Opinion

How I’m approaching Gameweek 2 after solid start to the season

How good is it to have FPL back in our lives? Those summer weekends always felt like something was missing.

Most of us got off to a great start in Gameweek 1, but I have a feeling Gameweek 2 could bring us back down to earth with a bang.

I was very happy with my score of 82 last weekend until I checked my only head-to-head league, the most important mini-league of all, General vs Mrs. General.

After a year out from the game, she’s back and she means business this year. Raheem Sterling (£12.1m) captain, Ashley Barnes (£6.5m) upfront and Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) at the back, not bad picking for someone who doesn’t watch any football.

88 points was enough to get her the three points in Gameweek 1 and she hasn’t stopped gloating about it. It’s been a long week.

There has been a lot of debate these past few days about whether we should be making transfers after just one Gameweek or saving one.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker was forced off with an injury against Norwich

It simply comes down to your team, I think. Only you can know what is right for your squad. Don’t bank just because others are saying it’s the best play.

If you’ve got players like Alisson Becker (£5.9m), Ross Barkley (£6.0m), Gerard Deulofeu (£6.5m) or any other player that didn’t start last weekend, don’t be afraid to act upon it early.

Anthony Martial (£7.6m) is one of the ‘most-wanted players’ this week for example and those who decide to bring him in ahead of Wolves (away) on Monday night could well be rewarded while those who wait will have to pay a higher price ahead of Gameweek 3 if he does deliver again.

Personally, I’m happy to wait on the Frenchman because I fancy Ryan Fraser (£7.5m) to get attacking points against Aston Villa. If he doesn’t, it will be a relatively easy switch for Gameweek 3.

Talking about Bournemouth assets, Callum Wilson (£8.0m) was forgiven for the pain he caused last season but I’m yet to experience what it feels like to own him when he scores a goal. If he doesn’t find the back of the net against Villa, he may have to go forever.

We’ve only had one Gameweek in 2019/20 and the General is already at odds with Callum Wilson… again!

The captaincy decision this weekend is not straightforward now after Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) completed 120 minutes in Istanbul on Wednesday night ahead of Saturday’s trip to the St. Mary’s Stadium.

Liverpool could be fatigued after that trip and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Salah subbed early if the Reds have the game wrapped up after 60/70 minutes.

The hope is that Salah is the guy who wrapped the game up for them with a big score!

Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) are viable options this weekend too. I’m still on Salah for the armband but I’m wavering a little bit after Wednesday night. It could end up on Sterling by the time Saturday rolls around. We’ll have to see.

Fantasy managers are expected to be falling over each other to sign Harry Kane very soon

Those of us who don’t own Harry Kane (£11.0m) may well be ripping up our teams to fit him in soon. The question is, can we do it alongside Salah and Sterling?

Downgrades will be required elsewhere, and we need a few budget-friendly gems to emerge. If he delivers against City in Gameweek 2, Kane’s ownership will soar ahead of Gameweek 3.

He’s certainly in my thoughts and he’s part of the reason I’m saving a transfer this week. A mini-Wildcard could be on the cards next week for a bit of a reshuffle.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 1

489 Comments Post a Comment
  1. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope > Heaton for 3 weeks or Kane to Auba and then back to Kane again ?

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

      Neither - save FT

    2. Mr Peanutbutter
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      save ft

    3. Wings Fan
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      If you wanted Heaton for the next few fixtures you should have just got him in and accepted the tricky GW1.

      Not worth two transfers for one move - Burnley aren't mugs defensively and Kane could still score against City.

      Save the FT

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

    Heaton
    Robbo VVD Digne Lundstram / KWP
    Salah (c) Sterling Sigurdsson Fraser / Dendoncker
    Wilson Murray / Greenwood

    bank ft, if BOU assets don't deliver Wilson -> Haller & Fraser-> Martial?
    Could also downgrade one of my Liverpool def if no cs, but not sure...

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

      Oh, Haller injured? What has been said?

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Seb Haller is "doubtful" for Saturday's game after picking up a "small knock" against Man City.

        1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          “There is some doubt” not he is doubtful

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

    Really messed up last week - threw a team together when the new season went live with the idea of firming up my team nearer the GW1 deadline, then something cropped up that made me miss the deadline! Stuck with the following team - thoughts on playing my out vs. WC early?

    Alisson
    Kelly | VVD | Laporte | Digne | AWB
    Fraser | Sigurdsson | Zaha
    Wilson | Jimenez

    Button | Bilva | Maddison | Rashford

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

      *playing my way out

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

      id wait a week and do 2 ft’s to get 2 premiums

    3. Wings Fan
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Just use your 1 FT to downgrade Alisson to Ryan/Heaton (or Adrian if you are going to WC in next couple of weeks) for the moment and worry about the rest later.

      At least you have plenty of rotation options, if not the big-hitters.

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

        oh didnt notice that. i might wc then tbh

        1. Wings Fan
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          It's too early to make any kind of informed decision on a wildcard.

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

            im sure getting 2 premiums in will go terribly

    4. Mr Peanutbutter
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      This team just needs a -4 or free hit chip. Get rid of Bsilva and Alison and start Rashford and Maddison.

      1. Mr Peanutbutter
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Alison to Adrian, Bsilva to Mcginn, Siggy to Salah. Next week try and get Sterling

        1. Wings Fan
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          I wouldn't get rid of Siggy at home to a Watford side that have just conceded 3 at home to Brighton. If anything he's probably the sensible captain in that squad for this week.

          1. Mr Peanutbutter
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            I would be petrified of not captaining, let alone owning Salah, against this Southampton team. Also Everton don't score. This move seems the only way he could get Salah this week without another hit unless he got a 4.5/5 mid for Fraser or Zaha and then did Bsilva to Salah.

  4. KujaliaFC
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How bad is Haller's injury?

    I want to captain him for GW2 but not if he comes off early or goes on late

    1. In a Rush
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      They’re suggesting he picked up a knock and will be assessed so hasn’t been ruled out but doesn’t sound great.
      I’m debating whether to get rid or ride it out.

  5. Pieterke30
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who to bench and why?

    A. Trossard (WHM)
    B. Montoya
    C. Perez (che)

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

      B -West Ham could easily score

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      That’s a tough choice.

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

      A hasnt played yet

    4. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I am starting with Trossard and Perez.

  6. okan58
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ederson
    Digne - Van Dijk - Robertson
    Salah - De Bruyne - Perez - Lucas
    Rashford - King - Jota
    Subs: Button, Dendoncker, Lascelles and Kelly.

    How do you find the team? What should I change or is it that good?

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

      save ft and probs transfer Moura out for Martial, Lascelles -> Lundstram could give you .5 to spend. No Sterling is risky, but not that easy to bring him in without hits I guess.

      1. okan58
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thx. 🙂

    2. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Solid... save transfer

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

    Nightmare front 3, play one or transfer out? Ings v Liverpool, Wood v Arsenal and Jiminez v United

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

      I wouldn't mind Wood and Jimmy from those.

    2. Mr Peanutbutter
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      play all 3

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

      Wood against Arsenal isn’t as bad as it seems, he could have fun against that Arsenal defence

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

      playing against arsenal defence after u just scored 3 in previous game is not a nightmare

  8. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Remove Barkley for Dendonker or McGinn this week or hold?

    If keeping will be playing over Lundstrum and KWP.

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think he is going to start but if forced Mcginn imo

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I’m hoping so.
        Eyeing up a double move next week or 3 moves for -4 to get Kane in.

        TAA or Salah May go.

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

      hold til next week

  9. flippetyflop
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Play Dedoncker (Man united home) or Diop (Brighton away) this weekend?

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

      Doncker

  10. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Having a hard time trying to decide who to bench. Montoya (WHU) Lundstram (CRY) or Adams (LIV). Not keen on the 5-4-1 idea but Adams may be the worst option, particularly with the Haller and Felipe injuries

  11. gers23
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Best defender and mid combo for 11.5?

    Fraser and a 4.0 or Digne and Mcginn

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

      most likely digne and mcginn

    2. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      McDigne

      1. gers23
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks

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

      Digne and McGinn sounds like a good double act.

      Some good defenders at 4.5 but not many mids at 7.0

  12. Old Man Willow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I'm very tempted to play Lundstram instead of Perez. Can someone please dissuade me.

    1. RUUD!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      ye that's pretty silly

      1. Old Man Willow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks, I needed that!

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

      lol

    3. Mr Peanutbutter
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Always play the oop attacker... So Lundstram

    4. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Think I need to make gains on you so go ahead...

    5. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Can't imagine anyone being tempted by that. Have you been watching Chelsea?

      1. Old Man Willow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I saw last night's game, looked not too bad. It was more based on Lundstram generating bonus points in midfield and getting CS points if Palace don't score.

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

      Nope, doing the same!

    7. Old Man Willow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Well we all learnt a lesson there didn't we.

  13. RUUD!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Should I?

    A) Play Dendonk and save FT
    B) Cathcart to Montoya for free and bench Dendonk

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

      a

    2. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Just play Cathcart instead of Donk (or one of the 4.0 defs if you have one)

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

    Who to play : Vert or Dendo?

    1. Jimbo74
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Dendoncker - more likely to get something against Utd than Vertongen against City, who could end up with nothing.

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

    leicester blank once and suddenly everyone wants to drop all their leicester players for a 4.0 sheff utd defender who isnt even nailed

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

      only casuals

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      "Everyone" 🙁

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

        literally everyone (benighted) apart from me (enlightened)

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

      Mental. Lundstram could easily lose his place to Freeman.

  16. Shankly611
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Save my FT (that was my initial plan) or transfer Moura out for Pulisic? Really tempted after last night, some great fixtures coming up for Chelsea.

    Already have Rashford so didn't want to get Martial in.

    1. Old Man Willow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pulisic looked very promising but after listening to Lampard recently I thought I'd hang on a while and see how much gametime he gets. Pedro also looking impressive, despite being Pedro.

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

    A) Wilson and Diop/Fredericks
    B) King and Digne

    If A) which West Ham defender?

  18. One Man
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    If Fraser/Zaha and Wilson fire home good points this coming gamesweek, it will create a dilemma for those looking to bring in United assets namely Martial and Rashford.

  19. One Man
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Rashford has being bang average in front of goal this past few seasons and not a good FPL asset. What makes people think that will change ?

  20. JonGTFC
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is it worth a trf on your bench midfielder or better to hold and make the changes to the first XI whenever possible.

    Stupidly decided Drinkwater would stroll straight into Burnley's team and now fear a pricedrop

  21. Angin out the Begović
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Mount over Barkley? Created 4 chances last weekend and looked class in the Super Cup ?

    Barkley owners ?

    1. A Fat Spanish Waiter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I’m a Chelsea fan and I’m not doing any Chelsea at the moment. In my humble opinion there are compelling reasons not to own both. Mount isn’t nailed on (though he does look good) and Barkley is still, well, Ross Barkley (just with different hair).

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

    Maupay expected to be a starter for Brighton?

  23. BKR
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Kane -> Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on FT... 6th in mini-league and need a change. Everyone on top 5 has Kane!

    yay or Nah?

  24. Diaby Does Gallas 22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thinking W/C week 3. What do you guys reckon?

    Pope (Button)
    Digne - Robbo - VVD - KWP (Lund)
    Salah - Fraser - Sterling - Perez (Dendonk)
    Wilson - Jimenez (Whickam)

    To:

    Pope (Button)
    Digne - Gomez - Zinchenko - Dunk or Soyunku
    Mane - Fraser - Sterling - McGinn (Dendonk)
    Kane - Rashford (4.5)

    Hmmmm

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Do a couple of hits instead WC

  25. Demí
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Strangely having some issues accessing the following MEMBERS post: https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2019/08/15/how-im-approaching-gameweek-2-after-solid-start-to-the-season/?hc_page=1&hc_sort_by=comment_date#hc_comment_20629495

    If a fellow MEMBER can email me the contents, that would be great.

  26. Cube
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Which option is better and why?

    A. Robinson
    B. McGinn

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

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

        Any reason?

    2. Chilli Heatwave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B, but coming from a villa fan, any questions ask away

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

        Why is there no love for Robinson!!
        He's OOP

    3. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A easily

  27. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Appreciate any advice.

    I often start slow and want to get a decent squad sorted out.

    Ederson

    VVD, AWB, Zinchenko,

    Salah, Sterling, Martial, McGinn

    Kane, Origi, Martinelli

    Subs: Button, James, Rico, Kelly.

    Obviously chancing it on the Martinelli and James picks but can’t be to template and I am looking for some value differentials.

    Maybe this is where I go wrong - how else would you spend £10.5 m in mid and forward line?

    1. Party time
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Origi & Martinelli

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Start ?

      A Dendo (MUN)
      B Rico (avl)

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

      Anyone else find the phrase "mini wildcard" annoying. Call it what it is - taking a lot of hits.