Scout Notes

Liverpool’s patched-up defence exposed as Leicester excel at Anfield

Having beaten Manchester City and Chelsea in December, Leicester City came close to adding another “big six” scalp to their collection after putting in an excellent shift at Anfield on Wednesday – and leaving owners of most Liverpool assets frustrated as a result.

We recap the main Fantasy talking points as Liverpool’s seven-match winning run at Anfield came to an end.

Liverpool 1-1 Leicester City

  • Goals: Sadio Mane (£9.5m) | Harry Maguire (£5.4m)
  • Assists: None | Ben Chilwell (£5.0m)

One-nil up after three minutes and having gone close to extending their lead soon after, it looked like business as usual for Liverpool on Wednesday evening as they attempted to capitalise on Manchester City’s shock defeat at Newcastle the night before.

Sadio Mane (£9.5m) curled the Reds ahead with the first attack of the game and nodded a headed chance wide three minutes later, with Roberto Firmino (£9.3m) also testing Kasper Schmeichel (£5.0m) as Jurgen Klopp’s side exerted some early pressure.

The match took a curious turn thereafter, however, with Leicester growing ever more confident and threatening to turn an exercise in damage limitation into a title-jeopardising away victory with a superb all-round display.

The Foxes are perhaps the most unfathomable team in the Premier League, capable of delivering some truly inept or tedious displays one week (Cardiff and Southampton at home in Gameweeks 20 and 22) and then a coupon-busting performance the next (Chelsea and Everton away in Gameweeks 18 and 21, Manchester City in Gameweek 19).

Claude Puel’s side were again brilliant at Anfield on Wednesday night, restricting Liverpool to just one shot on target after that opening six-minute blitz and not allowing their hosts (at least, in Opta’s eyes) a single “big chance” in the entire game.

Despite a joint-best eight touches in the Leicester area, this was perhaps as quiet as Mohamed Salah (£13.6m) has been in a league game this season, with both of his attempts on goal (one a poor free-kick) being blocked.

Ben Chilwell (£5.0m) and Harry Maguire (£5.4m) were superb in dealing with the Egyptian as he attempted to find space in the channel between the two, with Leicester’s defensive display in general back to the usual levels after the 4-3 defeat at Wolves in Gameweek 23.

The Foxes conceded four “big chances” in that harum-scarum anomaly of a match at Molineux – as many as they allowed in total in the other five matches contested in Gameweeks 19-24.

Liverpool’s defence, on the other hand, was far from convincing.

Maguire was left unmarked to stroke home a Chilwell header just before half-time but Leicester should already have been level 20 minutes earlier: James Maddison (£6.7m) heading a glorious chance wide after Alisson (£6.0m), not for the first time on the night, caused Liverpool hearts to flutter with some high-risk distribution.

Leicester’s attacking ambition – and Liverpool’s defensive disarray – continued after the break, with Maddison unable to pick out a team-mate from inside the six-yard box, Chilwell flashing an excellent cross past a throng of bodies and Demarai Gray (£5.4m) wasting a very promising counter-attack when failing to find an unmarked Maddison in the Reds’ area.

Maguire’s prominence at set plays continued, too, as he almost forced Firmino to put the ball into his own net with a header back across goal.

The Reds haven’t become a bad team at the back overnight but the injury crisis at right-back was evidently an issue on Wednesday, while Joel Matip (£4.9m) and Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m), though individually competent, don’t seem to have a great positional understanding when paired together.

As indicated in the last two Gameweeks, the clean sheet prospects for the likes of van Dijk and Andrew Robertson (£6.8m) appear to be adversely affected until reinforcements arrive from the treatment table.

Dejan Lovren (£4.9m) was, at least, fit enough for a place on the bench on Wednesday so could come into the reckoning at the London Stadium in Gameweek 25.

Jordan Henderson (£5.3m) was given the nod at right-back in the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.2m), Joe Gomez (£4.9m) and even James Milner (£5.6m) and Leicester found a lot of joy down their left flank as they clearly targeted the out-of-position England midfielder.

Klopp said of Henderson’s display:

It was [a] good [performance]. We had to find a solution. We thought about Rafa Camacho as well; he played there in training because Hendo couldn’t train the whole week. Then in the end, I made the decision for rather more defensive aspect and his experience in that position because they go for it on that side.

Chilwell is usually really involved in the offensive play, overlapping constantly and stuff like that, so I didn’t want to give Rafa in his first game in that position such a big task. That’s why we decided on Hendo and he did really well, really well, and all good from that point of view.

The Liverpool manager offered a variety of reasons for his side’s below-par performance, adding:

We spoke about [the 11-day break] before the game, we didn’t have games in that time but the problem was that we had a lot of different things. Little injuries, because they didn’t take longer than ten days, but they couldn’t train properly, then illness [for] two or three players, which doesn’t help as well.

We knew before it would be really difficult and then it started snowing and that made it no easier. The snow is actually not a problem, the only problem is if it stays on the pitch and that was actually the case. You saw that the ball didn’t roll, really, and if you then have the ball pretty much for 70 or 80 per cent of the time then it makes life really uncomfortable.

In the last third it was possible with the way Leicester defend that we [could] play in between the lines, which is what we did around the first goal. Immediately we had similar situations where we didn’t get the last ball or the last pass was not perfect, but we had these situations. But to break down a side who defend like Leicester did you have to accelerate and to speed up in decisive areas. Sometimes we didn’t do it, I don’t know exactly why, and sometimes we couldn’t do it because it was difficult; you have to control the ball and pass through a really compact defending formation.

Mane was perhaps the pick of Liverpool’s players, succeeding where Salah couldn’t in breaking in between the Leicester lines and causing the Foxes’ defence to foul him on several occasions.

Xherdan Shaqiri (£7.1m) disappointed on his return to the starting XI but owners of Liverpool’s attacking assets may have a more fruitful evening on Monday when they take on an injury-hit West Ham side who have shipped five goals in the last two Gameweeks: the possibility of Salah or Shaqiri up against deputy left-back Arthur Masuaku (£4.3m) is particularly mouth-watering.

For those wondering why Robertson wasn’t given an assist for his role in Mane’s goal, FPL stipulated that the Scottish defender’s pass was clearly meant for Firmino, with the deflection off a Leicester player changing its intended destination and carrying it to Mane.

Puel offered the following reflections on the match:

I think we suffered a little too much at the beginning, it was difficult to recover the ball.

We changed the system a little to try to have more possibility to recover the ball and start better when we do. After, we had good chances with [James] Maddison and got a goal just before half-time. It was the right moment, of course.

We started the second half with fantastic feeling, good quality, good pressing, good work and quality on the pitch. It was perfect. We had fantastic chances and I think we need to be more clinical in these moments.

We kept a good structure and worked hard on the pitch to recover the ball, to start well under pressure and under strong pressing we kept our calm all the time. We played a fantastic defensive game and with the quality to start with the ball after recovering.

Liverpool XI: (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Henderson, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Keita (Fabinho 72′); Firmino (Sturridge 82′), Shaqiri (Lallana 72′), Mane; Salah.

Leicester City XI (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel; Pereira, Maguire, Evans, Chilwell; Ndidi, Mendy; Gray (Okazaki 84′), Maddison (Choudhury 75′), Albrighton; Vardy (Iheanacho 90′).

765 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Simmoo
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Morning,

    Anything worth a -4 on the following:

    Patricio

    TAA, AWB, Doherty (Femenia, Digne)

    Salah, Sane, Sterling, Pogba (Camarasa)

    Firmino, Rashford, Jimenez

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

      Any cash in the bank? If TAA is ruled out and you can afford Laporte that's about the only one I'd consider.

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

        No MITB but I really have no interest in a City defender. The only nailed on to play 2 games is Laporte, and they can't keep clean sheets.

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

          No hits worth it then imo. Captain one of the City boys are you're G2G

  2. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    It's quite strange to have a City DGW against pourous, depleted defences, and not be loading up. With that in mind, best move here?

    A) Auba -> Aguero(c) and save FT
    B) Hazard & Auba -> Sterling(c) & Aguero
    C) FAnderson & Hazard -> Sane(c) & Dilva
    D) FAnderson & Salah -> Sterling(c) & Sane
    E) FAnderson, Salah & Auba -> Sterling(c), Sane & Aguero (-4)

    Plan would be Sterling & Hazard -> Salah & Son (-4) next week if going with D) or E).

    Fabs
    TAA, Doherty, Holebas
    Salah, Haz, Siggy, FAnderson
    Auba, Rashford, Ings

    Steele, Camarasa, Kola, Digne
    Bank 0.7m, 2FTs

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't lose Salah, West Ham are not exactly tight at the back! B or C

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

        True, but losing Salah enables Sane AND Sterling, who with DGWs could do very well. Always a risk losing somebody like Salah, but would only be for 1 week, so a fairly low risk.

    2. Max City
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Perhaps it should be anything excluding Salah or Auba?

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

        Feels like Auba has been a little fortunate of late, and I don't expect much away at City. His record against the top clubs isn't great either. Aguero -> Auba in GW27 would be the plan if going E).

    3. Longlatini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Thinking of doing A myself, Auba will be coming straight back in though.

      1. V-2 Schneiderlin
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        me too with Auba to come straight back in

    4. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      One city attacker is plenty for the DGW. Sane the preferred choice on here.

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

      The elite teams are an interesting barometer

      It seems neither Mark nor Magnus Carlsen will have Sané in their teams for GW25 - but both will have Sterling.

      Ville Ronka won’t have any city unless he takes a hit, which he rarely does... he also doesn’t have the budget to upgrade Felipe without downgrading Haz so probably cityless attack for the great man. But he does have Ederson.

      FPL General has Kun only

      Jay has Sané only

      Every one of them has Richarlison

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

    What do you think about Son’s gametime this early kick-off after playing 90min yesterday? 2 days rest and looked ”very tired” earlier this week..
    Any concerns?

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

      If they didn't have so many injuries I could see him getting a rest. But they need him, so expect him to start and possibly come off early if the game is wrapped up

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

        Yeah, just saw the FFS Tweet. They need him for sure, but like you said, I don’t see him play more than 30(sub) or 60(start)

    2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Think next week more ideal to get him in I feel.Should have gambled last week if not

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

    Sane or Salah captain?

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

      Could go either way. I always go for the DGW players - 2 bites at the cherry.

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

      Sane for me, mainly cause I’ll be watching the game during work

    3. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sane. May as well roll the DGW dice

    4. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I am captaining sane this week

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

    What do you think how much will Aguero get gametime this DGW?

  6. The Sarri-Bawl Effect..
    Legomané
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    After yesterday's Alonso benching, 4-0 defeat to Bournemouth, and reported post-match 45-minute dressing room - dressing down...what next for your Chelsea assets?

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

      Hazard to Son in gw26.

      Monitoring Luiz at the moment, might be changed to Mendy when he's fit

    2. d00fus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Desperately want to sell Hazard but feels wrong with Huddersfield at home next!

    3. cescpistols111
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'm keeping atleast for this weekend.

    4. Ëð
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I got rid of Chelsea assets earlier in the month, seems to be paying off. They look very out of sorts at the moment.

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

        Great call. I couldn't bring myself to do it. Keeping Hazard for HUD then ditch, not sure what to do with Alonso.

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

          If I had Hazard I'd keep for HUD definitely!

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

      Yeah, Hazard > Sane/Sterling this week for me

    6. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Keep hazard for Huddersfield as they are so crap that they might get easily beaten by Chelsea even loll and move to son gw26 I think if no drastic change

    7. DAVESAVES
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Haz and Luiz out before gw27 is the plan

    8. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Can see HUD getting something actually the way they are atm! But I cant bring myself to sell Hazard until afterwards!

    9. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      It's time to say goodbye.....

    10. Jigger & Pony
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sell after HUD

    11. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Keeping Haz for Huds will be gone after that.

    12. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Salah is a better player than Hazard. Hazard is better technically, but he lacks desire to be great. Hazard should be stepping up and taking responsibility - driving into the box, shooting, taking free-kicks and corners etc.

      Instead he sulks and looks to win free-kicks. Messi, Ronaldo and Salah do not go on these types of long streaks of dips in form.

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

      Hazard -> Sterling(C). Requires a hit but this season has gone stale so I need something to happen

    14. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      “Maybe it’s my fault, maybe I’m not able to motivate them. But the team is very strong, it is also able to win without the coach. I feel frustrated, not under pressure. I didn’t see the signal of my work. So I am frustrated. I wanted to understand, so I spoke with the players immediately but it’s very difficult for them to say why. So I have to try again tomorrow, because I need to solve this problem.”

      Sarri summed it up. They do what they want when they want.

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Hazard is an issue IMO. As he clearly does what he wants. His words last week after Sarri's comments speaks volumes about his attitude. If I were Sarri, I would switch to 4-4-1-1:

        Kepa
        Azpi Luiz Rudiger Emerson
        Hudson-Odoi Kante Barkley Alonso
        Hazard
        Higuain

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

        He's huge part of the problem. I'd say he's toxic for the dressing room like Sanchez was at Arsenal. Give him his dream move to Madrid, take the money, reinvest and move on. No player is bigger than the club.

    15. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I sold Chelsea assets 7/8 gameweeks ago. Hazard returned twice in that period. But if i had their assets, I would defintely keep for the Hudds game. Even Everton kept a cleanie against them, and Richarlison scored!

    16. teki0s
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Keeping Hazard for HUD but 99.9% selling afterwards. Same goes for D. Luiz

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

        Same here. Except the Luiz part. Don't own.

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

      Already gone, replaced by sterling.

      It would be just typical of hazard turn up against Huddersfield

  7. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I know I should have got rid of a long time ago, but other fires to put out. Do we think Alonso starts vs Huddersfield? Keep one more week?

    1. Pocky
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      1 more week here (due to other issues mainly). He's 100% gone after that.

      1. antis0cial
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        I've said that about him so many times this season! It's worse when he doesn't even start at that price though

  8. makaveli123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    I've been stuck at 23k OR for six gameweeks now. This is getting boring

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Got to start looking for differentials.

      1. makaveli123
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yes. WC activated

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

      Everyones is doing the same things. If you a comfortable at your rank, just do as everybody else. If you want to move, make som moves that is not obvious.

      However, the template is there for a reason. Cant wait for Kane to get back so that he might stirr the pot a bit. Its true, its getting boring.

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

      Don't captain salah?

  9. eskild
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Any news on when Mendy is back?

    Is Danilo worth a transfer in given DGW?

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

      I’m heavily considering Danilo

    2. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Mendy wont be back in dgw but Delph or Zincheko should play one vs Everton

    3. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Mendy won't play

    4. Longlatini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Danilo was poor against Newcastle imo, would be worried about Pep’s reaction

  10. adr3nalin
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Can anyone please explain how the price lock thing works with players returning from suspension and the like? Very confused

    1. adr3nalin
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      ?

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

    Hojbjerg and Digne to Sane and 4.7 def (keeping Pogba and Hazard)

    Best 4.7 defender?

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

      AWB

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      AWB.

      But Hazards got to go dude

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

      Brighton have great fixtures. Consider Dunk or Duffy? I had Dunk for a spell before Christmas and he was great

    4. Dyballer
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Tarkowski! Great fixtures for about a month (perfect if you want to WC in GW30), and Burnley really look solid defensively again with Heaton in goal. He is also a bit of a goal threat

  12. Lukakwho
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you rather transfer in now? Son or Pogba?

    1. adr3nalin
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Son

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Tough one. Think they’re both good picks...but Pogba as he’s on pens

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

      Son due to rest this weekend
      Pogba possible injury

      None at the moment

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

        rest? Son had massively been overplaying.

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

          What I meant was that it is a big risk that he gets som rest this weekend

  13. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Activated my 2nd Wildcard. Thoughts appreciated.

    Etheridge
    Robbo VVD Doherty
    Salah Sane(C) Son Pogba
    Jiminez Rashford Aguero

    Hamer, AWB, Camaresa, Bernadek.

    Any tweaks?

    1. adr3nalin
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Boruc or Guaita for Hamer
      Then depending on your rank and if you're chasing I'd get on some differentials

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Wouldn’t say I’m chasing in my ML’s. But went from 36k to 46k this week! Chasing a top 20k finish.

        Cheers on the Hamer > Boruc shout. Saved me 0.1 🙂

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

      For me it all depends on your plan moving forward around DGWs and BGWs and chip usage. I'm not sure how you can Wildcard without considering where it all fits in.

      7 of your starting 11 are unlikely to play in GW31. So are you gradually dismantling your Wildcard team over the following 6 gameweeks? Playing the Free Hit?

      Team itself looks fine, but extremely template. I've got 8 of the same 11 with regular team, so it just doesn't look like many big moves have been made.

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

    Also, benching one of Jimenez or Mitrovic.. thinking Jimenez?

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

      Palace are pretty solid generally, whereas Everton are the exact kind of loose, open team that Wolves love to counter on. Expecting big things from Doherty against an Everton with no fit LB.

  15. Dele
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Who’s the better pick for the DGW? Sterling or Aguero?

    I feel Sterling gets max minutes and Aguero 1 game and Jesus the other?

    Although the history and greatness of Aguero is pushing me towards him.

    1. adr3nalin
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling

    2. Dyballer
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I have Sterling (and Sane) right now, but I am strongly considering moving him and Zaha for Siggy and Agüero. I have a feeling Agüero may actually play more mins. Sterling was very poor and I feel Pep may start Mahrez in at least one of the matches

  16. Teomi
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Are you guys waiting one week with son transfer?
    Only 60 hours from yesterday game until nest on saturday...

    "For me, it was too much [effort for him]. It wasn't the plan to play with him for the full 90 minutes but how the result was, you know in that moment I talked with Jesus [Perez] and I said, 'Maybe we need to take a little bit of a risk to keep him playing.'

    "He finished very tired, with some cramp. We're going to see if he can recover for the next game. If he's ok maybe he's going to be in the starting XI -- if not, on the bench. For sure if we need him, he's going to help the team. That's one circumstance more [that we need to deal with].

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

      Yes this makes me wanna wait. 60min (start) or 30min (sub) at best i believe.

    2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

  17. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Has Liverpool draw against Leicester yesterday changed your plan regarding City's double on GW25?
    I mean, one could argue Liverpool has bottled it whereas you could also argue Liverpool rather had to deal with a lot of injuries which Leicester exploited perfectly.

    Whether it is one or the other reason, Liverpool has shown some weaknesses yesterday and it seems like from a lost league yesterday, City could turn its DGW into a big opportunkty to put some pressure on the reds which they don't seem to handle very well. Plus, there is some history at Anfield when it comes to collapsing in the money time and altough I don't believe much in cycles, I believe the trauma has been big enough to somehow weight into the reds end of season.

    This, to say, that from a so-so perspective 24 hours ago, city's double has become more of a tasty DGW which brings TC chip back into contention. Especially when taking into consideration that Hazard which is due a DGW later showed yesterday again that he can't really be trusted form the armband.

    Did yesterday's pool result change things for you?

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

      Credit to Leicester but I think Liverpool choked.

      I definitely feel more optimistic about owning city assets since I don't think there'll be as much rotation/development now.

      That said, they still were without ideas at Newcastle and they're just as likely to do that this gw as come surging back.

      Combine that with rotation and I won't be handing out my TC this weekend (and I was planning to before this gw).

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

      Still undecided. City have the highest scoring attack in the league, and there’s no doubt Arsenal & Everton can concede goals on their day... but it’s not straightforward when you factor in city’s form and personnel.

      You don’t have to look too far back in the form book to see defeats to Chelsea, Palace, Leicester & obviously Newcastle...

      Then there’s Mahrez & Jesus - will Pep drop on or more of his front 3 to make a statement after Newcastle? And/or rotate them v Everton?

      Liverpool result doesn’t really change anything for me - city had a chance to go top v Newcastle & blew it, so who’s to say they won’t blow the chance to stay within 5 points of Liverpool.

      Very hard to know, and still undecided!

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

      Team has one bad game and it's "choking". Sometimes teams/players just have a bad game!

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

        Hmmmm... is one bad game? Lyon, Chelsea, Palace, Leicester, Newcastle have all beaten city in the last while

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

        Lol you meant Liverpool I presume - oops

  18. Jesus saves but Bergkamp sc…
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Morning guys

    I read on BBC sport last night that Firmino had assisted Mane for the goal. Not awarded on FPL though. Not seen the game - any one shed any light on what happened? Thanks

    1. Longlatini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I was sure he got a touch but not to be!

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

      Robinson passed towards Firmino, defender got a nudge on it, ball ran to Mane, Mane scored. No assist.

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

        *Robertson, not sure wtf Robinson is.

  19. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Lacazette vs Auba in last 4 makes for interesting reading.

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      What’s your final verdict?

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        ....that it is worthwhile getting membership.

        1. Make United Great Again
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Lacazette it is.

  20. Jigger & Pony
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Captain Aguero or Sane?

    1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sane

  21. jia you
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Disgusting behaviour from such an experienced player:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsGCVn8CCOo

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

    I know he blanked, but watching Liverpool without salah is so stressful, especially on pens.

  23. Fire Chief Moe
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Urgh, possible Ederson, Pogba injuries and Digne out, 1FT, no idea what to do!

  24. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    If you could only own one of Son or Auba from GW26 onwards who would you chose?

    If Pogba is injured then I can have both.

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

      Auba

  25. Football Legs
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Hi friends!

    Say I captain Aguero, vice captain Sane for GW25

    Aguero plays against Everton, Sane does not at all.
    Sane plays against Arsenal, Aguero does not at all.

    So who will be my captain for that week? Cheers!

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

      Aguero

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

      good one.
      Dunno, but guessing Sane is captain, as he will play earlier

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

      Aguerooooo

    4. Football Legs
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      thank you.. cheers!

  26. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Pulisic's goal and assist record doesn't come to close to Sancho's, despite Sancho being two years younger. Good business by Dortmund to sell for £58m, and loan until the summer.

    I'm jealous that Dortmund have Sancho, would fit perfect at United...

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

    Hazard + Digne -> Sterling(C) + Tarkowski -4?

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

      Tough one. I'd lean towards yes

  28. Gameweek 24 Rough with the Smooth
    Geoff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Gameweek 24 Rough with the Smooth

    How did your GW24 go? Did your transfers pay off? Did a hit turn out badly? How did your bench perform?

    Feel free to post your tales of joy and woe from Gameweek 24 here:

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

      Mitro and Jimenez did me proud. Salah and Hazard certainly did not. Obviously Digne was a disaster. Overall will just about take it

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

      worst GW of the year, 36 points.
      Brought Salah back since GW18 and captained him. Digne red card.

      Still glad to have Salah back in my team though.

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        a whooping 15 points more than me, chin up 🙂

    3. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Think I win this week's Rough:

      5,858,502 ROUGH
      21 points
      Digne(-2) & Trippier(1) both came off their benches to block Rondon(8) autosub.
      Scores: 7,2,2,2,2,2,2,2,1,1,-2

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

        Oh that is really, really, really bad. Sorry to hear. At least you know the worst GW of your season is gone now

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Cheers Geoff, if somebody had told me that Salah would blank, I would have expected an absolutely massive GW! Funny how it turns out eh, have to laugh!

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

          I dunno, he could still have one worse! This is fpl after all!

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            I did have an 18 score last season actually!

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

            I was trying to make him feel better 😉

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

        😯

      3. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Ouch 😮

      4. MINUS FOUR
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Wow, that is just crazy. I've never seen a score like it. And that midfield - it looks so good on paper. Unlucky.

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          cheers, yeah, was very disappointing, hopefully a big GW this weekend to make up for it.

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

        Someone did worse than me! 😀

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Haha, there's always one 😉

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

        This makes me happy because i thought my 31 was a terrible week (which it still was) despite my grand expectations. Glad i'm not the only one!

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          🙂

    4. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Smooth: OK'ish GW, 59 points all-out with triple Wolves
      Rough: Digne ofc. Not gaining much ground with template team.

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

      Smooth. Held Richi and it paid off

    6. Gilderoy Knockaert
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hit the wildcard button to finally fund Salah into my side:

      Pro's: JWP and Boruc
      Cons: They were on my bench...

    7. jambo17
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rough: Digne, Laporte and Luiz combining for -2

      Smooth: Aubameyang and Richarlison putting me through in the Member’s cup. Is the semi final definitely going to be in GW25?

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

      26 (-4) and I gotta go on the Scoutcast tonight and give you lot advice xD

      1. dicky2014
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Ouch

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

        🙁

      3. Shatner's Bassoon
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Oh, mate.

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

        We don't have to take it though... 😉

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

          I wouldnt!

    9. dicky2014
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Transfer saved for the double gameweek chaos.

      Rough – Only one place to start, Digne. Comes on with 11 minutes to go, blocking Chambers off me bench and we all know what happened next. Salah (c) rare blank but then most did. Hazard not scoring against Bournemouth like he always does.

      Smooth - Mitrovic rewarding my patience with him. Auba, Richarlison, Pogba and Doherty.

      57 points, green arrow and up to 513 in the world.

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

      Smooth: Don't have Salah, Captained Auba, kept & played Richarlison
      Rough: Played AWB (1), Digne (-2) and Shaw (1), benched Doherty (6), but got 6 from Patricio, I didn't want to double up on Wolves defence.

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

      Smooth: 65 points when so many others fail is insane and result is my highest OR since September (why do I still play this game?!). Never doubted in my captain choice for a second. Jim ✔ Pog ✔ Doh ✔ Son ✔

      Rough: Digne is dead to me, really. Sterling & Hazard troll masterclass. Not taking a hit to replace Alonso when I knew I should. Pierre could score two more in last two minutes so I'm a little bit disappointed.

    12. Rostah
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rough: Read the Digne rumours before deadline, mulled it over, opted to stick to my guns and play him for his easiest cleansheet of the season over Mitrovic. 15 point swing in the wrong direction. Transferred in Boruc for Guaita to free up funds and him and Mitro had some fun on my bench together laughing at my starters. Between Luiz Digne & Robbo I gained a net of 0 points.

      Smooth: Brought in Son for Siggy for a -4 which has been a +2 points swing so far, next week is the real test of that move though.

      Captained Pogba who got joined on the scoresheet by my only other Utd asset Lindelof & Jimenez.

      Ended up with a green arrow going from 27th to 23rd but the knowledge that the Digne over Mitro decision cost me entering the Top 10 for the first time ever.

    13. Bullet Eder
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Smooth: Kept Son throughout Asia Cup, misses one game then 9 point return.

      Rough: Double Liverpool defence fail, Digne and another Hazard blank

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

      Amazingly smooth, thanks to Aubameyang (c) and getting Mane in for Hazard, after resisting the urge to get Sane or Sterling instead.

      I ended up with 78 points and a gameweek rank of 15,788, which gives me an overall rank of 66. 🙂

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

        Amazing. Well played.

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

          Thanks, hopefully your username will become less accurate in gameweek 25 😛

    15. XabiAlonso
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Took a 4 point hit this week out went Alli and Barnes and in came ward prowse and aubameyang.

      Rough - benched jwp for digne, also had pat and rondon on the bench for 24 points on my bench.
      Smooth captained Aubamayang for 69(-4) and up to 3k but oh what could have been.

    16. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Pogba (C) + Jimenez - Smooth.

      Pogba & Fabianski possibly injured; Digne RC; Alonso dropped; Sane, Sterling, Hazard blanks.

      Finally got AWB off the bench, but just the 1 pointer, rather than the 9s I was missing out on in the early GWs!

      Rough as old dogs. We move on though!

    17. Red Wasabi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Somehow I got exactly the same amount of points as my mini league rival despite having 7different players.

      1. Red Wasabi
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        49 points. So a little green arrow..

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

      Digne blocking my Doherty autosub with his tasty -2

    19. goonchamp
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Ruff - gw 23: 36 points 5.4mill rank
      Smooth - gw 24 0 transfers made 73 points gw rank 40k
      Raul aguero mitro pogba (c) doherty and keane all hitting what a difference a week makes

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

      Worst GW this season, possibly ever:

      Fabianski (3)
      Robertson (2) | Digne (-2) | AWB (1)
      Hazard (2) | Sane (2) | Anderson (2) | Pogba (7) | Salah (c) (4)
      Rashford (2) | Arnie (2)

      Total = 25

      Bench: Jimenez (12) | Bennett (5) | TAA (0)

      Rank nearly tripled from 791 to 2138

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

      Tidy week all told, 54 points and climbed 13k to 43k OR.

      Smooth: Auba coming in for one week, Doherty, Pogba, Richarlison, Jimenez.

      Rough: Mitrovic coming good the week I sell! I was very tempted to keep, but he'd had enough last chances, and at 0-2 I thought I'd made the right call! At least Auba did the biz. I was close to getting Aguero a week early, glad I didn't though was very worried with the way they started. Only cost me a point. Salah(c), Hazard, Digne subbing on for the red when I had Bennett first sub was annoying!

    22. Brimble82
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rough;
      Brought Digne in (for a hit) for Kola. Over the two weeks, I am worse off to the tune of 8 pts!
      Ten of my players brought in a combined score of 15 with a high score of 3 from Deulofeu.
      Lowest GW score of the season.

      Smooth;
      Captained Auba.

    23. Sir Edo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rough: Last minute swap, put Digne in team, benched Richarlison and missed out on top 50.

      Smooth: Lindelöf last minute 9-point-kick.

    24. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      R - Digne benched v Huddersfield 🙁
      R - 1st sub Chambers concedes 2 in 20 mins 🙄
      S - 1st sub Chambers scores on 47 mins 🙂
      R - Baines injured, Digne subs on 55 mins blocking Chambers autosub 🙁
      R - Digne red card 😯
      R - Everton keep CS 🙁
      S - Lovren benched 😯
      R - sitting through 90mins of shambolic Liverpool defending expecting Dejan to come on the minute they score a 2nd 😮
      S - Sturridge subbed on 82mins confirming Chambers bench points 😎

      Rough - Digne... and Sane, Hazard, Rashford and Salah(c) blanks
      Smooth - Richarlison, Aubameyang, Jimenez, Doherty, Chambers 🙂 56pts up to highest OR of the season...still a lowly 157k 🙁

    25. the Penman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Had 2FTs, no urgent moves to make. Thought I would stretch out some value from non-playing 4.0m keeper.

      Switched out Hamer for Boruc, didn't I?
      Played Alisson (2) ahead of Boruc (10) didn't I?

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

        Those ones always look terrible when you look back at your scores, but there is no way you play Boruc over Alisson, especially considering the fixtures!

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

          Exactly this. It’s my only consolation!

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

      I suppose a green arrow in a low scoring gameweek has to be a smooth, Jimenez and Auba almost single handedly saving my game week.

      I'll save the rough for the leaders on a ML I'm in, he managed to have King and Brooks on his bench. Didn't serious damage his score though.

      https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/team/2639369/event/24

    27. LOL LINGARD SCORED
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Did Kane to Aubameyang (C) and also had Jimenez and had kept hold of Richarlison, who between them helped me a jump from 43k to 27k 🙂

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

      Rough:
      - Martial no-show
      - Digne's red card (-2)

      Smooth:
      + Did the Son ➡ Alli (9) ➡ Son (9) switcheroo.
      + Aubameyang captain (12*2)
      + Double Wolves clean sheet
      + Another week survived with no Salah (2)
      + 58pts overall and rose 9k to just inside the top 20k.

    29. Xhaka Kahn't
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Transferred out FAnderson for James Ward Prowse and started him. Saved my Gameweek really!

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

      Rough: 35 points. Jimenez first on bench. First Digne came in and later Trippier to block his 12 points.(played 4 in defence)

    31. Dosh
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rough: It all started when I transferred in Alli before he got injured to catch the price changes. Took a -8 to sort that out.

      28 points. Worst GW rank of the year. OR went from 57k to 107k.

      Smooth: My worst week is over.

    32. rojojojo
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Smooth: Auba (C) was the winner for me, changed it last minute from Salah. Richarlison, Jimenez, and Pogba all contributed to 65 points, and moved up from 180k to 114k.

      Rough: After deciding between Digne vs Doherty for the bench I ended up playing Digne and benching Doherty. Still had a great gameweek and got the auba/salah 50/50 correct so 1 out of 2 50/50s isn't bad.

    33. lugs
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      smooth, captained Auba , also brought in Pogba and Jota for Martial & Anderson for a -4 giving me a profit of 7 points 🙂

      rough, my gk and 3 man defense scored a grand total of 4 points, which is somehow worse than last week when they scored a whopping 5 🙁

    34. prata
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Steele to Boruc (10p). Boruc coming from the Bench to replace button, who lost his place to returning Ryan

    35. michudagawd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Smooth: Captained Aubameyang and got 66(-4)

      Rough: Digne’s red card.

  29. Rohirrims
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you transfer out this week and replacement would be?
    Alonso
    Pogba
    Camarasa
    Brooks

    1 FT; 0 ITB

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

      Alonso, to Laporte or Robbo

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

    GW25 - Do we TC Sane?!

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

      I think it's a decent strategy.. I'm going to leave that decision until at least tomorrow