Scout Notes

United assets offer FPL managers little incentive ahead of fixture swing

Newcastle United 1-0 Manchester United

  • Goal: Matthew Longstaff (£4.5m)
  • Assist: Jetro Willems (£4.5m)
  • Bonus: Willems x3, M. Longstaff x2, Martin Dubravka (£5.0m)

A fixture swing for Manchester United beckons after the visit of Liverpool in Gameweek 9 but who’d back their Fantasy assets at present?

The Red Devils sit top of our Season Ticker from Gameweeks 10-14, taking on five clubs who are currently ranked tenth or below.

The two remaining teams without a Premier League clean sheet to their names this season immediately follow Jurgen Klopp’s side and, on Sunday’s evidence, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s troops need all the help they can get.

While poor defeats to Crystal Palace and West Ham were perhaps borderline excusable given how well those two teams are performing at present, this latest loss plumbed new depths.

Solskjaer’s side faced a Newcastle team who had been battered 5-0 by Leicester City a week ago, who sat second-bottom of the table and who had the lowest expected goals tally of any top-flight club this season.

The Red Devils’ failure to create anything of note from open play was alarming, with seven of their 12 chances coming from dead-ball situations.

The visitors’ only clear-cut opportunity saw Harry Maguire (£5.5m) nod an Ashley Young (£5.4m) corner wide from inside the six-yard box but there was precious else to report, with Marcos Rojo‘s (£4.8m) header over from another Young delivery as close as United came to an equaliser.

Marcus Rashford (£8.4m) was left isolated up front but did himself few favours with a sulky display, touching the ball just nine times in the opening 45 minutes and frequently drifting out to the left away from the danger zone.

A last-ditch Fabian Schar (£5.0m) tackle prevented Rashford from tapping in on 70 minutes but that was as close as the England striker came to a chance as he failed to register a single shot on goal.

Solskjaer said of Rashford’s display:

He’s working hard. As I said to the boys at half-time today, you feel for him because he’s running, running and running and he doesn’t get the service.

The first half was very poor, that was the poorest we’ve been because we gave so many sloppy balls away, it seemed like we couldn’t control the ball and we couldn’t find the combinations. Of course, in the second half we dominated but we didn’t create enough.”

With Rashford toiling out wide, the Red Devils had just 16 touches in the Newcastle box – only four teams had fewer in Gameweek 8.

Daniel James (£6.2m) had no joy down the left flank either, so much so that he and Andreas Pereira (£5.0m) swapped wings in a bid to break the stalemate – to little avail.

James has produced four successive blanks now, with his rate of shots worsening to one every 71.8 minutes over that period.

Opposing teams stopping the Wales international from cutting in off the left flank onto his favoured right foot obviously nullifies a lot of his goal threat, something Leicester, West Ham, Arsenal and Newcastle have done quite well over the last month – although Norwich may be more obliging in Gameweek 10.

The return of Paul Pogba (£8.4m) and Anthony Martial (£7.5m) from injury may help United, of course.

Pogba was far from outstanding in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal but was made to look like a world-beater by understudy Fred (£5.3m) on Sunday, while Martial was dovetailing quite nicely with Rashford before his injury in Gameweek 3.

Returning bodies in defence may also help reinforce a backline that hasn’t been too bad on the underlying stats front this season.

Three of United’s first-choice back four were absent through injury or illness yesterday, with Victor Lindelof (£5.4m) joining Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.5m) and Luke Shaw (£5.4m) on the sidelines.

Only three clubs have conceded fewer goals than Solskjaer’s side this season, with no top-flight side allowing fewer big chances.

The Norwegian said of Sunday’s display and the goal they conceded:

We gave them too many counter-attacks, lifted their crowd, you could see they were behind their team, behind Brucey and it was impossible for me to put one or two players where they should have been.

There are players that try to organise it but couldn’t and when that happens, six or seven back in our own box, but we couldn’t defend that ball. There were two attempts to tackle, from Dan and Fred.

Newcastle deserve credit despite their opponents’ performance, with Steve Bruce getting a reaction from his players after the mauling at Leicester.

It was perhaps no surprise that the Magpies looked more comfortable in the 5-4-1/3-4-3 shape that Rafael Benitez favoured in 2018/19.

When Bruce has stuck with that tried-and-tested system, the Magpies have won two, drawn two and lost just one (away at Liverpool), keeping three clean sheets along the way.

In the games he has experimented with a 3-5-2 or 4-4-2, Newcastle have lost all three and conceded nine goals.

The promotion of teenager Matthew Longstaff (£4.5m) to the starting XI alongside elder brother Sean (£5.0m) brought a lot of energy to the centre of midfield, something Jonjo Shelvey (£5.0m) hadn’t offered much of in the turgid 0-0 draw with Brighton a fortnight ago.

Longstaff is a defensive midfielder by trade but looked a threat against the Red Devils, striking the bar before firing in the winner on his debut in the 71st minute.

Bruce said of the younger Longstaff:

When it fell to him, I thought I’ve seen him drill them in in training but to do it on the big stage…

He’s been a breath of fresh air. He just wants to play football. I thought who’s this ginger kid when we were in China. He’s been good in training.

It didn’t faze him. He enjoyed it. He probably didn’t sleep well last night. He won’t get much sleep again tonight. 

It’s quite a story. I’ve been going 20 odd years and not been able to beat Manchester United and he’s done it straight away.

Allan Saint-Maximin‘s (£5.4m) trickery caught the eye but the Magpies’ attacking players are unlikely to be the flavour of the month even when their fixtures turn for the better at the end of October, given their ongoing struggle for goals.

Their budget defensive assets could potentially re-enter our thinking, however, on the proviso that Bruce sticks with the current set-up.

This was a side, after all, that kept 11 clean sheets in 2018/19, a total that only six clubs could better.

Newcastle sit top of our Season Ticker from Gameweeks 10-18, meeting only Manchester City of the ‘big six’ along the way.

No side has kept more clean sheets than the Magpies this season, while only four teams have allowed fewer big chances in home matches.

FPL managers will likely baulk at paying £5.0m for Schar but Jetro Willems (£4.5m), with two attacking returns and two clean sheets in four starts, is a name to monitor – the return of Matt Ritchie (£5.3m) could ruin that idea, of course.

Members Analysis

Newcastle United XI (5-4-1):  Dubravka; Yedlin, Schar, Lascelles, Clark, Willems; Saint-Maximin (Atsu 82′), M Longstaff, S Longstaff, Almiron; Joelinton (Carroll 54′). 

Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Dalot (Rojo 61′), Tuanzebe, Maguire, Young; Fred, McTominay; Pereira, Mata (Greenwood 65′), James; Rashford. 

Lessons learned from Gameweek 8

575 Comments Post a Comment
  1. mookie
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    I know y'all been trying to keep it secret but when will the ABU party take place? During the the Liverpool game or the relegation Derby against Norwich?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      It's a 24/7 affair at the moment. What a time to be alive 😀

  2. Daghe Munegu
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    1ft 0.6 itb

    Pope
    TAA Otamendi Tomori Soyuncu
    Salah Sterling KDB Yarmolenko
    Wilson Abraham

    Button Guendouzi Lundstram Ayew

    Would you save?

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

      Good team ..... Save

    2. fantasyxprt11
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Could do yarmelenko for Cho maybe? At 5.9 looks an absolute steal with the attacking form of Chelsea
      Alternatively, I would consider downgrading sterling to mahrez and upgrading Ayew to Haller?

      1. Daghe Munegu
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Is CHO nailed ?

        1. fantasyxprt11
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I think he'll start more games than he'll be benched based on what Frank has done with the rest of the squad and other players have said about him lately

  3. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC draft

    Pope Button

    Otamendi Tierney Tomori Sonyucu Lund

    KDB Mane Maddison Mount Saka

    Aubameyang Vardy Abraham

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I'd have a longer term option than Saka. Dendo or Cantwell. Would also prioritise Trent myself, rest is very good.

      1. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks. Yeah definitely take your point on saka. Plan is to bring in Trent around gameweek 13 when their fixtures turn and downgrade either Maddison or mount

        1. bench boost for every gamew…
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          no point in going without taa, city will concede at least the same amount of goals until that turn in fixture.

    2. fantasyxprt11
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Would suggest downgrading Tierney to Rico or Kelly and upgrade Saka to Cantwell
      Or upgrade Tierney to TAA and downgrade Maddison to McGinn/Ceballos/CHO

      1. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I see the logic but tierney is my wildcard pick, he’s gunna be class. It’s the biased arsenal fan in me

        1. fantasyxprt11
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Well, you could do those moves with Ota then 😛

          1. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Now you’re talking my language chief

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

      Good team. Maybe Tomori to Burnley/Brighton def. Chelsea wont keep CS and also to keep option to bring in CHO.

  4. Ambrosiana Inter
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Kdb yet to fall lol

    1. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Too many fpl towers owning him

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I kinda see their logic in this though, he's already underpriced from the start

        1. Krionos
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Or because no one is selling? He is the highest scoring player in the game, a lot of people have value tied up in him and Pep stated he will be ready after the IB...

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      WC? Brought in Auba as a safe captain last week.. would use to get KDB back for free after IB. Team looks okay and could get back KdB for free if i wait a week and have 2ft, currently thinking of saving.

      Pope
      TAA Robbo Digne Lundstram
      Salah Sterling KDB Mount
      Auba Haller

      Button Saka Rico GreenW

      1. fantasyxprt11
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Would save

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Cheers

    4. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pukki + Cantwell to Wilson + Maddison

      Would you do this for a hit?

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Good transfers

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

        Yes

    5. milanista10
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wilson vs Tammy
      Vote!

      1. KDB4PREZ
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Tammy

      2. Cojones of Destiny
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Both!

      3. Better off with a pin and a…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Tammy.

      4. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Tammo

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

      Now with a break season ticker needs updates.
      Man utd is a bottom team

      1. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Weighting is off. I wonder if there’s much of a tweak as the season progresses?

    7. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Time to push the boat out me reckons with (c) punt this week.

      1. Cojones of Destiny
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        this

      2. Tomerick
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Who you thinking? Personally hovering over Tammy but Vardy and Wilson are in the mix.

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Wilson or Tammy

          1. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            or Kane

          2. Jam0sh
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Wilson sounds tempting

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

            Who would be the safe choice this week?

            1. Christina.
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              not the wk to go safe.

              go big or go home.

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

                See, there is no safe choice this week. Sensible people will punt.

      3. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Wilson

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

        (K)ing maybe for me

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

        Already on it

      6. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Tammy(C)

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

        Capping Tammy myself

      8. Openboxman
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Salah for me

      9. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        If it’s the week folk gamble I’m going KDB, reverse psychology see

        1. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Usually when returning from injury KDB gets reduced minutes off the bench.

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

      Goals 2019:

      Mane 19
      Salah 13

      Assists (official)

      Mane 3
      Salah 6

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

        Mane > salah

      2. fantasyxprt11
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Would love to have both instead of the roulette, these aren't that different a numbers and i think they will balance out over the season, pity it would cost 25m for 2 players, so get 1 and pray 😛

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

          I think the thing is mane is edging it and that’s quite a large sample - yet he is cheaper

        2. mookie
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Mane played less minutes though.
          Mane scored a goal every 115 minutes while Salah one at every 176. Also Salah's assist are pretty jammy. Firmino taking the ball from him and scoring or Mane earning a free kick and Salah steps on the ball before TAA scoring.

          1. mookie
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            One goal every 176 minutes is 1 goal every 2 games, yet people talk about hauls and hattricks.

          2. St Pauli Walnuts
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Good stat, adds a lot more context

      3. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        All I know is. Salah isn’t worth the extra money

    9. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pukki Son to Wilson Mount -4 and get Maddy in place of Cantwell the week after?

      Pope
      TAA/Ota/Tomori/Soy
      Mane/KDB/Son
      Auba/Abraham/Pukki

      Button/Cantwell/Lund/Hayden.

      1. Cojones of Destiny
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        exact my transfer yesterday but for free g4it

      2. Jam0sh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Sounds decent

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

        Thanks guys 😉

      4. Better off with a pin and a…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I'd just do Son - Mount this week. Think there will be goals in the BOU NOR game, but Wilson v Pukki feels like a coin toss (look at their stats) and not worth a -4 to me.

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

          Wanna c Wilson tho

          1. Better off with a pin and a…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Yeah, I can see that. It's not a bad shout so if you feel it, go for it. You need a brace from Wilson really; could happen.

    10. Man Chest Hair United
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Thoughts on this wildcard team

      Pope McGovern
      Taa Tomori dunk Lundstram Söyüncü

      Sterling KDB Mount Maddison Cantwell

      Aub Vardy Tammy

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        WC team with Mane?

        No thanks.

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          *without

      2. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Mane over Sterling

        1. _Gunner
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          This

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

      Do we want Aubameyang for the next few fixtures?

      He can pop up with a goal whenever, it seems, but are these fixtures really thay amazing from an attacking standpoint?

      1. SHU - Conceded 2 in last 4
      2. CRY - Conceded 2 in last 3
      3. WOL - Conceded 1 in last 3
      4. LEI - Conceded 4 in last 4

      Tottenham & Wolves' capitulations in GW5 feel like slight anomalies, and Leicester have played three of the big six teams in those four.

      How many of these would you feel comfortable captaining him in?

      Thoughts?

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I own. Not going anywhere. Not just about(c).

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

          That's fair. You're very highly ranked. Chasing & transferring in is a different story.

          1. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Nice fixtures
            ownership still below 30% in top 10k so you will still gain if he does well

        2. Krionos
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          If you own an 11.0 asset and won't consider captaining him against any of those teams, perhaps those funds would be better distributed elsewhere?

      2. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Definitely worth considering. I got him in. If Arsenal score it’s likely to be him. Can’t complain

      3. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Haha just commented this

      4. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Bought him before gw8 so keeping. Gw9 is tricky because City vs palace, arsenal got shu, so for me it´between King and Abraham or Mané. King plays late tuesday so slight worry that he could be benched, so abraham or mané in gw9.
        GW10, Mané, that´s a given
        Next one i have not decided, to far ahead.
        This talk about not capping expensive players automatically makes them useless i´m not totally agreeing as they could be used as limiting the damage by owning them. That´s why not having the most captained player every week is dangerous, if you have them you limit the damage as you get half their score. Auba for me is a long term, as Arsenal have nice fixtures until december. And i decided that i want KDB, because if he plays he gets assists and if not City won´t score that much. Auba won´t get rotated, Sterling and Kun will. And no point in taking out Mané who plays every week.

    12. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Considering wildcarding this. Maybe only 5 transfers away where'd I'd like to be but Wildcard probably more arguable considering Salah/Mane, no KDB and possible formation change to 3-5-2?

      Pope
      TAA, Digne, Söyüncü
      Salah, Sterling, McGinn, Yarmolenko
      Pukki, Aubameyang, Abraham

      subs: Button --- Lundstram, Dendoncker, Rico --- 1 FT, 0.2 ITB

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Sameish problem for me, did KDB to Auba last week. I'm probably saving as i still trust Liverpool def and Digne.

    13. corderz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Hold on to my wildcard?

      1FT 2.5m

      Pope Button
      TAA Robertson Tomori Soyuncu Lundstram
      Sterling Dilva Mount Jorginho Cantwell
      Vardy Aubameyang Pukki

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

        Yeah I’d hold and then do pukki and Jorg to Wilson and Maddo for a -4

      2. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Chelsea triple up without Tammy is unique
        No need to WC
        Silva to kdb if fit?

        1. corderz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Only reason I have Jorginho is because last week I did Greenwood + Salah to Aubameyang + Jorginho as there's not many options in midfield for £5m.

          That's also why I have 2.5m left in the bank. To upgrade dilva to KDB if he's fit

    14. SALVA
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A or B?

      Pope
      TAA/Tomori/Söyu
      Mane/Salah/KdB/Maddison/Mount
      Tammy/Wilson

      [Rico, Lunds, Greenwood]

      Pope
      TAA/Ota/Söyu
      KdB/Mane/Maddison/Mount
      Auba/Vardy/Tammy

      [Lund,Rico,Dend]

      1. Openboxman
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        B

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

        B

    15. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Which is better?

      A- Gazzaniga + Wilson
      B- Allison/Leno + King

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

        A but another cheaper GK, Pope or Ryan

        1. _Gunner
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Can't afford that unfortunately.

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

            A I guess. 100% not Leno

            1. _Gunner
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Allison is tempting though

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

      Can you guys cast your eye over this wildcard and let me know what’s not good?

      Pope McGovern
      Boly Rico Soy Webster TAA
      Mount Cantwell KDB Maddo Mane
      Auba Tammy Wilson

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        You have all your bases covered with this one. Very good up front

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

          Cheers, seen better ones with TV of 103m+

          1. Stormbringer22
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Yeah, some insane TV around here. The players you have up front and in midfield is just a joy to see. I think it is a very balanced team that covers all the big teams with good fixtures. On paper, you should have lots of high-scoring gameweeks!

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

              Ha we all know on paper hasn’t worked at all this season

              1. Stormbringer22
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Yep, same here. I WC-ed a couple of weeks ago and remember thinking "there are some high-scoring gameweeks ahead" 😀

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

      Have decided to get in Vardy.
      Still have a big decision to make.

      A) Pukki -> Vardy & play VvD (mun)
      B) Ayew - > Vardy, by downgrading VvD & play Pukki (bou)

      So which one do you think is better?

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

        Does B mean a hit?

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

        No

      3. Better off with a pin and a…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        If no hit, B. Pukki much better to have than Ayew. You have TAA?

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

          No, I don't. But I'm planning to get him in GW 13 (with the fixture swing)

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

          It's basically Pukki (bou) vs VvD (mun), as Ayew will be benched.

          1. Better off with a pin and a…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Probably still b. There's a decent chance Pukki can get something at BOU, particularly if some of the injuries clear up for Nor by then.

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

              Thanks

    18. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Ota out?

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        If you have no other fires to put out, then yeah, I think so. Ota should be downgraded to a 4.5 defender and use the money up front. Wait until nearer to the GW deadline

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

          Who are the 4.5 good guys? Soy/Tomori are obvious but have had price hikes

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

            Lascelles, Saiss, Chambers

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

              Surely not?

              Newcastle under Bruce, Saïss isn’t nailed and Bellerin is close to being back

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

                These are the best under 4.5, considering the fixtures ahead. Just goes to show the dearth of decent defenders under 4.5.
                Saiss is pretty much nailed if he manages to shrug off his knock.
                Newcastle will come good & you're right about Bellerin displacing Chambers in the first team.

          2. Stormbringer22
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            When I say 4.5, I meant that region. Yeah, very much Soy and Tomori being the standout options. Lundy, Mings, Lowton, Dunk, Cahil (after GW13) are all options.

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

              Yeah cheers,
              I’m on Webster at 4.4 but have a spot in my wc team so thought I’d ask

      2. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Is he injured ?

        1. St Pauli Walnuts
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          No but with his consistently horrific form he surely can’t be far off being dropped. Stones approaching fitness and as a City fan I’d be happy to see even a kid play over him (Garcia is next in line). He’ll likely be my next transfer out, Tomori maybe.

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

        Fixtures are good

        Not an immediate issue but certainly looks like a dead end (city defence)

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Fixtures are great and he has attacking potential. I'm keeping for sure

      4. _Gunner
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Fixtures are still great

    19. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Article header is misleading, very misleading.

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        the word incentive should never have been used.

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          🙂

      2. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Is it? Makes sense to me

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

      I’d hold unless on a WC where I think the theme is to go TAA plus cheap guys to spend more up top and in mid

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

        Reply fail to the Ota chat, sorry

    21. mikess
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      What would you change from this?

      Unfortunately can't upgrade Pukki without a hit.

      1ft 0.0 itb

      Pope
      TAA, Mings, Rico
      Mane, KDB, Mount, Saka
      Aubameyang, Aguero, Pukki

      Button, Cantwell, Lundstram, Lascelles

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        To be honest, not much I would change.

        Controversial opinion maybe, but downgrade Kun this week and use the money next week to upgrade Pukki? Template seems to be Auba, Wilson, Tammy (or Vardy) atm

        1. mikess
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Fairly certain Kun will play next gameweek. It's certainly an option at some point

          1. Stormbringer22
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            He will most likely play, I agree. They would need to field out their best team after the Wolves game. Bank the transfer, and assess next gameweek if you want to use the 2FTs to upgrade Pukki. Nothing else to change on this team

            1. mikess
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Cheers

    22. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wildcard team:

      Ryan Button
      TAA Soy Tomori Lowton Rico
      Salah KDB Maddison Mount Cantwell
      Vardy Wilson Tammy

      1. bigbudgie
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Rate it?!

      2. mikess
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Looks solid

      3. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Notices Salah...logs out.

        1. bigbudgie
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          So If I get Mane instead where do you spend the extra on my team 🙂

          1. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Vardy to Auba perhaps or upgrade Maddi.

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

        6 1
        7 7 6 6 5
        7 9 8 8 6
        9 8 9

      5. A19
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Good team, would prefer Mane over Salah on a WC but that's just me!

        1. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          This and Maddi flattered to deceive last 2 seasons

          1. bigbudgie
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Cheers guys
            I've got a lot of catching up to do so a strategy is to double up on teams that can do well like Leicester. Hopefully this is Maddisons year.

      6. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Well balanced for sure. Feels like you need something fun to set you apart (for example I prefer Boly to Tomori). Starting to think your forwards are the sensible route (Haller, Pukki, Jimi can all step in where necessary).

        1. bigbudgie
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Thinking about Boly as well tbh

      7. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        6 players from 2 teams. Can work but could be boring. 1 player from Citeh?

        1. bigbudgie
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          If I do Salah > Mane I can do Tomori > Otamendi
          Presuming you mean City attack though.
          Could do Cantwell > Dendonker + Maddison > Bilva maybe

          1. Eze Really?
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            My choice would be 2 of Leicester and Chelsea and add a Citeh player.
            Bilva on a suspension tightrope, Sterling no value so the call IMO would be Mahrez if Bilva gets suspended. It is hard to choose Citeh atm I know.
            Mane a better call IMO than Mane

    23. Donny_Rover
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Current squad is:

      Pope Heaton
      TAA Otamendi Tomori Soyuncu Lundstram
      Sterling Mane Mount KDB McGinn
      Abraham Haller Greenwood

      £0.8m in the bank

      Was considering selling Mane but his/Liverpool’s recent form makes that unlikely. So probably looking at selling Haller & McGinn to find Vardy +1. Saka is the likeliest but if McGinn rises before either of the others I can afford Traore, but will leave me with nothing in the bank (not ideal as I’m looking to offload Greenwood soon).

      Any thoughts?

      1. A19
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I would not go Traore, he's not nailed I think. I'd rather go Cantwell at that price

      2. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Traore rotation with Doherty?

    24. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Is it just me or are Arsenal's fixtures not that appealing attacking wise until about GW13 when in about 6 of the 7 fixtures between GW13 -GW19 are quality attacking fixtures. shu, CRY, WOL, lei don't strike me as the stuff of hauls.

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        No I see your point. I'm unsure not so much because of the fixtures but the arsenal midfield - haven't seen enough of them to feel confident in their attacking prowess.

      2. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Holding or Tierney worth a punt?

    25. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I wondered if you fine upstanding gentlemen could give your views on Wolves assets?
      Didn't see the full city game but a great result and lovely fixture swing - surely things are looking up?

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        The dark tunnel of Europa still hanging around

    26. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Wilson or Vardy?

      1. A19
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Wilson, especially if you can afford Maddison

      2. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Wilson I feel is more consistent, but Vardy more explosive

    27. A19
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      My team is not in a bad shape but I'm considering wildcarding, thoughts on these moves?

      Ota, Montoya, McGinn, Sterling, Pukki, Greenwood
      To
      Tomori, Kelly, Maddison, Cantwell, Auba, Callum

      Would give me that:

      Pope
      TAA Pereira Tomori
      Mané KdB Maddison Mount
      Auba Callum Abraham

      The big move would basically be Sterling -> Auba, pretty hesitant but Sterling at 12m is not giving value rn...

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Good IMO

    28. Mackans
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Thoughts on my WC team?

      Pope (McGovern)
      Trent Otamendi Söyüncü (Diop) (Kelly)
      Mané KDB Maddison Mount (Elneny)
      Auba Wilson Abraham

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Now we are talking.
        Ota is only one I dont like.

      2. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        On a WC probably not Ota. Good side though