Scout Notes

Why Santo rotated Doherty and Patricio in Gameweek 29

Wolves registered only their third shut-out in 21 Gameweeks on Saturday as they saw off Cardiff City at Molineux.

Owners of Matt Doherty, Jonny and Rui Patricio missed out on the clean sheet points, however, as Nuno Espirito Santo rotated heavily.

There was further joy for Raul Jimenez‘s owners, though, as the budget-turned-mid-priced Fantasy Premier League forward banked a third double-digit haul of the season.

The 2-0 win for Santo’s side is the chief focus of our Scout Notes below, while we also run the rule over Brighton and Hove Albion 1-0 Huddersfield Town.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 Cardiff City

  • Goals: Diogo Jota (£6.1m), Raul Jimenez (£6.9m)
  • Assists: Raul Jimenez, Diogo Jota

Having promised to give John Ruddy (£4.2m) a run-out against Cardiff in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Nuno Espirito Santo wielded the rotation axe further after a busy week.

The “in the know” rumours turned out to be accurate once again as Santo made five changes to his starting XI from the defeat to Huddersfield Town in midweek.

As well as Ruddy for Rui Patricio (£4.5m), in came Adama Traore (£5.1m), Ruben Vinagre (£4.3m), Romain Saiss (£4.2m) and Morgan Gibbs-White (£4.3m) at the expense of Matt Doherty (£5.5m), Jonny (£4.4m), Ruben Neves (£4.9m) and Joao Moutinho (£5.4m).

While Ruddy’s inclusion in the team was on the grounds of building up match-sharpness ahead of his start in the FA Cup quarter-final in a fortnight’s time, the Wolves boss explained his outfield rotation after full-time:

It’s a short squad, a very short squad of 16 [outfield] players, so credit to them as they prepare themselves for the moment the chance comes.

I think it is our job to prepare the squad well, so we’re always able to choose a strong XI.

We are all aware of what happened at Huddersfield, we didn’t perform well, but it’s nothing to do with that.

We have to realise the momentum. We came from a very good run of games, so it would be stupid on my part to pass on that message to them.

When you have a tough cycle of games in a week, the third one is the one we believe requires some attention.

Those last two lines are the most relevant to Fantasy managers worried about the first-team prospects of Doherty and co.

Firstly, the mass-benching of four of Wolves’ midfield five (we’re including the wing-backs in that) was not some sort of punishment for the dismal defeat at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Secondly, Santo’s comment about the third match in a “tough cycle of games” is something to bear in mind in future with Double Gameweeks on the horizon.

Wolves’ two Premier League fixtures in Double Gameweek 32 immediately precede FA Cup semi-final weekend, which they may yet be involved in, while the expected Double Gameweek 35 runs straight into Gameweek 36.

The Wolves boss has previous for this sort of thing, benching Raul Jimenez (£6.9m) and Moutinho at the back-end of Gameweeks 14-16.

The squad players performed well on Saturday, with Gibbs-White and Saiss impressing in the centre of the park and Vinagre and Traore putting in decent shifts at wing-back.

One piece of good news for Doherty’s owners is that, for all Traore was electric when bombing forward and taking on his man, he offered little in the way of protection for Ryan Bennett (£4.2m) at centre-back.

Santo seemed to address that in an early second-half change, throwing Doherty on at wing-back and pushing Traore alongside Jimenez.

The Wolves head coach confirmed that the player sacrificed in that substitution, Diogo Jota (£6.1m), wasn’t injured:

No, he’s [Jota] perfect. It was a decision. We didn’t change tactically. We balanced the team a little bit more. It was good.

Jota and Jimenez combined beautifully in the first half, each setting up a goal for the other and recording double-digit FPL hauls.

Jota finished a brilliant 16-pass move to open the scoring after quarter of an hour, while his Mexican strike partner doubled the lead two minutes later following a swift break – and error from Sol Bamba (£4.7m).

Further chances came and went, with Leander Dendoncker (£4.3m) hitting the post from point-blank range and then seeing the follow-up effort deflected over, Traore dragging wide after a solo run and Vinagre twice stinging the hands of Neil Etheridge (£4.7m) from presentable positions.

After missing out on clean sheet points, Doherty’s owners were then denied an assist when Etheridge somehow kept out Jimenez’s 73rd-minute effort from a prone position.

Santo said of his side’s efforts:

It was well played in the first half, very well. The second half was not so good.

I’m pleased, especially for the manner we scored. It was well played.

I’m not so pleased with the second half because we must do better in situations when we have superiority – when we are in front.

Credit though for the way we defended, until the end of the game, with all the problems Cardiff put you in – throw-ins, corners, through-balls – over and over again.

Wolves will be without Bennett for their next two Premier League matches after the centre-half collected his tenth booking of the season, meaning Saiss will likely keep his place (either at centre-back or in midfield if Dendoncker drops into defence) in Gameweek 30 and the first half of Gameweek 32.

Owners of West Ham assets will be have been encouraged to see Cardiff so wide open at the back ahead of the two clubs’ meeting in Gameweek 30.

The Bluebirds’ defensive strength against non-big six sides was one of their major plus points but they have now shipped ten goals to Watford, Everton and Wolves in little over a week.

The perhaps premature return from injury of Sean Morrison (£4.7m) has been cited by some Cardiff fans as a contributing factor in their recent troubles at the back.

The Bluebirds look set to be stuck with their club captain at centre-half, though, after Bamba picked up a knee injury on Saturday.

Neil Warnock was downbeat when asked about his defender’s prognosis:

Not very good, we honestly don’t know the full extent but I would imagine the way things are going, it would be season-defining.

You can’t tell with things like that until they’ve settled down with swelling.

The worse scenario is if it’s a bad one, I can’t see him playing again this season. But that’s imagining it’s the worse scenario.

He’s had a rip on his thigh which should have kept him out for six weeks, so you never know with Sol – he might be alright for next weekend.

With Bruno Ecuele Manga (£4.4m) needed at centre-half in the event of Bamba’s absence, FPL bench fodder option Lee Peltier (£3.9m) should see more regular starts at right-back – though January signing Leandro Bacuna (£4.5m) can also deputise there.

Warnock lamented his side’s defensive display in his post-match press conference:

We don’t give ourselves a chance. We’ve got to go a goal in front for a change rather than committing suicide like that and giving two goals away. For me, they were stupid goals.

We’re not scoring goals and we’re conceding silly goals. It’s a bad recipe.

I thought the attitude was alright. I thought the two full-backs were excellent, Bennett and Pelts. I thought Joe Ralls was super. Victor [Camarasa] was tired but he came through alright. There were a few plusses for us but we killed ourselves with the goals.

Victor Camarasa (£4.6m) returned to the starting XI after his recent injury lay-off and was part of an attacking 4-1-2-1-2/4-4-2 diamond line-up, with Bobby Reid (£5.2m) playing in behind Oumar Niasse (£5.0m) and Kenneth Zohore (£4.6m).

The Bluebirds created few chances of real quality, however, with an early Aron Gunnarsson (£4.4m) volley that Ruddy almost fumbled into his own goal about as close as Cardiff came to scoring.

Warnock was asked to explain his formation after the game and said:

Because of you guys, you want them all! I just felt the way Wolves play we could catch them in certain areas and I still do. Unfortunately, we can’t if we throw goals away like that. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing, we won’t win any games if we concede goals like that.

Wolves XI (3-1-4-2): Ruddy; Bennett, Coady, Boly, Saiss; Adama (Cavaleiro 75′), Dendoncker, Gibbs-White (Moutinho 64′), Vinagre; Jimenez, Jota (Doherty 47′).

Cardiff City XI (4-1-2-1-2): Etheridge; Peltier, Bamba (Manga 45′), Morrison, Bennett; Gunnarsson; Camarasa, Ralls; Reid (Paterson 59′); Zohore, Niasse (Healey 76′).

Brighton and Hove Albion 1-0 Huddersfield Town

  • Goal: Florin Andone (£5.0m)
  • Assist: Anthony Knockaert (£5.2m)

There’ll be plenty of Fantasy managers who won’t give two hoots about the events at the Amex on Saturday, with only one player on show – Shane Duffy (£4.7m) – having an FPL ownership of higher than 3.1%.

Nevertheless, Brighton are one of a cluster of clubs who are guaranteed two Double Gameweeks and the Seagulls may even have a third (or a rare Triple Gameweek) further down the line depending on their progression in the FA Cup.

Huddersfield, meanwhile, are one of just eight teams who are guaranteed fixtures in Blank Gameweeks 31 and 33.

From a Brighton perspective, a relative lack of injury and suspension in Chris Hughton’s squad means that “nailed” (let alone in-form) attacking assets are few and far between.

Glenn Murray (£6.3m) has started every Brighton league match in 2019 but has looked off the boil in recent weeks and was hooked before the hour on Saturday, with his replacement, Florin Andone (£5.0m), impressing on his introduction.

Andone was back from a three-match ban this weekend and looked lively, nodding in an Anthony Knockaert (£5.2m) cross to give the hosts all three points.

The Romanian striker’s pace and dynamism are attributes that the predatory Murray lacks up front, though Hughton’s 4-3-3 set-up invariably means that there is room for only one of those two FPL forwards.

The Brighton manager said of his two strikers:

[Florin] wants to play every game, as they all do. He is always disappointed when he doesn’t play. He is just back from a three-match ban as well. I thought he was excellent. That’s what you want from any sub that comes on.

Glenn is always going to be there as well and that’s the type of competition you want. Florin is a different player. It is a tough decision at times which way to go.

Glenn is a type of player who doesn’t have to play as well. Even when he is not at his best, he can still get a goal. He has a knack of being in the right place. He will always score goals.

Much uncertainty abounds in the wide areas, too.

Solly March (£4.9m) and Jurgen Locadia (£5.3m) have had the duopoly on those positions over the last two months or so but it was Knockaert and Alireza Jahanbakhsh (£6.7m) who were given the nod against the Terriers.

Knockaert’s set-piece deliveries were a constant threat for the Seagulls, while Jahanbakhsh put in perhaps his best display in a Brighton shirt to date and came close to a first FPL attacking return when striking the crossbar in the first half.

The return to fitness of Jose Izquierdo (£5.9m) is another name to throw into the mix on the flanks.

Hughton said of Jahanbakhsh’s display:

It was a terrific strike in the first period. He just needs games. He is one who is still getting used to the league here. He has had three setbacks, coming back late from the World Cup, being injured and then going to the Asian Cup. He’s never had a long enough run. He is adjusting. We just need him to get some goals.

Alireza is a player we value having come in for big money. It was another good opportunity for him. I am hoping we are going to see more because he is a goalscorer. That’s why we brought him in. We want our wide players to contribute and we are missing Jose Izquierdo’s goals that we had from the left-hand side last season.

Pascal Gross (£6.7m) – who missed this game because of a hamstring problem – is arguably the safest attack-minded Brighton asset when fit (having started 14 of 15 matches since returning in Gameweek 13), though the German schemer has been used in a more withdrawn role this season and would be less appealing if Knockaert was sharing set-piece duties.

Hughton intimated that he would perhaps stick with a 4-3-3 going forward:

It is just trying to get the balance. The clean sheet is big for us. It is the best platform to push on. The level of our performances have improved in a 4-3-3 but you’ve got to be scoring goals.

Brighton’s custodian and two centre-backs will no doubt be popular choices for their Double Gameweeks, with Duffy and Lewis Dunk‘s (£4.4m) aerial threat and Mathew Ryan‘s (£4.4m) budget goalkeeper status obvious attractions.

Duffy is perhaps the pick of those three: the towering centre-half recorded another three headed goal attempts on Saturday – no Premier League defender has had as many efforts on goal than the Ireland international in 2019.

Brighton recorded their sixth clean sheet of the season on Saturday but, as has often been the case in 2018/19, that perhaps says more about Huddersfield’s shortcomings in attack than their own solidity.

The Terriers have looked better (and more secure at the back) under Jan Siewert over the past few weeks but creativity remains an issue, with Ryan not really tested by any of the four shots on target he faced on Saturday.

Not one of Huddersfield’s six efforts on goal was from closer than 12 yards out.

Siewert stuck with a 4-4-2 diamond following the win over Wolves, with budget FPL midfielder Juninho Bacuna (£4.2m) – who was arguably Town’s man of the match – replacing Demeaco Duhaney (£4.0m) at right-back.

The Terriers were heading for their second successive clean sheet before being caught out by a quickly taken free-kick for Andone’s winner and Siewert expressed his anger at full-time:

I think we did a lot of good things, but in the end, I am so angry because we lost the game because of one situation where we were not switched on. It was a free-kick they played short and quick and we were not switched on and we were not organised.

We lost it through that, and we have so many supporters here from a long distance supporting us. Just one situation and we lost the game, I am so angry.

Brighton were not better than we were – we had good defending and many opportunities for counters, and we had good play.

Huddersfield lost Jonathan Hogg (£4.4m) to injury in the first half and Siewert provided an update on the midfielder after full-time:

Hoggy had a knock. He was injured so I had to sub him before half-time. Hopefully, we can get Hoggy back on the pitch as soon as possible.

At the moment I am not sure because it was a hard knock. He couldn’t breathe any more and that’s why I had to sub him early, which doesn’t make it easy. I hope it is not a broken rib. It could be, but I hope not.

Jason Puncheon (£4.2m) wasn’t part of the Huddersfield squad after reports of a bust-up with his manager but Siewert appeared to leave the door open for a return, saying:

Yes, he is part of my squad but I have to do decisions and I will do the decisions in my way. We had 18 players in the squad and I am just allowed to have 18 players, so I made my decision and I am paid for making decisions.

Brighton and Hove Albion XI (4-3-3): Ryan; Montoya, Duffy, Dunk, Bernardo; Propper, Stephens, Bissouma (Kayal 85′); Knockaert, Murray (Andone 57′), Jahanbakhsh (Izquierdo 77′).

Huddersfield Town XI (4-1-2-1-2): Lossl; Bacuna, Schindler, Kongolo, Durm; Stankovic (Hadergjonaj 65′); Hogg (Mooy 40′), Billing; Pritchard (Kachunga 61′); Mounie, Grant.

316 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Is Aguero worth it this week, if it means taking a -4 next week?

    A) gw30: Son, Rashford to Aguero, Brooks
    (Aguero, Gunnarson to Barnes, Siggy/Maddison -4 gw31)

    B) gw30: Gunnarson to Brooks
    (Son, Rashford to Barnes, Siggy/Maddison gw31 for free)

    A=Aguero C gw30
    B=Salah C gw30

    Cheers

    1. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Not sure it's worth it for one fixture before a blank.

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        True, but one gameweek is 12.5% of the season remaining. His homeform is unreal

        1. Make Arrows Green Again
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          LOL just do what I do and hope he doesn't ever return. It's going soooo well for me so far 🙁

          1. Pukki Party
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            Yeah i think we'be been lucky last two.

    2. MTPockets
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Doubt it (aguero owner)

    3. Kuzser
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Keep falling like a rock ...already 6th in a ML which I was leading by 50 points at NY time. Pogba(c) and Auba along with just bought Luiz no-show (another option was to get Higuain for Auba) just killing it.

      How to start climbing up? Will really appreciate some advice (all chips intact, fh32), 1ft,
      1) save
      2) auba->Higuain
      3) auba, pogba-> Higuain mane for -4

      Fab
      Luiz Robbo Pereira awb
      Salah pogba Anderson barnes
      Aguero Auba
      Subs: Jimenez, Lejeune, McNeil

      1. Robson-Canoe
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Imo option 3 is worth the hit, go for it

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

          thanks. Not keen on rested Pogba vs Arsenal?

      2. barcaa7
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        3

      3. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        2

    4. only2
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Son to Hazard now or let Son play soton first?

      1. Bielsa's Bucket
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Let the boy play

        1. only2
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          agreed, thanks!

    5. barcaa7
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Which one is better?
      I have Salah and Robertson (FH on 32 , WC on 34)
      a-Kola to TAA(double Liverpool defense)
      b-Pogba to Mane (double Liverpool attack)

      1. MTPockets
          5 years, 26 days ago

          Mane more nailed, but they're keeping a lot of cs.
          Think I'd go for a if it helps to hold Pogba for doubles, otherwise b (I have TAA & Mane)

        • circusmonkey
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          a - that's what I have and gives you more elsewhere, although can you spend it? You could always do Pogba out as part of a -4 next week and upgrade elsewhere.

        • Kuzser
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          go b

      2. Bielsa's Bucket
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Splurging all three chips and wildcard in 5 gameweeks. One final push!

      3. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Possible free hit team for week 32 if the doubles come out as predicted:

        Ederson (Norris)
        Shaw, Luiz, Doherty, AWB (Dunk)
        Sterling, Pogba, Hazard (McNeil, Romeu)
        Higuain, Rashford, Aguero

        Your thoughts?
        Have 104.9 and it uses it all. Can downgrade Doherty if my money is an issue.

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          not that keen on 4 3 3 to be honest especially on a fh...

        2. MTPockets
            5 years, 26 days ago

            Similar to what I have pencilled in.
            Maybe Son + cheaper SOU def/GK, or Mendy. Depends how things look then

          • TAArt
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            V similar to mine. Not sure the bench players are worth being that 'expensive' i.e. you could have cheaper. I'm also going 2 palace players and 3 Chelsea, 3 City, 3 United for their doubles. I think everyone is going to have the same front 6 as you (I do for what I have penciled in) so may have a couple of differentials if possible.

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

              Yes I wouldn't mind having Zaha as well but he is only 0.4 cheaper than Rashford for me, so it doesn't seem worth it and I'd be putting Lindelof in for my 3rd ManU, seems a bit of a waste.

          • lugs
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            i like it, i'm free hitting in 31, so i currently have 7 of them in preparation for 32 which will be 8 after i bring Hazard in after his double is confirmed

        3. Arctic monkeys
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          Anyone play ultimate team ?

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

            i have one but not lately

          2. F4L
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            FUT? yeah...

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

            Fifa 19 is absolute garbage

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

            stopped playing recently, content has died. Nobody wants prime mid tier icon SBCs for 2 million coins.

            1. Arctic monkeys
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              Phil foden 88 rated is great, need to play some friendly games to get swap players. Anyone interested Add me. PSN: Aymous91

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

                Had Dinho for a couple of months at CAM, they need to get these players out earlier. The content team has been replaced recently and it is better now. SBCs in the first few months were a mess.

        4. Aguerrrooooooo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          Any pool fans on here? I'd like to know how nailed on Matip is for the foreseeable? Lovren and Gomez are out but would like to double up on Liverpool for the next few weeks before I play my WC.

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

          just caught up with MOTD

          what an absolute pearler Jan Valery!

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

            De Gea would have been disappointed

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

          How many transfers have you done? I've done 36

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

            49

          2. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            46 😆

          3. Amsterhammer
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            33

          4. barcaa7
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            39

          5. Yome
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            34

          6. Weasel Boy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            32

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

          Andreas Pereira! 😮

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

          Because they were on the naughty list

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

            ...Santo Claus... *tumbleweed*

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

          JWP! 😮

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

            Sitting on my bench.

        10. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          I'm going maverick with my chip strategy.

          This week: WC; 2 x Chelsea, 2 x Pool, a smattering from the likes of WHM, LEI, NEW, BOU plus a gamut of future dgw players. Note that the teams listed above who play next week also have cracking fixtures this week
          GW 31: save transfer, go in with a pretty strong 9-ish man squad
          GW 32: transfer in two more dgw-ers for 10 - 11 dgw-ers (including Chelsea). Triple Captain Aguero or Sterling.
          GW 33: free hit to get a full squad out
          GW 34: whatever
          GW 35: bench boost for the final double, with the advantage that those teams I brought in for the GW31 blanks all have good fixtures again.

          As that weird robot lady in the big shouty room says; "simples".

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

            I like GW 34

            1. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              Its the only part of the plan that I know isn't going to go wrong.
              Particularly looking forward to my traditional 9 pts (2017 Carroll, 2018 Sterling) from my triple captain.

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

            If you plan well and get lucky, you might be able to save the FH for GW38 if you feel so inclined. I'm looking at that as a possibility after WCing in triple Wolves and Brighton in GW34, along with others, who I might wantt o get rid of in GW38. There are lots of pros with this potential strategy, but of coursr the obvious cons are that you'll likely sacrifice a couple of fixtures during the blanks and doubles.

            1. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              Yeah, considering keeping the free hit.

              I think that the biggest worry is that a lot can change between now and even GW32, but we shall see.

          3. Goat
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            GW 34 is the best part

          4. The 5% Team
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            doing something similar...will use 2 transfers to get a 9-man team out in GW31. Then a hit to get a nice DGW32 squad out and use TC.
            Will use WC in 34.

          5. HamezMace
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            I'm going to keep delaying my chip strategy in the hope it all just goes away, and everyone forgets about it, like the robot lady in the shouty room is trying to do.

            1. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              That's the spirit. If we just stand up to those unelected bullies in FPL Towers, they'll soon realize that we hold all the cards and rearrange the fixtures to better suit us.

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

            We don’t know who exactly blanks in 33 or how the doubles will fall between 32, 35 and maybe other gameweeks .... on that basis I really don’t know how you plan now for the unknown in the future ?

            The only thing we do know is the 31 blanks, so it seems reasonable to plan for that and use the WC and FH in the unknown more profitable double game weeks ?

        11. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          Do people think Sterling will start/ play this week?

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

            Yep

          2. Pep Pig
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            I'd expect him too if Bernardo Silva goes central in place of KDB. Sane and Sterling on the flanks?

            1. Don Kloppeone
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              Too risky to Cap though right?
              Atm have armband on Salah with Sterling vc

              1. Pep Pig
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 26 days ago

                Far from it mate. I've chose Sterling over Salah for GW30 myself

                1. Don Kloppeone
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 26 days ago

                  Don’t get me wrong, if he plays I expect more from Sterling but it’s the uncertainty around minutes!

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

            Very likely to start but in "don't sell, don't captain" status for me.

        12. Gudjohnsen
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          Got exact cash to do Kamara to Wilson?

          Any news on his match fitness?

          Will he start against Huddersfield?

          1. T0RR3S
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            I owned him for the last 7 or 8 weeks he was fit and it was frustrating to own and for this week i went for King as he always starts and probably on pens
            at least with king you wont be worrying for his mins as he tends to play full 90 mins

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

          I've had only 1 goalkeeper point on the bench all season. Anybody with less than 1? 😀

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            I have had only 1GK pt benched since GW15 .....
            ....before that .....41pts!!!!!!!!!

            And so marked my switch from Fab/Foster to Fab/ Hamer!

            Mental

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

              Haha... Sorry to be a party pooper, but isn't that fairly unextroardinary? GW1-14 you benched 2.9 GK points per game. C'est normal

              1. Don Kloppeone
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 26 days ago

                Damn you Deulo lol

                Ok so the extraordinary bit is the last 15 GWs with only 1pt total but then your feat is far greater

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

            Well I had Boruc's 6 this week to start with so I guess it's a no...

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

              Who's your other keeper, and are you playing Boruc this week?

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

                It's Heaton - expected a good score from him.

                Yes, definately playing him this week.

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

                  I'm bringing Boruc in, but can't decide if I should do it for Lloris, or Button.

                  Initially I needed the funds from selling Lloris to do Son to Hazard, but now I'm thinking I might just get Mane...uhhh I'm talked myself into a right pickle.

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

                    Bournemouth have a great run, wouldn't be out of place as a set and forget keeper providing they improve their away form!

                    I was hiding behind the sofa for Fulham v Chelsea, but there's something not clicking with Chelsea. I still have Aguero & Sterling to Higuain & Hazard as an option next week, and will probably do it but only because I'm already tripled up with Liverpool with VVD, Robbo & Mane. Might even go for Siggy instead of Hazard and use Higuain as Chelsea cover.

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

                      I only need Boruc in 31, and 33, as I'll be FH32, and WC34..at which time I'll probably try and get another keeper to rotate with him just in case.
                      I might fancy him this week, rather than Lloris against Southampton anyway, Saints are scoring goals at least, Huddersfield aren't.

                      I'll decide on Sterling to Hazard at the last minute I think

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

          watched back MOTD... sterling(c) so unlucky not to return 🙁

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

            Boruc on fire

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

              yep, top performance from him

        15. Dave Bauer
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          Lads who would you bench this week out of this ragtag bunch?

          A)Digne
          B)Lascelles
          C)Doherty
          D)Pereira
          E)Felipe Anderson
          F)Jiménez

          Cheers!

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

            C

          2. GREEN IS GOOD
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            BCD

            1. Dave Bauer
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              Just the one buddy, what do you think?

          3. Dave Bauer
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            Sorry, to be clear, just one of these!

            1. GREEN IS GOOD
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              one of BCD 🙂

              whatever I say, the opposite will happen anyway

              1. Dave Bauer
                • 14 Years
                5 years, 26 days ago

                Haha. Don’t worry I’ll balls it up whatever anyone suggests!

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

            C

        16. Goat
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          Doherty + Moutinho -> Brooks + Luiz

          Exact cash for -4. Would give me 11 GW31 players. Do it?

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

            Looks like a good deal to me

        17. Come on you Kante
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          Rashford or jiminez out for higuan?

          1. T0RR3S
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            I think this should only depend on their value on your team
            for example you should keep the one whose price is higher than when u bought him so when the DGW32 comes you wont be spending a lot to get him back.
            and Only if you bought them after price rises.. I'd keep jimenez.

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

          Which one is more likely to score more this week?

          A) Son (sou) + Lascelles (EVE)

          B) Robbo (BUR) + Lanzini (car) - 4

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

            A

          2. F4L
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            A

          3. Goat
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            A

        19. Dilzy
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          After 3 consecutive sub-50 scores, what transfer makes the most sense?

          Etheridge
          Digne Robertson Pereira
          Salah (c) Sterling Pogba F.Anderson Richarlison
          Vardy Jimenez

          0.0 ITB
          (Hamer, Schindler, Doherty, Barnes)

          A. Etheridge to Fabianski
          B. Richarlison to H. Barnes
          C. Jimenez to King

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

            Lots have had sub 50 scores for past few weeks, me included! C IMO.

        20. as33
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          Who to captain:
          a) Salah
          b)Jimenez
          c) Higuain
          b) Sterling

          1. F4L
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            Sterling

          2. MASTER ROSHI
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            b

          3. Goat
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            B

        21. Saka Rice
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          worth losing 8 points this week if it means bringing in players for gw31 and 33 right ?

          1. F4L
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            depends whos coming in and out

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

              This, you don't want to be taking hits for players from teams like Fulham...I mean come on, what a bunch of clowns! 😉

              1. F4L
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 26 days ago

                Who doesn't want the Chambers TC Mitro triple up 😛

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

                  To be fair, you looked much better against Chelsea than you have in recent weeks.

                  I'm saving my TC for the possibly Brighton DGW - Glenn Murray all the way.

          2. pjomara
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            Yeah, one hit for two games is worth it if you weren't going to have XI without that player.

          3. T0RR3S
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            i guess its only worth it if you're considering LIV/CHE asset

        22. Lemongrab
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          Having an absolute shocker with captain picks the last few months. This week

          A. Kun
          B. Salah

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

            potential to have another shocker there too 🙂

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

              Haha no doubt. My friends are convinced I'm cursed so fellow Pogba cappers laid the blame firmly at my feet for this weekends shocker

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

                I'd be tempted by Salah this week. Highly unlikely he'd be rested and he's getting chances. Kun could be rested.

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

                  Figure if Kun is rested it'll be zero minutes so may just got Kun c and Salah VC. I know Salah is due but feel an early goal Vs Watford for city and it could be a massacre

          2. MASTER ROSHI
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            A

        23. pol
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          Regardless of price who do you guys think is the most nailed on of city defenders?

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

            The goalie, after that I don’t think any can be classed as the most nailed ... that is City for you

            1. pol
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              Debating who to bring in for their upcoming fixtures (I am FH in GW31) . If Stones was fit it would have been easier...

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

                Laporte has been the only nailed defender, but after injury who knows any more

        24. Zladan
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          To bring in this week?

          a) Maddison
          b) Brooks

          I aim to own both over next 2 weeks

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

            Maddison, looks like a better fixture and Brooks play time may be limited due to just returning from injury.

          2. T0RR3S
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            Brooks for me

        25. Tingate
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          Alisson
          Robertson - AWB - Kolasinac
          Barnes - Pogba - Fraser - Salah - Sterling
          Aguero - Jiménez

          Hamer - Doherty - Bednarek - Kamara
          1FT - 0.7M ITB

          No FT. Planning to roll the FT then next week do Salah > Mané, Kamara > Higuain, Kolasinac > Daniels for -4. Thoughts?

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

            Mean to say no FH.

        26. MTPockets
            5 years, 26 days ago

            You won't believe why headlines beginning with why will shock you in just one week