Scout Notes

Heavy Chelsea defeat offers hope to owners of Leicester assets

Manchester United’s demolition of Chelsea could be a positive omen for those amongst us who have invested in Leicester City’s attacking players.

The Foxes drew a blank against Wolves on Sunday but owners of Jamie Vardy (£9.0m) et al will be hoping that Chelsea’s second-half capitulation in Manchester is indicative of deeper defensive problems, with Brendan Rodgers’ side in action at Stamford Bridge in Gameweek 2.

United got their season off to a dream start but their victory, as we will discuss, was not quite as one-sided as the scoreline suggested.

Our final Scout Notes article of Gameweek 1 also examines the main Fantasy talking points on Tyneside as Arsenal edged past Newcastle United.

Manchester United 4-0 Chelsea

  • Goals: Marcus Rashford (£8.5m) x2, Anthony Martial (£7.5m), Daniel James (£6.0m)
  • Assists: Andreas Pereira (£5.0m), Paul Pogba (£8.5m) x2

Marcus Rashford (£8.5m) downplayed suggestions that he was Manchester United’s new first-choice penalty taker after scoring from the spot in Sunday’s 4-0 win over Chelsea.

Rashford won and converted a 17th-minute spot-kick to give the Red Devils the lead but afterwards said that there were ‘four or five’ United assets who could potentially step up from 12 yards.

The England striker said:

I wouldn’t say I’m the penalty-taker. There’s four or five players that are 100% comfortable being in that situation. For the keepers it’s more difficult, they don’t know who’s going to take it.

Paul Pogba (£8.5m) took ten of United’s 12 Premier League penalties last season, scoring seven of them, while Jesse Lingard (£6.5m) and Anthony Martial (£7.5m) also netted on one occasion each.

Rashford, meawhile, scored from the spot against PSG in the Champions League in March, while Juan Mata (£6.5m) found the back of the net from 12 yards against Reading in the FA Cup in January.

It is worth noting that Pogba, Martial and Lingard were all on the field when Rashford took this latest penalty, although it could be that United’s players are adopting a similar approach to Burnley’s Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes (both £6.5m) and taking penalties that they themselves earn.

Whatever the system, the suggestion that Pogba doesn’t have the monopoly at spot-kick situations is something of a blow to his Fantasy appeal.

Seven of Pogba’s 13 goals last season came from the spot and his expected goals total of 15.11 was halved when penalties were taken out of the equation (an xG non-penalty of 7.23, inferior to 31 other players).

Having occasionally played as a number ten under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Pogba’s role in the double-pivot of a 4-2-3-1 would also seem to be detrimental to his goal threat – the Frenchman had just one effort on Sunday.

Assists will no doubt continue to flow, however.

The France international has reached double figures for those in the last two seasons and he began 2019/20 with another two, setting up Rashford and substitute Daniel James (£6.0m) for United’s third and fourth goals – his assist for Rashford’s goal being a superb lofted ball from deep, while his pass for James’ strike followed a lung-busting run upfield.

Speaking after the game, Solskjaer said of Pogba:

I think Paul can do many, many jobs. He can do the attacking midfield job. Today, he was more of the link player and when you’ve got Lindelof, Maguire and David at the back, they can feed Paul the ball.

Paul can do everything a midfielder can. Today, he was asked to play that sitting role and first half, I thought Chelsea pegged us too much back so he had to do loads of running.

That pass for the third goal was fantastic and the run for the fourth – I just wanted him to go all the way and open up his legs.

Lingard and Andreas Pereira (£5.0m) lined up on the right flank and in the hole of a 4-2-3-1 respectively, with Pereira providing the assist for Martial’s goal.

Most of the Fantasy discussion will surround Martial and Rashford, though.

It was, as predicted, the Frenchman who got the nod to lead the line, with Rashford stationed on the left flank.

Martial naturally gravitates to the left wing and Rashford tends to drift inside, however, and the two players are fairly interchangeable in the roles mentioned.

Martial was bang centre of goal when he bundled in Pereira’s cross from four yards but Rashford was the one making the dart in behind to capitalise on Pogba’s pass for United’s third goal.

While we have seen the two players frequently changing position in pre-season, Solskjaer’s post-match comments suggest the set-up at Chelsea is something he wants to stick with.

Talking of Rashford, Solskjaer said:

Marcus Rashford played that left-hand side striker role more or less to perfection more or less today.

Yes once in a while he’s caught out of possession defensively but that means we can counter-attack. His second goal was absolutely outstanding. That’s where we want him, running in behind. We don’t want him out on the touchline, crossing the ball.

On Martial’s tap-in, the Norwegian added:

That’s a number nine’s goal. Anthony knows what I expect from him and where I want him. I don’t mind if he drifts wide once in a while and tries a curler but that’s where the number nines get the goals.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire (both £5.5m) made their competitive United debuts and helped the Red Devils to a home clean sheet, which is already half of the number of shut-outs United kept at Old Trafford in 2018/19.

While there were some impressive individual contributions from both players over the course of the game, particularly Wan-Bissaka, to say United were rock-solid at the back would be stretching the truth.

Tammy Abraham (£7.0m) and Emerson Palmieri (£5.5m) both rattled the woodwork in the first half, while David de Gea (£5.5m) had to make a fine stop from Ross Barkley (£6.0m) and a half-dozen more routine saves from distance.

Chelsea were arguably the better team in the first half and it’ll be interesting to see how much joy United get against a less-obliging defence when they visit Molineux next Monday.

For owners of Leicester assets, Gameweek 2 is an appetite-whetting prospect based on Sunday’s evidence.

While Chelsea gave it a go going forward, they were repeatedly exposed at the back and Kurt Zouma (£5.0m) had a nightmare afternoon at centre-half alongside Andreas Christensen (£5.0m).

The Blues actually conceded fewer chances than United but the way they were sliced open in the second half will be of great encouragement to Vardy’s owners, given how easily Frank Lampard’s side were exposed on the counter-attack.

The imminent return to fitness of Antonio Rudiger (£6.0m) will be a boon, of course, while N’Golo Kante (£5.0m) got another substitute’s appearance under his belt following a knee injury and his inclusion in central midfield ought to further shore things up.

Lampard had benched Christian Pulisic (£7.5m) to make way for both Barkley and Mason Mount (£6.0m), with Barkley stationed on the left to allow Mount to play as a number ten.

The experiment didn’t really work out and it may be that the two £6.0m-rated assets are left tussling for one spot against the Foxes next weekend, although it is worth reiterating how much on top Chelsea were in the early stages.

Mount, interestingly, took all five of the Blues’ corners and completed the full 90 minutes as Barkley was hauled off before the hour-mark.

Asked about his tactical decision involving Mount and Barkley, Lampard said:

Christian Pulisic is 20 years old. He will be a fantastic player for the club. He has got great ability. You saw little moments with his acceleration on the ball.

But I have also got other options in midfield and in those areas, and I don’t want to stick Christian straight into the fire without trying to help him along the way. It was one of those games where I felt it was better to start with Ross and Mason, who have been very strong in pre-season, and bring Christian on.

Pedro (£7.0m) and Abraham were lively early on, meanwhile, but, like so many of their teammates, quickly wilted.

Reflecting on the game, Lampard said:

We were clearly the better team for 45, maybe 60 minutes, but what was evident was we made individual errors that led to four goals out of their five shots. There’s the harsh reality for us.

If we go in half-time 2-1 or 3-1 up, as we probably should have done, if we were more clinical ourselves and had maybe a stroke of luck here and there, the game would be completely different.

What I felt on the pitch and in the dressing room afterwards, and although the players are obviously disappointed, there were lots and lots of elements of the game I liked. There were four or five elements I really didn’t like and they proved fatal for us.

Solksjaer, meanwhile, said that Alexis Sanchez (£7.0m) is nearing a return.

Alexis came in very late, so he’s had now almost two weeks of training and a game behind closed doors against Blackburn. So he’s getting close to full fitness.

Members Analysis

Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): de Gea, Wan Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw, McTominay, Pogba, Andreas Pereira (James 74′), Lingard (Mata 85′), Martial, Rashford (Greenwood 85′).

Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Zouma, Emerson Palmieri, Jorginho (Kante 73′), Kovacic, Pedro, Barkley (Pulisic 58′), Mount, Abraham (Giroud 66′);

Newcastle United 0-1 Arsenal

  • Goals: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m)
  • Assists: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£5.0m)

Not one of Arsenal’s new signings featured from the start as the Gunners narrowly beat Newcastle at St. James’ Park.

Dani Ceballos (£5.5m), Nicolas Pepe (£9.5m) and Gabriel Martinelli (£4.5m) were all thrown on as second-half substitutes while David Luiz (£6.0m) remained unused on the bench as Unai Emery kept faith with the players that had played the bulk of pre-season.

Alexandre Lacazette (£9.5m) didn’t make it onto the field, either, although his ankle injury had improved sufficiently for him to be among the substitutes.

With Mesut Ozil (£7.5m) and Sead Kolasinac (£5.5m) also not involved for personal reasons, the Gunners’ starting XI had something of a makeshift feel.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m), who played a chunk of pre-season on the right flank, led the line in Lacazette’s absence but there was the unfamiliar sight of teenagers Joe Willock (£5.0m) and Reiss Nelson (£5.5m) – plus Henrikh Mkhitaryan (£7.0m) – playing in the attacking midfield trio behind him.

As well as Nelson and Willock performed, there was an understandable lack of spark to Arsenal’s attack: indeed, only four Premier League clubs registered fewer shots on goal (eight) than the Gunners in Gameweek 1.

Aside from Aubameyang’s well-taken 57th-minute goal, Emery’s troops only had one other shot on target.

With the Gabonese forward in the side, of course, Arsenal always pose a threat.

Aubameyang looked to exploit Newcastle’s high defensive line in the first half but was afforded few opportunities, taking too heavy a touch with his first chance before stinging Martin Dubravka‘s (£5.0m) hands after a ball over the top from Mkhitaryan.

The Gabon international didn’t need to be asked a third time and coolly slotted past Dubravka following a cross from Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£5.0m).

Mkhitaryan had earlier blazed over and Granit Xhaka (£5.5m) flashed a header wide but the Gunners didn’t have one shot in the final half an hour, with Pepe and Ceballos unable to make much of an impression.

In truth, there was probably little to glean from Sunday’s victory and we will learn much more about Arsenal in the weeks to come as their new recruits begin to bed in and their absent first-teamers return.

When asked about the likes of Pepe and Luiz, Emery responded:

David Luiz did pre-season with another team and he is okay to play physically but he only trained completely with us yesterday. On Friday he did 30 minutes with us. I was thinking to give them confidence to work together because they were working well together, Sokratis and Chambers.

Nicolas Pepe came one week ago and physically he needs to get his best fitness to be ready to play 100 per cent for 90 minutes. I think that today 20 minutes is good for him.

And Ceballos is in the middle because he came before Pepe but he got an injury and he stopped training. But he needs to know the Premier League, so today was important for him and for us.

I also used Reiss Nelson and Willock because they deserved to be with us and to give them confidence can help us. It’s the same with Martinelli, he played the last 10 minutes because he deserved it.

On whether Ozil and Kolasinac would be ready to return against Burnley, Emery added:

The club is managing that circumstance. We want to be with them as soon as possible and with normality in training and normality to be ready to play. I don’t know now.

Arsenal at least kept a rare clean sheet on the road and have already matched their away shut-out count from last season.

Calum Chambers (£4.5m) had a decent match at centre-half although the Gunners still occasionally looked suspect against a limp Newcastle attack and stiffer tests await in the next three Gameweeks, so a truer gauge of Arsenal’s backline will be how they perform against Burnley, Liverpool and Spurs.

On the subject of Chambers and his absent defensive contingent, Emery said:

Really, last year for Calum Chambers was a very good year because he played all the matches with Fulham. They played him as centre-back in a three, in a two and they played him as a midfielder. From pre-season, he deserved to play today in the first XI and he was very focused and with Sokratis was also very serious.

I want to have very competitive players in each position. With David Luiz, with Holding when he is coming back to help us, with training regularly and playing with the under-23s because he will play again tomorrow.

And with Hector Bellerin, one month more. Today we also had Sead out and the injury to Kieran Tierney. I think we can and will want to become stronger defensively, but above all being one offensive team.

The Magpies battled gamely against their visitors, with Joelinton (£6.0m) going close with an early header before producing a tame shot when bulldozing his way through the Arsenal backline.

Jonjo Shelvey (£5.0m) also struck the upright but any attacking threat evaporated after the break, with an ‘out of position’ Miguel Almiron (£6.0m), playing up front alongside Joelinton in a 3-5-2, unable to break his duck for the hosts.

Goalscoring looks a concern for Newcastle this season but it should be said that Ayoze Perez (£6.5m) and Salomon Rondon failed to score in the first ten Gameweeks of 2018/19, when the Magpies faced a similarly tricky opening set of fixtures.

Shelvey and wing-back Matt Ritchie (£5.5m) shared dead-ball duties but an injury to the former saw Ritchie move infield early in the second half and Jetro Willems (£4.5m) introduced on the left flank.

It was during this positional reshuffle that Newcastle were caught out for Aubameyang’s winner, with Steve Bruce bemoaning after the game:

A lack of communication with him [Willems]. We wanted to play Matt Ritchie inside. He played there for two minutes until we got the information to him.

We were OK first half and unfortunately against a good team we’ve gifted them a goal, which is never easy to recover from. We left ourselves a bit exposed then but overall, I was pleased because there wasn’t anything in it. 

I can’t remember playing against Arsenal and the goalkeeper has had so little to do but unfortunately, we’ve made a mistake which has cost us.

On the subject of Shelvey’s injury, Bruce said:

Shelvey had a knock. We don’t think it’s too serious – we’ll see tomorrow but that’s why it [the substitution] happened.

Members Analysis

Newcastle United XI (3-5-2): Dubravka, Lascelles, Schar, Dummett, Manquillo, Hayden, S. Longstaff (Saint-Maximin 67′), Shelvey (Willems 54′), Ritchie, Almiron, Joelinton.

Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Leno, Monreal, Sokratis, Chambers, Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Guendouzi, Nelson (Pepe 71), Willock (Ceballos 64), Mkhitaryan (Martinelli 84), Aubameyang.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 1

1,583 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pep fraudiola
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Am i the only one to take a punt on Adrian in goal for a few GWs? Expected to play next 5/6 games.

    Adrian-(Ryan)
    AWB-Dunk-Kelly (Hanley-KWP)
    Sterling-Fraser-Martial-Barkley(perez)
    Jota-Aubamayeng-Kane

    Do i downgrade Kane or Aubamayeng to rashford, downgrade Perez/Barkley to Dendoncker, and boost Fraser into Salah over the next couple of GWs?

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

      How can Fraser go to Salah? You won't be able to fit in 4 premium assets, it doesn't add up.

      1. Pep fraudiola
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I would have to change either aubameyeng or kane to rashford to bring in salah

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

    Salah had 1 shot on target compared to Sterling's 4. I'm being more and more tempted to captain Sterling...

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      The game before though against city, Salah had like 10 shots and was absolute brill.

    2. Dacra
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Salah looked sharp and hungry.

    3. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      based on one game?

    4. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sterling has done well against spurs in the past

    5. puhd
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pep rotation can bite you

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        lol

  3. Penguin
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Zouma was bad he is 5.0m def who should I replace him with?

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I like the look of Stevens, but I would hold

    2. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hold for now I've got him but will will wait until gw3 or later to act

    3. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      christensen!

  4. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Evening peeps, any changes you'd make here or save?

    Pope**
    VVD | Zinchenko | Coleman | Rico
    Salah | Sterling | KdB | Perez | Norwood*
    Kane

    Button | Guilbert* | Greenwood | Wickham

    Thoughts:

    * Guilbert is a slight concern, could move to Montoya or just save FT and play Rico again.
    Or Guilbert to Lundstram and Norwood to McGinn (-4)?

    ** Pope to Adrian is another option.

    Thoughts?

    Thanks

    1. Dacra
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Knee jerk much?

      "Or Guilbert to Lundstram and Norwood to McGinn (-4)?"

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah that one did feel like a kneejerk tbh lol

    2. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm sticking with Guilbert for now and playing him in hope that he starts.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cool, I suppose it would be a no show and Rico comes in at worst hopefully

    3. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pope is great option save points and baps galore

  5. Canadian Football
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    So,

    Rashford and Fraser

    or

    Greenwood and Pogba?

    Will Greenwood be starting regularily?

    1. Dacra
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      What makes you think Greenwood would start regularly?

      1. Luke Chadwicks Left Peg
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        He definitely won’t. Maybe in the latter part of the season he’ll get starts

    2. BattleOfDeBruyne
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not Fraser, you can get better players for that price.

      But Rashford OFC.

  6. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    "That’s a number nine’s goal. Anthony knows what I expect from him and where I want him. I don’t mind if he drifts wide once in a while and tries a curler but that’s where the number nines get the goals."

    7.5 mid playing as the number nine and being encouraged by his manager to score tap ins.

    1. Dacra
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I did Moura to Martial earlier..

      1. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        +1

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm pretty sure I'll bring him next week because it just doesn't make sense to sell Fraser before Villa.

      But I'm worried that I'll have to raise that 0.1m from somewhere which is effectively a 0.5m next week.

      1. BoleynWin
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Martials only just over 50% towards a rise, I can’t see him going up by the weekend. The key will be next week when we have 2FT’s & I can see him being brought in by the boat load...

        1. I Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          50% and it's Monday. Transfer traffic will pick up closer to the deadline. Hope you're right but would be surprised if he doesn't rise this week.

          1. BoleynWin
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            I get where you’re coming from but I genuinely believe the vast majority who complete transfers will have done them already, no new information is coming to light between now & the weekend so there shouldn’t be much more activity this week. It’s all guesswork mind you....

        2. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          We don’t know the threshold as no player has risen yet.

    3. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      If he looks like hes deffo gonna rise before deadline I'm going to have to hit him in.

  7. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Had an average GW, with 72 points.

    Most ML players above me have 2 of Salah/Kane/Aubameyang/Sterling

    Heaton | Pope
    VvD Robertson Zinchenko Digne | Diop
    KdB Zaha Salah Sigurdsson
    Wilson Jimenez

    Get Sterling/Kane in?
    Double LIV defence too much?
    Any suggestions you might have?

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      This is the problem when you spread the cash around, wait until gw3 and maybe to kdb to sterling or Wilson to kane by sacrificing one of your other mids

      1. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Wouldn't getting Son in for Zaha be a better transfer, facilitated by downgrading Robertson/VvD?

        1. Pep's Money Laundry
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Yes that's an option to

    2. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Save transfer then look to get Sterling

        1. Slitherene
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Wont KdB cover Sterling to some extent? Is Sterling really that essential?

      • BattleOfDeBruyne
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Don't kneejerk and buy Sterling/Kane who are playing eachother next week.

        1. badgerboy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Are they going to man mark each other out of the game?

          1. BattleOfDeBruyne
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            No but they both have strong defences so it's a bad fixture.

          2. Slitherene
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Haha, I was anyway gonna wait till GW3.

      • Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Unlucky that all your midpriced players blanked

        1. Slitherene
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Sigurddsson came close.

        2. BattleOfDeBruyne
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Blanked? None of them blanked.

          Unlucky? We all knew Zaha wouldn't play the whole game.

          1. Slitherene
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            I wasn't aware of Zaha's situation.
            Although both my forwards didn't score.

          2. Pukki Party
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Zaha Siggy Jimenez didn't get attacking returns?

    3. The Station Kitchen Dorset
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      So not having Sterling was fairly horrific. 69 points in total. Never wildcarded in the second week before, but felt I had to get Sterling and others in before price hikes. New and improved lineup..

      Pope>Adrian
      TAA>VVD Robertson>Maitland-Niles Doherty>Dunk AWB Rico>Kelly
      Salah KDB>Sterling Fraser>Martial Bilva>Robinson Dendoncker
      Wilson>Auba Greenwood>Wickham Jimenez> Rashford

      I can now sleep easy..

      1. Dacra
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I can't at all figure out what they list of players means..

      2. BattleOfDeBruyne
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        How can you sleep easy when you just burned a wildcard out of complete panic.

      3. Shuko
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        How are you going to sleep easy in week 3?

      4. The Seagulls and the Trawle…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        You’re in for a nightmare after GW2. Only worst thing than having players you don’t own scoring big is seeing players you just HAD scoring big.

        Good luck for your season though, its gonna be a helluva ride.

      5. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Above average

      6. fantasyfog
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        wtf is this

    4. Luke Chadwicks Left Peg
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      For those interested, in the first half of Utd v Chelsea, United’s didn’t track the Chelsea full backs down, Rashford and Pereria appeared to be instructed to stay high. Azpi created good opportunities down the Chelsea right, pulling Shaw and Maguire out of position. Abraham should really have scored at least once.

      The second half was a different affair. Rashford and Andreas covered their respective full backs, United won the ball back more often and transitioned quickly.

      United’s larger problem will be a team like Wolves who sit deep. If anyone’s looking for a short term 5m punt, Andreas might be worth a look. He’ll take corners if he’s on the pitch. Maguires aerial presence from corners is what I expect to break the deadlock, if it’s broken by United.

      Only places that are not nailed in the United team are Lingard and Andreas. The other 9 spots pick themselves IMO.

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Food for thought. Thanks.

        1. Luke Chadwicks Left Peg
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          I think Wolves conceded over 12 corners against Leicester. Rashford, Pogba, Periera, McTominay all happy to shoot from distance, would expect a high number of corners for united.

      2. Skonto Rigga
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Have an upvote. I was thinking the same about Wolves - they utterly nullified Leicester's strengths on Sunday, Vardy (apart from that airkick) was barely in it. Chelsea played right into United's hands in the second half.

        1. Luke Chadwicks Left Peg
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Wolves won’t be as tactically naive as Chelsea.

          Worth keeping an eye on Doherty v Shaw next Monday night.

          Shaw can be beaten defensively. Wolves will need to evaluate if it’s worth attempting to exploit his defensive vulnerabilities. The risk comes on the counter with Rashford/Martial naturally gravitating towards the left wing.

    5. puhd
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Jota out for Pukki?

      1. Luke Chadwicks Left Peg
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Not yet.

      2. Pep's Money Laundry
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Keep Jota, he had at least 2 glorious opportunities but lacked composure. Another day those go in and it's a different story

        1. puhd
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Thanks mate

      3. BattleOfDeBruyne
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Safe the FT because Pukki isn't anything special either, but yeah I could see Jota having a terrible season.

    6. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Rashford or Martial is just a cheap version of Salah or Mane, Sterling or KDB.

      #poundland

      1. JonBoy
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Which is good, right?

      2. Chazz69
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Martial is horrible

    7. Cubillas
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Is Aubameyang at home to Burnley a good switch for Kane at Man City?

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Aubameyang (c) for me.

        1. TLF
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Yep, Auba will almost certainly get the captaincy in my team too.

      2. puhd
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Could be a great move

      3. TLF
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Personally I'd hold Kane if I owned him due to fixtures in GW3 & 4. Assuming you have Mo I'd just give him the armband instead this week.

        1. Cubillas
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Great point. I did see that. I was thinking Auba just for GW2 and then back to Kane. Or too much back-and-forth?

      4. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        The best one now imo. I am "ditching" him for Pukki now since I already have Auba 😉

      5. Dosh
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thinking of this. Looks good on paper but Burnley look much improved.

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Salah has away match and Sterling Spurs and Kane is naturally no option. Adrian is pool gk, so TAA not option either. Therefore for owners it has to be Auba.

          1. My Name Is Prince
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Salah away against Soton who were absolutely disastrous against Burnley... Salah the easiest captain choice in a long time this week!

      6. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Man city won’t keep a clean sheet

      7. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        No Burnley don’t concede, or allow many shots in their box where Aubameyang does most damage and you will want Kane back for Newcastle at home.

        1. Cubillas
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Great point. I did see that. I was thinking Auba just for GW2 and then back to Kane. Or too much back-and-forth?

          1. dunas_dog
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Personally think too much and keep Kane.

            1. Cubillas
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Thanks, DD!

    8. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I’m second guessing and third guessing a GW1 transfer, but Moura to Martial feels right. Martial looks nailed where as I’m going to be checking the Spurs line up every time.

      Anyone think Spurs will score vs Citeh?

      1. Luke Chadwicks Left Peg
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yes. Moura/Kane to score. Moura likes playing city

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          I’m not enamoured by the Wolves away fixture tbh, so I’d rather hold until GW3 ideally.

      2. Eat my goal!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Nah spurs didn’t look great - city on the other hand (1st game at home)

        1. Chenku╰☆╮
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Spurs created the most chances on gw1... what are you on about?

          1. Eat my goal!
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            They looked vulnerable against villa, city will tear them apart

      3. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        It is a possibility, but I doubt. Transferring Kane out, so he will brace with my luck.

        1. Chenku╰☆╮
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          pls do.

          1. King Sheep
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Moura will have space to run into against City, dont have him but think he'll do well.

      4. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I do. 🙂

    9. Rock n Grohl
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Considering my options with fixtures to come, which is better?

      Kane and Jota +.5
      Or
      Lacazette and Rashford

      Have Salah and Sterling.

    10. 1895Reds
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Can you not check your rivals transfers and team value this season?

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        no

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          How are some folk saying they see teams priced at 100.5m (because of glitch etc).

          I’m kinda confused as if TV can be seen or not. Or is it an App thing only now?

          RF

          1. SADIO SANÉ
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            that's on the Gameweek history page that glitch - that will update but only once the gameweek starts each week

            1. Jafooli
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Ah righto, cheers Sadio....

    11. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Stats show Spurs created the most chances.. Moura is very central to the system... had good chances too. Spurs vs city can easily turn out to be a high scored game. Martial was terrible yesterday and if you took away a very poorly taken shot that led to a goal he would have been removed by many.

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        which one do you own?

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          How are some folk saying they see teams priced at 100.5m (because of glitch etc).

          I’m kinda confused as if TV can be seen or not. Or is it an App thing only now?

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            RF - see above

        2. Chenku╰☆╮
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          i own both actually.

          1. SADIO SANÉ
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            even worse

    12. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      My eye test team of the week:
      Pope
      WanB Maguire Maitland N Mings Emerson
      KDB McGinn Sterling
      Pukki Origi
      Res: Erik Rashford Gudmundssen
      There were other good performances but I did my best to ignore value

      1. JonBoy
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Like it.
        Dunk for Maguire for me.
        And maybe Mahrez deserves a spot.

        1. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Nothing wrong with your picks.
          Dunk and Mag toss up
          Mahrez can't get a spot with the players I put down.

    13. flipthebuzzard
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kane to Auba for 1 week....?

      Nothing else worth changing.

      Thoughts...

      1. Can’t beat em so&hell…
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        No chance

      2. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Spurs will score

      3. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Same situation. Holding I think.

      4. flipthebuzzard
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Well that's conclusive! 🙂

        Holding.
        Thanks lads

    14. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      GW 5 captain will be tough - Salah vs NEW or Sterling vs bou?

      1. badgerboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Que a Sterling rest 😀

        1. Team Cruel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Raz only rests at home.

          1. badgerboy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            So far.

        2. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          So Salah capo then 😉

          1. badgerboy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Barkley's due a haul 😉

            1. Jafooli
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              🙁 😛

      2. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        vs *nor

        Kane vs Palace 😉

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Yeah sorry nor - make it even worse 😮

        2. badgerboy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Won't be on the captaincy poll so he doesn't count 🙂

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            😆

      3. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Too early to say. Sterling looks clinical, not as wasteful as he used to be. Salah not at his personal best level yet. We shall see their form later.

      4. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Martial

    15. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I really like the balance of my team but don’t have Sterling. Is team balance out of window this year?

      Heaton
      Montoya - VVD - Digne
      Salah - KdB - Siggy - Moura - Robinson
      King - Aubameyang

      Pope - Greenwood - KWP - Rico

      I can do Moura to Martial and down the line, Aubameyang to Kane or Aguero. KdB could be Pepe, for instance. The structure gives me flexibility.

      Perhaps Sterling over Aubameyang is a no brainer but maybe not this week. Thoughts?

      1. Can’t beat em so&hell…
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I agree. Sterling or Salah for me to have a good overall team

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          It’s tough tho, right! I prefer Salah as the better player but Man City look to release Sterling at every opportunity and with Sané out, he’s not even a rotation risk.

      2. MTPockets
          4 years, 7 months ago

          I'd want Sterling but if you like it leave it

          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            I do too if he’s going to score a hat trick every game!

            I’ve made my bed so short of wildcarding, I think I need to sit on my hands and see if KdB and Siggy can claw some points back this week.

            1. MTPockets
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Could be worse, you could have Bernardo and Deeney...

                1. Twisted Saltergater
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  Ouch, BSilva being benched was harsh and unexpected. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s back in vs Spurs - who knows with Pep!

                  The Watford result was strange. I wonder if Watford’s narrow attacking style played into Brighton’s hands. They had a double up in wide areas with their 343 and still had 3 x CB’s to handle the direct ball.

              • cravencottage
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                as we discussed yesterday, we are in the same boat. I held off bringing him in and hoping that Auba (C) , will get me back on track.

                1. Twisted Saltergater
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  Yep, that’s the plan!

          2. Baps hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Yes, looks like you can afford Sterling to rise .1 unlike me.

            1. Twisted Saltergater
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              How do you mean?

              1. Baps hunter
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Heaton / McGovern
                TAA, VvD, Coleman, Zinch, Zouma
                Salah, Fraser, Perez / Donks, Hayden
                Kane, Auba / Greenwood

                I can do now Kane to Pukki and Fraser to Sterling. But if I am priced out, I am forced to take next week either 6.0 fwd (none I want) or hit and "downgrade" Zouma.

                You have more possibilities next week imo.

                1. Baps hunter
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 6 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  But please, really do tell me if you find another way to navigate this situation.

                2. Twisted Saltergater
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  Wesley could be a great option at 6m. Everything goes through him and Villa have a great run of fixtures.

                  Another way always presents itself 🙂

          3. SADIO SANÉ
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            your team is so flexible that you can't get Raheem Sterling 😀

            agree with your final thoughts - I'm contemplating the Moura move myself too

            1. Twisted Saltergater
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Haha, true! Well, it’s Salah or Sterling I guess. Actually, if Lacazette hadn’t been ruled out then I would’ve started with Salah, Sterling and Lacazette over Aubameyang.

              1. SADIO SANÉ
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                nothing wrong with that, I nearly did the same (but Sterling over Salah, which somehow would have worked) - but think you're good with Salah & Auba for this week

                1. Twisted Saltergater
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  cheers fella, hope so.

        • Can’t beat em so&hell…
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Which one to do? I’m definitely doing one...

          A) Siggy ——-> Martial
          B) Zouma + Perez -> £4m + Martial

          1. flipthebuzzard
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Do not ship Siggy ahead of a Watford game, they looked terrible

            1. Baps hunter
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Siggy is more likely to score than Martial (bookies odds). Not now.

          2. MTPockets
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Don't see the hurry/problem, but A if had to pick. b/c no hit

              1. JonBoy
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Agreed.

                1. JonBoy
                  • 10 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  (I don't see the hurry or problem.)

            • Twisted Saltergater
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Don’t sell Siggy before Everton’s first home game. Watford too and great fixtures to follow.

              You can still do Siggy to Martial next week with more info.

              1. Can’t beat em so&hell…
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Thanks all. Maybe I am being too hasty.... want to be too proactive

            • Dacra
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Nope.

            • Chazz69
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Martial is a donkey, stay away from him . What's the attraction?

              1. Baps hunter
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Famous last week points 🙂

              2. badgerboy
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                7.5m, playing out of position, a good run of fixtures after GW2 and has a good ppg ratio. Apart from that not much.

          3. YouReds
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Just watching motd... dendonker looking very lively! Wish I selected him as my 4.5 mid

            1. ★Kuntheman★
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Might honestly begin to start him

            2. dunas_dog
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Good enough to play regularly as 5th midfielder rotating with Diop of West Ham who is my 4th defender?

              1. YouReds
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                For sure, he looked very advanced and was unlucky to have his goal disallowed for handball!

                1. dunas_dog
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 8 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  Thanks that’s helpful to know

          4. teddypicker
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Half the fun of checking FPL after the deadline update was to see what transfers people made.

            Any idea if they're bringing it back?

            1. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              You'll see their transfers after the deadline.
              Just won't know before the deadline if they made any.

          5. MachuMichu
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            I've returned to fpl after some seasons off. Is it so that the prices on players are static now and don't change? Thanks for reply.

            1. Baps hunter
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              May change even more than before.

            2. Twisted Saltergater
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              With any luck 🙂

          6. CelticBhoy1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Trossard > ?

            A) Robinson

            B) McGinn

            C) Buendia

            D) Other

            E) Hold

            1. Karan14
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              E

            2. Chazz69
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Who's Buendia ? Get rid off him I agree, McGinn promising

            3. Psychedelic Fish
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Hold, I think, he has a chance to play at home against a porous West Ham defense. I myself have Maupay, so am hoping that the game will produce a few goals for the home side.

            4. Oooof
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              E

            5. dunas_dog
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              E

            6. Root
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              B

            7. Greasy Grealish Gang
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              E easily!

          7. Captain Fozzy
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Current team for GW2 is:-

            Ryan
            Walker - Van Dijk - Digne
            Pepe - Perez - Dendoncker - Sterling - Salah
            Ings - Wilson

            Button - Lundstram - Vertonghen - Greenwood

            Ings and Vertonghen I'm unhappy with

            Ings to Maupay worth it?

            1. JonBoy
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              I like Maupay a lot. Planning Origi to him.

          8. Oooof
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            I had to use a transfer to bring in Adrian for an injured Alisson.

            Already had 1m ITB so now got 2.5 ITB.

            Got 83 points on the back of a Salah and Sterling team.

            Any issues there?

            1. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              If Adrian gets injured midweek, there will be.

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

                True enough

            2. CelticBhoy1
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              No will be good to use for GW3 when someone emerges

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

                Cheers pal

          9. Flynny
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Salah and sterling owners - as things stand who will touch look to bring in gw3?

            Martial / rashford or kane?

            Kane has Newcastle home gw3.

            Thanks

            1. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Getting Kane in is probably tricky for most.

            2. I Member
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              A United player. Would need a complete restructure to fit Kane in.

            3. MTPockets
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Kane requires compete rejig. Maybe Rashford but I don't trust OGS and mun yet. Martial and Rashford were pretty annoying to own at times last season (injuries, rotation, blanks)

                1. Flynny
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  Extremely tricky to fit kane in without wildcard isn't it...

                  1. MTPockets
                      4 years, 7 months ago

                      It's doable with a hit for GW3 but I don't like the enablers, and having to play them every week.
                      Hoping Son will be fit and raring to go instead

                2. Karan14
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  United attacker.

                  I don't think I want to captain Kane in any of the fixtures over Salah or Sterling.

              • manu4life99
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Already done Moura>Martial (not expecting instant return but decided to move before price rises)

                G2G without any other transfers?

                Heaton (pope)
                VVD TAA Digne Montoya (kwp)
                Sterling Salah Perez Martial (dend)
                Wilson King (greenwood)

                1. Flynny
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  Defo nothing else

                2. MTPockets
                    4 years, 7 months ago

                    Unless Salah, VVD or TAA get injured on wednesday

                  • mixology
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 11 Years
                    4 years, 7 months ago

                    Yes looks good

                3. Red Star Toro
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  Anyone keeping Trossard?

                  1. FPL Forward Thinker
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 5 Years
                    4 years, 7 months ago

                    Who? Ha ha

                    1. Flynny
                      • 9 Years
                      4 years, 7 months ago

                      Reluctantly