wherever he is at 🙂

                • RustyBz
                  • 9 Years
                  5 years, 2 months ago

                  Probably sell to fund Salah, if Rashford stays a good option

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

                    I guess he has salah already.

                  2. Party time
                      5 years, 2 months ago

                      Thanks bud. I have Salah and Hazard. I need to bring in a City asset

                      1. Schafsalat
                        • 5 Years
                        5 years, 2 months ago

                        Why not change Auba to Aguero? Seems to be one of the more nailed city attackers.

                        1. Party time
                            5 years, 2 months ago

                            Thanks for the suggestion bud.
                            Good option. It was btw him or Sterling for me but I don't think Aguero has enough pace in him when City counter and Sterling seems to score more points.

                            1. Schafsalat
                              • 5 Years
                              5 years, 2 months ago

                              You might be right. Changing Auba to Aguero just seems conveniently easy, just one FT required.

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

                    No Liverpool in team atm. And I feel its time to bring some in. (For some reason tripple on ManU..)
                    Would you do:
                    A. Son + Rashford --> Mane + Firmino
                    B. Son + Rondon --> Salah + Kamara
                    C. Son + Lindgaard --> Salah + 6.1
                    D. Other

                    Current mid/att:
                    Son - Lingaard - Fraser - Pogba - Haz
                    Rashford - Rondon - Kane

                    1. Malwin
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 2 months ago

                      Seeing I aint got no City either:
                      1. Son + Rashford --> Sane + Firmino
                      2. Son + Lingaard --> Sane + Mane

                  4. _Gunner
                    • 9 Years
                    5 years, 2 months ago

                    Got 2FTs and don't know what to do.

                    2FTs, 0.1 itb

                    Ederson
                    Luiz Robertson Digne
                    Hazard Felipe Richarlison Martial
                    Kane Wilson Vardy

                    subs: Hamer Neves Bennett AWB

                    1. Fantastisk
                      • 5 Years
                      5 years, 2 months ago

                      Digne out

                      1. Pukki Party
                        • 6 Years
                        5 years, 2 months ago

                        Not this.

                    2. Numb
                      • 9 Years
                      5 years, 2 months ago

                      Need Pogba

                    3. Eze Really?
                      • 9 Years
                      5 years, 2 months ago

                      Vardy 5 touches yesterday and lucky to get a goal.
                      Wilson form?
                      Martial rotation?
                      Ederson, Digne clean sheets?

                      Neves to Brooks/McArthur/March or Camarasa if fit?

                  5. Eze Really?
                    • 9 Years
                    5 years, 2 months ago

                    Son and Rashford to:
                    A) Del Boy and Auba
                    B) Pereyra and Firmino

                    or
                    C) Son to Sane

                    1. Teddy Brewski
                      • 9 Years
                      5 years, 2 months ago

                      A

                    2. Chilavert
                      • 7 Years
                      5 years, 2 months ago

                      C

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

                      A if you have to, but wouldn't get rid of Rashford as he's good value attacker

                      1. RamaJama
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 11 Years
                        5 years, 2 months ago

                        But like C best

                  6. EL tridente
                    • 6 Years
                    5 years, 2 months ago

                    On Wildcard, which one?
                    A) Alisson
                    B) Lloris

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

                      A

                    2. Bavarian
                      • 6 Years
                      5 years, 2 months ago

                      Who will be your second GK?

                    3. Party time
                        5 years, 2 months ago

                        A

                    4. Srv210
                      • 6 Years
                      5 years, 2 months ago

                      Reposting from the last article,thanks for replying!

                      When is son back from the Asia cup??
                      I have good value tied in him ,if he is not out for long maybe I can hold

                      Also is there anyone who is thinking of going without Salah??(atleast for a while)
                      Auba,Kane,hazard all are performing quite well and getting Salah means to get rid of one of them which seems not very easy for me.

                      1. Numb
                        • 9 Years
                        5 years, 2 months ago

                        Depends how long South Korea are in it

                        1. Numb
                          • 9 Years
                          5 years, 2 months ago

                          If they were to go out in the group, he wouldn’t even go

                        2. Fantastisk
                          • 5 Years
                          5 years, 2 months ago

                          You would expect them to go quite far in the competition...if not there will be a lot of Seoul-searching.

                          1. Srv210
                            • 6 Years
                            5 years, 2 months ago

                            Good one!

                            Yeah I think they can go long in the tournament ,latest is by GW 26/27 as said by amey

                            1. A.T
                              • 13 Years
                              5 years, 2 months ago

                              Gw24 is the latest

                              1. A.T
                                • 13 Years
                                5 years, 2 months ago

                                Gw25 sorry

                                1. jtreble
                                  • 7 Years
                                  5 years, 2 months ago

                                  Doesn’t the FFS article say GW26? :).

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

                        Cup final is on 1st feb.
                        He will be back for gw 26/27 IMO.

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

                        Sorry, but value means nothing. Points do! Sell him and invest money in more points.. 🙂

                        1. A.T
                          • 13 Years
                          5 years, 2 months ago

                          What if he only misses 2 games?

                          1. Sir Edo
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 11 Years
                            5 years, 2 months ago

                            If we knew before it was just two games, in combination with a very got bench, maybe yes!

                            1. Sir Edo
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 11 Years
                              5 years, 2 months ago

                              *good

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

                      Kane & Richarlison >> Salah and Jimenez for free ?

                      Really want Salah but feels bad selling Kane with no other spurs assets. Could get Eriksen next week for Sane if I need to. Would you do this move ?

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

                        I like the move.
                        Jimmy has City away but then has sea of green fixtures.

                      2. Srv210
                        • 6 Years
                        5 years, 2 months ago

                        Kane has been good for me..so have been auba and hazard I'm also thinking which one to ditch as all have potential to backfire

                        1. farmerfat
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 8 Years
                          5 years, 2 months ago

                          Yeah I've got Auba and Haz as well but just got Haz in so not keen to ditch him. I guess either way you could get burned. There's no way to own them all

                    6. Bavarian
                      • 6 Years
                      5 years, 2 months ago

                      Richarlison useless again?

                      1. Srv210
                        • 6 Years
                        5 years, 2 months ago

                        He can score given the easier fixtures, but not able to understand what fixture can be easy fixture for a hapless Everton side

                    7. The Train Driver
                      • 8 Years
                      5 years, 2 months ago

                      Arnie (C) next gw, triple digits...

                      1. Bavarian
                        • 6 Years
                        5 years, 2 months ago

                        TC

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

                        Still drinking?

                    8. dee_top
                      • 6 Years
                      5 years, 2 months ago

                      Holebas+Deeney —> TAA+Ings for free?
                      Have Robertson

                      1. Wild Rover
                        • 13 Years
                        5 years, 2 months ago

                        OGS says he is fit. That doesn't mean he will start though

                        1. Numb
                          • 9 Years
                          5 years, 2 months ago

                          This. Lukaku and Sanchez both pushing for a start

                          1. RamaJama
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 11 Years
                            5 years, 2 months ago

                            No, think they'll only have cameos this week

                            1. RamaJama
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 11 Years
                              5 years, 2 months ago

                              And with Rashford's form, maby Lingard is the one to make way for one of them to start next gw

                      2. Wild Rover
                        • 13 Years
                        5 years, 2 months ago

                        You're welcome 🙄

                        1. Fitzy.
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 12 Years
                          5 years, 2 months ago

                          One for the black book mate...

                          1. Wild Rover
                            • 13 Years
                            5 years, 2 months ago

                            It's full

                        2. GOTHAM City F.C.
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 7 Years
                          5 years, 2 months ago

                          thanks 😉

                    9. Up the tics
                      • 8 Years
                      5 years, 2 months ago

                      Kane - Sterling - Hazard

                      If you had to drop one of these three to get salah, which one would it be and why? At the minute I'm on sterling but going without city seems just as dangerous as not having salah.

                      1. Numb
                        • 9 Years
                        5 years, 2 months ago

                        Sterling

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

                        As of now, its Sterling but things could change in few weeks time

                        1. Up the tics
                          • 8 Years
                          5 years, 2 months ago

                          Sterling + Rashford out for Salah + Kamara then?

                          Leaves me with 7 decent forwards and kamara on bench

                      3. So Troublesome
                        • 8 Years
                        5 years, 2 months ago

                        Drop Sterling and try to get DSilva.

                    10. FlockofSeagulls
                      • 6 Years
                      5 years, 2 months ago

                      Seeing all these posts I feel quite lucky to have Auba, Kane and Salah. I'd hate to be having to decide which one gets the chop.

                      Shows what a bit of team structure planning can do for team flexibility.

                      I think I'll be keeping these 3 players for the whole season whilst everyone else is playing for their place.

                      Good luck today you filthy animals. 😉

                      1. Wild Rover
                        • 13 Years
                        5 years, 2 months ago

                        You won't be feeling quite so lucky if Hazzard gets a hatty later

                        1. FlockofSeagulls
                          • 6 Years
                          5 years, 2 months ago

                          Bet you I will bud. I'm always a glass half full guy. I don't lose sleep over fpl, lol. 😉

                      2. diesel001
                        • 7 Years
                        5 years, 2 months ago

                        Auba, Kane, Haz here. Happy with them, especially so far this GW.

                        1. Wild Rover
                          • 13 Years
                          5 years, 2 months ago

                          Ditto, I've got my eye on Sanchez too 😉

                    11. Eytexi
                      • 5 Years
                      5 years, 2 months ago

                      A) get a 4.4 mid & start Doherty this week, then AWB to TAA next week.

                      B) get Camarasa this week, then AWB to Kolasinac next week, rotating with Camarasa.

                      1. MTPockets
                          5 years, 2 months ago

                          Camarasa went off injured

                          1. Eytexi
                            • 5 Years
                            5 years, 2 months ago

                            Apparently should be back for next gameweek

                            1. MTPockets
                                5 years, 2 months ago

                                B looks ok then if short-term focused (versus Doherty against mci). But I don't rate Arsenal defenders so would probably wear it for one week and do A

                        • La Roja
                          • 12 Years
                          5 years, 2 months ago

                          Is this worth -4?

                          Martial Son Auba ➡ Salah Hazard Kamara

                          My others forwards are Kane and Wilson and will switch to 3-5-2 with AK47 on bench

                          1. MTPockets
                              5 years, 2 months ago

                              I would (but then I have Salah/Hazard not the others)

                            • tisza
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 9 Years
                              5 years, 2 months ago

                              works only because Son is going away.

                            • Chilavert
                              • 7 Years
                              5 years, 2 months ago

                              wow im planning on exactly the same move for -4. but im looking at Ings or DCL.

                          2. So Troublesome
                            • 8 Years
                            5 years, 2 months ago

                            I swapped Perreira for VVD a few weeks back. I'm regretting that decision already - he's really doing well.

                            1. lugs
                              • 6 Years
                              5 years, 2 months ago

                              i sold him a few weeks ago after his latest random benching against Fulham, looking at his fixtures after that game including Spurs Chelsea & City it seemed like the right move to sell 🙁

                          3. Sotamendi84
                            • 7 Years
                            5 years, 2 months ago

                            Keep auba + sane or switch to salah+ arnie for free?

                            1. Schafsalat
                              • 5 Years
                              5 years, 2 months ago

                              I would probably do this switch if I could. Not 100% sure though, I really like having Auba.