Scout Notes

What next for Pogba after penalty miss and deeper role against Southampton?

Fantasy Premier League managers will be paying close attention to the fitness of Nemanja Matic (£5.0m) in the coming weeks.

His absence from the side has had a knock-on effect on the assets around him, especially for Paul Pogba (£9.0m).

The midfielder was captained by 730,000+ in Gameweek 29, in time for a negative score.

Whether he is worth holding, with Blank Gameweeks coming up, is now very much a question Fantasy managers are considering.

Manchester United 3-2 Southampton

Goals: Andreas Pereira (£4.5m), Romelu Lukaku x2 (£10.7m) | Yan Valery (£4.0m), James Ward-Prowse (£5.1m)

Assists: Diogo Dalot (£5.3m), Pereira, Fred (£5.4m) | Charlie Austin (£5.5m), Stuart Armstrong (£5.1m)

The Gameweek 29 win over Southampton saw Pogba’s Fantasy appeal drop once again, as he continues to deputise for the injured Matic in a deeper role. The Frenchman was deployed in the central midfield trio for the third match in a row on Saturday, after enjoying plenty of time in a more attacking role before Matic’s absence.

Consequently, Pogba has seen his goal threat drop in recent outings. Between Gameweeks 24 and 26, he registered 14 penalty box touches, 10 goal attempts, seven in the box and five on target. That was converted into a total of 30 FPL points, at an average of 10 per game. In the three matches that have followed it’s just eight touches in the box, six goal attempts, three in the box and three on target. Factor in a miss from the spot and it’s just seven points in that time, an average of 2.33.

However, that does not necessarily mean Pogba should be on the way out of our teams. Despite the miss against Southampton, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he will take the next penalty and while it’s Arsenal and a Blank next for Manchester United, they have two fixtures in Gameweek 32, against Watford (home) and Wolves (away). Those who signed Pogba at around £8.0m now have a sizeable amount of profit tied up in him and may prefer to hold him through the Blanks with those Doubles in mind.

“I just said to him there: ‘Get ready for the next one, because you’re gonna take that as well’. I’ve missed penalties. He’s a confident boy, he wants to go and take the next one, you want that character and today was one of the ones he really blasted them, he normally just places them, so he’ll be okay.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

There is also a chance that Pogba could still return to his more attacking role against Arsenal anyway. He became much more of a threat against Southampton after Solskjaer put Fred (£5.4m) into the action. He sat deeper to allow Pogba to push forward, although that may have been because Manchester United were chasing goals. We need more to go on before predicting that Fred will start regularly in Matic’s absence.

In contrast to Pogba’s recent shift, Andreas Pereira (£4.5m) looks like he could find himself in a more advanced role at Manchester United. The 23-year-old started for the third home match in a row and was a crucial part of the Red Devils’ comeback. Only two of Pereira’s colleagues recorded more touches in the final third than him and nobody created more chances than him at Old Trafford. That translated into a goal, an assist, two bonus, a 12-point haul and high praise from Solskjaer.

“So pleased for him and so happy for him. He’s gone through the academy, we know what he’s capable of. He’s got loads of energy, drive, we maybe found a better position for him than as a number six, more of an eight or 10. He’s got high energy quality in his passing, crossing and shooting. So pleased for him, a goal and an assist, it’s a nice day for him to remember.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Up front, Romelu Lukaku (£10.7m) may be forcing his way back into the equation after a second successive brace for Manchester United. After a spell of games deployed on the right flanks of attacking midfield, the Belgian has returned to a centre-forward role and is reaping the rewards. Against Crystal Palace, he was the lone striker but played alongside Marcus Rashford (£7.7m) in a front two in Gameweek 29.

Lukaku outperformed his English colleague for total goal attempts, shots in the box and efforts on target. It was the latter that the former Everton man was so impressive, recording four accurate efforts to Rashford’s zero. The latter was unfortunate not to get some attacking returns as it was him who was fouled for the penalty that Pogba missed, but Lukaku was clearly the better player from open play. In the last four Gameweeks, no player has more shots on target as him. With the Double Gameweeks coming up for Manchester United, Lukaku may have put himself on the radar as a potential differential captain option in those rounds of fixtures.

“(Lukaku) is a quality goalscorer. We need to have him more in front of the goal but he’s done fantastic in his work rate, attitude, and he keeps working every single day on his finishing. He loves scoring goals, he smiles every day after training because he does extra finishing every day and that’s the way to score goals. If you practice that practice comes out on a Saturday. He’s got goalscorers’ qualities, finishing, he knows what he wants to do and he’s got the quality to do it, right foot, left foot.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Manchester United’s injury crisis looks to have worsened in the win over Southampton as Alexis Sánchez (£10.0m) was taken off with a potentially long-term injury. It is too soon to tell the extent of the damage with Solskjaer fearing it could be ligament-related.

“We don’t know yet. We haven’t checked it too much, it might be the ligament. It was a bad knock on his knee, we’ll do a scan tomorrow but we don’t know until we’ve done the scan.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Fantasy managers might be able to capitalise on this development though. Sánchez’s replacement was FPL defender Diogo Dalot (£5.3m) who, for the second time in as many matches, played on the flanks of attacking midfield. His introduction switched Manchester United’s formation from a 4-3-1-2 to a 4-3-3 with Rashford on one wing and Dalot on the other. No player played as many key passes as Dalot at Old Trafford, despite his 38-minute pitch-time, and he also provided an assist. With Sánchez doubtful and other midfield assets also on the sidelines, a real opportunity has opened up for Dalot to get some regular starts as an out of position option.

While Manchester United’s defence conceded twice against Southampton, there continues to be signs of encouragement for Luke Shaw (£5.1m). Despite no attacking returns, his presence in the final third still shows potential. Only Lukaku had more touches in that area of the pitch against Southampton.

“It’s hard to try and pinpoint anything that I’ve changed, I haven’t changed anything massively. ”I think it’s more down to confidence and enjoying myself again, a lot of which is down to the manager and the way he is with me. He’s helped me a lot since he’s come in and I think he’s helped a lot of other players as well. We’re very lucky to have this job but to do it day-in, day-out, like any job, you need to enjoy it. The more you enjoy it, the more you get out of it, and I think everyone’s showing that at the moment. Real positive things are happening and that’s showing on the pitch but also off the pitch. This place is a much better environment. There are lots of positives but I just need to keep going, keep focused and keep enjoying football.” – Luke Shaw

Southampton certainly gave Manchester United a fright, scoring the opening goal and pulling it back to 2-2 once the hosts had edged in front themselves. However, the Saints expected goals (xG) for the match was actually as low 0.43. That was because the first of their two strikes was an outstanding effort from range by right-back Yan Valery (£4.0m), while the second was a James Ward-Prowse (£5.1m) direct free-kick. On another day, Southampton might have also had a couple of penalties themselves but in open play, Manchester United were statistically untroubled. It means that in the last four home matches, only Manchester City have conceded fewer shots in the box as the Red Devils.

Nevertheless, Valery earned plenty of praise for his wonder-strike, after progressing very well in recent months. The wing-back has started six of the last seven matches on the right of Southampton’s five-man midfield and probably offers better value than colleague Jan Bednarek (£4.0m), given his attacking positioning.

“I think Yan Valery like Prowsey also are two young guys we try to develop and to bring them on the next level. Yan made fantastic jobs in the last games in the defence and what he was missing was more brave in the attacking situation and he showed he can be brave also. It was a marvellous goal.” – Ralph Hasenhüttl

Ward-Prowse now has five goals in the last eight Gameweeks as he continues to prove the best of Southampton’s Fantasy assets. While he offered no goal threat from open play, his role in set pieces led to his latest goal and he was the Saints’ joint-top chance creator at Old Trafford.

“Prowsey in the last weeks is a key player for us, working hard also on the ball and making good decisions. He is in fantastic shape at the moment and he can score with his fantastic shooting technique. It’s a pity that we didn’t get something for it.” – Ralph Hasenhüttl

Investment in Southampton might not be advisable at this time though. It’s the visit of Spurs in Gameweek 30, followed by a Blank in Gameweek 31 and a trip to Brighton after that.

Manchester United XI (4-3-1-2): De Gea; Shaw, Lindelöf, Smalling, Young; Pogba, McTominay, A Pereira (Fred 82′); Sánchez (Dalot 52′); Lukaku, Rashford (Chong 90+5′).

Southampton XI (3-5-2): Gunn; Vestergaard, Yoshida (Gallagher 90′), Bednarek; Bertrand, Højbjerg, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Valery; Austin (Armstrong 63′), Redmond.

679 Comments Post a Comment
  1. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Ramsey curses continuing

    RIP Luke perry

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

      He won't like it when he sees this.

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

        He’s not going to see it. He’s dead.

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

          Yes maybe his Arsenal career is.

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

      Keith Flint too

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        🙁

      2. Je suis le chat
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Sad to hear. Shout out to all the people who respond to these situations such as paramedics, police.

    3. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Rip, seemed a nice guy. Shocking how many die so relatively young.

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

      RIP XXXtentacion the legend!

    5. Stevie B
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      It seems that the Ramsey curse is real. He scored a goal and Luke Perry (actor), Keith Flint (singer) and Ted Lindsay (famous Canadian hockey player) died.

  2. AI3user
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Help folks, bench one:

    A) AWB
    B) Pereira
    C) Anderson
    D) Rondon

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

    Is Ogbonna nailed? Thanks

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

      The words barge and pole spring to mind

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

        Hahaha

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

        But he cheap and Hudds at home in blank week?

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

      Yes until Balbuena returns

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

        FFS Tweet: "Fabian Balbuena makes his return from injury for the U23s tonight!"

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

    Salad out?

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Yeah. Sod diet, order pizza

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

        The most expensive Salad I’ve ever purchased

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

      You don't win friends with salad

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

      I did last week and it's not something I'd advise.

    4. LarryDuff
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      You don't make friends with salad

  5. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Lads, here's my team:

    Fabianski / Guaita
    Robertson / TAA / Pereira / Doherty / Duffy
    Salah / Son / Pogba / Fraser / Camarasa
    Agüero / Rashford / Jimenez

    Save my FT for GW31, right?

    Any suggestion, especially considering the upcoming blanks and doubles?

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

      Son out

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

        Thanks, mate. Jota in, perhaps? (Double GW)

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

          Do it

        2. clodhopper
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          Son got sthampton

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

    Kola to

    A Rice
    B Chilwell
    C Pereira

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

      C.

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

        I know owners think otherwise, but I think his time for hauls are nigh.

  7. P@ck Of B@st@rds
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    I think im good to go with this team till the end of the season, will be rotating Rashford for Higuain between blanks and double gameweeks, thoughts??

    Patricio, Fabianski
    Robertson, TAA, Doherty, Pereira, Schar
    Salah, Hazard, Pogba, Fraser, Brooks
    Rondon, Jimenez, Rashford

  8. gonzalocampos
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Jimenez or Wan Bissaka for next game?

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

      Toss a coin.

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

        WB for me, just.

    2. P@ck Of B@st@rds
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Wan Bissaka for sure

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

      I tend to go for offensive options..in that case really not sure ....go Jimmy I will go both myself

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

      Wan b

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

    1.Kola to vvd
    2.Mout to brooks
    3.both(-4)

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

      A for now.

    2. P@ck Of B@st@rds
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      3. Both, Bournemouth's fixtures are unbelievable for the rest of the season. Brooks very attacking.

  10. BGW31 Forwards?
    G-Whizz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    What forwards will you have or looking at having for GW31?

    I'm currently looking at a couple of options. I could go with a 5-3-2 with my forwards as King and Barnes and my bench consisting of Steele, Aguero, Pogba and Sterling OR I could also play 4-4-2 with a bench of Laporte instead of Sterling and have Hazard come into the team instead and play, but we'll decide upon that nearer the time 🙂

    So what about you? What's your thinking regarding your forward line come GW31? Are you a Jimmy ditcher like myself or way too much value tied up in him to even think about shifting him or others on?

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

      So far I have Barnes

      Don’t wanna sell Jiminez so will just do Kun to a second striker next week. King, Higuain, Arnie. Dunno. All pretty sub par crud

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        I wouldn't touch Arnie with a bargepole atm...

        https://twitter.com/ExWHUemployee/status/1102586839662297088?s=19

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

          Noted thanks !

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Vardy king Barnes

      Not sure about losing jimi for Barnes as it means losing 0.3

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Nice mixture!

        Jiménez will be easy to lose for me, my TV is high and only bought him recently and I've already lost Rashford for Aguero too 🙂

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

      Rondon is your man.

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        He so isn't 😆

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

          Give the man a chance 😉

          Mark has him for a reason.

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

        Rondon had Huddersfield returns now it's time to move on. He's not very good

        1. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          Can't say I'm a fan either...

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

            I'm a fan, but no secure GW33 fixture while other options exist, makes him quite easily avoidable imo

            1. G-Whizz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              My personal fan rating just went even deeper into the negative now...

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

                😀

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

      Higuain and king for me , probably will sell Jimenez for king. Maybe rashford ....

    5. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      I'm a Jimmy ditcher, bought him late so no value lost.

      Higuain, King, Rondon will be my front three

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Higuain seems popular but think I'm leaning towards taking a stroll in the garden of Eden 🙂

        1. Legomané
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          Just have both?

          1. G-Whizz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            Nah easier with my team structure to just go with him over Rice in defence or Higuain up front...

        2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          thats a typo its taking a troll in the garden...

          1. G-Whizz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            For you it might be a typo 😆 but he single handedly rescued my season in GW4 so he'll do for me 🙂

    6. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      I'll have Vardy, Barnes and King, stupidly got rid of Jimi just after Christmas when his stats were poor over a few games.

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Ah that's me to blame for that, I bought him in GW23 and he's been on fire for me ever since. I will be getting rid for King though...

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

      no forwards at all: will have 9 players for GW31, with forwards Rashford, Aguero and Success who all blank

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Brave!

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

          yeah, I thought 9 players would be enough for that GW. With DGW32 in mind it just so happened that none of those 9 were forwards who have a fixture in 31 🙂

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

        what's with crazy hit weeks?

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

          in those weeks I changed the rules for my team. Wanted to only have players that are below a certain percentage, that's why I sometimes make weird looking transfers 🙂

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

            ah i see 🙂

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

      Arnie, Barnes and Higuain. Playing FH

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

        It's not too late to not waste FH on a rubbish game week

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

          Yawn

        2. FPL Pillars
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          It probably is too late if you’ve planned it 😀

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

      Vardy, Higuain, King (first 2 have worked perfectly so far)

    10. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Sounds good, I'm sticking with Barnes only, resting Jimi and Kun.

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Is the value you have tied up in Jimmy a deciding factor there?

        1. Je suis le chat
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          Just fires to put out elsewhere? Such as no goalie. Great work btw on the fixture ratings etc.

          1. G-Whizz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            I gotcha, makes sense 🙂

            Thanks mate, working on the latest one trying to get it out for tomorrow after the Scoutcast 🙂

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

      Vardy, Higuain & Barnes

    12. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Vardy Rashford Jiménez

      Rashford > Higuain planned this wk or next. May consider Wilson. I refuse to look at Barnes-Rondon 🙂

      Holding the Legendary Jimmy as I probs want him for the run in (bought 5.5)

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        He's a legend for real and I brought him in fairly late @£6.4m :O

        Nice transfer you've got planned for next week, mine will see Jimmy leave for free then I'll take a hit the week after and that's when I'll decide which formation to go with...

        I take it you'll be fielding a full XI?

        1. Legomané
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          I've 7 inc Chambers at the moment...
          Was planning 5x transfers (-12) to allow me to bench him before his latest goal! May just take a couple of hits.

    13. frenchfries
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Vardy, Higuain, Barnes

      1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        I see a lot of people going Vardy.....Do we know if the yellow flag is anything serious ?? Would you do Auba to Vardy ??

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

      Probably just Higuain and Solanke. I'm probably going to try and navigate the blanks and doubles with FTs unless DGW32 isn't doable. So with 0.0 ITB, I cant sell any potential DGW players I have money tied up in, as I won't be able to afford to bring them back in the following week. E.g. Aguero > Vardy would price me out of Vardy > Aguero.

      I'm not married to this strategy, but it seems like fun to me, and would allow me to FH in GW38, potentially.

      So my best option for GW31 is probably to sell Martial, and then consider whether to buy him back the following week.

      Otherwise, my preferred option would probably be Vardy, but ideally people would be able to give it another week to decide. Second choice, Barnes, as he may be on pens and passes the eye test for me.

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

      Barnes + Vardy or King/Wilson. Benching Jimmy

      Depending on funds, can't afford Vardy if going with both Haz + Mané

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

        Really wish Wilson had made the Bou bench at the weekend. Was hoping to bring him in this week for Hud but will hold off until we get some news

      2. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        I hear you...

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

      I'm planing to keep Aguero, Pogba and one of Deulofeu or AWB(pending on cup game result). So either 5-3-2 or 4-4-2 with Arnie and one of Vardy or Higuain up top. Not set in stone though.

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Be careful of Arnie...

    17. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Barnes. Keeping Jiménez likely and Agüero May keep.
      I have 3FT - keeping options open.

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

      Rondon and Vardy.

      Rondon In has already paid off and Vardy is a hit to nothing assuming he’s guaranteed 4 points.

      But generally I’m not bothered as all the options are differential enough not to hurt OR.

      So I’ll be going Hazard over Higuain simply because if he returns he could hurt me more.

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Same here with the Hazard over Higuain shout and for me getting rid of Radio Raheem in the process leaving me with the 4-4-2 option is my favoured one atm tbh.

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

      I’m going 4-4-2 with Vardy and Barnes. Selling Rashford to get Vardy as will keep Jiménez on the bench.

    20. acidicleo
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Have Barnes already..Kinda wish I hadn't..
      My preferred front 3 will be:
      Higuain Vardy King

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Why do you wish that?

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

          Better teams and fixtures..
          Now will get 2 out of vardy king and Higuain.
          Higuain likely to miss out as a) he isnt the pen taker b) have hazard already

    21. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Vardy King Rondón my likely front 3 for bgw. Probably get 3 points between them but there we go lol

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Hahaha 😆

        Be interesting to see what the ownership figures for King, Vardy, Rondón, Barnes and Higuain are when we reach GW31...

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

        I thought you meant that Rondon was a king, and he counted for 2 people, and then I realised King is a footballer...

    22. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Don't have s single striker who plays in 31. Aguero, Jimenez and Kamara are my current front line. Could potentially sell all of them and get higuain, vardy and King/Arnie... Have some value in Jimenez so maybe I'll hold onto him.

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        I would go King over Arnie...

    23. billydesmond
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Rondon Higuaín Wilson

      I'm ditching Jimmy because I won't be including him in my FH32 XI due to WOL fixtures (bur, MU).

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Interesting pick Wilson, I'm just not sure right now how much game time he'll get in that week but we'll see...

    24. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Thinking Jimenez, Vardy and one from Barnes/King. It's pointless to remove Jimmy with his form and value.

      I am looking at eight players max - this gwk has very few appealing fixtures. I see quite a few filling their teams with stocking fillers on the basis that X player has a game in 31. Pointless.

      You will only get burnt and then you are saddled with him unless you have your chips.

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        One of the reasons I brought in Man City players over the last few GWs was that I didn't see the point in refusing to have their assets just because they didn't play in BGW31.

        Still will field a full eleven for that week, afterall if you don't buy a ticket...

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

      I already have Vardy, Higuain and Jimenez and pretty happy with them. I will bench Jimi and play 4-4-2 in GW31 and GW33.

    26. Mo Mané No Problems
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Currently have Vardy - Barnes - Kamara. Kamara will become King/Wilson for 31.

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Very nice!

    27. Werkself
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Vardy and To Be Determined

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

      Higuain Vardy Barnes

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Thought Rondón would be in more teams tbh, nice forward line that, very nice...

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

          But it's Rondon

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

          Already had them for their 22 points in the last gameweek.

          They are not even the traditional blank gameweek ‘poor picks’ that I see referred to as a reason not to play 11 in GW31 ... they are even players I would consider irrespective of blanks, due to their generally easy fixtures and relatively low risk of rotation 🙂

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

      King, Vardy, Higuain

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 25 days ago

        Pricey but could more than pay off! Fielding 11 I presume...

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

      Probably Barnes and King/Wilson. Bench Aguero to carry him through the whole thing.

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 25 days ago

        Ditto!

  11. Will you (Gloria Gaynor) survive?
    Celt Abroad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    First there was Digne, when he was benched that night.

    Then came on to get a red card for my struggling side.

    Then sane with the armband, for a one point cameo.

    While my rivals in my mini leagues had it on Sergio Agüero.

    Oh auba no! An injury blow!

    And missing out on all those points at Huddersfield at home.

    But we held you for the next weeks with your brilliant fixture run.

    While all the time aguero is just scoring goals for fun.

    Oh tell me Mo! Where are the goals?

    Or have you gone and signed up with those other famous trolls?

    I could have gave the armband to pogba I could have given it to raz, but your run of 2 pointers puts your right up there with Haz.

    And then there’s Pog.

    The final curse.

    Just when you had started to think that things could get no worse.

    A ninety minute howler to miss a penalty

    And plunge all his captainers into greater misery.

    But all the same, I will survive.

    As long as there are blanks and doubles I’ll keep my hopes alive.

    A little Rondón here, an Ashley Barnes beside.

    And I’ll survive. I will survive.

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Hahaha nice one

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

      Lol, brilliant. Just loved it. 🙂

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

      Nice effort 🙂

    4. Party time
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Nice work, I was expecting something on Rodgers tho 😉

      • Pompel
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Brilliant 😀

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

        Genius take a bow son, take a bow!

        Could the podcast do a karaoke of this tomorrow night?

      • 7shadesofsmoke
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        amazing

      • G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Brilliant! 😆

      • g40steve
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Very good 🙂

      • Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        The whole thing is transformed once you know it's I will Survive. Even better on second "reading". Well done

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

          Aw, the title spoils the punchline.... (unless I was the only one not to know the tune until the final line haha)

      • ritzyd
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Excellent!

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

        Haha very good mate

      • RogueRed5
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Excellent Work!

      • FPL price manipulators are …
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        More of these. I remember stan and joke donkey strikers. Anyone care to link them?

      • Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Just sung through that with my wife, who's also a keen FPL player.

        We can relate to most of that.

        Best post in years.

        Utterly brilliant.

      • 4-6-0
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        That was incredible!

      • The Albatross
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Brilliant

      • Buck The Trent
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 25 days ago

        Briliant

      • Lord.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 25 days ago

        Essential therapy after the last gameweek.

      • the snazzy viking
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 25 days ago

        can I have some of your spare time ?

      • FP Elephant
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 25 days ago

        Well done -- must have taken more time than making a blanks and doubles spreadsheet. FPL should give you a 3rd wildcard for your efforts. Bravo.

    5. TheNovocastrian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Anyone have any thoughts on when they'll be using their triple captain chip (who and vs.)?

      Personally, I'm tempted to take a punt on Salah vs Burnley this weekend or vs Huddersfield in GW36 but would be interested to hear other opinion. Cheers.

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

        Probably Sterling or Hazard in DGW32 (if City/Chelsea have a double fixture that is)

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

        Brighton could have three rescheduled matches. I'm hoping Chelsea-Brighton will be scheduled in GW 36 so I could use it on Higuaín or Hazard. At worst, I'll use it on Murray or Duffy.

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

        Aguero GW25.....heheheheHAHaHAAAAAHAaaa........

    6. Tmel
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Best 4.7 or under defender to navigate the blanks?

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

        Rice/Diop?

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

        Rice, Balbuena or Lascelles.

    7. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      What to do with Antonio?

      1. Party time
          5 years, 26 days ago

          Keep for the Cardiff game

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

        Was thinking to bring in Aguero to captain him (finally)

        But the way things have gone since Xmas...it will be the week has rested

        What do you guys think?

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

          I think he will play and would also be a good captain choice. Gonna bench him in 31 or transfer out?

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

            why do you go crazy with hits?

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

              My hits have generally paid off.....took Salah out , no Aguero, Sterling

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

                not you

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

              And then my rival getting Hayden off the bench etc....just unlucky

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

              me?

              I changed my team a couple of times: at first it was the 15% team, later it was 10% team and then I wanted it to be the 5% team. (as in: only players lower than 15, 10 and now 5% owned)

              Every time a player goes over 5% ownership, I change that player to one that's less than 5% owned. Just some funny rules for my own fun.

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

            It's really for 1 week as have the chips left...but can see Watford conceding loads

            Sure my rival that's over taken me brought in and captained Lukaku ha

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

          I don't know if no Fernandinho factor is true but back to back 1-0 wins which were supposed to be bigger scoring as Aguero Sterling owner would put me off

        3. Party time
            5 years, 26 days ago

            He will play no more than 60-70minutes, he could also start from the bench

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

              Same as last week then

        4. Red Star Toro
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          May I ask when will we know if and which games will be added to GW32?

          1. 7shadesofsmoke
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            you may not.

            Far too polite for this site 😉

            1. 7shadesofsmoke
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              i have read that these will be confirmed after gw 31

          2. Party time
              5 years, 26 days ago

              After 31 they say

          3. Miguel Sanchez
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            Captain:

            A) Aguero (WAT)
            B) Sterling (WAT)
            C) Salah (BUR)

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

              A)
              that's where I am at

            2. kalmoffit
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              A

            3. Ask Yourself
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              Not confident in any of those anymore. A probably

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

                This.

            4. Miguel Sanchez
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              Cheers all - A is where it's at at the minute

          4. Je suis le chat
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            I wonder has anyone out there got the 3 Liv defenders VVD, Robbo and TAA from the beginning? Would be doing well with TAA captain and VVD vice captain.

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

              451 points. A lot better then my 388 points from my defense.

          5. Tolly101
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            who to start?
            a) Jimenez (Che A)
            b) Brooks (Hud A)

            1. Ask Yourself
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              A

          6. Bury94
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            Has Yedlin been dropped then? Will put a dent in my GW31 plans

            1. Miguel Sanchez
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              Give him GW30 and then transfer out if he doesn't start

            2. Ask Yourself
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              Manquillo hasn’t exactly covered himself in glory wait and see

          7. Claudio555
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            2ft, 0,2 itb. What transfers should I do?

            A. Rich+Jiménez>Maddison+King

            B. Shaw+Doherty>Luiz+Ogbonna

            C. Shaw+Jiménez>Luiz+Rondón

            D. Jiménez>Arnie and hold one ft.

            1. Ask Yourself
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              None of those of i’n Honest

            2. Claudio555
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              Then who?

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

              I would do C or a modified D with Wilson or King instead of Arnie.

          8. Ask Yourself
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            Would you son > Haz this week? I maybe would

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

              I would

              1. Ask Yourself
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 26 days ago

                Thanks syd

          9. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            People who got Jiménez at 5.6 what are you think of doing? Is it a better option to keep because of the value to be lost??

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

              Every dog has their day. Looking to ditch. Points > TV.

          10. Football Weekender
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            For those using FH in GW32 - anyone considering a Bournemouth defender over a Leicester defender for the next few GWs?

            Both teams currently have 7 clean sheets.

            Bournemouth are away at Huddersfield in GW30, who just can’t seem to score, and then two home games in 31 & 33.

            Leicester are at home against Fulham in GW30, who are dreadful at the back but quite good going forward, and then two away games in 31 & 33.

            Any thoughts? I’m tempted by Aké personally.

            1. LC1
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              I've gone with Boruc & Chilwell, purely because of Boruc's price.

              Both good options but if I had to pick between a Lei or Bou defender, I'd probably go with Leicester.

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

              Boruc

          11. shearer9
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            What's the verdict on Son? Just a bad patch or is his threat dampened with Kane back in the side?

            1. Football Weekender
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              Keeping for Southampton away and then selling, regardless of any returns.

            2. Ask Yourself
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              I think he plays for a pony team

              1. All For One
                • 5 Years
                5 years, 26 days ago

                I'll be keeping Son since I'm free hitting gw 32, gw 33,34 Son against Brighton and Huddlesfield

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

                  That double doesn't happen if Brighton win cup game I think

                  1. All For One
                    • 5 Years
                    5 years, 26 days ago

                    gw 33? Who do Brighton play against in the cup game?

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

                      If Brighton beat Milwall then 33 with Spurs postponed according to some

                  2. All For One
                    • 5 Years
                    5 years, 26 days ago

                    Cup game ain't until 17/03 should be fine

          12. kalmoffit
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            Three West Ham defence for wk31 also good play for those free hitting

            1. Ask Yourself
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              West Ham fan and it really isn’t

              1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 26 days ago

                ditto

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

                  Hudd not scored away this year

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

              How good will a FH team full of DGW players look instead in 32

          13. FredrikH
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            GW32: FH
            GW34: WC
            GW35: BB
            Still a viable option? Not many teams having double in 32 at the mo. Other weeks more appealing? Maybe a blank later on.

            1. r0binh0
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              That's still my plan. Expecting the GW32 number of doubles to increase once the EPL finally rearrange the blanked fixtures.

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

                Thanks. That is reassuring.

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

              There will be up to another 10 teams with 32 DGW

          14. La vida FPL
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            Benching headache this week.... pick one to leave out this week:

            Pogba (sot)
            Salah (BUR)
            Mane (BUR)
            Sterling (WAT)
            Brooks (hud)
            Vardy (FUL)
            Rondon (EVE)
            Jimenez (che)

            1. La vida FPL
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              Pogba (ars) *

            2. Miguel Sanchez
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              Jim

            3. Je suis le chat
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              Pogba, he deserves a rage benching.

            4. Pompel
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              Jimi

            5. norwegian-forest-cats
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              Rondon or Brooks

          15. Herc
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            Apologies if this has been mentioned already but if Shaw gets booked in the FA Cup game then he will be suspended for both games in the DGW right?

            1. Now I'm Panicking
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              No - rule change this season that booking accumulation is in PL only

          16. HVT
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            Mane or TAA?

            1. Je suis le chat
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              TAA for me, I just got him in for Dockerty.

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

              TAA. Has a higher PPM then Mane and costs a lot less.

            3. Pompel
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 26 days ago

              If funds no issue, then Mané (assuming you ave VVD or Robbo). But TAA expected output not far behind