Scout Notes

Away form a cause for concern for Liverpool’s attacking assets

The final match of a largely dispiriting Gameweek 29 was suitably underwhelming.

Many Fantasy managers endured an awful Saturday and there was to be little consolation on Sunday evening for those hoping for goals at Goodison Park.

While Liverpool’s defenders returned yet more clean sheet and bonus points for their owners in a goalless Merseyside derby, the Reds’ attacking assets once again flattered to deceive on the road.

The Reds’ next away match happens to be in Blank Gameweek 31, when many FPL bosses will be opting for a Liverpool double or triple-up – but there may be nagging doubts creeping in regarding the captaincy credentials of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane after this latest showing.

The fact that Fulham have conceded at least two or more goals in each of their last four home matches offers plenty of hope that Liverpool’s lean spell away from Anfield will come to an end, though the Cottagers did deliver a spirited showing in the west London derby on Sunday.

Liverpool’s form in their last five away league matches now reads: P5, W1, D3, L1, F3, A3.

The record of the Reds’ first-choice front three – Salah, Mane and Roberto Firmino – in those fixtures is exactly the same: five appearances, one goal, no assists.

Liverpool’s remaining four away fixtures (Fulham, Southampton, Cardiff and Newcastle) look a darn sight more appealing than the five they have just contested (trips to both Manchester clubs and a Merseyside derby among them) but their subdued attacking displays on the road in 2019 give legitimate cause for concern.

When all 20 top-flight clubs are filtered by their last four away matches, the Reds (who most recently faced Brighton, West Ham, an injury-hit Manchester United and Everton) sit in the bottom half of the table for goals scored, overall goal attempts and shots on target, while they sit tenth for efforts in the opposition box.

Their latest muted performance is the subject of our Scout Notes piece below.

Everton 0-0 Liverpool

Mohamed Salah (£13.5m) delivered his fifth blank in six Gameweeks on Sunday afternoon.

When penalties are stripped away, the Egyptian has three goals and two assists in the last 11 Gameweeks.

Salah’s only attacking return away from home in 2019 was indeed from the penalty spot in the victory over Brighton in Gameweek 22.

There is little wrong with the 2017/18 Player of the Year’s underlying stats, however, even on the road.

Salah sits top or joint-top among FPL midfielders for attempts in the box, shots on target and big chances over the last six away matches and completely outshines Sadio Mane (£9.7m), whose figures are only half as good as the Egypt international’s or worse over the same period.

Sunday’s showing at Goodison Park was another one of Salah’s “almost” displays.

Two of Liverpool’s best chances in the Merseyside derby fell at the feet of Salah, who spurned a one-on-one opportunity against Jordan Pickford (£4.9m) in the first half and then later dithered long enough in a similar situation to allow Michael Keane (£4.8m) to stage a last-gasp intervention.

Salah’s touch has always been inconsistent – even in his phenomenal 2017/18, the Egyptian’s tendency to get dispossessed, dribble down cul-de-sacs or waste “big chances” saw him repeatedly penalised on the Bonus Points System.

When Liverpool aren’t creating as many opportunities to mask those failings, Salah’s shortcomings are all the more apparent.

As one would expect, Jurgen Klopp defended the Egyptian after full-time:

When you see the situation, he’s doing everything right [until] the last moment. We had our moments. There’s no reason for taking it or not taking it.

There’s all different things. It’s really the pitch sometimes. The boys are able to score situations like this but it’s an inch on the boot.

On another day, he scores two or three and today not. That’s all that happened. Absolutely stay cool and play football, fight for everything and everything will be fine in the end. That’s how it is.

The time will inevitably come, perhaps in the next few Gameweeks, when Salah will convert a couple of those “big chances” into another double-digit haul.

The fear of missing out on those returns is what inevitably drives Fantasy managers to retain the Egyptian’s services in spite of the barren run, with Salah still the most-owned player in FPL.

Mane’s ownership has rocketed over the last few Gameweeks as his form at Anfield demanded attention but the Senegalese midfielder’s recent record on the road is just as bad as Salah’s: on Sunday, the former Southampton winger didn’t register a single shot or key pass and touched the ball just once in the Everton area, despite playing as the “centre-forward” in Klopp’s 4-3-3.

The contrast between Liverpool’s form at Anfield and their recent record on the road is stark but Klopp prickled when a reporter suggested that he may have shown more ambition on Sunday:

Do you think we didn’t take enough risks today? Was there any draw where we didn’t try to win? Bring on an extra attacker and football changes? It is not like that. We are offensive enough, football doesn’t work like that.

You need the right things in the right moment and that doesn’t only work if another striker [is on the pitch]. You cannot start with four or five strikers in a striker way with nothing else to do than to try to score. We are an offensive team and that’s absolutely OK – we take a risk, no doubt about it, but it is not like that.

You cannot play in the Premier League like that; we play next week against Burnley and if we play only offensive, they [will] kill us on the counter-attack, 100 per cent. We take all the risks, but you cannot take more than 100 per cent risk. It’s not about ‘going nuts’, it’s not about that.

Liverpool did have their openings on Sunday: as well as Salah’s two gilt-edged opportunities, Fabinho (£5.5m) should have done better with what Opta deemed a “big chance” from a set play, while Joel Matip (£4.9m) headed a corner wide and Mane could only nod a Roberto Firmino (£9.2m) cross back across goal when well-placed.

The fit-again Firmino was only among the substitutes for this encounter but, along with James Milner (£5.6m), was thrown on with 27 minutes to go.

Klopp explained his decision to start both players on the bench ahead of kick-off:

Millie just felt a little bit his hamstring. If Millie gives a warning sign… I think he would have been fine but the last two days he felt it still. So there is no reason for risk, especially when we have options on the bench, which we had in the last game.

Hendo is a very, very important player for us, so it’s good he can be back.

Bobby trained yesterday and it looked really good, so he is on the bench because he could be an option. I didn’t think it was necessary to bring him immediately after the good game we played on Wednesday.

While their attacking assets toiled, Liverpool’s defence racked up their 17th clean sheet of the season – as many as they registered in the whole of 2017/18.

Virgil van Dijk (£6.6m) was sublime at centre-back, while Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.4m) banked maximum bonus points despite his delivery from dead-ball situations being not quite as on-point as it was against Watford in midweek.

Not that Everton didn’t have their chances: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.3m) produced a tame header from a pinpoint Lucas Digne (£5.2m) corner, while Bernard (£5.9m) was inches away from connecting with a low Richarlison (£6.5m) centre as the hosts pushed for an unlikely winner.

Richarlison had been dropped to the bench for this encounter, with compatriot Bernard replacing him on the left flank, but looked hungrier than he did against Cardiff when thrown on as a second-half substitute.

This wasn’t really a match to gauge Everton’s attacking assets from a Fantasy perspective but Gylfi Sigurdsson (£7.2m) grafted admirably in “the hole”, while the Toffees’ backline were uncharacteristically solid after their recent struggles at home.

It’s back-to-back clean sheets for the blue half of Merseyside following their win in South Wales and Marco Silva was content at full-time:

In my opinion, in the second half we were better and in the final 20-30 minutes, we controlled the game.

We had a good chance with Bernard but so did they with Mo Salah. It was a very good moment for Michael [Keane] dealing with that.

We spoke at half-time about how we wanted to press higher and improve how we applied our pressure in midfield.

We had a few moments where had we had made a different decision in our attack, it could have give us the chance to win the match.

But it was a clean sheet in a tough match against a strong side. We did well, it is just unfortunate we couldn’t get all three points.

Everton XI (4-3-3): Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Zouma, Digne; Schneiderlin (Andre Gomes 76′), Gueye; Walcott (Richarlison 59′), Sigurdsson, Bernard; Calvert-Lewin (Tosun 74′).

Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum (Milner 63′); Salah, Mane (Lallana 84′), Origi (Firmino 63′).

1,314 Comments Post a Comment
  1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    You just got to love TAA! 5M 😆

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Got him in last week

      27 points in 2 gameweeks

      More than Salah has scored in his last 6

      1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        That’s amazing timing, you must be absolutely buzzing Syd!

  2. Manumana
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    2 FTS 1.3ITB. Is this move good ? Used my WC so FT in GW31.

    Auba to Kun & save other transfer ? Any thing pressing ? Thx very much

    Boruc
    Kola AWB TAA
    Salah Mane Pogba Son
    Auba Jimenez Barnes

    Doherty Puncheon Bednarek

    1. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Yes I'd do that.

  3. QuintonFortune25
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Planning on bringing in Hazard for Mane ahead of GW32 (FH31). Do it now for Hazard (WOL) or keep Mane another week (BUR)?

    1. Gringo Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Keep Mane

    2. Manumana
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Id be tempted to keey Mane for this week

    3. LewanGOALski
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      keep Mane for sure

    4. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Thanks all

  4. Champions united
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Bottomed
    Whom to sell to bring BGW player

    Kola doherty awb
    Pogba sterling mout son
    jimnzy

    Mout>fraser/brooks

    1. KunDogan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Mout—>Brooks

  5. Eytexi
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Captain Mané, Sterling or Hazard?

    1. captainjilflex
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Sterling

  6. Klein
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Who came up with "attacking players can't stand in a freekick wall rule" ? Such a wierd rule from normal football

  7. Manumana
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    If i have 2FTs for this GW and i use 1 only, then next week use my FH chip. For GW 32 will i have 2 FT again ? Cheers

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Back to 1FT

    2. SirT83
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      I'm actually not sure. Good Q.

      1. Annie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        It takes about 15 seconds to find in the rules...
        Please note that when playing either a Wildcard or your Free Hit chip, any saved free transfers will be lost. You will be back to the usual 1 free transfer the following Gameweek

        1. SirT83
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          It would take me more as I wouldnt know where to look. Buy thanks for clearing it up and taking 15 seconds in doing so.

    3. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      back to 1.

      1. Manumana
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Thx all

    4. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      No

  8. fr3d
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Bench one...

    a)Rondon (EVE)
    b)Luiz (WOL)
    c)Jimenez (che)

    1. Gringo Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      C

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      B

    3. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      b

    4. tucaoneo
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      I am on C but surely will regret it.

      1. DandyDon
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Same

    5. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Full team? You really have 4 defenders you prefer to Luiz?

  9. SirT83
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Maddison to Barnes, so I can afford Rondon and Aguero to Vardy and Higuain next GW? All for free and will give me about 0.8 itb.

    Good idea?

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      no way
      barnes ineffective yesterday, and subbed off not long after 60

      im looking at a way to get maddison in myself

      1. SirT83
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Hmm. I'll have to find another way then.

      2. SirT83
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        He is nailed though, isn't he? Been playing most games.

    2. HollywoodXI
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Don’t sell Maddison. I watched the match yesterday and he was easily Leicester’s best attacker. Chilwell was impressive too.

      1. SirT83
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Thanks. Found another way. Downgrading Doherty, he is not playing in my team for the next 4 GWs.

  10. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Would you sell Doherty or AWB to pre

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      *prepare for BGW31 ?

    2. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Doherty

    3. Limit80
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Doh. Awb may have a gw33 fixture?

    4. ramunas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Doherty's post GW33 fixtures are very good and you might want him back for that run which could be costly if you got him when he was under £4.5m

  11. trustmeimpurple
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Most important transfers??
    1.4ITB 1FT and all chips remaining
    Fab(Boruc)
    Robbo, VVD, Doherty(WB,Valery)
    Sterling,Pog,Jota,Salah(Gunnarson)
    Higuain, Rash,Jimmy

    1. tucaoneo
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Jota > Maddison or get Vardy

      1. trustmeimpurple
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Maddison’s not had any returns in a while though..

        1. tucaoneo
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          Assisted Vardy in 28

        2. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          3 assists since GW16 missed a few games. A bit meh

          1. trustmeimpurple
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            What about mkhi?

  12. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Save FT? 1.8M ITB

    Fabianski
    Robbo TAA Pereira
    Son Salah Pogba Anderson
    Higuain Jimenez Rashford

    Boruc Schär Doherty Højbjerg

  13. Reckoner.
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Jota > Fraser on a free?

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Decent move

    2. Reckoner.
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Rest of team is:

      Alisson
      Robertson | Kolasniac | Valery
      Salah | Son | Pogba | Jota*
      Aguero | Higuain | Rashford

      Hamer | Camarasa | Bedernak | Bennett

    3. Reckoner.
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      1.5m in the bank

    4. LewanGOALski
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      not keen on Brooks from BOU?
      Or got cash for Maddison?

      1. Reckoner.
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Yup have cash for any of those. I'll have a look at the comparison tool.

    5. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      With similar squad I’m doing Pogba and Jota to Hazard and Brooks. Plan B is just Fraser if Brooks has a knock

    6. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Looking at something similar or brooks as mentioned above. Nice parting gift from jota though eventually.

  14. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    which Chelsea defender - Azpi or Luiz?

    1. Limit80
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Luiz - more att threat, esp set pieces

  15. cjhewitt92
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Would you ditch Salah to Mane or Firimino to fund Hazard

    1. Limit80
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Yes - Mane. Stats comparable to Salah's recently

  16. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Arnie is a right pain in the hole

    What are the chances of him starting the next couple of games

    1. mookie
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      High imo
      They can't rely on scoring from set pieces forever. I'll most likely buy him this week.

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Lost the shirt now ... all fit, needs others to mess up

  17. Limit80
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Will FH32 WC34. Below worth a -8?

    Pogba-Iwobi-Jimenez to Hazard-Brooks-Higuain

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      You want to lose Pogba?

      1. Limit80
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Would rather have haz as he plays 31/33 and has a better 30 fixture. Will probably bring back on WC34

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          WAT wol in 32

          1. Limit80
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            FH32 🙂

    2. tucaoneo
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Yes

      1. Limit80
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Thanks

    3. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Yes, all day long

      1. Limit80
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Thx

  18. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Exact money to do Doherty > TAA this GW, but would lose about 0.6 in value in Doherty - should I do it?

    Only thing I'm really holding him for is the doubles, but this week's team selection suggests he's a serious rotation risk for those.

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Imagine if you did that move 2 games ago ... you can’t carry that .5 into next season either 😉

  19. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Choose one:

    1. Shaw Doherty to Azpi Smith
    2. Just Shaw to Luiz

    1. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      2

    2. Gringo Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      B

  20. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Anyone around that watched most of Bournemouth’s games?

    Struggling to pick between Fraser and Brookes.

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Watches*

  21. Gameweek 29 Rough with the Smooth
    Geoff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Gameweek 29 Rough with the Smooth

    How did your GW28 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 29 here:

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Smooth - AWB got 5 points.

      Rough - Doherty came on and blocked AWBs 5 points 😆

    2. Santigold
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Rough: 19 points.
      Smooth: I don't think I've ever scored below 20 before, so I guess it's an achievement of sorts. 😀

    3. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Rice 3rd on bench. -4 Son and Kosc to Mane and TAA worked out. Then Pat Button took another -4 Pat to Ryan Boruc or Guaita. Went Guaita 🙁

    4. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Rough: Pog (c) and Auba. 20+ point swing from last minute pens

      Smooth: Trent, Vardy...and Ashley Barnes just keeps doing it!

    5. FPL Hitman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Rough - Pogba Captain

      Smooth: Sold Pereira & Son for TAA & Hazard
      Ryan getting some crucial points to get a respectable total

    6. StayoutheSpiceZone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Rough: Taking a -8

      Smooth: I brought in Haz, Ryan and Higuain for this move

    7. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Rough - moved the armband from Hazard to Pogba at the last minute after reading the garbage on here about Hazard being rested or injured
      Smooth - Auba & Solanke to Vardy & Higuaín for -4,

    8. the Penman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Played Deulofeu over Richarlison. That worked. Jiminez sparked joy for me...

      But 0-pointers from Pereira and Dubravka took the shine off things somewhat. 36 all out, dropped from 29k to 36k.

      Still feels like a good week to have a bad week though.

    9. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Smooth: TAA (again).
      Rough: Digne bench (again) & Pogba (C)

    10. Thiga
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Yedlin and Jonny were no shows but I got some jammy bench points from Digne and Keane. Same thing happened last week when Firmino and Yedlin didn't play. Also sold Firmino for Higuaín

    11. Lord.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      In a disastrous game-week Son to Sterling for a hit turns out to be a smooth as it stopped me giving the armband to Pogba.

    12. The Rumour Mill
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Smooth: Taking a minus 8 to remove Sane, Patricio and Aubameyang, for Sterling (c), Fabianski and Vardy, for a positive net swing of 13 points.

      Rough: the rest of my team. Not owning Jiminez, basically.

      39 (-8) so concludes a rank trebling in 5 gameweeks.

      Still beat Jay Egersdorff this week though!

      1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Nice -8.

        No backup to Pat? So guess that was 0. +6 for Fab
        Sane to Sterling +2
        Auba to Vardy +9
        Sterling captain over ? (I'd assume Pog?) +4

        Guessing at Pog as can't see your team!

        1. The Rumour Mill
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          Cheers, that was the only positive this week really! Yeah Button was my backup keeper. Sane to Sterling was +3, but i also captained Sterling so another 3 points there. Don't know who I would have captained if I hadn't got Sterling in all honesty, either Salah or Pogba I imagine.

          Yeah I don't know how to link my team lol. Although the way the last 5 weeks has gone thats probabaly not a bad thing! 😀

          1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            Ah sorry, I though Sane came on for a 1 pointer!

            Who would have played in his place?

            Sorry I'm obsessed with working out if hits pay off. I am sure this has though!

            1. The Rumour Mill
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              It would have been Kenneth Zohore coming off the bench for a 2 pointer haha

    13. Distinctly Average
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Rollercoaster for me this week...

      Rough:

      Pogba (C) - that makes it 5 blanks in the past 6 weeks for my captain. This includes the 1 point sane triple captain disaster. Worst string of captains I’ve ever had.

      Wan bissaka 1st sub and Doherty coming on, despite wolves being 2-0 up.

      All my rivals own Jonny, who didn’t come on. And therefore got AWB’s points from the bench.

      Smooth:

      Absolute dream scenario:

      Sold auba last week and bought in Barnes this week.

      Auba misses a penalty, which is saved by lloris, who I own.

      Barnes scores in the dying minutes to reduce AWB down to a 5 pointer.

      Vardy and Jimenez doing work too.

      Overall a small green arrow...hanging on in there at around 8k

    14. mookie
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Rough: had the armband on Jimenez(12) all week, until the rumors that several players will be rested.

      Smooth: 57 points and up to 6k OR without ever owning the top two highest scoring players in the game.

    15. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Jiménez (C) and Jota oh wait I transfer Jota to Barnes as I had 2FT and moved the armband to Pogba at 11:16AM.

    16. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      My GK's were Pat and Guaita, Doherty came on (had Wan B first on bench) and I played Maddison over Ward Prowse...... nuff said!

    17. Garlana
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Smooth: 53 points in a poor gameweek,
      Boruc off the bench for Guiata a particular highlight.
      Robo+Trent cleanie, hazard captain seems fortunate considering and jiminez doing it again. I actually needed the 1pt from Doherty due to kola being benched and kiko being injured. Moved into top 4k, exactly rank 3700.

      Rough:
      Pogmiss, kept faith in son, bench falling apart a bit.

    18. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      smooth - Luiz no show for Rice 15 pointer.
      Rough - Vardy potential injury/doc 1 pointer.

    19. Vobinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Rough - Pogba (c), Boruc on my bench and played Heaton.

      Smooths - VVD, Robbo,Diop, Jimenez, Vardy

      47 points for the week and another small green to move up to 250K, also 2FT's for next week allowing a mini WC to build for the blanks.

    20. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Smoothisssimo.

      Adam Levy, the leader of both our main FFS League and our FFS Members League, captained Higuaín for a game-week score of 68 points to bring his total to exactly 2000 points, and is now number one in the world with a 25 point lead over his nearest rival.

      They had both triple captained Aguero in GW25 but he still has his other three chips available, whilst his rival has already played his Second Wildcard, and Adam also has a far higher Team Value, so his prospects are looking very bright.

      And if he had entered the January to May League he would have been leading that by 53 points too!

      1. mookie
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Good thing he didn't enter the Jan to May league. 😉

    21. Lord Alan Shearer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Smooth - Attackers (Higuan (c), Jimi and Vardy) and Pool defence (Robbo, Alison)

      Rough - Doherty benching, Pogba pen missing and Newcastle blanking

      59 pts can't complain to much, up to 23k OR from 31. Up and up

    22. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      rough: Doherty

      smooth: Going to argue that Kun, Salah and Pogba were smooths this week because of the large numbers that captained them. Any one of those had come off and i'd probably have been looking at a red arrow. Captained Haz and that small point difference was enough to make the difference on a low GW.
      Double Liverpool defence again, Barnes,Fabs.
      All contributed to 58 pts.
      Been stuck around 50k since GW16 but a decent 14 pts over top 10k average has jumped me to 30k and another top 10k finish in sight again.
      People need to remember it can just take the 1 GW to turn things around because the OR point spread is so small.

      1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Well, for top 10k Kun and Salah were sub 100% EO. If you own them you still wanted them to do well. If you owned Rashford then that Pogba pen miss probably cost you rank (even with Pog at 130% EO in the top 10k).

    23. Bullet Eder
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Smooth: Used my two free transfers to do Aubameyang and Richarlison (0) to Barnes and Hazard (18) as captained Hazard. Made all the more sweeter as I would have captained Pogba (-1) otherwise. Also got a Boruc 6-pointer off the bench for Rui P despite Bournemouth conceding.

      Rough: AWB third sub.

    24. Glen Fiddich
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Smooth- Capt. Kane, sold Aubameyang for Vardy

      Rough - AWB's 5 points on the bench

    25. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Smooth: shipped Auba
      Rough: Pogba, Salah, Mané, Rashford and Pereira

    26. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Rough: Trippier to Luiz (-4), Lascelle's 1 pointer coming on ahead of AWB's 5. Doherty 1 pointer and Pogba -1, red arrows!
      Smooth: Double LIV defence & Vardy delivering 15 points in 2 GWs.

    27. ColdRainyNIght
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Rough - Pogba captain instead of Hazard, Doherty 1 point, AWB on bench
      Smooth - Duffy clean sheet and all bonus points, Vardy scored, Hazard in for Son

    28. K10chopra
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Smooth: Ryan, Duffy, Jiménez, Higuain©️, TAA. A Gameweek rank of 35k odd meant rank jump from 53k to 27k.

      Rough : Not this week. Can have Pogba -1 anytime if it helps with schadenfreude

    29. Bird Raymond
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Smooth:
      - Hazard (c) and Barnes in for Brooks and Aub.
      - Jiminez and Vardy delivered.
      - An unexpected 7 points from Digne. CS from Robbo and Fab too.
      - Although I own him, got to include Pogba's penalty miss as I'm sure this must have worked in my favour.

      Rough:
      - Doherty benching denying me another clean sheet.
      - Salah and Mane blanking.
      - Another Callum Chambers goal on my bench!

      62 (-4) all out, up 24k to 16k. Highest rank of the season so far.

    30. JasonG123
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Owned double Wolves defence since GW9 (the week after Doherty got his last double digit return). Thought it would finally pay off this week with a plum fixture, but Patricio and Doherty were rested/dropped...

      1. The Rumour Mill
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Exactly the same for me mate. It was typical that they finally kept a clean sheet too lol.

    31. shirtless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Scraped through on 45..

      Rough: Pogba(c), sold Digne for Luiz, Doherty subbing on when I had Bennett and AWB ready and waiting with cleanies on the bench!

      Smooth: Bennett sub for Luiz, Jimenez, Hazard, Robbo, Ryan all returning.

      Decent week aside from that missed pen, would have been around 60 otherwise. Green arrow slight climb in OR from 28.1k to 27.6k.

    32. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Smooth: Hoping Pogba would miss the penalty (owner, not captainer).
      Rough: Realising it was a Rashford assist (owner).

    33. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Rough:
      Captain failure with Sterling (C)
      Doherty 1 pointer in Wolves CS week

      Smooth:
      All my forward line score (Higuain-Vardy-Jimenez)
      Pogba penalty miss
      Rare Fab CS
      TAA 3 bonus made Pool CS meaningful

    34. Salarrivederci
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Smooth: Green Arrow (49 points), and almost in the 5K now.

      Rough: Brought in Luiz for Doherty for free due to the teams leaks. Luiz did not play, and Pereira was first up on bench...

    35. CROCosta
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      rough: not owning liverpool defense punishing again (having doherty and lindelof), anderson keeps blanking, deciding against maverick jimenez captain and sticking with sterling

      smooth: new-signers for blanks vardy and hazard in the points paying off the -4 already, solid green arrow from 88k -> 70k i guess on the back of many pogba captainers

    36. Rhinos
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Rough. Took robbo and jwp out for luiz and willian for -8. 1pters on bench so finished with 20pts, worst score ever had

    37. DAN DARE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      A very rough 27. Double Wolves defence of Jonny and Doherty, Pogba (C) and a supporting cast of nothingness. I blame the wind

    38. AllGonePozzo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Rough: Switched from Jiminez captain to Pogba captain half hour before deadline. Doherty and Pereira one point between them with AWB and Digne 12 points between them remaning on the bench.
      Smooth: Jiminez Jota Vardy Higuain Fabianski and Robertson meant green arrow and recover some of the ground lost when without Aguero when he hauled

    39. the_arrows
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Smooth:
      Did Son + Laporte > Sterling + Rice (enabler) for a -4 hit 30 mins before deadline.

      Instead of Son(2) + Pereira(0) + (C)Pogba(-2) for 0 points total

      I got Rice (15) + (C)Sterling(6) + Pogba (-1) giving me extra 16 points minus the hit. Benched pereira.

      Overall 56(-4) = 52 points

    40. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Smooth: Took a -8 for a few Chesea players and Aguero.

      Old team:
      Aubameyang = -1
      Rashford = 2
      Son = 2
      Sane = no-show (2 off the bench)
      Captain Sterling = 3

      New team:
      Aguero = 2
      Kante = 2
      Hazard = 6
      Higuain = 8
      Captain Higuain = 8

      Transfer cost = -8
      Total profit = 10 points

      I got lucky with Aubameyang missing his late penalty against Lloris, although a goal would only have scored him 4 more points (no bonus).

      I got a little unlucky that Chelsea didn't get more at Fulham. Hazard was looking rampant and Kante, for example, could have won him a penalty through a cross which smacked againsts a defenders hand.

      Avoiding Pogba captaincy was obviously smooth. Incidentally, if may be allowed to stir the pot, I have captained him twice before with an average return of 34 points! 😀

      Also incidentally, Higuain was my 14th unique captain this season. 452 total captaincy points this season, so picking and choosing each week isn't going too badly.

      Double Wolves defence dissapointing again, with a single point to show for despite a clean sheet. Both Patricio and Doherty were benched, with Doherty managing to achieve an appearance point. However, I did get Boruc off the bench for for an impressive 6 points against City in a 1-0 loss, which smoothed things over.

      After Saturdays games, I had a total of -3 (negative three) points after hits, with 4 played, and had slipped from 26k to 56k (albeit with 6 Boruc points waiting on the bench = 3pts from 5 players).

      Sunday's Chelsea game helped remedy that, but it was the final game of the weekend, the Merseyside derby, that gave me the real, and most unexpected, boost. The ideal result for me, 0-0, came through, with a clean sheet for Robertson, Trent and Digne, with Digne coming off my bench for Martial. They accrued 4 bonus points between them to give me a total of 21 points from those three players alone (pale in comparison to their heroic 36 points last gameweek!).

      This brought my total to 48 points after hits, and once Boruc and Digne autsubbed in, I shot back up to 24k, even improving on my original rank, and shocking me to my very core.

    41. dicky2014
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Had 2 transfer this week, did Son and Auba OUT, Hazard and Vardy IN.

      Rough – Doherty on bench then coming on for a point while Wolves kept a clean sheet. Pereira being a terrible buy. Richarlison coming on which blocked Chambers goal off the bench. Salah (c) fail. Pogba penalty miss which also meant no assist for Rashford. Mitro should have scored. Digne sat on my bench.

      Smooth – Ederson clean sheet. Robertson clean sheet. Hazard asssit. Vardy goal.

      36 points. Rubbish and dropped out of top 10k for first time in a long while.

    42. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Rough:
      Wolves one clean sheet in last 11 matches: Both Patricio and Doherty rested for one of the easiest matches of the season. Wolves clean sheet of course. Doherty comes on for 1 pointer.
      Rashford gains last minute penalty which Pogba© misses
      Wan Bikassa and Ward-Prowse on bench

      Smooth:
      Because Patricio is going to be rested I say to wife “Heaton, Dubravka or Fabianski?” She choses Fabianski. What a woman.
      TTA & Robbo

    43. Arsene's boys
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Smooth- Jimenez Captained! Brought Rice in for Wan Bissaka. Gameweek Rank of 188,955. Up to 40k from 57k.
      Rough- De bruyne injury. Only 2 of 7 attackers (Barnes and Jimenez) returned (The rest being pogba, aubameyang, son, salah and de bruyne) Jonny benched and bednarek coming in

    44. lugs
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      rough, Pogba, Auba, sold Lloris for a hit because i'm building a team for dgw 32 and i didn't think (correctly) he would keep a clean sheet and that my new keeper Ederson would, so my thinking was i'd break even on the hit and use my 1 free transfer this week on something else other than a keeper 🙁

      Smooth, Jota, Ederson keeping a clean sheet so my hit to bring him in wasn't a complete disaster

    45. kendo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 25 days ago

      Smooth green arrows to 48k plus Jiménez
      Eriksen to Hazard

      Rough - watching Captain Pogba take that pen
      Obi-Wan on bench

    46. Zoinks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 25 days ago

      Smooth; Changed my chip strategy after watching last weeks scoutcast so need more players playing in gw 31. 2 changes for a -4 hit.
      Son and Aubameyang out Hazard and Vardy in
      And on the saturday morning during the breakfast club changed captain from Pogba to Hazard. Not massive gains but 20 points difference if I'd stuck with original decision to free hit so very pleased otherwise would have had aubameyangs minus points and captained pogba as well 😀

    47. rojojojo
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 25 days ago

      Rough: Got a Jonny+Doherty Wolves double up for arguably 2 of the best possible fixtures in hud and CAR. Huddersfield ruined it last week with a last minute goal, and this week, both of them get benched for Wolves' clean sheet vs Cardiff.

      Smooth: Jimenez and the rare CS for Fabianski, that's about it.

    48. FPL ZB
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 25 days ago

      Smooth. Pereira blocked by Schar 0 pointer.

      Rough - ...

    49. Recoba
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 25 days ago

      Smooth: Kola Son Aguero to TAA Haz Vardy

      Even though Digne would’ve come on for Kola I totaled 8 point gain after the hit.

      1. Recoba
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 25 days ago

        Also forgot to confirm my captain change second week running. Got 6 instead of -2, last week got 18 instead of 6. Dumb drunken luck

    50. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 25 days ago

      Smooth: Had JWP come off my bench as 2nd sub after Kolasinac and Luiz no shows. 49 points despite Pogba (C) and a green arrow so up to 7k overall.

    51. Tommo1888
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 25 days ago

      Transferred out : Kolasinac, Richarlson and Aubameyang

      Bought : TAA, Sterling and A. Barnes

      Initially had Captain on Pogba but changed to Sterling and avoiding a double -1 !!

    52. Swanny18
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 25 days ago

      Smooth - 63 points. Brought in Higuain for Auba and captained him instead of Pogba. +18 point swing.

    53. Jakedmat01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 25 days ago

      Smooth- bought in Ashley Barnes for Rashford and played Wan-Bissaka (Benched Doherty)

    54. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 25 days ago

      Rough - swapped position of Pereira for AWB at the last minute.

      Smooth- one of my better ones this season, took out Kolasinac and Lacazette for Rice and captain Higuain resulting in 29 point difference as I would have captained Aguero

    55. Carlton_Goal
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 25 days ago

      Rough: Took a hit to bring in David Luiz and Pedro

      Smooth: Luiz's no-show meant I got Rice's 15 points off the bench. That combined with hauls from Jota and Jiminez got me 60 points and nice big green arrow

      1. Pocky
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 25 days ago

        Rough, Had the armband on Jimenez until someone posted Wolves were planning 4/5 changes (which did turn out to be true) causing me to reconsider. Ended up Capt Pogba.

        Worst part is, this all happened Saturday morning. A time I'd normally be at work & offline, but due to illness (& I'm NEVER ill) I was at home with access to the site.

        Benched AWB to boot.

        Smooth, sold Auba, Son, Kola (1pt Combined) for Hig, Mane, Luiz (11pts combined) not really a smooth but I'll take what little comfort I can from a -8 playing off.

    56. Basil1977
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 25 days ago

      Rough Salah (c) and Pogba -1
      Smooth Auba to Higuain 9 point swing
      48 points and a small green arrow back up to 15K from 17K, Still some way to go to get back to top 5K pre first double game week.
      All chips and wildcard left, hope to get back to the top 5K

    57. Toothless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 24 days ago

      Slightly smooth was doing Aubameyang + Son + McCarthy ---( -4 )--> Vardy + Sterling (c) + Fabianski and getting a net +15 score from them.
      Even smoother was going double West Ham defence and playing Rice!

      58 points giving me a MUCH needed green arrow and an 80k OR rise in my worst season yet!

  22. the Penman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    So when do we give up on salah’s stats?

    1. mookie
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Hopefully never

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      I dare you to sell him!

      1. the Penman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        I know, right? Looking st the figures it’s a bit terrifying; looking at his stream of blanks it’s just frustrating....

      2. kendo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 25 days ago

        Scary stuff lol

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Just before Fulham, right?

      1. the Penman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        You make an excellent point 😀

  23. Farns Foxes
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Fabianski
    Robertson TAA WBasaka Pererera
    Anderson Salah Pogba
    Jimenez Aguero Higuain
    Kante Holebas Neves Begovic
    O.5 in bank
    Just bought TAA Higuain for Auba and Bennett for free
    Cap Agero
    Any other changes or cap ?
    Your thoughts please

  24. Greek Flair
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    *All aboard the Jimenez bandwagon*
    Please exit at the next stop to catch the next Bandwagon Joshua King.

    1. Fitzy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      How is Jimenez a bandwagon? He's been scoring consistently all season long.

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Probably best value of the season

  25. StayoutheSpiceZone
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Good morning

    Those without the WC chip, what are your strategies?

    I am building carefully towards GW31 (not bringing in rubbish I will have to shift in the future)
    FH 32
    TC 33 or 36
    BB 34

    What do you think? Any others in the same boat?

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Build for 32 / 35, FH 31, BB32/35, ignore 33, TC 35/32

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Ignore 31 FH 33

    2. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Played my wildcard few weeks ago which has pushed me right back into top 1k using different strategy from most. Worrying not having WC ahead of bench boost but like you suggest a few key transfers before 35 (double gameweek) and will hopefully pan out ok. No idea withTC just go on instinct

      1. StayoutheSpiceZone
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Cheers mate. I am just above 2k and feeling ok about my bunch at the moment. Taken back to back -8s too and make sure I am in relatively good shape.

        Fingers crossed!

    3. StayoutheSpiceZone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Yes that should read BB 35 not 34

  26. Lukakwho
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Is anyone else Free Hitting GW 31?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Yeah I am. Only have 4 at the minute for 31 and only really want two of those so it makes sense for me.

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Main cash league rival is now 1pt behind. All chips left except I have TC and he doesn't. Would love if he played FH31

  27. rdamjan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Building team for GW31/33

    I already have Mane/Salah.

    Better option?

    A. TAA + Azpi/Alonso (I have DLuiz)
    B. Robertson + Ake/or some other defender for max 5.3

  28. Thiga
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Yedlin and Jonny were no shows but I got some jammy bench points from Digne and Keane. Same thing happened last week when Firmino and Yedlin didn't play. Also sold Firmino for Higuaín.

    1. Thiga
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Whoops

  29. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    What would you say about this team for 31&33?

    Fab
    TAA/Pereira/Luiz
    Salah/Mane/Hazard
    Barnes/Vardy/Higuain

    Probably would squeeze in Cherries defender also

    1. Celt Abroad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Good team.

    2. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Or do you see the need of some WH or Cherries attackers?

      1. Celt Abroad
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Arnie and Wilson both very tempting, but they are also both injury doubts.

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Triple Chelsea is either a master stroke or not!!! I’m going to settle for two.

      Add a Bournemouth defender for a hit in my view. You should get 4 from it anyway as they’re decent at home and there’s a reasonable cs chance

  30. Lingard’s Shin Guards
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    B purely bc I don’t think double Chelsea defence would work out