Scout Notes

Aguero benched as Man City and Spurs give team selection clues

Fantasy Premier League managers were handed some clues to unlock the Manchester City and Spurs team selections for Gameweek 6.

The two sides made their Champions League bow for the 2019/20 on Wednesday night, with both managers making changes to their sides.

These alterations have helped predict their respective line-ups when they face Watford and Leicester respectively this weekend…

Shakhtar Donetsk 0-3 Manchester City

Goals: Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m), Ilkay Gündogan (£5.3m), Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m)

Assists: Gündogan, Mahrez, Kevin de Bruyne (£9.8m)

Sergio Aguero (£12.1m) owners were able to relax as they watched Manchester City’s Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday night.

The centre-forward was named among the substitutes for the trip to Ukraine and stayed on the bench for the duration as Pep Guardiola’s men made light work of their opponents in a 3-0 victory.

Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) led the line, scoring the third and final goal of the encounter, as he played the full 90 minutes.

Such a turn of events means that Aguero is the most likely starter when Manchester City host Watford on Saturday afternoon, which could have a considerable effect on the captaincy debate.

Jesus playing 90 minutes midweek means Aguero looks likely to start against Watford

The Argentinian has already closed the gap on Raheem Sterling (£12.3m) in our latest poll, having yet to blank in the Premier League this season and averaging 9.2 points per game.

Those in possession of Aguero’s English colleague are likely to be nervous about his chances of playing against Watford in Gameweek 6 after Sterling played 90 minutes yet again on Wednesday night.

The game-time has stacked up for the attacker recently, as he was heavily involved in both of England’s matches over the international break, was forced into playing the whole game in the surprise defeat to Norwich, and stayed on the pitch for the duration midweek.

Meanwhile, Guardiola’s alternative options for the wide attacking midfield positions have both had rests in the last few days.

Bernardo Silva (£7.8m) played 72 minutes at Carrow Road and featured only as a 77th-minute substitute against Donetsk.

Mahrez got himself a goal and assist on Wednesday night

Furthermore, Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m) got his time off in Gameweek 5, registering just 17 minutes against Norwich, before producing a goal and an assist in an impressive performance in Ukraine.

“Last season when he (Mahrez) played, he played good, but this season he is more regular and his performances have been top. He helps with defending and has been doing both, the same with Sterling. It’s a pleasure to watch.” – Pep Guardiola

However, Sterling owners should not panic just yet, as there is still a case for his inclusion in Manchester City’s Gameweek 6 starting line-up.

The defeat at Norwich has left Guardiola’s side five points adrift of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League, so he may still want to use his best winger when they face Watford.

Furthermore, there will be subsequent opportunities for Sterling to get a rest in the coming days. Manchester City travel to Preston for a League Cup match midweek and host Dinamo Zagreb the following Tuesday.

If Sterling is rested for the Watford game, and is likely not used at Deepdale, he would be looking at a 10-day rest for the Gameweek 7 trip to Everton, which would probably be somewhat excessive. If the player starts against Watford, he will likely still get a seven-day rest period before going to Goodison Park, which hopefully Guardiola will be happy with, especially considering he could rotate him out when Zagreb come to the Etihad Stadium too.

Sterling owners may be concerned by his continued heavy usage by Guardiola

Either way, there does remain plenty of uncertainty surrounding Sterling and his owners should pay close attention to Guardiola’s next press conference.

Just as was the case in Gameweek 5, he was unfortunate not to get some attacking returns against Donetsk.

While he was deployed perhaps wider than his owners would be happy with, Sterling still had a few chances to be involved in goals, mostly in the second half.

With Manchester City already 2-0 up, Ilkay Gündogan (£5.3m) pounced on a loose pass in midfield and drove through the Donetsk defence, his shot directly at goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov.

The shot-stopper could not hold onto the ball though, forcing Sergey Krivtsov into a terrible clearance straight at a loitering Sterling. The England international probably did not expect such a poor effort from the defender and rushed his shot from close range, watching it cannon off the post.

After initially playing out wide, Sterling drifted into the middle a bit more for the last 25 minutes, and could have got himself an assist, had Kevin de Bruyne (£9.8m) been more accurate. He set up the Belgian for a drive from range which went just wide of Pyatov’s post.

De Bruyne got himself an assist in Ukraine and could have arguably scored twice

After frustrating his owners with a Gameweek 5 benching, De Bruyne looks likely to be involved against Watford this weekend.

Not only may Guardiola realise he needs his best central midfielder back in the team as he chases Liverpool’s Premier League lead, but the Belgian has also now had sufficient rest time.

He played just 33 minutes at Carrow Road and, despite starting in Ukraine, came off after 77 minutes.

De Bruyne’s ability remains unquestioned as he registered his sixth assist of the campaign on Wednesday night. It was him who set up Jesus for his goal in the second half, starting a counter-attack and putting the Brazilian one-on-one with Pyatov.

The midfielder also had another chance to score before that in the first half, played through by Jesus and rattling a powerful effort just wide of the post.

Given his performance on Wednesday night, De Bruyne certainly looks in good shape to get some attacking returns against Watford.

As expected, Fernandinho (centre) played at centre-back for Manchester City

There were also important developments in defence for Manchester City, both of which should be of particular interest to Fantasy managers.

The first was that, as expected, defensive midfielder Fernandinho (£5.3m) dropped back into centre-back alongside Nicolas Otamendi (£5.4m), with both Aymeric Laporte (£6.4m) and John Stones (£5.4m) out injured.

The Brazilian, who does have experience in defence, looked fairly confident and assured against Donetsk, suggesting that Manchester City’s clean sheet potential may not have been as heavily damaged as first feared.

The hosts still had some chances, but often Fernandinho was the one on hand to frustrate them.

In the first half, Júnior Moraes was played through by Taison but his shot, under pressure from Fernandinho, was straight at Ederson (£6.1m).

It was the goalkeeper’s movement that denied Moraes when he got through again but Fernandinho’s tracking back was very important for the striker’s third and final chance of the game.

He got through on Manchester City’s defence perhaps a little too easily, and Ederson had come too soon and too far away from his goal, so Moraes attempted a lob. However, Fernandinho had, in the mean-time, moved back to cover the goal and usher the shot out of play.

With both Laporte and Stones out long-term, Fernandinho should be at centre-back once again on Saturday, which may inspire some much-needed confidence in Manchester City’s back-line.

“I didn’t have doubts that Ferna would do that. Of course, Ferna is a player who can play many positions and has good personality and that’s why he is so important for us.” – Pep Guardiola

“It was a quiet night at the back but the team have made a very good game. It was easier at the back because we played as a team and the guys up-front closed down the space. I’ve been training in this position since the start of the season. Pep knows all about our squad and team. Today was my opportunity and I hope I can improve more.” – Fernandinho

Gündogan was arguably one of the best players for City and could get more Premier League game-time with injuries in defence

Fernandinho’s shift into defence may also unlock the potential of central midfielder Gündogan, who is likely to get more game-time with the Brazilian not competing for his position.

He was arguably the best player on the pitch against Donetsk, earning himself a (Fantasy) assist for Mahrez’s opener, hitting the post before the Algerian netted the rebound, and scoring himself.

In fact, the German international probably could have had a hat-trick had he been a bit more fortunate.

“The important thing is the credit he has from all of us, (Gündogan) is an exceptional player. He knows how good he has to play because there are many in that position. In centre-back, we have many injuries but in that position, we have many players. He had seven months out in the first year but now I am so satisfied and people can start to look at what he’s done over recent months for this club. We couldn’t have won the Premier League the way that we did it without him, especially when he plays in three positions. Outstanding performance from Ilkay today.” – Pep Guardiola

Zinchenko may not be as adversely affected by Mendy’s return as we first feared

Finally, Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.6m) owners may have been concerned by Benjamin Mendy‘s (£5.9m) return to the matchday squad on Wednesday night, but their fears were actually alleviated in the end.

The Frenchman was named on the bench and did take to the field in the 83rd minute, but not in the place of Zinchenko.

Mendy came on for Rodri (£5.5m) and played at left-back while Guardiola pushed Zinchenko into central midfield.

The Ukraine international played that position in both matches for his country between Gameweeks 4 and 5, scoring a total of two goals.

So there is now a possibility that Mendy’s return, rather than damaging Zinchenko’s potential, could actually do the opposite and improve it. However, it is still early days and we may have to wait a few more weeks to see exactly what impact the two left-backs will have on each other.

“I’m so happy he’s back, he lost a lot of time. He worked hard on his recovery. He’s an important player for us, it’s a long season and we need more players. I’m happy for him.” – Oleksandr Zinchenko

Manchester City XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Otamendi, Walker (Cancelo 81′); Gündogan, Rodri (Mendy 83′); Sterling, De Bruyne (B Silva 77′), Mahrez; Jesus.

Olympiakos 2-2 Tottenham

Kane scored another penalty as Spurs drew with Olympiakos

Goals: Harry Kane (£11.0m), Lucas Moura (£7.3m)

Assists: Ben Davies (£5.5m)

There were very few positives for owners of Spurs assets to take from their 2-2 draw with Olympiakos on Wednesday night.

Harry Kane (£11.0m) netted a penalty while Lucas Moura (£7.3m) scored an impressive effort from range, but their 2-0 lead came against the run of play.

Furthermore, they surrendered that advantage in the end, allowing a spirited Olympiakos side back into the game.

Since May 2016, Spurs had not let a 2-0 lead slip in any competition until this month, when they have done so twice, first to Arsenal in Gameweek 4 and now to Olympiakos.

“When we are not showing that intensity that the competition demands we struggle. We are not talking about quality. We’re talking about being focused, concentrated, aggressive, anticipating the action. How many times did we anticipate today? How many times we were not proactive like we were against Palace. That is a very good example in three days, it’s a massive difference. It’s not about tactics, it’s not about quality players, it’s about the quality of preparing yourself to be ready to fight.” – Mauricio Pochettino

“You can see why the manager is frustrated. He has been here for five years now and we are still making similar mistakes as we were the first year. We are not young any more, we are not inexperienced, we have played in big games for club and country. We have to try to find a way to get around it and improve and get better. That is all we can try to do.” – Harry Kane

Eriksen was poor for Spurs on Wednesday night

Many of us have been expecting Mauricio Pochettino’s men to play much better when Christian Eriksen (£8.8m) is in the starting XI but he was very poor on Wednesday night.

In what was described by local press as one of his worst ever performances in a Spurs shirt, the Danish international created very little and lacked movement off the ball too.

Eriksen did play an excellent cross into Dele Alli (£8.4m) in the second half, which he put in the net after being ruled out for offside.

However, Eriksen’s delivery across the whole match was poor, especially his set-pieces. In fact, his corners were so bad that, by the end of the match, both Ben Davies (£5.5m) and Erik Lamela (£6.0m) had taken corner duties off the Danish international.

Alli was denied a goal on his return by a correct call from the linesman

Alli’s return to the team is certainly of interest to Fantasy managers as he made his first start of the season.

However, it may be some time before we can consider him a viable option with Spurs themselves proving a little unreliable and it being early days for Alli.

Obviously, he did find the net in Greece, although was ruled out for offside, and he also showed some poor decision-making in the final third later in the game.

In the 64th minute, he was played through on goal but shot across goalkeeper José Sá when he probably should have squared it to Kane.

“(Alli) was injured and he needed to be back. We are going to help and try to find the best level that he needs to start to be the same as he was. Today was a tough game when the collective performance wasn’t the same and for sure it wasn’t a great game, but overall I am happy with his performance. Of course, we know well, and he knows, that he needs to improve but he only needs time now.” – Mauricio Pochettino

Sánchez was one of many Spurs defenders who did not impress in Greece

As much as Spurs were uninspiring going forward, they were also somewhat suspect in defence. A lot of Olympiakos’ efforts in the first half came down Davies’ flank, including the goal.

After Miguel Ángel Guerrero had hit the post early on, Giorgos Masouras was allowed too much space for his shot, directing it into the ground and over the bar.

It was Daniel Podence who got the deserved break-through in the 43rd minute. He was released inside Davies’ run back towards the Spurs goal by Mathieu Valbuena, slotting in a powerful finish.

In the second half, it was Jan Vertonghen (£5.3m) who was at fault, fouling Valbuena for the penalty he eventually scored.

Also enduring a poor evening was Davinson Sánchez (£5.4m), who Pochettino continues to experiment with at right-back. Just as was the case in the Gameweek 4 draw with Arsenal, he struggled, although admittedly, there was nobody as threatening as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) this time.

Son’s role as a substitute should solidify his chances of starting in Gameweek 6

Perhaps the only positives to come out of Spurs trip to Greece for Fantasy managers was a hint at their Gameweek 6 line-up.

Both Son Heung-min (£9.6m) and Erik Lamela (£6.1m) were benched for this match and featured as substitutes only after the 73rd and 76th minute respectively.

With both players scoring in the Gameweek 5 win over Crystal Palace, their return to the team for Saturday’s meeting with Leicester seems likely and could spark Spurs back into better form.

That said, Lamela’s main contribution to the effort in Olympiakos will have frustrated his team-mates. He had an opportunity down the left-hand side of the penalty box to square to a number of options but opted to blast a shot at the near-post which was saved.

Tottenham Hotspur XI (4-2-3-1): Lloris; B Davies, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Sánchez; Ndombele (Sissoko 62′), Winks; Alli (Son 73′), Eriksen, Moura (Lamela 76′); Kane.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 5

1,197 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Chris Wilder on John Lundstram: "He's been one of our outstanding performers in the first five games of the season. I may try him as a striker while Sharp is suspended”

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      *I may have added a bit to the actual quote

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

        this is real or are u kidding mate? 🙂

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I think the clue is in the comment you just replied to 😉

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

            😉 Yes
            i didn't realize it 🙂

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

      huh !!!!!

    3. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Ok this is epic

    4. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Hahaha he's joking. We have plenty of strikers, he has been solid though tbf.

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        The first bit is a genuine quote 🙂

      2. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Sad!

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

      Nice
      Old club too
      Might play him now 😀

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

    What are you guys gonna do with Zinchenko and City defence overall? Do we stay away from their defence till they sort things out, or do we stick and potentially do Zinchenko --> Otamendi move because Mendy is about to put Zinch on a bech? What are you guys planning to do?

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

      I'm going to hold for now. Z is versatile enough to play in various positions (as showed in the CL match yesterday and in his national team role in midfield), so until he clearly loses his spot to Mendy I'm going to keep him. But definitely monitoring him.

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

    What’s with the price drops this season? Callum Wilson has scored or assisted in every game this season and he’s dropped 0.2?

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      It's triggered by the number of sales, not the number of points.

    2. MTPockets
        4 years, 6 months ago

        others were scoring more

      • Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Not as explosive as others.

      • De Gea Van Dijk. 10
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Auba should be 11.5 by now.

    3. Pedaso Pirates
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      WC team not locked in...
      £0.9m ITB

      Pope/Button
      TAA/Zinchenko/Soyuncu/Lundstram/Vestergaard
      Son/KDB/Mane/Cantwell/Hayden
      Pukki/Abraham/Firmino

      Gone: Sterling, Kane, Salah to bring in cheaper on form players

      Feedback please

      1. MTPockets
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Not sure Liverpool's fixtures warrant Mane + Firmino vs City and Auba, but otherwise looks good

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

          I would be extremely concerned about not owning any of Salah, Sterling, Aguero or Aubameyang

          1. Pedaso Pirates
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            How about I downgrade Firmino for Haller and upgrade KDB for Sterling?
            Mane is arguably as good as Salah and cheaper.

        • PrettyDick
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          What did you do with the rest of the money? Cash out?

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Very stuck here. 2 FT's. 0.1 itb.

        Pope
        Emerson* Zinch Lundstrum Mina Kelly*
        Sterling KDB Salah Cantwell Mount
        Haller Pukki Barnes

        Any ideas?

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

          Emerson to Vertonghen?

          1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Spurs defence? Really? Maybe when they get into form, but that move is basically out of the frying pan into another frying pan

          2. Rupert The Horse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Love the Spurs fixtures

        2. MTPockets
            4 years, 6 months ago

            You need Lampard's press conference first

          • Witty Pun: Not good at this…
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Hmmmmmmmmmmm. Sterling and Emerson to Trent and Son?

            1. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              That sounds a bit too crazy for me.

              1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Not crazy at all, you get the best defensive option in the game and my favourite FPL player in for a massive dud and Sterling 😳

                1. Rupert The Horse
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Hmm

          • Kay317
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Tricky prices to find quality replacements at. How much longer Emerson out for? Chelsea fixture swing makes him a bit more attractive.
            I've taken a punt on aurier - may not pay off but he looked good last week. Rest of your team is good so not much harm done if a gamble goes wrong.

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

            Very close to my team.

            I did Emerson + Barnes > Söyüncü + Abraham.

            1. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Nice idea, but if theres a time to have Barnes its probably now.

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

                Fixture wise - yes
                Form wise - not really

        3. Bruce Lee
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          On a wc and need to somehow skim 0.7m to fit in mane, salah, kdb and aguero... help?

          Pope
          TAA, Guilbert, Dunk
          Salah, Mane, KDB, McGinn, Cantwell
          Aguero, Pukki

          Lund, 4.4m, 4.5m

          1. MTPockets
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Liv - che, shu, LEI, mun, TOT, avl, MCI
              They could of course score lots in every game, but not sure they're amazing fixtures personally

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

              TAA > Ota?
              Do you need both Salah and Mane?

              1. Bruce Lee
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                TAA to Dgine also an option thanks!

                Yeah I thunk they'll both bag loads regardless

            • Kay317
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Mane to Son - use change to upgrade mcginn

            • FPL Forward Thinker
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Mcginn to 4.5
              Dunk to Rico
              4.5 to ayew

          2. EL tridente
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Which combo?
            A) Sterling and Haller to Son and Auba
            or
            B) Van Dijk and Haller to Soyuncu and Auba

            1. MTPockets
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Who do you prefer - Sterling or Son?

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

                  Obviously Sterling long term, but is a risk this week

              • cescpistols111
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                B for sure

              • FPL Forward Thinker
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 6 months ago

                B

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

              Predict the Scout picks squad.

              Ryan (Button)
              Digne, TAA, Otamendi, (Lascelles) (Rico)
              Salah, Sterling (C), Ceballos,, Cantwell, (Dendonker)
              Auba, Pukki, Barnes

              My best bet stickign within the budget.

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

                Ah not sure on the whole team but:
                Auba, Buendia, Pukki, Richarlison, Digne, Son, Aurier, Wilson

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

                  And kun whoops

              2. MTPockets
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Aguero will be in it

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

                    It will have 3 of Salah, Sterling, Auba, Aguero... my guess is they drop Kun and captain Sterling.

                    1. MTPockets
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        Nah they're not risk takers

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

                          huh?
                          It isn't a risk.
                          They simply can't afford to put Aguero, Auba, Salah and Sterling in.
                          As they already have City cover, the logical one to drop is Aguero.

                          1. MTPockets
                              4 years, 6 months ago

                              Guess -
                              Ryan
                              TAA Digne AMN Lascelles
                              KDB Mane Lanzini Cantwell
                              Aguero c Auba

                  2. cescpistols111
                    • 8 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Stuck on what changes should I make this week. 1FT, 0.1 ITB.

                    Planning of WC after GW8 and thinking I can keep Aarons if I play R/D/L as my 3 defenders till then (assuming Robbo is fit). Thoughts?

                    Heaton Button
                    Robbo Digne Lowton Aarons Lundstram
                    Sterling Mane Mount Ceballos Dendoncker
                    Kane Haller Barnes

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

                      Why WC after GW 8?

                      1. cescpistols111
                        • 8 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        Feel like the team will need it at that point.

                    2. TRE2
                      • 6 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Kane->Auba?

                  3. Kay317
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 4 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    The boredom of a night shift led to me hitting the wild card button - that and the fear of another sterling blank Vs Aguero haul!
                    I have a spot in midfield going for 6.3mil, any advice welcome??
                    Current team:

                    Pope (Button)
                    TAA, Digne, Aurier, Lund, Rico
                    Salah, KDB, Mount, Cantwell, Lamela*
                    Aguero, Pukki, Abraham

                    I could free up a bit more cash by downgrading defence a little more, but would rather not.

                    1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
                      • 7 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Yarmolenko?

                      1. Kay317
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 4 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        Do you think he outscores Lamela? I guess he's more nailed. He looked poor against villa though, put me off a little. Thanks though, I'll have a look

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

                    Current team structure is very problematic as I have no premium striker and way too much money in defence, would you WC this (1 FT with 0.8 ITB):

                    Ryan - Button
                    TAA - VVD - Digne - Otamendi - Rico
                    Sterling - KDB - Salah - Hayden - Dendoncker
                    Haller - Pukki - Greenwood

                    into something like this:

                    Pope - Button
                    Otamendi - Aurier - Lowton - Lundstram - Rico
                    Sterling - KDB - Mane - Cantwell - Guendouzi
                    Aubameyang - Pukki - C. Wilson

                    OR at 1m after terrible last few weeks, need to do something a bit different to start climbing back up (top 6k last season, same aim for this season).

                    1. Kay317
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 4 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      I've just used my WC for same reasons. Only player id like to see in that is TAA. Watch him get benched now I've said that!

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

                    Best replacement if James Injured :
                    Possibly for 2weeks then i'll wildcard:

                    A)mcneil (NOR,avl)
                    B)Lamela (lei,SOU)
                    C)milivojevic (WOL,NOR)
                    D)any other upto 6.4£

                    1. FPL Forward Thinker
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 5 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      If wildcarding soon....Punt on SCHLUPP - double header at home against a rotated, tired wolves and shaky Norwich defence ( conceded 12 in 5 and 6 in two away)

                  6. FPL Forward Thinker
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 5 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Ask yourself.

                    Would you be more annoyed selling Sterling and then he hauls 20 points
                    Or
                    Keep sterling and he gets no mins and your vice captain hauls and autosub hauls.

                    1. MTPockets
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        former but not captaining him

                      • Brehmeren
                        • 13 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        I don't think you are covering all the scenarios there, buddy.

                    2. Wardinator
                      • 8 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Ok so community would love your advice....

                      Pope. Button
                      VVD. Digne. Soyuncu. Rico. Hanley.
                      Salah. Sterling. KDB. Maddison. McGinn.
                      Rashford. Pukki. Greenwood.
                      (2 FT, 0itb)

                      A) salah & greenwood to Aguero(C) & Cantwell
                      B) VVD & Rashford to Aubameyang & 4.0
                      C) something else, if so what?

                    3. Flynny
                      • 9 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Hi. Don't think I want to risk sterling captain this weekend, so what to do here?? Thanks

                      Pope
                      Vvd digne rico (soy guilbert)
                      Salah sterling kdb james (cantwell)
                      Haller pukki barnes

                      A....save ft and captain kdb

                      B....sterling and haller to kun (c) and Madison- 4

                      1. MTPockets
                          4 years, 6 months ago

                          a

                        • Witty Pun: Not good at this…
                          • 7 Years
                          4 years, 6 months ago

                          (S)alah

                        • Kay317
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 4 Years
                          4 years, 6 months ago

                          Or captain Salah...

                          1. Flynny
                            • 9 Years
                            4 years, 6 months ago

                            Yup. Captain salah also an option....

                            Thanks

                      2. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
                        • 5 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        All the bargain bucket basement defenders have risen.

                        1. FPL Forward Thinker
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 5 Years
                          4 years, 6 months ago

                          Except Grantie boy

                          1. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
                            • 5 Years
                            4 years, 6 months ago

                            True.

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

                        Finally settled on my WC team I think...

                        Pope 4.0
                        TAA Digne Soy Lund Rico
                        Salah Sterling KDB Cantwell 4.5
                        Wilson Abraham Pukki

                        Keeps the core of Salah Sterling KDB TAA and Digne whilst having the inform attacking players.

                        GTG?

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

                          yeah i like it

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

                          Who you thinking of captaining? Nice team btw, it looks like mine 😉

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

                            Sterling or KDB

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

                        The key WC question to answer for me regarding Cantwell at 4.8m; is he a:

                        A) dream enabler 11th man to allow an upgrade elsewhere?
                        B) reliable 12th man from the bench?

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

                          half way between the 2?

                          1. FPLHaggis
                            • 9 Years
                            4 years, 6 months ago

                            It's difficult to call but massively influences structure!

                        2. MTPockets
                            4 years, 6 months ago

                            B right now. Could become A
                            (although I'm risking A)

                            1. FPLHaggis
                              • 9 Years
                              4 years, 6 months ago

                              I'm inclined to risk A also. Only needs to yield 3 ppm to be value in my eyes (0.6 per million spent)

                              1. MTPockets
                                  4 years, 6 months ago

                                  Yep that's my perspective, and arguably even lower than 3ppm (but needs upgrades to match theirs)

                          • ZakyJ
                            • 8 Years
                            4 years, 6 months ago

                            What should i do with this team?

                            Pope Button
                            VVD Digne Zinch Lund Rico
                            Sterling Salah KdB Mount* Cantwell
                            Haller Pukki Greenwood

                            1.4m ITB & 2FT

                            Im interested in Haller>Abraham and possibly Mount>Martial when hes back but if i do that i.e next week then i dont really have cash to play with.

                            If i ignore that i could do
                            VVD>TAA
                            or
                            Mount & VVD > Son & 4.6m Def

                            Help please

                          • Pedram
                            • 10 Years
                            4 years, 6 months ago

                            Aguero owners, are you captaining him this week?

                            1. MTPockets
                                4 years, 6 months ago

                                for sure

                              • SOTHPAW
                                • 5 Years
                                4 years, 6 months ago

                                Like asking if the Pope is Catholic.

                                1. Bobby Digital
                                  • 6 Years
                                  4 years, 6 months ago

                                  Or if he shits in the woods

                              • Now I'm Panicking
                                • 9 Years
                                4 years, 6 months ago

                                You bet your sweet bippy

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

                              Have Kun and thinking Sterling to Cantwell & Greenwood to Auba, good moves?

                              1. MTPockets
                                  4 years, 6 months ago

                                  Who would have played over Greenwood?

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

                                    Mings or Kelly probably, also have Mount James injured

                                    1. MTPockets
                                        4 years, 6 months ago

                                        Risky move but guess you do need more starters (and assume you want to hold Mount/James).

                                  2. Kay317
                                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                    • 4 Years
                                    4 years, 6 months ago

                                    Could be. Unless sterling hauls.
                                    Auba and sterling could score similarly over coming weeks but cantwell better than greenwood so I guess it's an upgrade in that respect

                                • Johnny too hotty
                                  • 12 Years
                                  4 years, 6 months ago

                                  can you see anything hugely wrong with my WC side guys

                                  Pope
                                  Digne VVD Soyuncu Lundstram
                                  Mane STerling Cantwell Son
                                  Abraham Auba

                                  Button
                                  Rico
                                  Hayden
                                  Greenwood

                                  1. MTPockets
                                      4 years, 6 months ago

                                      nope

                                  2. Chelsea91
                                    • 5 Years
                                    4 years, 6 months ago

                                    Pope
                                    Lund,Matip,Zink
                                    Salah,Sterling,Mane,KDB,Cantwell
                                    Pukki,Barnes

                                    save transfer and doing Zink and Barnes to Tammy and Aurier/Sokratis. Good to go GW6 with Sterling or Salah to captain ? Currently on Sterling.

                                    1. Kay317
                                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                      • 4 Years
                                      4 years, 6 months ago

                                      GTG

                                      1. Chelsea91
                                        • 5 Years
                                        4 years, 6 months ago

                                        thanks mate

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

                                    Whats worse?

                                    A: Captain Sterling, he gets benched and gets a 1 point cameo

                                    B: Captain KDB, Sterling starts and gets a 20 point haul, KDB blanks

                                    Im thinking A is worse, which is tempting me to captain KDB, plus I must consider the fact that in both home games city have played this season, KDB has been an absolute monster and scored double digit hauls

                                    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
                                      • 12 Years
                                      4 years, 6 months ago

                                      They're both the same assuming A has kdb scoring a haul

                                    2. Surfeit of Lampteys
                                      • 6 Years
                                      4 years, 6 months ago

                                      How many points does kdb get in scenario A?

                                    3. FPL Forward Thinker
                                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                      • 5 Years
                                      4 years, 6 months ago

                                      Look at Sterling’s game time for 2-3 City games after England double headers in October 2018 and March 2019 to see why he may rest soon. Burnley home and ca

                                      Honestly if I owned Raheem Sterling, he’d be my captain 100%, as I believe he’ll get one of two things:

                                      1) 20 Points
                                      2) Zero Minutes

                                  4. Surfeit of Lampteys
                                    • 6 Years
                                    4 years, 6 months ago

                                    I think us sterling captainers will be fine. Sorry this doesn't fit the alarmist narrative some people have on here but it's a fixture he got a hat trick in last season and he will rest next midweek. If he's benched, they're unlikely to need him and have plenty of squad players who will come on ahead of him. I know I thought the same about De Bruyne at Norwich but different prospect at home and City usually bounce back from defeats well.

                                    1. FPL Forward Thinker
                                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                      • 5 Years
                                      4 years, 6 months ago

                                      I don’t own sterling but agree with above. One word of warning. Raheem bizarrely played minutes oxford in league cup last year, so you never know if he’ll appear against Preston.

                                      1. Surfeit of Lampteys
                                        • 6 Years
                                        4 years, 6 months ago

                                        If he does, it will only be as a sub. That's as good as a rest.

                                    2. MTPockets
                                        4 years, 6 months ago

                                        Mahrez and Jesus both played full game yesterday as well. That lessens my concern, but still Pep risk

                                        1. Surfeit of Lampteys
                                          • 6 Years
                                          4 years, 6 months ago

                                          Yeh pep risk but choose your vc well and I think it's easy street tbh. The much bigger worry is that he blanks again. I will still captain him though.

                                      • Now I'm Panicking
                                        • 9 Years
                                        4 years, 6 months ago

                                        Probably, but you have to accept there is still a slight risk.

                                        1. Surfeit of Lampteys
                                          • 6 Years
                                          4 years, 6 months ago

                                          A slight risk of what? The one pointer?

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

                                      any thoughts about my WC team?

                                      Heaton (Stekelenburg)
                                      Maitland-Niles - Digne - Lundstram (- Pieters - Rico)
                                      Salah - Son - KDB - Cantwell (- Dendoncker)
                                      Kun - Barnes - Pukki

                                      0.2 itb

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

                                        Think you should swap Salah to Mane, and use that money to get better defensive options than Maitland Niles and Rico, maybe Otamendi and Mings if you can afford that?

                                    4. LIARS POKER
                                      • 7 Years
                                      4 years, 6 months ago

                                      Thoughts on doing Mount to David Silva for a 1 week punt before WC?

                                      Don't think I will be keeping Mount on wildcard anyway and if I did would only lose 0.1

                                      1. MTPockets
                                          4 years, 6 months ago

                                          Great choice imo

                                      2. Rinseboy
                                        • 12 Years
                                        4 years, 6 months ago

                                        Just a simple vote of yes or no for the below, thanks!
                                        Sterling, Mount and Haller to Son, Auba and 4.5 mid for a -4?
                                        Gives me the cash ITB to do Barnes to Tammy next week also for free!

                                        Pope
                                        TAA Digne Rico
                                        Sterling Salah Cantwell KDB
                                        Haller Barnes Pukki
                                        Button Lunds Soyuncu Mount

                                        1. Kay317
                                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                          • 4 Years
                                          4 years, 6 months ago

                                          No. Personally think you need either sterling or aguero.

                                        2. MTPockets
                                            4 years, 6 months ago

                                            no

                                        3. Ozzy smith
                                          • 9 Years
                                          4 years, 6 months ago

                                          Repost. VVD Zinc Greenwood > Lowton Soyuncu Tammy for -4? Able to wait on Tammy until next week to avoid the hit, but I'm conscious of mount missing out.

                                          Heaton
                                          TAA Dinge VVD Zinchenko
                                          Salah Sterling KDB Mount
                                          Pukki Barnes
                                          (Button Dendon Lunds Greenwood)

                                          1. Sergeant Garcia
                                            • 9 Years
                                            4 years, 6 months ago

                                            Do it! Too much invested in defence atm.

                                        4. Kay317
                                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                          • 4 Years
                                          4 years, 6 months ago

                                          Options for final spot on wild card team:

                                          1) Lamela
                                          2) Iwobi
                                          3) Yarmolenko
                                          4) McNeil
                                          5) Djenepo
                                          6) James
                                          No particular order.

                                          Or any other suggestions. I already own Mount and Cantwell in that price bracket. Can rotate with these 2 for 3rd and 4th mid spot.
                                          Responses would be much appreciated.

                                          1. Sergeant Garcia
                                            • 9 Years
                                            4 years, 6 months ago

                                            James is the best option probably.
                                            Iwobi could be a great punt with their upcoming fixtures.

                                            1. Kay317
                                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                              • 4 Years
                                              4 years, 6 months ago

                                              I may go iwobi this week as they should do Sheffield and then look at James later on.

                                          2. Bobby Digital
                                            • 6 Years
                                            4 years, 6 months ago

                                            Yarmo