Pro Pundits

What Abraham must add to his game as I prepare to leave ‘Pukki Party’

My big dilemma this week was what to do with Teemu Pukki (£7.1m). Having shown up ‘fashionably late’ to the Norwich striker’s party in Gameweek 4, there was a sense that I’d already missed most of the good stuff and, now, it was a case of either waiting to see if there’d be a big Finnish finish or ‘remembering that I’d left the stove on’, and making a quick getaway.

I’m not fully convinced that the Pukki party is genuinely over but Norwich look worryingly out of form and it will always be a concern as to whether they can maintain their attacking output now the initial exuberance of their opening matches is out of the way, especially as their fixtures begin to get tougher.

Comparisons to Fulham and Aleksandar Mitrovic’s decline around this time last season are maybe a little lazy, but still fairly inescapable.

Pukki and Norwich have regressed in recent weeks

Meanwhile, over in west London, Tammy Abraham (£7.7m) is beginning to look like he could be a genuine mid-priced heavy hitter and, as we’ve seen in the past with the likes of Harry Kane (£10.9m) and Jamie Vardy (£9.0m), these types of players, when they emerge, can quickly become essential for their own points output, for the additional captaincy options that they provide and for the investment that they enable elsewhere.

I could, and probably should, have made the move for Abraham earlier but, despite eight goals in as many games, I still have some reservations.

You see, as a Chelsea fan, I love Abraham to the extent that I’d happily throw myself in front of a Julian Dicks penalty for him, but as a Fantasy Premier League asset, I’m not entirely convinced (yet).

At the risk of applying Love Island logic here, I typically have a handful of boxes that I want my FPL forwards to tick: 

1. Do they score goals? 

2. Do they play for a team who create enough chances? 

3. Do they contribute assists as well as goals? 

4. Do they take penalties or other set pieces? 

Jorginho’s role in penalties at Chelsea is a slight concern for Abraham’s prospects

On current evidence, Abraham only offers the first two and, normally, I’d want at least three.

Why does this matter if he’s scoring points from goals? Well, Abraham is currently averaging a goal a game and, even with some good fixtures to come, this output will inevitably regress, particularly without penalties to help inflate his numbers, meaning that blanks are on the horizon unless he can start to contribute assists as well as goals.

In his favour is also the fact that he’s an all-purpose sort of centre-forward, with the size, speed and variety of finishing to deliver against any sort of defence, meaning that, while he won’t score every game, I’ll always believe he stands a chance.

And there’s that price…

Ultimately these factors, plus the opportunity to avoid the sort of “Oh… yay….” instances of cognitive dissonance I’ve been experiencing every time he scores was enough to convince me to finally push the button on Pukki to Abraham.

Will I captain him? It’s tempting but I’m currently leaning towards Callum Wilson (£7.9m) both for the quality of Bournemouth’s fixture at home to Norwich and for his relative consistency this season. Though this particular decision may well go down to the wire.

My team for Gameweek 9

Simon March is a member of our Pro Pundits initiative, a team of Fantasy managers here to bring you regular advice and updates on their teams. Simon won the FPL title in 2014/15 and has become a fixture on the punditry circuit ever since.

1,468 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gegenpress
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    WC team below: I activated in rage last gwk and only made 4 changes lol But I think it's looking much better:

    I'm looking at Ota to Tierney or Soy as well, anything else blatantly obvious? Tbh wanted to do Ota to Tomori (who I took out on WC) and CHO to Maddison but am now 0.4m short

    Pope (Gov)

    TAA Pereira Ota (Lund Kell)

    KDB Mane Mount CHO (Cantwell)

    Aub Wilson(C) Tammy(VC)

    URGENT HELP REQUIRED

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

      CHO is my big boy differential, I think he's nailed and could get some magnificent scores in that Chelsea team

      1. Wally banter
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Lose Ota and Kelly, rest all good
        May be CHO to yarmolenko?

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

          Nah CHO I think will smash it, Kelly to Rico maybe? Ota I don't know who to get in for him - Tierney?

          1. Wally banter
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Tierney is smart, are you solid on pereira? may be soyancu/chilwell and get maddison?

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

              What's your opinion on Pereira - he seems to be playing as a Right winger when I've watched Leicester. That's my main appeal to him over the other 2. I always like having attacking potential rather then settling on chasing cleansies those end up being a bonus tbh

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

      Needs more Leicester. Ota > Tomori. Cantwell > Cheapest playing midfielder and then upgrade Cho > Maddison

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

        I agree, I looked at that but with Lund and Kells fixtures I'd like having Cantwell on the bench - there'll be rotation going forward

        What is your opinion on Tierney?? also CHO?

    3. HNI
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      80% perfect.I would go auba to kun as he has amazing next 3 and downgrade ota to Soy for double.lei defence till gw 13 when can do Perreira to VVD. You will be grateful if you followed what I said

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

        Smart thinking re the double defence idea...

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

          Thanks. Its not with complete luck i have had good fpl history. could have been better if I wasnt too hung up on stats over player credibility

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

            What's your opinion on CHO?

            you think Maddison may be a better option? or with double Leicester stay away?

            also what do you think re Tierney?

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

              Still holding Tierney this morning - against all logic

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

    Tammy not on penalty right? Is it Jorginho?

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

      Yes

  3. valurth
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    1. Keep Mahrez and D.Silva
    2. Get rid of for DeBruyne for -4

    1. Wally banter
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      keep

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

      Same decision and no idea think I’m going to keep mahrez another week

  4. Jatz10
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Please rate my Wild Card team :

    Gazzaniga Pope
    VVD Boly Soyuncu Rico Lundstram
    Mane De Bruyne Mount Maddison Traore
    Aubameyang Abraham King

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

      7/10

      1. Jatz10
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Any changes you would make?

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

          Yeah quite a lot, i'd have kun and sterling and instead of auba and mane for a start. Wouldnt have 2 keepers, wouldnt have vvd, king, maddison or traore

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

      Downgrade Traore then VVD to TAA

      1. La Vida Latte
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        This

  5. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Best midfield punt for one gw - max 9.8 and is not kdb, raz or mount?

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

      CHO

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

      H Wilson

    3. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Mcginn

    4. HNI
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Son vs that Watford

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

      Willian or Grealish.

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

      Pepe

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

    My team for the weekend, any tweaks?

    Alisson
    TAA, Tomori, Perieria
    KDB, Mane, Mount, Maddison
    Aubameyang (VC), Pukki, Abraham (C)

    Pope, Chambers, Cantwell, Rico

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

      Alisson, wow? On WC?

  7. Salarrivederci
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    1FT & 0.2 ITB
    Would you:
    A) take a -4 and do Son & Aguero -> Sterling & Vardy or Pukki & Son -> Maddison & Vardy
    B) Swap out Son for free (9.9)
    C) Save FT

    Pope
    Otamendi - Tomori - Soyuncu
    Mane - Son - Pepe - Mount
    Aguero - Pukki - Abraham

    (Button, Cantwell, Lundstram, Lascelles)

  8. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Captain?

    A) Auba

    B) Vardy

    C) Tammy

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

      C

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

      C from that lot

    3. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I’m going A.
      Can feel some goals and I love a MNF captain...

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

    On a Wildcard - 1) or 2)? 🙂

    1) Sterling and Soy/Tomori (only have KDB from City)
    2) Mane and Pereira (only have TAA from Liverpool)

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

      1

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

      1)

    3. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      1

  10. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Yay or nay for my WC?

    Pope (button)
    TAA Soy Rico Boly (Lunn)
    Salah Sterling Kdb Mount (Cantwell)
    Tammy (c)Wilson (Connolly)

    0.6itb.

    1. Boz
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Big yay

      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks

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

      Salah Mane and Cantwell McGinn 352 if you dare 🙂

      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Considered that but had Salah since day 1 and want to keep.

        Could do Boly to a 4.5 and Cantwell to McGinn?

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

        Sorry read that wrong.

  11. primal33
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who to captain?

    A. Abraham
    B. Wilson
    C. Sterling

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

  12. Giorgi89
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Lads,

    Last minute decision: Son > KdB or save FT

    (have Sterling and will not captain either)

    Cheers

    1. Boz
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Save

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

      Stick

    3. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Save

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

      save

    5. Giorgi89
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers guys!

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

    Who's your cap? Go!

    1. Boz
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Tammy

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

      Wilson

    3. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      KDB

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

      Mane

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

      Undecided between Son and Sterling.

    6. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Aubameyang :O

      1. Boz
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        6 replies, 6 different captains shows how open this GW will be

        1. The Wanton Trader
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Makes it very interesting indeed.
          Could be a major turning point in the season so far for those who get it right...

    7. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Tammy

    8. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Raz

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

      tammy atm (considering Vardy)

    10. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Kane

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

      Tammy

    12. Akeem
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Abrahamovic

    13. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Was Wilson but last minute tempted by Salah

  14. Boz
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope (McG)
    TAA Soy Tomori (Lund Rico)
    Mane Son KDB Mount (Guend)
    Wilson Pukki Tammy(C)

    1FT 3.4itb

    Anything urgent or roll FT?

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

      pukki to vardy
      or save

    2. La Vida Latte
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Pukki to wilson or save

      1. La Vida Latte
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Sorry.i cant read. Save transfer

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

    You can tell those who are keeping Pukki, trying to convince themselves he will score better than Tammy and Wilson,

    1. Boz
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Could see all 3 in the goals this week

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

      It’ll be an interesting GW

      Lots of big decisions have been made

      Many a WC played it seems

    3. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      He'll probably score and that's enough for some.

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      If not on WC I would stick ... anything but 2 points is fine rather than using FT

    5. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I have Pukki and Abraham. I expect Pukki to score occasionally, as expected for a 7m striker.

  16. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pope
    Ota TAA Digne Soy
    Sterling Mahrez Salah Mount
    Abraham Pukki
    (4.0 Rico Dendoncker Greenwood)

    1FT & 1.6ITB

    a) Mahrez > KDB
    b) Pukki > Wilson
    c) Save FT

  17. AWOL-Ekotto
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    How sure are we that KDB will actually start this week?

    1. Boz
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      90%

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

        I’d go higher

        1. Boz
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          You can never be 100% with pep

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

            99%?

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

              Exactly

      2. AWOL-Ekotto
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers. Keeping him then

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

      I think he will but at same time you never know with pep.

    3. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I think after Wolfs, he is required ASAP..!

    4. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Start, score, three assists, three bonus

      1. AWOL-Ekotto
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        What I need to hear to keep me from last-minute WC changes

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

    With so many, so many captain choices ( no clear choice) , is it the week to go for a differential captain ?

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

      Yes thinking TAA

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

        Brave

    2. chriscosta
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      am considering vardy as differential over tammy...
      still not sure !!

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Kane differential

  19. No_Mo_Salah?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    A. Auba + Pereira
    B. Sterling + Soy?

    I have KDB. Cheers.

    1. Akeem
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A, soy is too salty

  20. Akeem
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Which do you prefer?

    A) Maddison + Jiminez

    B) Traore + Vardy

    1. No_Mo_Salah?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A.

    2. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A, I dont like Traore

    3. chriscosta
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

  21. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Which one

    A) Sterling + Wilson + Jimenez
    B) Maddison + Auba + Wilson/Jimenez

    1. Akeem
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B with Jiminez because of fixtures and pens

      1. KUNingas
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks!

  22. Woody01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Who scores more over the next 3+

    A) Jorginho
    B) Guendouzi

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

      A

    2. KUNingas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

    3. Akeem
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

      A i guess, also on pens, if am not mistaken

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

      B

  23. Ribus
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Son probably rested?

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

      I don't think so

  24. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Any Jimenez owner here?

    1. Aftermath
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Me, brought in for Haller this week. Those fixtures look juicy

    2. chriscosta
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      not bad, i like it !!
      very good fixtures as well

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

    Play Lundstram or Rico?

    1. Akeem
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Rico

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

      Rico. Easy

    3. RealVirg
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Rico

    4. Ibracadebruyne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers!

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

    Which combo to finish off the wildcard?

    A) Boly 4.3 mid
    B) Tomori 4.4 mid + 0.2 ITB

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

      Who is the 4.3 mid?

  27. Lazerball
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    RP
    2FT 0.1itb bit not many ideas.

    Pope
    TAA Ota Soy
    Salah KDB Mount Yarm
    Abrahams Pukki Kun

    Button Cantwell Lund Diop

    Leaning towards Yarm -> CHO
    Hate the idea of not using one FT but I don't see any obvious homeruns here. Feedback appreciated!

  28. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Mount could be a nice differential captaincy option. Highly owned but not talked about for the armband

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

      Not bad for excitement

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

    Here's where the WC stands...
    Patricio
    Tierney TAA Soyuncu
    CHO Mane Sterling Mount Kdb
    Wilson* Abraham
    Button Rico Lundstram Connolly

    *Money leftover for vardy upgrade

    Key decisions left are...
    A - Keep Wilson and upgrade CHO to Maddison?
    B- Downgrade Patricio to Pope?
    C - Wait on Tierney.... Go Boly?

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

      I would rather have Gazza Ryan than Patricio Button. Or just Pope as you prefer ... I am on A and C myself

  30. HNI
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    When you ignore the herd mentality effect, its crazy to prefer CWilson over alternating penalty taker Jiminez who not only is cheaper but plays for better team!.

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

      I wolves haven’t cut it this season

      There 3 game winning streak is being blown out of all proportion imo

      Anyone can beat Watford. An alternative comp win is not the same as winning in the league. Many a team have had great cup runs but poor league performance. So it comes down to the city game - great result - city left themselves open and their defence is weaker.

      I’d still worry about how playing in Europe will affect them

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

        Jimimez gets subbed early in Europe which is great sign