Scout Reports

What FPL managers can expect from Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores

The first managerial casualty of the 2019/20 Premier League season came on Saturday, as bottom-of-the-table Watford parted ways with Javi Gracia.

Gracia’s dismissal was swiftly followed by the appointment of Quique Sanchez Flores as head coach, with the 54-year-old Spaniard rejoining the club he had left in May 2016.

Upon his unveiling, Gracia said:

It was a very easy decision [to rejoin]. I’ve been a coach for 16 years and the time I spent in Watford, I was really happy. It was a good experience and this experience was amazing. I loved the way the fans love football in England, the way they support and the way they respect rules in England and everything. The moment I left I was waiting for the moment to come back to England. I feel Watford is my home.

In this article, we look back at Flores’ previous spell at Vicarage Road and analyse his managerial style to see what Fantasy managers can expect from the Hornets’ returning head coach.

Long-time site user Bøwstring The Carp has beaten us to the punch with a study of Flores and we can wholeheartedly recommend his excellent Community piece, which can be read here.

What Has Flores Said About His Managerial Style?

Speaking to the club website following his appointment, Flores said of his defence-first policy:

It’s important. Defence is the most important thing in all the collective sports. Defence is the key for everything. If you want to attack well it is necessary to defend well.

I follow a lot NBA and when Toronto Raptors won the NBA, some journalist goes to the coach and asked what is the key. He said the key was the passion and the defence. This is the base for everything. It could be good for Watford.

Talking about his goals for the season:

The priority is results. We know the schedule is really bad now, but everything is possible with a positive mentality of the players, with the fans supporting us, with the passion, everything is possible.

We need to be realistic. Now we are bottom, but the first mentality is we don’t want to go back. We don’t want relegation. We need to put the team in the condition to keep growing. We need to be humble and the first thing is to save the situation, establish the team in a different position. Once we are established in a different position, we can talk about the next goal for this year.

Flores’ comments, then, suggest that he will be placing a lot of emphasis on improving Watford’s main Achilles heel for much of 2019: their defence.

The Hornets are without a league clean sheet since February, a barren run that stretches back 16 top-flight matches.

No other Premier League club has conceded as many ‘big chances’ (70) as Watford this calendar year.

Asked about the wealth of attacking options he now has at his disposal in relation to his defensive mindset, Sanchez said:

We have young players, very fast in attack. This is interesting. We have more than we had four years ago. We had two main, Deeney and Ighalo, but… now we have more and we have different qualities and skills. We need to guess how they are working together and need to know as soon as possible how they mix in the match.

Which Players Has Flores Worked With at Watford Before?

Flores’ one season in charge of the Hornets came in 2015/16, when he steered Watford to a 13th-place finish in their first season back in the top flight.

Six of the squad he worked with in that campaign remain at the club: Heurelho Gomes (£4.5m), Sebastian Prodl (£4.0m), Jose Holebas (£4.8m), Craig Cathcart (£4.4m), Etienne Capoue (£4.9m) and Troy Deeney (£6.3m).

Gomes, Cathcart, Capoue and Deeney were regulars under their returning boss, with each starting at least 33 Premier League games in that campaign.

Prodl began the season as a first-choice at centre-back, making nine successive starting XIs at the beginning of the campaign, but was then in and out of the side for the remainder of 2015/16 and didn’t string together more than two consecutive starts beyond this point.

Holebas was not favoured by Flores for much of the season, making only 11 starts in the top flight.

Interestingly, Deeney’s best single-season goal haul in the Premier League came under Flores: the Watford club captain, who is currently out for two months with a knee injury, scored on 13 occasions in 38 appearances.

Strike partner Odion Ighalo notched 15 goals in that campaign.

What Formation Did Flores Use at Watford?

On the face of it, there aren’t too many dissimilarities with Gracia’s set-up over the past year.

Flores favoured a back four for pretty much his entire season in charge of the Hornets, either using a standard 4-4-2 or tweaking the system slightly to a 4-3-1-2.

Capoue was, as he is now, one of the two combative players in the double-pivot, while Cathcart was a near-permanent fixture in a two-man central defence.

Deeney played with Gerard Deulofeu (£6.3m) alongside him for much of last season but Flores favoured another physical forward alongside the club captain in his tenure, in the form of Ighalo – although the Nigerian was no slouch on the ball.

Holebas and the pacy Ikechi Anya were occasionally deployed at left-back but Flores settled on a physical full-back pairing of Allan Nyom and Nathan Ake for much of the second half of the campaign, which perhaps opens up the possibility of the Craig Dawson (£4.9m) being moved over to right-back – as he was at West Brom under Tony Pulis – should Flores opt to ditch the attack-minded Daryl Janmaat/Kiko Femenia (£4.4m) in favour of a more defensively sound option.

Almen Abdi, a central midfielder by trade, was shunted out to the right flank for much of the 2015/16 season, with Flores deprived of too many natural wingers in his newly promoted squad.

Whether the pragmatic Flores would have opted for a flair player out wide had more been available is another question, though: Nordin Amrabat was brought in during the January transfer window but was handed only four starts and was used mostly as an impact substitute.

With the likes of Ismaila Sarr (£6.4m) and Roberto Pereyra (£5.8m) now at his disposal, it will be interesting to see how much trust Flores places in attack-minded assets who are perhaps not renowned for their defensive aptitude.

This excellent video from The Coaches Voice sees Flores talking through his tactics in the 3-0 win over Liverpool in December 2015:

Watford: 2015/16 v 2018/19 – Basic Stats

SeasonPWDLFAPTSCS
2015/16381291740504511
2018/1938148165259507

Comparing Watford’s record under Flores in 2015/16 to Gracia’s last full season in charge perhaps sums up the two managers.

Flores’ approach garnered four more clean sheets and saw nine fewer goals conceded but that came at the expense of productivity at the other end of the pitch.

Of the 40 goals that the Hornets recorded in 2015/16, 28 were scored by Ighalo and Deeney. Not one other Watford player scored more than two league goals that season.

Watford: 2015/16 v 2018/19 – Underlying Stats

For the below comparisons, we will detail where Watford ranked among Premier League clubs for key underlying stats (1st being the best possible figure, 20th the worst).

Defensive
SeasonShots concededShots in the box concededShots on target concededBig chances concededChances from set plays conceded
2015/1610th10th13th=14th7th=
2018/199th12th14th19th15th=
Attacking
SeasonShotsShots in the boxShots on targetBig chancesChances from set plays
2015/1612th13th=15th13th17th
2018/1916th12th12th8th18th

Again, the key numbers (shots in the box, efforts on target and big chances) suggest Watford were more solid defensively under Flores but less of an attacking threat.

The Hornets created 51 big chances in 2015/16 compared to 81 last season but they conceded 32 fewer gilt-edged chances under Flores (66) than they did in Gracia’s final full season in charge (98).

Flores’ other managerial work

Since his departure from Watford, Flores has spent almost two years at Espanyol and then seven months at Chinese club Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC.

Espanyol kept 11 clean sheets in 2016/17 and had banked nine shut-outs when Flores was dismissed ahead of Gameweek 34 of the following campaign.

That last season in charge of the La Liga club saw Espanyol really struggle for goals, scoring just 26 in the 33 matches that Flores oversaw.

Flores used a 4-4-2 for a large chunk of his time in Spain but we also saw a 4-2-3-1 used on several occasions: a system Flores had a reputation of playing before he first arrived in the Premier League in June 2015.

The Watford boss didn’t have much time to settle in China, lasting just 17 league and cup games before departing.

Flores lost nine of his 15 league games in charge, experimenting with wing-back systems and back fours before his departure in July of this year.

Final Thoughts

Watford sit bottom of our Season Ticker for both attack and defence over the next five Gameweeks, which perhaps gives Fantasy managers a nice audition period before the fixtures turn favourable in Gameweek 10.

We’ll be paying particular attention to what effect Flores can have on the Hornets’ porous backline, not just in relation to Watford’s own budget defensive assets (all of whom now cost less than £5.0m in FPL) but also how any improvement might affect Manchester City and Spurs’ attacking options in Gameweeks 6 and 9.

Flores’ reputation for pragmatic football would perhaps not bode well for Watford’s offensive assets but Deeney proved in 2015/16 that individual FPL players can still prosper in the Spaniard’s set-up, regardless of the approach.

Goals haven’t flowed from midfield in the past under Watford’s new head coach, so we will be keeping an eye on the underlying stats over the coming weeks to see if Pereyra et al are suffering in that regard: regular wide midfielders Abdi and Jose Manuel Jurado had just one big chance between them in the whole of 2015/16.

Flores has, arguably, a more talented squad at his disposal than he did in 2015/16, however, so will perhaps show a tad more ambition with his tactics.



939 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Majestic Chanka
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Wouldn’t worry about it much, he’ll be sacked before seasons end anyway

  2. Blanka
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone tempted to move away from Sterling captain because of a lot of international minutes?

    Salah???

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Always had it on salah

    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Nope. Mahrez and Bernardo Silva also played a fair amount, 2 of them (or maybe all 3) will start.

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        All 3?? Kun definitely plays so no KDB?

        1. Respect My Authoritah
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          It's possible, not saying it's likely. Second guessing Pep is a dangerous game

    3. Benster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I am definitely moving C from Ras to Salah on the basis he will almost certainly have minutes managed.

      Very happy to own him though as he looked superb last night and should score even in less minutes.

    4. Pranav Santhosh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Currently on Salah for this reason. But I feel like city have more chance of smashing Norwich than Liverpool have of smashing newcastle

    5. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I am leaving it on Sterling. If he is benched I don't think he will get a cameo. Mane VC

      1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        But this is second guessing Pep too. Dangerous games as mentioned and could be a 2 pointer captain

    6. tucaoneo
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yes. Salah was a trap in GW 2 after playing 120' in the Super Cup. Sterling may be in a similar position now.

  3. mikess
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Bit of a repost...waiting on news regarding Trossard and KWP.

    Heaton
    VVD, KWP, Zinchenko, Lundstram
    Salah, Sterling, Trossard*, Mount
    Aguero, Pukki

    Button, Coleman, Dendonker, Greenwood

    1 FT, 0.3 in bank.

    A) Trossard > James, Iwobi, Ceballos, McNeil, McGinn
    B) Roll and cover with bench.
    C) KWP & Trossard > Matip, Ceballos/McGinn - 4

    1. MTPockets
        4 years, 6 months ago

        B if you'd still ideally keep them. Otherwise probably A (don't think worth a hit)

        1. mikess
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I'm gutted about Trossard. Think he has huge potential. Could always go back when fixtures improve again. Not fused at all about KWP

          1. Respect My Authoritah
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Same. I've currently got a plan in place to keep him through injury, but might be a bit tough to go through with it

            1. mikess
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              What's your covering options? The che and TOT fixtures are putting me off this

              1. Respect My Authoritah
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Bringing Otamendi in and just sticking him on the bench.

                che TOT actually look like good fixtures to me, both teams are a mess

                1. mikess
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  I'm not so sure. I'll be hanging on to press conference anyways

          2. MTPockets
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Would wait then

        2. Jebiga
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          C) KWP and Trossard to Matip and Iwobi maybe

          1. mikess
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Cheers, 0.1 off unfortunately

            1. Jebiga
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Then Ceballos 🙂

              1. mikess
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Cheers

      • Jealous Viper
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Team looks like this right now.
        Pope
        TAA Digne Lundstram Emerson
        Salah(c) Sterling Siggy Mount
        Barnes Haller
        Bench- Heaton, Montoya Trossard, Greenwood

        1ft. Plan was to go Emerson to Otamendi but now also considering downgrading Heaton to Button to make room for moving Siggy and Trossard to Pepe/Son/Kdb and Cantwell next week. Worth the -4?

        1. mikess
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I'd definitely prioritise another city attacker

        2. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I'd say so not usually keen on hits but this one looks.good

      • MTPockets
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Firmino subbed off @ 63 mins last night
          Just wondering on opinions - think he'll start Saturday?

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

            Of course.

            1. mikess
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Yeah

            2. MTPockets
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Asking as he was benched last time this happened. But tend to agree - form, early in the season

            3. Benster
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Great news. Yes hopefully

            4. AndyCook
                4 years, 6 months ago

                More concerned about travel than the 20 minutes

            5. Harvey Spector
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Any website where I can see teams attacking and defensive alongwith individual stats other than this one?

              1. MTPockets
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  whoscored, sofascore. Not to the level of detail available here though

              2. Harvey Spector
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Kane (c) ftw! I have Sterling Aguero and Salah but gut says Kane.

                1. Ajax Hamsterdam
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  You have Salah sterling aguero AND kane ! Mind posting your team.??

                  1. Harvey Spector
                    • 8 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    It is in the link.

                    I have coleman, cantwell, mount, Maitland, Mopntoya, Lund, Ayew

                    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
                      • 9 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      I would seriously think about downgrading one of your premium asset to make team more balanced

                      1. Harvey Spector
                        • 8 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        thats the plan, I am just playing the fixtures till GW8 and after that WC.

                2. pingissimus
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Huge call

                  Could work out but Kane by himself is enough I suspect. Loads have him but I’m guessing (courtesy of Az Luke pod) that this week is when we get a serious number of dead teams and most who hold him will be dead teams.

                  At least one of the other 3 will hit and Palace away is only a moderate fixture.

                  1. Harvey Spector
                    • 8 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Spurs are home to Palace. I am also concerned with the minutes of Salah and Aguero considering their CL midweek fixtures.

                    1. KDB4PREZ
                      • 4 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Fair but what about kun??? You can’t really think Kane is better alternative

                      1. Harvey Spector
                        • 8 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        Kane at home to Palace with guaranteed 90 mins might be better than Kun.

                        I am not a spurs fan by any means but you cant discount the fact that Kane is an out and out goalscorer. 3 golden boots in the past 5 seasons says a lot.

                        1. KDB4PREZ
                          • 4 Years
                          4 years, 6 months ago

                          But you have to take into account the football being played by their respective teams, also kun a better natural finisher. I hear ya about the mins but I’d near take a 60mins effort from kun over 90 from larry lane atm

                    2. pingissimus
                      • 5 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Yes that’s what I meant. Palace are too 6 away from home. It’s a 1-0 fixture probs. Has been exactly that 7 of last 12 - the other 5 aren’t great for Spurs either

                    3. beastie
                      • 5 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Salah does not get rested. If he's fit he plays.

              3. Willllsonnn!
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Is Ceballos nailed or Emery roulettified?

                1. Harvey Spector
                  • 8 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Not nailed, I'd wait for a 2-3 gw's

                2. mikess
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Think he can play himself into more nailedness but NLD suggests rotation vs experienced top 6 sides

                3. Murder On Zidanesfloor
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Xhaka taking a months sabbatical means he is pretty nailed

                  1. AndyCook
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      He said he should be fine strangely

                4. Harvey Spector
                  • 8 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  anyone considering the Salah and Mane fallout and how it can affect Salah to look for a pass rather than shoot if Mane is around?

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

                    If Salah start passing the ball he will triple his assist.

                5. Arteta
                  • 8 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  I'm looking for AWB replacement. Who would you suggest for 5.9m or less?

                  1. Harvey Spector
                    • 8 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    City defender

                  2. mikess
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 13 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Matip or Otamendi

                  3. Respect My Authoritah
                    • 10 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Mina, Coleman or a City lad

                  4. Ajax Hamsterdam
                    • 9 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Otamendi for me

                  5. MTPockets
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      As above, or a Burnley defender and spend the saving elsewhere

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

                      Wait for injury news. You should have more prioritized transfers.

                    • ZeBestee
                      • 9 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Ota, Mina and Alderweireld all good options imo. Otherwise go cheap with Pieters, Mings or even Schar and upgrade elsewhere.

                    • Swanremainsthesame
                      • 8 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Over next 5 weeks Burnley should offer great value
                      MC if don't have one & can get of course

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

                    Thoughts on what to do this week?

                    1Ft 1.0 ITB

                    Ryan
                    AWB Digne TAA VVD Zinchenko
                    Salah Sterling Mount
                    Rashford Pukki

                    Bench Button Hayden Dendedocker Wickham
                    Cheers

                    1. Respect My Authoritah
                      • 10 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Sit tight

                      1. melvinmbabazi
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 10 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        cheers

                  7. Better luck next year
                    • 4 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Pukki to Barnes for GW5, yay or nay?

                    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
                      • 9 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      I'd keep pukki .

                  8. Sausage™️
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 4 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Could Sterling be rested this week?

                    1. Respect My Authoritah
                      • 10 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Yes

                    2. HurriKane
                      • 11 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      possible aAnyone of kdb sterling or bernanrdo could be rested

                      likes of mahrez dilva aguero are great picks this week

                  9. Harvey Spector
                    • 8 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Worst defense out of the three:

                    Nor
                    New
                    C.Palace

                    1. Respect My Authoritah
                      • 10 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Norwich

                    2. HurriKane
                      • 11 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Norwich

                    3. jia you
                      • 7 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      With their injuries and tactics taken into account its Norwich by some way imo!

                    4. Ajax Hamsterdam
                      • 9 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Norwich definitely

                  10. the vanisher
                    • 6 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    who would you captain if you OWNED - Salah, Sterling and Aguero?

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

                      I have all three and have had it locked on Aguero for a while now.

                      1. Party time
                          4 years, 6 months ago

                          Yeah changed from sterling to Kun after yesterday

                      2. Respect My Authoritah
                        • 10 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        Aguero

                      3. jia you
                        • 7 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        Kun seems the best option to me, I'm debating using my TC tbh!

                      4. HurriKane
                        • 11 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        A fresh Aguero against norwich is a no brainer

                      5. MTPockets
                          4 years, 6 months ago

                          aguero

                        • Better luck next year
                          • 4 Years
                          4 years, 6 months ago

                          Probably Kun, Sterling's got better stats away though..

                        • mikess
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 13 Years
                          4 years, 6 months ago

                          Surprised by Aguero popularity like

                          1. Rhinos
                            • 10 Years
                            4 years, 6 months ago

                            you're surprised that the best striker in the best team who also happens to be top point scorer in fpl is popular?

                        • the vanisher
                          • 6 Years
                          4 years, 6 months ago

                          thanks all, i'm currently on Aguero as well

                        • AndyCook
                            4 years, 6 months ago

                            Salah because Sterling has played a lot of international minutes and Aguero is noticeably better at home

                            1. jia you
                              • 7 Years
                              4 years, 6 months ago

                              not this season, got a haul in his last away game didnt he!

                              1. AndyCook
                                  4 years, 6 months ago

                                  Not sure one data point is significant, regardless of how recent!

                              2. Party time
                                  4 years, 6 months ago

                                  Yes Sterling might not start against Norwich or reduced minutes although Kun will play more minutes & last season I believe there was a team called Fulham just like Norwich, I remember Kun scoring at craven cottage

                                  1. AndyCook
                                      4 years, 6 months ago

                                      Jesus might be fine, could steal 20-30 minutes from Aguero. If you want to compare away at Fulham to Salah at home to Newcastle Aguero got a goal and an assist (0-2 result) and came off at 57’ for presumably 11 points, Salah got a goal and an assist (4-0 result) plus a clean sheet and presumably got 14 points - not that I think this matters. Aguero can and does score away but historically has been better at home.

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

                                        Aguero got injured that GW

                                        1. AndyCook
                                            4 years, 6 months ago

                                            Hadn’t noticed this. I’m not sure a single fixture is interesting/important in isolation m, personally. Aguero is a good option no doubt but I definitely prefer him at home.

                                  2. Lingard’s Shin Guards
                                    • 5 Years
                                    4 years, 6 months ago

                                    Agueroooooo

                                • jia you
                                  • 7 Years
                                  4 years, 6 months ago

                                  I really hope Watford get relegated!

                                • HurriKane
                                  • 11 Years
                                  4 years, 6 months ago

                                  Whats the best way to get one of Kane/Auba if one of them starts going on a explosive run?

                                  Pope 4.0
                                  TAA Digne Dunk (Soyuncu Lundstram)
                                  Salah Sterling KDB Mount Cantwell
                                  Haller Pukki Barnes

                                  0.0 itb

                                  I think one of Salah/Sterling/KDB has to be sacrificed if you were to own a premium uptop with a balanced team

                                  1. Respect My Authoritah
                                    • 10 Years
                                    4 years, 6 months ago

                                    Depends on if they become a better option than the 3 premium mids. I doubt that will happen for long enough to make a transfer worthwhile.

                                  2. MTPockets
                                      4 years, 6 months ago

                                      I think you're right, unless willing to have a lot of fillers e.g. something like

                                      Pope
                                      Ota/Matip 4.5 4.5
                                      Sterling KDB Salah Cantwell/5.5
                                      Kane/Aguero Haller Barnes

                                      4 Lundstram 4.5 mid 4 def

                                      May still work but pretty reliant on cheaper picks.

                                      1. HurriKane
                                        • 11 Years
                                        4 years, 6 months ago

                                        Pukki Mount TAA Digne would probably outscore Kane Cantwell Ota Matip

                                        1. MTPockets
                                            4 years, 6 months ago

                                            Yep, and if/when there's rotation could get worse
                                            If I'd be happy with Cantwell as 4th mid would consider it, but I'm not

                                    • Jonesfromthere
                                      • 11 Years
                                      4 years, 6 months ago

                                      I’d actually argue that Cabellos is nailed. I’m planning on bringing him in next week. By a million miles our best creative player (better than Ozil) and the NLD was a failed test for Emery. The 3 combative midfielders approach doesn’t work when you haven’t got the creativity elsewhere in the team.

                                      Planning to bring him in next week.

                                      1. Respect My Authoritah
                                        • 10 Years
                                        4 years, 6 months ago

                                        He's not nailed. Even Lacazette isn't nailed. They may play enough games to be worth bringing in though.

                                      2. Nabs Kebabs
                                        • 12 Years
                                        4 years, 6 months ago

                                        Ceballos isn't anywhere near nailed mate. Deluded.

                                      3. AndyCook
                                          4 years, 6 months ago

                                          Not a chance he can be considered nailed right now

                                        • RIDZ
                                          • 7 Years
                                          4 years, 6 months ago

                                          why you can say he's nailed while his minutes is worry?

                                      4. have you seen cyan
                                        • 4 Years
                                        4 years, 6 months ago

                                        Sea gull fans really need to get the prioritys in check, on their forum not a single thread about Trossards injury but instead countless threads about the cost of pies and things like this. WTF man, if you ever want team news about Brighton dont bother going to the Northstand..

                                      5. Hazardous1983
                                        • 13 Years
                                        4 years, 6 months ago

                                        should i do for a -4 pukki and jota out for abraham and barnes?

                                      6. Offs!de
                                        • 11 Years
                                        4 years, 6 months ago

                                        Why would you like to take an advanced HIT? Do just Emerson to Ota and take the hit next GW

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

                                          not if Emerson is fit to play

                                      7. Nabs Kebabs
                                        • 12 Years
                                        4 years, 6 months ago

                                        Daniel James is miles ahead of Ceballos as an FPL pick (Arsenal supporter).

                                        1. jia you
                                          • 7 Years
                                          4 years, 6 months ago

                                          He does seem the assist the assister type apart from the potential of some set pieces.

                                          1. Nabs Kebabs
                                            • 12 Years
                                            4 years, 6 months ago

                                            Yep influential player but that doesn't translate to fantasy points and not nailed at all. Daniel James on the other hand is basically the main man at United currently, always looking to get on the end of things.

                                        2. Ajax Hamsterdam
                                          • 9 Years
                                          4 years, 6 months ago

                                          Not sure about miles ahead but he's in my wc 🙂

                                        3. mikess
                                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                          • 13 Years
                                          4 years, 6 months ago

                                          Due to goal threat, for sure

                                        4. Respect My Authoritah
                                          • 10 Years
                                          4 years, 6 months ago

                                          On the left, maybe. Don't think he's a good pick on the right, which he will be when Martial returns

                                          1. Nabs Kebabs
                                            • 12 Years
                                            4 years, 6 months ago

                                            I can see where you're coming from but that's overthinking it imo. James is just playing with so much confidence and always looks a threat. OGS could easily put Rashford on the right and James left anyway.

                                            1. Respect My Authoritah
                                              • 10 Years
                                              4 years, 6 months ago

                                              Maybe. He looks a good direct threat. I've seen him be wasteful enough times to be a little wary, but I think he'll be worth his price (and perhaps prove to be great value).

                                              Currently one of the prime contenders to replace Trossard if I decide to sell him

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

                                          Miles ahead? Nah. Both fun to watch though.

                                          1. Nabs Kebabs
                                            • 12 Years
                                            4 years, 6 months ago

                                            Yep miles ahead as an fpl pick. Agree both are fun to watch. Ceballos a great dictator in midfield and James so direct from the wings

                                            1. have you seen cyan
                                              • 4 Years
                                              4 years, 6 months ago

                                              Its too early to judge either accurately. No doubt both will just be flash in the pans, or in the case of Ceballos never in the pan to begin with?

                                            2. pingissimus
                                              • 5 Years
                                              4 years, 6 months ago

                                              Puzzle with James is was that he couldn’t finish last season. Huge XG over performance this time. Fluke? Found his range?

                                              1. Nabs Kebabs
                                                • 12 Years
                                                4 years, 6 months ago

                                                I'm not even worried about that just based off the eye test. His finishes this season have displayed superb technique and he is glowing with confidence. Not gonna miss the bandwagon.

                                                1. pingissimus
                                                  • 5 Years
                                                  4 years, 6 months ago

                                                  Fair dos

                                                  Have Martial and eying up the swap - but down the line in all probability

                                        6. Jonesfromthere
                                          • 11 Years
                                          4 years, 6 months ago

                                          My post irked someone

                                          1. Nabs Kebabs
                                            • 12 Years
                                            4 years, 6 months ago

                                            I'm happy for people to buy Ceballos. Less points for them and more for me...

                                            1. AndyCook
                                                4 years, 6 months ago

                                                It’s the same points for you regardless of who they pick..

                                                1. Nabs Kebabs
                                                  • 12 Years
                                                  4 years, 6 months ago

                                                  lol

                                        7. FOO FIGHTER
                                          • 4 Years
                                          4 years, 6 months ago

                                          So I am doing Sterling to KDB FT just before the deadline. Now I am pondering whether I should take the -8 hit for the other 2 transfers now which involve Mount and Bolly out. Will avoid price rises.

                                          That will set up the other 2 transfers before GW6 starts another FT and -8. That will give me a team that I can forget about (pending injuries etc) till the January WC.

                                          All I need to do then is figure out who to captain each week.

                                          I will only have 0.1 remaining in the bank after doing the above so going to have to pull the trigger as the players I want to get in will all be going up once GW5 fixtures are done.

                                          Sounds crazy but at times there is method to madness.

                                          1. Respect My Authoritah
                                            • 10 Years
                                            4 years, 6 months ago

                                            Probably not, no. Getting ahead of yourself assuming you already know the right players, and that they'll stay that way. The game would be easy if this wa the case

                                            1. FOO FIGHTER
                                              • 4 Years
                                              4 years, 6 months ago

                                              Nobody will know the right players but you can start seeing trends of which players to go with on a long term basis. By January I can then decide what to change, that is if I need to change by January.

                                              Taking no more hits till January is my plan unless I need to.

                                              Having 3 of the best defenders, 2 of the best midfielders another 2 who will contribute very nicely and 3 of the best strikers and a playable bench is what I willl stick with until January after my two -8 hits are done. Hopefully no more hits till January, fingers crossed 🙂

                                              1. Respect My Authoritah
                                                • 10 Years
                                                4 years, 6 months ago

                                                Honestly, this is the kind of thinking I think a lot of us have had in the past, but over time we just have to accept we simply aren't as good at spotting things as we like to believe.

                                                Selling Sterling seems like a terrible idea to me, but who knows, maybe you're on to a winner

                                          2. Jonesfromthere
                                            • 11 Years
                                            4 years, 6 months ago

                                            You’re right, crazy

                                          3. jia you
                                            • 7 Years
                                            4 years, 6 months ago

                                            If you do Raz to Kev, you deserve pain...a lot of pain!

                                          4. Ajax Hamsterdam
                                            • 9 Years
                                            4 years, 6 months ago

                                            Sterling to kdb is not a good move imo..also why getting rid of mount ?

                                            1. FOO FIGHTER
                                              • 4 Years
                                              4 years, 6 months ago

                                              If you have Kun and Salah and KDB then you can do without Sterling.

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

                                            Hard to comment on without seeing the squad in its entirety

                                          6. MTPockets
                                              4 years, 6 months ago

                                              -12 in hits so far and paid off. But wouldn't just for the sake of price rises this early

                                            • The 5% Team
                                              • 5 Years
                                              4 years, 6 months ago

                                              crazy to think you will have a team that you're happy with until January....it's FPL in the end 🙂

                                            • pingissimus
                                              • 5 Years
                                              4 years, 6 months ago

                                              Didn’t you WC a week or so back? Thought you were good to go.

                                              Know you have Sterling Mo Kun TAA VVD which is a bit OTT and KdB in makes sense to get to the likes of Vardy etc but you can do that in stages surely.

                                              1. FOO FIGHTER
                                                • 4 Years
                                                4 years, 6 months ago

                                                Did my WC to get in Kun. Still had Mo and Sterling.

                                                The team I have at the moment is fine to go with but seeing how trends change and lots having more or less the same team gives me an opportunity to move up the ranks with the moves I have planned.

                                                1. pingissimus
                                                  • 5 Years
                                                  4 years, 6 months ago

                                                  Perhaps but -8 will lose you at least 100k depending on where you are - if you’re low much more than that.

                                                  Think the right captain and just a couple of off centre picks is enough. Went really early with WC to do this - then found everyone moving onto much the same team in 3. So see your point.

                                                  Think Vardy for instance from 7 could mean heaps.

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

                                            Does it mean Kiko as a good choice for around 4.5 def?

                                            1. have you seen cyan
                                              • 4 Years
                                              4 years, 6 months ago

                                              if you dont like CS then sure 😛

                                            2. MTPockets
                                                4 years, 6 months ago

                                                Fixtures are ARS, mci, wol, SHU, tot, BOU, CHE

                                            3. HurriKane
                                              • 11 Years
                                              4 years, 6 months ago

                                              Surely city attackers(kun/kdb/sterling) are netter captiency option than Salah/Mane right ?

                                              I cant see newcastle keeping it tight with a scoreline of 2-0 while city-norwich game could be like 5-2

                                              1. Respect My Authoritah
                                                • 10 Years
                                                4 years, 6 months ago

                                                Maybe, maybe not

                                              2. HurriKane
                                                • 11 Years
                                                4 years, 6 months ago

                                                And kdb/sterling getting rested is exaggerated . they probably didnt break a sweat against minnows lithunia and kosovo. those game were more like training games

                                                1. Rhinos
                                                  • 10 Years
                                                  4 years, 6 months ago

                                                  that is so disrespectful. Just coz Kosovo aren't Brazil doesn't mean Raz didnt have to try. He ran a lot of k in that game. No chance he missses Shakhtar so it's gotta be a chance he misses Norwich. We'll see

                                              3. Jonesfromthere
                                                • 11 Years
                                                4 years, 6 months ago

                                                Yup I’m on raz

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

                                                I would captain Kun if I had him. But not with Sterling/KDB, Salah/Mane should be my choice. Sterling/KDB need more rest.

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

                                              I would captain Kun if I had him. But not with Sterling/KDB, Salah/Mane should be my choice.

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

                                                reply fail

                                              2. Rhinos
                                                • 10 Years
                                                4 years, 6 months ago

                                                Sterling easy c if no kun. Even if he's benched chances are won't come on

                                                1. AndyCook
                                                    4 years, 6 months ago

                                                    History suggests a 50/50 he will appear f benched

                                                2. KDB4PREZ
                                                  • 4 Years
                                                  4 years, 6 months ago

                                                  I fink kun is best choice this week tbh. He looks great and norwhich defense In peices

                                              3. jon.terry.tfh
                                                • 7 Years
                                                4 years, 6 months ago

                                                Pukki vs man city away or Duffy home vs Burnley? Looks like a 2 pointer either way unfortunately. What you fella reckon? Also starting Zinchenko.

                                                1. The 5% Team
                                                  • 5 Years
                                                  4 years, 6 months ago

                                                  All about your expectations. I think Pukki will blank so I would play Duffy this GW

                                              4. Party time
                                                  4 years, 6 months ago

                                                  Kunilicious party on Saturday. Tickets are up for sale. Get yours now!!!

                                                  1. Rhinos
                                                    • 10 Years
                                                    4 years, 6 months ago

                                                    pity it'll only last an hour

                                                    1. jia you
                                                      • 7 Years
                                                      4 years, 6 months ago

                                                      hattie + assist and hauled off in the 67th minute 🙂

                                                    2. Party time
                                                        4 years, 6 months ago

                                                        Hahaha... I would rather enjoy a party for an hour. Although, Kun will play 70 minutes & above 🙂 that is enough for a hat trick

                                                        1. Rhinos
                                                          • 10 Years
                                                          4 years, 6 months ago

                                                          im kun c too so hope you're right

                                                          1. Party time
                                                              4 years, 6 months ago

                                                              Yes, this is Agüero's last season for City imo, Personally, I don't see him at City next season. A game against Norwich is one made for Kun

                                                      • jia you
                                                        • 7 Years
                                                        4 years, 6 months ago

                                                        you are invited to my TCA party!

                                                        1. Party time
                                                            4 years, 6 months ago

                                                            Done 🙂 Kun will smash it this weekend so why not

                                                      • KDB4PREZ
                                                        • 4 Years
                                                        4 years, 6 months ago

                                                        I guess when they said don’t go with your gut I can c why now. You Gota be kidding us here man?

                                                        1. KDB4PREZ
                                                          • 4 Years
                                                          4 years, 6 months ago

                                                          Fail

                                                      • jia you
                                                        • 7 Years
                                                        4 years, 6 months ago

                                                        Locked and Loaded...Lets do this TCA!

                                                        Pope
                                                        TAA / Otamendi / PVA
                                                        Sterling / Pepe / Lanzini / Mount
                                                        TCAguero / Pukki / Barnes
                                                        (Button, Pieters, Cantwell, Rico)
                                                        1FT
                                                        1.1itb

                                                        1. Rhinos
                                                          • 10 Years
                                                          4 years, 6 months ago

                                                          gl don't like tc but hope itt works

                                                          1. jia you
                                                            • 7 Years
                                                            4 years, 6 months ago

                                                            Cheers mate, using it this week is not for the faint heated for sure!

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

                                                          What about the home game to Watford next GW instead for the TC?

                                                          1. jia you
                                                            • 7 Years
                                                            4 years, 6 months ago

                                                            They are not Norwich 😉

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

                                                              True. Game after the Norwich game is a UCL game whereas the game after the Watford game is Carabao Cup home to Preston. But yeah, good approach to tailor the TC to the opposition. Good luck!

                                                              1. jia you
                                                                • 7 Years
                                                                4 years, 6 months ago

                                                                Cheers mate, its not the end of the world if it doesnt work out anyway...TC and BB are both overrated chips imo

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

                                                                  True - hasn't properly come off for me since 15/16

                                                                2. AndyCook
                                                                    4 years, 6 months ago

                                                                    It’s really only a 1.5 captain. Worth 25 points at best

                                                          2. The 5% Team
                                                            • 5 Years
                                                            4 years, 6 months ago

                                                            might be a winner.
                                                            Most people will use it in a DGW on the same player probably, so the gain won't be nearly as much as playing it now (or next GW vs Watford), on Aguero who is much lower owned as well

                                                            1. jia you
                                                              • 7 Years
                                                              4 years, 6 months ago

                                                              thats the hope, its just the way Norwich play has really caught my eye and their lack of fit defenders...they could be brutally punished v City!

                                                          3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                                                            • 7 Years
                                                            4 years, 6 months ago

                                                            Wouldn't TC Kun away from home but GL mate!

                                                            1. jia you
                                                              • 7 Years
                                                              4 years, 6 months ago

                                                              Cheers

                                                          4. Rhinos
                                                            • 10 Years
                                                            4 years, 6 months ago

                                                            i think it's daft when city have a tricky cl game midweek. Whatever kun gets I'd fancy Salah to beat it when his dgw is announced

                                                            1. AndyCook
                                                                4 years, 6 months ago

                                                                Might not get one unless Klopp starts raking domestic cups seriously

                                                                1. AndyCook
                                                                    4 years, 6 months ago

                                                                    Taking*

                                                                  • Rhinos
                                                                    • 10 Years
                                                                    4 years, 6 months ago

                                                                    he's guaranteed one, gw18 a blank

                                                              • pingissimus
                                                                • 5 Years
                                                                4 years, 6 months ago

                                                                GL 🙂 at the TC

                                                                Really nice squad if that midfield holds up.

                                                                1. jia you
                                                                  • 7 Years
                                                                  4 years, 6 months ago

                                                                  Cheers Pingy!

                                                              • RIDZ
                                                                • 7 Years
                                                                4 years, 6 months ago

                                                                are you sure with Pva?