Scout Notes

The injury latest on Pogba and Martial after United’s winning run comes to an end

Manchester United’s 100% record under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was brought to a halt on Tuesday evening but the result could have been much worse for the Red Devils, who fought back from 2-0 down to rescue a point against Burnley.

Paul Pogba continued his rich vein of form with a goal from the spot but there were suggestions after full-time that the Frenchman may have picked up an injury, despite him completing 90 minutes at Old Trafford.

We round up the injury latest as well as the main Fantasy talking points and salient manager quotes from United’s last-gasp draw.

Manchester United 2-2 Burnley

  • Goals: Paul Pogba, Victor Lindelöf | Ashley Barnes, Chris Wood
  • Assists: Jesse Lingard, Alexis Sanchez | Jack Cork, Ashley Westwood

Paul Pogba (£8.7m) registered his 11th FPL goal involvement in seven Gameweeks but owners of the game’s second-most-popular midfielder (the Frenchman sits in over 41% of Fantasy squads) face a nervous wait to see if there is any substance in the media reports that suggest he had picked up a groin injury in the 2-2 draw with Burnley last night.

Simon Peach and Jamie Jackson were among the journalists to write that Pogba had limped through the mixed zone after the match, with other reports claiming that the former Juventus midfielder was seen “holding his groin” as he walked down the tunnel at full-time.

The Metro also report that Pogba is set for a scan today.

It should be said that the speculation is purely based on quotes from reporters present at the match, however, with nothing official coming from the club or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as yet.

The interim United boss did offer an explanation as to why Anthony Martial (£7.3m) had missed the visit of the Clarets, however:

He got a slight injury in training, hopefully he will be back for next weekend but no chance today.

Injury aside, Pogba once again racked up some impressive underlying stats despite a much-changed United side not fully hitting their stride.

The France international registered more penalty box touches, attempts on goal, shots in the box and efforts on target than any other player on show at Old Trafford, scoring from the spot after substitute Jesse Lingard (£6.7m) had been felled and then being denied a second goal by a fine Tom Heaton (£4.8m) save late on.

Solskjaer hasn’t been afraid to make changes to a winning United team since his appointment (not keeping the same starting XI for two matches in a row, albeit after having his hand forced in Gameweek 23) but this turned out to be one fixture too far, with his widespread tinkering resulting in a somewhat disjointed display.

Five alterations to the team were made in total, with Andreas Pereira (£4.5m) and Juan Mata (£6.2m) delivering sub-par displays in central midfield and on the right wing respectively.

Romelu Lukaku (£10.7m), so impressive when used on the flank against Arsenal in the FA Cup, was a cumbersome presence in a more central role and his deployment as an out-and-out striker meant that Marcus Rashford (£7.7m) was farmed out to the left – the England striker unsurprisingly delivering his least effective performance since Solskjaer took charge.

Rashford’s purple patch of FPL form thus came to a (hopefully) temporary end, with the United striker poking one glorious chance wide early on and later taking too long to finish after an excellent Pogba pass over the top.

Solskjaer defended his decision to play Lukaku as a central striker after the match:

Rom has done really well against Burnley before. He has scored and he is a handful. With Anthony injured, we thought that was the best option with Rashy out there. Of course, he got a couple of chances but today wasn’t his day.

The feeling that United missed the dynamism and link-up play of Lingard was evidenced after his game-changing introduction on 63 minutes, while the importance of the bustling Ander Herrera (£5.0m) in the central midfield three was underscored by Pereira’s disappointing display in his stead.

Pereira, indeed, was culpable for Burnley’s opening goal: the youngster being dispossessed by Jack Cork (£4.6m), who fed Ashley Barnes (£5.6m) to hammer the Clarets into a 1-0 lead.

Unsurprisingly, Solskjaer defended Pereira’s inclusion too:

No, it was the right decision to make. We had a couple of niggles and unfortunately he [Pereira] was involved in the first goal but that’s the whole team.

We played our way into trouble there instead of starting off with the forward pass we ended up back to the keeper and it’s just another thing we have to learn from.

Andreas will be better off for having this experience, no problem about that.

The hope for those who own Fantasy assets of Manchester United is that Solskjaer has perhaps learned a lesson about making widespread changes to his starting XI, particularly when a few of those concerned – i.e. Lingard and Herrera; Rashford in a central role – made the team tick in the first place.

United’s defence wasn’t overly tested by a Burnley side who mustered only six shots on goal but they were suspect whenever the Clarets did break, with Chris Wood (£6.2m) finding himself unmarked to nod home Ashley Westwood‘s (£4.5m) cross on 81 minutes.

Victor Lindelof (£4.9m), who bundled home the stoppage-time equaliser, was again the stand-out member of the United backline, with Phil Jones (£5.1m) continuing to look shaky alongside him.

While Burnley were indebted to some fine saves from Heaton, which included a superb re-adjustment from a Lukaku flick, they fully merited their point at Old Trafford.

We had highlighted last week how Sean Dyche’s side had look much-improved after their early-season struggles and that encouraging progress continued here, with Wood and Barnes posing plenty of problems in what has become a regular strike partnership in Dyche’s now-familiar 4-4-2.

This was Barnes’ tenth straight Premier League start and he has been joined by Wood in the starting XI in eight of them.

Continuity has been key in Burnley’s resurgence and Dyche named the same team that lined up in Gameweek 23, with the fit-again Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£5.5m) being held back on the bench.

Ben Mee (£4.6m) and James Tarkowski (£4.7m) are something approaching back to their best after a dip in form at the start of the campaign, which perhaps bodes well for clean sheets ahead given that the Clarets sit second in our Season Ticker for defence over the next five Gameweeks.

Dyche rhapsodised afterwards:

In the first half, particularly, a lot of our forward play was very good and the two centre-forwards were excellent, particularly in the first 60 minutes.

Behind them, I can’t really fault anyone. Some people question Jeff (Hendrick), but he plays all over the place and gets on with it every single time, without question. He accepts the role, drives on and delivers.

Dwight (McNeil) was good again and Westy and Corky are beginning to get that connection again.

The back four were resolute and strong and Tom, behind that, showed assuredness.

We have been building back towards what we can be. I think everyone can see that.

Suddenly, we are five unbeaten and very close to being five wins, not just three wins and two draws. A couple of decisions and who knows?

Manchester United XI (4-3-3): De Gea; Young, Lindelof, Jones, Shaw; Matic, Pereira (Lingard 62′) Pogba; Mata, Lukaku (Sanchez 67′), Rashford.

Burnley XI (4-4-2): Heaton; Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Hendrick, Cork, Westwood, McNeil (Gudmundsson 76′); Barnes, Wood.

985 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I’d be tempted to replace him with Son over Sane.

    1. puhd
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'm on the same boat. Might go with no city cover for the DGW.

    2. puhd
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Wait, you talking about Pogba and his "injury"?

      1. Pap Le Cissier
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Read the article, fears after the game

        1. Pap Le Cissier
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Sorry, misunderstood your point

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah

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

    Pardon my ignorance, but what is a "mixed zone"?

    1. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A good scrabble score?

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

        Yes! Get the x of mixed horizontally on the triple letter square two up from the left of the centre square, and you can then vertically play zone on the e, and the z is a double letter score 🙂

        1. Pap Le Cissier
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Countdown show off! 😉

    2. philm33
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      It's the area of the ground where the media gathers post match to grab interviews with players as they leave

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

        Ok - cheers. Never heard of that expression before 🙂

        1. philm33
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          It's a term used more in European leagues

    3. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I thought maybe a typo for media?

    4. Skonto Rigga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Secret Sonic level.

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

        Up, down, left, right, hold a and press start?

  3. puhd
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Anderson out for:

    A- Son
    B- Sane
    C- Sterling

    Rest of mids: Pogba Rich Salah Hazard

    1. Samwise
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      same as me but just switched rich with jota... i have son

      1. puhd
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        No city cover then for the DGW?

      2. JELLYFISH
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        You switched Rich with Jota before the dgw?

    2. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Depends on rest of squad... ie. how many blanks you got in 27?

  4. dylano21
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    firmino and hazard => sane and aguero for free ?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Nope

    2. Flynniesta
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I’d wait another match before ditching Haz, regardless of who else you might want in your squad

  5. CliveTilds
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    (A)Digne > Laporte
    (B)Bench Digne, play AWB v Fulham
    Are you confident Laporte starts both DGW games?

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

      You'd think Laporte would play both, but it's hard to see many points for him.

      Based in current form it's hard to see City keeping a CS in either game. There's a real possibility a single GW defender outscored City defs.

  6. Crouching Tiger
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Digne replacement? Got Robbo and Doherty already

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

      Kola looks good value there.

      I'm considering getting him in place of Digne.

    2. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Bednerak or AWB

  7. Penalty Penalising
    FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Do you think the current FPL rules for pens are alright? With Pogba, Salah and Auba all benefitting big time at the moment, and the introduction of VAR coming in in future seasons, do you think penalties should be less points? Should pen takers who win the pen get more? Maybe just lower the BPS so pen takers don’t get automatic bonus? Or keep it the same?

    1. KingOllie
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I think the system is fine as it is, its up to FPL towers to price these assets accordingly knowing they are on pens (more or less)

      1. KingOllie
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        You forget that there is also a chance of these players missing and getting -2 points

      2. FPL ZB
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I suppose the issue is if someone steps onto pens who wasn’t on them at the start of the season

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          But that’s just like getting an OOP player. Categorised as a defender then goes all Gareth Bale on is.

    2. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Lower BPS sounds fair

      1. joeydelucchi
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        this...totally agree

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

      Keep it the same - VAR won't make a big difference. Some penalties will be given that would not have been given before, but also penalties will be overturned after closer inspection.

      I would like to see assists for penalties scrapped though - just have points for winning a penalty regardless of whether the penalty then goes in - like in Fantasy world cup or UCL fantasy.

      1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Did you watch the world cup?

        1. Pierce34
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Twenty penalties in the 2018 world cup - there were 18 in three other world cups, so it's not a huge increase.

          I remember VAR helping referees not give penalties too - see Neymar...

          1. Mysterion
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            29 penalties awarded in 2018 WC compared to 13, 15, 17 in 2014, 2010, 2006

            It will definitely help reverse decisions too, but many more will be awarded after review than reversed if the world cup was anything to go by...

            1. Robson-Canoe
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              It just proves that many fouls in the penalty box go unnoticed without VAR - especially on dead ball situations. Defenders just have to adapt their game and stop using shirt pulling and elbowing as a method of defending.

    4. Bird Raymond
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      The beauty of the game is it's simplicity so no messing with assists and goals. Can see a case for tinkering with the baps though.

    5. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Keep it the same, people will be wise to these players by then anyway so it’s unlikely to make a difference

    6. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      2pts for winning penalties even if the penalty taker wins it, 3pts for scoring penalties.

    7. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Keep it as it is

    8. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I dislike the current system.

      Penalty earner should get points regardless of it is converted (3).

      Penalty taker should get fewer points and it should be irrespective of position. (3)

    9. Mysterion
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Winning a pen should be rewarded regardless of outcome. 2 points like in UCL fantasy...

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        This should be done.
        Zaha Essential 😀

      2. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Does this accumulate with an assist or not?

        All for getting points regardless, though, yes.

      3. hamishmactavish
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Not sure about this. Should key passes get assist points even if the person who receives the pass squanders the chance? I don't think so, so I wouldn't change this either.

        1. Mysterion
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          A penalty would give the pen taker a much higher xG than the average key pass (or even big chance) would for the person receiving that pass.

          Anyway around 70-80% (guessing here, could be wrong) of penalties are scored in the PL so the current system with 3 points for an assist only if the pen is scored is actually worth 70-80%*3 = 2.1-2.4 points whereas the new system would just be 2 points - not accounting for BPS, they could alter the BPS for winning a pen as opposed to a regular assist as suggested in the OP

          The real difference maker here of course would be for players like Hazard/ Salah who tend to win their own penalties and not Zaha because Mili rains on his parade...

      4. teneighty
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Totally agree, makes a lot more sense.

    10. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Scoring Penalties is not easy as we have seen in the past.
      So I think it's fine.

      1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Scoring goals for defenders isn't as hard as in the past, want to change that one too?

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          No.

    11. Sylas
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Why change a system that isn't broken?! Does it even make a difference for highly owned players like Auba, Pogba, Salah? Every season some or the other player emerges who is a constant penalty taker. Milivojević etc. are perfect examples of this

      1. FPL ZB
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I’m thinking that if a striker scores one pen in a high scoring game, they might still get 3 bonus. Maybe lowering the BPS for a penalty is fairer on other players

    12. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I liked the World Cup fantasy rules, 2 points for being fouled for a penalty and no assist. There is a risk that the game gets boring if the penalty takers gets a big advantage, expecting a slight increase in price for Siggy, Milivojevic etc.

    13. Wılly
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      There's also the negative side of being a penalty taker where you'll lose FPL points for not scoring.

      The system works as it is but assists shouldn't be given for penalties. I'd like to see points given for winning the penalty though irrespective of what happens with the penalty.

      In the World Cup there were a lot more penalties until the teams adjusted to VAR, so I suspect there'll be a learning curve to begin with but this will balance out over time.

    14. Wheato182
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Think its good how it is, in fact i think if the player wins the peno and scores from it he should also be awarded the assist!

    15. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      If you got points for winning an unconverted penalty, why not points for creating an unfinished big chance?

      Leave it as it is. And price penalty takers at a premium ahead of the first VAR season.

    16. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Penalty saves are the bigger issue luck wise.
      Less BPS for both would be good.
      Better pricing for potential main penalty takers is the best they can do.

    17. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I think the current points system is generally fine - maybe add a 1 point deduction for the player who causes the penalty.

      I also think VAR should be a net neutral from an FPL points perspective - there will be more penalties awarded that previously wouldnt have been, but more penalties disallowed that previously wouldnt have been. And also a possible change in defenders behaviour to leave them even less likely to make a challenge in the box when they know the VAR cameras are on them. So there should be as many factors reducing the amount of penalties as there are increasing the amount - over the course of a 380 game season.

      Based on that Penalty takers shouldnt be any more or less valuable from an FPL pricing perspective.

      Being a penalty taker can also be a double edged sword.

      If your captain misses a penalty you are SCREWED. Ashley young missed one as captain for me once when he was at Villa. What should have been a +16 point (5+5+3baps+3baps) turned into a -4 (-2 + -2), so its literally a 20 point swing if your captain misses one.

      Of the 2,016 penalties awarded since 1992/93, only 1,682 have been scored (80 missed, 254 saved) - so there's a nearly 20% chance that if your captain steps up to a penalty you're going to get a 20 point negative swing.

      Food for thought. (pen statistics: http://www.myfootballfacts.com/Premier_League_Penalty_Statistics.html)

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

        You didn't have any points from Ashley Young until the penalty had been taken.

        If he had scored then he would have gained you 16 points, but since he missed you lost 4 instead.

        Just be grateful for the 80% chance of gaining 16 points and don't complain about the 20% chance of losing 4 - it may feel unlucky, but it's not unfair.
        Don't count your chickens before they're hatched!

        Apart from the delay between the penalty being awarded and taken, it's the same as when your player misses an open-play chance with an xG of 0.80.

        1. FotnikPL
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          It's not the same because there are different circumstances comparing to open play chance. There are defenders around you, ball is moving, often you just have half of second to make decision and ball can bounce right in front of your foot. This is not the same. Of course there is pressure on penalty taker but all depends on him.

          Points for winning penalty are great thing. There is also other factor. Let's say Salah was brought down in the box. Currently he can't score and have an assist. With points for winning PK he could get points for both actions which is fair.

          I really hope they will change it next season.

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

            Surely xG will take account of whether there are defenders around and how much time there is to make a decision?

            There is one difference though - missing a big chance may cost you bps, especially if the shot is off-target rather than saved or blocked, but there is no -2 deduction in that case.

            1. Mysterion
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              I don't think it does, most xG models don't take those factors into account as far as I know... even Opta just use xG + non-penalty goals. They list their regression inputs here: https://www.optasportspro.com/about/optapro-blog/posts/2017/blog-expected-goals-explained/

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

                An xG of 0.80 ought to mean that an average player in that situation would score 4 times out of 5.
                That should be the same whether it's a penalty or an open-play chance.
                If it isn't then there's something wrong with xG.
                (I'm assuming that a penalty has an xG of 0.80).

                1. Mysterion
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  Yeah a penalty may well be 0.80 but I meant that it shouldn't be treated the same as an open-play chance with the same xG because the model doesn't take into account factors like split-second decision time, how many defenders around, etc. That's just a technological limitation we have to make do with for now, maybe there are newer models that already do account for these kinds of things, not sure...

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

                    However the xG is calculated, an xG of 0.80 should mean that an average player in that situation scores 4 times out of 5.
                    It may be that the only non-penalty situations with xGs of 0.80 are chances for tap-ins with no defenders around and the goalkeeper badly positioned.
                    If they don't take account of that then they must be the average of easier and more difficult chances from the same position, which might be scored from more than 4 times out of 5 if there are no defenders around but less than 4 times out of 5 if there are defenders around.
                    Either way, the xG of 0.80 means that in that situation, or in the average of the situations for which that xG is calculated, an average player should score 4 times out of 5.
                    The xG is never entirely realistic anyway, since it probably takes no account of the ability of the player with the goal-scoring chance or of the goalkeeper and defenders he is playing against.

    18. sproughton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      There's no reason why a defender should get more points for scoring a penalty than a forward does. It's completely isolated from a normal passage of play so any penalty scored should have a flat number of points.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Bonus already goes a some way to balance that out. So if you have flat points, you are reversing the pattern by giving more points to forwards than mids and defs because they get more baps for a goal. To get what you want, I think you'd have to remove bonus points for penalty goals or rework the BPS so you don't get bonus for scoring anyway (makes the most sense to me).

    19. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rebuild the whole BPS from scratch!

      1. FotnikPL
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Nope, not from scratch. Just couple changes and should be fine.

    20. french holiday
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Just keep it as it is...dont over complicate.

      1. FotnikPL
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        But why do you want scoring rules being not fair?
        I mean your player should be rewarded for winning it no matter if takes it or not. If they can't give it because rules are written in this way just introduce winning penalty points. Simply as that.

    21. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Fewer BPS, or just 4pts for a penalty rather than it depending on position.

  8. KingOllie
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Please dont transfer pogba out for the sake of 1 gameweek my friends, u will regret

    1. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      United do have 3 of the top 6 in the next 6 games but I don't see any better replacements really.

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Want Son

      2. The Wise Owl
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Son says hi

    2. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Also, if you’re getting DGW player it can be 2 games 🙂

  9. Pierce34
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I'm sure people must have mentioned this before, but... I thought FPL was only supposed to flag and unflag players based on official statements from the club? Not just on random reporter speculation? At this rate next week Pogba is going to be flagged because some journalist saw him scratch his shin or remove his boots in a funny way.

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Completely agree.
      Ridiculous from FPL sometimes.
      Some people might end up selling him & OGS will come out and say he's fine :

    2. soup natsi
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Why is this an issue? If you think he’s just fine, then more people selling means fewer people getting his points.

      1. Pierce34
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        That's fine, but I don't always have the time to check whether a flag is legitimate or not. Going on holiday in a couple of weeks so I really don't want to be spending my time going on the Huddersfield Observer or whatever to see whether a player actually has a real injury.

        1. Typo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Good point

    3. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      FPL puts flags on things when there's sufficient reason to believe the player is injured, it doesn't necessarily have to come from club statements.

      So if there's more than one official, reputable media outlet reporting something and there aren't clearly mitigating factors it's acted on

      1. Pierce34
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks for the clarification.

  10. Millie7
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Who are people getting in for Digne??

    1. Gringo Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Robbo for me

    2. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      PVA.

      Feel like my team needs another differential.

    3. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Waiting to see TAA news...if not fit will wait and get Pereira for 27

    4. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      PVA. Great fixtures, great stats, and a great differential.

    5. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Moved him to Bednarek last night before his rise as so to allow Felipe Anderson > Son after tonight's fixtures all being well?

    6. Dybala10
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Thinking Kola.

    7. Willmissudimitrypayet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hold and get Pereira soon

  11. balint84
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    best replacement of David Luiz next week after?

    A) Leicester def
    B) ManUtd def
    C) Watford def

    1. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A Pereira

  12. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    How did Lukaku & Rashford playing together work out? OGS back to Rashy up top?

    1. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Stats suggest Rashford was unlucky not to score and Lukaku unlucky not to get an assist.

    2. Skonto Rigga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, I think so. Sounds like Martial should be back this weekend, which negates the need for Rashford to be out on the left. Lukaku looking his old self as a CF - he was better on the right against Arsenal. They missed Lingard, too.

    3. Simon Says...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      One moment of quality from Lukaku in the first half set Rashford up for a big chance he should've finished. Apart from that, it was a big downgrade from Rashford at 9. He's been electric playing through the middle, on the half turn with runners around him. He's also been better when he drifts out to the right of a front three (with Lingard at false 9 and Martial from the left). He looked cut-off out left yesterday, and Lukaku's hold-up play was mixed at best.

      I think Rashford will be back through the middle next game, Lukaku looks most threatening in this system playing from wide right in a front 3. Rashford in the middle also brings more out of Pogba as they play off each other far better.

  13. Mysterion
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Even if the injury fears turn out to be true, is this article seriously including opinions from the likes of the s*n and Jamie Jackson 😆

  14. WVA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Looking forward to the DGW now I have Aguero, doing the Auba Aguero hokey cokey.

    Foster
    Alonso VVD AWB
    Salah Hazard Pogba Richarlison
    Aguero Rashford Jimenez
    Hamer Bennett Bednarek Billing

  15. soup natsi
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Anderson > Sane for free is a no brainer for someone without any City, right?

    1. Simon Says...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes.

  16. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    With Aguero playing a full 90mins last night, where do we stand with his minutes for the DGW?

    Anyone done any research or guesses?

    1. soup natsi
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Starting against Arsenal, potentially starting with Jesus against Everton

    2. Simon Says...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I can give you wild speculation. Starts one of them for 80 minutes, off the bench for 24 in the next. 104 minutes, not a second less or more.

    3. Numb
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, Aguero to start vs Arsenal, Jesus vs Everton. I have the analysis to back this up but too extensive to post here.

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Haha

      1. Ruth_NZ
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Would you mind expanding on that a bit? Kun or no Kun is quite a critical issue for me. My own trawl through the data suggests he'd likely start both games, quite possibly alongside Jesus at least once. If Mendy is available I'd consider that almost certain to happen.

        1. soup natsi
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I agree Ruth. Would you do Anderson > Sane for free if you could?

          1. Ruth_NZ
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Yes.

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

          Did you filter for data points only where Jesus was in form prior to the match clusters?

          1. Ruth_NZ
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            No. I am much less advanced than that. 😉

            So your assessment is based on Jesus being an in-form alternative?

    4. The Rumour Mill
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'd estimate around the 120 mark. Either through 2x60m appearances, or a 90 followed by a 30. I think he starts v Arsenal. If its a tight game then he probabaly plays the full 90. If City are winning by a margin I can see him bought off early.

      Everton game is tougher one to call. Chelsea match follows the weekend after and I assume Aguero will be starting that one....

      1. Ruth_NZ
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Chelsea is 4 days later and they then have 10 days before the next significant game. With a 5-day rest going in and a 10-day rest afterwards I don't really see why Aguero couldn't start 3 games in a week in all honesty.

        The question is really how essential to City Pep considers Kun to be. I think he is clearly preferred to Jesus and therefore expect him to start the next 3 PL games more likely than not.

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

          Aguero starting 3 tough league games in a week is asking for an injury breakdown, his body can't handle it

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

          Thats a fair point, and he's barely played in January up to this point too. I guess in the Everton match he could start and be bought off early, which might be all he needs v their defence.

          Yes that is the crux of it isn't it. Jesus has got himself into some good goalscoring form recently but the caveat is they've been mostly against lower league sides and depleted opponents.

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

      I don't think he'll start Kun for Everton as he'll want him for chelsea

      Really can't see Kun playing 90 mins on a tuesday, starting sunday (ars), starting wednesday (eve), then starting sunday again (che)

      He'll need at least one benching & everton looks the lesser of 3 evils compared to arsenal & chelsea

  17. Dybala10
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Any of these moves worth doing ahead of the DGW?

    A) Steele to Ederson
    B) Steele to Pickford
    C) Digne to Laporte

    Keeper would rotate with Fabianski and then be sold on WC. It's more of a DGW25 & GW28 move.

    Was planning on Digne to Perreira in GW27 but my plans are obviously scuppered. Maybe a single gameweek defender instead with better fixtures and prospects over a period of games?

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I think we're all being blindsided by this DGW. I wouldn't go for any defensive options with those fixtures for Everton or Manchester City.

      1. The Wise Owl
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        but I'd say Pickford probably is the safest bet.

      2. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        This

  18. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I only wanna see Mane outscoring Son today...

    1. Eric Banternaaa
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hazard to outscore Salah.

  19. Eric Banternaaa
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Whats everyone's plans regarding when to use chips?

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

      FH32, WC34, BB35, TC TBC

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        This.

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          This.

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

        Same - but TC Salah GW36 early favourite

        Huddersfield relegated, Liverpool probably have a chance to win the league, may need goal difference etc (although maybe not with city's recent form)

    2. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I've already used my wildcard, so interested to see this myself.

    3. Simon Says...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      GW27 - Benching any blankers in GW27
      GW31 - Free Hit as will have quite a few big hitters still in FA Cup I think.
      GW32 - Expected to be a DGW so will use Bench boost or Triple Captain.
      GW33 - Wildcard ready for GW34
      GW34 - Another DGW so will use whichever of BB or TC I have left.

      1. Simon Says...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Mucked up my weeks. WC in 34, DGW in 35.

      2. The 5% Team
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        going for this as well

      3. GREEN IS GOOD
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        But what about BGW33? Could be some big hitters still in the FA Cup.

    4. Majestic Chanka
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      FH32
      WC34
      TC35

      BB’d gameweek 1 so don’t have to carry dead wood like Albrightron for an age because I need to bench boost. My WC 34 will have one usable sub and 3 fodder inc GK.

  20. Wheato182
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Which seems better? Auby + Pogba >

    A) Jimenez + Sterling + 2.5
    B) Aguero + Son + 0.4

    1. The Left Duke #3
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Auba & Pogba are better than both choices.

  21. The Left Duke #3
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Really not sure who to bring in for City and like all Digne owners a spanner has been thrown in the works.

    2 FT 1.8m ITB

    Patricio Fabianski
    VVD Robbo Digne* Doherty AWB
    Salah Pogba Richarlison Lingard Gudmundsson
    Aubameyang Jimenez Rashford

    A) VVD & Lingard --> Danilo & Sane
    B) Patricio, VVD & Lingard --> Ederson, Bedernak & Sane (-4)
    C) something else?

  22. SKENG
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone who used their WC? What's your plan regarding using the FH chip for BGWs/DGWs?

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

      I don't think they'll have a plan - hence already used WC

    2. jake0910
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Suggestions from one of the articles:

      "If you have already used your wildcard, it still makes sense to free hit in double gameweek 32 or in blank gameweek 33 but another option might be to focus on bringing in players who blank in gameweek 31, then free hit in that gameweek and you'll be well set up for the doubles in gamweeks 32 & 35"

      Personally i've used my WC and have no idea as yet. Will try and carry 2 transfers over into GW27 and decide depending on the outcome of the FA cup fixtures

  23. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Is Laporte a good option for the double?

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      OK

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

      yes

    3. Majestic Chanka
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I’ve brought him back in but I’m not too confident, he’s let me down for like 10 straight GWs and never got that attacking return in PL when I owned him.

    4. Goat
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Meh

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

      3 cleansheets in 14 GW's

  24. Mcgugan
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on Danilo for a short term punt, becomes Pererria in 27?

    I have Digne to go and the rest of my team is fine (recent WC)

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

      Having Danilo on your team sheet when GW25 deadline passes will be like waking up after a rough night on the booze with some unknown monstrosity in bed next to you I'd imagine - you'll probably be thinking "what was i thinking?!"

  25. suddenorgan
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Who are the most likely teams to have (decent) fixtures in the blank weeks?

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

      Bournemouth's are fantastic - Fraser, Wilson, Brooks treble up very viable

      GW27 Wolves home
      GW31 Newcastle home
      GW33 Burnley home

      1. suddenorgan
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah I'd clocked bournemouth's good run but hadn't realised they fell so nicely on the blanks, I was looking for a Digne replacement, don't know if I really want Cook/Clyne

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

          Brooks is an ideal first sub too - I already have Fraser/Wilson so looking at a hokey cokey over the next 3 weeks that involves Felipe and Ings out for Brooks & Auba (have 5.4 ITB) - Brooks is very benchable, but in those 3 BGW's he could easily pop up with valuable returns

  26. Gunner1290
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Can you use wildcard and bench boost in the same gameweek?

    1. Majestic Chanka
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Nope

    2. Majestic Chanka
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Unless you BB in GW1 when you effectively had a wildcard 🙂

  27. Krafty Werks
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Decided i'm just sticking with Sane & Sterling for the double what with the 27 blank and not fancying the Everton nor City defence with the fixtures, i did consider Felipe Anderson > Siggy/Richarlison but think i prefer the early move on Son here all being well after tonight's fixtures? (really think he could be gold dust) and i do have exactly the 8.6 required too so makes sense right? Thoughts?

    1. Kuzser
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sounds good

  28. DeathoftheParty
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Not taken a hit all year but then Digne comes Along and effectively does the job for me...

  29. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I currently have 8 starters for bgw27 and 2 dgw25 players in Sane and Rich

    So, should I:
    A: just aim to get 3 starters for gw27 with my 3FT's till then

    B: Get 1 additional dgw player (haz > sterling) and then take 1 hit (convert sterling/kamara > puncheon/Auba) to get 11 starters by bgw27

    C: Get 2 additional dgw players (Alonso/Haz >> Laporte/Sterling) and involve 2 hits to get 11 starters by bgw27

    D: Similar to B but take the hit now to get Kun instead (as opposed to sterling) and then just do Kun > Auba in gw27

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Who are the other 5 players outside Kamara?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Chelsea pair + which 2?

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

          Digne, alonso, haz, Kamara, button + 2dgw players

  30. AYLD28
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    What would you recommend with this sh*tshow.

    Ederson
    Shaw AWB Doherty
    Pogba* Sterling Son Hazard Salah
    Rashford Jimenez

    Hamer Digne* TAA* Kamara*

    0.5 ITB 1 FT

    Any advise would be appreciated

    1. Goat
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Roll

      1. Kuzser
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        This