Scout Squad

The Scout Squad for FPL Gameweek 30

This regular prelude to the Scout Picks is back ahead of Gameweek 30.

In this feature, our four returning panellists each submit a squad of Fantasy assets, with the focus exclusively on the coming Gameweek.

The 72 nominations listed below will be narrowed down to a squad of 14 (with the starting XI not exceeding a total cost of £83.5m) ahead of the forthcoming deadline at 11:30 GMT on Saturday morning.

Paul, Peter, Joe and Neale (in for the unavailable Az) expand on their notable selections and omissions in the article below.

 PaulJoeNealePeter
GKEdersonVicente GuaitaEdersonEderson
 Martin Dubravka

Kasper Schmeichel

Martin DubravkaLukasz Fabianski
 Lukasz FabianskiEdersonLukasz FabianskiArtur Boruc
DFAndrew RobertsonAndrew RobertsonAndrew RobertsonTrent
Alexander-Arnold
 Trent
Alexander-Arnold
Cesar AzpilicuetaDavid LuizAndrew Robertson
 Harry MaguireJeffrey SchluppJeffrey SchluppPatrick van Aanholt
 Jeffrey SchluppDeclan RiceBen ChilwellFabian Schar
 Fabian ScharRicardo PereiraLucas DigneBen Chilwell
MFRaheem SterlingMohamed SalahMohamed SalahRaheem Sterling
 Mohamed SalahSadio ManeRaheem SterlingMohamed Salah
 Ryan FraserEden HazardSadio ManeMiguel Almiron
 Manuel LanziniRaheem SterlingDavid BrooksJames Maddison
 Harvey BarnesDavid BrooksManuel LanziniManuel Lanzini
FWSergio AgueroSergio AgueroSergio AgueroSergio Aguero
 Harry KaneGonzalo HiguainWilfried ZahaJamie Vardy
 Jamie VardyJamie VardyJamie VardyWilfried Zaha
 Gonzalo HiguainWilfried ZahaGonzalo HiguainGonzalo Higuain
 Salomon RondonJoshua KingHarry KaneJoshua King

Most popular picks: Ederson, Andrew Robertson, Raheem Sterling, Mohamed Salah, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Jamie Vardy (four), Lukasz Fabianski, Jeffrey Schlupp, Manuel Lanzini, Wilfried Zaha (three)

Paul said…

I’m tipping a double-up on Liverpool’s defence at home to Burnley, with both their full-backs more than capable of hefty hauls in Sunday’s early kick-off.

A number of pricey strikers have obliging opponents this weekend and in order to balance the Scout Picks budget, I’ve gone with three midfielders under £6.5m.

As usual, I’ve included some overlooked options in my squad, with Harry Maguire and Manuel Lanzini among my favoured differentials.

Both impressed last weekend and, with strong fixtures in Gameweek 31, now could be the time to get on board.

Maguire was afforded license to roam forward as Leicester switched to a back-three in their first match under Brendan Rodgers, firing three attempts on goal against Watford.

It’s his aerial threat, however, that could prove the undoing of Fulham.

Maguire has recorded 16 headed attempts – placing him fourth among defenders – and sits third for efforts on target, with 11.

The Cottagers, meanwhile, have conceded 84 aerial efforts, which is the fourth-worst record in the Premier League.

Lanzini set the tempo in his first start of the season as West Ham breezed past Newcastle.

Not only was he ranked first for successful passes in the opposition half, the Argentine also received more passes in this area of the pitch than any other West Ham player.

Essentially, that suggests Lanzini is the go-to player for his team-mates when the Hammers have possession in attack. Having played a part in 40% of their goals when selected last term, his influence will surely grow over the run-in.

Jeffrey Schlupp also deserves a mention, with one goal and three assists in the last five Gameweeks since moving into central midfield for Palace.

The Ghana international recorded eight key passes, seven shots and five efforts in the box over that run – all totals that place in the top five defenders.

Joe said…

On this week’s Scoutcast, we discussed the notion that a successful FPL team needs a good combination of well-owned ‘shields’ to protect rank and differential ‘swords’ to steal a march on opponents.

With that in mind, I’d like to see this week’s Scoutcast packed with ‘shields’ from Manchester City or Liverpool, who both have favourable home ties and will be desperate to maintain momentum in their league title chase.

I favour a double-up on Reds attackers for Burnley’s visit, given the strong home form of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. Between then they have scored 21 goals at Anfield.

The only player to surpass their respective home tallies of ten and 11 is Sergio Aguero. His 15 Etihad goals and more than 40% ownership make him another essential rank protector to include this week.

Eden Hazard’s seven home goals ahead of Wolverhampton’s visit sees him added to my list of ‘shields’.

Meanwhile, his team-mate Gonzalo Higuain looks a perfect ‘sword’. The Argentine is owned by a mere 4% of FPL managers and has already amassed three goals across his five league run-outs.

Cesar Azpilicueta is another low-owned Chelsea gem for the Scout Picks committee to consider, with three assists in his last four matches.

Crystal Palace assets offer FPL managers a further opportunity to climb the rankings, with Wilfried Zaha’s five successful strikes in as many league starts a key asset when rivals Brighton drop by Selhurst Park. The Ivory Coast international has scored an impressive four goals in his last quartet of appearances in all competitions against the Seagulls.

I’ve tentatively handed a selection to Leicester’s Ricardo Pereira, who has delivered me just two points since drafting him in three Gameweeks ago. With a mere nine goals on the road, I think his opponents Fulham will at last hand him clean sheet returns.

Neale said…

I won’t rehash the case for Wilfried Zaha as I covered the Palace winger fairly comprehensively in this week’s Digest, but Jeffrey Schlupp has finally made it into my selections after weeks of clamouring for a call-up.

A defender in Fantasy Premier League, Schlupp was deployed “out of position” in central midfield in Gameweeks 26-28 but – even better – was pushed further forward into the front three in Gameweeks 25 and 29.

Schlupp was covering for the suspended Zaha on the left flank against Fulham but played in the same team as the Ivory Coast international at Burnley on Saturday, with Zaha moved over to the right wing.

A benching is always a possibility with Schlupp but even if Andros Townsend is recalled against Brighton, the Ghanaian utility player could move back into the midfield three and still pose plenty of threat against a Seagulls side that has conceded two or more goals in each of their last five Premier League away games – and be eligible for clean sheet points, of course.

I’m rooting for a low-scoring affair at St. James’ Park on Saturday, with Martin Dubravka and Lucas Digne both making my selections.

The Magpies have kept clean sheets in three of their last four home fixtures but if Everton are to breach Rafael Benitez’s mean backline, it could well be from a set-piece situation – as happened at the London Stadium last Saturday.

Newcastle have consistently conceded chances from set plays all season (more than any other side) and Digne has taken more successful corners than any other defender in 2018/19.

The Toffees also come into this match off the back of two clean sheets plus decent underlying stats (fourth for fewest shots in the box and big chances conceded, joint-first for fewest shots on target conceded) in their last six away matches.

With premium buys Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah all shamelessly nominated, I’ve also sought to include some budget players should we require them in the Scout Picks.

David Brooks is fit again after a month on the sidelines, with his price having dropped to an inviting £5.0m during his absence.

Bournemouth are next up against Huddersfield, who have conceded more chances from their left flank over the last six Gameweeks than any other side – something Brooks could exploit if deployed on the right wing.

Based on points per million, Brooks is the best-value FPL midfielder under £6.0m this season.

Manuel Lanzini is purely an “eye test” punt, following his display against Newcastle last weekend.

While the Argentinean midfielder blanked and didn’t set the world alight from an underlying stats point of view (other than a 97% pass success rate), he looked sharp in a 90-minute showing and was lauded by his manager after the game.

The wealth of options that Manuel Pellegrini has at his disposal is a worry from a rotation perspective but West Ham representation against a free-falling Cardiff side, devoid of the services of Sol Bamba and with their fans starting to revolt, seems a necessity.

Peter said…

With just four points from their last six outings, it’s fixtures over form for Leicester City with the condemned Lilywhites in town. That said, with three goals in his last four matches, Jamie Vardy has been consistent, though not explosive.

During that time, Leicester’s defensive assets have frustrated but I’m sticking with Ben Chilwell. The England youngster and Ricardo Pereira have each created six chances in that period; the Portuguese leads 2-0 for big chances created, but Chilwell carries a slightly bigger goal threat with two shots on target.

With 21 chances created in his last four matches (just one big chance), I’m also tipping James Maddison to supply the bullets for Vardy.

Speaking of goal threat, the two main title rivals are tied on 13 goals each in their last four home matches, with opponents Burnley and Watford each averaging just under two goals conceded per game recently.

The Reds and the Sky Blues are likely to feature heavily in our selections then and – with only Vardy and Harry Kane posing anything close to their threat according to the bookies – Mohamed Salah, Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero form a formidable, if costly trio. Salah, of course, is in lamentable form but having removed him before his hat-trick at Bournemouth, I’m turning a deaf ear to the doubters for a player who has averaged an attacking return in each of his 14 appearances at Anfield (ten goals and four assists).

Brighton have shipped ten goals in their last four away days, including four against Fulham. Only Trent Alexander-Arnold (also selected) has created more big chances than Patrick van Aanholt’s three recently and the Dutchman has notched at least five goals of his own in each of the last three seasons, albeit that he is languishing on one strike so far this campaign.

Meanwhile, Wilfried Zaha leads Michy Batshuayi in recent games for goals, shots on target, chances created and big chances created so I’ve favoured the Ivorian over his team-mate.

Budgetary restraints lead me away from some tempting attacking options from both teams at the Emirates as Arsenal entertain Manchester United in the weekend’s final action. Instead, an outlay of a mere £12.4m secures me the services of Miguel Almiron and Manuel Lanzini.

Almiron has nothing to show for his four shots on goal and nine chances created since joining the Magpies but the potential is there.

Lanzini, like most of the Hammers’ attacking players, is a gamble given rotation but I desperately want representation against a Cardiff defence that will be missing Sol Bamba and for whom Sean Morrison is yet to regain his stride following injury. Obviously, some reliable pre-deadline team news regarding Marko Arnautovic’s position may alter this train of thought, but Lanzini sneaks into fifth spot for now.

The Community Champion

The Community Champion who has the best lead over the Scouts during 2018/19 will win a £100 Amazon voucher (currently we can only offer Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com vouchers).

fclackless’s Gameweek 10 victory over the Scout Squad crew by a score of 77-44 remains the deficit to beat.

The Community Champion for Gameweek 30 will be announced in our Scout Picks on Friday.

1,006 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SUPER 11
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Jota > Lanzini

    1. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Need to see more of Lanzini before pulling the trigger.

  2. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    play:

    1. AWB
    2. Rice (by using FT to transfer him in)

    Thanks

    1. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      AWB

  3. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Just had a horrible thought, I need to pick a Captain in the next in just over 48 hours! So hard this week!! Who’s everyone going for?

    Mo, Kun, Vardy, Mane my options

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Just go with Mo if you own him.

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      I think Salah is the safest in terms of minutes and EO.

      Depends what your approach is? Are you leading, chasing etc?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Chasing. Poor season. My main league pretty much always Captains Kun and i’m 40ish behind

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 23 days ago

          I would go Salah if the guy you're chasing goes Aguero.

          Salah is, dare I say, due a haul.

    3. Mingo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      I'm going Sterling, it's time to start chasing a bit. Salah is more than overdue though, I just think that Burnley can be stubborn when they want to and I don't like early kick offs.

    4. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      If you own salah you must Captain him because what's the point in onwning a 13.4 player who's on pens and not captaining him.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Captained him most weeks and he’s let me down

    5. Ynwalfc
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Kane

  4. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Brilliant win for United last night and congrats to their fans because it's moments like that that stay with you forever.

    That being said, does anyone agree that the penalty was soft? Surprised it was overturned by VAR. Get the feeling a lot of referees (I'm looking at you, Mike Dean) will overturn decisions like that and give penalties in the last minute, making the referee the superstar each time.

    Worth noting that there were 3 minutes added on, and it went into 9 minutes added time iirc.

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Terrible decision. But a great win

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Not a United fan, but of course I wanted them to win last night as an English team in Europe.

      I agree it was soft, and certainly not 'clear and obvious' that the referee made a mistake, that said the boy only has himself to blame for turning his back on the ball, so I don't really have any sympathy.

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Just hope we don't see occurrences like that in the PL every week. Mike Dean, Atkinson, Probert etc. love limelight.. it could get nasty.

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 23 days ago

          I think my pre-season team selection will be loaded with penalty takers for sure!
          VAR will undoubtedly increase the amount of penalties, rather than turn them down.

          Worth noting a similar thing in the Madrid/Ajax game, before the 3rd Ajax goal, the ball was very close to going out for a throw in, and VAR looked at it for about 5 minutes before awarding the goal, it was very difficult to tell if they got it right.

          The interesting thing with the handball last night is that there seems to be huge disconnect between what former players think is handball, and what the official rules of the game are.

          1. goriuanx
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 23 days ago

            Haha next season FPL should be fun - Milivojevic top scorer!

            1. HamezMace
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 23 days ago

              Could you imagine how much Baines would have been worth if VAR came in 10 years ago.

    3. Mingo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Thanks very much. I was as calm as a millpond for 92 minutes of that game, as at no point did I think we were going to do it. It was one of the most amazing games I have watched as a United fan, the performance from squad players and academy products was unbelievable.

      Having said that, both open play goals came from defensive mistakes and I would have been livid if it was us that had conceded that VAR pen. I agree with the studio pundits, you can't give that as a pen. I think Otamendi gave one away in the 1st leg vs Schalke. In that case he was facing the ball, he was further away from it and his hand was away form his body. Kimpembe in my opinion was just trying to block it with his body.

      Ah well, we are in the quarters and the Ole train rolls on. Has a managerial appointment turned to gold so quickly? I really can't believe the performance he is getting out of the squad. Fans were saying it was a good squad and Jose wasn't getting the best from them, this just vindicates that.

    4. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Thank you 🙂

      1. HamezMace
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        You must be buzzing Amey.
        So impressed with Rashford, I was nervous for him, some character for a 21 year old.

        1. King Kohli
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 23 days ago

          That boy is fearless.
          Has a huge career ahead of him.

        2. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 23 days ago

          Yes mate.
          Best part of that was having 4 academy graduates + Dalot on the pitch 😀
          Loving the football again
          Thank you 🙂

        3. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 23 days ago

          Bdw, that was first penalty Rashford ever taken for Man United 😮
          Amazing

          1. HamezMace
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 23 days ago

            Agreed, amazing stuff.
            I just can't imagine the nerves, the importance of the kick, having to wait 7-8 minutes to take it, players getting in his face.

            Ole's baby faced assassins

            1. Amey
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 23 days ago

              Just like Ole 😉

    5. ShaunGoater123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Great win and nice to see english team progress.

      But, absolutely horrific decision. VAR is supposed to be for clear and obvious errors, the ref saw the incident unobstructed and gave a corner. The defender's arms aren't in a unnatural position and he doesn't intentionally handball it so to give a penalty is so incredibly harsh.

    6. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Thanks mate.
      Hope Liverpool join us in the quarters.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        And city, and Spurs 😉

  5. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Current team:

    Guaita
    Robertson - Luiz - Pereira - AWB*
    Salah - Sterling - Son* - Pogba - Maddison
    Rondon

    Button, Jimenez, Doherty, Ings

    Pick one:
    A. AWB --> TAA
    B. Son --> Hazard
    C. Other (what?)

    Thanks guys!

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Do A this week then B next week.

      1. TaiwanHC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        I meant Doherty out, not AWB 🙂

        1. Shineonme
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 23 days ago

          Even better then..I got rid of Doc last week. He won't be I'm my team again this season now.

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      A this week. Keep son this wek then do son to hazard next week

  6. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    A. Son, Kamara to Fraser, Vardy
    B. Son, Kamara to Brooks, Higuain
    C. Kamara to Rondon and have 2ft for 31

    1. droginexile
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      I'd prefer to have 2 FTs for 31. With BGW players out of form and decisions to be made, I think you are better served with 2 transfers as close to the deadline as possible. even then you could have 3 transfers for a -4 in 31. Im rolling my FT this week.
      Could you go Kamara to Wilson/King as they both play in 31 & 33. Rondon may blank in 33

  7. #FPLBhuna
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    5 red arrows in the past 6 gw's

    Gone from 13.8k > 12.9k in OR

    Got to be happy with that right? haha, what a weird season

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Yes

    2. Basist
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Yeah, I have 6 reds from last 7 and dropped 24k to 37k.

      But it is so tight in the area my rank is that one good gameweek and I'm up 10k places easily.

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        yeah it's insanely tight up there

  8. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    What the hell has happened to Son

    18 returns in 14 appearances prior to the Burnley game

    Since then - 3 consecutive blanks

    1. Garlana
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Prince Harry

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Harry Kane happened.

    3. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      he's exhausted mate

    4. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Fatigue

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Also he has been largely outperforming his stats for a while now

    5. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Considering losing him for Maddison/Brooks this week.

    6. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      I bought it him 4 weeks ago. That must be the reason.

    7. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      'Arry Kane is what happened.

    8. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Not sure I buy fatigue -surely he would have been worse going into the Watford game directly after the Asian cup?

      He actually had 2 weeks rest leading directly into his dry period

      Definitely not having Kane as an explanation - he scored approximately 1 million points (88) GW13-21 playing alongside Kane

      Something else going on

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        World Cup, Asian Games, Asian Cup.. the guy hasn’t rested for over 12 months. How is fatigue not an issue?

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 23 days ago

          Because fatigue is improved with rest - he would have been more fatigued going into the Watford/Newcastle/Leicester games, each of which he returned in (3 games in 12 days 3 days after returning from Asia)

          Then had a 2 week break to recover before his dry period started

          1. IRBOX ⚽
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 23 days ago

            Often it’s when you stop for a period of time that the physical demands really catch up with you. Your body can maintain the regularity but the longer breaks, they are the ones that take their toll

            1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 23 days ago

              Sounds like some straight up bro-science right there

              If it was genuinely fatigue-driven we would have seen a bigger drop off directly after that Aisan Cup, rather than a drop off coming directly after quite a long rest

    9. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Team's are finding it easy to defend against Spurs i guess. Predictable game plan. I think they need a nice creative midfielder to release Kane from CM duties ( 😀 )
      Joke's apart, he plays deep which affects overall output of the Spurs team (imo)

  9. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Who scores more this week?

    A. Son + Doherty
    B. Maddison + Azpi

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      I would rather have A this week. B from next week of course.

      1. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Yeah would be on B from next week but was wondering if it's worth taking the hit this week itself.
        Think Son is exhausted and could be rotated and can see Chelsea keeping a CS at the bridge.

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 23 days ago

          Spurs need wins, or they'll fall out the top 4. Still need to play City away and Liverpool away where you'd imagine they won't get anything. Might sound silly, but Poch should rest Son in one of those games and focus on winning the games they're supposed to.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      A

  10. How can we capitalize on Team Value?
    MINUS FOUR
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    For anyone still worrying about losing team value etc, there are 9 gameweeks to go and now more than ever it's time to prioritise immediate points. Yes, it will cost you more if you want buy the likes of Pogba and Rashford back later, but there is always a solution - especially on Wildcard when a fairly even decision with a significant price difference like Schlupp vs PVA can help stay within budget without really compromising on quality.

    It's now or never for a late season charge up the rankings and every GW counts. While you hold onto Pogba to protect your value, another manager has just brought in Lanzini / Maddison for a potential haul against a hapless Cardiff / Fulham. This is no time for worrying about the situation in another 4 gameweeks.

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      completely agree with this, in fact I think it deserves to be a HT

      why have we made all this value in players, if we're not going to utilise it in the business end of the season?

      1. MINUS FOUR
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Precisely. All that worry all season making early transfers and taking risks to build this value, and then refusing to use it to your advantage. It makes no sense.

      2. UpAndAway
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 22 days ago

        This is why I’m thinking of moving out Doherty for a Chelsea defender. Will bring him back later or even get Boly instead.

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      I've never worried or put emphasis on TV. Maybe that's why I've never had a 'great' season 🙂

      1. MINUS FOUR
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        I've put absolutely no emphasis on it this season at all. Almost all my transfers have been on deadline day with maximum information. It's done wonders.

    3. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      People are so concerned about building value and so reluctant to sell. Selling is the only way you will gain the profit! Players like Jimenez, Doherty, Rashford.. now is the time to let go and prosper

      1. Smurf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Completely agree. It’s irrelvant what value has been “gained” if you will never let that value be realised.

      2. Basist
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Yes, this is my conclusion too. Just I think I'm going to lose all three of Doherty, Jimenez and Pogba. Rashford already gone.

      3. MINUS FOUR
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Exactly

      4. scubasmithy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 22 days ago

        NOTE: Not Jimenez - he is gold! Dont' care about value as such, I simply don't need to sell him. Doherty, Rashford absolutely but I'm holding Pogba and Jimenez.....

        Equally, I'm not gonna sell Sterling this week for Maddison just because of the blank - that's madness.

        Rolling into 31 I will have
        Fabianski, TAA, Roberson, Luiz, Pereira, Salah, Hazard, Fanderson (I know), Brooks, Vardy, Barnes....

        Why would I take a hit to lose Pogba and Jimenez only to buy back the week after (albeit on a free hit) and lose 1.2 mill (that's a premium defender vs an average one)

        1. Basist
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 22 days ago

          Well, I don't have a full squad for the GW31, so I may as well take a hit for it. And if I take the hit this week I could get:
          Hazard and Higuain (Wolves home and Everton away)
          vs.
          Pogba (Arsenal away and blank) and Jimenez (Chelsea away and blank)

          I feel that those Chelsea guys can do very well for me since their game has improved as a team recently. Not to mention the GW32 when Chelsea have West Ham at home and Pogba and JImenez blanking again.

          My alternative option is to hold on to Pogba and Jimi, and move Camarasa and Doherty for Hazard and some Bournemouth defender. But this doesn't feel so sexy at the moment.

        2. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 22 days ago

          With FH & WC many will buy back in 34 and have had 2 more games each out of the replacements ‘and’ the get doubles out of Jimi, Sterling & Pogba, their prices will probably drop a bit, the replacements will probably rise.

          So you will have a bit of team value and others will have maybe more points

    4. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      If I'm hungry and I go to a shop to buy a sandwich that normally costs £2, but has been discounted to £1, and is the last one left, I think that's great, so I buy it.

      I then walk out the shop and someone says, hey mate, that sandwich looks great, I'll give you £1.50 for it...so I think, sounds great, just made myself a cool 50 pence.

      ...trouble is, I then realise I'm still hungry, and now I have to spend £2 on the same sandwich.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Quite frustrating that.
        I'm going to face this when i eventually go for Kun.

      2. Basist
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Or you get your £1.50 and notice another shop that is also selling sandwiches for £1 or even less.

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 23 days ago

          It won't be the same sandwich though, that's fundamental to the argument/analogy.

          Yes, if you're happy to sell Pogba, and gamble on a Lanzini/Maddison for example, then fine.
          But I can't believe people don't want Pogba/Rashford for a DGW against Watford/Wolves.
          Likewise, Doherty/Jimenez for there games between 34-37.

          1. Basist
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 23 days ago

            It's not the DGW 32 I'm worried about. I can get them back with FH if I wan't to.

            But Hazard can outscore Pogba, Wilson can outscore Jimenez and any Wolves defender can closely mach Doherty for GW 33-38. Thats what matters for me.

            And the I can really capitalize my money on the BGW 31 and 32.

            1. HamezMace
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 23 days ago

              Of course Hazard can outscore Pogba, he cost's £1.5m more than him though?
              If you're selling Pogba for £8.5m - who are you bringing in for him that you think will outscore him for that amount, Sigurdsson, Ozil, Mahrez?

              It's dependent on whether or not you want that player for the next few weeks or not.

              For me it makes no sense to sell a player for 1 week, if you plan to bring them back the very next week at a higher price.

              1. WesMantooth
                • 13 Years
                5 years, 22 days ago

                All situational.
                Lets use pogba and Hazard.
                Say you bought pogba at 8.2 (sells at 8.5)
                You want Hazard for dgw32, and you also like the looks of 31 and 33. You do however want pogba in dgw32.

                If you sell Pogba now, you might: a) avoid a drop in Pogba, b) avoid paying 0.1-0.2 more to get hazard in 31 or 32, c) might be able to buy pogba back at 8.9 in 32 and possibly 8.8 on wc34 (if you want himt).

                Seems to me, in this scenario, that you might only loose 0.1-0.2 in spendings on your FH32, and only 0.1 in spendings in gw34

                Seems silly to save such small amounts of money whilst potencially loosing out on a lot of points.

                1. HamezMace
                  • 9 Years
                  5 years, 22 days ago

                  I agree there is no hard and fast answer, and there are many different scenarios around players, with different levels of value accumulated.

                  For me the most important consideration is whether or not you want the player long term (as in after the blank in 31).

                  Swapping Pogba to Hazard for 31 is obvious, but assumes you already have a large amount of cash burning a hole in your pocket. If you have nothing in the bank, transferring Pogba to someone less than 8.5m, with a game in 31, isn't especially appealing, more so if you want Pogba in DGW32, which surely everyone will (WAT/wol).

                  I guarantee everyone WC'ing in 34 could make a significant upgrade to their team with an extra 0.5m.

                  1. WesMantooth
                    • 13 Years
                    5 years, 22 days ago

                    Sure. I get your point about the selection of midpriced mids available in 31. Might not be the best move to get rid og Pogba for one of those guys.

                    But I'm not really sure that it's gonna be 0.5 (or 0.6, 0.4, or whatever you loose when selling right now) in 34. It's really dependant on your other plans.

                    Just think the "this is how much im loosing" talk is to simplistic.

                    1. HamezMace
                      • 9 Years
                      5 years, 22 days ago

                      It is simplistic, yes.
                      But also considerations need to be taken, rather than just dismissing team value, or selling value all together as some suggest.

                      ''Just get TAA instead of Robertson if you need to generate an extra £1m from somewhere''....well what if I want Robertson.

                      1. WesMantooth
                        • 13 Years
                        5 years, 22 days ago

                        Yup, that's also true. This game is about players, not teams. And Value does play a part. If you've got a lot of money in a player you think is very important in the run-in, then sure, keeping might be best.

                        Really not that nuanced on both sides of the debate 😛

              2. scubasmithy
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 22 days ago

                this this this

      3. MINUS FOUR
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Haha, love the analogy.

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 23 days ago

          Cheers mate.
          I've always believed the key to a good argument is a relatable analogy.

      4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Or you notice an entire loaf of bread only costs £0.59, and you can buy a packet of ham and some cheese for £1.49 which will make you approximately 10 sandwiches for £2.09

        Which when you do the maths, works out at less than £0.21 PER SANDWICH on a pro-rate basis

        This realisation leads you to setup your own sandwich stall in direct competition with the shop, eventually putting them out of business, you become a maillinaire and can afford all the sandwiches you can ever want.

        However, all this pressure to keep making sandwiches takes its toll. You feel fatigued so start looking for a pick me up to help keep up with he demands.

        You get into taking class A stimulants to sustain you through marathon 24 hour sandwich making sessions. Your hands are a blur of flying crusts and butter, the world has never seen so many sandwiches churned out at such a rate.

        Then one day as you are blitzing through your 17th loaf of sliced white pan, you feel a sharp pain in your chest. You try to work through it but it becomes too sever.

        The world starts going dark as you fall from the sandwich making counter

        “Is he all right?” The worried customers say anxiously?

        You lie on the cold tiled floor of your sandwich making shop, the life slowly ebbing out of you as your heart stops.

        And you think: I wish I had never sold my sandwich.

        1. Drexl Spivey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 23 days ago

          Where are you buying your groceries?

          1. HamezMace
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 23 days ago

            Got to be Morrisons at those prices.

          2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 23 days ago

            I shop around 🙂

        2. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 23 days ago

          Someone's been to Uni!
          I'm judging that on the fact you know how much bread, and ham cost and because you can divide £2.09 into 10.

          Unfortunately, I think a lot of people are going to suffer the same fate, just replace the last words from 'my sandwich', with Paul Pogba.

        3. scubasmithy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 22 days ago

          Need to factor in mayo and butter also, and opportunity cost. My time is probably worth enough that I don't need to save the money (aka I've built up my Team Value so I don't need to worry about it).

          Plus if I sell my ham now, and buy chicken - I might only want chicken today (Hazard), so I'll hold onto my ham (Pogba) and just buy a chicken sandwich for today only.

          I think I've lost the plot

        4. Make Arrows Green Again
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 22 days ago

          So, if I understand you correctly, I should get whoever is going to make me the most baps?

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 22 days ago

            I think the key lesson in all of this is:

            Economies of scale can significantly reduce production costs

          2. HamezMace
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 22 days ago

            A universal rule we can apply to sandwiches, fpl, and tinder.

            1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 22 days ago

              I sense a splinter website coming on

              FantasyFootballSandwich.com

      5. The Real Big Vern
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        what sandwich was it?

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 22 days ago

          The one I wanted, I did try another kind briefly, but it left me feeling empty and full of shame, so I thought it was best to stick with the one that has been giving me regular returns (of fulfilment)

    5. ShaunGoater123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Very good point. Although playing devils advocate, United have a double in a couple of weeks with many people planning on FH so selling Pogba to then buy back again in two weeks could be really difficult

      1. MINUS FOUR
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Will it really be that difficult? On Free Hit you can get a bench of absolute fodder and get an amazing starting 11. Half a million here or there won't make that much difference to the quality of the team you can get for the DGW.

    6. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      bought Doherty at 4,4m going to sell at 4.9m
      Don't particularly like Wolves fixtures from a CS point of view. If I want cover I'll bring in the likes of Jonny on a WC.
      Still have to look at it as .5m gained rather than a loss.

      Same thing with Jimenez. If Wilson fit again this week then's he's a good swap for a long run of GWs. Points over price

      This happens end of every season. Leicester championship was good example of when people cashed in the likes of Vardy, Mahrez, Fuchs for DGW players and then struggled to get them back for end of season.

    7. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      I agree, but since you're going to have to bench players for the blanks anyway, they might as well be the ones you've gained value on.

      1. MINUS FOUR
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Some of them, sure. But only if it doesn't cost you the chance to get in a potentially valuable points scorer right now. I might bench Jimenez, but only because I won't need him or a player at his value as I'm already covered for attackers with good fixtures.

        1. Flaming Flamingo
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 23 days ago

          Again, I agree. Wolves players are perfect candidates I'd say, since they're cheap and a lot of people jumped on them early. To your point, it's hard to see how benching someone like Pogba, for example, doesn't hinder your ability to put out the best team possible for the blanks.

          1. MINUS FOUR
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 23 days ago

            Yeah, agreed. Wolves is a bit of a different story. But if not selling Pogba means you can't afford Hazard or Mane for the BGW31, then that's crazy.

          2. Hotdogs for Tea
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 22 days ago

            For those with FH & WC left .... If the argument is that people can build a better WC team in 34 with the extra 1.2 million by holding players with value, surely the counter argument is that you can build a better 31/33 team with the effective value of Jiminez, Sterling & Pogba etc on the pitch and not on the bench for 2 games ?

            Doherty seems a decent player to bench to retain value though

    8. Longlatini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      But if you’ve still got your 2nd wildcard then surely it makes sense to keep players like Jiménez and Pogba rather than lose all that profit?

      FH 32 and wildcard 34 they’ll only be benched in 31 and 33 then possibly back in in 34 anyway?

      1. MINUS FOUR
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        They'll only be benched in 31 and 33, but that's 2 GWs out of the 9 remaining. They are important and you need to get a strong team out for those GWs just as much as any other.

        1. Basist
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 23 days ago

          It is depending on if you want't them or not when playing the WC.

          1. WesMantooth
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 22 days ago

            It might not be. Its dependant on what amount of points you believe that your going to gain, and how much £ your willing to loose while selling them and buying them back

            1. Basist
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 22 days ago

              Yes, also that. But if you don't want them with your WC, then I see no reason to hold on to them anymore with those two blanks. Personally I'm ready to lose a little money trying to gain the maximum amount of points in these next three gameweeks.

              1. WesMantooth
                • 13 Years
                5 years, 22 days ago

                100% agree with this 🙂

    9. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Agree to a certain extent - but not sure selling a rested Pogba before Arsenal is a good idea, especially if Matic and/or Herrera make it back, could really come back to bite

      I’m aiming to bench Pog GW31 as selling him just doesn’t make sense.

      There are other players it will make sense to sell however (for me - Rashford, Son & Sterling > Vardy, Felipe, Haz for a 4 pt hit next week)

      A major factor (but not the only factor) in the “makes sense” bit is value

      1. MINUS FOUR
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Fair enough. Pogba is just an example really, and I already sold him last GW (phew!), but every team is different and it's all about ensuring your team for GW31 and GW33 is strong. If you're benching expensive assets over both those blank GWs and the rest of your team suffers as a consequence, I'd say that's a case of being overly protective of your team value.

    10. WesMantooth
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 22 days ago

      100% agree. My thinking is that the managers who's scared of letting players go because of built-up value are handing out an advantage to those that are willing to use different metrics in their selections.

      Those with high sellingvalue should be the ones with an advantage, but they might just be giving i t away.

    11. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 22 days ago

      I'm able to keep Pogba, Doherty and Jimenez and put a great team out of 11 players. Why would I want to sell?

      By GW31 will have:

      Fab
      TAA, Luiz, Pereira, Clyne
      Salah, Mane, Hazard, Anderson
      Vardy, Barnes

      Current Squad value 107.8
      Selling Price 105.1

      The main points for not selling
      a) Already confirmed for a DGW
      b) Will cost too much getting them back
      c) Use value in getting quality FH32 players

      It's a no-brainer.

      1. WesMantooth
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 22 days ago

        Maybe because one would think that Higuain could get 10-15pts more than Clyne over 31+33?

      2. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 22 days ago

        It is very possible that won’t get 11 starters out of that lot in 31 (4 of those have been benched recently?) add in injury etc ... and no playing bench

    12. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 22 days ago

      When has TV value EVER been more important than points?

      1. asquishypotato
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 22 days ago

        When you wildcard and all the key players are priced out.

        I’m all seriousness, it’s a bit of a hand in hand, although I agree on the points regarding selling players you know you will not want back.

        For me, Rashford (low profit) and Doherty (don’t believe the returns will be there) are on the chopping block

    13. Alpharius
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 22 days ago

      I’d imagine the ‘how’ in ho to capitalise on TV in your title would be to hold/bench the players you can afford to hold whilst not compromising the quality of your XI. Doherty, Jimenez etc whilst your rivals with £3m less TV have to sell to afford the good GW31 options. Then in gw32 you can play your held players and have even more money to spend on other dgw players.

      Example:
      I bench Doherty and Jiminez for gw31/33 so I have them in gw32 (worth £11.3m to me)
      My rival has Bednarek and Niasse on the bench (worth £9m to them)
      If my TV is £3m higher then we’ll have the potential to have identical teams in gw31/33, but I’d fancy my team would be better around those two weeks.

    14. scubasmithy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 22 days ago

      Agreed - but don't be stupid about it.

      for example.....

      I can get 11 out for 31 and 33 no problem, and I can do that without the need to sell Pogba or Jimenez...... I know I want them for 32, so I prioritise (for example) selling Sterling AFTER 30, I'd be mad to hold sterling with no value tied in to sell Pogba only to bring him back the next week losing 0.6.....

      It's never 100% one way or another, it's about balance. However, to chase value at this time of the season is definitely crazy.

      1. Alpharius
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 22 days ago

        Exact decision I’m making. Ditch sterling for Hazard, keep Pogba, Jimenez and Doherty. Not missing anyone I feel is ‘essential’ in gw31/33. However on WC in 34, Pogba and co can go if I see better options.

        1. The Polymath
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 22 days ago

          Agree. Team Value means I have a bigger choice of players for the FH and the DGW.

          1. MINUS FOUR
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 22 days ago

            And that's the element I believe is being overrated. There are so many options out there now at all different price points. You'll find a way. But you won't get back any lost points.

            1. The Polymath
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 22 days ago

              Yes but I wouldn't keep the players unless I thought they would get me the points I want.

              I do believe Doherty, Jimenez and Pogba will get me some serious points in the last 9 games of the season.For the sake of a possible few extra points in GW's 31 and 33 why sell them if I have that much faith in them?

              1. Hotdogs for Tea
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 22 days ago

                You just get them back with FH and WC though ? I will anyway if I want them

        2. WesMantooth
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 22 days ago

          Essential is sucha bad Word. but gotta say that you'd need to have a pretty sick SV to not field a weaker side, in 31 and 33, than those who are using the money from said players.

          1. Alpharius
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 22 days ago

            Agreed, especially for 1/2 weeks too short to be essential. But gw31 will be:

            Fab, TAA, VVD, Pereria, D.luiz, Salah, F.anderson, Hazard, Rondon, Vardy and any priced lei/bou mid.

            That’s with Pickford, Doherty, Pogba and Jimi on the bench. Ditching Pogba over camarasa could get me Higuain over Rondon for -4 but not for me for eve/WH

    15. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 22 days ago

      Just get rid of the 13.4 mid blanking 5 times in the last 6, you will have all the money you need 😉

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 22 days ago

        The one who has zero blanks in the next four and who is pretty much guaranteed to play 60+ in each game? 😉

    16. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 22 days ago

      i made a similar argument earlier today, trying to explore how to best navigate points and pounds. To me maximising in 31 by for example getting Maddison and Haz for Son and Pogba makes sense because you won´t get points from the latter and you then have the freedom to either buy them back if you want or not if it turns out be other option in the same team you´d want more. For me that is a more flexible approach. As you say, those .1-2 or whatever "lost" is not much when you essentially are allowed to create a new whole new team with FH and WC.

    17. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 22 days ago

      I reckon I can build a team from 105 million just as good as from 107 million in GW34, and even with 107 million you are still priced out of getting player x etc ... getting points now nstead of maintaining this irrational fixation with team value is obviously the way to go, and players that you hold because of TV will drop in price over the blanks anyway

      Going in to GW31 with less than 11 players, or without a bench, to ensure you don’t lose TV ... mmm ...

      I am struggling to even identify an argument against it really, if you FH32 and WC34 😉

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 22 days ago

        Hits are one factor also. Is it worth a hit to ditch Pogba for Maddison?

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 22 days ago

          I would think so yes for 2 blanks, but of course it need not be Maddison and could be Mane, Hazard, Siggy, Lanzini or any player

    18. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 22 days ago

      You are incorrect. Value does still matter. I am FH 31 and BB 32 with WC 33

      My TV is already good 108.7m. I bought Pogba, Rashford, Doherty, Robertson, AWB, Jimenez all at their lowest buying price. For those who get rid of all of thesd players and then to buy them all will cost you an extra 3m to what I spent. Because you lose half your value your TV could realistically be 5m less than mine. That is up to 8m in difference.

      Let's say that we both end up with all those players and 6 other starters. You will have Fab/Perriera/Maddison/Sane/Vardy. I will have Ederson/Laporte/Salah/Son/Aguero. That makes a huge difference for the run in. You could get lucky. 5 games is a relatively short time frame. But the chances are I gain an extra 50 points or so and all down to Team Value.

      1. MINUS FOUR
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 22 days ago

        You've made some massive assumptions there, but I take your point.

        A manager may not have all those players. They may not have got them all at their lowest buying prices. They may not need to sell them all. They may not want to buy them all back even if they do sell them and lose value. There is absolutely no chance those two sets of players you have listed will actually happen, and I highly doubt your team value will earn you an additional 50 points over a decent manager.

        But fair play, you believe in your strategy and that's fine.

        1. Demel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 22 days ago

          I appreciate there are a lot of assumptions. But let's say it is a difference of 5 million. That is the difference between Kane and Vardy. People might not want to buy them all back. I might not want to keep them all. But my strategy keeps at least an extra 2m over the average player not using a chip in GW31. It will make a difference for the 2nd half of the season.

          1. Demel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 22 days ago

            *latter part of the season.

            1. Basist
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 22 days ago

              It may or it may not...

              The whole season I have had money in the bank, (at the moment 5.9M) cause there has been so good cheap players that just keep outscoring the more expensive alternatives.

              1. Demel
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                5 years, 22 days ago

                That is untrue. The top scorers are highly priced. Yes there are good options to play alongside them. But you still need the highly priced players as they have scored better than their good value alternatives.

                1. Basist
                  • 9 Years
                  5 years, 22 days ago

                  What do you mean?

                  It depends on the time frame. If you take the whole season, then its true that the high priced players are on top in general. But there is only 9 GW left. And after the blanks only five gameweeks.

                  If you look at for example last four gameweeks the scores looks a lot different than the points for the entire season.

                  1. Demel
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 12 Years
                    5 years, 21 days ago

                    I don't currently own Salah. People say he has had a poor season. He is still the top scorer. Yes, a player like Maddison could outscore him for a lot less value. But it is unlikely.Players who throw away all their value could end up with a Maddison over a Salah. It could make all the difference in the end.

                    1. WesMantooth
                      • 13 Years
                      5 years, 21 days ago

                      When your'e exxagerating in such a grand fashion, it kinda hurts your point.

                      Yes, good team value will be helpful if you capitalize on it, but it's not a big of a deal as your making it, and it's definately not gonna be the difference between a Salah or a Maddison for those that are enjoying decent ranks.

                      Your 3k, and you've got amazing team value, but i highly doubt that your'e gonna find anyone in the top 500k, who's so poor, that your gonna have 7m more to spend.

                      You and me are approximately the same rank, and my guess is that you'd prob have 2.0-2.5m more in sellingvalue. Exactly how big of an advantage that is for you comes down to how we rate the players we want going forward.

      2. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 20 days ago

        You will likely lose a lot of value in those players by GW34, except Robbo, and could buy most back at close to the sale price if you had sold them recently (they are already falling in price)

        I think it is an ill conceived strategy to determine your chip use by protecting TV, but good luck 🙂

  11. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Any reason not to cap Aguero this weekend?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Fear of Pep

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Pep Feariola

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      But no - really think he is the best option this GW. City will go out against Watford at full strength and try for a big win to put the pressure on Liverpool.

    3. Alpharius
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 22 days ago

      Not owning him. Other than that no

  12. Jabba12
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Is Clyne nailed on?

    1. SUPER 11
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Bournemouth defence sucks

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Yes

    3. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 21 days ago

      Yes.

  13. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    I'm looking for a midfielder for 2 weeks only, £8.0 max, and I already have Brooks.

    Suggestions appreciated.

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Maddison or Lanzini.

    2. SUPER 11
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Willlian / Almiron / Tielemans

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Maddison

    4. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Its going to be a coin-toss punt isn't it......

      Thanks.

    5. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 21 days ago

      I was looking for the same player and went with Maddison.

      This Fulham fixture was too tasty to not own an attacking Leicester player.

  14. Amey
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Which Midfielder would you get under 6.3/6.4m this or next gw ??
    (Jota replacement)

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Lanzini, Brooks?

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Yeah looking them & all Leister Midfielder other than Maddison.

        What do you think about Gray/Barnes/Tielemans ??

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 23 days ago

          Not too sure about any of them. Barnes in particular looks like a whack footballer who only made it cos his dad knows the coach.

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 23 days ago

            Lol
            Thank you

    2. Alpharius
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 22 days ago

      Fraser. Form is poor but with the fixtures coming up I wouldn’t be surprised with a couple of double digit hauls.

  15. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Morning al, have 2ft and 0.6m. suggestions?

    Fabianski -- Button
    Lascelles Digne Pereira -- Doherty Schindler
    Salah Pogba Sterling Rich -- Hayden
    Jimenez King Aguero

    - Plan is to do Sterling/Kun >> Hazard/Higuain in gw31.

    A: Hayden >> Brooks and roll FT....might also do Schindler >> Digne (-4) in gw31 with funds left over from downgrading sterling/kun
    B: Digne >> TAA and roll FT....in this case might do hayden >> fraser (-4) in gw31 with funds left over from downgrading sterling/kun

    Leaning towards B but that means keeping schindler for gw31/33 whereas A means i keep digne (over schindler) but at the expense of getting brooks (over fraser)

    1. Lumberjack
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Prefer B, looking to get TAA in somehow myself.

      1. UnitednationsXI
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Yeah guess so, but much rather prefer keeping digne as opposed to Schindler if I do Schindler > TAA next gw

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      B

  16. Lumberjack
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    6 red arrows in a row, and down from 12k OR to 76k OR.

    So what to do with this lot? Building for a GW32 FH, so have been focussing on GW31 players…maybe to my detriment…currently have 8 starters for GW31.

    2FT, 0.4m ITB.

    Fab/ Pat
    Robbo / Doh / Pereira / Digne / AWB
    Salah / Son / FAnderson / Pogba / Billing
    Firm / Jiminez / Vardy

    The only players I’ve got significant money tied up in are Robbo/Salah/Jiminez/Pogba/AWB, so probably looking to bench the last three for GW31…but all options are open.

    A – Doh/Firm to TAA/Higuain
    B – Doh/Firm to TAA/Rondon, allowing for Son to Haz next week
    C – something else?

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 22 days ago

      Jiminez to Higuain
      Son to Brooks
      Pogba to Siggy
      ... gives a great team

      #pointsnotpounds

  17. Jafalad
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    I've compiled a list of possible Gameweek 31 players that look worth having for the bgw.

    Can you add to it?

    LIV - Salah, Mane, Robertson, TAA, VVD

    BOU - King, Fraser, Brooks

    FUL - nobody

    LEI - Vardy, Barnes, Maddison, Chilwell, Pereira, Maguire, Schmeichel,Gray

    NEW - Schar, Lascelles, Dubravka

    WHM - Fabianski, Antonio, Rice, Anderson, Arne, Lanzini

    EVR - Digne, Siggy

    CHS - Luiz, Hazard, Higuain, Azpi

    BUR - Barnes

    HUD - nobody

    Also how many players are you planning to have for Gwk 31? I'm thinking 9 with one hit.

    1. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      I'll have 10 no hit or 11 with 1 hit. Haven't decided yet.

    2. Lumberjack
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Rondon as a cheap striker option?

      I’ll end up with 10 or 11 without hits, not that the prep for this has helped my OR...

    3. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Heaton, Wood, Rudiger

      1. Flaming Flamingo
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Alisson, Boruc

    4. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Cue a Huddersfield player being the top scorer in GW31.

      I would add Wilson (BOU), Almiron + Rondon (NEW) and Heaton (BUR).

    5. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      11 with 1 hits

      1. El-Kloppico
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        2* hits, but already took one last GW

    6. Andy'81
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Banking a FT this GW so I'll likely have 9 for the BGW, I'd maybe pick up a Bournemouth mid ahead of this GW however I'd like to give Wilson another week as I'm also a fan of him.

    7. Wardinator
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Wilson!

    8. Mingo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      As a Pereira owner I can confirm that he is not worth having.

    9. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      11, one hit or 10 if I decide to roll a trade into 32...ha.

    10. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 22 days ago

      I will have maybe 13 or 14

  18. Wardinator
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Can somebody kindly update me on DGW32. Only 1 confirmed so far, which other ones are we expecting then?

    1. Bojaninho
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      fa cup dependant

      Wolves and UTD confirmed

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 22 days ago

      No one knows

  19. Bojaninho
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Auba > Vardy or Higuain

    Bennett > Chillwell

    -4?

    torn between Mane or Robbo/Taa (likely tac for funds) already have Salah and VVD? Thoughts

  20. Richd
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Robbo or Mane is my tough third choice for 31

    Leaning towards this

    Boruc
    TAA Luiz Rice Lascelles
    Mane Hazard Salah Brooks
    Barnes Higuain

    bench: Ederson Doherty Pogba Jiminez

    Or I can have anyone up to 9.1 instead of Mane and Robbo over Luiz

    1. ritzyd
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Personally gone for double defense over double attack for Liverpool

  21. #FPLBhuna
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    who is the better punt this week?

    a) king
    b) wilson
    c) chicha

    I am quite tempted by chica myself

    King feels the sensible, dullard choice

    Wilson a bit punty

    1. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Chicha is a risk with Arnie return imo

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      A for me.
      Definitely going to start + Pens

      1. XABI 15
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        this. Pens is huge

  22. mikess
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Fraser's stats have dropped right off since the beginning of the season and Brooks is freshly back from injury. Are people still considering them?

  23. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Someone talk me out of triple captaining Sterling this week, so tempted

    1. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Are WAT so bad at the back? I don't think so.

      1. mikess
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Did Liverpool not just put 5 past them?

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 23 days ago

          That felt like one of those games where anything on target went in. Probably an anomaly, it's rare for a CB to score 2 goals from 2 attempts on target etc.

          1. mikess
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 23 days ago

            Still shows cracks that can be exploited. I personally like the look of the first two home fixtures you listed below

        2. El-Kloppico
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 23 days ago

          That may be an off-day, which almost every team can have. That doesn't make them a bad defensive team.
          City looking tired anyway and playing for 1-0 in their last 2 matches.

      2. Shatner's Bassoon
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Had some thrashings at the hands of City down the years. And just been pumped 5-0 by Lpool.

        1. El-Kloppico
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 23 days ago

          LIV thrashed BOU also.. What did City do last GW?
          That doesn't justify the hype. WAT is still a good playing team.

          1. Shatner's Bassoon
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 23 days ago

            Just saying.

            I wouldn't TC personally but it isn't an absolutely barmy shout if you're looking for a single gw.

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      There's quite a body of evidence accumulating that Fernandinho's absence is very bad for City's big hitters - City have played 4 league games without him now this season:

      Palace Home (L 3-2)
      Leicester Away (L 2-1)
      West Ham Home (W 1-0)
      Bournemouth Away (W 1-0)

      On paper 4 good fixtures for a team like Man City - however - Kun, Sterling & Sane have only managed a combined 2 attacking returns in total between them across those 4 games

      1. Flaming Flamingo
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        I wouldn't call 4 games "quite a body of evidence", but it's certainly something worth considering.

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 23 days ago

          It’s not a massive sample size for sure... but on paper those are the type of games you captain city players in - really interested to see how Watford goes as Fernandinho is ruled out...

          A Kun/Sterling brace/double return isn’t out of the question of course

          1. Flaming Flamingo
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 23 days ago

            Between the West Ham and Bournemouth games their xG was just over 5. That suggests it's more a case of wastefulness than anything. As you say, the Watford game should provide more insight.

            1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 23 days ago

              When you remove a key cog like Fern from the team it can effect everything from defensive through to attack, but it’s nothing a few returns v Watford wouldn’t put to bed.

              Will be interesting to see how it works out

    3. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Man City vs Cardiff (Sterling / Kun)
      Liverpool vs Huddersfield (Salah)
      Cardiff vs Liverpool (Salah)
      Southampton vs Liverpool (Salah)
      Man Utd vs Cardiff (Pogba)

      There's better fixtures to use it.

    4. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 22 days ago

      Do it, why be talked out of it ?

  24. as33
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Who to captain:
    a) Sterling
    d) Salah
    c) Higuain

    1. XABI 15
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      Sterling

    2. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      C

  25. XABI 15
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Play Barnes or Kolasinac?

    Or do Kola to Rice and bench Barnes (-4). Transfer needed for next week too

    1. Ynwalfc
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      I’m playing Kola, his home form has been brilliant. He’s got points in the last seven home games and Barnes is up against the best defence in the league

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

    Harvey Barnes

  27. leocarter27
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Who to bench?

    A) Brooks (HUD A)
    B) Chilwell (FUL H)
    C) AWB (BRI H)

    Thanks

    1. XABI 15
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      v tough one, but probs Chilwell

  28. Shatner's Bassoon
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    For those getting BOU assets in this week - Huddersfield were absolutely brilliant in their last home game vs Wolves. Watching as a Jim/Doc owner was painful.

    Any repetition of this (and I suspect Siewert is after some big efforts in front of home fans before they go down) will make it very hard for an out of form Bournemouth side.

    Using it as a ‘wait and see’ week myself. Fair enough if you do want to get them in, but don’t be surprised if they blank.

    1. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      I agree it’s not as good of a fixture as it seems on paper.

    2. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      I am reluctant as well. BOU have two goals in their last six away matches.

      1. Shatner's Bassoon
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 23 days ago

        Didn't know that either - admittedly some toughies in there but if you compare Hud (a) to Cardiff (a) I think that's fair.

    3. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 22 days ago

      Actually Wolves were rubbish ... played as if in sandals and the beach 🙂

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 22 days ago

        Nope, played like a team does against their bogey team, Now lost 14 of our last 17 matches against Huddersfield with only 2 wins.

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 22 days ago

          I think Wolves, except for this and last season, have many ‘bogey teams’ because they have been so rubbish over the previous 6 or 7 seasons 😉 .. but irrespective of ‘bogey teams’ (I don’t buy in to bogey team idea at all, just better teams on the day) they were really rubbish in that game and even worse in the first defeat when Hudds out thought them and explored gaps behind the wingbacks, especially Vinagre on his debut

          The season will fizzle out for Wolves and similar teams in mid table with little to play for, players like Doherty & Jimi will get a few rests etc., their price will fall and everyone on here will be asking themselves why they even held them 🙂

  29. EMERGING STAR
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    I know team looks good on paper but don't feel right to bench Jimenez. Any thoughts?

    Fabianski
    Robertson TAA AWB
    Salah Hazard Brooks Sterling Pogba
    Rashford Arnautovic

    Button Jimenez Doherty Bednarek

    1. Ynwalfc
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 23 days ago

      I’d play Jiminez

      1. EMERGING STAR
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 22 days ago

        for whom?

  30. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 23 days ago

    Tempted to do Aguero and Son to Higuain considering Chelsea play GW31 and may have DGW32.

    Is this a good idea? Or is everyone free hitting in BGW31 to get in Chelsea assets only for GW31.