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. Alan Watts
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Exciting question...

    Which 4.0 and why :
    1) Kelly
    2) Rico
    3) Hanley

    1. Alan Watts
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Excluding Lundstram...

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

      How is this exciting?

      Sorry, don't know the answer.

      1. Alan Watts
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Your answer was exciting...

        1. J âš’ Gimme ur Mané
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Someone’s not heard of sarcasm.....

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

      Kelly to get most cleanies.

      1. Alan Watts
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        At risk from Cahill isnt he ?

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

          I expected him to go to right back ahead of Ward. I realise now I could be completely wrong.

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

      I have all 3, wouldn't bother personally - Kelly depends on Sakho injury and whether Roy prefers Kelly to Dann, no-one knows. Rico might get another couple of games. Hanley is out as soon as Klose comes back.

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

    Hold Camarasa or ship?

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

      If I had him, I would probably downgrade him for Dendoncker and pocket the extra 4.5, judging from the Wolves' games I've seen he has a good chance of scoring a few goals, making the runs into the penalty area

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

        *the extra 0.5 of course

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

        Good shout is Dedoncker nailed though?

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

          He is, I believe, they don't have many covers in the midfield area, though perhaps if Wolves are through to the Europa League group stage (it is likely that they have to defeat Torino first) we'll have to see if some rotation is inevitable

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

    Are there any Palace fan here? currently stuck with Cahill in my team, is he bought to be a first teamer or just a cover for Tomkins Sakho partnership?

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

      He's bought as cover for Tomkins Sakho but one or both of them are injured so often he should be starting within two GW's I think. Tomkins is out for a while and Sahko's just coming back. I expect Dann to make way Kelly is far better.

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

    Hey guys...
    im tempted to knee jerk...can you talk me out of (or into) this sub:

    trossard and king to rashford and 4.5 mid

    i think rash will rise soon and cant afford the 0.1

    if i do it im (very) short in midfield so i would have to play dendonker every week or 5 at the back with Rico

    would leave me with:
    pope/heaton
    vvd zinch KWB coleman rico
    salah sterling martial dendonker guendouzi? (or other 4.5)
    kane rashford greenwood

    cheers!!

    1. TOBY1
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not with a 4.5m playing mid already.

      1. TOBY1
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Also KWB a risk soon possibly.

    2. luk46
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Just hold for now and see if Trossard plays...

      1. luk46
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Do you mean Kyle Walker-Peters with KWB?

    3. Captain Remorse
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Rashford is worth it IMO. Dendoncker had a great game and if not for VAR would have been on the score-sheet.

  5. SoccerBoi69
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Ryan + Laporte
    B) Ederson + Dunk + 0.5m
    C) Ryan + Zinchenko/Stones + 1m
    D) Ederson + Laporte (downgrade elsewhere)

    Ignoring that in most cases people should probably save their free transfer etc, which in general do you see as the best option? It seems that Ederson Laporte and Sterling are as close to 'Pep Proof' as is possible...

    1. TOBY1
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I’d try C. Pep will likely want to get a partnership going with stones / Laporte. Worse comes to worse and cancelo becomes a regular - switch to him.

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

      The issue I have with double city def is their ceiling. They very rarely get attacking returns (this may change when cancelo and mendy are playing) so one is enough to pick up those 6 points. Use the money else where. Having Ederson is my preference

      1. SoccerBoi69
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Currently own Zinchenko with Gunn (ugh) in goal. Thought about switching to either Ederson (very likely to rise) or Ryan (on his way up). As the TOBY1 mentions above, the plan is currently to stick with ZInchenko and switch if it's needed. Wish I had Stones over him currently, alas, I do not. If I end up missing out on Ryan due to that 0.1 may opt for Pope instead. Yeah.

  6. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Which option to take...my team:

    Lloris
    TAA Robbo Zinchenko Coleman
    Salah Sterling Perez Moura Barkley
    Wilson

    Button Rico Greenwood Wickham

    (A) Bank FT and then Wilson and Moura to Kane and Dendonker next week
    (B) Moura to Martial this week

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

      Bank and do the transfers next week

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

        If you have Alisson in your team, not other option. Bad luck, suggestions for GK

    2. TOBY1
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      There’s a high Moura does little this week so that reduces the cost of a transfer in some ways.

  7. MosF94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thinking of going Perez + Ings > Grealish + Pukki for a -4; am I crazy?

    Grealish especially is a bit of an unusual choice, but he got 22 bps without a goal contribution, more than any other midfielder without a goal-contribution - a bit like Gross, when he returns (I think he will soon), he should get bonus, which I like the look of for 6.0

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

      This really feels like chasing last week's points.

      1. MosF94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Even though Grealish didn't get points last week? And Pukki scored away against the joint best defence in the league?

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I wouldn't, but I have seen sillier suggestions. Go for it if it feels right 🙂

      1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        You can't point to my suggestions in order to justify a suggestion

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

      sounds like a desperate move to me

      1. MosF94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Nah, not desperate, I like both options - talismen for their clubs, Norwich love to attack, and Villa have good fixtures

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

      Currently I'm with Perez and Redmond, I think I will give both Leicester and Southampton another game to have more data about their attacking potential, they have quite attack minded managers, so save the transfer I think would be better than doing the hit

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

        This, you have one data point. An extra week and 2ft gives you a better chance of making the right decision

  8. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Those Villa fixtures look very nice. Is McGinn worthy as fourth mid? Those 2m he would free up if I did Moura to him would definitely come in handy.

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

      I’d save this week and assess, 2m itb isn’t ideal. He’s a good 4th mid option but let’s not knee jerk

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

        My knee jerked. And I don't think itb is necessarily a bad thing if you're working a plan?

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

          It’s good to plan but I’d question a team who need to use transfers and have a plan after one gw. McGinn reminds me of neves from last season, scored gw1, and neves was hardly a good fantasy asset last year

    2. Hungry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I have literally just done that swap. I figure Moura is unlikely to get big returns against City (watch him score now) and when Son returns he'll see less involvement (if he even starts). Need to find another 1m for Kane next week. Well, probably 1.1m.....

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

        I get the logic, I still think Moura on the break has a better chance of scoring than McGinn this week

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

          You might be right but I just liked the look of McGinn - good late runs, decent positionally etc. On the flipside, McGinn is almost certain to outscore Moura in the cards department!

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

    Are the chances of Citizens conceding at home against Spurs less than Hammers conceding away at the Seagulls?

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

      Yes, play the Man City defender

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes, though I do think Spurs will score.

  10. SKENG
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) Save FT and do Lucas & Wilson > KDB & Wesley next week
    B) Lucas > Martial now and King > Jota next week

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

      A but be flexible on those players, see what this weekend has in store

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

    Trossard > Buendia

    Or stick with him?

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

      Stick

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

      Who is Buendia ?

  12. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Just looked at my team and set Digne as captain. Let's see if I am brave enough to leave it there on Saturday

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      You won't.

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

      Last 4 competitive games
      Watford have conceded 16 goals. Stay strong, it’s a bold move

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

      Everton are potentially without two important midfield players for them, Andre Gomes is injured and Schneiderlin is suspended, they might still produce a CS but there's a risk that they will be breached seeing the replacements (Gbamin and Davies) might not provide adequate protection to the defense. So captaining DIgne would be very brave indeed.

      1. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks... I'd imagine I will plump for Salah in the end

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      My double Digne Coleman defence is right there with you - 4-0 Everton

      Digne 1G 1A
      Coleman 1G

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

    I’m Triple captain Kane this week, knee jerk?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Are you doing it because of his score in GW1? If so then it's a knee jerk.

      1. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Scoring 2 against Villa is no mean feat so god knows what he could do against City

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

      No, great idea

    3. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not at all

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

      Lube those knees up, great punt

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

      Thanks,I thought the same guys triple captain officially activated, I see him getting a brace minimum.

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

      Do it, you will get 6 points.

  14. Francescoli
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I have two big question marks in my team - Barkley and Trossard. I have 0.5itb.

    A) Barkley to McGinn
    B) Barkley, Trossard and KWP -> Martial, McGinn and Montoya (-8)
    C) Hold (Dendoncker and KWP are my first two subs)

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

      I’m the same

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

        B made me laugh. I’d go with C

    2. luk46
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Just wait and see how it goes, if Trossard doesn't play, just get rid of him after gw2. Barkley got 3 good fixtures even though Leicester is tricky...

  15. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    thoughts?
    A play pope v ars
    B heaton v bourne, have wilson & king !
    cheers

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Personally would just go with Pope after their GW1 display.

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

        my thinking two, ars only put 1 past Newcastle, think burn stronger. prob both concede though, cheers

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

    KDB completely covers Sterling and he's £2.5m cheaper. If you're picking Sterling over him then let me know so I can give you the directions to your nearest psychiatric hospital.

    1. lespaul
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Tit

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

      you're crackers mate, he'll easily outpoint him even with the price difference

      1. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        He is just looking for a reaction

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      What were your thoughts on their respective scores at the weekend?

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

        Aguero didn't score a single goal. You hardly expect this to be the standard every week? You're crazy man.

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Hmmm... it’s not quite clear from your answer... and you’ve somehow brought Aguero into the conversation... and also made a strange (false) statement about him not scoring a goal...

          But anyhoo - be that as it may,

          Are you by any chance saying something like “Sterling was lucky, KDB was unlucky, and putting this exceptional game to one side, in the remainder of the games they both play, KDB will offer better value than Sterling”?

          If so, it’s a little bit weak I think - KDB is a specialist in assists... his presence on the pitch dramatically escalates Sterling’s potential with those laser guided passes landing at his feet

          Sterling ultimately is pretty much the main attacking threat in the greatest attack England has ever seen - and it’s showing 😉

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

            This

    4. J âš’ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Salty non sterling owner

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

      His 7 points completely covered Sterling's 20.

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

        7 x 3 is 21, which is more than 20

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

          Typical new players who think that 1 gameweek is going to be repeating itself over the next 37. Foolish mistake.

          If only man city played the same team every week.

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

      This was the most common half-time post on Sat

    7. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Surely a joke?

    8. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Robertson covers KDB for £2.5m less 🙂

    9. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pretty lame troll account - see meatpiesausageroll for how to do one properly.

      1. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Agreed meatpiesausageroll is funny and a bit less obvious.

      2. Captain Remorse
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Gosh, it's a joke. It's Mr Kevin De Bruyne!

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

      You're gonna need directions for every psychiatric hospital in the country.

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

      Mods can we have an ignore button so we don't have to read any more drivel from inane posters?

    12. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Are you that annoying Rooney guy? Don't remember his name but you sure act like him...

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

        Waxy's

    13. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Mirror, laugh into it.

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

      Hahahaha. You’re a Champion.

    15. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Attention seeking much!

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

      KDB didn’t cover Sterling by 3 pts

      Its the Mane v Salah story of 18/19:
      It’s not about player a covering teammate player b

      It’s what you do with the money and if the points come into your tray.

      Changing Sterling for KDB cost me. I got less points so Kev didn’t cover Raheem.

      I missed out on a whole THREE friggin Points!!!!!

      Take my mob for example:

      4-4-2 plan but Swapped out Sterling(20), Ake (2), Button (sub), Dendonker (sub) & Heaton (2) would have played.
      20+2+2 = 24

      Instead went 3-5-2 and got KDB (7), Chambers (subbed in 6pts), Pope (8), BSilva (subbed out no show). Heaton rested on bench.
      7+6+8= 21

      Missed out on weekly score of 101
      Have to settle for Sterlingless 98

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

        So stick that up your pipes

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

          So there

    17. Jafoole_88
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      haha, what a bell-end

    18. Lacabacca
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Didn't know you could have negative votes until I saw this post.

  17. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Wilson --> Rashford (FT) or just stick it out?

    Pope
    VVD | Digne | KWP | Montoya
    Salah | Sterling | Pérez | Barkley
    Kane | Wilson

    Button | Drinkwater | Rico | Greenwood [0.5m itb]

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I’d stick with Wilson, should do well next game

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Obrigado

    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      KWP to Stones would be my move.

      1. Respect My Authoritah
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Maybe not this week though.

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

      Wilson is a much better pick this gw than Rashford

    4. luk46
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wolves away. Your team looks pretty strong, just hold...

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

      Looking at the available stats, Wolves should be much better defensively than Villa, so save the transfer and play Wilson (ManU might struggle against Wolves)

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks one and all. Appreciate the feedback.

  18. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ryan
    TAA VVD Digne Zinchenko
    Salah Pérez Siggy Sterling
    Wilson Kane

    Button Lundstram Dendoncker Greenwood

    A) Siggy > Martial
    B) Zinchenko > AWB
    C) King > Pukki
    D) Save FT

    1. The Royal Robin
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wilson & King*

      Bloody autocorrect. I wish I had Kane! XD

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

        I was thinking that team looks too good 😉

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

        D - B if you’re fingers are twitchy.

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Similar team as mine - think holding is the best.

      I think Martial flattered to deceive with his general play but ended up with a goal. Good option nonetheless but I'd prefer Siggy for now.

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

      D

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

      D

    5. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Watford leak goals so exasperated Siggy to return. Bournemouth will bounce back vs villa if they don’t play in that stupid 433 formation they ain’t used to. It’s an easy save from me

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

        *expect

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

    Can't see the monthly table in the leagues.
    Has it been removed or is not there because it's the 1st month?

    Can see it being a major problem for cash leagues with monthly prizes.

  20. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    “A couple of weeks” is suitably cryptic from old Kloppy McKloppersen... but I’m soptimistic

    GW5 is nearly 5 weeks away with the IB - I’m tentatively going to predict Allison back by then

    A clean sheet v Southampton at the weekend & all is rosy in the garden for TAA & Robbo

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      *optimistic lol

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

    Ryan
    Robertson, Digne, VVD, Lundstram
    Salah, Sterling, Perez, Robinson
    Kane, King

    (Button, Dendoncker, KWP, Greenwood)

    Anything worth changing? Planning to save FT and work towards Perez, King, Lundstram, KWP -> Martial, AWB, Montoya/Mings/Pieters, Wickham.

    Cheers

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

    Will King drop this week?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hope not.

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Possibly

  23. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Chances of Murray starting next meek?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Week even.

    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      As a complete guess, I'd say around 70%.

      Maupay was a late signing, so may get a few more sub appearances. Who knows though really

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

      I have Maupay so hopefully wishing that Murray will be benched 😉

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

      I’d say high as likely to roll the same team out. Long term he will be toast once Maupay starts

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah guess so. He'll be leaving my team shortly.

  24. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    for me it is pretty simple to get Kane in , i see lots saying they need a wc to do it, i don't understand this?

    so these are my ways for gwk3

    1) TAA and Wilson to 4.5m and Kane
    2) TAA, Wilson and Perez to AWB Kane and McGinn -4
    3) VVD, Wilson and Perez to AWB Kane and 5m -4
    4) VVD, Wilson and Perez to 5m Kane and McGinn -4

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wildcarding would probably let you keep your Liverpool defender(s)

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        would you sacrifice Digne instead and go Digne Perez Wilson to 4.5m McGinn and Kane -4?

        1. Respect My Authoritah
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Probably not, no.

          1. Dynamic Duos
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            the money doesn't come from anywhere other than that, wc or not , unless i get rid of Martial and that ain't happening oop 7.5m in a top 6 side.

          2. Dynamic Duos
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            it has to come from Perez Wilson and a defender.

    2. AndyCook
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I like these moves, do you have 0.5 in the bank?

    3. shearer9
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not sure if I should be patient with Ings or just get Pukki in now?

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

        West Ham can’t defend, save this week and then assess

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

          Apologies they ain’t playing West Ham lol

          1. shearer9
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            lol

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

        Same issue

        1. shearer9
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Thing is, if Pukki and Rash do well I might just get both in for Ings and Wilson in GW3

    4. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Potter's comments on Trossard are interesting. Probably going to keep for this week and see what exit routes are possible with 2FTs (or keep him if he does ok)

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Sounds the prudent play - good luck 🙂

        1. Respect My Authoritah
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Cheers. Expecting 1-2 points 🙂

          2FTs opens up a whole new world of possibilities

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

        I'm keeping him too this week.

        Fraser & Trossard to Martial & McGinn could be possible next week.

      3. The Train Driver
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Same here

      4. AndyCook
          4 years, 7 months ago

          It’s a bit of a case of ‘not sure who else I would want anyway’

      5. Sj3451
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Guilbert
        Charlie Taylor
        Trossard

        All 3 didn't play... anyone know if they will play next game?

        1. AndyCook
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Trossard sounds like he will.

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

          Why is Digne on - % to fall in price when he got a clean sheet and faces Watford, villa, wolves, Bournemouth?

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Because it's based on sales/buys not fixtures and previous points.

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

              4 years on here?
              jeesh.

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

                It's actually 9, name change. Sheesh.

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

                  Haha, fair play.
                  Double sheesh. 🙂

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

            Kneejerkers getting a United defender is my guess.

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

              Kneejerkers going to get punished.

          3. AndyCook
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Premium defenders are an easy way to free up cash

          4. The Train Driver
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Where's the dude that kept on saying Guillbert was a sure starter?

            1. Bruce Lee
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              'i just wanna talk to him'

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

              - keeping a low profile. 😉

          5. Redalert
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Robbo (have vdv) and King to 5mil and rashford... tempting 🙂

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

              Thinking the same with Maitland-Niles possibly. Will hold off for a week regardless.

              1. Redalert
                • 13 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Yep, only concern is price rise and falls on both sets of players

              2. The Count of Monte Cristo
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Would not dip into AMN yet - see how Arsenal fare defensively for a couple more games first.

                Arsenal fan and I don't expect us to keep many CS's away from home this year. Newcastle weren't great on Sat.

                1. Redalert
                  • 13 Years
                  4 years, 7 months ago

                  Cheers for that. Plenty of 5 mil options..