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. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Play:

    Pope (bha)
    Heaton (WHU)

    Thanks

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

      Pope

    2. We Will Klopp you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Pope

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

      Pope

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

      Pope till the end of season

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

    Assuming you have one and haven’t used your wildcard yet which flop or flops are still in your team from GW1 who you haven’t had the chance to ditch yet.
    For me it’s Ake with a total of 5 points over four game weeks. I did have holebas as well but well I was wise enough to realise and rectify that horrific mistake early on.

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

      They've already been let go

    2. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Che Adams
      Played on my bench mostly but is starting to smell

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

      Che Adams. All the XG no returns

    4. megatron14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Josh King. Gone if he doesn't do something against Leicester this GW.

      1. megatron14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I mean Everton

    5. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      4 weeks in and most of your absolute non bench fodder dross should be gone.

      Perez was last to depart my team (this week) but now, I don't have any total flops still languishing. Wesley next on the chopping block on my team.

    6. Squeakybum99
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Greenwood/Dendo. But they are enablers. Doesn't play. Rest have been let go in 3 GWs. Wilson hasn't been a dud and I believe is a good differential so not counting him in although he isn't a popular choice as far as forwards are concerned.

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

        Wilson is a really interesting hold - well done

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

      Siggy and I use my WC this week because 3 injured

    8. STEP rOVERS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Wilson but Pukki was the plan after city.

  3. FatallyFlawless
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Current WC after replacing Trossard...

    Pope (Button)
    TAA / Matip / Ota (Soyuncu / Lunds)
    Salah / Sterling / KDB / James / Ceballos
    Pukki / Haller (Connolly)

    0.4 ITB
    Go to go? Any improvements you can see?

    1. MTPockets
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Pretty similar to mine atm, although 3-4-3 with Aguero vs your 3-5-2 with Salah
        Still undecided about Ceballos

        1. FatallyFlawless
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah I was a bit, but after the Trossard injury - it seemed the best idea. Also, Arsenal picked up MORE injuries! This Int. Break.
          So he is likely to start, with a brilliant run of fixtures.

          1. MTPockets
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Cheers I need to check on those injuries. Also still pondering Haller/Matip vs Barnes/Digne

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

          Matip+Ceballos to Sokratis+Mount? Wouldn't double up on Liverpool defense again personally. Arsenal looks not good in defense but their fixtures looks strong, that's why dare to try with Arsenal def for this WC.
          Chelsea also has strong fixtures until gameweek 15, Mount for budget mid looks great for long term.
          But if you wanna keep Matip, maybe James to Mount is enough

          1. George Sillett
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Sokratis is a terrible pick.

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

              That's still arguing in my mind between Zouma or Sokratis. I need around 5.0 def from big club and I can only see both of them.

      • FF Red!
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Currently have Kane and Perez and 0.2 itb.

        Would you
        A) keep kane and replace perez
        B) de bryne and barnes in.
        C) de bryne and haller in.

        Rest of team is ryan zin digne robertson vvd lund sterling salah pukki. Thanks.

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

          A with Mount or Harry Wilson

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

          C. Pretty comfortable C.

        3. FatallyFlawless
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          C

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

          how many FT? Wouldn't take a hit for B/C. Keep Kane only for this week should be fine but not sure with Perez. Maybe just Perez to Mount and it's also good for long term.

          1. FF Red!
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            2 free transfers. Tempted by kane for the fixture but also feel kdb could score big v Norwich and more essential long term

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

              then B for long term. Haller fixtures looks weak while Barnes looks much stronger

              1. FatallyFlawless
                • 13 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                But - Haller is the main striker, and has better players around him. To look at the other side of it.

                1. FF Red!
                  • 4 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Reckon barnes might score higher next few weeks due to fixtures

              2. FF Red!
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Thanks. B would leave me money in bank too to possibly upgrade zin to mendy in few weeks.

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

          I prefer de oil to de bryne

      • Pia06rc
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Anyone with Mane considering him for the armband?

        What do people think of his chances of a big haul?

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

          Have Mané, but considering swapping for Salah. Feeling the latter is more reliable, + pens

        2. King Kohli
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Performs better in home games than Salah.
          Good chance of double digits imo.

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

          Between him and Sterling for me

      • Pompel
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Given their likely steady price increase, CL starting and Jesus returning, I'm thinking this GW is the time to decide who shall partner KDB :

        A) Sterling
        or
        B) Agüero

        for rest of season?

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

          Aguero

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

          Has to be A

        3. We Will Klopp you
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I think A, spot is more secure with sane out & outscored aguero last season anyway

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

          Sterling for me. Most nailed on attacker for City.

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

            Except this GW perhaps?

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

              Yeah perhaps not this GW. I think he's like 75% to start.

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

          Rest of season makes little sense to me.

          I’d go Kun - Pep may play Jesus ahead of him this season but it just didn’t happen at all last time despite the scares. On fire right now

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

            Ofc it's possible to swap around, but given their price rises - which I expect to continue - I think it takes too much toll on team value

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

              Ok

              Sterling I suppose is the more likely long long term hold. Prefer Kun as he gets you to another premium forward. There’s value there I believe - not least as you get a non City Pool captain option

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

                That's a valid point, but then swapping premium mid + budget forward to premium forward + budget mid should always be just transfers.

        6. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          you dont have to make any rest of the season decisions.
          Ever.

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

            But there's the loss of selling and re-buying at higher price. But points over value ofc - must admit I often get a bit hung up in price rises and value

            1. Christina.
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Its Sterling + one of KdB/Kun.

              I own Kun, but might swap for KdB.

              Pick one and sit back.

        7. KujaliaFC
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Jesus is coming back?

          Repent!

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

          Currently on A. Aguero more explosive but Sterling is consistent. With Jesus returning, Aguero won't play 90 mins more than Sterling.
          Moreover, budget forward is very popular now, Pukki, Barnes, Haller, Abraham. Just use 2 or 3 of them and you will go with Salah/Mane+KDB+Sterling

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

        Play Cantwell (MCI) or Ayew(tot)?

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

          Ayew

        2. We Will Klopp you
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Ayew, spurs have been looking poor

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

          Tough

          Cantwell I think. Be huge surprise for Ayew to bag any returns but he’s made me eat my words twice already.

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

          As an owner I said Ayew. He will play in my team every weak as he made 2 goals+6 baps in last 2 gameweeks.

      • We Will Klopp you
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Gracia's been rehired already? That was quick.

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

          By whom?

          1. We Will Klopp you
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Read the end of the second paragraph ahead of the quote.

            1. The Big Fella
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Surely writing where he has been hired would have been quicker than writing that reply?

      • Dannyb
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Martial and Wan B to Trent and James -4?

        1. Klip Klopp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          A bit sideways really

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

          Thinking about it but will almost certainly roll. For me it’s an exact amount move and by the time pressers come it’ll probs be too late.

          A non decision decision 🙂

      • pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Tough

        2 looks better but benching risk this week and next could leave you with ten men. I’d play it that way.

      • BoomXhakaLaca1
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Haven't been on here over the IB any news on the Laporte/Otamendi situation?

        1. We Will Klopp you
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Laporte out for long term, Otamendi likely to be nailed on

          1. BoomXhakaLaca1
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Handy city defense points so

      • Ynwalfc
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Pope
        Zinchenko,Lundstram,Maitland-Niles,Mings
        Sterling,KDB(C),Salah,Mane
        Pukki,Barnes

        Subs Button,Cantwell,Kelly,Greenwood

        GTG? Thanks guys

        1. FatallyFlawless
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Defence isnt amazing, but I can see youve invested it elsewhere. Arsenal have great fixtures, but i'm not sure they'll keep many clean sheets.

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

            Thanks, think I’ll give Niles a couple of games, he’s looked good going forward. See ur point tho

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

        I’m seriously considering taking out Mane and bringing in Pepe instead for the Watford game after looking at the opposition and underlying stats/comparison tool.
        A: Interesting
        B: Maverick
        C: Madness
        D: Just plain stupid

        1. Klip Klopp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          A

        2. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          there is only one winner in the comparison tool.

          and its not pepe.

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

            Shots heatmap
            xG shots

            I might be reading it wrong but I don't agree

            1. Christina.
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              well I have out them into "comparison tool'' and Mane wins hands down overall.

              not saying Pepe is a no go, but not in place of mane. Never.

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

                Same here, I'm just saying that according to the shots and xG heatmap Pepe could be worth it, he also outscores Mané in minutes per xA and xG.
                Pepe has a better run of fixtures and saves 2mil.
                ...now i'm just talking myself into doing it 🙂

                1. Christina.
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Good luck.

        3. HuttonDressedasLahm
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          D

        4. Klip Klopp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Can you give me done advice below?

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

            Looks like it's all been said 🙂
            I wouldn't wildcard either, except if you think your team structure is flawed and you really want a player like Aguero (which I own so i'm biased) and you want to jump into the great run of fixtures that Arsenal are looking at, but that could wait for next week. Also, I would also play a WC to take advantage of price rises which would be too late for this gameweek - and there weren't any really interesting rises this week anyway due to the IB.

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

          B for Bold - what are you doing with the change?

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

            It would give me 2.5 itb, could upgrade a defender to TAA or Digne next week. Or I could upgrade Pukki or Haller to Vardy/Firmino

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

          Not for this game. And I say it as a Pepe owner.

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

            C In that price bracket Kev is essential, but after him it's gotta be Sadio. Pepe might be good for the next match, but for consistency, Arsenal aren't gonna get anywhere near Liverpool.

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

          C

      • Klip Klopp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Desperatly need some advice. Worth wildcarding? Or any advice how I can sort this out. No free transfers...

        Pope
        TAA / Kelly / Digne / Lundstrom
        Salah / KDB / Mount / Sterling
        Wilson / Pukki

        Bench: Heaton, Wickham, Montoya, Dendoncker

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

          I dont see any problems here

        2. FatallyFlawless
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Dont think it's in need of a WC

        3. AndyCook
            4 years, 6 months ago

            I’d leave it as it is, what would you want to chance? Possibly Wilson (and even he is a decent option) and defenders?

            1. AndyCook
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Change*

            2. Squeakybum99
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Nothing to sort out. Play that team and ponder next week. No WC obviously

            3. Laporte of the Gods
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Agree with all of the above. Not sure it needs a WC. Defence can be sorted slowly through FTs / -4

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

              Answered above 🙂

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

              Umm that's a pretty good team

          • amit1964
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            pick 2 to play:

            a) lundstrum (SOU)
            b) soyonchu (united)
            c) coleman (bour)

            thank's

            1. Klip Klopp
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              A and c. Can you answer mine above?

            2. Jolly Good
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Defo A&C.. not sure why you were thinking of not playing Coleman

              1. amit1964
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                beacouse easely he can get just 2 point

          • Hazardous1983
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            pukki and jota for barnes and abrham

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

              Does one need to fund the other? Can you just do Jota to Barnes?

          • Hazardous1983
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            for a -4 hit.

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

            Looking at the state of Bournemouth defence being flagged left right and centre, Everton attacking assets look a good option.

            Digne please 🙂

            1. Jolly Good
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Well they have the attack to make the CS unlikely as well...

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

                Digne attacking returns make the lack of clean sheet for GW5 better than having a defender with no clean sheet.

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

                  I'm a little bit nervous of having to lose Digger in my wildcard shake-up.

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

                    You’ve turned tail? What’s the defence now? I’d have thought Digger was an easy hold until cs are blown off course - recent convert here 😉

                    City and double Pool?

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

                      All Tooffes gone. Triple City attack, triple Pool (Bobby, Trent, Joel), Vardy. Not enough left for luxury defenders 🙁

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

                        Nice look

                        Envy you Vardy especially - getting him in in 7 probs. But will need to lose either Kun or Sterling to do it.

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

                          I should stress, the squad is woefully unbalanced. I've got 3x4.5 midfielders and 3x4-4.5 defenders!

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

                            Oops

                            Was wondering how it added up. But the City big triple up for 5/6 seems worth the punt - it’s how I’m going.

                            You planning on shifting one of them on in 7 to rebalance?

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

                              No, the City Big 3 are intended as season-keepers. Might hurt not having Salah or Mane, but that could be rectified by losing Firmino and TAA.

                              The makeweights will play the fixtures; for example, this weekend sees Lowton, Lundy and Guendouzi start - next GW Cantwell, Donkers and Guilbert could step up. I'm not too unhappy with it at the moment.

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

                                Could be absolute gold I suppose - think Christina has an analogous set up with McGinn and Cantwell as 3rd 4th mid and that’s around top 1k right now I believe.

                                Suspect it will be topsy turvy and a fun ride.

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

                                Topsy-turvey will do me fine as I'm in a weekly cash ML. $50 for first, zero for coming second!

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

                              My plan will be to shift Aguero but that depends on whether Jesus will actually be eating to much of his minutes.

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

                    I want him in but the hit is what I am pondering.

                    He is either going to give you a 12 or more pointer plus bonus or 2 points. Assits and goals more than possible GW5 with him.

                    Risk you take but as stated, Bournemouth defence is depleted so my feeling is -4 will be wiped out.

          • Jolly Good
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            RMWCT

            Pope, 4.0
            TAA, Robbo, Digne, Otamendi, Lundstram
            Salah, Sterling, KDB, (Cantwell, Dendo)
            Haller, Pukki, 4.5

            Lundstram to rotate with Cantwell for the 11th spot

            Also undecided between Robbo vs VVD+0.4

            1. bitm2007
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Very similar to mines, differences are Kelly and Martial instead of Robertson and Dendonker.

              1. Jolly Good
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                I am 0.1 short of considering that..... maybe when martial drops ....

                A bit undecided on martial vs Haller ... fixtures leaning me towards Haller

                1. bitm2007
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  I'm 0.3 short at the moment, but am expecting to gain 0.1m when Martial drops, and 0.1's if Abraham and James rise for a second time this GW.

                  You could just downgrade the 4.5m forward to a 4.4m.

                  1. Jolly Good
                    • 8 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Just checked 0.1 short after including the downgrade to 4.4 fwd and including martial drop to 4.5

                    Although to be honest I feel liverpool wingers will be more value over the season

          • milanista10
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Would you do AWB to Matip for free if you have no Pool defenders?

            1. Super John McGinn
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              100%. Utd look leaky at the back. I brought Matip in last night to double up on Pool defenders for the Newcastle game.

          • Laporte of the Gods
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Lost patience with King - replace with Barnes or Haller? Have pukki

            1. Super John McGinn
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Haller. He's starting to settle at WH and looks mustard. Can see him grabbing a goal or two against us on Monday night unfortunately. He is a real handful.

          • Legohair
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            I can only afford one??
            A. Otamendi
            B. Digne(if digne, then have to downgrade ayew to greenwood)

            1. Laporte of the Gods
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Digne

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

              B

            3. MTPockets
                4 years, 6 months ago

                a

                1. MTPockets
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    But would only get Ayew if playing/rotating him, not just to sit on bench every game

              • Super John McGinn
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                With Sterling playing the full 90+ minutes against Kosovo last night, do people think he's likely to be rested/benched for the Norwich match on Saturday? Trying to decide who I should captain. Him, KDB or Mane. Thoughts?

                1. Laporte of the Gods
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  See page 2 of this topic. Not sure Sterling will be rested. I am trying to decide between sterling and salah

                  1. Super John McGinn
                    • 6 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Ah thanks

                2. Laporte of the Gods
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  In summary - Norwich concede goals and chances (largely because they are attacking) so that presents opportunities for City assets, conversely Salah / Mane nailed on to play against Newcastle who aren’t the best side but can set up defensively as they did against Spurs.

                  Likely to flip and flop in my decision making until the deadline...

                3. AndyCook
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    If De Bruyne and Mane were my other options I would got Sterling

                  • Smurf
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    It’s a pointless discussion to be honest. Not one single person can predict Pep, not one. His benching are usually completely random. Sterling’s minutes in IB are irrelevant because it won’t help you guess Pep’s plans.

                    Then only question you need to ask yourself is, are you happy with taking the risk Sterling plays and gets a super haul? Or do you think the risk of an early sub or him not starting isn’t worth taking?

                4. Iceball
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Have 1ft. Whats more urgent?
                  A) King to Haller
                  B) AWB to Otamendi/Zinchenko

                  1. MTPockets
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Depends if AWB's still injured. Need manager update

                    • Laporte of the Gods
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 5 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      A for me. AWB still has potential for BPS whereas King doesn’t have that redeeming factor.

                      Why haller instead of Barnes?

                    • pingissimus
                      • 5 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      A

                      Man U defence iffy but the Palace result was a very strange one. Don’t see that being repeated often against lower table sides. He’s not looking great value but don’t see moving him on as a priority. City have been conceding too!

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

                    gtg & save FT?

                    Pope
                    Van Dijk / Digne / Zinchenko / Lundstram
                    Salah / Sterling / DeBruyne / Maddison
                    Haller / Pukki

                    Ryan / Dendoncker / Cathcart / Greenwood

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

                      Very nice

                  3. gooner_112233445566
                    • 4 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    what to do this week...
                    pope (button)
                    vvd, digne, lund, (montoya), (rico)
                    salah, kdb, sterling, mount, lanzini
                    jimenez, pukki, (greenwood)

                    1.2 itb, 1 ft
                    any suggestions??

                    1. the dom 1
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 9 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Jiménez > Barnes ??

                  4. Kizza_10
                    • 9 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Which do you prefer if you already own Mount ?

                    A. Haller
                    B. Abraham

                    1. the dom 1
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 9 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Haller spread the risk

                    2. Laporte of the Gods
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 5 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      A - spreads the risk. But Tammy has been in great form...

                    3. oz-marsh
                      • 8 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Id go B

                  5. bitm2007
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 9 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    WC team

                    Pope, Button
                    TAA, Otamendi, Digne, Lundstram, Kelly
                    KDB, Salah, xxxxxxx, Martial, Cantwell
                    Haller, Pukki, xxxxxxx

                    A) Sterling with Greenwood on bench
                    or
                    B) Ageuro with Guendouzi on bench

                    I'm currently on A, but be would give me a third player to rotate with Lundstram/Cantwell for the final starting spot in my 11, a stronger bench, and an easier way of getting in a different premium forward (if required).

                    1. oz-marsh
                      • 8 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      With jesus back and more rotation with champions league - A

                  6. oz-marsh
                    • 8 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    This is for my draft.

                    Who would you pick:
                    Eriksen
                    Pogba
                    Dele Alli
                    Ndombele
                    CHO

                    Thanks in advance

                    1. AndyCook
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        Probably that order, certainly the bottom two probably won’t offer much over the season and maybe Alli won’t either

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

                      How does this WC team look? Is 2x non playin bench too much?!

                      Pope (4.0)
                      TAA - Digne - Otamendi (Lundstram, Rico)
                      Salah - Sterling - KdB - James - Mount
                      Pukki - Haller (Greenwood)

                      0 cash left