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. Amr Abdelrahman
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Wildcard Active

    Adrian (Button)
    AWB TAA Lundstram Monreal (Söyüncü)
    Salah Martial KDB Sterling (Dendoncker)
    Rashford Pukki (Wickham)

    Any Thoughts ?

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

      Cancel your wildcard.

    2. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Cool the jets

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

      DON’T WILDCARD AFTER ONE WEEK! IT CAN’T BE THAT BAD!!!

    4. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wickham and no path to Kane. Fail

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

        Kane is not essential and Wickham doesn’t matter, he has 2 playing options on the bench. There are no good 4.5m striker options anyway.

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

          Kane is essential. He'll fill his boots against teams that defend worse than Villa did for most of the game

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

            Son tends to score well against those teams as well do I’d rather have Son over Kane. Yes Kane will score more and will be more nailed but I prefer Son + 1.5m over Kane after seeing performances of both over the last 2 seasons.

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

            Also I don’t think there are many teams that are weaker defensively than Aston Villa, it was mostly their attack that got them promoted last year.

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

              Lol we conceded 11 last 15 because of Mings Tuanzebe Elmo and keeper change. This is problem when people just look at final table and no clue otherwise

            2. Baked baines
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              Klaren you’re talking nonsense. Villa have a solid defence this year. Your judging a team that we’re in the championship and have restrengthened. Heaton, Mings and Engels is solid.

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

                I realise that they have improved defensively vs 1st half of last season but I don't think that the improved defence is better than most teams in PL. Norwich, Bournemouth, Southampton and possibly Brighton with the new manager are the only teams that might be weaker defensively.

                As an Olympiakos fan, I've watched Engels before and while being an ok defender, I don't think he is good enough for PL level and despite a decent half-season Mings was a backup option at Bournemouth. So I'm not convinced they'll do better than most other teams defensively. Heaton is a good keeper and definitely better than Steer though.

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

      What’s your original team? Post it then we can help.

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

        This. Would like to see what you had originally.

    6. Amr Abdelrahman
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      You can cancel the Wild Card after activating it

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

      Looks good other than Monreal, I don’t think wildcarding after GW1 is as horrendous as people think, it is risky for sure but it also allows to get in front of price rises and have first mover advantage on some players if things go well.

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

      You are chasing last weeks points...

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

    Once you resign to being a dullard this place is extremely boring between game weeks. Literally "No, hold transfer" feels like the answer to every question.

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

      Yep. Now is the best time to be taking hits

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

        Feels like the worst time to me. Wildcard available and will probably be played soon. Had all pre season to set up a decent team for more than just 1 gw. 1 gw isnt a sample size to really tell whos nailed in various teams.

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yup, that will change after GW2 though 🙂

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

      Spot on.

      It’s a game and people should feel willing to do what feels right for them. I wildcarded GW1 after a great start last year and I’m doing it again this year. You watch all the games, pick up some trends, and then follow them. If you’re just knee jerking in players like Ndombele and Pieters that’s one thing, but if you’ve got a reasonable logic to it, I say go for it!

      One thing I’ve always been critical about on FFS is how boring the style is around here. Hits are looked down upon. Early wildcard is a no go. I ranked top 4k last year and took multiple -8s, -12s, and even -16s. I wildcarded almost immediately after it was available both times. Part of the reason I made these “risky” moves is that prior to last season, I never took the game seriously and would take hits as large as -48 for fun. Completely stupid idea, but now when I’m playing the game more seriously,
      I’m not completely allergic to the idea of being punty and gambling early.

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

        Also, in the early stages of the game a 0.1 rise is enough for you to have to downgrade a player a whole extra 0.5 to upgrade to someone. Early bandwagons and trends exist for a reason. Like JYJY said, come GW2 some of those bandwagons and trends will continue performing and everyone will be shredding their teams to get them. It happens all the time.

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

          Yeah agree wit this...no reson not to wildcard if you think team needs it, or information has changed, errors etc..

          Many will have double / triple BOU attackers, Leic attackers despite the fixtures, Moura etc, all of which seem like mistakes in hindsight...

          Fair enough, if you think BOU can turn a poor performance at home into a good performance away to Villa before the fixtures get difficult, then stick...

          Likewise LEIC, will they turn things around in a couple of matches?

          Everyone wrote off MANU....

      2. Rhinos
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        why would you wc after a great start? Who do you want that you don't havè?

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

          Didn’t have a single MUN asset. That one hurt. Too much invested in BOU (who have a sharp decline in fixtures soon) and some midfielders that look a little risky. Also bringing in WHM assets for their upturn in fixtures.

          It’s not necessarily sorting out problems I have now, more so sorting out problems I’ll have soon

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

            Chelsea could easily have won that game, don't be surprised if Wolves burst the man u bubble. Early wc when your team is good doesn't make sense to me but good luck

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

        I think most people are fine with an early WC but there's a big difference between doing so after GW1 compared to after GW2. Lots more information available after the 2nd GW. Coming top 4k after taking multiple hits btw means nothing btw. There were hundreds of thousands of others that took multiple huge hits that failed spectacularly and finished nowhere.

        It's basic maths that on average taking a hit mostly isn't a good idea if you are wanting to minimize variance and achieve consistent results. However, if you are wanting a high variance route to give you the best chance of finishing really high then taking a few well timed hits has the bigger potential to pay off.

    4. The Big Fella
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No, hold transfer

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

    If you had Trossard and were hoping to save FT, would you start him or Tielemans?

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

      Start Tielemans

    2. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Youri

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

      Tough one. If Trossard starts he could be a great asset. I have him and based on the news from Potter I think he’ll feature. In your case I’d go with Tielemans. If Trossard scores, you’ll benefit from a price increase based on Brighton fixtures.

    4. bennyp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Keep him for now and save FT. Could well start the next game.

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

      Start Tielemans

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

    Anyone know what a Trade Ban is? Still trying trying to work it out.

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

      Something to do with brexit?

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

    Why is the dogshit FPL app layout now the same as the web browser

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

    How many pay to win members have we got in the arena tonight ?

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

      Wave your line graphs in the air

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

      If I speak, I am in big trouble...

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

        You wouldn’t dare speak

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

          I have spoken

  7. RyanKent14
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pukki looks a good option for a main stay, his goal scoring record for Norwich is unreal, seems to be their top dog, hopefully get him in soon before a price rise comes in

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

      I might get him in for Wilson however much that could backfire this week; 11m Jota Pukki could be solid for ages

      1. RyanKent14
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Definitely mate, Jota another, Pukki didn’t even cross my mind at the start, be getting him in at earliest stage I think, I have king origi and Kane atm

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

      Yes, some Norwich fans and even us his Finnish fans had doubts about him playing in PL. Yet he did pass the eye test. Also the fact that Norwich had decided not to park the bus and attack is a significant factor making him better fpl asset. No real idea whether he actually is better than King in long term though. But at least he is less dull option with a lot of potential 😉

  8. charliesam
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone know where you can see teams finances ?

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

      The site is so bugged atm. Bench points ain’t visible

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

        These are intentional changes not bugs

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

          For that reason I’m out

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

          Not showing bench points is quite annoying though.

  9. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is this GTG?

    Pope
    Robertson VVD Digne Montoya
    Salah Sterling KDB Perez
    Jota King

    Button KWP Dendoncker Greenwood

    1FT, 0 ITB

    Any changes needed?

    Thanks.

  10. The Berbatouch
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I've got Kane, Salah, and Sterling. Honestly picked all 3 at the beginning and was looking to downgrade 1 of them based on performances but will all 3 firing I'm now debating holding for the medium term. Any potential upgrades to midfield will likely mean a downgrade from Kane to another striker. Do you anticipate Son being a decent cover for Tottenham points once he returns, or best to keep Kane through week 9?

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think if you own Kane and he is firing you just keep.

    2. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think now you have him you may as well keep him and just see what happens, give it 3/4 gws and see if 2 goals in first game was just a flash in the pan

    3. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'd stick with Kane for now.

      1. The Berbatouch
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks for all the feedback. Will keep for the next few GWs and monitor his output.

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

      Might as well keep

      My thinking was that I won't captain him over Salah/Sterling sotook my chances.

      Can get him or an 11 mil strike with a -4 though so door is open

  11. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Wood owners keeping?

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

      Of course

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

      Because I also have Wilson, Moura and potentially Perez to get rid of, I’ll probably have to save and get rid of the other 3 first before GW3 but if I was happy with rest of my team, I’d definitely do Wood to Pukki.

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

        I started the process by ridding moura to mcginn

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

          Mcginn looked great vs Spurs but his Championship stats doesn't seem great which is a bit off-putting for me. For 5.5 he looks a great value regardless though so probably a good move.

    3. The Big Fella
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Nah! Getting rid

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

    Which team do you like the best going forward?

    A)
    Pope Heaton
    Zinchenko Robertson VVD Digne Rico
    Salah Fraser Pérez Moura Dendoncker
    Wilson Vardy Wood

    B)
    Adrian 4.0
    AWB Stones Montoya Rico Lundstram
    Salah Sterling Martial Pérez Dendoncker
    Rashford Jimenez Vardy

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think Sterling is a must have at the moment. Can you get Kane or Auba in the forwards?

  13. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    looking ahead to this weekend, I’m happy with my team without making an FT:

    Heaton (save points)
    VVD/TAA (bar mid week incidents, SOU looked poor on Saturday). Digne (Everton cont their solid defensive record)
    (S)alah, (should tear sou apart), Stirling, (great record against spurs), Fraser (key man), Perez (Chelsea look poor in defence), Trossard (only question mark in my team)
    Vardy (against that Chelsea defence again) Wesley (will get an attacking return against Bournemouth)

    Bench fodder

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

      I don't know if I would be so confident that Wesley will get a return. Bournemout is solid defensively and Wesley looked more apt to hold up the ball for teammates rather than score or provide a direct assist.

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

        Bournemouth conceded most away goals last season 45 equal with 2 relegated teams. Next worst was 36

      2. kysersosa
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Where on earth did you come up with Bournemouth are defensively solid? Enlighten me?

  14. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hold Trossard for this week?

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I got rid but thinking I should have held for this week now.

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

        Get a -4 and transfer him back in. Totally worth it, I promise!

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

      Who

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

      Yes

    4. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Definitely

  15. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Asked this question yesterday but just want feedback from a new crowd on here now. Thoughts on these moves;

    Moura & KDB > McGinn & Stirling.

    Thoughts???

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

      If you didn’t have sterling from the get go, you ain’t cut out for this sport

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Haha probably why I won 2 money leagues last season hey. ???

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

          I get paid to play gameweek by GW. think about it

          1. the dom 1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Who is this?

      2. osceola31909
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Well, I'm not sure FPL is a sport. I'm sitting here in my pajamas.

        1. the dom 1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Haha.

    2. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Tough one, but I’d have to say yes. I don’t like Moura for the open fixtures and then when Son is back, it is also a risk he will be bench. KDB is world class, but I think he will mostly assist the assistor. sterling Is FPL class and you’re kicking yourself I’m sure for not taking him (how many templates before game 1 was he in???). McGinn - still has question marks over him. His pre-season performance and goal against spurs is well above his usual output.

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

        Yes, but he is 24 so it isn't impossible that he might have become a better player?

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

      id leave it. Doubt raz will blow spuds away, kdb could easily match or better him. 2ft better than those moves imo

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

        Yes, tight. I went to get Sterling in since I haven't even KdB.

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

    Any changes you would consider this week or play and carry transfer for 2 in week 3? Think Trossard will start, tempted with Moura to Martial but think fixtures against move.

    Pope
    TAA Van Dijk Digne
    Salah Sterling Moura Pérez Trossard
    Wilson Jota

    McGovern Diop Greenwood Rico

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

      * fixtures against as can see Wolves being hard to break down

    2. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hold for this week. Similar team to myself - I’m holding Trossard for now. I think it’s only a matter of time before he plays and performs.

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

        Thanks appreciate this advice

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

          If not this week, then soon he’ll starting getting attacking returns....annoyingly this might be once everyone has shipped him! Good thing at 6m there aren’t too many other options.

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

        So true. Can't wait for the posts where people express their regret when he starts racking up points. Fingers crossed!

    3. Norman Conquest
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      moura is capable of scoring against big teams not sure if he will get anything at city though trossard should start this week potter said he was unlucky not to start he went with the experience of pascal due to it being an away game i'm holding him for now martial will have a tough away game against wolves but united did look great on the break against a poor chelsea defence

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

        Lamela makes moura look decently average

  17. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    is there a glitch on the app? my leagues arent updating, and also the points screen doesnt show points allocated to each player?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Same here. What’s the Go?

    2. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      are you iPhone? I am android and the app is working fine but my friend is iPhone and he is having that problem

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

        yeah iphone mate, must be an issue

        1. COLLIN QUANER
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          must be frustrating mate. hope they sort it out asap!

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

            thanks mate... its killing me, i cant procrastinate as much at work

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

      If you drafted up your team on the app you deserve a top 1k finish

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

        i find it much better to navigate and draft teams tbh... each to their own heeeeyyy

  18. SkeletONv01
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Barkley and Wilson > McGinn and Rashford (-4), would you do it?

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

      Nope and I’m a villa fan!

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think now is the best time for any hits as per my post above. Barkley yes I would.

    3. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I thought about taking a -4 to do Wilson to Rashford last night, but I changed my mind. I want to see more. I don't mind if it costs an extra .1 by waiting. I have considered McGinn, but he had 14 yellow cards last season in the Championship. How many will he have in the Premier League?

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

        Less. Championship is more physical

  19. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is Kiwivillain on here yet?

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

      What up?

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

        Guilbert? He burn you?

  20. Totalfootball
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How did David silva look vs whu ?
    A good option?

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

      On his last legs

  21. jia you
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ahwell, a leopard never changes his spots!
    King to Pukki confirmed 🙂

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

      Good luck mate!!! I really hope that he gets brace 😉

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers mate, just as long as he outscores King I'll be happy! Even if he doesnt not too bothered as Id want rid of Kin in GW3 anyway, so trying to be a step ahead of the curve which is tough!

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

    Who to start?

    A. Trossard WHU (H)
    B. Perez CHE (A)
    C. Balbuena BAH (A)

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not C

    2. Norman Conquest
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      i'd start both a and b this week but if you have to pick 1 probably b chelsea's defence was bad but i'm sure lampard will try to rectify that this week

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

      If everyone here says C, would you really start him

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

        B is your only choice at the moment

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

      haha no, should have asked Trossard or Perez. Thanks for responses, but if Trossard starts I really want him in the XI

    5. Sergeant Slaughter
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A....only because I own him, have to start him, and touted him all preseason.
      Oh, and I think he’ll start and have a great game.

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

        Thanks, think I have to do the same...

  23. TheRealDonaldTrump
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Guys!
    Sigurdsson --> Martial

    Would you do it?

    1. RyanKent14
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      100% no, I don’t have him but think siggy will shine this week, he would be in my 11 if I could put him there

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

      Do it. Everton don’t know their identity. A squad full of traps

    3. Norman Conquest
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      siggy was unlucky this week had one cleared off the line plus watford look poor

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

      Siggy is captain material this GW

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

      I would rather do Martial > Siggy for one week.

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

      Siggy's a long haul guy. You've got to give him time to get your returns. He's not gonna smash a hat trick and get you points that way. I'd hold.

  24. jia you
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Good lord, just realised that I've triple Norwich! How the hell did that happen lol

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

      pukki mgovern Hanley?

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        spot on Rhino!

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

      They’ve got great character

  25. tyron
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    McGinn discuss

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

      Wait

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

        At the expense of moura?

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

      Need more sample size

  26. AFC49
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope
    Robbo, VVD, Digne, Lundstram
    Salah, Sterling, Ceballos, Pérez
    Kane, King

    Button, Dendoncker, KWP, Greenwood

    1FT, 0 ITB

    A.) Ceballos > McGinn
    B.) King > Pukki
    C.) Both for -4
    D.) Save

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

      I don't rate King so that option or save

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

      Ceballos ?
      What r u thinking

      1. AFC49
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Did actually have McGinn first the made the wrong decision to switch to Ceballos. Mistakes happen though. Still scored 89 in GW1.

    3. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I just did B as I have Fraser aswell so seemed a nice punt rather than holding dbl BOU attack

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

      A surely

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

      Go with B, play Dendoncker this GW and then unless anything more urgent comes up, do A next GW.

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

      Now I know the number next to the username is their IQ

      1. AFC49
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Stfu noob

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

          I was approaching u softly as a fellow gooner. When I next see a RMT, GtG, SPH post from u. I’m slicing and dicing u

          1. AFC49
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            How is that a nice and soft approach, fix up!

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

        Yours is not even zero, just zilch?!?

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

          As a pro FPL athlete I have different settings

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

      I have the exact team except for TAA over Robbo and Rico over Lundstram. Would u be considering Auba over Kane?

      I feel Ceballos may well come gd. My choices are either drop Kane for Capt Auba, Mings for KWP or hold....

  27. wildnothing
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How on earth do I get Sterling? 0 itb.

    Pope Heaton
    Zinchenko Robbo VVD Digne Rico
    Salah Fraser Pérez Moura Dendoncker
    Wilson Vardy Wood

    Wildcard already?

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

      Don't WC yet, Sterling is not essential after 1 game week, but you do need anohter big hitter. Kane, Aub, Aguero

    2. Rhinos
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      that team does not look like it cost 100m. Save ft and not unreasonably hope raz dont smash spuds. 3 moves in gw3 ll get you raz

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

      No city attackers?
      You truly r wild with nothing going for ya
      Deactivate

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

      This is the problem of spreading the cash, you have left yourself in a difficult situation
      It's looks like you need 3 transfers to get sterling. So save for now and then take hit a next week.

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

      Vardy and moura out for sterling and greenwood. Does it add up ?

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

      Vardy to 4.5, Moura to Sterling. You could wait another GW and do it for free though.

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

      Like two up. Save your free trade, captain mo and two free trades and then gameweek four you can make the final free trade. It's all good.

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

      He has Spurs now, so I doubt he will haul. No panic.

  28. marquinhos
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Trossard to start this GW lads?

    1. Norman Conquest
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      hope so

    2. Rhinos
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      would you change a winning and fresh team?

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

        Apparently Potter tends to rotate formations and players based on opponent so he might.

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

          he did in the champ but they play twice a week. Not saying Trossard won't start just that weve no idea

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

        Just asking given Potter's comments

        1. Norman Conquest
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          well he did say he was unlucky to start due to it being first game and away so looks promising for this week

    3. Sergeant Slaughter
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      We don't really know, do we? I think he will, and I also think he'll be very incentivized to deliver. I'm keeping and starting.
      But, this is never ideal, wondering if a 6m player will see the pitch.

  29. tyron
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Have you ever confirmed a move and now regret it?

    Ryan
    Digne robertson lundstram (hanley holebas)
    Perez Fraser Salah sterling MCGINN
    Jota wilson (greenwood)

    I did moura to mcginn to get cash with kane in mind.
    GTG or na?

    1. Norman Conquest
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      could work out fine

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I expect Villa to score a few and McGinn is prime candidate

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

        Thanks for the confidence booster lol

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

      well you're not gonna reverse the move are you so yeah gtg

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

        True that

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

      G2G I would have done the same move probably

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

        Yupppp will see how it goes. Will still have to minus for kane gw 3 or ride the wave and hope he blanks

  30. cylus11 ( Manager) - Russia…
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Should I do the following transfer:
    1. King to Pukki on FT
    2 Fraser to Siggy on FT
    3. Save transfer and do King + Wood to Rashford + Greenwood next week.

    My team is
    Pope
    Coleman, VVD, Digne TAA, Laundstarm
    Fraser, Salah, Sterling, Hayden, Dendonker
    Wood, King, Wilson
    0.5 itb.
    Thoughts plz

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

      Wood/King to Pukki and Wilson to Rashford next GW for free.

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

        Rashford will be 8.6 soon

    2. Rhinos
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      don't think either of those moves are likely enough to pay off to make them worth losing your 2ft in gw3

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

      I'd hold. My plan is to def get Pukki in after Man City. Dude was impressive at Pool. I would give King Villa though for sure.