Scout Notes

Guardiola explains why Aguero was benched as City rotation continues

Manchester City maintained the five-point gap between themselves and Liverpool with a 3-1 win over Everton.

We round up the main Fantasy talking points from the Saturday evening kick-off at Goodison Park in our Scout Notes below.

Everton 1-3 Manchester City

  • Goals: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.8m) | Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m), Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m), Raheem Sterling (£12.1m)
  • Assists: Seamus Coleman (£5.4m) | Kevin De Bruyne (£10.0m) x2, Sergio Aguero (£12.2m)
  • Bonus: Mahrez x3, Coleman x2, De Bruyne x1

The notion that Sergio Aguero (£12.2m) is the ‘safest’ route into Pep Guardiola’s ever-changing attack was weakened somewhat on Saturday as the Argentinian striker dropped to the bench for the first time in the league since Gameweek 1.

Last season, Aguero was about as nailed an option as possible during the autumn months.

With the premium forward only starting two of City’s six UEFA Champions League group games and sitting out his side’s first two EFL Cup ties, Aguero was a reliable option for Fantasy managers, starting every single league match from Gameweeks 1 to 13 – only a groin injury halting that run in December.

His benching on the opening weekend of 2019/20 wasn’t a great shock given his late return from the Copa America but this latest demotion from the starting XI was more of a surprise, especially considering that Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) was given a 90-minute run-out at Deepdale on Tuesday.

Jesus was handed only his second league start of the season on Merseyside, however, with Aguero’s owners having to make do with a 25-minute substitute’s appearance and an assist for Raheem Sterling‘s (£12.1m) game-clinching strike.

David Silva (£7.6m) and Bernardo Silva (£7.9m), both of whom had started City’s last two competitive matches, also dropped to the bench for this encounter.

Guardiola explained his decisions in a broadcast interview after full-time and sounded some ominous comments about changing his team “every single game” going forward.

The City boss said:

I want to make everyone involved. Of course, Sergio can play and David can play but the last game in the Champions League, they didn’t play; I want to let them play in the Champions League, we play on Tuesday. So, I want them to play everybody.

For me, it’s tough. Some players don’t play regularly. I’m going to move the team every single game to be part of that. I know everybody wants to play, I understand completely, but it’s the only way to maintain the level for 11 months.

There was one final twist to the Aguero benching, however.

In quotes released from the embargoed section of Guardiola’s press conference on Sunday evening, the City boss offered a slightly different take on proceedings:

In Champions League, the first game, David and Sergio didn’t play and I will let them play the second game.

Yesterday, Sergio felt something a little bit in the leg. I said, ‘OK, to start the game I prefer Gabriel’. In the last minutes, sharp, go Sergio. He came in and makes two actions to shoot. The third goal came from him.

The reality is, we Fantasy managers are going to have to endure the occasional spot of rotation in order to tap into City’s blistering attack.

Sterling, Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne (£10.0m) and Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m) have seven benchings between them this season but all four players sit in the top ten FPL points-scorers of 2019/20 as of Sunday, so the risk is evidently worth the reward.

When Guardiola has in-form players like Mahrez at his disposal, of course, rotation is easier to implement from his point of view.

The Algerian winger was one of the game’s stand-out players, registering more efforts on goal and key passes than any of his teammates.

The former Leicester wide-man scored his side’s decisive second goal, curling in a free-kick after De Bruyne had been chopped down – although Jordan Pickford (£5.5m) should have done better with the effort.

There ought to have been other attacking returns for the Algeria international, with Ilkay Gundogan (£5.2m) and Sterling wasting glorious opportunities that he carved out.

Mahrez is one of the names that Sterling’s Fantasy owners have to be worried about and, in contrast to his teammate on the opposite flank, the England international had something of a stinker.

The premium midfielder was particularly out of sorts after the break, first wasting that aforementioned Mahrez assist when firing wide, totally unmarked, from 12 yards.

Sterling then failed to control a Kyle Walker (£6.0m) cross with the goal at his mercy and wasted possession on another couple of occasions when City were breaking at speed and in numbers.

The great thing is from an owners’ perspective is that, even on an off-day, Sterling can still deliver points.

The former Liverpool winger broke a three-game duck by following up Aguero’s saved effort in the 83rd minute to round off the scoring and the fact that he was getting into dangerous central positions was very much a positive to take from this second-half display, particularly after the concerns over his touchline-hugging role at Norwich and indeed in the opening exchanges at Goodison Park.

De Bruyne has delivered an attacking return in every league game he has started this season and he registered his eighth and ninth assists of the campaign here, first producing a sensational cross for Jesus to nod in and then being fouled for the free-kick that Mahrez despatched.

While he was not the completely dominant force he had been against Watford, there were still moments of genius from the Belgian playmaker and his pair of assists means that he is now the leading FPL points-scorer in 2019/20.

De Bruyne averages exactly nine points per match at present.

The Belgium international was withdrawn in the 79th minute on Merseyside and there were rumours of a possible injury to the in-form midfielder, although little else substantive has followed in the ensuing 24 hours.

The Athletic’s Sam Lee reported the following on Saturday evening:

Reflecting on the game overall, Guardiola said:

Absolutely outstanding. At Goodison Park it’s always difficult, this stadium. We started incredibly well, as usual, we created chances and scored a goal.

After that we had a lot of problems to control our left side with Sugirdsson because in that area they had one more player there. We had a lot of problems.

In the second half, except set-pieces, conceding free-kicks and some long balls we played again good. I had the feeling we had clear chances but not many for the last control, we arrive in positions with Sterling or Riyad and the control could be better.

Ederson made two incredible saves at 2-1.

As Guardiola alluded to there, it wasn’t all plain sailing for City.

The defensive insecurity that was punished by Norwich in Gameweek 5 was again in evidence at Goodison Park, with makeshift stopper Fernandinho (£5.2m) at fault for the hosts’ strike.

That wasn’t an isolated moment of weakness at the back, with Ederson called on to make smart stops from Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.8m) and Yerry Mina (£5.5m) late in the game.

Gylfi Sigurdsson (£7.6m) also found himself clean through on goal but couldn’t control a lofted pass.

Guardiola said of Fernandinho and his defence:

We don’t have any other options, he’s going to play in that position, except if injured. The best defenders in the world make these kind of actions. With the ball, Fernandinho was outstanding today.

That is what it is, we have to go with these two guys and after, young players. We’ll see what happens next Tuesday if they are fit and recovered for the Champions League game and hopefully John [Stones] will come back from the international break, can be fit to help us, to have more players in that position.

It’s worth saying that no side has kept more Premier League clean sheets than City this season and they will continue to record shut-outs even with a centre-half pairing of Otamendi and Fernandinho, as they did against Watford and Shakhtar.

Their aggressive pressing from the front and the fact that they hog the ball for long periods of the game are defensive assets in themselves, although any team willing to have a go at the reigning champions may find more joy than they would have with Aymeric Laporte (£6.3m) in the side, based on the evidence of the last few weeks.

Everton certainly gave a positive account of themselves and were more convincing from an attacking perspective than they had been in Gameweek 6 – although breaking down the ‘smaller’, more defensive-minded clubs (Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Sheffield United) has been their problem this season.

Reflecting on the game, Marco Silva said:

Manchester City were better than us until the first goal but we showed a reaction and the desire to challenge them to try to get a different result.

The reaction was really good, we equalised and the game was more balanced. Our players showed that desire to react and challenge them.

Then the second half was better. We spoke at half-time about being more aggressive in our organisation and in the challenge.

The reaction after City scored the free-kick was very good again and we had two big chances.

We have to keep the attitude and desire we showed in the second half. In this way, we will score and get results in the next games. From good results confidence will come and everything will be different.

A first goal of 2019/20 for Mina surely can’t be too far away, with the Colombia international a constant threat from set plays.

Having Mina and Michael Keane (£5.5m) to aim at is good news for Lucas Digne (£6.1m) and, although his delivery was below-par at times, the left-back still could have emerged from this game with an assist when Mina forced Ederson into a fine save from his corner.

The impressive Seamus Coleman (£5.4m) did get an attacking return, with his goalbound effort being turned in on the goalline by Calvert-Lewin.

While there were glimmers of hope from an attacking perspective, Everton have conceded at least two goals per game in each of their last five league matches – only Watford have shipped more in that time.

Digne remains the same attacking threat as he always did but the Toffees do look less than solid at the back, with Idrissa Gueye‘s departure and an injury to Jean-Philippe Gbamin (£4.9m) perhaps leaving them more exposed than they were at the back-end of 2018/19.

Members Analysis

Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Mina, Digne; Delph, Schneiderlin (Davies 81′); Walcott (Iwobi 7′, Kean 74′), Sigurdsson, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin.

Man City (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Zinchenko; De Bruyne (Bernardo 80′), Gundogan, Rodrigo; Mahrez, Jesus (Aguero 65′), Sterling (D Silva 86′).

Lessons Learned from Gameweek 7

1,463 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Pope
    Robertson VVD Digne
    Salah Sterling KDB Mount
    Pukki Abraham Greenwood

    Button Lundstram Rico Dendoncker

    1 FT, 0.3 ITB

    What to do here please?

    Thanks 🙂

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

      digne out, could get perreira or pretty much anyone

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

      Downgrade one of the Liv defenders to afford Vardy.

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

        Preferably to Soyuncu

  2. Ferris Bueller
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC please?

    Schmeicel Pope
    TAA Matip Ota Lund Rico
    Salah KDB Mount Yarm McGinn
    Wilson Haller Tammy
    Bank £0

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Feel a big hitter up front is needed if on WC, leaves a bit wanting in mids too.

      1. COYS Down Under
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah somehow looks like a weak midfield and forward line.

        Don’t get Schmeichel either.

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

      Problem is that if I descend on this, I'll end up recommending the template to you

      Schmeichel + Pope is a big NO, by the way. You'll be putting yourself at a disadvantage while so many other players have 1.0m less spent on GKs

  3. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed, any advice guys? Thanks in advance.

    Any changes required here or save FT? Looks like Montoya might drop but ok fixtures coming up so don't think he's worth wasting a transfer on. 

    Pope (Stekelenberg)
    TAA, Robbo, Mings, Lowton, Montoya
    Sterling, Son, KDB, Cantwell, McGinn
    Cilson, Abraham, Pukki

    1 FT 0.3 ITB

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

      Save, plenty to go at there rotation wise

  4. L'Aeroplanino
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Pereira wagon?
    Digne -> Pereira after liverpool?

    1. COYS Down Under
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I don’t have Digne but hope to move Ota to pereira after next GW.

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

      Don't laugh: he might be my Pukki replacement in GW9

      As wrong as that feels...

  5. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Season pretty much over, bench is fodder trash, other than that, G2G here and no changes needed? 0.0 ITB, 1FT

    Pope
    TAA - Lundstram - Otamendi
    Salah - KDB - Son - Mount
    Pukki - Aubameyang - Abraham
    ___________________________
    Button: Cantwell, Hanley, Gibson

    Thanks 🙂

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      31 GWs to go mate, plenty of time to improve your rank :). G2G.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I know, just gonna be a hell of a slog, wondering if it's even worth it this season, but i'll still play 🙂 Cheers bud.

    2. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Needs more Sterling 😉

      In all seriousness, the team looks good. Bench is a bit light as you say, but passable as long as Hanley regains his spot.

    3. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      decent team

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

      That's a good team. Not the best, I agree. But a good team. Auba hat trick today to lift the spirits 🙂

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        How would you improve it? I actually really like it. Bloody hope so, Auba is staying put for a bit.

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

          There's nothing I can think of there that counts as an improvement. Maybe Salah to Sterling, but that's a huge maybe and would be temporary until GW11... So doesn't feel right

          You'll feel freer with selling Auba to shake things up when Laca returns in a GW or two, so you're fine until then

          1. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Ahh ok cool, yeah i'm very anti-sterling after how he's treated me and prefer to keep Salah anyway, think he'll do better than people think over this brief run of testy looking fixtures.
            Cool when Laca returns i can have a re-think like ya say, cheers bud 🙂

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

      That team will come good, chin up mate, onwards and upwards!

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks again Jia, fingers crossed. Was always gonna be a sliding GW for me as i took a few hits for this to set me up for these fixtures to come as something had to change, hope fully can chill now and let it ride and hopefully improve 🙂

  6. Can’t beat em so&hell…
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    One big prob here. 1Ft, £1m, WC. What would you do?

    Ederson/ Button
    VVD/ Tomori/ Lund/ Lowton/ AURIER
    Sterling/ Martial/ Mount/ James/ Dend
    Aguero/ Firmino/ Pukki

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

      Why do I keep seeing Martial?

      He offers no OOP value when he isn't on the pitch. Fear of being "punished" has made you hold onto a 7.5m certain 0-pointer for how many GWs now, yet Aurier is the problem with a one-game ban?

      1. Can’t beat em so&hell…
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        You’re right of course. Keeping thinking he’ll be back and bigger issues....

    2. Can’t beat em so&hell…
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I was thinking...

      Ederson + Aurier -> pope and Ota?

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

        There's a massive -8 that can get you KDB, but I'm not sure how willing you are to roll the dice:

        Ederson + Martial + James => Pope + KDB + Cantwell

        Aurier to Soy for GW9. VVD to TAA can then happen whenever you wish

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

    Thinking of a mini-WC during the IB, how does this look?
    Barnes + Zaha + PVA to Vardy + Yarmalenko + Sonyuncu (-4)

    1. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Good on paper

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

        cheers, guess thats all I can go by at this stage...I prob wont do anything even remotely like that when the time comes lol

        1. Flaming Flamingo
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Always the case. No harm in planning ahead though, I suppose.

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

            yup and Palace fixtures turn dramatically after GW8

  8. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Mahrez could be a massive differential. The Pep comments recently about rotating the side each match to give everyone playing time and getting the most consistency in performance over a season throws more more uncertainty over whether Mahrez getting league or CL games.

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

      watched that game yesterday evening after work and Mahrez was brilliant, best I've seen him play!

      1. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        here's the problem, last season in September they played Cardiff and he scores two goals, next game in the league cup he scores a goal against Oxford. Next league game he is benched.

        So, he could be benched against Wolves.

        1. COYS Down Under
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Wouldn’t surprise me to see him cameo off the bench next league game. But is that a problem? Every few weeks a similar problem is going to come a long with all City players

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

      mahrez could rival sterling for points if equal minutes

  9. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    As someone who's not owned Mount, I'm surprised by how much he's risen in price. If he rises tonight, that's a 0.7 rise. Looking at his points, I would've never guessed that. McGinn has 1 less point and has risen just 0.2. Even Tammy has risen only 0.6.

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

      Mount's points have come closer to each other over a greater spread of game weeks than the other bandwagons, making him interesting to both "casuals" and "veterans". Also, many people started the season with a 6.5 - 7.0 price point and flocked to Mount from GW3 when he was basically announced nailed over Barkley. Let's just say the stars aligned

      1. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        No wonder my TV is absolute shite. I'm missing the main man 😆

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

          I think Pukki was the perfect bandwagon though. Left all 6.5s in the dust. Even Barnes had to rise slowly with 4 goals in 3 games due to the Pukki party. 0.7m rise

          Gotta wonder how much of a skyscraper he'll become if AVL turns out to be the goal-fest it should be on paper...

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

    im drunk and i just did a ridiculous -8 xD, has the potential to bite me so bad.
    Pukki, Cantwell, Hayden > Greenwood, Mount, Yarmo
    Losing Cantwell and Pukkia with that home fixture is no doubt suicide 😀

    1. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Pukki for Greenwood is a bad idea.

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

        im not playing greenwood he is formation shift for hayden

    2. Party time
        4 years, 6 months ago

        It's gonna bite your bum & your head so bad. GL chappie

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

      I'm yet to own Pukki this season, but I'm looking at finally bringing him in. The fixtures looks great for a good stretch.

      How do current owners feel about his prospects in your team?

      1. Arctic monkeys
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        He´s not going anywhere for the moment, needs to start getting points away from home.

      2. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Had him for a while, not seen the recent game, so unable to comment if he still looks sharp.

        Will watch a repeat of the game vs Palace during the week to assess.

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

        I wouldnt be against selling him if my situation was different tbh, think Norwich might struggle a little from here on. The thing is I bought him after GW1 at 6.5 plus I have a blanking Barnes in my team who perhaps should go first!

        1. Digital-Real
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Sold Barnes last week and 2 weeks too late, watched him vs Brighton and he looked to have lost all momentum he had before IB. Wood is better to own, seems to have better scoring positioning than Barnes.

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

            4 blanks in a row since I bought him 🙁

      4. Flaming Flamingo
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Happy to keep him long-term. Still amazing value with those great fixtures.

      5. PastaFasul
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I had to get him as a shield for my mini-league, others jumped in earlier and profited. I got three wonderful blanks. But who knows? Much like Barnes and Tammy for me....form-killer.

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

      Would really appreciate your feedback/suggestions 🙂

      Ryan
      Maguire-VVD-Tomori (Lundstram/Pieters)
      Mo-KDB-Sterling-Mount
      Pukki-Tammy-Haller

      Is this a definite save transfer?

      If Mo blanks (and Pukki perhaps) thinkings downgrade Mo and Pukki>Vardy/Auba?

      Thanks!

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

        or Haller>upgraded forward

        1. Bees4Lyf
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I do like the Haller upgrade, strong everywhere else

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

        Auba would return to the wing in GW9 or 10, resuming the Auba - Laca - Pepe connection. I don't think this makes Auba a worse asset to own as he can score from any attacking position, but I feel it's something you should know if you're planning to buy him in GW9 or 10

        I think your next few transfers should have more to do with your defence than where you're focused on. Save this week, then Maguire to Soy should be on the cards for GW9. Who will you sell Mo for, by the way?

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

          Thanks! Great insight and advice. I agree on Maguire out...this week was "keep an eye on Haller and Maguire to move from."

          I don't know exactly? If Vardy comes in, possible Son. If Auba, maybe Mcginn just to throw a couple names out. Really haven't thought too much about the mid...but if Vardy and Auba deliver (tomorrow) and next week, it will be pretty enticing.

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

          it definitely does make him a worse asset to own

          i think pukki/tammy/haller can go untouched for the next 10 weeks. your team is great

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

            would plan to get otamendi in

    5. Bees4Lyf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Any news on a trossard return? Want him on my WC as a fifth playing mid at 5.8.

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

        Can you not squeeze .1 more for Yarmo? No idea about Trossard

        1. Bees4Lyf
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Mmm this is a very good shout, thanks, will have a tinker.

      2. Flaming Flamingo
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Looking at him myself. Don't think he'll be back before the next international break though.

    6. Ange Ball
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Anyone getting in Creswell?

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

        tumbleweed

      2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I did straight swap from Aurier!!

        1. Ange Ball
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Reason why?

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

        Seems very reasonable.

        1. Ange Ball
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Think he will come good

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

        might get him for aurier

    7. Little Frank
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Looking at getting a Leicester attacker in after the Liverpool game. Assuming everyone is fit, which is the better option:
      a. Maddison and Firmino in a 3-5-2
      b. Vardy and Pukki in a 3-4-3

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

        b

      2. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        b

    8. No Salah
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      On WC, please suggest

      1. Can’t decide on which keeper to get.
      2. For third striker: Pukki or Wilson?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Good question on the GK, Burnley get meh fixtures soon enough.
        Ryan doing quite well.

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Depends on where the money goes, Wilson delivering every GW and Pukki mainly at home.

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

            yeah exactly. So far pukki gets double the usual wilson pts (which is 5 or 6), but only on home games. If you can have another player come in on away games you'd get more points

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

          Patricio, Schmeichel, Pope, Kepa, de Gea.
          In that order for me.

      2. No Salah
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        So, Wilson confirmed.

        But GK is giving me a real tough time! Finally might go for Schmeichel which will make it double Lei defence with Söyüncü!! Please talk me out of it 😛

        1. Party time
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Rodger that

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

        I’m thinking of wildcarding next week...

        Any one week punts worth doing here?

        1 FT / 0.9 ITB

        Heaton Button
        TAA Otamendi Soyuncu Lundstram Rico
        Sterling Mane KDB Son Dendoncker
        Abraham Pukki Greenwood

        1. FC Hakkebøf
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          No because you loose TV. But why would you WC that lot?

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

            Red arrows every week + chasing 50 points with very similar teams

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

              50pts is nothing at this stage, dont force it

        2. Party time
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Sterling to Salah if you're interested

        3. Ange Ball
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Which defender should I get in this game week for AWB

          A) Tom
          B) Cresswell
          C) Pereira
          D) Doherty

          1. Bring back Rafa
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Probably C because he is the only one that will give you attacking returns coupled with plenty of CS

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

            newcastle away might be decent, hold 1 week buy pereira imo. wouldn't get doherty

          3. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            E) AWB

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

            seems sideways to me, like tomori tho

            1. Ange Ball
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              No my luck Newcastle put shift in get result against Utd

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

            This week? Cresswell!

        4. FC Hakkebøf
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          How funny would it be to own a TRAMP back 5?

          TAA
          Robertson
          Alonso
          Mendy
          Peireira

          Not saying its sustainable, because it's not and Mendy will be rotated etc, but I do love having offensive fullbacks in my team

          1. COYS Down Under
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Ahhh the good old days of the RAM backline.

        5. davies
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Worth a hit?

          Mane + Greenwood > McGinn + Auba (c)

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

            I’m considering a similar move with Salah instead of Mane. Not sure if I’ll go through with it but it’s very tempting.

            1. Party time
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Salah will score a hat trick against leicester, ya know? 🙂

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

                  Could do every week! That’s the risk.

            2. Party time
                4 years, 6 months ago

                Mané should do good against leicester, why not bank the ft

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

              Is it time to think about captaining KDB instead of likes of Salah, Mane, Sterling, Aguero?

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

                it isnt

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

                  Any thoughts why not?

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

                    his current output is probably not sustainable and those 4 are 11m+ for a reason (they score more goals)

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

                      Whilst a relatively small sample size, his point output this season if he started has been very consistent, even for the international break though.

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

                        he wont finish the season on 40 assists

                        1. Party time
                            4 years, 6 months ago

                            He could if he stays fit & keeps the current form

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

                          his xa delta is over +5. yes he'll overperform but not to that extent over the course of season, its not possible

                  2. Cok3y5murf
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Didn't you say early in the season that KDB was a bad pick?

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

                      yeah, his numbers last season were garbage but a full pre-season seems to have done him wonders. he's had a flying start but isn't sustainable as you'll know

                      1. Cok3y5murf
                        • 7 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        Of course it's not sustainable. I've always disagreed when people throw around tripe that he's a season keeper. But at that price, it doesn't have to be sustainable. He's currently performing beyond it.

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

                          im not in the camp that believes an overperformance one week (or in one cluster of games) makes it more likely the next. given city/liverpool fixtures and cheap options elsewhere im happy to have him

                2. Bring back Rafa
                  • 4 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Unless if he.plays 90 mins midweek

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

                  Yes - it has been for a few weeks to be honest.

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

                    Since the Sterling benching debacle, I think it triggered me to start thinking of captaining kdb instead.

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

                      sterling has played more minutes than de bruyne this season

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

                Gw rank of 6.2m 😆

                1. Party time
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    That is someone's overall rank. Show some respect! 🙂

                  • EMBOLOFAN
                    • 5 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    wow

                2. Moose™
                  • 11 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Nightmare week. 41 points all out.

                  Any changes?

                  Pope

                  Otamendi Lundy Kelly

                  Salah KdB Son Mount

                  Aguero(c) Tammy Pukki

                  Sub: Button Cantwell Rico Soyuncu

                  0.0 ITB & 1FT.

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

                    Not for a hit.

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

                  It could be a bit of a struggle: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Young; McTominay, Matic; James, Lingard, Pereira; Greenwood.

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

                    united are underestimated at the back and arsenal dont tend to turn up away from home. unpopular opinion, but could be low scoring

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

                      As long as it’s not a blowout I’ll be happy. I really want to see Greenwood play.

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

                  Anyone else seriously considering Aubameyang for next week?

                  For me it would probably mean Salah and Barnes to Auba and Yarmolenko/D Silva (or someone else up to 8m). Pretty tempting considering Auba’s fixtures compared to Salah’s.

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

                    Good option. But I just don’t have the space:

                    Aguero Pukki Tammy frontline.

                    That will be: Aguero Vardy Tammy after Vardy plays LFC, so no room at the inn for Auba.

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

                      Yeah if you have Aguero then it’s really a choice between him and Auba.

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

                    i think when casually factoring in kane/auba vs sterling/salah people tend to forget that mids get an extra goal and, for city and liverpool, a cs point very often. seems like a small thing but can make a big difference. personally i think it's a bit sideways but no doubt will be a popular move. i would prefer to lose a liverpool defender (assuming you have one) and upgrade barnes to whichever of pukki, haller or tammy you dont already have

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

                      extra point for a goal*

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

                      Thanks - I actually have double Liverpool defence so had planned to do VVD to Otamendi this week but hadn’t noticed how good Arsenal’s fixtures are.

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

                        citys next 4 aint bad either 😉

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

                          Yeah I’d like to get back on their defence too.

                    3. Cok3y5murf
                      • 7 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      That logic is dependent on the fact that both the mid and the forward have scored the same number of goals. If the mid blanks and the forward scores, the forward is the better pick. A good example is Aguero being far ahead of Sterling. He's even done it having played lesser minutes.

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

                        the logic isn't dependent on anything, the rules of fpl are the rules of fpl. i just said that when comparing premiums it's something that i think is a blind spot for a lot of people on here. obviously strikers can outperform midfielders if that's what you're informing me of

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

                          It is a good point - a goal and clean sheet for Salah is 8 points so Auba would need either two attacking returns or one with 2-3 bonus to match the score.

                        2. Cok3y5murf
                          • 7 Years
                          4 years, 6 months ago

                          If they can, it's fair to consider them and ignore what you pointed out. Like I said, Aguero has comfortably outscored Sterling. It is similarly fair for someone to believe that Auba can outscore Salah by scoring more goals than him, in which case, Salah's extra point for a goal won't help.

                          1. Cok3y5murf
                            • 7 Years
                            4 years, 6 months ago

                            in the short-term, of course. Although that goes without saying because FPL is about short-term planning.

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

                              dont really agree with this either, esp as the season goes on - fixtures are several orders of magnitude more useful to us than form, we have all that info avail right now.

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

                            it matters because people tend to weight their thinking in terms of numbers of individual returns than they do value of individual returns, which is significant enough to turn a seemingly optimal transfer into a suboptimal one on a regular basis. not sure why you keep bringing up aguero

                            1. Cok3y5murf
                              • 7 Years
                              4 years, 6 months ago

                              Because he's a forward and Sterling is a mid?

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

                                i've made no claim about either aguero or sterling. i've conceded the point that a premium striker can outscore a premium midfielder. you're either missing the point or being wilfully obtrusive

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

                        Yeah think Auba could easily come out with 6 goals over the next 6, not sure Salah would have the same

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

                          auba can outscore salah over the next 6 for sure, but by how much is the question really. problem medium term (when laca returns) is auba being stuck out wide. 2 transfers to get auba in now, 2 transfers to get salah back gw13 etc. reduces your options elsewhere a little

                  3. money face bandwagon
                    • 10 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    Did that move last gw. Captaining auba this week

                5. Ange Ball
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  About to do AWB to Tomori but gut saying to bring in Azi instead even tho 1.3m difference.

                  Worth it?

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

                    depends how nailed you think tomori is. if like 85%+ he's the clear choice. but if you think christensen has a decent chance of keeping his place when rudiger returns then go with azpi.

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

                    Do you not think azi could lose his place to James soon? Azi not performing well.

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

                      if azpi goes the oldest player in the back 5 is rudiger (26). cant see a new manager like lampard dropping his captain anytime soon

                      1. Ange Ball
                        • 9 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        I done as in got more potential then Tom attacking

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

                          yes he has but he's also more expensive. whether one is better value than the other then depends on how nailed they are

                6. rainy
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 8 Years
                  4 years, 6 months ago

                  Price Changes - 30th September 2019

                  🔺  Yarmolenko (6.0), Mount (6.7)

                  🔻  Gudmundsson (5.9), Zappacosta (4.3), McGoldrick (5.4), Pereyra (5.7), Reid (3.9)

                  1. TorresMagic™
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • Has Moderation Rights
                    • 14 Years
                    4 years, 6 months ago

                    2 up, cheers.

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

                      Early xfer?

                    2. FPL Daniel
                      • 14 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      no chance you have Yarmolenko

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

                    first 3.9 def right?

                    1. rainy
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • Has Moderation Rights
                      • 8 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      He is indeed

                      1. Party time
                          4 years, 6 months ago

                          Cheers Rainy 🙂

                        • EMBOLOFAN
                          • 5 Years
                          4 years, 6 months ago

                          great fixtures too!

                    2. Party time
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        Oh Dear Winston Reid, It's time to hang your tracksuit!

                      • waldo666
                        • 13 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        Cheers, Rainy.

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

                        thanks Rainy 😉

                      • pakroagain
                        • 5 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        thanks rainy..any one know how fpl system managed 2 team with same poin in rank? who no 1 and who no 2

                        1. TorresMagic™
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • Has Moderation Rights
                          • 14 Years
                          4 years, 6 months ago

                          Total transfers made.

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

                            in that gameweek or from gameweek 1?

                            1. TorresMagic™
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • Has Moderation Rights
                              • 14 Years
                              4 years, 6 months ago

                              Not GW transfers made.

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

                          one with fewer transfers is 1st

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

                            thanks bro

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

                            total transfer same too..what else bro

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

                              Nothing, you get the same rank

                      • COYS Down Under
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 9 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        Another .2 nice

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

                      cheers. so the question is not will Digne drop this week but do we expect him to fall below 6.0m (starting price) - that would be crap

                      1. TorresMagic™
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • Has Moderation Rights
                        • 14 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        Would need about 200K sales.

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

                          Interesting, good to know ta

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

                      Is Aurier's price fixed until his flag his removed?

                      1. TorresMagic™
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • Has Moderation Rights
                        • 14 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        no, frozen after.

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

                          Thanks TM.

                          How did you this GW?

                          I had an absolute howler 🙁

                          1. TorresMagic™
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • Has Moderation Rights
                            • 14 Years
                            4 years, 6 months ago

                            Red arrow, Soybean helped last night.
                            Sold Sterling so hopefully Otamendi, Abraham and Son can pay me back next GW.

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

                              Same here, Red arrows, thinking of maybe getting Soy in after LIV game!

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

                                who did you sell Stirling for out of out of interest?

                                1. TorresMagic™
                                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                  • Has Moderation Rights
                                  • 14 Years
                                  4 years, 6 months ago

                                  Digne + Wickham + Sterling for the above 3.

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

                                    Oh roger that.

                                    Thinking of Stirling > KDB then GW9 do Pukki > Vardy

                                    Thoughts?

                                    1. TorresMagic™
                                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                      • Has Moderation Rights
                                      • 14 Years
                                      4 years, 6 months ago

                                      Decent, midweek should give you some info including KDB fitness.

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

                                        yeah, holding off an early transfers until later this week for sure!

                    5. waldo666
                      • 13 Years
                      4 years, 6 months ago

                      Still a match to go plus midweeks so not looking to make a move yet, just looking to canvas some opinions.

                      1FT and 0.1 ITB

                      Ryan
                      AWB VVD TAA Otamendi Lundstram
                      Sterling Salah KDB Mount
                      Pukki

                      (Button Greenwood Jota Dendonker)

                      Jota the obvious needing attention but not much I can do with him at his price point without a hit (trying to avoid if possible).

                      Was thinking I might just ride this week out with the team above and then probably look to downgrade VVD to upgrade Jota the following.

                      Any thoughts appreciated, DZ.

                      1. TorresMagic™
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • Has Moderation Rights
                        • 14 Years
                        4 years, 6 months ago

                        Sounds good, formation needs a tweak for sure.

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

                        Hey Waldo.

                        You interested in joining team Geevious in FFS pundits play off?

                        Would love to have you on board

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

                        Gtg.

                        Vvd to 4.5
                        Jota to Vardy possible?

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

                        Needs an extra forward or 2. Unless you fancy Jota to Wood or King, you need funds to upgrade either Jota or Greenwood. Downgrading VVD or AWB gives you the funds. VVD to Soyuncu/Tomori gives you more funds than AWB and a playable defender on top. For even more funds, Kelly or Rico.

                        Aubameyang, Firmino, Vardy, Wilson, Abraham, Haller all seem like solid forward options.