Scout Notes

Goals for Sterling and Jota as Wan-Bissaka exhibits attacking threat

There were five Premier League teams in action early on Wednesday afternoon, with Manchester City, West Ham United, Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers all taking part in the Premier League Asia Trophy and Manchester United facing Leeds United in Australia.

We’ll round up the main Fantasy talking points in the Scout Notes article below, while the updated pre-season minutes spreadsheet can be viewed here.

West Ham United 1-4 Manchester City

  • Goals: Mark Noble (£5.0m) | David Silva (£7.5m), Lukas Nmecha, Raheem Sterling (£12.0m) x2
  • Assists: Felipe Anderson (£7.0m) | Adrian Bernabe, Leroy Sane (£9.5m), Kevin De Bruyne (£9.5m)

Raheem Sterling (£12.0m) took less than half an hour of his first appearance of pre-season to remind Fantasy managers of his goalscoring credentials.

With Sergio Aguero (£12.0m) and Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) on an extended break following their participation in the Copa America, Sterling led the line for City in the second half of their meeting with West Ham and recorded a brace as Pep Guardiola’s side emerged as 4-1 winners.

Introduced off the bench at the interval, the England international raced on to a Leroy Sane (£9.5m) pass to slot in his first goal and was then teed up by fellow substitute Kevin De Bruyne (£9.5m) to cap off City’s victory.

Pep Guardiola gave youth a chance in the first half, with David Silva (£7.5m), Aymeric Laporte (£6.5m) and debutant Rodri (£5.5m) effectively the only first-team regulars on show – although Claudio Bravo (£5.0m), Danilo (£5.0m) and new signing Angelino (£5.0m) were also handed run-outs.

The left-back position is perhaps the most difficult to call in Guardiola’s squad but Angelino didn’t get his second spell at City off to the best of starts, struggling against Felipe Anderson (£7.0m) down the West Ham right and conceding the penalty from which Mark Noble (£5.0m) converted.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m) replaced the Brazilian full-back in the second half, with the absent Benjamin Mendy (£6.0m) reportedly still receiving treatment for a knee injury.

David Silva, in his final year at City, pulled his side level with a superbly taken goal from an equally excellent pass by winger Adrian Bernabe before Lukas Nmencha won and converted a spot-kick to put Guardiola’s side in front.

The cavalry arrived at half-time with Sterling, De Bruyne, Sane and Bernardo Silva (£8.0m) all thrown on and there was no surprise that City looked more potent as a result, with Sane, in particular, catching the eye down the left flank.

The German winger has been linked with a move away from Eastlands this summer but Guardiola – as one would expect – was full of praise for his mercurial midfielder:

He’s a great player with incredible quality. I want people to want to stay here – the club is there so the desire to have him is always there. The club made him an offer for the past year. I have said many times that we want people to be happy here and we want to help him to reach his potential.

Rodri won’t appeal to many Fantasy managers but he had a decent enough debut in the ‘Fernandinho (£5.5m) role’, earning praise from his manager after the game:

He is a young, typical defensive midfielder who thinks very quickly. I hope he is here for a long time. Rodrigo is tall, which for a short side like ours is very good. He is great at set-pieces but we didn’t buy him for that. Ever since we arrived here we have tried to buy players who are 21, 22 or 23 years old. [Rodri] is a Spain national team player and there they call him ‘the next Busquets’. I think he is a very good player.

With De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan (£5.5m) on the field either side of Rodri, Bernardo was again pushed forward into a front three alongside Sterling and Sane – food for thought, perhaps, for any FPL managers considering the Portuguese midfielder as a cut-price route into the City midfield.

The summer signings of Sebastian Heller (£7.5m) and Pablo Fornals (£6.5m) have given cause for optimism at West Ham and there are a number of their Fantasy assets who appeal early in the season, with the Hammers top of our Season Ticker from Gameweeks 2 to 12.

This was perhaps a reminder of the work still to be done in east London but there were positives to take away from this defeat, with Anderson, in particular, impressing in attack.

The busy Michail Antonio (£7.0m) was again ‘out of position’ as a central striker before being replaced by Javier Hernandez (£6.0m) at the break although the midfielder’s run up front is surely coming to an end following the capture of Haller.

Manuel Pellegrini still namechecked Antonio, however, when discussing his new signing and his striking options this season:

So we needed to find a new one [a striker], we have different options now. He is not only a box player, he will play well outside of the box. It will be his first season in England and I know he will be a good striker for our team. We also have Michail Antonio, Javier Hernandez too.

Manuel Lanzini (£6.5m) also caught the eye cutting in off the left flank, with Jack Wilshere (£5.0m) perhaps the placeholder for when Fornals is match-fit following his exertions at the European Under-21 Championship.

The strength of Pellegrini’s first-half XI was arguably an early indication of who he might favour for Gameweek 1, although the likes of Lukasz Fabianski (£5.0m), Fabian Balbuena (£4.5m), Fornals and Heller, of course, are still to be integrated into the team.

The Hammers were unsurprisingly not as much of a threat after the break as their second-string players were given a run-out and Pellegrini highlighted the contrast between the two halves after full-time:

I think that was a clear game of two different matches of 45 minutes. In the first half, we played well and created chances in their box but then we conceded two goals in two minutes and, of course, when you are playing against Manchester City you cannot afford to concede those goals. In the second half, they improved a lot when they changed some players, while we wanted to give some minutes to some players and we had some players who have just returned from long injures, so they made a difference. Also, I thought we made some mistakes in our defending and they capitalised. I was happy with the offensive system and the way we played in our attacking, yes, because we created more chances than Manchester City, but we must be more concentrated in our defending.

Defending was an issue last season, with only relegated Fulham and Huddersfield recording fewer clean sheets than the Hammers.

 
On this evidence, there is still much to be addressed and it’s stating the obvious to say West Ham’s attacking assets appeal more than their defence.
 
Pellegrini added:

We are working on our technical side and it’s important that we have Wilshere, Lanzini and Yarmolenko this season as we didn’t have them for long periods last season due to injury. With them, we will have more balance in midfield and I think we are going to be a good attacking team. We are going to create chances, but we need to improve our defending.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Bravo, Danilo (Walker 63′), Harwood-Bellis, Laporte (Stones 63′), Angelino (Zinchenko 63′), Rodri (Aleix Garcia 71′), David Silva (De Bruyne 46′), Doyle (Gundogan 63′), Bernabe (Sane 46′), Poveda-Ocampo (Bernardo Silva 46′), Nmecha (Sterling 46′).

West Ham United XI (4-2-3-1): Roberto, Fredericks (Zabaleta 62′), Diop, Ogbonna (Reid 68′), Johnson (Cresswell 62′), Rice (Sanchez 46′), Noble (Obiang 62′), Lanzini (Diangana 62′), Wilshere (Snodgrass 46′), Felipe Anderson (Yarmolenko 46′), Antonio (Chicharito 46′).

Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-0 Newcastle United

  • Goals: Diogo Jota (£6.5m) x2, Morgan Gibbs-White (£5.0m), Tom Allan own-goal
  • Assists: Jonny (£5.5m) x2, Leander Dendoncker (£4.5m), Ruben Vinagre (£4.5m)

Diogo Jota (£6.5m) hit a first-half brace as Wolves demolished a dismal Newcastle United in their Premier League Asia Trophy semi-final on Wednesday.

Jota produced a smart finish from the edge of the box after collecting a Jonny (£5.5m) pass to open the scoring, later capitalising on an error from Isaac Hayden (£4.5m) to score his second and Wolves’ third.

The Portugal under-21 international, carrying on where he left off at the end of 2018/19, looked sharp in a 65-minute showing and was again deployed as a striker in Nuno Espirito Santo’s now-familiar 3-5-2.

Speaking after the match, the Portuguese attacker said:

Scoring goals always gives you an extra boost in terms of confidence and you have to take advantage of that and keep working hard to be 100 per cent for the first match. For the second goal, I tried to react fast to the loss of the ball. Fortunately, I scored and it was good for me and the team that we were able to make it 3-0 very soon.

In the absence of Raul Jimenez (£7.5m), who was handed a breather following his exertions in the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer, Jota was paired up front by an ‘out of position’ Morgan Gibbs-White (£5.0m).

Wolves will surely recruit a backup striking option this summer but it was interesting that Santo turned to Gibbs-White as a makeshift forward with Jimenez unavailable.

That said, had Matt Doherty (£6.0m) not been injured and Adama Traore‘s (£5.0m) services not been needed at wing-back, then the speedy Wolves utility man may have been given the nod alongside Jota instead.

Gibbs-White found the back of the net in between Jota’s two strikes, with Jonny collecting another assist.

The newly reclassified FPL forward said of his partnership with Gibbs-White:

It was different, Raul plays in a different style, Morgan isn’t as strong as Raul is, but we linked together very well and tried to do the best we can.

Santo added on Gibbs-White:

He did well. It’s not his natural position but he gives certain things and this is the versatile players that we have and that we must have because we are a short squad, we want to maintain, so players must do more than one position on the pitch.

Except for the missing Jimenez and Doherty, Wolves were pretty much at full strength and their extra week of pre-season – their Europa League campaign begins next week – was telling as they swatted aside the rudderless Magpies.

The regular back three of Willy Boly, Conor Coady and Ryan Bennett (all £5.0m) were handed 90 minutes each, while the now first-choice midfield three of Leander Dendoncker (£4.5m), Ruben Neves (£5.5m) and Joao Moutinho (£5.5m) played the bulk of the game.

Dendoncker caught the eye and it was from his run and cross that Jota scored his second, while the all-action Jonny excelled from wing-back.

Traore hasn’t always convinced (from a defensive perspective, anyway) when asked to deputise for Doherty on the opposite flank but he was another to impress in Nanjing on Wednesday.

Bennett said of his teammate:

Adama’s done brilliantly, I think he’s been spot on and you can’t fault him at all. You talk to him, the manager speaks to him and everything that everyone says, he really wants to learn. He just takes it on board. Tracking back is a bit unusual for him but he’s got stuck in. Then when he gets the ball he’s devastating, so we need to try and give it to him as much as we can. His attacking threat is unbelievable.

As for Newcastle, who appointed Steve Bruce as manager shortly before the game, this was an entirely predictable defeat ahead of what potentially could be a very difficult season.

While Wolves had the advantage of being further down the line with their training regime and United named several second-string players in their starting XI, there was no mitigating the gulf in class between the two clubs.

Stand-in manager Ben Dawson couldn’t call on the Magpies’ potent front three of last season for various reasons – Miguel Almiron (£6.0m) is on a break after international duty, while Ayoze Perez (£6.5m) and Salomon Rondon are no longer on the books – and Newcastle were limp in attack, barely mustering a shot of note.

Having been reclassified as an FPL defender this summer, Matt Ritchie (£5.5m) was stationed on the left wing but, with Newcastle in disarray, there’ll likely be few Fantasy managers interested in the first few Gameweeks of the season (and beyond) despite the ‘out of position’ tag and set-piece responsibilities.

Having posed little threat in attack, the Magpies were also wobbly at the back and Wolves’ fourth strike, a comical own-goal from youngster Tom Allan from a Ruben Vinagre (£4.5m) corner, summed up their afternoon.

Newcastle United XI (4-5-1): Darlow (Woodman 46′), Sterry (Manquillo 46′), Clark (Watts 59′), Lascelles (Fernández 46′), Lazaar (Bailey 63′), Murphy (Allan 63′), Hayden, Colback (M. Longstaff 63′), Shelvey (Ki Sung-yueng 59′), Ritchie (Aarons 55′), Muto (Sorensen 63′).

Wolves XI (3-5-2): Rui Patricio (Ruddy 46′), Adama (Perry 65′), Bennett, Coady, Boly, Jonny (Vinagre 65′), Neves (Taylor 81′), Moutinho (Cundle 81′), Dendoncker (Hong Wan 81′), Gibbs-White (Sanderson 65′), Jota (Ennis 65′).

Manchester United 4-0 Leeds United

  • Goals: Mason Greenwood (£4.5m), Marcus Rashford (£8.5m), Phil Jones (£5.0m), Anthony Martial (£7.5m)
  • Assists: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.5m), Scott McTominay (£5.0m), Andreas Pereira (£5.0m), Tahith Chong (£4.5m)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has teased the prospect of budget FPL forward Mason Greenwood (£4.5m) being involved in the Gameweek 1 clash with Chelsea.

Speaking after the 4-0 win over Leeds United in Perth, the Norwegian said:

He’s got a chance to start that one, definitely. He’s more than capable. He’ll always be there in and around the box, creating chances, and I won’t say that’s not a possibility. No, it’s a good possibility if he keeps going as he does. It’s difficult to keep players out who perform well.

Greenwood had lined up on the right flank of a 4-2-3-1 for United’s latest pre-season friendly success, in what was unquestionably the stronger of the two teams that Solskjaer sent out in either half.

The teenage forward opened his United account with the game’s opening goal on seven minutes, tucking in Aaron Wan-Bissaka‘s (£5.5m) low cross following fine work from Paul Pogba (£8.5m) in midfield.

Solskjaer said of Greenwood after full-time:

Of course, we’ve been delighted with the goal he scored. It’s important for scorers to get that goal, even though I’ve always said we know he’s capable of scoring goals. The first one is going to be a weight off his shoulders. I think with his movement and his cleverness, he’s going to be a very good player, the young boy. He can play all of the front-three positions, or across the front four, as he can play no. 10, no. 7, no. 11 and no. 9. He’s a natural footballer with his left foot, coming in, but he’s got two feet and can play anywhere along the front. He’s just a natural. When he takes a penalty with his right, then takes a penalty with his left, free-kicks with his left, free-kicks with his right. He is almost what you’d call 50-50, maybe 51-49 left-footed. You can see we’ve got a talented boy there and he’s every opportunity to make it as a Manchester United player. Of course, it’s also going to be about luck. He must stay clear of injuries, be professional and I’m sure he’s going to grab his chance. Everything is there for him.

Greenwood was part of a lively front four for United in the first half, with Daniel James‘ (£6.0m) searing pace causing problems on the opposite flank – although the summer signing from Swansea was still a mixed bag when it came to end product.

Juan Mata (£6.5m) looked better in what is clearly his best position in the hole but it was some Fantasy favourites of 2018/19 who perhaps warranted the most attention.

Marcus Rashford (£8.5m) made it two goals from two games when scoring United’s second, racing onto Scott McTominay‘s (£5.0m) pass and producing some nimble footwork before firing low past Kiko Casilla.

Rashford had earlier hit the post and looked sharp as the spearhead of the attack, with United’s speed on the break and ferocity of pressing a refreshing antidote to the one-pace team of 12 months ago.

The England striker said after full-time:

There’s a lot to improve on still but, for us, it’s about getting the pictures in our heads. It’s been a while since we’ve been a real pressing team and I feel that now, in this pre-season, we’ve laid down the fundamentals of how we’re actually going to press. The first game against Perth, the way we pressed in the first half was brilliant. It’s tough going for 90 minutes but we’ll improve and we’ll get better at it.

Wan-Bissaka impressed up and down the right flank, displaying more attacking threat than we have become accustomed to seeing at Palace.

We voiced concerns about Wan-Bissaka’s assist potential in our recent Moving Target article because of the fact that United funnelled most of their play down the left-hand side of the pitch last season: no coincidence given that Pogba, so heavily involved when the Red Devils have possession, was mostly stationed in that zone.

We have seen the Frenchman on the opposite side of central midfield in pre-season, though, which could boost Wan-Bissaka’s Fantasy appeal significantly.

The pair’s respective roles in Greenwood’s goal underscored the impact Pogba could have.

The supposedly wantaway France international was nearing something like top form in this encounter although the fact that he seems set to play as part of a deeper central midfield two in future will be off-putting to some Fantasy managers.

Still, Pogba got forward to have several cracks at goal from the edge of the Leeds box and whistled a free-kick narrowly wide too.

Solskjaer changed all 11 players at half-time, with Anthony Martial (£7.5m) leading the line in the second half and scoring from the spot after a foul on Tahith Chong (£4.5m).

Phil Jones (£5.0m) had added a third before Martial’s penalty, nodding in an Andreas Pereira (£5.0m) corner.

David de Gea (£5.5m), Luke Shaw (£5.5m) and Romelu Lukaku (£8.5m) all missed out with minor problems and Solskjaer didn’t seem unduly concerned after full-time, saying:

David just fell ill today so he didn’t feel right. We’ll wait until the Inter Milan game [on Saturday] for him. They’re not ready, the others, either [Lukaku, Shaw and Lee Grant]. Of course, it’s not ideal when you miss a training session and he [Lukaku] was missing towards the end of yesterday’s session. He missed the game again and it’s two chances to play 45 minutes at this stage of the pre-season. It’s important for everyone to get fit and hopefully, he’ll be available soon.

Manchester United first-half XI (4-2-3-1): Romero, Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Lindelof, Rojo, McTominay, Pogba, Greenwood, Mata, James, Rashford.

Manchester United second-half XI (4-2-3-1): J. Pereira, Dalot, Smalling, Jones, Young, Matic (Garner 78), A. Pereira, Chong, Gomes, Lingard, Martial.

2,114 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Queenofthestoneage
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Would really appreciate your input!

    For my Zombie team + Perma cap:

    A) Salah(C) + Azpilicueta + TAA + VVD
    B) Sterling (C) + Robertson + TAA + VVD

    1. Our Tiny Windows
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Zombie? A, then.

    2. Andy Mac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

    3. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

    4. RyanC
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

    5. Queenofthestoneage
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

  2. pokern1nja09
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    What are people's thoughts on a GW1 bench boost then wildcard team?
    Load up on all the good fixtures like spurs and take advantage of mane and son not playing with origi and moura? Something like this:
    Lloris Leno
    Stones Zinchenko Matip VVD Walker-Peters
    Sterling Moura Perez Brooks Pereyra
    Aubemeyang King Origi

    Rotation won't matter if you are confident who will start, and one week without Salah won't hurt. Could get a head start and then jump on some early bandwagons. Can't really see a better use of bench boost, it's difficult to use it around double gameweeks because you will usually have some bench fodder.

    1. socho
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      No Salah can ruin everything though

    2. milanista10
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I’m on bench boost too, you can’t ignore Salah vs Norwich though, better potential that Sterling imo

      1. pokern1nja09
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Tough to make a good bench boost team with salah and sterling. What is yours?

        1. milanista10
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah totally agree. I am currently on this:
          Leno / Pope
          TAA / Digne / Zinchenko / Walker-Peters / Ake
          Salah / Fraser / Pérez / Gross / Pereyra
          Kane / King / Origi

          1. pokern1nja09
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Very nice. Could get a head start, but no city attack is the obvious worry

            1. milanista10
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              You are right, the only affordable one in a BB would be Bilva and I’m not sure he has good potential in the first two games as I will be wildcarding GW3 to get in Sterling!

        2. socho
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          very nice team, similar to mine but I am not going BB instead I have Sigurdsson

    3. Swanremainsthesame
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Basically you are burning 2 chips on the hope that gw1 fixtures are predictable.

      My thought is I did that before , atrocious Hammers, great arsenal, blah,blah, loaded up on Arsenal & other similar
      Arsenal 0 WHU 3 sank without trace, not only that bought all the gw1 bandwagons with WC and come Xmas was still trying to unload the deadwood.

      1. pokern1nja09
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yea this makes sense of it. First gameweek of the season could be unpredictable

    4. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      it's a good idea imo, but would definitely have Salah - I think a BB team can realistically last the first 4 weeks if you concentrate the cheap players on Watford/Palace and look to bring in a Chelsea player after GW1

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        international break WC once the bargains have possibly revealed themselves kinda feels right (although getting Sterling before then may prove difficult which could backfire horribly)

  3. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Draft #6. Quite liking the Giroud differential. Thoughts on this lot chaps???

    Ryan Button
    Robertson Zinchenko Digne (Dunk Kelly)
    Sterling Salah Richarlison Fraser (Dendonker)
    King Deulofeu Giroud

    1. DeathoftheParty
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      It's good! I prefer Siggy to Ricky but that's only a preference...

      Walker/Coleman over Zinc/Dig for nailedness maybe?

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Like it

      I considered a 3 up top with Giroud also when I thought he could then become Haller but now that he came in at 7.5, I chickened out a bit!

  4. Swanremainsthesame
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Pickford (Steck)
    Vvd,Gomez,Zinchenko (Kelly,Rico)
    Salah,KdB,Siggy,Fraser,Antonio
    Vardy,Jota (Greenwood)
    0.5itb

    3-5-2 to start with a spread of price point, Antonio likely oop striker for initial weeks
    With the 05itb as well early bandwagons should be easy to jump on.
    Hoping to stay off the WC till IB, even if it means a few hits as previously found early WC meant a team of one week wonder deadwood.

    ?

  5. sttewwizza
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    The strongest team in all world !!!

    1. sttewwizza
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Wow... Some error...

      So... The strongest tema in all world...

      Ryan

      Coleman - Dunk - Diop - Bednarek

      Kdb - Salah - Sterling - Siggy

      Kane - King

      Subs: Noris, Dendoncker, Kelly, Nketiah

      1. Queenofthestoneage
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        dat defence and bench tho..

      2. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        If your plan is to release chuck noris from your bench to maim all your opponents then it could be

      3. scubasmithy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        lol - horror show of a team.... 2/10

  6. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Think i have something i am settled on.

    Pope
    Trent Robbo Zinch Coleman
    Salah Siggy 7.5
    Kane Wilson Delofue

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Nice. No City attack though, what about Robbo to VVD then you get put Bernardo in the spare slot.

  7. Óró Sé…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Quick RMT - Light in midfield til we see what’s what is my plan. Trusted assets throughout with early WC in mind. Any big issues?

    Ryan,
    Digne, Coleman, VVD, TAA, Azpi
    Salah, Fraser
    Auba, Vardy, King

    Button, Noble, Dendoncker, Stephens,

    1. Andy Mac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      5-2-3 always does poorly in points terms....sorry

      1. Queenofthestoneage
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Just look at Digne and Azpi as two midfielders for 6.0 each.
        Both will get around 160 points each. Thats what Milivojevic, Zaha, Maddison and them 7.0 dudes will collect.

        1. Ramboros
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          You have to at least add another 0.5 onto the prices of the defenders to make that comparison. In addition you have to look at what players you replace. There's more value in defence than midfield in general.

          1. Queenofthestoneage
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Why do we have to add another 0.5 onto the prices of the defenders to make that comparison?

            I just wrote that I am replacing the likes of Zaha, Maddison, etc who over a season will collect about as much as 6.0 defenders

            1. Andy_Social
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Agree. I never understand why people wheel out this 0.5 argument.

              1. Ramboros
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                What's not to understand?

                You can price every defender by 2.0 extra and add another 10 million to your overall budget. Practically that would make zero difference to the game, but suddenly the cheapest defender is 6.0 and every comparison will seem to favour the midfielder.

            2. Ramboros
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              You can get a 4.0 bench fodder in defence. You can only get a 4.5 bench fodder in midfield.

              Mathematically you do spend 0.5 extra on a 6.0 defender compared to a 6.0 midfielder.

          2. Klein
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            This. 6.5 def + 4.5mid : 6.5mid + 4.5 def. You can get much better value out of 4.5 def than 4.5 mid. So comparision should be equivalent. Top it off hardly any 4.5 mil striker who plays. So you need to up even more for similar comparision.

    2. Queenofthestoneage
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Looks good, i have a similar

      Ederson.
      Robo. VVD. Laporte. Azpi. Digne.
      Salah. Siggy.
      Vardy. King. Jimenez

      4.0 5.0 5.0 4.5

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        That's a damn good line up and you've clearly got a decent bench.

        1. Queenofthestoneage
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          We have been talking about this before Andy.
          This is a perma team. All players on my team played pretty much if not every game last season. Very very few injury prone players.
          Yes I have Kante, Ndidi and Stephens. Both Kante and Ndidi started all 38 games and I hope to get consistent 2 and 3 pointers when some occasional benching occurs.

          I hope to get a top 10k position without a single transfer with team. Wish me luck!

          Looking for a way to change King to Fraser actually!

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            King is the one lose for sure if this is zombie. I’d shave money from the back to go Fraser Wilson

            Lloris Coleman and one bench.

            1. Queenofthestoneage
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Not doubling up on Everton + Coleman is injury prone.
              But I agree. I really want Fraser. On set pieces and just a monster overall. But do you think he might leave Bournemouth before this season is over?

              1. pingissimus
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Was thinking Digne to Coleman. Any Everton defence is a bit punty imo if looked at long term. Does a broken leg count as injury prone? But see your point.

                I suppose Wilson might be a dodgy call when thinking of injuries too.

                Both Siggy and Fraser in a 5-3-2?

                The double 5.0 I doubt for value as they’ll be consistent 2/3 points . One is enough.

  8. The 5% Team
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Just playing around, a team with only players with 1 year or less of PL experience:

    Alisson Kepa
    Doherty Digne Pereira Valery Bernardo
    Madisson Brooks F.Anderson James Buendia
    Jimenez Pukki Haller

    7.0m ITB 🙂

  9. Andy Mac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Need to find the best 4.5 def to play each week. Currently on Dunk and hoping for a move to Leicester, but if it doesn’t materialise, who would you go for??

    Diop - poor CS potential
    Aarons - attacking but unproven in PL
    Cathcart - it’s watford!

    Any other recommendations please guys??

    1. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Rethink your team structure.

      Playing a single 4.5 def every week is not a great idea

      1. Andy Mac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I’m more than happy with my team structure tbf. Playing 4-4-2 and all other players locked in. Just need one bargain basement player who will score decent??!!

        1. b91jh
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Villa full backs or Fredericks?

        2. Drop Dead Tsimikas
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I've gone for Holding, myself.

          1. LangerznMash
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            I hold myself and cry at night

        3. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I’m considering O’Connell in the short term before I WC or mini WC.

          A punt of course but the fixtures aren’t too bad and he has a chance of points at both ends.

          I have very limited expectations!!!! But I don’t see him as a worse choice than Dunk at Brighton.

          WH is ruled out for me as I have Fab and I’m allergic to Bournemouth defence.

          Someone at Burnley might tempt me

      2. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Not the worst idea imo if you have Dendo to rotate him with for the truly horrid fixtures. Anyone you choose is a likely 2 points with an occasional bonus return.

        Bit sceptical of picking rotation myself - so easy to get it wrong.

    2. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      There will be a couple of surprise 4.5 defenders and you can't guess it just yet. Don't be talked out of your strategy though. Dunk could be a good start then if any wing backs with attacking potential emerge you can jump on quickly. I was slow on the Doherty bandwagon last season and won't be making that mistake again

  10. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    6.5m striker looks popular here. Out of them all i am only interested in is Jota after gw10.

    King is a good attacker but in the match he rarely looks threatening as he plays a bit deep in the field.

    1. Queenofthestoneage
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      FPL proven. Collected 180p 17/18 and around 140p last season. For 6.5, nailed and in a very attacking team and on pens I'll take it.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Wilson or Fraser for me from Bournemouth. But I understand King's appeal.

    2. tafrère
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      What about Wood ?

      1. b91jh
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        FPL wise he is a good pick occasionally, but it is frustrating to include a Burnley attacker...

      2. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Horrible opening fixtures

        1. AuFeld
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I don't think they are that bad (except GW4) and then he's gold starting GW5. Did Wood score on the opening match last season at CHE?

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Jimenez's ownership makes me want Jota, but I hate making decisions based on ownership. I believe Jota will outscore Jimenez if Wolves continue with a 352. Hopefully Wolves don't take the Europa League too seriously...

      I'm a big fan of Deulofeu and he showed signs last season of being on the verge of an explosive season, Mahrez-style. I'm looking at him.

      Agree on King though, he underwhelms me as an option. Wood and Barnes are crap value too imo.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I have Jota, but nothing to do with ownership. Jimi's just finished Gold Cup and Europa starts next week. I think he'll need rest and rotation early doors whereas Jots will be fresher. And I don't worry about the fixtures - Wolves do fine against stronger opposition.

        I was on King due to GW1-2 but I've come round to thinking he's not too hot and prefer Jota.

  11. cra1g0s
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A conundrum I tell you, which one, A or B:

    A. Pogba & Deulofeu

    or

    B. Perez & Rashford

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B, for me.

    2. LangerznMash
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

    3. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B but I don't like either because MUN....

  12. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Bit more tinkering.

    Lloris (Button)
    VvD - PvA - Ake - Digne (Holding)
    Salah - Bilva - Tielemans - Zaha (Donck)
    Wilson - Aguero (Greenwood)

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I like the differentials. It's not how I would go but I can see it doing well.

      I'm not sure PvA is the player he once was so that is the only one I would really question here to start the season

      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        He's an easy flip to Obi-Wan or Zinchenko if I choose to go that way

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          True

          I would be keen to start with MCI def until they are proven not worth their value over a punt on something like a CRY def

  13. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Shockingly work is taking up far too much of my time at the moment so not been on here as much as I would like!

    Latest draft is taking shape. I'm sure it is template but I like it. One main decision as it stands:
    A) Fraser, Maddison
    B) Siggy, Perez/ Tielemans

    Pope
    TAA, VVD, Zinch, Digne
    Salah, Sterling, XXXX, XXXX
    Wilson, Jota
    (Button) (Greenwood, Dendo, Kelly)

    Thoughts appreciated on the decision and the overall team!

    Cheers 🙂

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Fraser Perez is how I’d play it.

      The Bournemouth double up is a known quantity and Perez oop is the most immediately tempting Leicester mid imo - don’t see the need for 7.0 Maddison who could still be a great pick of course.

      The 0.5 could get you Fab, a 4.5 bench defender or left itb for moves.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I do like that idea actually mate - can't fault £0.5m of flexibility for GW1 and Perez looks like he should hopefully challenge Maddi for returns

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Mine is similar currently on Brooks/Perez

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        What are you doing with extra funds?

        1. Warby84
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I had Kelly and upgraded to Dunk.. Same bench as you

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            So you starting Dunk on the bench?

  14. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A) KDB+Fraser+Laporte+0.5 or 4.5def as 1st sub
    B) Sterling+Brooks+Zinc/AWB/Toby+crap bench

    1. tafrère
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A for me.

  15. tafrère
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A. Sterling + 6.5 FWD + 4.0 DEF
    B. Kane + 7.0 MID + 4.5 DEF

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling,Perez,Rico

  16. Chelsea91
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Latest Draft

    Ederson
    Taa,VVD,Digne
    Salah,Sterling,Fraser,Perez,
    Jota,King,deu

    Deu or laporte?Suggestion please mate

    1. Queenofthestoneage
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Laporte obv

      1. Chelsea91
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Ederson,
        Taa,VVD,Laporte,Coleman
        Salah(c),Sterling,Perez,Fraser
        Jota,King

        Good mate?

        1. Queenofthestoneage
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          great, and bench?

          1. Chelsea91
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Button Dendonker Greenwood,Kelly

      2. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        This.

        You would think Laporte will outscore every sub £7.5m striker.

  17. ThierryD
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Pretty new and first post! Tried to so something a bit different

    Feedback is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance

    Ryan (-Button)
    Laporte - VVD - TAA - Digne (-Kelly)
    Pogba - Salah - Siggy - Jorginho (-Dendoncker)
    Kane - King (- Greenwood)

    1mil itb ==> What to do with this

    1. tafrère
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Pogba > KDB for me.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Pogba will play more. That squad looks very good, weak goalie apart.
        City are under-represented. I'd have Ederson and downgrade Jorginho.

        1. ThierryD
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          How about going Pickford?
          This would leave me (hopefully) with following penalty takers:

          Kane
          King
          Salah
          Pogba
          Jorginho
          Siggy

  18. Queenofthestoneage
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Who will start more games this season: Robertson or TAA?

    Last season PL starts
    Robertson: 36
    TAA: 29

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Robbo, but TAA more on set pieces

    2. Aleksei
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I guess it will depend on injuries this season, cause TAA became a sure starter, and I think he can score more

    3. LangerznMash
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      both 36

    4. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I think with TAA being a year older and a lot more mature, he'll match Robbo for games this season.

    5. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Get both

  19. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on Giroud??? Good fixtures, should be nailed??

    1. LangerznMash
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      He won't get 90 mins per game. He'll be stretching to reach 2000 minutes in total.

    2. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Wait and see. Maybe from GW2 onward

    3. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Highly dubious at this stage that he will be nailed.

      1. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        No.

    4. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Why should he be nailed? They've got Tammy and Batty to compete.

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Morata also...

        1. Rotation's Alter Ego
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          He's gone

          1. Gooner97
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Thought he was on loan

            1. Rotation's Alter Ego
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Correct - 18 months.

              After the remaining 12 months he will join permanently - he will not play for Chelsea again

        2. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Keep up.

          1. Gooner97
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            😉

    5. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Consistent performer in terms of minutes per point. He'll do well as long as he gets game time.

  20. Kizza_10
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Any advice on how to improve this team is welcome.

    Ederson
    Coleman TAA VVD Laporte
    Fraser Sterling Salah Tielemans
    Jota King

    Subs: Button, Kelly, Dendoncker, Greenwood

    1. Aleksei
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      midfield is fine, I am not a fan of one premium keeper(specially when it holds City slot), but ok. But definately one of defs could be downgraded to upgrade forward.

    2. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Same as me , i take Perez instead of Tielemans

  21. Aleksei
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Is it too risky to go with double Everton defs? and am I the only one thinking Coleman can outscore Digne, or at least match him, but that's 0.5 in the bank

    1. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Set pieces will make the difference. Tho I'm also undecided

    2. DeathoftheParty
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Coleman won't be a million miles behind him.

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Good fixtures, could be okay. But they're missing a central defender at the moment. You might feel more confident of clean sheets if Zouma is there rather than Keane and Mina.

  22. DeathoftheParty
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Any offers;

    Pope (or Ryan)
    TAA/VVD/Coleman/Zinc
    Salah/Sterling/Siggy/Brooks
    Vardy/Adams

    Button/Donker/Greenwood/Rico

  23. dave1981
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    hi guys....first time on this page....any advice on my team draft

    POPE?
    ROBBO - BOLY - VVD
    SALAH - SIGGY - MILLI - PEREZ
    JIMENEZ - WILSON - KANE
    (maybe get auba in for kane in gw2 then kane back again for gw3)

    button kelly reid dendonker

    1. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      not bad, first team I've seen Boly in

      not a fan of the Kane > Auba > Kane moves. Could just start with Auba for first 2 GWs, Newcastle and Burnley 🙂 and switch after those matches to Kane

  24. tafrère
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Emerson or Coleman ?

    1. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Coleman

  25. PrestigeWorldwidewidewide..…
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Option A:
    ////(Lloris)
    Coleman /van Dijk / Walker //// (Chilwell)
    Tielemans //// (Siggy / Salah / De Bruyne)
    Kane //// (King)

    Option B:
    ////(Lloris)
    Digne / TAA / Laporte //// (Chilwell)
    Milivojevic //// (Siggy / Salah / De Bruyne)
    Vardy //// (King)

    Which do you like better?
    Any better fits than Chilwell at 5.5?
    King or Deulofeu at 6.5?

    These are the issues I'm currently thinking through.

    1. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

      I prefer Zinchenko to Chilwell for 5.5, then you could go Laporte to VVD perhaps.

      King over Deu for me.

  26. ryacoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Looking to start with 2 BOU attackers, then possibly shift them to bandwagons in GW3.

    A) Wilson & King
    B) Wilson & Brooks

    Should I go B in order to have a midfield spot free for bandwagons as well as forward, rather than 2 forward spots?

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Think Brooks will be key to there counter attacks this season..

    2. Queenofthestoneage
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Fraser surely??

      1. ryacoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Can't afford

  27. Kimmich
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Pope / McGovern
    VVD / Zinchenko / O’Connell / Cathcart / Dunk
    Salah / Sterling / Fraser / Ozil / Perez
    Wilson / Haller / Greenwood

    352. I know a heavy defence is being favoured this year as the points speak for themselves across the season however I don’t normally go too long without a WC. Opinions?

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Players like Haller who is unknown better off starting with Jiminez, Ozil is transfer waiting to happen.. So your weak defense is not be back up by a strong attack

  28. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    The damning tone against Newcastle in this article has me laughing

    Ashley does deserve this for what he's doing to the fans, of course. But those few paragraphs were still funny as hell

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      To be fair, they could finish as high as 20th.

  29. Chaballer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Reminder to any of the Hall of Fame top thousand ranked managers...if you qualify you’re welcome to join the new league ‘Top 1K Career HOF’ code=(beeps2)....not to be confused with ‘Top 1k ANY Season’

  30. Hitmonlee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    With the first 4 Gameweeks in mind..

    A) Groß and Wilson
    Or
    B) Biva and King