Opinion

FPL Question Time – How to make gains amid Salah popularity

Fantasy Premier League managers are currently wondering the best way to edge past their rivals when Mohamed Salah (£13.5m) has dominated the captaincy debate.

We’ve put that question to a former winner to get his thoughts, whilst also considering the upcoming Blank and Double Gameweeks, which specifically involve what to do with Manchester City assets.

Read on to see what our panel has said this week…

Who’s on the panel this week?

Simon March – One of the select group of FPL managers to have finished first in the world, Simon topped the overall rankings in 2014/15.

Dr Ben McNair – Based in Australia, Ben has four finishes inside the top 5,000 to his name and is an expert in all things metrics-related.

Josh and Brandon from Always Cheating – Josh and Brandon are the brains behind popular American-based FPL podcast, ‘Always Cheating’.

Question 1 – Simon

FPL Virgin: With every man and his dog captaining Salah, how do we get an edge in the final third of the season?

Simon: “If everybody really is captaining Salah, then this, itself, creates an opportunity to make gains by ‘simply’ selecting alternative captains.

“There is an argument for trying this, for example, Liverpool have a decent fixture this week, but Arsenal, Manchester United and Spurs have arguably better ones and fair few captaincy options among them.

“Captaining a player from one of these sides could really pay off if they do manage to outscore Salah and judicious use of this strategy throughout the season could make a big difference should things go your way.

“That said, it’s a high-risk strategy and it is at least questionable whether the potential reward really justifies it, particularly because the risk of falling behind also gets bigger the larger the number of people who captain Salah and the greater his returns.

“The more sensible strategy is, probably, more incremental in nature. Captain Salah when it makes sense to do so and focus on gaining the advantage from the rest of your team.

“I do believe in being bold with captaincy choices when there’s a standout opportunity but, ultimately, captaincy feels like it should be the last place that Fantasy managers should be taking risks.

“Also, captaincy risks right now might be unnecessary with so many different dynamics yet to come into play this season, not least being the Double gameweeks which, we know, Salah, himself, will not have.

“Salah might look like he has a firm grip on the captaincy right now but, as we know, things can change very quickly in FPL.

“Over a season, the best differential is consistency and, sometimes, this means being patient and taking small, informed risks over time, not forcing the big (bad) ones. Let other people take those.”

Question 2 – Ben

Pascal Cygan: With planning for Blank Gameweeks (Gameweek 27 particularly) in mind, is it now too late to think about bringing Man City players back in if you don’t already have them?

Ben: “Not necessarily, provided you wait until after the weekend. Your strategy for navigating the risks of Blank and Double gameweeks is an important input to the decision.

Those that haven’t turned their minds to this yet, should check out Ben Crellin on Twitter.

A key part of your strategy should be making transfers as late as you can. By the Gameweek 24 deadline we will have learned whether Manchester City have a Double Gameweek 25, updated probabilities of their Blanks in Gameweek 31 and Gameweek 33, and a much better idea of how many players you might need to move out of your team by Gameweek 31.

“Imagine City get a Double in Gameweek 25 and Burnley knock them out of the FA Cup. That would change things considerably.

“However, don’t focus only on the Blank and Double Gameweek schedule. Last season I did so at the expense of focusing on form and it cost me points.

“I bought Sané last week and I don’t regret it yet. I’m not sure I could face having a second Manchester City player, though, with the Gameweek 27 Blank to be managed along with their inherent rotation risk.”

Question 3 – Josh

William Sutanto: Who is the best defender under £5.0m who isn’t Wan-Bissaka? It’s hard to find value in that position right now

“Here are two candidates to consider, both of whom were either injured or out-of-favor earlier this season which has kept them off most people’s radar

“The first is Sead Kolasinac at £4.9m and owned by only 4.0% of managers.He is locked into an Arsenal team and about to go on an extraordinary run of fixtures, Cardiff, Huddersfield, Southampton, and Bournemouth in four of their next five.

“The Gunners haven’t kept too many clean sheets this season (who has outside of Liverpool?) but he’s a naturally attacking full-back and has already picked up four assists on the season.

“Expect assists and/or clean sheets from Kola during his upcoming run.

“The other is Jan Bednarak and £3.9m, 5.6% ownership, and earning starts in the last eight matches for Southampton.

“After falling out of favor with Mark Hughes, the Polish international seems like a sure starter under Hasenhüttl, even more so with Wesley Hoedt sent away on loan this week. Only a late goal from Gylfi Sigurdsson prevented Southampton from keeping two clean sheets in their last three,sothere has definitely been some improvement at the back.

“He may not be a set-and-forget starter, but with Palace, Burnley, and Cardiff in Gameweeks 24to 26 you could reasonably make a case for starting Bednarak in any of those matches.

“At the very least he can save you a little bit of extra money compared to some of the other starting defenders under £5.0m.”

Question 4 – Brandon

Paul Roukey: When does it change from being patient (good FPL management) to being stubborn (bad FPL management) with respect to holding Hazard?

Brandon: “Since joining Chelsea in 2012, Hazard has come to define two distinct FPL clichés.

“The first is patience: a valuable FPL asset that is worth holding through thick and thin, knowing that at the end of the season they’ll undoubtedly be near the top of the stats page.

“The second cliché, of course, is the FPL troll: the player who you can’t resist, but will always let you down.

“A wise friend of the Always Cheating Podcast once said, ‘Getting Hazard into your FPL team is like switching checkout lanes at the grocery store, yet always finding yourself in the slowest one.’

“I currently have Hazard in my side and this is my second spell with him this season. My first spell was a lot more fun, playing Hazard Gameweek 5 to Gameweek 10, a window in which he posted five goals and one assist (including a hat trick in Gameweek 5).

“That’s an average of eight points per Gameweek. Not bad. In that sample size of six matches, half were blanks and he didn’t even appear in Gameweek 10.

“So, my takeaway from this first run is that Hazard’s appeal is his explosive nature, rather than his consistency.

“More recently, I brought Hazard in for Gameweek 20, and I’m still holding him ahead of the Gameweek 24 match away at the Vitality Stadium.

“Only four matches of data to look at this time around, but Hazard has managed just one attacking return. An assist—since Gameweek 20, which is supremely frustrating. Even more galling is that Chelsea haven’t come up with a penalty call since Gameweek 19.

“The hope is that Hazard can deliver one or two explosive performances in the next few matches—ahead of a possible Gameweek 27 blank, which would surely coincide with a massive fire sale.

“But, against Arsenal especially, Chelsea’s attack has looked stifled and uninspired. And Gameweek 26 offers a brutal match-up with Manchester City.

“Where will this supposed explosion come from? Seemingly out of nowhere? During that original window of my ownership, Hazard boasted 17 goal attempts and five big chances. Over the last four matches, he’s managed just eight attempts on goal with a very worrying zero big chances.

“It feels like it’s time to sell Hazard, even with two good fixtures upcoming (Bournemouth and Huddersfield), especially if you can target in-form players like Sterling, Sane, and Pogba.

“To now choose Hazard over City midfield coverage, in particular, is a calculated risk.

“So what is your FPL management style? Are you a risk taker? Are you, as Joe might say, a dullard?

“To answer the specific question above: Heading into Gameweek 24, what you do with Hazard is less about being a good or bad FPL manager.

“Rather, it’s about whether you manage with low or high risk. With that said, if we experience two more blanks over the next two Gameweeks, then we definitely have to revisit this as a very stark, very bleak good/bad management question.”

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853 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    The guy who asked the first question is a bit hunky 😀

    1. Boo Ya Ka Sha
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      you're famous, mate

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

        So is John Wayne Bobbit

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

          Not so much anymore.

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

            Yet, more likely to be on the scoutcast discussing his rough and his smooth.

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

              😆

  2. Hy liverpool
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    For next four gws
    A. Loriente
    Or
    B. Ings

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B all day long

    2. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B, if you must.

    3. Super John McGinn-
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      B

    4. King Carlos
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Im seriously thinking about Llorente... Wilson out...

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

      Loriente sounds like a fancy shampoo.

  3. Super John McGinn-
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Fab
    Alonso, Digne, TAA
    Salah (C), Hazard, Pogba, Siggy, FAnderson
    Rashford (VC), Jimenez

    Doherty, AWB, Kamara

    1FT 2.7M ITB

    A) Siggy/FAnderson > Sane
    B) TAA > Robbo
    C) Save
    D) Other

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Kamara to someone else, but not a priority as your bench is ok,
      so B.

  4. fridge
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Loved my midfield a couple of weeks ago, now I want to get rid of 3 of them!

    Foster
    Robbo. Digne. Doherty
    Salah. Haz. Pog. Rich. Fanderson
    Rash. Jiminez

    Speroni. Bednarek. AWB. Kamara

    A) Fanderson > Sane
    B) Hazard & Fanderson > Sterling & Sane
    C) something else?

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

      I did Haz to sterling before arsenal, but feel it is too short term to do now as they both have a good fixture. So A.

    2. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Not B, at least not until we have confirmation of dgw and blanks.

      I would downgrade either Rich or Fander and upgrade Kamara.

    3. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      same mids, same feeling (see couple of post below)

      I'm holding haz for now given next 2 fixtures and chance of Higuain arriving to change things up a bit and move him back wide where I think he's more effective

      Fanderson I'm more tempted to keep than Rich, good fixtures really, apart from Pool and City, but if obvious i'll move him for city mid, or maybe eriksen/moura

    4. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      a) or hold in answer 🙂

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

    Who is in a better position here?

    No wild card or FH +50 points

    All chips intact -50

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

      It’s 50/50 for me.

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

      all chips

    3. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      All chips

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

      All chips

    5. Boo Ya Ka Sha
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Good question. Not certain which I'd choose since 50 points is probably a realistic figure for their value.

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

      +50pts

    7. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      #2

      that player can FH gw32 (for double) and WC gw34 (prep for second double, then BB gw35
      could be 70 points in that easy

      last year I gained 50 points on 1 rival from FH (admittedly he messed up his captain!)

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

      The leader of my ML 6 weeks ago was around 50pts ahead of me. Since then I've scored 430pts to his 326pts. He's even played 2nd WC in that time

    9. AndyCook
        5 years, 2 months ago

        If the teams were identical I would much prefer position 2 but given then the first one has played their wildcard presumably very recently they already have a good team and if the side with the wildcard intact is well in need of using one it could be much closer

    10. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      currently sitting with the following motley crew and tempted with Doherty + Rich to bednarek + sane, prices would mean doing this before price changes, but best to sit out the cup matches and see what happens yeah?

      Allison/hamer
      robbo/Alonso/luiz/Doherty/awb
      salah/pogba/hazard/rich/Anderson
      jiminez/rashfrod/kamara

      1.8 itb 2 ft

      any injury/suspension between now and next week surely means it sensible to wait, just so frustrated with rich and not having sane....

      thanks for any replies

      1. L S P
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        same MIDS - i'm giving rich until the blank gw.

        fwiw - i'm selling FAnderson to fund kamara->rash

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

      I seemed to remember Leicester winning 2 very tough away games recently 0-1. Games they were expected to get smashed in much like the Liverpool game this weekend.

      Could an Auba captaincy be genius?

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

        Could be but I'd think long and hard before considering a non-captain Salah running at captain Morgan, even more so if Slabhead misses out

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

        They conceded 4 last away game

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

        Can't look past Salah captain, was thinking Auba to try catch up but i've come to my senses

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

        No. I'm captaining Auba.

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

          Probably the next best choice for those who don't own Salah.

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

            I think Aubameyang is the best choice regardless actually - I'm captaining Salah because I don't have Aubameyang 😉

            1. The Big Fella
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 2 months ago

              I have both and on paper I think Auba (and he's "due") but captaincy on Salah will be too high to risk it. Plus, 5pts vs 4pts for a goal plus a CS bonus for Salah...... Auba will have to do very well. Not worth the risk. I think owning Auba will be enough if he hauls.

      5. Boo Ya Ka Sha
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I also thought Palace had a chance at upsetting 'Pool like they did City. But like Mysterion says, if Leicester don't park the bus, there's no way Salah/Mane don't expose Morgan like Jota did. I actually think Mane is a good pick this week.

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

        Auba’s effective blank at home to Huddersfield is all too fresh in the memory. Auba could haul of course, and will be expected to haul.

        But anyone with both will captain Mo

        Anyone without Mo will captain Auba as they don’t really have a choice

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

          Pogba at home to Burnley could be lucrative

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

            He could of course, but captaining him seems a bit like being backed into a corner with Salah’s form & fixture

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

              Offering a choice for those without Mo.

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

                Not a great choice though

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

                  Okay mate

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

          "...anyone with both will captain Mo..."

          That's a pretty complacent comment. And quite untrue, of course. 🙂

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

            “Anyone with both, and who also isn’t a complete maniac, will captain Mo” just doesn’t roll off the tongue

            1. Ambrosiana Inter
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 2 months ago

              This

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

              I don't consider myself to be a complete maniac though I guess others might. I have both and will captain Aubameyang.

              1. FPL Blow-In
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 2 months ago

                I don’t think you are. I have both and I am undecided.

    12. raoulduke71
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Predicted Higuain price if he comes? £9.5/10 mil?

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

        Crabtree has said 9.5, apparently he's ITK.

    13. C'mon the Fylde
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Firmino for Auba? (-4)
      or stick?

      Etheridge
      Doherty Digne Robertson
      Fraser Jota Pogba Sane Salah
      Rashford Firmino

      Button, AWB, Rondon, Shaw

      3m itb

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Noway

      2. Modest Bob
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Oh yes.

    14. Boo Ya Ka Sha
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Given that the majority of fpl will be going Salah (c), the best way to make up ground (versus alternative captains) is by having a solid squad. With 2.0 itb and 1ft I feel obligated to upgrade at least one player, although I think my team is good enough to get by this week. Would you use the ft and try to throw the 2.0itb back into the team?

      Ederson
      Digne, Doherty, TAA
      Salah c, Hazard, Pogba, Anderson, Richarlison
      Firmino, Rashford

      Hamer | AWB, Bennett, Kamara

      A) Save
      B) Richo/Anderson > Jota then upgrade Firmino to Auba after they play City
      C) Digne/Doherty > Trip/Luiz/etc.
      D) Other

      1. TRIPOS TOPPER
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        personally I think there is some value in careful planning for GW31/33 to have a "decent" couple of gameweeks. So swapping out bench players for Soton, Burley etc. (I'm assuming Burnley will be out of this weekend). If Arsenal go out this weekend they will also be a good option.

        I will aim to get 8/9 players out for those weeks

        FH32 for the double. WC34 to get rid of the fodder and prep for 35 and BB

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

          You should be aiming for 11 out really, no? It's not going to be that difficult.

          1. TRIPOS TOPPER
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            the problem is I have a few players I won't be able to buy back if I get rid:

            Rashford, Pogba, AWB and Doherty for a start

            so will stick those on bench for 31

            1. TRIPOS TOPPER
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 2 months ago

              3 on bench and one dormant in team obv.

      2. Boo Ya Ka Sha
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        cheers!

    15. sirmorbach
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Lads, here's my team

      Fab / Guaita
      Digne / Pereira / Doherty / Duffy / AWB
      Salah / Hazard / Sané / Fraser / Camarasa
      Aubameyang / Rashford / Jimenez

      Would you do Hazard, Duffy out, Pogba, Robbo in for a hit? Or hold, giving Hazard another chance? Or even something else?

      1. Boo Ya Ka Sha
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Definitely Robbo, but maybe wait for TAA news. I'd hold Haz for the next two. Maybe wait again for news on City blanks/dgw.

      2. TRIPOS TOPPER
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        moves look good

        wait til FA cup is done. personally would not hold Haz. Chelsea only averaging a goal a game last 10 or so games

    16. FPL Maldini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Does anyone have James’ FPL ID from Planet FPL podcast?

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Yes

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

          What is it?

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

            It's it. What is it?

      2. Rotation's Alter Ego
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        79658 🙂

        1. Rotation's Alter Ego
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          I think...

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

          Thanks!

    17. ZAWAd25
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      a) Barners > Llorente
      b) Barnes > Ings
      c) Hold and save FT
      d) something else?

      Fab
      Doherty Luiz VVD
      Salah Hazard Sane Pogba Rich
      Rashford Barnes
      1FT , 0.4itb

      Thanks lads!

    18. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Sala rejected a late bid from a club in the Chinese Super League to join Cardiff, despite being offered a higher transfer fee and salary, due to his desire to play in the Premier League

      #ForThePremierLeague

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

        I presume you haven't heard the Sala news mate. Bit odd to post this if you have

        1. Emiliano Sala
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Kind of tribute.

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

            To the Premier League?

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

              Never mind. Fair play if that's your intention.

    19. asquishypotato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Exact change to do Felipe Anderson and Kamara to Aub and Camarasa, do:
      I do it tonight
      hold and go for someone lower, like Puncheon?

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

        Risky - another full 7 days until deadline... league cup, fa cup, transfer window, training ground injuries, freak accidents etc

        Flexibility is key at this point so keep those FT’s imo

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

          Indeed. With Alli out I've decided I might as well take the drops and miss the target rises and have a better picture

      2. L S P
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        hold and assess closer to the deadline.

    20. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Go with your gut.

      Instinct is something that transcends knowledge. We have, undoubtedly, certain finer fibres that enable us to perceive Truths when logical deduction, or any other wilful effort of the brain is futile.

      -----Nikola Tesla---------

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

        I think he suffered a few too many electrocutions

        1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          😯

    21. The Alli Way
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      would you take a -8 for Fab > Alisson, Felipe > Sane and Barnes > Jimenez long term move

      1. L S P
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        if i was thinking long term, i wouldn't bring in a player blanking in 27.

        if i was thinking short term, i wouldn't want to take a -8.

        but that's just me.

    22. FPL Maldini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Looks like Higuain may be free to play in the cup for Chelsea. If so, gives us all a good chance to assess him with Hazard

      1. Rotation's Alter Ego
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Yep, will have his medical tomorrow morning it seems. Everything would have to be submitted by midday in order to have him available though.

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

        Hopefully scores against injury cursed Spurs and sucks in load of people

      3. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Jogrinho and Higuain reunited. Sarri just got another ally in the dressing room.

        Hopefully Hazard will be keen to show Higuain what he can do.

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

        His Serie A goals in the last 2 seasons has been pretty underwhelming... but to be an FPL option all he needs is a viable price tag and a little bit of form for a few gameweeks.

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

          He will get less chances in EPL. What is he this season? A goal for every 10 shots?

    23. DGW Sane TC Fail....
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Wilson playing at home probably against a tired Chelsea with the fixture congestion. Arnie looking like he's back in favour for West Ham. Do i keep or off load one for Firmino or Auba? Roll my transfer over to next week.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Oh wow, was just thinking about Wilson. Depends on the injury probably.

        Arnie and West Ham are dodgy atm, I would ditch.

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

        Did Wilson not hobble off with knee injury? Wait for news and if so I would get Auba

        1. DGW Sane TC Fail....
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Yes he picked up another injury. I will be holding my move until the deadline.

    24. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      If Wilson is fit, should I keep him?

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

        It would be a luxury transfer to remove him.

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

        Definitely - particularly if you got in at 6.0 which was a quite frankly ridiculous price.

        His fixtures are excellent from GW27 which isn’t a million miles away, and can easily score v anyone. 18 returns in 20 starts and counting.

        He’s not an elite 12.5m mind you so won’t deliver every match, but he’s super value

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks both.

          FTs are precious at the moment I guess.

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

          Wait, what? He has Arsenal and City in GWs 28, 29.... His fixtures are terrible till 30 with Liverpool and Chelsea too. Definitely be getting rid for Jimenez or Rashford. If you have both already then maybe it's fine to keep as nobody else really around that price bracket worthwhile.

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

      The best FPL podcasts in order:

      1) The art of the dive.
      2) WGTA
      3) FML
      4) FPL toilet
      5) scoutcast audio.
      6) Always Cheating.
      7) planet FPL

      1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Imo, would of been politically correct, in order to not garner smugness.

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

          I put a lot of thought into the order.

          1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            I'm not actually a fan of PC so I was just being unnecessarily pedantic. 🙂

            1. Supersonic Marv'
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 2 months ago

              While we're on pedantry you said 'would of' where you should have said 'would have'. Sorry I couldn't help myself.

              1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 2 months ago

                😆

                1. Supersonic Marv'
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 2 months ago

                  Glad you saw the funny side. I hated myself while I was typing it.

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

                    😆 I know the feeling

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

                It's also not "politically correct" to say "in my opinion". Just correct or polite. The conflation of manners into political correctness is a problem, as it allows people to hate censorship and at the same time justify being a c**t.

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

                  fyi I'm not saying you're beeing a c**t Gnomes. Just talking generally 🙂

                  1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
                    • 6 Years
                    5 years, 2 months ago

                    😆

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

          This is brilliant! 😀

      2. Solenya
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        .

    26. thunder_mike
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Button
      Doherty Digne Robbo
      Salah Sané Pogba Richarlison
      Wilson Rashford Aubameyang
      Guiata Holebas Camarasa WanB

      A) Camarasa > Jota (Benching nightmare)
      B) Save FT
      C) Guiata > Ederson/Foster

    27. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Do you think FPL will become more or less fun with VAR next season?

      My fear is that it will become more about picking penalty takers.

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

        Fantasy World Cup wasn't impacted too much by it.

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          True but no one didn’t know what to expect then. I remember the WC as a penalty fest but maybe this wasn’t the case compared to Brazil.

          1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Scratch “didn’t”

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

          Granqvist non-owner?

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

        I think the penalties have only typically risen fractionally in other leagues where VAR's been introduced, though I'm not certain. VAR, of course helps referees to NOT award penalties where they would have previously awarded one by mistake, of course, so it's not just an additional pens technology. It also could act as a deterrent, stopping people from pushing and pulling in the box, but maybe they'll be an initial spike before the deterrent kicks in. I'm just spitballing here

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah, would be interesting with some stats from other leagues to see whether it is actually more pens with VAR.

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

          Far point, gut feeling is that there will be an increase in penalties.
          Only a gut feeling but it is a large gut......

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

            Should be a large initial spike at least just like the world cup. And while it's true that they reverse decisions too i.e. not award them after review, it happens relatively rarely... iirc it took until the QF's at the world cup for the first one to happen and there can't have been more than 2 or 3 in total

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

        That's a reasonable point and you could add the serial divers to that but it's just an added variance to playing the game if that's the case.
        Don't think it'll add or lessen enjoyment that I can see but maybe it might force you to pick certain players for that reason.
        Main thing is if more correct decisions are made then that has to be a good thing.

      4. DGW Sane TC Fail....
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I don't think it will have much impact on the game. Most seasoned fantasy football managers are always looking out for who the penalty takers are already.

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

        Milivojevic essential

      6. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Defenders must be screwing. The art of surreptitious shirt holding is over.

      7. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        it will most certainly take longer time to get added points... ha ha

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

        If it's a transparent technology it'll add to fun.
        If it's something like Hawkeye in Cricket which I find really awful it'll just be boring from fans perspective.
        And yes Milivojevic will become essential 😀

    28. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      De Bruyne worth the risk in transferring in over Sane or not?

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

        I don't get the buzz. Nothing is screaming must buy without consistent starts and stats and never considered him essential previous seasons

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

          People are getting twitchy with Mendy nearly back. Some consider that KDB will be more secure of gametime than any other City midfielder. That's why I think.

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

            “... People are getting twitchy with Mendy nearly back ...”. Elaborate please. I plan to bring in Mendy ASAP and I’m curious to understand what you mean here. TIA.

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

              I think he is saying that Sane game time may get reduced.
              I'm also thinking about getting Mendy as a cheap way to get into City attack 😉

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

                Sane is the form player in a team chasing Liverpool for the title. People trying to outthink Pep. Good luck with that

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

                  Yep.
                  Both should play together as I said before Sane tends to tuck inside whenever Mendy is playing which adds up to his FPL appeal.
                  I'm going to simply wait till gw28 and analyze the team selection & tactics and get one city attacker for the rest of the season. + If it's sane I'd add Mendy from the rest of the cash

            2. bench boost for every gamew…
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 2 months ago

              What he means is that history tells us that Mendy occupies that left wing and Sané not as nailed when Mendy plays. In the form sané is now i´m not sure this trend will continue though

              To me there seems to be more pressure in the middle with Fernandinho a must in Cm leaves Bilva/Silva/KDB and Gundogan fighting for 2 slots. Mahrez is clearly third choice behind Sané and Sterling. Bilva could be played as a wing but more last season than this.

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

                History ignores Sane funk over Euro snub. Played 90 twice between Mendy 8-12 uninjured streak and scored in both games

                1. bench boost for every gamew…
                  • 7 Years
                  5 years, 2 months ago

                  Just trying to explain to Jtreble what Ruth said. I don´t really buy into that Sane/Mendy thing theory. Also agree, Sané is Citys best player atm so will play most matches and second gussing Pep is FPL suicide. PIck a guy and then leave it or go for players in other teams you think will do just as fine.

      2. Garth Marenghi
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Nope

    29. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      1) Pereyra > Sane
      2) Anderson > Sterling
      3) Open to suggestions (Haz or Kamara out?)
      4) Save
      1FT, 4.3itb

      Fab, Button
      Robbo, Luiz, Doherty, AWB, Bednarek
      Salah, Pogba, Hazard, Anderson, Pereyra
      Rashford, Jimenez, Kamara

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Is Eriksen still worth a look now?

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

          With Son coming in 1-2 gw's time I'd say NO.

    30. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Bench two
      Alonso
      AWB
      Doherty
      Fanderson

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

        AWB Anderson

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

        Awb for sure
        Toss a coin between Doherty & Fando

      3. Norman Conquest
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        awb and fanderson

    31. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I really don’t know what to do here? Haz to Pogba is tempting. As is Trent to Kola or even Nasri to Babel! I have 2ft and 0itb. Any opinions?

      Etheridge
      TAA, Lindleof, Digne
      Salah, Hazard, Rich, Nasri
      Auba, Aguero, Rashford

      Guita, Puncheon, Bednarek, WB

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

        I'd just wait till dgw news as if Hazard gets one he'll be my Captain choice.
        Then you can sell in gw26 for Son/Pogba

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Oh I won’t be making any transfers up until almost deadline of course. Thanks for the reply.

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

            Cheers mate 🙂

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

        save

    32. Squib
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      What should I do with this?
      Foster
      Kolasinac Digne TAA AWB
      Pogba Hazard Salah Sane
      Auba Rashford

      Button Bennett Long Puncheon

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

        Wait for more news on bgw.
        It's a good team mate 🙂

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

        save imo

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

      See even El Topo, mod of 'The No Salah League' brought in Salah on WC this week. Sad times 🙁

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

        Deulofail, they're dropping like flies 😉

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

          He already bought him and sold him earlier in the season 🙂

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

            ...ah, didnt realise that but you did elude to it before on here now that I remember. Will do my best to beat him Salahless so haha!

      2. Garth Marenghi
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Interesting way to set up a league.

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

          if managers stuck to their guns it is haha (havent seen El Topo on here in ages though)

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

            He’s in a much better place

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

              🙂

          2. Garth Marenghi
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Isn’t that the whole point?
            Does everyone have Mane then?

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

              Y
              N (I dont have any LIV attack, actually had no LIV assets for a period)
              I've been averaging almost 70 points per GW over the past 5GWs, so not too shabby of late 😉

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

                That's pretty good. Only 7pts more than you that period. Major mistakes for me were benching Digne 17 and changing C from Pogba 18 before deadline

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

                  True, its borderline decisions that you get wrong and mistakes, if you like, that does cost you in this game!

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

                Averaged 71.6 myself. Catchin you up 😉

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

                  Nice, our teams are different but both doing very well considering no Mo, no no no MO, no no theres no Salah

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

        So he's out of the league now ??
        You'd have a great chance to win it buddy. I don't think many could resist temptation to get Salah IN right now given his form.

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

          Yeah, dont particulary care about the winning part, just all these samey Salah perma-captain teams makeing it all a little bit tedious 😉

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

            Yeah.
            If you are slowly changing your mind, now is the time to get Salah- with pretty plum fixtures ahead.
            If Hazard doesn't perform well in next 2 it'll be easier for you to get him IF you change your mind 😉

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

              Nah, will stick it out, loads of ways to make up the lost Salah points moving forward 😉

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

                He he.
                GL mate.

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

        See, the reason I don't 'get' that league is that it feels a bit like an admission that having Salah is a better option, so we might as well set up a league to see how the 'handicapped' teams will do against one another.

        Am I being too cynical? I know Deulofail explained his point of view, but I'd like to hear yours too in more detail.

        Of course I was Salahless for all weeks but one, but that was because I genuinely thought it was my team's best chance to maximise points.

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

          Ok, let me try...
          I play the game for fun, not in any serious cash leagues where I have to play that cover rivals nonsense.
          I still believe he is too expensive (and has been very lucky to get the points he has gotten in recent weeks) if you want a couple of more big hitters in your team.
          I hate following the herd and ending up with a template team, staying away from Salah helps in that respect haha.
          I am enjoying the challange and will hopefully beat a load of Salah teams on here at the finish line 😉

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

            I agree with the 'lucky' part - if you remember I was going to continue without Salah for a few more weeks before the Kane injury.

            There are other ways to keep your team fresh though - I have Lacazette and Kolasinac for example!

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

            Salah is cheap for his output. He has 87pts last 8. Has anyone ever had a near 11ppg over 8 games before? I would be surprised

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

              Salah would've definitely had that last year if you picked the right 7 games either end of that Watford 29-pointer.

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

              ...if he manages to keep those figures up, or even close to it, he will be a bargain but I still have doubts. Of course he's a superb FPL asset and takes the captaincy dilemma out of the game completey if you own him imo. Horses for courses and all that, more than one way to skin a cat, yada yada

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

              Dude if I could pay for those points now, I would. Bit late though innit?

              I think you mean to say, "Salah *has been* cheap for his output over the last 8 games [handpicked timeframe] in hindsight".

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

          I've checked my run since Salah C 21pts 8 weeks ago. 70.6 avg. Ced Salah 5 times only the double figure scores. Had a look at your last 8 total and 72pts less. That means your team kind of better overall but the Salah C option has been that potent

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

            Pierce34 team that is

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

            It's a pity we'll never know if my original plan would've worked out better - was looking forward to captaining Kane vs. Fulham and then getting (and captaining) Aubameyang vs. Cardiff.

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

              Kane out still hurts. He was a differential at top of my ML and no one could get without sacrificing an expensive player

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

              I was very likely going to do that exact move, Kane injury was annoying for sure!

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

                as in captaincy...as I owned both of them at the time before Kane's injury and liked it!

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

                  then I decided to ship Auba on WC last week...how things change!

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

                    Yeah I was expecting you to keep him actually.

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

                      have a look at my transfers history page and you will see how much thought I put into that WC (or indecisiveness if you like)!

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

                        Just did a search for Aubameyang's name - it appears 18 times 😆

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

                          🙂

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

      What would you do here?
      Pat
      Doherty Digne TAA
      Salah Richarlison Pogba Hazard
      Barnes Rashford Kun

      Fab Gibbs Kiko Balbuena
      1ft 0.0itb

      a)Barnes->Ings
      b)Richarlison->Gross
      c)Kiko->Bednarek
      d)Save

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

        None
        OR Balbu to AWB ??

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

          thanks.can't afford it.

      2. Norman Conquest
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        c

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

          cheers

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

        d