Opinion

Moving on from latest Pep-troll and the curse of the mid-price defender

For many of us, the last four Gameweeks of Fantasy Premier League have been comical, to say the least.

It’s certainly been that way for me. You couldn’t write it. Let’s go back to Gameweek 22.

Aboubakar Kamara (£4.5m) is transferred in just days before he decides to fight Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.5m) in a yoga class. The first person in the history of yoga classes to start a fight in a yoga class. Kamara is loaned out to Yeni Malatyaspor as punishment and gets red-flagged.

In Gameweek 23, Marcos Alonso (£6.5m) was shipped out for Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.2m) on the Sunday night after the Spaniard managed just two points in Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Newcastle.

Tuesday rolls around and Trent is ruled out for four weeks due to injury. Burned by moving early. Another red flag.

On to Gameweek 24. The injured Alexander-Arnold makes may for Everton’s Lucas Digne (£5.3m). Digne is benched by Marko Silva, comes on for Leighton Baines (£5.0m) after 55 minutes and gets himself sent off shortly afterwards. A painful -2. Yes, you’ve guessed it, yet another red flag.

Next up, double Gameweek 25 and visions of 100+ points. “Leroy Sané (£9.7m) has the best chance of starting both games.” Captain Leroy it is then.

Pep Guardiola decides to bring his FPL trolling to a new level, not playing the German at all against Arsenal then substituting him in the 59th minute against Everton. One point over the two games. ONE! Despair for triple captainers.

Naming my podcast ‘The 59th Minute’ came back to bite me in spectacular fashion. One can only laugh (otherwise I’d cry).

With Chelsea up next then a Blank in Gameweek 27 coupled with the pain he’s caused, Sane is the most transferred-out player this week.

It’s no surprise to see that Son Heung-min (£8.7m) is the most popular replacement. The South Korean has scored in back-to-back games since returning from the Asian Cup and faces Leicester (home) and Burnley (away) in his next two.

He’s got seventeen attacking returns (10 goals, 7 assists) in just nineteen appearances this season. A points machine.

Paul Pogba (£8.6m) and Sadio Mané (£9.5m) are two others to consider for those looking to jump off a Man City midfielder this week.

Pogba has six goals and three assists in his last seven appearances while Mane has outshone his more expensive teammate Mohamed Salah (£13.6m) in recent Gameweeks scoring in each of the last three matches. Mo points for less Mane?

Richarlison (£6.8m) is another player who has to go soon. The curse of ‘keeping a player because he has a double Gameweek’ strikes again. One attacking return in seven just isn’t good enough.

There are plenty of replacement options with the likes of Diogo Jota (£6.0m), Pascal Gross (£6.7m) and James Ward-Prowse (£5.1m) finding form in recent weeks. Early season favourites Ryan Fraser (£6.1m) and Felipe Anderson (£7.1m) shouldn’t be ignored either.

Eden Hazard (£10.9m) and Gonzalo Higuain (£9.5m) linked up well versus Huddersfield and posted good scores but it’s important to remember that it was Huddersfield, a team preparing for life back in the Championship.

The Blues face Man City (away) then have a blank in Gameweek 27 followed by Spurs (home). A tricky run. Higuain is on the Watchlist for now while Hazard will be making way this week to make space for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.2m).

The Gabonese international should do damage over the next three Gameweeks as his Arsenal side come up against Huddersfield (away), Southampton (home) and Bournemouth (home).

Captaincy for Gameweek 26 isn’t straightforward. Salah faces Bournemouth at home but he has blanked in the last two Gameweeks.

Aubameyang has 15 goals to his name but just six of those have come away from the Emirates, and he has had an illness in the week too.

The likes of Pogba and Rashford should be considered as they travel to face a struggling Fulham side.

Son is another candidate this week with Spurs welcoming Leicester to Wembley. Lots of options.

Having captained Mo for his hat trick against Bournemouth earlier in the season, I think that’s where my armband will be, come deadline on Saturday.

528 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Sane -> Mane worth a -4 here?

    Thinking it’s sensible long term and could even pay off right away given Mane’s form and Sane’s starting uncertainty. Should also mean I can save a FT next week to start building for the DGWs & Blanks.

    Fabs
    Kolasinac, TAA, Doherty, Holebas
    Salah, Son, Sane, Siggy
    Auba, Rashford

    Steele, Digne, Camarasa, Ings
    Bank 0.1m

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

      on the surface i would say no
      but if it works for ur team then you should do it
      If you will have to take a hit down the line to shift sane and get a non blanking player might as well do it now

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

    Sane to Mane/Pogba?

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

      Pog

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

    Salah(c) then this week - over 50% of the vote in the captain poll.

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

      Yep
      Auba flagged so don't want to risk

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

      Good news

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

        Only FPL could bring a UTD fan to say this.

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

          I was thinking about it too 😀
          Prepared an answer too.
          Not willing to give though 🙂
          I want points this gw that's it mate.

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

      Good times. Key is still protecting the right side of that defence though. Fabinho just let Anderson free vs West Ham. He should have been sitting deep and protecting the weakness - it was poor from Klopp IMO. If Firmino, Lallana, Mane and Salah can't break West Ham down then it isn't Fabinho's fault and he shouldn't have to be attacking more to make up for deficiencies in the front four.

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

      Good news.

  4. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Early thoughts? 1FT 0 ITB

    Fab
    Shaw Digne Doh
    Salah Sane Rich Son
    Jiminez Rash Auba
    (Button, AWB, Alonso, Brooks)

    Big worry is I have 4 players blamk plus an injured Brooks for GW 27. Can obvs use a free hit next GW but feels a bit daft if I have 2FT

    A) Hold
    B) Sane to Pogba
    C) Alonso to VVD
    D) Rich to Redmond/Moutinho

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

      B

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

    I did sane to mane. I see Aub is flagged. Illness. Wonder if he starts the weekend now?

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

      Emery seemed to think he'd be alright. Could just be guesswork. See what emerges tomorrow IMO.

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

        Thanks FPLGRAHAM. I've been out all day so haven't heard nothing.

    2. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      did emery say what illness or likelihood of starting this weekend ?

  6. CABAYE4
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    A. Sane to Mane
    B. Sane to Son
    C. Siggy to Anderson

    Midfield needs an overhaul, which of these would you do?

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

      B

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

      b and tripple up on lfc elsewhere

  7. mattyb09
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Which two should I start this week?

    a) Richarlison @ wat
    b) Bednarek v CAR
    c) AWB v WHU
    d) Matip v BOU

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

      A C imo

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

      a d

  8. i am jose mourinho
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Is auba a better captain pick than sterling ?

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

      Yep

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

        IF fut of course

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

      State of your username 😳

    3. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      If he's ok for the weekend I'd say so.

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

      yes but neither is a top pick now that auba is flagged

  9. Kub3
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    TAA in full training. Looks like he could be a go for Saturday.

    1. Kub3
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sorry just saw your post FPLGraham

  10. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Is it worth doing Auba back to Kun in GW28 or keep Auba for that week vs Bou?

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

      Keep if fit.

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

      Keep

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

    TAA might play but doubts...
    A) Play TAA. Mitro first sub
    B) Sterling to Son and Mitro to Rashford for a hit. Bench TAA
    C) Sane to Son. Cant afford Rashford for Mitro then

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

      Ideally A but C looks good as well

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

      just do sterling to son

  12. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    bench one :
    a. bednarek
    b. awb
    c. doh
    d. robbo

    thx

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

      A

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

      A

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

      B

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

      a

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

    Anyone else think Kola is gonna smash it this weekend?

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

      I did and then found out TAA is likely back so there goes that move

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Hopefully mate he does mate

        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          *hopefully he does mate

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

      smash hadergjonaj and get a red in the first half yeah

  14. Grounderz
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    We have all seen the Sane episode over the week. There’s no doubt he has disappointed his owners, particularly those who gave him the armband.

    He may had a poor game against Everton but I’m saying it is possible he finally rewards his owners’ patience with points, maybe even a goal and an assist. Too much sales going on. Yes, it is also possible he may be benched or blanked. Given Bernardo Silva ended 90 minutes in the space of four days, I can’t see Bilva get another start - it would have to be Sane already.

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      You can't see Bilva to start 4 in a row, I didn't thought that Aguero will start 4 in a row

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Would

      2. Grounderz
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        HUD and NEW were scheduled weekend by weekend so he has had his share of equal rest.

        He had to start Kun to squeeze something out for the form Pep is chasing to meet Liverpool’s standing points.

        Whereas for Bilva, if I were Pep I would feel that’s a bit too much games for him to handle when Sane was not used in the Arsenal game. Bilva has returned nil in the four games he started so we just might see Sane start this one.

  15. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Which combo, need to lose a Cty mid and gain an Arsenal fwd:

    A) Sterling + Lacazette
    B) Sane + Aubameyang

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

      A

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

      A, but not a fan of Lacazette myself

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

      B

  16. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    1. Sane>Son (save other ft)
    2. Richarlison/Sane>Anderson/Son
    3. Alonso/Richarlison or Sane>Pereira/Son

    Guaita
    Robertson, Doherty, AWB
    Salah, Sane, Pogba, Richarlison
    Rashford, Jiminez, Firmino
    FAB, Digne, Hojb, Alonso

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

      A

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

        Thanks, going with that one.

    2. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      3 with Richarl out . Very nice team all over then. Digne for TAA probably on the cards next week.

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

        Thanks, going with 1 I think though Richarl, Alonso & Digne will all be targets to remove next week.

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

    a) Mane + Sterling
    b) F.Anderson + Salah

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

      A

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

      B

  18. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Who to bench...
    Pick 1 to bench out of
    A) Sane
    B) AWB
    C) Rose
    D) Shaw

    First to 2

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

      rose

    2. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

    anyone keeping haz through the blank?

    already have pogba, son and 3 liverpool. dont really want to use 2 transfers to get auba. only other option really is eriksen for 2/3 weeks?

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

      Bench is there for blankers

  20. Champione
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Sané >
    A) Pogba
    B) Mané

    Salah ___ Son Sigurdsson Puncheon
    Aguero Rashford Jimenez

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

      Pogba for me.

  21. Sterling Malory
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Trading out Ozil in draft.

    Would you rather bring in Demarei Gray or Harvey Barnes?

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

      I would have got Gray in normal FPL if wasn't 0.1m short before last Snod drop

  22. boogle
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Forgot to check prices last night and now I'm 0.1 short of Rich + Sane > Pogba + Son -4 :'(